Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario’s unionized construction sector was well-represented this weekend as nearly 6,000 tradeswomen from across North America gathered in Houston, Texas, for the 16th annual Tradeswomen Build Nations (TWBN) conference.
Running from Friday to Sunday (Oct. 11), at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the event highlighted the surging participation of women in skilled trades, leadership development, and mentorship.
The Canadian participants included a prominent delegation from International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 793, led by Carla St. Louis, OETIO’s director of marketing and Indigenous affairs.
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), under the leadership of executive director Sean Strickland, has emphasized the critical need to expand support structures, pre-delivery birth maternity benefits, and career pathways for women entering the construction industry. Through initiatives like CBTU’s “Build Together” program, Canadian trade unions continue to champion policies aimed at improving retention, mentorship, and equity on job sites nationwide.
According to CBTU, national advocacy remains vital to breaking down systemic barriers and fostering inclusive environments across all provinces. Meanwhile, updates from IUOE Local 793 note that local delegates actively participated in workshops, plenary sessions, and the iconic Saturday morning banner parade through downtown Houston to celebrate solidarity and sisterhood in the trades.
