Canada Federal Issues

As part of its ongoing commitment to transition Canada to a net-zero, low-carbon economy, Bill C-50 requires the federal government to publish an updated plan every five years (starting in 2025) that focuses on what is being done to create sustainable jobs and protect workers in the energy sector and to report on progress being made.

The legislation also outlines the creation of the Sustainable Jobs Secretariat and the Sustainable Jobs Partnership Council, both of which will be crucial to establishing strong relationships with stakeholders, including Mechanical Insulators.

The Insulators support Bill C-50’s intent, specifically its goal of fostering job creation and economic opportunities as Canada aims to reach net zero by 2050.

Bill C-59 includes important labour and infrastructure initiatives.

These measures include a roadmap for Investment Tax Credits that were introduced in Budget 2023, investments in affordable housing, the introduction of a 15-week shareable Employment Insurance adoption benefit and corresponding changes to the Employment Insurance Act and Canada Labour Code, and the intent to leverage private and institutional capital through the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support infrastructure projects.

The legislation will proceed to the committee stage, where it will be reviewed by members when parliament resumes at the end of January.

In 2018, the federal government banned asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

However, an estimated 235,000 Canadian workers are still regularly exposed to asbestos – including 157,000 construction workers through “legacy asbestos” that remains in buildings across the country.

Banning new asbestos products means no new products will contain this hazardous material. Yet, meaningful action is still needed to address the continued risk many Insulators and retrofit workers — and their families — face on a daily basis.

One of the first steps toward implementing a national asbestos strategy in Canada is developing a national occupational cancer patient registry, which would include mesothelioma. Occupational cancer patient registries increase our understanding of these diseases and support the development of treatment protocols and therapies.