Clean energy provides more jobs than oilsands

Canadians are doing well in developing alternative energy, even without serious assistance from the Harper government. Below is a report aired on CBC.

There has been $24 billion of investment in clean energy in Canada since 2009. (Canadian Press)

Renewable energy has experienced big growth in Canada in the last five years, so much so that employment in the sector outstrips employment in the “oilsands”.

That’s the conclusion of a report on the state of green energy technology in Canada by Clean Energy Canada, an advocate for renewables.

• Canada missing out on green energy revolution, report says

• Solar, wind cost-competitive for peak energy, study finds

It estimates $24 billion has been invested in the past five years, mainly because of renewable initiatives in the power sector by Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec.

Employment in the clean energy sector – which encompasses hydro power, as well as wind, solar and biomass – is up 37 per cent to 23,700 people. That compares with 22,340 employed in the “oilsands”.

For the full report on CBC, go to: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/clean-energy-provides-more-jobs-than-oilsands-report-says-1.2857520

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