In early 2022, Ontario’s Housing Affordability Task Force released a series of 55 recommendations aimed at increasing the attainability of homes, for both rent and sale, across the province. Their very first recommendation, “[s]et a goal of building 1.5 million new homes in ten years” caught the eyes of policymakers, the media, and the general public.

During the 2022 election campaign, all four major provincial parties committed to this goal, including the re-elected Progressive Conservative government.

Canadians are directly connected to the drivers and solutions for climate change as consumers and voters, and as savers, investors, and pension holders. But while Canadians are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis, many are unaware of how their retirement savings may be backing industries or sectors with significant climate risks. 

There is a growing consensus on the benefits of transitioning to a net-zero economy beyond simply controlling global temperature rises. These are often referred to as co-benefits, and a significant one is job creation. Jobs are created through a net-zero transition as a result of changes in technologies and demand, modes of production, macroeconomic conditions, and international trade.