NDP introduces Green Jobs Act

Plan would create thousands of jobs and cleaner, more affordable communities

HALIFAX - The NDP Caucus will introduce the Green Jobs Act today in the legislature, which would develop an economic plan to transition Nova Scotia to a prosperous clean economy by 2050.

“The global economy is changing, and Nova Scotia needs to be part of that change,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “Our government should have a plan to create good green jobs here at home. This Green Jobs Act is a first step in that direction.”

Every year, half a trillion dollars is invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency world wide. Over the next two decades, investment in renewable energy in the United States will be triple the investment in fossil fuels.

“For far too long we have acted like its jobs versus the environment. But really, the exact opposite is true, and that's what the Green Jobs Act is all about,” said Lenore Zann, NDP spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change. “The change is coming no matter what; we need to get on board and have a plan for Nova Scotia’s future.”

Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report showing that governments have 12 years to dramatically lower emissions, and mitigate the most serious effects of climate change.

“We need bold and aggressive leadership to address and confront the climate crisis,” said Kate Ervine, author of the new book Carbon, and a professor at Saint Mary’s University. “The NDP is showing this leadership - first by supporting a plan to reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030, and then to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”

The Green Economy Network has calculated that over 30,000 jobs can be created in Nova Scotia over 5 years through major investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean public transit. If passed, the legislation would require a Green Jobs Plan to be created by October 2020.

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