WHEREAS young people in Ontario are facing a difficult job market, with many struggling to find stable, meaningful work;
WHEREAS Ontario is also facing growing risks from extreme heat, wildfires, flooding and other impacts of climate change;
WHEREAS preparing Ontario for a changing climate and building a cleaner economy will require more workers in skilled trades, building retrofits, clean energy, public transit, conservation and emergency preparedness;
WHEREAS young people should have access to good, paid jobs that provide training, experience and pathways into long-term careers;
THEREFORE WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, PETITION THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO AS FOLLOWS:
To create and fund a provincial Youth Climate Jobs Program that provides up to 10,000 young people each year with paid jobs, training and pathways into careers in climate adaptation, emergency preparedness and the transition to a sustainable, net-zero economy.