Union-Led Advisory Table Issues Recommendations to Support Workers

Canada
Issue 1, 2025

From 2022-2024, the Canadian Government brought together 15 labor leaders from across the country to form the Union-Led Advisory Table (ULAT). This group was formed to provide advice to the government on ways to help workers in the labour market who are affected by efforts to combat climate change. 

ULAT recently issued their final report, Unions Power Prosperity, which provides recommendations on actions and priorities to support mid-career workers affected by industry and occupational transitions. Below are highlights of their recommendations.

•    Re-establish sector councils, which bring together unions, employers, labour-market intermediaries, and education providers to identify and address industry and workforce challenges. 

•    Implement specific initiatives to support workers in industries in transition, including developing a national labour market management information system for the skilled trades and construction sector.

•    Develop a comprehensive national skills assessment for workers in at-risk industries.

•    Invest in accessible, effective career development services to assist workers in transition.

•    Create a training benefit modelled after the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) to support skilled tradespeople and other workers affected by the transition to a low-carbon economy.

•    Improve the quality of jobs and workplace well-being by convening unions, employers, and government to develop educational programming and materials to combat age discrimination in employment, and by tailoring mental health supports to at-risk workers.

•    Support unions’ training by developing a union-led workplace literacy and essential skills strategy in consultation with adult literacy practitioners, working with unions to restore and expand apprenticeship opportunities and supports, and expanding the UTIP.

•    Continue funding and supporting the UTIP to improve the participation of workers from underrepresented communities in the skilled trades, especially women, Indigenous workers, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities and racialized workers.

•    Implement initiatives, such as the right to access properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), to support women in the trades and workers in other sectors.

“We appreciate the collaboration with the Government to address worker issues as our economy is changing to address climate change concerns,” said Regional Director Craig Strudwick. “It will not be an easy road for many workers, but all workers forced to transition careers are welcome to join the BAC.”