In the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada proposed that businesses adhere to certain labour conditions in order to be eligible for the maximum investment tax credit rates for clean technologies and clean hydrogen. Having these new tax incentives could support greater investment in clean hydrogen while assisting Canada in its efforts in tackling climate change and supporting a thriving and sustainable future for the country’s energy sector.

As we look to advance opportunities for clean regional economic development, the PLACE Centre is heavily engaged in research, analysis, and discussion around the clean economy workforce. Our past partnered research projects with the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Diversity Institute focused on the many skills and jobs needed to advance clean and resilient growth across Canada. This is in addition to our ongoing research project with the Future Skills Centre which looks to identify changes in the scale and skill set of the workforce to support clean growth in regions across the country.

Leveraging this experience, the PLACE Centre submitted a formal response and recommendations to consultations on the labour conditions for clean tech and clean hydrogen investment tax credits. You’ll read more about our thoughts and suggestions regarding prevailing wage levels, labour hours for apprentices, attraction and retention of skilled workers, and how Investment Tax Credits for clean technology and clean hydrogen projects can be designed to improve labour conditions.

Read the completed submission to the Federal Consultation on Labour Conditions for Clean Tech and Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credits here.

our work

Addressing Forestry’s Skilled Labour Shortage: Insights from Women Working in Forestry
September 19, 2023

Canada’s forestry sector is facing a labour shortage due to a wave of baby boomer retirements and little interest from younger generations to pursue a career in forestry. Despite the need for more workers, women still comprise only 17% of the sector in Canada. One study also found that women in forestry are rarely in […]

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Working Together to Build 1.5 Million Homes
August 17, 2023

To keep up with an aging and growing population, it is projected that Ontario will need to build 1.5 million homes in the next ten years. Yet, Ontario has never built more than 850,000 homes in a ten-year period. Who is responsible for making this 1.5 million homes goal a reality, while making it happen […]

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National Housing Accord: A Multi-Sector Approach to Ending Canada’s Housing Rental Crisis
August 15, 2023

Rents have been increasing rapidly in many parts of the country, primarily caused by a lack of accessible, climate-friendly, affordable, and market-rate purpose-built rental units to house a growing population. Increasing rents inflict the most significant harm on the lowest-income Canadians, including seniors, people on fixed incomes, single-parent led households, students, newcomers to Canada, and […]

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We know Canada has a labour shortage. What should we do about it?
August 10, 2023

As Canada advances clean growth and climate action, tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of roles could be created in regions across the country. However, sectors are sounding the alarm about a challenge this growth could create: it may very well worsen labour shortages. This concern is valid. Without finding more skilled workers, increases in […]

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READY FOR GREEN JOBS
June 20, 2023

Clean growth and climate action in Canada could create thousands of jobs in the next seven years. With a potential 300,000 jobs created, communities across the country have the opportunity to thrive while moving Canada towards meeting its climate targets. Yet, two challenges exist to realize this vision.   Workers must have the required skills to […]

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SKILLED WORKER SHORTAGES: WE NEED TO THINK BEYOND ‘BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME’
June 7, 2023

Canada is experiencing a crisis in the skilled trades. Amid record-high job vacancies in sectors like manufacturing, alongside the number of Canadians nearing retirement outnumbering young people entering the working world, the demand for a new generation of skilled trades workers is soaring. Additionally, Canada has one of the most ambitious climate goals in the world. Over […]

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