Canada’s Building Trades Unions’ Executive Director, Sean Strickland, was interviewed to share his perspective on why so many people are turning to the trades, and why these careers are attracting Canadians at every stage of life. The average apprentice in Canada is 27 years old, showing that it’s never too late to pursue a good-paying, stable career. With opportunities to earn while you learn, develop in-demand skills, and help build Canada’s future, the skilled trades offer a pathway worth exploring. As Sean shared, “When you have the Prime Minister talking about building Canada, people start paying attention." Read the full article, here: theglobeandmail.com/business… #SkilledTrades #BuildingCanada #Apprenticeships #GoodJobs #UnionStrong #CareersInTheTrades

Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu recently discussed new federal supports for skilled trades apprentices that were previously announced in the Spring Economic Update under the $6 billion Team Canada Strong program. Key measures include: ✅Training support: $400 per week during apprenticeship training, up to $16,000 total. ✅ Completion bonus: one-time payment of $5,000 for apprentices who complete their program. ✅ Retroactivity: the $5,000 completion bonus will be retroactive to May 2025 to ensure those who missed the previous grant opportunity can access the payment. These measures are intended to strengthen the pipeline of journeypersons and reduce financial barriers to trades training. Further implementation details and eligibility criteria will be shared as rollout information becomes available. Watch the segment, here: youtu.be/EDPFLfoKyQA?si=HGcC…

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcome the Build Communities Strong Fund announcement from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney, a generational investment in the infrastructure Canadians rely on every day. From local community centres to major projects in transit, healthcare, and water systems, our members are ready to get to work delivering high-quality projects that strengthen communities and create good-paying, skilled trades careers across the country. Read more here: buildingtrades.ca/en/cbtu-we…

📢 ICYMI: After advocating from the outset of the Section 232 tariff implementation for stronger supports for affected workers, we’re pleased the Government of Canada has extended three temporary EI measures, a necessary step given the harm these tariffs have caused to Canadian jobs. They include: ✅ waiving the one‑week waiting period so claimants get benefits immediately; ✅ suspending treatment of separation pay so severance won’t block EI access; ✅ adding 20 extra weeks for long‑tenured workers who need more time to find new work. These extensions apply through Oct 10, 2026 and are expected to help hundreds of thousands of Canadians while complementing Work‑Sharing supports that have helped over 54,000 workers and prevented an estimated 20,000 layoffs. To really mitigate the impacts of tariffs and protect jobs, we need to get building — invest in Canadian manufacturing, infrastructure, and workforce development now. Read more here: canada.ca/en/employment-soci…

APPLY NOW: The Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy – Investments in Training Equipment initiative continues to accept proposals through its ongoing call for proposals. The Investments in Training Equipment provides up to 50% of the cost of new, up-to-date equipment and materials that meet industry standards or invest in technology in the Red Seal trades. However, a 30% cash contribution will be accepted if at least half of project activities are impacted by challenges such as remote locations, limited infrastructure, or limited partnership opportunities. Apply today: canada.ca/en/employment-soci…

Canada’s Building Trades Unions supports the announcement from the Minister of Employment and Families, Patty Hajdu outlining new measures to support and protect workers across key sectors of the Canadian economy. The focus on workforce development, skills training, and labour market stability is critical as Canada endeavours to achieve our ambitious infrastructure and economic goals. 🏗️⚡🚆 CBTU proudly represented our 600,0000 members at the recent national Workforce Summit, where Executive Director Sean Strickland participated in the union-led Advisory Table that helped inform this work. 🤝 The perspective of Canada's unionized skilled tradespeople must remain central as these initiatives move from the promise of jobs to implementation. We look forward to continued collaboration that strengthen apprenticeship pathways and protect good-paying unionized jobs. 👷‍♂️📈 Read more: canada.ca/en/employment-soci… #BuildingTrades #WorkforceDevelopment #SkilledTrades

Canada's Building Trades Unions welcome today's announcement from Employment and Social Development Canada regarding changes to the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Investments in Training Equipment (CAS ITE). By expanding flexibilities to cover shipping and installation costs and federal contributions of up to 70% for projects in remote or infrastructure‑limited areas, it will make be more accessible and more affordable for unions and training providers to acquire the modern equipment and materials our apprentices need to ensure their training provides real-world experiences. With $20 million available through the CAS ITE in 2025–26 and applications open now, this funding will help ensure more apprentices gain the hands‑on experience required to complete their programs and succeed on job sites across Canada. This builds on the previously announced $75‑million, three‑year expansion of the Union Training and Innovation Program in Budget 2025, which will further boost union‑based apprenticeship training as Canada prepares to achieve its ambitious economic and infrastructure goals. "On behalf of our members and CBTU's Canadian Executive Board, we welcome these investments and applaud the Employment and Social Development Canada's commitment to strengthening apprenticeship training," share Sean Strickland, Canada's Building Trades Unions' Executive Director. "We are committed to working closely with ESDC and our affiliates nationwide to ensure this funding delivers real results, including more apprentices completing their programs, state‑of‑the‑art training facilities, and a highly skilled trades workforce ready to build the infrastructure and major projects Canada needs. This is a crucial step toward securing good, union jobs and a stronger economic future for communities from coast-to-coast." Applications are open to eligible unions and training providers through the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy - Investments in Training Equipment page here: bit.ly/4a1OGOd

If you’re a tradesperson who temporarily relocated for a job last year, you may be eligible for the Labour Mobility Tax Deduction! The Labour Mobility Tax Deduction provides tradespeople (apprentices and journeyworkers) with a deduction for eligible transportation, meal, and temporary lodging costs incurred when working away from home. Head to buildingtrades.ca/en/labour-… for FAQs and info on how to make a claim.