Canada’s green tech industry opens doors for immigrant job seekers

A recently highlighted development in Windsor, Ontario involves the construction of a $5 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant, set to employ 2,500 individuals “by the time hiring concludes in 2025.” This initiative aligns with Canada’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, signifying the significance of green technology for the Canadian government and its citizens.

The 2023 Budget release earlier this year underscored the federal government’s substantial investment in national clean energy and clean tech sectors, totaling $21 billion for a “clean, next-generation economy.” Additionally, the budget includes tax credits amounting to approximately $55 billion to attract further investment in these critical sectors.

Concurrently, the green tech industry is emerging as a major source of employment opportunities for immigrants across Canada. Below is a summary of employment efforts aimed at strengthening the green tech industry in different regions of the country:

British Columbia: In February of the current year, the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) made a noteworthy investment of $5.2 million in the CleanTech industry in British Columbia (B.C.). This funding, combined with an additional $2.3 million from the Province of B.C., supports Foresight Canada’s efforts to accelerate the development and adoption of clean technologies. The investment is anticipated to create 240 new jobs, attract $280 million in investment, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 125 kilotonnes.

Alberta: According to Clean Energy Canada (CEC), jobs in Alberta’s clean energy sector are projected to grow at a rate of 10% annually until the net-zero target in 2050, representing the fastest growth projection in any province or territory. CEC estimates an additional 419,000 clean energy jobs in Alberta between 2025 and 2050.

Ontario: On March 27, 2023, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced an $8.5 million investment through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) in VueReal. This investment, complemented by a $2 million contribution from the Ontario government through Invest Ontario, supports VueReal, a technology firm in Waterloo. VueReal focuses on developing and commercializing platforms facilitating efficient and scalable production and integration of micro- and nano-devices such as microLEDs.

These investments underscore the commitment of the Government of Canada and SDTC to foster economic growth and create job opportunities in the cleantech sector for Canadians.

Future of Green Tech Employment Across Canada: In 2021, the Canadian CleanTech sector employed over 188,000 individuals, and a report from June predicts that the green transition could create 30 million jobs by 2030, countering disruptions caused by AI in nearly one-quarter of the labor market.

Looking ahead to net-zero 2050, CEC’s March 2023 report anticipates the creation of 700,000 more net energy jobs in Canada compared to the present. This growth in clean energy jobs is expected to outpace job losses in the fossil fuel industry.

Furthermore, the report projects that by net-zero 2050:

• 1.3 million Canadians will be employed in EV-related jobs, a substantial increase from 2025; and
• Almost half a million people will be employed to supply clean energy in Canada.

These projections reinforce the anticipated job growth in the green tech sector across the country, illustrating the transformative impact of the green transition on Canada’s employment landscape.