Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) says renewed momentum on major energy and infrastructure projects could strengthen the economy, expand export capacity and create thousands of skilled trades jobs across the country.
The union group says Canada already has the workforce needed to deliver large-scale projects safely and efficiently, pointing to its apprenticeship system and experienced trades base.
“Our members have a proven record of excellence building the projects that power Canada’s economy, from pipelines and power generation to refineries, LNG facilities, and transportation infrastructure,” CBTU executive director Sean Strickland said in a statement. “We don’t need to build a workforce; we’ve already built one.”
Strickland said Canadian trades workers are prepared to deliver major infrastructure without delays tied to labour shortages.
CBTU pointed to recent developments in British Columbia’s liquefied natural gas sector, including LNG Canada Phase 2, Ksi Lisims LNG, Cedar LNG and Woodfibre LNG. It also highlighted federal commitments to improve regulatory coordination, financing tools and Indigenous equity participation to help projects move toward final investment decisions and construction.
The union group said the projects could attract private investment, increase exports and generate long-term employment in construction and related industries.
CBTU also reiterated its position that publicly supported infrastructure projects should include labour requirements such as prevailing wages and minimum apprenticeship standards.
It says such measures ensure public investment delivers long-term benefits for workers while supporting safety and training outcomes.
“Canadians don’t just need announcements, they need projects that get built,” Strickland said. “Turning proposals into shovels in the ground means putting skilled Canadians to work, supporting local businesses, strengthening supply chains, and delivering the infrastructure our economy depends on.”
CBTU said it remains ready to work with governments, Indigenous partners, industry and project proponents to advance infrastructure development and support Indigenous participation in major projects.
