Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology The Senate of Canada Ottawa, Ontario Canada, K1A 0A4 June 03, 2024 RE: Young People Engagement in Bill C-50 and Sustainable Jobs Plan Hello Committee Member(s), We are the Society of Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals (YEIP) of Canada. We are reaching out as our organization is keen to explore avenues for Young Professionals' participation and engagement in Bill C-50 and the Sustainable Jobs Plan.

YEIP is a non-profit association with the mission to empower Young Professionals to shape a sustainable energy future with energy infrastructure. With thousands of members across Canada, we encompass various aspects of the energy infrastructure landscape. Operated entirely by volunteers, YEIP’s mandates are to amplify the influence of Young Professionals, provide a platform for discourse, and advocate for effective integrated energy infrastructure.

The uncertainty of the energy transition significantly affects the Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals, who foresee nearly 35+ years of career ahead of them in the industry. How do we ensure an equitable and just energy transition for all and how should Young Professionals navigate the energy industry amidst the challenges of the energy transition? In October 2023, YEIP conducted a listening campaign in Canada which encapsulated feedback, concerns, and perspectives on the current state of the energy industry from Canada’s Young Professionals.

A pivotal concern and opportunity for the Young Professionals lies in the government's Sustainable Jobs Plan and Bill C-50. The central concerns revolve around the underrepresentation of young voices in discussions on the energy transition. Recognizing Young Professionals as critical stakeholder in these conversations is imperative. Many Young Professionals experienced the impact of layoffs at major energy infrastructure companies. Through YEIP’s Listening Initiative, we heard of the concerns and relevant issues from Young Professionals regarding career prospects within Canada’s energy infrastructure job market.

This apprehension is widespread, and it discourages the Canadian Young Professionals from entering the energy industry as well as staying and growing their career in the energy industry. This underscores the importance of our dedication to representing these individuals and carry voices where decisions are made. We are committed to exploring opportunities to provide our input to the government for a sustainable energy future, including initiatives like Bill C-50 and beyond. In previous briefings submitted regarding Bill C-50, we have noted the mention of “young people”.

YEIP asserts that we are the best voice suited to represent the future of Canada’s energy landscape as evidenced by our Listening and Disseminating Initiatives to-date. However, our focus on early career development and our nonprofit structure mean we lack familiarity with the political processes required to engage as stakeholders in legislation and government initiatives, unlike other organizations and lobby groups. Therefore, we are requesting an opportunity to introduce ourselves to committee members to better advocate for Young People regarding the government's Sustainable Jobs Plan.

While we are aware this outreach may be too short notice to engage in this week’s hearings, we are interested in making an introduction regardless. While acknowledging current economic and societal turbulence, we are confident that we can catalyze a sustainable energy future through the active engagement and mobilization of Young Professionals.

Link to YEIP website: https://yeip.energy/strategy/yeip-disseminates/ Link to YEIP Report: https://yeip.energy/yeip-releases-yeip-report-2023-an-inaugural-report-that- consolidates-the-perspectives-of-young-energy-infrastructure-professionals-across-canada/ Please reach out to us via email: president@yeip.energy and cell: 1-587-999-1338. Sincerely, Ryan Stewart Chair, Membership Growth & Development Committee Society of Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals (YEIP) of Canada Ishrat Oishee President & CEO Society of Young Energy Infrastructure Professionals (YEIP) of Canada Attached: YEIP Report 2023