Ontario Construction News staff writer
Let’s Build Canada, a coalition of building and construction trade unions says good jobs should be a priority of all political leaders during the federal election campaign.
This year, Canadian offices of six International Unions and Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) are supporting the initiative.
“Without strong leadership coming out of the 2021 election, we risk Canadian workers being left behind by a changing economy,” said Matt Wayland, Director, Let’s Build Canada..
“Without a clear vision of a new, fair post-pandemic future from forward-thinking leaders, we risk trading good wages for low wages and good benefits for no benefits. Good jobs are too important to the future of Canadians, our families and our communities for them to be at risk. This election, we need to vote for good jobs.”
Let’s Build Canada is advocating for candidates and federal political parties to commit to supporting Canadian workers and well-paying, middle-class jobs. This includes:
- supporting labour mobility in the construction industry
- building good green jobs and a just transition for energy workers
- government programs and initiatives to support the workforce
“For many Canadians in the construction industry, work means having to travel away from home, with all the expenses that entails. Often, the men and women building our power plants and hospitals need to pay for these expenses out-of-pocket without any tax deductions or support from the government,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU).
“There are good jobs available across Canada. The post-pandemic recovery should include policies that get Canadian workers to and from the jobs without breaking the bank.”
Challenges highlighted include climate change, COVID-19 and a changing global economy which the advocates say require bold, progressive solutions.
“To build a stronger Canada, we need strong leaders who will make the right decisions for the prosperity of all Canadians.”
Over the election campaign, Let’s Build Canada will be active on digital platforms, working to share our vision of why we need to vote for good jobs to build Canada’s future.
Let’s Build Canada is a coalition of building trade and construction unions representing workers from thousands of communities, large and small, in every province and territory.