CBTU Statement on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30th, Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize the impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities. Across the country, events will take place to commemorate the day, honour victims of the residential school system, and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) stand with Indigenous communities and affirm our commitment to learning more about Indigenous history and doing our part to increase Indigenous representation in the unionized skilled trades. Initiatives like our Indigenous Awareness Training, our In the Trades program, and our participation in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games are just some of the ways CBTU is working to strengthen the relationships between Indigenous communities across the country and the Building Trades.

“On September 30th, I encourage Building Trades members and their families to wear orange to honour the thousands of survivors of residential schools,” says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions.

However you choose to spend the day, we hope you do so with kindness and respect.

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Media Contact

Amy Burlock, Digital Communications Specialist, (613) 301-4795

About CBTU

Canada’s Building Trades Unions are an alliance of 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent over 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada. Each year, our unions and our signatory contractor partners invest over $300 million in private sector money to fund and operate over 175 apprenticeship training and education facilities across Canada that produce the safest, most highly trained and productive skilled craft workers found anywhere in the world. Canada’s Building Trades Unions represent members who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations, and generate six per cent of Canada’s GDP. For more information, go to www.buildingtrades.ca.

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