Canada’s just transition strategy

In 2016, Canada committed to the phase-out of conventional coal-fired electricity across the country by 2030. However, nearly 50 communities in four provinces still rely on thermal coal mining and coal power for local employment and taxes. In addition to creating a multi-stakeholder task force to advise the government on a just transition for impacted coal communities (see case study under Recommendation 3), the government committed CAD 185 million to transition initiatives, including CAD 35 million for the Canada Coal Transition Initiative to support skills development and economic diversification, and CAD 150 million to support infrastructure projects and economic diversification in impacted communities. In July 2021, Canada launched public consultations to gather diverse views on proposed just transition legislation, which would complement existing federal efforts on climate change mitigation and adaptation, so that Canada’s transition to a low-carbon future protects and improves the well-being of workers and communities across the country. Proposed legislation could include people-centred just transition principles that put workers and communities at the centre of the government’s climate policy decision-making and a Just Transition Advisory Body to provide government with advice on regional and sectoral strategies. A “What we Heard” report will be published upon the conclusion of consultations. 

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