Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), representing over 600,000 skilled trades professionals nationwide, welcomes the federal government’s announcement that it will revisit and review the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This is a critical opportunity to fix a program that, in its current form, is failing Canadian construction workers.  Let us be clear: CBTU supports thoughtful, sustainable workforce strategies. The skilled trades need long-term solutions, not quick fixes that sidestep the need to train, recruit, and retain workers already in Canada. Too often, the TFWP is used as a tool to suppress wages, bypass union standards, and avoid investment in domestic training programs. Meanwhile, temporary workers are left with few protections and little recourse in unsafe or unfair working conditions.  As the government re-evaluates the TFWP,

Ottawa, ON – Today marks Labour Day, a day to recognize the role of workers in building Canada and the critical infrastructure we rely on.  Workers across the country have felt the weight of U.S. tariffs this year, and workers in the construction industry have been disproportionately affected. But despite this setback, the members of the Canadian Building Trades have accomplished impressive milestones. In July, Building Trades members completed phase 1 of the LNG Canada project and made Canada’s first LNG export possible. This is a huge step forward for the country’s energy sector and our economy. LNG Canada is projected to add $23 billion to the economy over the next four decades.   “Canada’s Building Trades Unions is committed to giving back to the skilled

Ottawa, ON: Canada’s Building Trades Unions is proud to launch the “We Built That” campaign today, a celebration of the skilled tradespeople and their role in an historic achievement: Canada’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export. This milestone, achieved by LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink, underscores the vital role of Canada’s unionized tradespeople, whose expertise and dedication drove efforts that employed over 65,000 workers during six years of construction. The “We Built That” campaign is dedicated to honouring Canada’s unionized skilled tradespeople and their extraordinary contributions to securing our nation’s energy future.    This project signifies a turning point for Canada’s energy sector by positioning the country as a global player in LNG exports. With the first cargo now shipped, Canada can provide cleaner energy to

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