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 the skilled trades workers who are ready to get to work building the infrastructure our future demands.  CBTU has long advocated for regulatory reform to accelerate the development of nationally significant infrastructure, energy, and resource projects. Bill C-5 provides the necessary framework to streamline processes while maintaining rigorous oversight, enabling Canada to build what it needs more quickly.  As a result of Canada’s Building Trades Unions and our affiliate’s focused

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 national online portal with province-specific content, Red Seal prep, and more. Apprentices and journeyworkers can access trade-specific skills training through the online learning portal, and more than 500 unions, training centres, and community agencies are using the system to support engagement and retention.   “The construction industry is embracing this modernized approach to upskilling and retention,” said CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland. “By investing in workers, the project has strengthened cross-sector collaboration

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 this important day in any way they can.  Our relationships with Indigenous communities are reflected in the commitments CBTU has made to uphold our adoption of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, our ongoing commitment to our indigenous reconciliation action plan, and our commitment to meaningful consultation, building strong relationships, and ensuring Indigenous peoples have equitable access to jobs, training, and education opportunities in the unionized construction

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 rises for summer. “Nation-building projects are key to building a future that is strong, independent, and economically successful. We urge parliament to move forward quickly with this legislation” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions.

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 more efficient to build major projects. Bill C-5 does exactly that for major projects that are in the national interest. Canada’s unionized skilled trades workers are ready to get to work building the trade, energy, and mining, and critical infrastructure needed to secure Canada’s economic future, and our unions are ready to welcome thousands of new skilled trades workers into our halls as apprentices to help meet this ambitious moment

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.