Value on Display.

Every Day.

about us

The Voice of Canada's Construction Workers

Workers
0
GDP
0 %
Training Centres
0
Annual Training Investment
$ 0

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) is the national voice for more than 600,000 Canadian skilled trades construction workers — members of 14 international unions, working  in more than 60 different trades and occupations, generating 6% of Canada’s GDP. Each year, more than $300 Million in private sector money is invested annually in our 197 world-class union training centres across Canada. 

Our mission is to represent all workers in the building, construction, fabrication and maintenance industry and support their efforts to improve their working conditions and quality of life.

 

apprenticeship

Start Your Career IN THE SKILLED TRADES

Apprenticeship is the oldest form of career training. That’s where life-long, well-paid careers in the skilled trades start. Union apprentices earn while they learn from day one, and get incremental raises as skill levels increase. Unionized apprenticeship has high completion rates, and with more than 60 different trades and occupations to choose from, there’s a career waiting for you.

Apprenticeship Portal

Ready to explore a rewarding career in the skilled trades? Visit our apprenticeship portal to learn more about the opportunities and the supports available to get started.

resources for employers

investment tax credits

Learn about how employers can meet the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements under the new Investment Tax Credits to receive the maximum benefit and avoid a reduced rate.

advocacy

What we are Advocating for

CBTU is the voice of unionized construction workers in Ottawa, actively advocating with the federal government on issues important to our members. 

Immigration Reform

Canada's permanent immigration system discriminates against skilled trades workers, creating a barrier to recruiting international talent to meet the growing demand for skilled trades workers. CBTU is advocating for reform to how the system treats skilled trades workers applying to come to Canada.

Temporary foreign workers

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is broken. The current rules allow employers to bring in TFWs to suppress wages, and foreign workers are at risk of exploitation. At the same time, when episodic labour shortages occur, it's difficult for our unions to bring in our members from the US. We need change.

UTIP brick and mortar funding

Canada's unionized training centres deliver high quality training, and the best outcomes for apprentices. Canada's Building Trades Unions are advocating for expanded government funding to support classroom and skill lab infrastructure to support the next generation of skilled trades workers.