Ottawa, ON – Canada’s Building Trades Unions reaffirm our unwavering commitment to partnering with the federal government on the next series of historic projects that will shape Canada’s economic and infrastructure landscape for decades to come. These initiatives represent not only over $120 billion in infrastructure development but also a once-in-a-generation opportunity for skilled tradespeople right across the country.
Following today’s announcement, we recognize the critical importance of these projects and the urgent need to secure meaningful labour participation at every stage. Labour must be at the table and be actively involved in shaping decisions around labour force needs to enable tradesperson mobility and support the timely completion of projects. We look forward to discussing in finer detail the necessity of implementing strong labour conditions on major projects, including prevailing wages and mandatory apprenticeship requirements. These fundamental commitments are necessary to fully maximize opportunities for Canadian construction workers. Our members stand ready to deliver on the newly-announced projects, including the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas project and the North Coast Transmission Line low-cost clean electricity project in British Columbia, the innovative Nukkiksautiit Hydro Project in Iqualuit, the Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor in Northwest British Columbia and the Yukon, the Crawford Nickel project in Ontario, the Phase 2 expansion of the Nouveau Monde Graphite facility in Quebec, and the Sisson Mine for critical minerals in New Brunswick
These projects are more than just construction efforts; they are transformative, life-changing opportunities for Canada’s construction workers and their families. They present the chance for apprentices to gain comprehensive, hands-on experience, honing their skills on large-scale, stable, projects that will define their careers. Many will complete their full apprenticeship, emerging as highly skilled, certified tradespeople equipped for long-term careers and success.
Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, shared, “These initiatives are not just projects; they are legacy-building opportunities that will benefit generations. They provide work that is meaningful, well-paying, and rooted in skill. For many apprentices and workers, this will be a pivotal chapter in their lives: an opportunity to build not only infrastructure but also a sustainable future for themselves and their families. We are dedicated to ensuring that these projects uphold the highest standards of labour, safety, and quality. Our goal is to maximize the employment and training opportunities for unionized workers across the country, ensuring that every phase of these initiatives leaves a positive, lasting impact on communities and the skilled trades industry.”
CBTU remains committed to collaborating with government and industry partners to realize the full potential of these projects. We are building more than infrastructure; we are building the future.