News – Local 222

CBTU Statement on Ottawa-Alberta MOU

Canada’s Building Trades Unions welcomes the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed today by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. This MOU has the potential to be a transformational move in Canada’s energy landscape, and a significant source of job creation for Building Trades members, whose skills and experience will be instrumental in making future projects a reality. The MOU provides a clear approval process under the Building Canada Act for the construction of a new pipeline that, once complete, would transport at least one million low-emissions

November 27, 2025

Following Passage of the Budget

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) welcomes the passage of the Federal Budget 2025, confirming a suite of investments and policy commitments that reflect years of advocacy by CBTU, our Canadian Executive Board, and our members across the country. When the budget was tabled on November 4, CBTU recognized it as a meaningful step forward for unionized skilled trades workers and for Canada’s economic future. With the budget now passed, the focus must shift from commitments on paper to real action on job

November 18, 2025

Canada’s Building Trades Unions Support Generational Opportunities Through Major Projects

Ottawa, ON – Canada’s Building Trades Unions reaffirm our unwavering commitment to partnering with the federal government on the next series of historic projects that will shape Canada’s economic and infrastructure landscape for decades to come. These initiatives represent not only over $120 billion in infrastructure development but also a once-in-a-generation opportunity for skilled tradespeople right across the country. Following today’s announcement, we recognize the critical importance of these projects and the urgent need to secure meaningful labour participation

November 13, 2025

Key Wins for Canada’s Building Trades Unions’ Members in Federal Budget 2025

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) welcomes the release of the Federal Budget 2025, which delivers significant progress on priorities long advocated for by CBTU, our Canadian Executive Board, and our members. This year’s budget recognizes the essential role of unionized skilled trades in building a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable Canada. From generational investments in infrastructure to expanded support for union training, Budget 2025 demonstrates that the federal government has heard the voices of our members and unions across the

November 4, 2025

STATEMENT: “We will begin the process of organizing towards a potential general strike”

EDMONTON – The Alberta Federation of Labour president, Gil McGowan, delivered the following remarks this afternoon at a press conference at Ironworkers Hall in Edmonton, accompanied by Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress. “Danielle Smith has awakened a sleeping giant. When she took the unprecedented step of using the Notwithstanding Clause to strip Alberta teachers of their… Source

October 29, 2025

PRESS RELEASE: Danielle Smith’s Bill 2 is a “war on workers”

EDMONTON – “The UCP government’s unprecedented attack on teachers and worker rights will be met with an unprecedented response from Alberta unions,” says Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour, the province’s larger worker group. McGowan says that Alberta unions understand they have an obligation to stand up for workers and democracy – and they won’t shirk that obligation. Source

October 27, 2025

STATEMENT: Union leaders warn UCP government — do not invoke notwithstanding clause

EDMONTON – At an emergency meeting held today at 5:00pm (MT), the Common Front, an umbrella group for all Alberta unions, leaders unanimously endorsed the following message to Premier Danielle Smith. Dear Premier Smith, On behalf of the more than 350,000 working Albertans who we represent, we urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to rule out the use of the notwithstanding clause as part… Source

October 24, 2025

A Historic Moment for Canada’s Unionized Skilled Trades

Canada’s Building Trades Unions proudly commends Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement today at Darlington’s groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) project in Bowmanville, Ontario, an unprecedented, generational investment that marks a hinge moment in Canada’s economic and energy future. Darlington’s first of the four planned SMRs will provide reliable, affordable, clean power to 300,000 homes. Over the next 65 years, this project will sustain approximately 3,700 jobs annually, with 18,000 jobs created during the construction phase alone. This makes Darlington

October 23, 2025

PRESS RELEASE: New AFL report shows Alberta workers have been left behind in oil and gas boom

EDMONTON – The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) today released a new report, Exporting Profits: Alberta oil and gas workers fall behind while American shareholders thrive, which shows that Canada’s biggest oil and gas companies enjoyed a massive increase in profits during the boom years of 2021 to 2023 and yet the largest portion of the money went to shareholders, primarily American. Source

October 21, 2025

PRESS RELEASE: AFL calls on Alberta government to immediately hike minimum wage to $20/hour

EDMONTON — The Alberta Federation of Labour, the province’s largest worker advocacy group representing 170,000 workers, is calling on the provincial government to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour immediately. With Saskatchewan hiking its minimum wage to $15.35 today, Alberta now has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $15/hour, while students under 18 working fewer than 28 hours per week have a… Source

October 1, 2025