IBEW 993 Attends Canadian Building Trades Conference in Ottawa

IBEW 993 Business Manager Jim Bicknell and IBEW 993 Dispatcher Darryl Schmidt recently travelled to Ottawa to attend the Canadian Building Trades Conference, one of the most important gatherings of unionized skilled trades workers, labour leaders, government representatives, and industry decision-makers in the country.

With leaders across Canada focused on nation-building as a way to meet the challenges of the current world, now is the time to build. Many of these projects are happening right here in IBEW 993’s jurisdiction. While in Ottawa, IBEW 993 was in the room with the people responsible for turning those plans into reality.

The conference brought together the people shaping the future of construction, energy, infrastructure, apprenticeship, and major projects across Canada. It was described as “the most powerful room in Canada,” and for good reason. The conversations taking place at this conference will help determine where investments are made, how projects move forward, and how skilled trades workers will be trained and employed in the years ahead. For IBEW 993, being part of that conversation is critical.

Canada is standing at the beginning of the largest nation-building effort this country has ever seen. Clean energy, transmission, industrial development, housing, mining, LNG, critical minerals, transportation, and major infrastructure will all require skilled union labour. Our members must be part of that work, and Northern British Columbia must not be left out of the national conversation.

Power lines need to go east and west, as well as north. If Canada is serious about building the future, then the North must be included in that vision. IBEW 993 represents a large and vital jurisdiction, and we know that the opportunities ahead cannot stop at the major urban centres. Our communities, our contractors, and our members need to be represented when decisions are being made about where Canada builds next.

Recent government announcements included new supports for apprentices and significant investments in union-led training through the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). These investments matter because the future workforce will not appear by accident. It must be trained, supported, and given real opportunities to succeed.

Business Manager Jim Bicknell has been active in advocating for stronger apprenticeship supports and increased investment in union training. Through his work with IBEW 993, the BC Building Trades, and Canada’s Building Trades Unions, we have continued to push the message that if Canada wants to build, it needs skilled trades workers, strong apprenticeships, and properly funded union training.

These recent announcements show why it matters to have IBEW 993 represented at the national level. When government, labour, and industry are making decisions about apprenticeship funding, training centres, energy infrastructure, and major projects, our Local needs to be at the table.

IBEW 993 is proud to be part of these national conversations. We will continue working to ensure that our members, apprentices, contractors, and communities are represented wherever decisions are being made about the future of Canada’s skilled trades.

When IBEW 993 is in the room, Northern British Columbia is in the room.