Canada's Building Trades Unions

10/15/2026

Today, the Government of Canada announced $430 million in funding through the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) to support training, apprenticeship initiatives, and equipment investments that will strengthen Canada’s unionized construction workforce. This funding creates an important opportunity for our unions to expand capacity and ensure members have the skills, equipment, and facilities needed to build Canada’s future. To apply visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/union-training-innovation.html

10/15/2026

Today's UTIP announcement is a major win for union training centres across Canada!

The federal investment into brick-and-mortar funding will help CBTU's affiliates expand training capacity or build new training facilities to help our more than 500,000 members do what they do best: "Build, Baby, Build".

More details to come!

10/12/2026

Happy Thanksgiving from the Canada’s Building Trades Unions family to yours! We’re reflecting on what we’re thankful for - our members. Every day, you show up, do the work, and help build the infrastructure that will support a better future for all Canadians.

10/10/2026

This year for World Mental Health Day, we’re highlighting the work that the Insulators Union and Youturn Health do to provide free, confidential supports to members and their families. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is focused on addressing mental health struggles and substance use among skilled trades workers. If you are struggling, know that you are not alone – your brothers and sisters are ready to stand with you and get you the help that you need. To learn more about CBTU’s Mental Health Resources visit https://www.buildingtrades.ca/en/mental-health-and-substance-use/

10/08/2026

CBTU is proud to be in Houston for Trades Women Build Nations, the world’s largest gathering of unionized tradeswomen!

More than 6,000 tradeswomen from Canada and the U.S. are coming together to connect, share their stories, and strengthen our future in the skilled trades.

In Houston? We hope you join us for the Banner Parade on Saturday morning!

10/08/2026

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum - Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage National Apprenticeship Conference is Canada’s leading forum for apprenticeship system leaders, employers, educators, labour organizations, policymakers, and equity-priority partners. CBTU had representatives there to connect with groups from across the skilled trades and discuss the barriers and supports that can affect a tradesperson’s journey from apprentice to Red Seal certification.

10/06/2026

Today, CBTU’s executive director Sean Strickland appeared before the HUMA Committee to provide expert testimony on Bill C-266, the National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act.

Our message is clear: workers shouldn’t face unnecessary barriers just because they cross a provincial border to go to work.

Alongside amendments to the framework, we’re calling for a Labour Supply Coordinating Committee, led by unionized labour to align labour requirements with the availability of members across Canada.

CBTU and our affiliates know where the shortages, where our members are available, what skills projects require, and where training capacity needs to grow.

CBTU's Executive Director providing expert testimony at HUMA Commit...

09/30/2026

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. A day to recognize and honour Survivors, their families, and Indigenous communities affected by Canada’s Residential system, while acknowledging its ongoing impacts.

Truth and reconciliation require continued listening, learning, and most importantly, action. Canada’s Building Trades Unions is committed to working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to advance economic opportunity, build deeper and more meaningful relationships, expanding equitable access to training and employment, supporting Indigenous leadership and businesses, and creating workplaces where culture and identity are respected.

Together with Mokwateh LP, CBTU has developed its Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP). The IRAP is a framework intended to guide our organization, affiliates, and building trades partners in strengthening relationships, addressing barriers, and turning commitments into action.

A career in the unionized skilled trades can build more than skills. It can create good-paying, family-supporting jobs, stronger communities, and opportunities that extend across generations.

We are committed to listening, learning, and building a stronger future, together.
To learn more about our Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, visit: https://www.buildingtrades.ca/en/buildtogether-indigenous/

Artwork by: Angie Saltman, Saltmedia

09/29/2026

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes today’s Final Investment Decision from LNG Canada on the Phase 2 expansion of the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, British Columbia.

This is a significant investment in Canadian workers, Canadian resources, and Canada’s ability to compete in global energy markets.

“The Building Trades members who built Phase 1 showed that Canada can deliver world-class energy infrastructure safely and efficiently. They're ready to get to work on Phase 2.” - Sean Strickland, Executive Director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions.

LNG Canada Phase 2 and the associated expansion of Coastal GasLink will create opportunities to put Canadian workers and Canadian resources to work by connecting more Canadian natural gas with markets around the world while creating good-paying jobs here at home.

Canada’s unionized tradespeople built Phase 1. Now, We’re Ready to build Phase 2 https://www.buildingtrades.ca/en/were-ready

Read more from CBTU, here: https://www.buildingtrades.ca/en/canadas-building-trades-unions-welcomes-lng-phase-2-following-final-investment-decision/

09/25/2026

Included in Bill C-39 are important steps toward getting Canada to get more big projects moving. That means more good-paying unionized jobs from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

We welcome measures that will:
✅ Improve transportation project coordination and expand trade corridors
✅ Modernize port governance and strengthen supply chains
✅ Streamline project reviews
✅ Establish clearer timelines and a single federal lead for major projects.

These changes can help provide greater certainty for investment and create more opportunities for Building Trades members.