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

Canada’s Building Trades Unions stand ready to fight for jobs, fight for workers, and fight for Canadians as the Trump White House imposes unjustified 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods and 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian energy that will raise prices for American consumers, put Canadian jobs at risk, and damage the long-standing and productive trading relationship between the two countries. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is calling on the government to support workers during this significant economic disruption. “It’s clear our trading relationship with the United States has now fundamentally changed. There will be short-term pain, and government will need to respond swiftly with supports for workers and industry,” said Strickland, “Immediate steps to support workers must include decreasing the eligibility requirements for

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) fully support the recent work of the Union-Led Advisory Table and its commitment to ensuring workers are prepared for the future of the Canadian economy. As we transition to emerging industries and technologies, it is essential that workers have the necessary skills and support to thrive in new sectors. The final report, Unions Power Prosperity, highlights critical recommendations that align workforce development strategies with industry needs, ensuring workers—especially those transitioning from declining sectors—are equipped with portable skills for growth opportunities. This is particularly important for women, under-represented groups, and older workers, who often face the greatest barriers to career advancement. In light of ongoing tariff threats that could have significant impacts on key industries, collaboration between workers, unions, employers, and

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes today’s announcement by the Government of Canada of a new high-speed rail line between Toronto and Quebec City. This investment will produce more than 50,000 jobs, including thousands of skilled trades jobs in the construction sector during the life of the project, contributing substantially to Canada’s economic growth. While we welcome this announcement and applaud the government for this forward-thinking initiative, we also call on the government to make sure this large public investment maximizes job creation and supports workers, by paying union wages and benefits, as well as ensuring job opportunities for our youth through apprenticeship requirements.

Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions issued the following statement this afternoon: Donald Trump’s disastrous tariffs are now a reality. While Canada has not chosen these circumstances, we have a choice today in how we respond. The coming days and weeks will prove painful for Canadian workers, their families, and business across the country, and the government must respond swiftly to protect workers. Importantly, it must also start the process to charting a new course that brings Canadian products and resources to new, and more reliable markets and trading partners. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is calling for the following immediate actions by the government: The time is now to get more shovels in the ground for the new infrastructure required to ensure