CBTU Legislative Conference looks to better future for Canadian Trades
The Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) held its annual legislative conference in Ottawa from April 25-28, following two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heat and Frost Insulators News and Events
Canadian Insulator Advocacy: Prime Minister Trudeau’s third mandate
In September, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party were re-elected to lead another minority government in Canada.
Ontario government appoints Insulator to apprenticeship position
Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 95 Director of Government and Community Relations Brother Adam Melnick was recently appointed to serve as a youth advisor to the Ontario Government.
April 6 Afternoon: Federal Cabinet Address
Highlights:
Dr. Tam provided an update on the number of cases in Canada: 15822 cases and 293 deaths. She says the most concerning news right now are the new outbreaks in hospitals and hearing of young people being hospitalized and people as young as in their 20’s dying from the disease. She shares this information as a reminder that this is a critical illness that may strike anyone at any age. She also gave an update on testing that Canada has now completed over 339 000 tests. She points to cautious optimism from British Columbia as they recorded a lower number of cases than last week showing that collective action can slow the spread of the virus.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: 4/6/20 Address
Highlights:
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an address from Rideau Cottage, noting today applications opened for CERB and that 240,000 people had applied already.
- Trudeau also highlighted that the government plans to expand eligibility for CERB to include part-time workers who have gone through a loss of hours, students, gig economy workers, and others in the $2,000 per month flat rate benefit.
- The Prime Minister reiterated the government plans to reconvene Parliament to pass legislation necessary for Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy implementation. He indicated the government is also working on a plan to hold virtual sitting of the House and Senate.
- He lauded certain banks and credit unions for reducing interest rates on credit accounts by almost a half, asking for more similar action by other financial institutions.
- Trudeau said the Canadian Chamber of Commerce launched the Canadian Business Resilience Network and explained it would be helpful for Canadian businesses doing all they can to get through these trying times.
- In response to questions, The Prime Minister said he would stay at his residence as much as possible as his self-isolation period is coming to an end. He said social distancing measures are expected to last for “many weeks” or a “few months.”
Opening Remarks:
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau explained CERB opened for applications today, saying 240,000 people have already successfully applied and that the government is suggesting people apply according to their birth month. He said there are some who don’t qualify who still deserve help and that the government would expand access to CERB soon for gig workers, freelancers, those who have had hours reduced to below 10 hours per week, and others.
Canadian Federal Government Response Plan - Support for Workers
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
On March 25, the Prime Minister announced a new taxable benefit that provides $2,000/month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
An Insulator advocacy update from ‘Up North’
This proved to be a busy summer, as we worked to ensure our priorities, especially those of Canada’s Insulators, who are featured in our federal election on Oct. 21. At the same time, our provincial representatives are busy ensuring Insulator priorities are front and centre, as provincial capitals wrestle with budget cuts and energy policies, which could impact the bottom line of the insulation trade.
Les questions portant sur l’ouvrage et les élections fédérales au centre de la Conférence législative Canadienne de L’industrie de la construction.
Les questions portant sur l’ouvrage et les élections fédérales étaient au centre de la Conférence législative Canadienne de L’industrie de la construction et une saine conversation politique ont rempli le calendrier lors de la conférence législative de 2019 des Syndicats des métiers de la construction du Canada (SMCC)
Labor issues, federal election at center of Canadian Conference
Issues critical to the Canadian Construction Industry and a healthy dose of political conversation filled the schedule during the Canada’s Building Trades Union (CBTU) 2019 Legislative Conference.
Leading by Example
Sixty kilometers east of Turin, Italy, nestled on the shore of the Po River sits the Italian town of Casale Monferrato. For centuries this community has been the important centre of the Piedmont Region of Italy and today boasts a beautiful bounty of rich history and beautiful architecture. However, for over 80 years Casale Monferrato and all its’ citizens were buried in clouds of asbestos fibres from the manufacturing of fibre cement products by the Eternit factory. For those eight decades the community was destroyed by the cynicism of those who, for the sake of profits, did not hesitate to put in danger the health of the employees, their relatives and of all of those, who by simply living in the town, were forced to breath this dust of death. The last century has resulted in Casale Monferrato being known as the epicentre of mesothelioma and asbestos disease.