Latest News & Announcements

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Stands Ready to Support Major Federal Projects 

Ottawa, ON – Canada’s Building Trades Unions Executive Director and our Canadian Executive Board members were pleased to attend the announcement indicating the government’s strong commitment to carry out their promise that Bill C-5 will create good-paying, unionized jobs. We are deeply proud of this milestone, which ensures that unions are firmly embedded in projects […]

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Responds to Federal Discussion on Restructuring the Temporary Foreign Worker Program 

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), representing over 600,000 skilled trades professionals nationwide, welcomes the federal government’s announcement that it will revisit and review the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This is a critical opportunity to fix a program that, in its current form, is failing Canadian construction workers.  Let us be clear: CBTU supports thoughtful, […]

CBTU Statement on Labour Day

Ottawa, ON – Today marks Labour Day, a day to recognize the role of workers in building Canada and the critical infrastructure we rely on.  Workers across the country have felt the weight of U.S. tariffs this year, and workers in the construction industry have been disproportionately affected. But despite this setback, the members of the […]

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Release Landmark Mental Health Report, Highlighting Union Support, and Announcing National Committee to Support Members

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) today released a comprehensive report detailing the mental health and substance use challenges faced by its 600,000 members across 60 skilled trades. The report, prepared by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation, sheds light on the unique stressors impacting tradespeople and emphasizes the inherent supportive role of unions in fostering member well-being, while also offering […]

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Applaud Passage of Bill C-5 in Senate 

Legislation Will Unleash Major Projects, Boost the Economy, and Put Canadians to Work  Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) welcomes today’s passage of Bill C-5 in the Senate, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. This is a critical win for Canada’s economy, and for […]

CBTU Statement on Meeting with Minister Hajdu

Yesterday, Canada’s Building Trades Unions met with the Future Skills Centre team, SkillPlan, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu to discuss the benefits of the Pan-Canadian Virtual Recruitment and Training System for Canada’s unionized construction sector.   Collaboration between provincial building trades organizations and local unions, regional stakeholders, and the government led to the launch of this […]

CBTU Statement on National Indigenous Peoples Day 

June 21, Ottawa – Today marks National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, a day to celebrate Indigenous communities across the country, their cultures, and contributions to Canadian society. There are many ways to participate in person and online, and Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) encourages our members from coast to coast to take part in […]

CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland Gives Evidence in the Senate

Today, CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland spoke to the Senate Committee of the Whole in support of the proposed Bill C-5, which would create a federal major projects office, and expedite the environmental and regulatory process. CBTU has long advocated for regulatory efficiency, and it is critical for this legislation to get passed before Parliament […]

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Calls on All Parties to Support Bill C-5

JUNE 16, 2025 – Ottawa – Today, Canada’s Building Trades Unions is calling on all parties to support the expedited passage of Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. Canada’s Building Trades Unions has long advocated for regulatory reform that makes it […]