At a news conference in Ottawa on September 23, 2025, IBEW Canada stood alongside a coalition of organizations calling on the federal government to build an east-west electricity grid powered by renewable energy. The panel included Stephen Thomas of the David Suzuki Foundation, Melina Laboucan-Massimo of Sacred Earth, Brandon Dyck of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada, Helen Hsu of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and Zoe Grams of Elbows Up for Climate.
Speaking to reporters, IBEW Canada Renewables and Government Affairs Coordinator, Brandon Dyck said, “For over a century, when Canada needed power, the members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers answered the call. We are the ones who built the grid that powers our nation today. And we are here to say that we are geared up and ready to build the grid of tomorrow.”
He continued, “This isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about our future. A renewed focus on clean, affordable power, easily shared across provincial borders, is the key to our long-term energy security. It will provide reliable electricity for our homes and industries, and it will create thousands of well-paying, long-term union jobs.”
During the question-and-answer session, Dyck explained that IBEW Canada has been in ongoing discussions with the federal government about upcoming projects and the workforce required to deliver them. He noted that the union is also working with provinces to ensure training programs are supported and scaled to meet future demand.
On the issue of workforce shortages, Dyck acknowledged that many employers are concerned about experienced tradespeople nearing retirement. He pointed out that IBEW training programs across Canada are now seeing record numbers of apprentices thanks to strong partnerships with employers and contractors. He emphasized that union contracts continue to attract new workers, ensuring the industry can meet the demands of large-scale clean energy projects.
Dyck also underscored IBEW Canada’s commitment to workforce mobility. He explained that as clean energy projects come online across Canada, union members will be able to move where they are needed. This flexibility will allow IBEW Canada Local Unions to meet such demands as projects are built, even if they are not all constructed at the same time.
Dyck called the initiative a nation-building opportunity. “By investing in renewables and transmission, we can strengthen communities, expand opportunities beyond fossil fuels, and secure a cleaner, more prosperous Canada for generations to come.”
IBEW Canada is committed to working with government, industry, Indigenous stakeholders, and environmental partners to deliver the projects Canada needs. The skills of union members will power the transition to a net-zero future, building both the grid and the good jobs Canadians can count on.
A video recording of the event can be viewed here.
IBEW Canada