Ottawa – Yesterday, CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland and the Canadian Executive Board met with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour to discuss the future of the unionized skilled trades as Canada prepares to meet our ambitious infrastructure and energy independence goals.   “Unionized skilled tradespeople, our members, are essential to building Canada’s future. From energy independence to critical infrastructure – building trades members will be at the forefront of this transformational shift,” said CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland. “As we enter a period of major investment and significant change, we must ensure that these opportunities translate into good, family-supporting careers for our members. This means developing sophisticated labour forecasts to guide investment in

Ottawa – Today, Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the federal government’s tabling of Bill C-5, which aims to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, increase labour mobility, and expediate nation-building projects. The legislation includes provisions to give the federal cabinet the autonomy to make regulations regarding the movement of labour within Canada and, following the Ministers’ Meeting that took place earlier this week, an agreement was made to work towards a 30-day service standard for credential recognition that would apply to professions such as skilled trades workers. “This is a strong step forward for the Canadian economy that shows tremendous support for the skilled trades sector,” said CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland. “As Canada faces a new era of nation building, the skilled tradespeople of the Building

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the speech from the throne delivered today by His Majesty King Charles III, reinforcing our sovereign leader’s support for Canada amidst these extraordinary times. The unique challenges Canada currently faces present opportunities to build and expand on existing infrastructure to secure our energy independence and reinforce our economy. As Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government works towards accomplishing their goals, Canada’s skilled trades workforce is the mission critical component needed to execute the work safely and efficiently, and support Canada’s global ambitions. As King Charles III stated, it is the priority of this government to “build hundreds of thousands of good careers in the skilled trades” to meet the significant investments being made in Canadian infrastructure. “To support the government’s mission,

Ottawa – Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the new federal cabinet announced today by Prime Minister Mark Carney at Rideau Hall. CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland shared how the additions to cabinet will impact skilled tradespeople: “Congratulations to Patty Hajdu and John Zerucelli, who will hold the positions of Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and Secretary of State for Labour, respectively. CBTU looks forward to working together to advance policies that will improve the lives of unionized skilled trades workers and build the national trade and energy infrastructure needed to ensure Canadian economic independence.” “As Steven MacKinnon transitions to a new role as Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, I’d

Canada’s Building Trades Unions is aware of political literature being distributed which asserts that CBTU has endorsed certain candidates or certain parties.  CBTU is a non-partisan organization and does not officially endorse parties or their candidates. While we encourage all candidates and parties to put their focus on policies and programs that uplift our members, protect high-quality union jobs, and support all Canadian workers, CBTU does not issue endorsements.

DATA HIGHLIGHTS KEY CONCERNS OF SKILLED TRADESPEOPLE  Ottawa, ON – April 17, 2025  Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) announced today the results of a recent survey with Abacus Data, focusing on the pressing concerns of Red Seal tradespeople as Canada approaches a pivotal federal election.   CBTU recently polled 500 Canadian Red Seal tradespeople to gather insights that reflect their opinions and priorities. The results of the survey highlight key concerns for our members, including cost of living, wages not keeping up with inflation, and the financial challenges facing both workers in the skilled trades, and Canadians generally.   The comparative survey identified that Canadian skilled trades workers and Canadians in general share largely the same priorities and concerns. However, skilled trades workers had heightened concern for

Yesterday, the Trump administration imposed unjustified tariffs on most US trading partners across the globe. Today, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) supports the Canadian government as it takes all necessary measures to protect Canadian workers and the economy. While Canada secured a reprieve from additional tariff measures, punishing tariffs on energy, steel, aluminum, lumber, and the automotive sector remain in place, as well as 25% tariffs on goods not covered by the existing USMCA agreement. The situation remains challenging for Canada’s unionized construction workers. These unjustified tariffs threaten jobs and economic stability.    However, this moment also presents a clear opportunity for Canada: to take our goods and resources to new markets, expand trade to more reliable trading partners, and overcome the internal barriers to trade

CBTU congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new cabinet on the occasion of their swearing in today at Rideau Hall.   Speaking on behalf of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, Executive Director had the following comments: “Our membership, more than half a million strong across the country is looking forward to working with Prime Minister Carney and his team to protect unionized construction jobs and the entire Canadian economy against the economic threat posed by Trump’s tariffs. We look forward to working with him, and his new cabinet, to advance policies that will improve the lives of skilled trades workers, and building the national trade and energy infrastructure essential to ensuing Canadian economic independence and sovereignty.” Strickland continued, “As Prime Minister Carney takes office,

Canada’s Building Trades Unions has reviewed today’s announcement by the Hon. Marc Miller, Minister Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, regarding new pilot programs in the construction industry aimed at addressing the underground economy, enhancing worker protections, and easing the process for apprentices to upgrade their skills without excessive red tape.  “We appreciate the Minister’s initiative to address undocumented workers in the underground economy and to help those workers gain the status and protections they deserve,” says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “These workers are present on job sites across Canada, but often lack basic protections like workplace safety and insurance. Their out-of-status situation makes it difficult for them to report unsafe or exploitative conditions.”  The government’s expanded pilot program builds on an