As in society generally, the debate over how to deal most effectively with climate change is happening within the ranks of the labour movement.

Both the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), as well as numerous Canadian unions, have called on the federal government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which it signed in 1997.

At the latest Convention, CLC President Ken Georgetti said Canada must "ratify Kyoto now…but make sure that ratification is accompanied with a fully-funded Just Transition program to accommodate those workers whose livelihoods are jeopardized."

AFL President Les Steel agrees. "Ratifying Kyoto is a critical first step in ensuring that Canada plays its part in addressing climate change. We believe that workers can survive, and even benefit, with Kyoto in place."

However, not all unions agree. Adrien Graci of the Alberta Building Trades Council (ABTC), which opposes Kyoto in favour of the plan put forth by the Alberta government, thinks the debate is important.

"We knew that large segments of the labour movement were going to speak out in favour of Kyoto and we wanted to let people know there is a diversity of opinion on it."

While agreeing that climate change is happening and that action must be taken, Graci says the ABTC "just doesn’t think Kyoto is the path." He adds that they are concerned that investment and wealth will leave Canada under the deal, and points to the potential loss of jobs in the construction sector, which some critics have forecast.

"We’ve seen some of Just Transition, but will the transition be from construction to non-construction? How it applies to construction is something nobody has explained to us."

The United Mine Workers have likewise expressed concerns about the negative impact Kyoto will have on future developments in the coal industry, and are also opposed to the ratification of Kyoto.

The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union (CEP), which represents over 35,000 members working in the energy sector, supports the ratification of Kyoto, despite suggestions that the energy sector will be amongst the hardest hit.

Don MacNeil, the Administrative Vice-President of CEP’s Western Region, says that the claims of job loss being made by the Alberta government are nothing more than scare tactics.

"If Kyoto is ratified more energy jobs will be created than will be lost, and this does not take into account the tremendous potential for job creation in a whole range of emerging industries."

"CEP believes that Kyoto should be and will be ratified by Canada. The position of the labour movement now must be to push for a transition program to ensure that no workers and no communities are left behind as Canada meets its obligations to future generations."