Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) recognizes the important transitions occurring within the federal cabinet following this week’s shuffle. While change can bring challenges, it also presents an opportunity for renewed leadership and a fresh approach to the issues that matter most to working Canadians.  We extend our thanks to the ministers who have stepped down, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, for their dedication and service to Canadians. The hard work in their respective portfolios has helped guide our country through challenging times, and we appreciate their contributions to shaping policies that have supported tradespeople across the nation.  As the government moves forward with new leadership in key roles, including Minister Dominic Leblanc for finance and Minister Steven MacKinnon for Employment and Workforce Development, we

On behalf of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to outgoing Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland for her dedicated service and for the progressive achievements she has made during her tenure.  Minister Freeland’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing policies that have supported workers across the country, including those in the construction and trades sectors. Her unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economy has created opportunities for countless Canadians, especially those in high-skill trades who play a critical role in shaping the future of our nation.  “Under her guidance, we saw significant investments in infrastructure through the Investment Tax Credits which promotes prevailing wages, and a forward-thinking approach to climate action that prioritizes the needs of

Today, the federal government released the 2024 Fall Economic Statement (FES), which includes strong commitments for Building Trades members and skilled trades workers across the country, and promises new jobs and opportunities for apprentices. Commitments in the Fall Economic Statement include strong labour conditions attached to the new Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit.   “We are thrilled to see prevailing wage requirements tied to the new Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit and we look forward to supporting their implementation. Strong labour conditions mean that government tax incentives are tied to good, high-skill, high-wage skilled trades jobs in the clean economy,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director for Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “The Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits are a game-changer for our members and we’re thrilled to

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

It is with sadness we must acknowledge the passing of former Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan. During his time in office, Premier Horgan demonstrated an unwavering commitment to B.C.’s working people, advocating for policies that not only prioritized labour rights, but fought for fair wages, and the development of sustainable infrastructure.  His leadership guided a strengthened partnership between labour and government, paving the way for investments in public projects that created thousands of good-paying jobs and improved the quality of life for communities across the province.   Premier Horgan was an ally to Canada’s unionized skilled tradespeople and was committed to working collaboratively with our industry to address the unique challenges we face. His passion for advancing skilled trades and ensuring that workers had a voice

Ottawa, ON – CBTU will review government regulations that would cap oil and gas sector GHG emissions, once proposed regulations are published later this week. CBTU will be looking to ensure that skilled trades workers’ jobs in the oil and gas sector are protected through the transition to net-zero, while new opportunities are created through projects taking full advantage of emissions-reducing technology like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage that will allow the oil and gas industry to continue to deliver significant economic benefit, lower emissions, and maintain strong employment for our members. While Canada’s Building Trades Unions supports the transition to a net-zero clean economy, this transition must be accomplished with smart, coherent regulations in a manner that’s consistent with maximizing economic benefit to Canadian

Labour Day is a time of year to look back at the successes we’ve experienced, and set new focus for the year ahead. Labour enjoyed a historic 2024 Parliamentary session that included the implementation of Bill C-59 and the Investment Tax Credits, Bill C-50 and the Sustainable Jobs Act, and Bill C-58’s federal ban on replacement workers, laying a foundation of regulatory-focus on Canada’s workers and setting the stage for a prosperous 2025 legislative session.  While we anticipate a busy season unlocked by the Investment Tax Credits, our work isn’t done yet. We are reenergizing our call with federal stakeholders to support Canada’s tradespeople by celebrating the unparalleled skill and the opportunity we have to continue leading the transition towards a net-zero economy. This fall, we

Earlier today, Employment and Social Development Canada announced further changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. While Canada’s Building Trades Unions is encouraged to see steps being taken to reduce the overall number of temporary workers that can be employed by a single employer, there remains significant gaps before this program can be considered anything other than a wage suppressor for Canada’s tradespeople. The omission of our sector from the reforms announced is disappointing, and the workers we are relying on to build our country deserve to be a legislative priority.   We will review today’s announcement in more detail and will continue reinforcing the solutions that can be implemented to repair some of the most derelict areas of the program to create supports that work

Canada’s Building Trades Unions are profoundly grateful for the immense accomplishments of the Hon. Seamus O’Regan as he steps down as Minister of Labour today, leaving a tremendous legacy of successful policies that will benefit working people in Canada for decades to come. “Seamus O’Regan will be remembered as one of the best Labour ministers this country has seen,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “We will be forever grateful for his years of service to workers across the country and his steadfast friendship and support of the building trades.” During his time as Minister of Labour, O’Regan saw through major wins for workers in Canada, including historic and long sought after anti-scab legislation for federally regulated workers, as well as