Canada’s unions are happy about the Supreme Court decision. The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) was an intervener in the case.
Hassan Yussuff, President of the CLC says, “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada is an important win for Canada’s ability to combat the worst impacts of climate change.” He says, “We can now take ambitious steps towards a just transition to a net-zero Canadian economy, with good jobs and thriving communities.”

The Congress says working people and their families are already suffering the effects of climate change in the form of forest fires, floods, droughts and severe heat stress. It says, with jobs and livelihoods at stake, workers have a personal investment in efforts to limit the worst effects of climate change. The CLC says steps to mitigate climate change must be coupled with just transition measures to generate good jobs and provide income, re-employment and retraining support for workers and communities in the transition to a green economy.

“Climate change one of the greatest challenges of our time,” said Yussuff. “We are in a climate emergency and addressing climate change requires a commitment from all levels of government in every region of the country. The GGPPA (Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act) ensures that all jurisdictions contribute to putting a price on carbon and other greenhouse gases. While carbon pricing is only one piece of the puzzle, we have to use every tool we have to quickly bring down emissions and achieve net-zero by 2050.”