Building Trades Support Harper Plan for Regulatory Renewal

OTTAWA, Jan. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Canada's Building Trades Unions are encouraged by the comments of Prime Minister Stephen Harper on improving the existing regulatory framework for construction projects in Canada. The Prime Minister made his comments in a speech in Davos, Switzerland today at the World Economic Forum.

"We are very pleased to hear the Prime Minister is addressing this serious issue," said Robert Blakely, Director of Canadian Affairs. "Mr. Harper clearly understands that projects like the Northern Gateway are vital to the ongoing success of Canada's construction industry. Right now, this process is being subverted and needlessly delayed at the cost of Canadian jobs."

The regulatory approval process needs to be adjusted to today's realities. Partisan attacks designed to do nothing more than undermine, valuable economic opportunities that create well-paying Canadian jobs take advantage of loopholes in the current regulatory system. The jobs being created are not the just the jobs on immediate construction; they are the permanent operations and maintenance jobs that last the lifetime of the project. These are jobs for 50 years not one or two pipeline seasons.

"We need to get the system moving and we support Prime Minister Harper's efforts to do so," said Blakely. "The recent decision to delay a major pipeline project by at least one year means Canadian jobs are being put on hold. We need to reform the system to expedite the analysis of these large-scale projects to encourage new investment in Canadian infrastructure.  We support a rigorous and transparent regulatory process, but this process needs to be expeditious and not stifle investment and job creation."

About the BCTD

The North America-wide BCTD AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labour - Congress of Industrial Organizations) coordinates activities and provides resources to 15 affiliated trade unions in the construction and manufacturing industries. It has 386 state, provincial and local councils in Canada and the United States. In Canada, the BCTD represents 450,000 skilled trades workers.

Contact

Christopher Smillie 
Government Relations and Public Affairs
Office: [phone] ex 25 
Cell: [phone]
[email protected]