Dive into the thriving Green Tech sector and build your career.
A $5 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Windsor, Ontario is making headlines for plans to hire 2,500 workers by 2025. This aligns with Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The development signals the importance of green technology to the Canadian government and citizens. In 2023, the federal government proposed significant investments, including $21 billion for a clean economy and $55 billion in tax credits to attract more investment in clean energy and technology.
At the same time, the green tech sector is increasingly offering job opportunities for immigrants across Canada. Here’s a summary of reported initiatives aimed at strengthening the green tech industry in the country.
BRITISH COLUMBIA:
In February of this year, the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) made a substantial investment in British Columbia’s CleanTech industry in Western Canada. PacifiCan, in collaboration with the Province of B.C., announced a $5.2 million funding round for Foresight Canada, supplemented by an additional $2.3 million.
This investment aims to accelerate the development and adoption of clean
technologies in the province, opening up new markets and attracting top-tier
talent to British Columbia. The funding is expected to contribute to the growth
of the cleantech sector, generating 240 new jobs, attracting $280 million in investment, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 125 kilotonnes.
ALBERTA:
According to a report by Clean Energy Canada (CEC), jobs in Alberta’s clean energy sector are expected to grow at a rate of 10% annually until the target of net-zero emissions in 2050. This growth projection is considered the fastest among all provinces and territories in the country. The report suggests that between 2025 and 2050, Alberta could witness the addition of 419,000 new clean energy jobs to the region’s employment sector.
ONTARIO:
On March 27, 2023, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry announced a $8.5 million investment in VueReal through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Additionally, the Ontario government is contributing $2 million through Invest Ontario.
VueReal, based in Waterloo, is a technology firm specializing in
developing and commercializing platforms that facilitate the efficient and
scalable production and integration of micro- and nano-devices, such as microLEDs.
These investments highlight the commitment of the Government of Canada and
SDTC to boost the economy and create job opportunities in the cleantech sector for Canadians.
THE FUTURE OF GREEN TECH EMPLOYMENT ACROSS CANADA:
In 2021, the Canadian CleanTech sector employed over 188,000 Canadians. A report from June of this year suggests that while nearly one-quarter of the labor market might face disruption due to AI, the green transition could potentially generate 30 million jobs by 2030.
Looking ahead to net-zero 2050, a March 2023 report by CEC predicts that
Canada will witness a net increase of 700,000 energy jobs compared to the
current scenario. This growth in clean energy jobs is outpacing the decline in jobs within the fossil fuel industry.
Further establishing the expected job growth in the green tech sector across this country, the above report also asserts the following:
- In a net-zero 2050, 1.3 million Canadians are set to be employed in EV-related jobs—60 times more than in 2025; and
- Almost half a million people will be employed to supply clean energy in Canada in a net-zero 2050.