I would like to congratulate Mark Carney and the Liberal Party on securing a fourth term in office. This victory reflects the confidence Canadians have in their leadership, and I believe it will bring positive outcomes for operating engineers across the country.
As we reflect on the political landscape, we find ourselves looking at two quick elections in succession – first, the provincial re-election of Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative Party, and now, the federal election results, which saw votes still being counted into the early hours and even continued today. However, none of the recounts will affect the overall outcome, which is a clear victory for Carney and the Liberals.
At the time of writing, the final numbers show the Liberals holding or leading in 168 seats, just shy of the 172 needed for a majority. The Conservatives have secured 144 seats, while the Bloc Québécois has picked up 23. Unfortunately, the NDP fell to just seven seats, losing party status. The Greens have secured one seat.
As I watched Carney’s victory speech, following speeches by Jagmeet Singh, who has now stepped down, and Pierre Poilievre, who lost his riding of Carleton to Liberal candidate Bruce Fanjoy, I was reminded of how rare it is in Canadian politics for any political party to win a fourth term. Political scientists will likely study this election for years to come, analyzing the dynamics that led to this result.
One of the highlights of Carney’s victory speech that stood out to me was his commitment to “build, baby, build.” This was music to my ears. His ambitious infrastructure and housing programs and his focus on skills and apprenticeship training were some of the key reasons why Local 793’s executive board chose to endorse the Liberals.
Other building trades unions, such as LiUNA and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, took a different stance. Still, for us, Carney was simply the most qualified candidate, and it wasn’t even close. When you look at his resume – his PhD in economics and his experience at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England – he stands out as the best choice to lead Canada through the challenging times ahead, especially given the global trade instability created by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The tariffs on Canada’s auto industry, in particular, have had a devastating impact, especially when we were beginning to see the positive results of investments in the auto sector and battery plants, where many of our members in southwest Ontario are employed. The current threats to our manufacturing sectors – aluminum in Quebec, potash in Saskatchewan, or oil and gas in the West – are a significant concern for our economy and jobs. We needed leadership that could meet these challenges head-on, and Carney’s background in finance and public service makes him uniquely qualified to do so.
This victory should give us optimism as we look toward the upcoming trade talks, which are set to begin in early May. We need a strong team at the table to represent Canada’s interests, and I believe we have that with Carney and his team. We also need to continue to foster national unity, not just as a political goal, but as a shared Canadian value, where the Canadian flag stands for unity, community safety, and justice, not for division.
I know not every member of Local 793 agreed with our endorsement. Some members supported other parties, and I respect those differences. But I see a clear path forward when I look at what’s best for the entire membership and their families. Whether we endorse a party or not, we always have a choice – do we sit on the sidelines or do we lead? We’ve chosen to lead, and by doing so, we multiply our ability to advocate for investments in the things that matter most to our members – things like jobs, training, infrastructure, and the protection of our industries.
At Local 793, we’ve always prioritized the growth and well-being of our members, and we’ll continue to work closely with the government to ensure that our voice is heard on the issues that matter most.
I’m proud to say that when Carney visited the OETIO training centre in Oakville on April 5, we had a productive discussion with the Prime Minister and other business managers from across the country. We spoke about important projects like pipelines, infrastructure investments, and the need to enhance our training programs.
One project that stands out is the Baffinland Steensby Railway, a $5.7 billion initiative to construct a 149-kilometre railway line from the Mary River Mine on northern Baffin Island to a port on Steensby Inlet. As we’ve discussed, it’s crucial that we use Canadian steel for these projects, especially given the tariffs and trade restrictions on our steel industry.
And, of course, we need to continue to build pipelines that will carry Canadian resources to market, all while ensuring union workers – operating engineers, build those projects.
Lastly, we cannot forget the housing crisis facing Canadians. Home prices have soared to levels that are simply out of reach for many first-time buyers and newcomers to Canada. That’s why the Liberal Party’s Build Canada Homes (BCH) initiative is so important. It’s not just a hope – it’s an achievable goal if we stay committed, work together with our partners, and tap into the skills of our members to build the homes we need.
So, as we move forward, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Together, we will continue to build our country, our communities, and our union.
In solidarity,
Mike Gallagher
Business Manager, Local 793
