Today, our Executive Director Sean Strickland provided testimony in front of the House of Commons on behalf of advancing Bill C-59. On behalf of our industry and our valued members, Sean spoke about the positive impact that the Investment Tax Credits will have on our sector, notably the impetus to pay good wages – union wages and benefits – to the skilled trades workers who are building projects to support Canada’s transition to net-zero. The rollout of the Investment Tax Credits will further support the development of the trades in Canada as provisions with the program require organizations to hire apprentices – a critical component of growing our workforce.To read more of Sean’s testimony, see below. “The prevailing wage requirement in the Investment Tax Credits

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes Friday’s announcement of new funding streams by the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Language Randy Boissonnault under the new Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, and the opening of calls for proposals to support tens of thousands of workers across the country with innovative projects that will help them train for the skills they’ll need for the future low-carbon economy. “It’s exciting to see tangible calls for proposals from innovative organizations who ready to take up the challenge of training the low-carbon workforce of the future,” says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “We’re eagerly anticipating the opening of the Sustainable Jobs stream under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program. These programs will help

The training was developed in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous leaders and educators across North America. Today, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) and SkillPlan will officially launch new online Indigenous Awareness Training for Building Trades across Canada. Building off of the success of the original in-person Indigenous Awareness training pioneered by Lyle Daniels of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan and the Community and Indigenous Director at the Building Trades of Alberta, SkillPlan and CBTU are proud to expand accessibility of this training virtually. Previously delivered in person to more than 400 Building Trades leaders, the new program was expanded to an online format, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous partners, leaders, organizations and subject-matter experts across North America, and funded in part by

Canada’s Building Trades Unions joins Canadians across the country in mourning the passing of former Prime Minister, The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney. As Prime Minister, Mulroney was one of the most consequential in Canadian history, and helped shape the country and the world we live in today. Mulroney never shied away from tough, and sometimes controversial, decisions. At the time, his decisions on free trade and the implementing of the GST disproportionately and negatively impacted working people. However, the test of time has shown that these decisions, while unpopular and were arguably poorly executed, were the right ones for Canada. Mulroney’s courageous moral leadership on the world stage, where he championed the anti-apartheid cause at the UN, in the Commonwealth, at the G7, in La

Today, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) announced the first pilot implementation of Building It Green – Canada’s most comprehensive climate-focused construction education curriculum, designed by tradespeople for tradespeople.

Canada’s Building Trades Unions join others across the country in mourning the passing of Ed Broadbent – founder of the Broadbent Institute, former Member of Parliament, and former leader of the NDP. He represented Oshawa, a strong union town, and understood the value of effective representation for all workers. Ed advocated for equal rights and earned the nickname ‘Honest Ed’ for his decades of work championing ordinary Canadians. A social democrat who built a bridge between the intellectual wing of the NDP and working people, his legacy continues in many ways. Canada’s Building Trades Unions offer our condolences to his family and loved ones.

The CBTU Distinction Awards, presented at our annual legislative conference, recognize and honour industry leaders who have made significant contributions to their fields.

Last week Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship stated his intention to bring forward to cabinet a new program to help undocumented workers in Canada secure a pathway to residency and citizenship. Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes Minister Miller’s comments and are prepared to be a leading partner in any proposed program to bring undocumented workers out of the underground economy and into status. “Unfortunately, there are thousands of undocumented people currently working in Canada’s construction industry,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “Any program that helps bring these workers into the regular economy, where they can be protected from exploitation, pay taxes, and collect benefits is a win.” Without status, undocumented construction workers frequently live in fear, are

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) is pleased with today’s announcement from the federal government on the oil and gas regulatory framework that will put a cap on emissions starting in 2030. While CBTU recognizes the necessity of slowly transitioning away from Canada’s dependence on oil and gas to greener energy sources, we also know that Canada will continue to rely on energy from oil and gas for the foreseeable future to power our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. Many Building Trades members are employed in the oil and gas sector, and the industry is critical to our economy. “It is essential we get this cap-and-trade system done correctly in order to ensure investor confidence and secure employment for tens of thousands of Building Trades members,”

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) applauds the tabling of legislation to implement the Fall Economic Statement, and the game-changing labour requirements for Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) for green technologies contained within it. CBTU has advocated for these measures for the last year. They are a critical step forward for Canada’s construction workers, employers, and the economy. The Investment Tax Credits will be available for investments in clean technology, clean electricity, clean hydrogen, and carbon capture. To be eligible to receive the maximum ITC, employers must adhere to a definition of prevailing wage that is based on multiemployer collective agreements and have at least 10% of work hours to be performed by apprentices. These measures will help Canada remain competitive with the US and the Inflation