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Ontario’s 2023 budget represents good news for the construction industry, building on the government’s commitment to invest huge sums of money in key infrastructure, transport systems and training. Announced on Thursday, March 23, the budget sets aside $184 billion over 10 years for major infrastructure projects – an increase of nearly $25 billion on last year’s figure. With the construction industry facing a historic labour crunch, the government has also recognized the key role unions play in the recruitment and training of the next generation of skilled trades workers, with […]

Ontario’s 2023 budget represents good news for the construction industry, building on the government’s commitment to invest huge sums of money in key infrastructure, transport systems and training.

Announced on Thursday, March 23, the budget sets aside $184 billion over 10 years for major infrastructure projects – an increase of nearly $25 billion on last year’s figure.

With the construction industry facing a historic labour crunch, the government has also recognized the key role unions play in the recruitment and training of the next generation of skilled trades workers, with $224 million being added to the Skills Development Fund to build and upgrade training centres.

“Investing in the province’s critical infrastructure now will provide long-term employment for IUOE Local 793 members and position the province for future growth,” said Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher.

“The government’s platform to continue tackling affordability and the housing crisis is of particular importance to our members, who are on the front lines every day building the homes, hospitals, and roads that will not only allow the province to keep going but will also improve the lives of everyone who makes Ontario their home.

“The rebuilding of Ontario’s economy requires a highly skilled workforce to get it done, and that is why the government’s ongoing support of the industry’s efforts to recruit more people to the skilled trades and provide them the training they need to succeed is also so welcome.”

The main spending highlights contained in the 2023 Ontario budget include:

• $27.9 billion to support the planning and construction of highway expansion and rehabilitation projects such as Highway 413, a new 400-series highway and transportation corridor across Halton, Peel and York regions, the Bradford Bypass, a new four-lane freeway connecting Highway 400 in the County of Simcoe and Highway 404 in York Region, and the new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph.
• $70.5 billion for transit over the next 10 years, including continuing to transform the GO Transit rail network into a fully integrated rapid transit network; and the largest subway expansion in Canadian history that includes the Ontario Line, the Scarborough Subway Extension, the Yonge North Subway Extension and the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension.
• Over $48 billion in hospital infrastructure over the next 10 years.
• $15 billion in capital grants over 10 years to expand and renew schools.
• In the mining sector, an additional $6 million is being spent over two years in the Ontario Junior Exploration Program to help more companies search for potential mineral deposits and attract further investments. Work is also continuing to build the roads to the Ring of Fire.
• Providing $224 million in 2023–24 for a new capital stream of the Skills Development Fund to leverage private-sector expertise and expand training centres, including union training halls to provide more accessible, flexible training opportunities for workers.

A new training course that is being specifically tailored for IUOE organizers in each of the provinces was put through its paces in Oakville this week. Tapping into the experiences of organizers and staff from Locals across the country, the IUOE Canadian Region Organizing Course aims to distill that expertise into a three-day course that will give new organizers the skills they need to succeed in their roles. Attended by IUOE Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell, International Representative André Chenier and other subject matter experts from Local 793 and across […]

A new training course that is being specifically tailored for IUOE organizers in each of the provinces was put through its paces in Oakville this week.

Tapping into the experiences of organizers and staff from Locals across the country, the IUOE Canadian Region Organizing Course aims to distill that expertise into a three-day course that will give new organizers the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

Attended by IUOE Canadian Regional Director Patrick Campbell, International Representative André Chenier and other subject matter experts from Local 793 and across the country, the event was aimed at testing the course material and gathering feedback that will be used to inform the final product.

“At the request of all Canadian IUOE business managers and with the support of IUOE General President James T. Callahan, the Canadian Regional office set out to develop a comprehensive Canada-wide organizing course,” Campbell said.

“Under the direction of International Representative André Chenier, the province-specific course was developed on March 21 and 22 as organizing subject matter experts came together from across Canada to vet the draft course content to ensure all the necessary tools are available to grow the Canadian IUOE membership.

“I want to thank all the participants – as well as give a special thanks to Local 793 Business Manager Michael Gallagher for hosting this critically important event.”

The course content will cover elements such as the different labour laws that exist in each province, effective communication, and research techniques. Local 793’s successful organizing of the Baffinland mine in Nunavut will also be included as a real-world example of how to conduct an effective organizing drive.

Local 793 Director of Organizing Kyle Schutte predicted the new course will provide long-term benefits once it is rolled out across the country.

“We had seasoned organizers from across the country in attendance, including Local 793 Vice President Dave Turple. With a group like that, things just flow. The discussion alone provided the International with tremendous feedback that will surely help new hires for years to come.”

Brothers Marc Gauthier and Charles McConnell prepare the ground for new water infrastructure on Kukagami Lake Road in Sudbury. The project will allow the municipality to run the existing watermain underground approximately 600 metres along Kukagami Lake Road from Highway 17 and provide access to a reliable water source needed for future business expansion plans. Contractor: Garson Pipe

Brothers Marc Gauthier and Charles McConnell prepare the ground for new water infrastructure on Kukagami Lake Road in Sudbury.

The project will allow the municipality to run the existing watermain underground approximately 600 metres along Kukagami Lake Road from Highway 17 and provide access to a reliable water source needed for future business expansion plans.

Contractor: Garson Pipe

Dear Members: It has just come to my attention that an alleged con artist is facing over 350 charges and is accused as acting as an unlicensed engineer in Ontario. A significant portion of his illegal work related to the inspection of cranes. Jay Lawrence Harding operated his business under the name AJ Hoist Inspections. A copy of the news article can be found HERE. It is imperative that you immediately confirm with your employer the last time your crane was inspected and receive confirmation of the name and company […]

Dear Members:

It has just come to my attention that an alleged con artist is facing over 350 charges and is accused as acting as an unlicensed engineer in Ontario. A significant portion of his illegal work related to the inspection of cranes. Jay Lawrence Harding operated his business under the name AJ Hoist Inspections. A copy of the news article can be found HERE.

It is imperative that you immediately confirm with your employer the last time your crane was inspected and receive confirmation of the name and company that inspected your crane. If your employer refuses to provide you with this information, it is within your rights to refuse to operate the crane until such time as you can be assured your crane was not inspected by this fraudulent inspector.

If you determine that your crane was inspected by either Jay Lawrence Harding or AJ Hoist Inspections, please contact IUOE Local 793’s Director of Provincial Health and Safety Andrew Saunders at: asaunders@iuoelocal793.org or (289) 772-5987.

We all bear responsibility to be vigilant in ensuring our industry remains safe.

Fraternally,
Mike Gallagher,
Business Manager

Building the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, takes a lot of heavy lifting. Although two Comansa tower cranes have been the most visible throughout most of the project, many other cranes play vital roles in building the bridge. IUOE, Local 793 has 60 to 80 of its Operating Engineers working on the project at any given time, with an expected increase in demand for skilled tradespeople throughout the season. Construction is expected to be completed by November 2024. Watch the video below to see IUOE […]

Building the Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, takes a lot of heavy lifting.

Although two Comansa tower cranes have been the most visible throughout most of the project, many other cranes play vital roles in building the bridge. IUOE, Local 793 has 60 to 80 of its Operating Engineers working on the project at any given time, with an expected increase in demand for skilled tradespeople throughout the season.

Construction is expected to be completed by November 2024.

Watch the video below to see IUOE Local 793 members hard at work and the project’s progression this month.

Premier Doug Ford and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced Ontario’s plan to address the province’s labour shortage by investing $224 million more to upgrade and build training facilities. Nearly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled across Ontario. The Skilled Development Fund capital stream will create opportunities for unions and training providers to improve and expand their facilities crucial in preparing workers for these in-demand careers. “IUOE, Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) commend Minister McNaughton’s commitment to advancing the skilled […]

Premier Doug Ford and Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, announced Ontario’s plan to address the province’s labour shortage by investing $224 million more to upgrade and build training facilities.

Nearly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled across Ontario. The Skilled Development Fund capital stream will create opportunities for unions and training providers to improve and expand their facilities crucial in preparing workers for these in-demand careers.

“IUOE, Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) commend Minister McNaughton’s commitment to advancing the skilled trades,” IUOE, Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher said. “Skilled trades workers are at the front line of our economic recovery, with Unions and businesses playing a crucial role in training our next generation of workers through apprenticeship programs. Financially supporting training institutes will help attract more people to the skilled trades, better prepare them for good paying jobs, and address industry needs.”

Read the full news release here.

IUOE, Local 793 began a new phase in its efforts to ensure the safety of all those who work with, and around, hoisting equipment with the first meeting of the joint Local 793/Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) Provincial Health and Safety Committee. Made up of Local 793 and OETIO staff, as well as representatives from the CRAO and Nations Capital Crane Rental Association, the committee held its first meeting in early February. “While our crane operators are recognized as some of the safest and best trained in the world […]

IUOE, Local 793 began a new phase in its efforts to ensure the safety of all those who work with, and around, hoisting equipment with the first meeting of the joint Local 793/Crane Rental Association of Ontario (CRAO) Provincial Health and Safety Committee.

Made up of Local 793 and OETIO staff, as well as representatives from the CRAO and Nations Capital Crane Rental Association, the committee held its first meeting in early February.

“While our crane operators are recognized as some of the safest and best trained in the world due to our over 40 years of apprenticeship training at the OETIO, accidents unfortunately still do occur for a variety of reasons,” said Local 793 Business Manager, Mike Gallagher. “We have partnered with our employers to ensure that together we can identity best practices to ensure our industry remains as safe as humanly possible.”

Local 793 and the CRAO have established the Provincial Health and Safety Committee to advance the shared commitment of both parties for safer workplaces and accident prevention, using an industry-driven approach to identify how and where improvements can be made to avoid incidents and tragic fatalities.

The committee will also bring concerns and issues to the forefront to create a clear direction for achieving safer workplaces.

Working as an advisory committee to industry, its mandate covers four key areas:

1. Developing industry recommendations
2. Developing training recommendations
3. Making administrative and regulatory recommendations
4. Sharing information within the industry

“The CRAO is committed to collaborating to improve safety awareness and ensure safer construction workplaces for our employees, the industry and public,” says CRAO President, Jason Hanna.

The committee will meet regularly to work toward improving safety standards within the crane rental and concrete pumping sectors, so that every worker gets to go home to their families at the end of each day.

Local 793 members, staff and their families helped to paint the town green, white and orange on Sunday, as Operating Engineers once again took part in Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Whether of Irish background or not, members jumped at the chance to join the annual celebration of Ireland’s history, culture and heritage. Local 793 marched proudly wearing Union jackets and hoodies, and were cheered all the way from Bloor Street West to Nathan Phillips Square. Despite an afternoon chill that ensured all those jackets were kept zipped up tight, […]

Local 793 members, staff and their families helped to paint the town green, white and orange on Sunday, as Operating Engineers once again took part in Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Whether of Irish background or not, members jumped at the chance to join the annual celebration of Ireland’s history, culture and heritage. Local 793 marched proudly wearing Union jackets and hoodies, and were cheered all the way from Bloor Street West to Nathan Phillips Square.

Despite an afternoon chill that ensured all those jackets were kept zipped up tight, Local 793 participants soon marched their way along the broad downtown streets that generations of Operators had helped build.

With the Irish leading the way, community groups from many other cultures also joined in the fun – with businesses, emergency personnel and sporting associations adding to the mix.

While New York might put on the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade, and Montreal has Canada’s oldest, Toronto can proudly lay claim to having the most diverse. On the strength of Sunday’s staging, it might also be the most fun.

See the video and photos from the 2023 Toronto St. Patrick’s Day parade below.

Today, millions of people around the world – both Irish and non-Irish – celebrate Ireland’s unique history, culture and heritage. It particularly remembers Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who brought Christianity to Ireland during the fifth century. On Sunday, Local 793 staff, members and their families will once again take to the streets of Toronto to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and show support for the Union. The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all Union […]

Today, millions of people around the world – both Irish and non-Irish – celebrate Ireland’s unique history, culture and heritage. It particularly remembers Saint Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints who brought Christianity to Ireland during the fifth century.

On Sunday, Local 793 staff, members and their families will once again take to the streets of Toronto to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and show support for the Union.

The officers, executive board and staff of Local 793 of the International Union of Operating Engineers would like to wish all Union members and their families a “Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit” (Happy St. Patrick’s Day).

CLICK HERE for parade information and details on Local 793’s meeting location ahead of the march.