The Building a Green Prairie Economy Act (Bill C-235) requires the minister responsible for economic development in the Prairie provinces to develop a framework for local cooperation and engagement in the implementation of federal programs. This framework aims to build a green economy in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. The minister must collaborate with other federal ministers, including those responsible for the environment, transport, industry, agriculture, finance, and natural resources.
In developing this framework, the minister must consult with provincial government representatives responsible for transportation, environment, and employment. Consultation is also required with municipalities, Indigenous governing bodies, the private sector, and representatives of employers and employees. However, such consultation is not required if already mandated under other legislation.
The framework should promote economic sustainability, growth, and employment in the Prairie provinces. This includes addressing transportation challenges in smaller communities, fostering job creation and skills transfer in regions dependent on traditional energy industries, prioritizing projects that generate natural infrastructure and a clean environment (including renewable and nuclear energy), supporting clean energy development across various sectors, establishing programs and projects that stimulate a green economy with local participation, and preparing infrastructure projects that facilitate adaptation to climate change.
The minister must prepare a report outlining the framework within 12 months of the Act coming into force. This report must be tabled in both Houses of Parliament and published on the departmental website. A subsequent report on the progress and effectiveness of the framework is required within two years after the initial report is tabled, and every five years thereafter.
Jobs
The bill focuses on fostering job creation and skills transfer in Prairie regions that rely on traditional energy industries. The aim is to help these regions build a net-zero emissions green economy and lessen their impact on climate change. This includes supporting the continued development of clean energy in various fields, such as agriculture, forestry, transportation, manufacturing, and tourism.
Climate
The bill is designed to help build a green economy in the Prairie provinces, with the objective of mitigating the impacts of climate change. It prioritizes projects that generate natural infrastructure and a clean environment, such as tree-planting initiatives and solar energy projects. It also focuses on helping regions that rely on traditional energy industries transition to a net-zero emissions green economy and preparing infrastructure projects that facilitate adaptation to climate change.
Environmental Protection
The bill aims to protect the environment by prioritizing projects that generate natural infrastructure and a clean environment. These projects include tree-planting initiatives, solar energy projects, and environmental management of the boreal forest.
Energy
The bill seeks to support the continued development of clean energy in fields such as agriculture, forestry, transportation, manufacturing, and tourism. It also recognizes the use of all sources of energy, including nuclear energy. Furthermore, it focuses on helping regions that rely on traditional energy industries transition to a net-zero emissions green economy.