Building Trades of Alberta Leadership Meets with Top Canadian Officials

JOURNAL: ISSUE 1 - 2016

On February 3rd, leaders of the Building Trades of Alberta (BTA) hosted a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi and Alberta MP Randy Boissonnault. The hour-long discussion included topics such as infrastructure spending, expedited Employment Insurance reform, the Trans Pacific Partnership, pipelines and access to markets. The focus was on how they can work together to create jobs in the current economic climate and strategize around opportunities for apprentices to complete their training programs. 

The unveiling of the Petrochemical Diversification Program by the Provincial Government and the federal government’s plan to expedite infrastructure spending were some of the positive steps for the building trades. The BTA, federal government and the Provincial Government are committed to open communication, dialogues, inclusion and collaboration on these issues in the months and years ahead.

Seated from left, BAC Local 1 AB Business Manager Alan Ramsay, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Building Trades of Alberta Executive Director Warren Fraleigh, Premier of Alberta Rachel Notley, and Ted Remenda (Millwrights Local 1460). Standing from left, John Sedor (Painters and Allied Trades Local 177), Robert Blakeman (Ironworkers Local 720), John Desrosiers (Labourers Local 92), Rick Eichel (Teamsters Local 362), Trevor Robertson (Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 496), Rob Calver (Ironworkers Local 725), Roland MacInnis (Elevator Constructors Local 122), Martyn Piper (Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 1325), Larry Matychuk (Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488), Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi, Kevin Levy (Electrical Workers Local 424), Doug Worobetz (Sheet Metal Workers Local 8), Edmonton Centre MP Randy Boissonnault, and Ian Robb (Unite-Here Local 47).