The executive director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, has issued a statement for Canada’s Day of Mourning urging workers and employers in the construction sector to “reflect upon our collective purpose, remember, acknowledge and offer our thoughts to those who have been injured, fallen ill or lost their life while at work.” The 2024 Day of Mourning is today, April 28th. “Canada’s Building Trades Unions stand in solidarity with workers across the country to recognize the National Day of Mourning, a day to remember workers who have died or been injured in workplace accidents or due to occupational disease,” stated Strickland. “Advocating for higher health and safety standards for our members and for all construction workers has always and will always be a

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes today’s announcement of a significant investment by Honda and the Government of Canada to secure the future of EV manufacturing in Canada, as the country transitions towards a net-zero economy. Canada’s Building Trades Unions are also pleased to enter into preliminary discussions with Honda to secure a memorandum of understanding which would maximize the number of unionized Canadian skilled trades jobs in the construction of these planned facilities. “This is an important investment in the net-zero future, and we’re delighted that Honda has chosen Canada for this facility. We’re also gratified that preliminary discussions with Honda are taking place to ensure Canadian unionized skilled trades workers will help build that future,” says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the introduction of Budget 2024 and the new measures introduced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland. Budget 2024 includes new funding for existing measures to support skilled trades, new supports for net-zero technology investments, and measures which will help address the exploitation of workers. “This year’s budget took great strides to support Canada’s skilled trades workers. We were pleased to see stable funding for Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, and Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program, coupled with continued investments in nuclear development and net-zero technology investments. This will strengthen our workforce and ensure Canada has the support it needs as we forge ahead building new homes and transitioning our nation’s economy to a

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

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.