LATEST NEWS
Canada’s Building Trades Unions and New Brunswick Building Trades welcome investments by the Federal Government in clean electricity projects
Canada’s Building Trades Unions and New Brunswick Building Trades welcome today’s announcement of a common understanding on Clean Electricity Regulations that will provide the framework for more than $1 Billion in investments in a clean electricity generation in New Brunswick, which will lead to hundreds of new work and apprenticeship opportunities for skilled trades workers in the coming years. “We are thrilled to see the government prioritize the deployment of clean electricity and the phase-out of coal-fired generation by 2030. These investments are not only essential for a decarbonized and reliable electricity system, but they will also create thousands of good, sustainable jobs for skilled tradespeople across New Brunswick,” said Sean Strickland, CBTU Executive Director. “The clean energy transition will be a significant driver of
Statement from Canada’s Building Trades Unions on the Passing of Former Premier John Horgan
It is with sadness we must acknowledge the passing of former Premier of British Columbia, John Horgan. During his time in office, Premier Horgan demonstrated an unwavering commitment to B.C.’s working people, advocating for policies that not only prioritized labour rights, but fought for fair wages, and the development of sustainable infrastructure. His leadership guided a strengthened partnership between labour and government, paving the way for investments in public projects that created thousands of good-paying jobs and improved the quality of life for communities across the province. Premier Horgan was an ally to Canada’s unionized skilled tradespeople and was committed to working collaboratively with our industry to address the unique challenges we face. His passion for advancing skilled trades and ensuring that workers had a voice
CBTU Statement on Federal Government’s Proposed Oil and Gas Emissions Cap
Ottawa, ON – CBTU will review government regulations that would cap oil and gas sector GHG emissions, once proposed regulations are published later this week. CBTU will be looking to ensure that skilled trades workers’ jobs in the oil and gas sector are protected through the transition to net-zero, while new opportunities are created through projects taking full advantage of emissions-reducing technology like Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage that will allow the oil and gas industry to continue to deliver significant economic benefit, lower emissions, and maintain strong employment for our members. While Canada’s Building Trades Unions supports the transition to a net-zero clean economy, this transition must be accomplished with smart, coherent regulations in a manner that’s consistent with maximizing economic benefit to Canadian
CBTU RECOGNIZES THE HONOURABLE FILOMENA TASSI FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO LABOUR
Following today’s announcement from the Honourable Filomena Tassi that she will not seek re-election in southern Ontario, Canada’s Building Trades Unions would like to congratulate MP Tassi and thank her for the dedication she brought to her files during her time in Parliament. Under her stewardship as Minister of Labour, she fought to achieve a $15 minimum wage for federally regulated workers, was integral in securing the labour mobility tax deduction, and brought a new way of working more collaboratively to the department. While Minister of Labour, MP Tassi was unflappable in maintaining collective bargaining, ensuring that negotiations were prioritized during labour disputes, and paved the way to recruit more women into the skilled trades by prioritizing government programs focused on creating equity.
Labour Day Statement
Labour Day is a time of year to look back at the successes we’ve experienced, and set new focus for the year ahead. Labour enjoyed a historic 2024 Parliamentary session that included the implementation of Bill C-59 and the Investment Tax Credits, Bill C-50 and the Sustainable Jobs Act, and Bill C-58’s federal ban on replacement workers, laying a foundation of regulatory-focus on Canada’s workers and setting the stage for a prosperous 2025 legislative session. While we anticipate a busy season unlocked by the Investment Tax Credits, our work isn’t done yet. We are reenergizing our call with federal stakeholders to support Canada’s tradespeople by celebrating the unparalleled skill and the opportunity we have to continue leading the transition towards a net-zero economy. This fall, we
Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Earlier today, Employment and Social Development Canada announced further changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. While Canada’s Building Trades Unions is encouraged to see steps being taken to reduce the overall number of temporary workers that can be employed by a single employer, there remains significant gaps before this program can be considered anything other than a wage suppressor for Canada’s tradespeople. The omission of our sector from the reforms announced is disappointing, and the workers we are relying on to build our country deserve to be a legislative priority. We will review today’s announcement in more detail and will continue reinforcing the solutions that can be implemented to repair some of the most derelict areas of the program to create supports that work
CBTU Thanks Minister O’Regan for his Outstanding Service to Canadian Workers
Canada’s Building Trades Unions are profoundly grateful for the immense accomplishments of the Hon. Seamus O’Regan as he steps down as Minister of Labour today, leaving a tremendous legacy of successful policies that will benefit working people in Canada for decades to come. “Seamus O’Regan will be remembered as one of the best Labour ministers this country has seen,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “We will be forever grateful for his years of service to workers across the country and his steadfast friendship and support of the building trades.” During his time as Minister of Labour, O’Regan saw through major wins for workers in Canada, including historic and long sought after anti-scab legislation for federally regulated workers, as well as
CBTU Applauds the Federal Government on New Legislation
Canada’s Building Trades Unions is celebrating the passage of key legislation this week which delivers major wins for Canadian skilled trades workers, and workers across the country. This week saw final votes on Bills C-59, which implemented the Investment Tax Credits, C-50, the Sustainable Jobs Act, and C-58, which introduced a federal ban on replacement workers. “The Investment Tax Credits are a game-changer for our workers. Now, investments in the clean economy are tied to strong, union-negotiated wages for construction workers, as well as opportunities for apprentices,”says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “The Investment Tax Credits have the strongest definition of prevailing wage in Canadian labour history. This is a tremendous win for all workers in the construction industry.” The Investment
CBTU Supports Capital Gains Inclusion Rate Changes to Help Fund Critical Programs for Canadian Workers
Canada’s Building Trades Unions are voicing their support for the federal government’s changes to the capital gains tax inclusion rate, which was previously announced, and will be voted on by the House of Commons this week. The proposed change to the tax code will help fund important programs for the benefit of all Canadian workers including pharmacare, childcare, increased healthcare spending. “The inclusion rate for our members wages is one hundred percent, taxed as income at the marginal rate, while only half of capital gains are taxed at all. Raising that to two-thirds, and only on capital gains above $250,000 each year, is a step towards tax fairness for people who work for a living,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions,
CBTU Celebrates Significant Wins for Workers as Anti-Scab, and Prevailing Wage Legislation Heads to the Senate
Canada’s Building Trades Unions is celebrating significant progress for Canadian skilled trades workers this week as Bills C-58 and C-59 were passed by the House of Commons and head to the Senate. Bill C-58 bans the use of replacement workers in federally regulated sectors, and Bill C-59 introduces game-changing Investment Tax Credits, which contain both prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. “Bill C-59 has the strongest definition of prevailing wage in Canadian labour history, a direct reference to the wages we negotiate through our multi-employer collective agreements,” says Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, “all construction workers in Canada will benefit from tying these tax incentives to paying good wages, union wages, to workers building the clean economy of the future. The apprenticeship
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