Canada’s clean energy sector has more workers than the oilsands, according to one report. Today, Clean Energy Canada released Tracking the Energy Revolution — Canada which says jobs in the sector are on the rise.
“Clean energy jobs are growing incredibly fast. Thirty-seven percent more Canadians worked in the renewable energy industry in 2013 than in 2009,” writes Director Merran Smith. “As a result, by 2013 the clean energy sector—encompassing manufacturing, energy efficiency, and biofuels—accounted for more direct Canadian jobs than the oilsands.”
Authors note 23,700 people held jobs with green energy organizations in 2013, compared to the 22,340 whose work relates to the oilsands. The report says $25 billion was spent on the clean energy sector during the last 25 years, and it needs more government support.
“To really get in the game, the federal government needs to start to level the playing field for clean energy through effective tax support. We also recommend that Ottawa invest infrastructure dollars in building clean energy and, yes, put a price on carbon pollution,” she says.
It says Ottawa laid the foundation for clean energy but has done little to build on it.
