Canada’s Building Trades Unions and New Brunswick Building Trades welcome today’s announcement of a common understanding on Clean Electricity Regulations that will provide the framework for more than $1 Billion in investments in a clean electricity generation in New Brunswick, which will lead to hundreds of new work and apprenticeship opportunities for skilled trades workers in the coming years.
“We are thrilled to see the government prioritize the deployment of clean electricity and the phase-out of coal-fired generation by 2030. These investments are not only essential for a decarbonized and reliable electricity system, but they will also create thousands of good, sustainable jobs for skilled tradespeople across New Brunswick,” said Sean Strickland, CBTU Executive Director. “The clean energy transition will be a significant driver of economic growth and provide opportunities for skilled trades workers, Indigenous communities, and local businesses.”
Major projects in New Brunswick that will benefit from federal funding include support for the conversion of the Belledune Generating Station from coal fired to biomass, funding for NB Power for up to 600 megawatts of new small modular reactor (SMR) capacity at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generation Station, and $1.3 million to NB Power for predevelopment work on the modified Atlantic Loop transmission line between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. That funding is in addition to significant investments of up to $1 billion in federal support for up to 670 megawatts of Indigenous-led wind projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB).
“We’re thrilled to see this agreement and these funding priorities move forward. NB Power is a key employer for our members across New Brunswick, and these projects will mean high-quality, well paid, unionized jobs for skilled trades workers.” said Jean Marc Ringuette, President of New Brunswick Building Trades, “This is also a tremendous opportunity for apprentices and for women in the trades. These new projects provide great opportunities for people to start careers in the skilled trades, building a cleaner, greener New Brunswick.”
In April 2024, Canada’s Building Trades Unions secured a Memorandum of Understanding with ARC Clean Technology to develop strategies and programs to promote the employment of CBTU and NBBTU members in future construction projects for ARC’s fleet of small modular reactors, including the one proposed near Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station.
