Tuesday March 18, 2025 | NATIONAL [reporting from VICTORIA, BC]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today a federal investment of $67 million in green skills training was announced by Jobs and Families Minister Steven MacKinnon today in Ottawa.
The funds are for 10 projects to train more than 29,000 tradespeople (apprentices and journey persons) in skills that support the industrial shift to low-carbon alternatives.
MacKinnon was joined at the news conference in Ottawa by Mona Fortier. MP (Ottawa-Vanier); Stuart Simpson, training coordinator, Smart Local 47; Sean Stricklan, executive director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions; Jack Wall,(director of Canadian Affairs, SMART Union; and Brent James, business manager, Local 47 Ottawa.
We need to forge ahead an make our own path. That includes insulating workers from economic threats.
“We have a big task in front of us. Building energy, infrastructure, roads and bridges, public transportation, ports facilities, and railroads.,” said MacKinnon, emphasizing it will be done with unionized skilled tradespeople from coast to coast to coast.
“We will prevail, with or without or friends down south. Supporting Made in Canada solutions. Adding more not less talent to our workforce,” the Minister said.
“Lasting, uniquely Canadian change” is needed, said MacKinnon. MacKinnon wants to see natural resources bridged to new markets.
MacKinnon said Canada is at the forefront of renewable technologies. “We need capable and ready talent,” he said.
He denounced university training for all. “Skilled trades bring it to life,” he declared.
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NEWS SECTIONS: BUSINESS & ECONOMY | POST-SECONDARY | CANADA-NATIONAL | CANADIAN FEDERAL ELECTION 2025