Endorsement driven by the party’s strong commitment to investing in skilled trades and protecting Ontario workers
WOODBRIDGE, February 20, 2025 — Today, Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs welcomed an endorsement from the Carpenters’ Regional Council (CRC), which represents 17 affiliate local unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across Ontario. Their first-ever endorsement of the Ontario PCs reflects the party’s strong commitment to investing in workers, boosting economic growth and protecting Ontario against the threat of President Trump’s tariffs.
“I’m truly honoured to have earned the endorsement of Jason Rowe, Tom Cardinal and the more than 40,000 members of the Carpenters’ Regional Council,” said Doug Ford. “When CRC members build and expand vital industrial, hospital and transportation projects across the province, they’re laying the foundation for a stronger future for the province. I won’t stand by while anything threatens those jobs, including President Trump’s tariffs. With a strong mandate and the CRC’s support, we’ll protect jobs and continue creating the opportunities our workers need.”
“Doug Ford’s steadfast commitment to investing in skilled tradespeople is exactly what Ontario needs,” said Jason Rowe, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Carpenters’ Regional Council. “Our members see firsthand how Doug Ford’s investments in building Ontario and promoting skilled trades create real opportunities– from the Ontario Line and the Bruce Power Nuclear Plant to the new TMU School of Medicine and Ottawa Civic Hospital. We trust his leadership to protect the jobs that build our communities and Ontario’s future.”
“This February 27, we proudly stand with Doug Ford,” said Tom Cardinal, President and Chief of Staff, Carpenters’ Regional Council. “The PCs’ forward-thinking investments in the skilled trades not only bolster industry-leading training for our workforce but also safeguard the vital jobs that our members depend on. We’re confident that under his leadership, the PC government will continue to secure a prosperous future for our workers across Ontario.”
Since 2018, the Ontario PCs have supported and invested significantly in the skilled trades, including the following:
- Over $27 million to the CRC and affiliated locals through the Skills Development Fund to train more than 3,000 apprentices through their four-week, Ontario-wide pre-apprenticeship program, the Red Seal Exam Preparation course, and the Enhanced Construction Program for high school students. The funding will also support new upskilling training for 150 health-care and 125 industrial workers represented by the CRC.
- More than $12.8 million to expand and upgrade five CRC training centres, including; UBC Local 494 in Windsor, UBC Local 785 in Cambridge, UBC Local 1946 in London, UBC Local 2486 in Sudbury and UBC Locals 93 and 2041 in Ottawa.
- Providing $2,248,640 to the CRC through the Apprentice Capital Grant, including $1,905,953 to the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades (CCAT).
- More than $63 million to help students and young people get first-hand experience and prepare for future careers in the skilled trades.
- Creating a new 27-week job-protected long-term illness leave for workers with a serious medical condition.
- Putting money back into workers’ pockets by waiving the fee for apprentices taking their first Certificate of Qualification exam, saving each apprentice up to $570 throughout their apprenticeship journey.
Only Doug Ford has a plan to protect Ontario:
- Building Ontario’s economy by investing more than $200 billion in our plan to build roads, highways, transit and other infrastructure projects while investing $2.5 billion to train more than one million people for better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.
- Protecting workers in the face of President Trump’s tariffs by doing whatever is necessary to protect people’s livelihoods, including by investing tens of billions of dollars to keep people working.
- Keeping us competitive by fighting the job-killing Liberal carbon tax and urging the federal government to cut red tape and streamline approvals to get big things built.
- Cleaning up our streets by protecting families and children by banning drug injection sites near schools and daycares and clearing out encampments from public parks with new investments in shelters.
- Delivering better care, including by investing $1.8 billion more to connect everyone in Ontario to a family doctor and primary care.
Doug Ford will never stop working to protect Ontario.
Media Contact: