June 6, 2025
FOR A LONG TIME, TRADE BETWEEN CANADA and the U.S. has felt like part of the background — something most of us didn’t need to think twice about. It was steady, mostly predictable and even when we had disputes along the way, the overall trend had been co-operation. Starting with the Canada — U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 1989 and then expanding under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994 to include Mexico, these agreements were meant to lower tariffs and break down trade barriers, helping shape one of the most tightly linked economic partnerships in the world. The current agreement — The Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) — picked up where NAFTA left off, continuing to support trade across North America. But the events of the last six months have shaken that foundation. What was once stable now feels uncertain.
The full effect on our industry is still unknown, but it’s clear that things have changed. We’re facing a new reality, and if we don’t adapt, we risk being left behind. We need to start making changes now to protect our work, our contractors and our members from being shut out of opportunities that should be within reach.
Canada’s construction trades have what it takes. We are the ones who build this country: bridges, hospitals, LNG plants, shipyards, schools, high-rises and highways. But now, it’s about building economic security, and that means keeping the work, the materials and the jobs here at home.
Canada needs to stand on its own which means supporting our trades and investing in our shops. Much of what we build relies on parts and materials made overseas. We’ve lost ground in areas like pipe fabrication, structural steel, valves and industrial equipment. We need to bring that work back and that starts with investing in Canadian fabrication, Canadian suppliers and Canadian jobs.
A clear example in our local is Ideal Welders located in Delta, B.C. — a UA Local 170 signatory contractor for over 50 years. Founder and owner Jim Longo built the company from the ground up, putting decades of work into growing the shop, investing in equipment and training a strong, local union workforce. He did everything right. He followed the process, got pre-qualified and positioned Ideal Welders to take on major B.C. projects like Woodfibre LNG and Cedar LNG. The shop was ready, the crew was in place and they were prepared to deliver.
But when the contracts were handed out, Ideal didn’t get the work. Not because they lacked the skill or capacity, but because they were told they couldn’t compete with offshore pricing. So instead of fabricating pipe just a few blocks from the jobsite, the work is being done overseas. That results in fewer jobs for our local workforce and ships carrying offshore-built modules that could have been built right here at home.
This is happening across B.C. and across the country. And it needs to change. While not every piece of a project has to be made in Canada, local companies should at least be given a fair shot. B.C. projects should include B.C. jobs. We need policies that require Canadian content on major builds and that back local manufacturing with strong support.
A real plan is needed to rebuild our fabrication capacity, strengthen local supply chains, support the use of Canadian-made materials and protect union jobs. When projects stall or get outsourced, it’s tradespeople who feel it first. We need to push for steady investment in public infrastructure, stable employment and better training opportunities to keep our members working.
We have the talent. We have the experience. What we need now is action. It’s time to build Canadian, buy Canadian and stand up for our trades. We’ve always been the ones who build the country — it’s time to make sure we’re building a future for the next generation of tradespeople.
By Al Phillips,
President