Ottawa, ON – IBEW Canada is pleased with the federal budget tabled today, which outlines serious investment in union-led training initiatives, as well as a clean electricity investment tax credit, which will feature important labour provisions that benefit IBEW’s members within Canada.
Today’s budget unveils a Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit that will require employers to pay workers the prevailing wage and require that 10% of the total hours that are worked on a project are done by Red Seal apprentices. These measures are tremendously significant, and IBEW Canada applauds the government for taking these important policy measures.
The budget also introduces $75M in federal funding for the Union Training Innovation Program (UTIP). IBEW Canada has been a longstanding advocate for the UTIP program, with Minister Zerucelli announcing $13M in UTIP funding for IBEW Canada affiliates at the 2025 All Canada Progress Meeting back in August. UTIP funding enables thousands of IBEW members in Canada to upgrade or acquire new electrical skills. The federal budget will also invest $570M in Labour Market Development Agreements with Canada’s provinces and territories to support training, presenting further funding opportunities for IBEW training centers across Canada
Today’s budget signals that the Carney government is attentive to the concerns of Canada’s Building Trades Unions and recognizes the essential contribution of skilled trades to our nation’s economic and social development. IBEW Canada’s International Vice President Russ Shewchuk continues to meet with federal leaders on major projects and other initiatives that strengthen opportunities for collaboration between IBEW Canada, its signatory contractors, and government partners. Through these partnerships, IBEW Canada provides access to a highly trained, safety-driven workforce capable of ensuring the successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects.
IBEW Canada urges all parties in Parliament to support and pass this Budget legislation to ensure that workers across Canada benefit from stable, well-compensated employment and the continued growth of training and apprenticeship programs that will prepare the next generation of skilled tradespeople.