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Canada’s Building Trades Unions Welcomes LNG Phase 2 following Final Investment Decision
Canada’s Building Trades Unions congratulates LNG Canada and its partners on the Final Investment Decision for the Phase 2 expansion in Kitimat, British Columbia, in the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. This is a significant private sector investment in Canadian workers, Canadian resources, and Canada’s ability to compete in global energy markets. Building on the work of thousands of skilled tradespeople who helped construct LNG Canada Phase 1 and the Coastal GasLink pipeline, Phase 2 will create thousands of new opportunities for skilled tradespeople in British Columbia and across Canada. Phase 2 will add two LNG trains at the LNG Canada facility, doubling production from 14 to 28 million tonnes per year. The project will also expand the Coastal GasLink pipeline through the construction
CBTU Calls for Guardrails to Protect the Right to Job Action
As Canada looks to build and grow, protect our sovereignty, and create good-paying, unionized jobs, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) believes we need certainty and predictability to attract investment, get major projects moving, and put tradespeople to work. That certainty must include strong collective bargaining and protect workers’ rights. With the federal government’s new legislation affecting the Canada Labour Code and the right to strike, CBTU is calling for clear protections of our members’ right to take lawful job action, when necessary, if bargaining reaches an impasse. As outlined in our recent submission to the federal government on potential changes to the Canada Labour Code, we supported the use of mediation as part of a call to ensure that any government intervention in legal job
CBTU Welcomes the Fall Rollout of Measures to Build Canada’s Next Generation of Skilled Tradespeople
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) welcomes today’s announcement from the Minister of Jobs and Families, Patty Hajdu, that the Government of Canada’s Team Canada Strong initiatives will become available this fall, helping more young Canadians pursue good-paying, family-supporting careers in the skilled trades and strengthening the country’s apprenticeship pipeline. Apprentices should not have to choose between completing their training and meeting basic financial obligations, and these measures will provide meaningful support to help them remain in the trades and complete certification. As part of the comprehensive package first announced in April 2026’s Spring Economic Update, the $5,000 apprenticeship completion bonus is a critically important investment in building Canada’s future. By recognizing the achievement of apprentices who earn certification in eligible Red Seal trades, and applying
CBTU Welcomes Historic Investment Commitments to Build Canada
Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the nearly $500 billion in new investment commitments announced at the Canada Investment Summit and is a historic vote of confidence in Canada and an extraordinary opportunity to build our country. Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the federal government is building on that momentum with the new Productivity Mega Deduction, a game-changing tax incentive that will expand the assets eligible for immediate deduction from roughly 15% to more than 65%. The measure will support investment in everything from fibre-optic cable, mining property and energy infrastructure to software, computer equipment, rail, bridges and roads. These investments can provide the certainty needed to move major projects forward and put shovels in the ground across Canada. “This is what nation-building looks like,”
United in Building Canada’s Future
At a time when Canada is navigating tariffs amidst a rapidly changing global economy, the strength of our country depends on our ability to stand and build together. Addressing the Building Trades of Alberta conference, Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, emphasized the importance of unity across Canada’s skilled trades and the role of major projects in strengthening our nation’s economic and energy sovereignty. As Sean put it, “while Canada continues to navigate trade negotiations and unjust tariffs, it is paramount that the brothers and sisters of Canada’s Building Trades Unions stand together and support the major projects strengthening Canada’s sovereignty.” Alberta is poised to play a critical role in that national effort. The unprecedented scale of major projects anticipated across the
Canada’s Building Trades Unions Welcomes New Temporary Relief Measures from U.S. Tariffs
Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes today’s announcement from Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, accompanied by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and the Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, temporarily extending the EI measures related to unfair U.S. tariffs on various manufacturing industries including steel, aluminum, and automotive products. Today’s announcement also makes amendments to the work-sharing program to make it easier to access and open to more people. These temporary relief measures for workers affected by tariffs include; While these measures are a positive step to securing and reinforcing Canada’s unionized skilled workforce, increased delays in
Canada’s Building Trades Unions Reacts to Continuation of Tariffs and Calls for Extended Temporary Relief Measures for workers
Canada’s Building Trades Unions is calling on the federal government to extend the current temporary relief measures related to unfair U.S. tariffs on various manufacturing industries including steel, aluminum, and automotive products through spring 2027, or until a fair agreement is reached between Canada and the United States. The impact of this trade war isn’t being felt in the boardrooms; it’s being felt at kitchen tables. Tariffs are disrupting supply chains, putting good-paying middle class jobs at risk, and driving uncertainty for tradespeople and their families. Workers are bearing the consequences of decisions being made far from the jobsite, and they need governments to intervene to provide them with adequate support. “Workers should not be asked to front the cost of political and trade uncertainty beyond their control,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions. “The effects of these tariffs
CBTU Executive Director Addresses UA’s 41st Convention Calling for North American Collaboration
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) Executive Director, Sean Strickland, addressed nearly 4,000 members of the United Association (UA) at its convention in San Diego, including 1,000 Canadian delegates. The convention reflected the strength of the UA’s North American partnership, guided internationally by General President, Mark McManus and supported in Canada by Director of Canadian Affairs, Terry Snooks. With nearly 60,000 UA members across Canada, that partnership continues to advance opportunities for skilled tradespeople on both sides of the border. Shortly before his address, UA delegates passed a resolution opposing tariffs and supporting policies that protect workers and promote cross-border cooperation. Mr. Strickland then delivered a clear warning about the consequences of tariffs, emphasizing that they raise costs, disrupt integrated supply chains, and threaten jobs throughout
Canada’s Building Trades Unions Statement on Churchill Falls and Labrador Energy Investments
Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a new agreement on Churchill Falls and broader electricity and energy investments across Labrador. This is an important step towards unlocking the province’s enormous energy potential while creating good-paying unionized jobs and generating lasting economic benefits for workers, Indigenous Peoples, and communities across the province. The federal commitment of $10 billion for the modernization and expansion of Churchill Falls, the potential development of Gull Island, new transmission infrastructure, and the 2,000 MW onshore wind project represent generational opportunities to put skilled tradespeople to work building the infrastructure that will power Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy for decades to come. “This is about more than building power infrastructure, it’s about building opportunity for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said Sean Strickland,
CBTU welcomes continued momentum toward advancing nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) welcomes continued momentum toward advancing nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects that will strengthen Canada’s economy, expand access to global markets, and create thousands of family‑supporting union careers for skilled trades workers. CBTU emphasizes that Canada already has the workforce with the proven experience to deliver major infrastructure safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. “Our members have a proven record of excellence building the projects that power Canada’s economy, from pipelines and power generation to refineries, LNG facilities, and transportation infrastructure,” said CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland. “We don’t need to build a workforce; we’ve already built one. Canada’s Building Trades have the skilled workers, the world‑class apprenticeship system, and the experience to deliver the next generation of nation‑building
Media Contact
Jennifer White
Senior Communications Advisor
jwhite@buildingtrades.ca
Amy Burlock
Communications Specialist
aburlock@buildingtrades.ca
