"Will the Green Economy benefit everyone or just a select few?
This inspiring music video helps point the way. Click here Green Anthem to view the video
COMMUNITIES TO TORONTO HYDRO: "WE NEED GOOD GREEN JOBS NOW" The Good Jobs for All Coalition launched the Green Jobs for All at Hydro campaign at Toronto City Hall on Monday June 7, two days after World Environment Day. The campaign calls on Toronto Hydro to invest in economic development, equity and green energy, by promoting and installing solar panels on public buildings across the city, and creating job opportunities for youth, new immigrants, and people of colour. Speakers at the campaign launch included Chris Williamson, a pre-apprentice electrician, who recently graduated from the Hammer Heads program. A project of the Central Ontario Building Trades Council, the Hammer Heads program mentors, trains and places priority youth into trade apprenticeships, giving them a chance to move into decently-paid, meaningful careers. Click here for the full report We need good green jobs now
STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR GREEN JOBS CONFERENCE On November 7th, a unique event took place at the newly renovated Allstream Building on the CNE grounds in Toronto. The Green Jobs for All conference brought together over 600 union members, environmentalists, students, elected representatives and community activists to address key issues for the future economy of greater Toronto. The overwhelming response was one hundred more than the organizers planned for, and registration had to be cut off two days before the event.
As a follow up to last year's successful good jobs summit, the Good Jobs for All Coalition is calling upon people and organizations to develop campaigns and strategies to lead to a green infrastructure renewal (including transit and alternative energy), develop green local manufacturing, and include youth in a green vision of Canada's largest urban centre. For highlights go to www.goodjobsforall.ca To read the transcript of keynote speech by Clayton Thomas-Muller, click here Clayton Thomas-Muller speech.
What are the obstacles to a green prosperous future? Labour Council President John Cartwright explores the questions of green jobs and corporate power in a commentary in this month's Our Times magazine. Click here Green Jobs + Power.
For pictures of the day go here green jobs pictures
GREEN JOBS FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION What will it take to win good, green jobs for all? The six hundred participants at the November 7th Good Green Jobs for All conference brought forward the ideas that form a framework for action. To see the framework click here framework
Hundreds dream green at Good Jobs conference
By Peter Hogarth and Charlotte Ireland in Rabble.ca.
An overwhelming majority of Canadians agree that climate change is a pressing issue that demands immediate action. On Nov. 7, over 600 participants -- trade unionists, social justice activists, environmentalists and youth -- came together for the Good Green Jobs Conference to start building a green future that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable, equitable and just for all. Click here for the rest of the article Hundreds dream green
"MOVING TO A GREEN ECONOMY WITH GOOD JOBS: Investment in Transit and Passenger Rail" The Canadian Labour Congress calls for massive transit funding to meet the future. To read more click here.
WE CAN HAVE JOBS AND A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT
by John Cartwright, Guest Columnist, Toronto Sun, November 18, 2008

A lot of other folks knew that a while ago -- more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in the GTA over the last five years, even before the market meltdown. That's why we need people who will fight to defend Canadian jobs today. To read the rest click here healthier environment

How Green Is Your Collar? by Jeremy Brecher, Tim Costello & Brendan Smith
As cities and states from New York to California to Minnesota race to invent policies to address global warming, new mandates for investment in green energy will produce many billions of investment dollars. In the short run, the Bush Administration stands in the way, but major federal legislation this year or next is almost a foregone conclusion--and the carbon market it will establish will generate hundreds of billions of dollars a year and create thousands, even millions, of new jobs. To read the rest of the paper go here how green is your collar
GREEN PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY A group of Toronto union activists travelled to Pittsburgh in March to join 800 others in a historic event – the first U.S. National Green Jobs Conference. Co-sponsored by the United Steelworkers, Sierra Club and the governor of Pennsylvania, it featured an powerful alliance of voices from labour, industry, government and environmental groups outlining a common agenda for a green jobs revolution in America. To read on click here green pathways out of poverty
To read the paper CLIMATE CHANGE AND GREEN JOBS: Labour's Challenges and Opportunities from the CLC convention in May 2008 please click here Labour's challenge
GREEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN TORONTO -
In July 2007 the Labour Council deputation to the City of Toronto Economic Development Committee supported the recommendations of the Gartner Lee/Delphi Report, many of which mirrored labour’s positions from 2005. To view the Labour Council presentation click here.
To view the summary of the Gartner Lee/Delphi Report click here. Background
Important work is being done in the U.S. linking green jobs, social justice and youth. To see the report “Community Jobs in the Green Economy” from the Apollo Alliance click here Report.
Presentation to Roundtable on the Environment on June 8th, 2005 by John Cartwright, President Toronto and York Region Labour Council. To view the presentation go here

Health, Education and Manufacturing Sectors
To download and read the paper by Ashley Gough, University of Toronto, click here Review
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION
Public transit is not only the most affordable means of transportation for many working families, it is also the most environmentally friendly mode of mass transit. As such it is essential to the quality of life and health of our families.
Click here for the workbook about labour-oriented transit solutions in Canada's largest urban centre.
"MESSAGE TO COUNCILLORS - NO INCINERATION!" Labour Council President cautions city Councillors about the long term dangers of garbage incineration. For the letter to the Councillors click here
"CHEMICALS & CANCER - HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT" Thursday June 5, 2003 Despite a powerful lobby of pesticide companies and lawncare contractors that deluged City Hall for days, Toronto City Council has adopted a bylaw to prohibit the cosmetic use of pesticides in all neighbourhoods. The vote was seen as a significant victory for the environmental movement, and a real slap in the face to well-connected lobbyist Jeff Lyons. His strategy included scaremongering newspaper ads, a bogus "environmental" coalition (made up of pesticide applicators) and a massive phone lobby. For the full report and recommendations click here
LABOUR COUNCIL'S STATEMENT ON GREEN JOBS ....click here
FACT SHEETS FROM CLC CONFERENCE

  • What is sustainability click here
  • Sustainable communities and green jobsclick here
  • What are green or sustainable jobs?click here
  • Green Jobs - How to get there(1): Local Action click here
  • Green Jobs - How to get there(2): Green Industrial policy click here
  • How to get there click here

    Top

    Home