Programs & initiatives
Diversity & Inclusion
INDIGENOUS ALLYSHIP
From settlements built before European contact using traditional knowledge and techniques to modern wonders like the Empire State Building and the Toronto SkyDome built by legendary Iroquoian Ironworkers, our country is not only founded on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples, our cities and infrastructure have been built by them. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and fostering positive relationships with our Indigenous members and their communities.
CBTU's INdigenous reconciliation action plan
This Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) takes a significant step in that direction, providing national leadership and a shared framework for Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), its members, Affiliates, Provincial Councils, and partners.
The IRAP builds upon CBTU’s learning and engagement over the last decade, following our 2017 commitment to act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #92.
In this IRAP, we have identified four key pillars and 12 commitments to drive our activities and decision-making:
- Workforce Participation;
- Learning and Engagement;
- Economic Reconciliation;
- Representation.
it's our policy
truth and reconciliation call to action #92
In 2017, Canada’s Building Trades Unions adopted the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, Principal #92 in support of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Canada’s Building Trades Unions will continue to support the aims and goals of reconciliation including a full commitment to meaningful consultation, building respectful relationships, and obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous peoples, and ensuring that Indigenous peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the unionized construction sector, and that Indigenous communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from economic development projects.
Canada’s Building Trades Unions has also committed to provide education on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Indigenous-Crown relations.
education and training
INDIGENOUS ALLYSHIP
Canada’s Building Trades Unions has begun to deliver on our enduring commitment to providing education to our members, and placed allyship as a core commitment as part of our Build Together program.
With the development of a national training curriculum for apprentices, journeyworkers, union leaders, and our signatory contractor partners, CBTU is working to deliver on our commitment to reconciliation.
CBTU encourages all our affiliates and members to take this training as a core professional development competency.