Over 180 Civil Society Organizations Sign Letter to Federal Government Call for Immediate Establishment of a Youth Climate Corps
PRESS RELEASE
DECEMBER 4, Ottawa, ON – Over 180 civil society organizations have signed an open letter urging the federal government to take immediate action to establish a Youth Climate Corps – a new federal public green jobs program to train and employ tens of thousands of young people in good, green, unionized jobs. Signatory organizations span many sectors, from climate, labour, Indigenous-led, faith, and education, including the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the BC Federation of Teachers, Vote16 Canada, CUPE Ontario, Climate Caucus, and the Green Economy Network. Read the full open letter (in English et en français) and the list of signatories here.
The letter states that “these times call for the transformational opportunities of a Youth Climate Corps. While action on the file is promising, now is the time to show that governments can act quickly and decisively in times of crisis.”
Warning against a delay, signatories add that “in order for the YCC to launch with the momentum it needs to succeed, it will need a significant announcement by the end of 2024. Conversely, waiting until the spring of 2025 to launch will leave this government unprepared and shorthanded to successfully launch a program of this size.” With the youth unemployment rate at a 10-year high, now is an ideal time to launch this program and offer hope to young people.
Organizers and signatories of the letter shared the following quotes on why rapid action is imperative:
“We’ve been blown away by the broad cross-sectoral support for the Youth Climate Corps campaign. Across civil society, there is a forming consensus that Canada’s attempts at creating climate policy have been too small, falling short of a true emergency-level mobilization to address the climate crisis. But there is also recognition that we can address climate change and community resilience alongside youth unemployment and disenfranchisement. With a policy like a Youth Climate Corps, it would be a mistake not to take this step forward as a country. Now is the time to call tens of thousands of young workers into this transformational program.” Bushra Asghar, organizer, Youth Climate Corps campaign
“The climate crisis requires bold, exciting solutions to meet the moment, and that’s exactly what the Youth Climate Corps would offer. This would be a transformative program to allow young people across so-called Canada to access good, well-paying jobs while contributing to climate action. Canadians and civil society strongly support a Youth Climate Corps, young people are clamouring to sign up – it’s time to make it happen.” Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director, Canada Climate Action Network
“Sacred Earth Solar believes capacity-building leads to energy sovereignty, and we believe the Youth Climate Corps will provide a greater pathway to wide-scale capacity building across Turtle Island. The potential for a Youth Climate Corp expands our vision for sovereign, healthy Indigenous nations with the ability for Indigenous youth to work on green jobs in their community. Canada must take a nation-to-nation approach to implementing the Youth Climate Corps alongside Indigenous nations already championing the Just Transition from coast to coast, and they must do it now.” Serena Mendizabal, Managing Director, Sacred Earth Solar
“Sky-high youth unemployment is kneecapping the climate fight. Young people need good, unionized jobs — not to be left holding the cheque as global heating drives up the cost of living. A Youth Climate Corps proves that bold public investment can provide what everyone deserves: a decent job, a healthy community and a bright future. Waiting only leaves more Canadians on the sidelines.” Nick Pearce, National Convenor, Green Economy Network
"The Youth Climate Corps reflects CAUT's central values as educators and trade unionists. This public program would give our students and other young people what so many of them want in this time of deep uncertainty: a chance at decent, meaningful work that tackles the defining challenges of our time. Most vitally, by offering a practical, achievable route to building a fair and sustainable future for all, it offers hope." Robin Whitaker, Vice-President, Canadian Association of University Teachers/Association canadienne de professeures et professeurs d’université
Organizers and supporters will push until the end of the Fall 2024 Legislative session to ensure significant commitments. In the New Year, pressure will continue to establish a Youth Climate Corps as a real institution, rather than only as an election promise.
The Youth Climate Corps campaign is driven by six principles:
Centering Indigenous knowledge and sovereignty in the program
Respecting the inherent title and rights of Indigenous nations
Building equity for marginalized communities by creating a job training program rooted in justice and prioritizing under-served communities
Creating a program that turns no one away
Working only in fields that directly reduce emissions, help to adapt infrastructure, and respond to climate emergencies
Acting big and building the institutions to get the job done, rather than relying on wage top-ups or non-profit models
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Media Contacts:
Bushra Asghar, campaign co-lead, bushra@climatemergencyunit.ca, 416-315-3298
Vicky Coo, Communications Manager, Climate Action Network Canada
comms@climateactionnetwork.ca, 613-806-3381
