Canadian Legislative Conference Draws Record Participation

Journal: Issue 3 - 2008

Breaking all previous records, the well-attended 2008 Canadian Legislative Conference of the Building & Construction Trades Department (BCTD), which was held in Ottawa in early May, proved without a doubt that participants were eager for the opportunity to collaborate on issues facing the construction industry. According to IU Regional Director – Canada Fred Vautour, the diverse group of conferees, including Local leaders and apprentices representing more than a dozen affiliated unions as well as contractor associations, provincial building trades’ councils and construction users, “demonstrated a keen interest in unified political action by the construction industry in Canada.”

BAC delegates to the 2008 BCTD Canadian Legislative Conference. Front row, from left, IU Assistant to the President for Canadian Affairs Graeme Aitken, BCTD Canadian Office Executive Director Bob Blakely, IU Government Relations Director Kevin Flynn, Local 20 ON Business Manager Larry Devlin, and Local 1 NL Business Manager John Leonard. Back row, from left: IU Organizer Geoff Higginson, IU Regional Director – Canada Fred Vautour and Organizer Craig Strudwick, and Local 7 CN Business Manager Oliver Swan.

The Conference’s two-day agenda featured general sessions, lobbying activities, educational workshops on political action, occupational health and safety, and temporary foreign workers, and the introduction of an interactive “Town Hall Meeting.” The new format brought together three Members of Parliament – Liberal Party Labour Critic Judy Sgro (York West, ON), NDP Labour Critic Libby Davies (Vancouver East, BC), and Bloc Quebecois Labour Critic Carole Lavallée (Saint-Bruno – Saint-Hubert, QC) – with Conference participants for a lively roundtable discussion on health care, security, labour mobility, employment insurance, and environmental issues.

The list of distinguished Conference speakers included The Honourable Jack Layton, Leader of the New Democratic Party, M.P Toronto-Danforth, ON, who outlined the NDP’s efforts to shape the political agenda in Ottawa.

BCTD President Mark H. Ayers’ keynote address kicked off an impressive speaking program, which included presenters from the Federal Government, Senate, the Official Opposition, and labour and management. Ayers highlighted the reinvigorated spirit of skilled trades across North America, emphasizing that unity and focus of purpose were paramount to the ability of the Department’s affiliates to accomplish their shared mission of providing first class service to the industry. He also cited the critical opportunities that pending federal elections in Canada and the United States are presenting to building trades members to get involved in the political process, which has an enormous influence on their work and families.

Other speakers included:

The Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) described advances in labour market development across Canada instituted under the Harper government, including instituting apprenticeship program grants and reaching out to non-traditional labour sources. His announcement of new funding for the Construction Sector Council for labour market information – $5.5 million over five years – was well received by the Conference.

Hugh Segal, Senator, Conservative Party of Canada, and one of the country’s foremost advocates of constitutional reform of Canada’s Senate, chronicled the changing nature of Canada’s democracy. He spoke of the need for political institutions to remain flexible when reacting to the demands of the nation, and in particular, what Senate reform might mean for Canada and organizations like the Building Trades. Segal encouraged the Building Trades to develop its position on Senate reform as the debate goes forward.

The Honourable Bob Rae, Foreign Affairs Critic, Liberal Party of Canada, M.P., Toronto Centre, ON, talked about the importance of a healthy, prosperous,  organized construction industry to Canada’s national economy. In the words of BCTD Canadian Office Executive Director Bob Blakely, Rae “brought a message of determination and a message of spirit to the Conference – his political acumen and experience in public life was evident to the delegates and guests.”

Michael Ignatieff, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, M.P., Etobicoke – Lakeshore, ON, has been critical of the federal government for not taking broader steps to increase access to post-secondary education and training. He expressed concern with the relatively flat graduation rates across Canada from recognized trade programs. He made a commitment to take the Building Trades Legislative Issues Briefing book back to the Liberal Caucus for review and discussion.

Dr. Richard Loreto of RAL Consulting Inc. discussed the future of the workplace, where the integration of robotics and new technology will be commonplace, the changing demographics of the Canadian workforce, and the need for organizations and employers to shape a formalized recruitment strategy from non-traditional sources of labour including women, aboriginal and immigrant communities.