Canada’s green tech industry gears up for a hiring boom, opening doors for immigrants

Canada’s green tech sector is on the rise, driven by the construction of a five-billion-dollar electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor, Ontario. 

Recent reports indicated that the plant aims to employ 2,500 individuals by 2025, aligning with Canada’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the CIC News reported.

In line with this commitment, the 2023 Budget revealed that the Canadian federal government plans substantial investments in clean energy and tech sectors, allocating $21 billion for a clean, next-generation economy, along with $55 billion in tax credits. This signals a strategic push to attract investments in crucial sectors and emphasizes the government’s dedication to environmental sustainability.

Immigration opportunities in green tech

Simultaneously, the green tech industry is becoming a prime source of employment for immigrants across Canada.  The job opportunities stem not only from the electric vehicle battery plant but also from broader efforts nationwide to strengthen the workforce in this sector.

In February, the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada invested $5.2 million in British Columbia’s CleanTech industry. Additionally, the province pitched in $2.3 million for Foresight Canada. The funding aims to accelerate clean technology development in the province, create 240 new jobs, attract $280 million in investment, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 125 kilotonnes.

“Not only will this network accelerate the development and adoption of clean technologies, it will open up new markets and attract world-class talent to the province,” the press release stated.

“The world is moving towards cleaner technologies, and Canada has the opportunity to be a true global leader—creating good jobs for Canadians while helping the world meet climate change and other environmental goals, “ said Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada.

In March, Innovation, Science, and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne revealed an investment of $8.5 million through Sustainable Development Technology Canada into VueReal. The funding is complemented by a concurrent investment of $2 million from the Ontario government through Invest Ontario.

“Our government is proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with these groundbreaking companies as they drive innovation and make their mark as international leaders in clean technology,” he said.

“We will continue to support our companies as they grow the economy and create well-paying jobs in this industry,” added Champagne. 

700,000 more energy jobs by 2050

A recent report by Clean Energy Canada, using modeling from Navius Research, predicted a net increase of 700,000 energy jobs in Canada by 2050 under a net-zero scenario. 

Despite a projected decline of 1.5 million jobs in the fossil fuel sector due to decreased oil and gas demand, the clean energy sector is expected to grow by 2.2 million jobs, representing a 7 percent annual increase until 2050.

The global shift toward clean energy is evident, with the U.S. investing half a trillion dollars in the sector, and 92 percent of global GDP committed to achieving net-zero. The report recognized the urgency highlighted in the latest IPCC report to expedite efforts and mitigate climate change impacts.

The report also indicated that current climate policies, such as carbon pricing and the federal government’s climate plan, play a crucial role in sustaining energy jobs. 

Rolling back these measures could result in 100,000 fewer total energy jobs by 2050, highlighting that cutting climate policy may lead to more job losses than preservation.