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

Canada’s Building Trades has been leading on jobs to build Canada’s manufacturing industry for over a century, and this is not congruent with how projects like this typically work. Bringing approximately 900 South Korean workers to handle the installation of this equipment is not only an insult to Canadian taxpayers who funded this project with the understanding that jobs were going to Canadians, but it is a slap in the face to our workers and contractors, including those in Windsor, who are the most highly-skilled tradespeople in the world. We’re at the beginning of truly grasping the impact, but we can already share that Canada is losing out on millions of valuable hours for its workers. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is hopeful that we can

Today, the Federal Government released the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, which included several strong commitments for Building Trades members and skilled trades workers across Canada. Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) are very pleased to see a road map for the Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) included in today’s Fall Economic Statement. The Investment Tax Credits were introduced in last year’s Fall Economic Statement and the 2023 Federal Budget this past spring for investments in Clean Energy, Clean Technology, Hydrogen, and Carbon Capture. They will provide financial incentives to employers who adhere to the new definition of prevailing wage, based on regional collective bargaining agreements and apprenticeship requirements. CBTU is also pleased to see the expansion of the Investment Tax Credits to include biomass. “CBTU looks forward

Remembrance Day is a time for Canadians to remember and honour the veterans who fought for the freedoms Canada has today. It’s a day when veterans are at the forefront of the conversation. But it shouldn’t be the only day that they are. Today, the average age of a veteran in Canada is just 32 years old. Many veterans leave service looking to use their skills and experience in civilian jobs that will allow them to support themselves and their families. Helmets to Hardhats Canada is a non-profit organization that aims to support veterans by connecting them with a rewarding second career in the skilled construction trades. They do so by working with Canada’s Building Trades Unions and employers to ensure that veterans in their

On September 30th, Canada marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to recognize the impact of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities. Across the country, events will take place to commemorate the day, honour victims of the residential school system, and celebrate Indigenous cultures. Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) stand with Indigenous communities and affirm our commitment to learning more about Indigenous history and doing our part to increase Indigenous representation in the unionized skilled trades. Initiatives like our Indigenous Awareness Training, our In the Trades program, and our participation in the 2023 North American Indigenous Games are just some of the ways CBTU is working to strengthen the relationships between Indigenous communities across the country and the Building

This Labour Day, let’s remember the reason for the holiday. Labour Day is, first and foremost, a day to mark workers’ sacrifices and contributions to our country. For the Building Trades, it’s a day to show our pride in the things we build, and the things that are possible because of what we build – hospitals, bridges, skyscrapers, highways, and much more. Canada is powered by workers. With the rising cost of living, workers and the value of work have gotten more attention recently, with newfound support for organized labour. “This Labour Day weekend, let’s remember to thank workers and unions for many of the working conditions Canadians now enjoy, like weekends, benefits, and the eight-hour workday. They’re the result of advocacy and sacrifices made

Today, the Prime Minister unveiled a new Cabinet that is dedicated to making life more affordable for Canadians and building a strong economic future. Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) looks forward to working with the new Ministry. “Over the last several years, the Building Trades have worked closely with Cabinet members on policies that will make life better for workers including a strong prevailing wage and support for workers as the economy transitions to net zero,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions. Notable ministerial changes for the Building Trades include Randy Boissonnault’s appointment as the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages; and Sean Fraser’s appointment as the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. CBTU will continue to work with

This year, Canadians honour and celebrate the contributions and heritage of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples throughout Canada’s history on the fifth annual National Indigenous People’s Day. June 21, the summer solstice and longest day of the year, was chosen because many Indigenous communities celebrate their culture and heritage today. But even the longest day of the year is too short to encompass Canada’s complex relationship with its Indigenous people. Canada’s Building Trades Unions recognize the contributions Indigenous people have made to build Canada. We continue to strive to make our unions, jobsites, and the construction industry as a whole, more inclusive. And, we’re proud of the work taking place across the country, including our Offices to Advance Women Apprentices that set out and