about cbtu
WHO WE ARE
WE ARE THE NATIONAL VOICE FOR SKILLED TRADES WORKERS
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) is the national voice of over 600,000 Canadian construction workers — members of 14 international unions who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations, and generate six percent of this country’s GDP.
Officially CBTU is the Canadian Office of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). We work closely with our American counterparts to coordinate and support the work of our affiliates. We are also active in the American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) which works to ensure decent pay and benefits, safe jobs, respect and fair treatment for more than 12 million members of 56 unions throughout North America.
WHAT WE DO
OUR MISSION
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. In pursuit of our goals we continuously seek to build our workforce and strengthen our industry.
We build our workforce by fostering pride, performance, and professionalism in the trades, and by supporting training that prepares our members for life-long career opportunities. We also strive to ensure that the construction industry offers the most financially satisfying and personally rewarding career path open to young Canadians.
We strengthen our industry by providing solutions that meet the challenges of our changing, energy-conscious world, and by delivering unmatched value for contractors and owners—proving that developing a partnership with Canada’s Building Trades Unions is the best investment they will ever make.
WHO WE REPRESENT
OUR AFFLIATES
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) represents 14 affiliate international unions who make up our membership. Our affiliates represent and advocate for the interests of their specific trades and occupations.
our counterparts
provincial councils
CBTU’s provincial councils represent members’ interests in every jurisdiction across the country. These councils strive to improve provincial labour laws and educational standards and help to coordinate the activities of local offices.
governance
canadian executive board
The Canadian Executive Board directs the activities of Canada’s Building Trades Unions and provides governance and oversight on behalf of the affiliate internationals that CBTU represents.
who we are
our team
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU)’s dedicated staff lead advocacy, workforce development, engagement, and communications activities from our national offices in Ottawa.
