June 16, 2025
Brynn Bourke – Executive Director
IN THE FACE OF CANADA’S CHANGING relationship with the United States and the impact of tariffs, there has been a lot of talk about measures our country must take to protect our sovereignty, ensure our energy security, diversify trade and build our economy.
Behind all this talk about energy initiatives, infrastructure and national defence, there are thousands of tradespeople working to deliver the projects our country needs at this critical moment.
In this issue of TradeTalk, we are highlighting the role Building Trades members are playing and put a spotlight on the real people who are standing up for Canada.
You’ll read about the work members like Jordan Collier are doing reviving our shipbuilding industry at the Seaspan shipyard, building parts of the HMCS Protecteur and other vessels as part of the Royal Canadian Naval fleet.
You’ll meet members like Edgar Reyes working on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain, a project that has given him access to a good-paying, family-supporting union job and the resources to build a better life in Canada after fleeing violence and extreme danger in his home country.
You’ll see stories about the workers at the heart of our hospital projects like Aaron Preik, who is working on Royal Columbian Hospital and Nick Rowley who is working on the New St. Paul’s Hospital. They’re both proud tradespeople who are building critical infrastructure their communities need.
And you’ll read about the incredible work our members are doing up at LNG Canada, where they aren’t just building the largest project in Canadian history, members like Mike Lightheart are building financial security for their families. And we meet Virginia Davidson who is seizing the opportunity to build her career and work closer to home.
When you look beyond all the news headlines, you’ll find people. Our people. Some are new to the trades like apprentice Hannah Kozlovic, whose first job out of trades school is on one of B.C.’s most exciting transportation projects. Some have many projects under their belt like long-time ironworker Winston Holmes, who is taking this opportunity to mentor the next generation and pass on the skills of the trade.
In taking the outside perspective on many of these major infrastructure projects, the public may only see the final product of the work. But we know the stories behind the projects. Lives are being changed on these construction sites and our members’ work strengthens our province and our country. There is a story behind every worker. And we’re dedicating this issue of Tradetalk to tell those stories.
When I think about the incredible stories in these pages, they really reflect what it is to be Canadian. We are a diverse range of people from all different walks and stages of life, working together, to build this country.
By Brynn Bourke,
Executive Director