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

Today, the Government of Canada tabled Bill C-50 “An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy”. The legislation is aimed at addressing Canada’s transition to a carbon neutral economy, legislation Canada’s Building Trades Unions has been anticipating and advocating for. “Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcome Bill C-50 tabled today in the House of Commons. We have, and will continue to work closely with the Government on this important legislation because workers must be at the forefront of the transition to net-zero, one of the greatest economic transformations of our time. One needs to only look back to the passing of the Canada-US free trade agreement in 1987 as an example

The much-anticipated conference returns May 8-10, 2023 in Gatineau, Quebec Hundreds of building trades leaders from across Canada will gather at the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau next week (May 8-10) for Canada’s Building Trades Unions’ (CBTU) annual conference, themed Building Jobs for Tomorrow.   The Conference features: CBTU’s Annual Distinction Awards Interactive workshops focused on major projects in both Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage and Hydrogen Plenary speeches from government, labour, industry and business leaders on how Canada’s skilled trades workforce is poised to build a net-zero economy, and increase opportunities for equity-deserving groups in the construction industry   What:              CBTU Annual Conference – ‘Building Jobs for Tomorrow’  When:             May 8-10, 2023 Who:               Federal elected officials Colin Guldimann, Senior Economist, RBC Wealth Management Johanne Senecal,

Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, has released the following statement on the 2023 Day of Mourning: “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. Advocating for higher health and safety standards for our members and for all construction workers has always and will always be a priority for the Building Trades. That includes focusing on prevention so that every worker goes home to their family at the end of the day.  According to the latest available statistics, 1,081 workers were killed in workplace accidents in 2021. This represents a 16-per-cent

Today, the Government of Canada released the 2023 Federal Budget that included strong investments to build Canada’s green economy and strengthened Canada’s response to the US Inflation Reduction Act, building on commitments first announced in the Fall Economic Statement.  Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, has released the following statement in response to the 2023 Federal Budget: “Canada’s Building Trades Unions applaud the Federal Government’s clear commitment to growing the middle class and an economy that will help Canada meet our net-zero goals. The definition of Prevailing Wage outlined in the Budget is a huge win for workers – providing one of the strongest definitions we’ve ever had in Canada. Building on the supports for green technologies announced in the 2022 Fall

“On March 8, Canada’s Building Trades Unions join organizations and people across the world to mark International Women’s Day – a yearly reminder to address inequality in our country, and in our industry. I am proud of the many sisters that go to work in demanding jobs to build Canada each and every day. And, through various programs, we’re working hard to make every job site inclusive of all. Including: The Office to Advance Women Apprentices. OAWA offer wraparound support services for women seeking or already employed in the skilled trades. For tradeswomen, programs like Build Together: Women of the Building Trades have created a way for tradeswomen in our industry to help uncover existing biases so we can work harder to address them. Build