Job creation is a reported priority of the Liberal government in 2023

As Ottawa marks one year since the “Freedom Convoy” arrived in the national capital, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he understands the anger and concerns protesters have while also promising “good, long-term jobs” as a way to relieve pressures Canadians are facing.

Dozens gathered outside Parliament on Jan. 28 to mark the anniversary as members of the Liberal party were attending their caucus retreat discussing their upcoming priorities for when the House of Commons resumes on Jan. 30.

“We can feel it, how times are tough right now. We have a global economic slowdown, combined with inflation, combined with higher interest rates,” Trudeau said on Jan. 28 before meeting with Liberal MPs.

“A lot of people are feeling a lot of pressure.”

Trudeau said he expects there to be a global economic slowdown for the next six to 12 months, but promised his Liberal government would provide more targeted supports without adding to inflation.

He said the Liberals and New Democrats want the same thing heading into the next sitting, like expanding dental care.

Other shared priorities under their confidence-and-supply agreement include pharmacare legislation this year, and the introduction of a “just transition” bill to help create a green economy that has protections for energy workers built into it.

Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said he prefers calling it a “sustainable jobs” bill because that’s what it’s meant to create. He said in the next few months his government will introduce further policy on green technology projects, with a bill coming within the year.

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the government is just getting started when it comes to job creation within the green energy sector, touting recent industrial investments in Ontario.

Last year Champagne announced his government is giving $259 million to General Motors of Canada in Oshawa, Ont., to advance electric vehicle manufacturing. The government says the investment will result in thousands of jobs.

“I would say last year was the appetizer. The main course is this year,” Champagne said on Jan. 28.

He said “having a good job” is the best for combatting inflation, promising that “we’ll have even more for Canadians” this year.

Trudeau said part of his government’s agreement with the New Democrats, which was signed last March, “is about creating good long-term jobs into the future.”