Category: Union News

Breckin LaChanse understands that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right. With five years of experience working in construction under his belt, he signed up as a heavy equipment apprentice with OETIO to supercharge his career. He said, “I got into the trades because I enjoyed moving and working with my hands, as well as the personalities you meet in this line of work. “I found out about OETIO through friends who were in touch with Union members. My experience at the Morrisburg campus has been very […]

Breckin LaChanse understands that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right.

With five years of experience working in construction under his belt, he signed up as a heavy equipment apprentice with OETIO to supercharge his career.

He said, “I got into the trades because I enjoyed moving and working with my hands, as well as the personalities you meet in this line of work.

“I found out about OETIO through friends who were in touch with Union members. My experience at the Morrisburg campus has been very positive and beneficial to my career, as I have been able to gain lots of knowledge and experience to go with it.

“I have learned way more than expected. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and want to help you the best way they can. I have also made many like-minded and possibly lifelong friends along the way.

“There are not very many other ways into this industry and none that will start you off with as much knowledge, competence and confidence in your ability as this program does.”

On February 10, 2026, OETIO hosted an open house at its Oakville campus to showcase the new High-Rail Integrity Excavator Operator course. The event brought together major industry stakeholders to tour OETIO’s facilities and experience the training firsthand. As Canada continues to invest in major rail infrastructure, OETIO remains committed to elevating the training standards and producing highly skilled operators prepared to work safely and effectively in this specialized environment. The open house was attended by representatives from Kiewit, Metrolinx, ONExpress Civils GP, ReadyPower Canada, Van Elle Canada and Soncin Construction. During the session, Kyle Homes of […]

On February 10, 2026, OETIO hosted an open house at its Oakville campus to showcase the new High-Rail Integrity Excavator Operator course. The event brought together major industry stakeholders to tour OETIO’s facilities and experience the training firsthand.

As Canada continues to invest in major rail infrastructure, OETIO remains committed to elevating the training standards and producing highly skilled operators prepared to work safely and effectively in this specialized environment.

The open house was attended by representatives from Kiewit, Metrolinx, ONExpress Civils GP, ReadyPower Canada, Van Elle Canada and Soncin Construction.

During the session, Kyle Homes of Van Elle Canada and Lee Coulson of ReadyPower Canada emphasized the importance of higher training benchmarks in the sector and that industry-wide changes are essential to improve safety and operational efficiency.

OETIO Executive Director Rick Kerr provided a deep dive into the course structure. The curriculum focuses on both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Van Elle Canada and ReadyPower Canada for their invaluable partnership in helping build this program. Together, we are training the skilled workforce to drive Ontario’s future forward!

OETIO marks a major upgrade with the installation of the new Terex CTT 332 tower crane, succeeding the Liebherr 85 EC-B, which had held pride of place in the yard since 2017. The Italian-manufactured crane was selected by OETIO for its versatility, safety features and ease of use. With its smooth controls and stable operation, trainees will be able to focus on learning the real-world erection, climbing and operating procedures used on modern high-rise construction sites. The top-climbing Terex tower crane has a 40-metre jib and a lifting capacity of […]

OETIO marks a major upgrade with the installation of the new Terex CTT 332 tower crane, succeeding the Liebherr 85 EC-B, which had held pride of place in the yard since 2017.

The Italian-manufactured crane was selected by OETIO for its versatility, safety features and ease of use. With its smooth controls and stable operation, trainees will be able to focus on learning the real-world erection, climbing and operating procedures used on modern high-rise construction sites.

The top-climbing Terex tower crane has a 40-metre jib and a lifting capacity of eight metric tons in two parts of line. Sitting on a cruciform base, the crane rises 120 feet and is capable of top-climbing to 145 feet.

The $1.2 million state-of-the-art crane was purchased with support from the Ontario government’s Skills Development Fund.

OETIO instructors worked alongside Local 793 members at signatory company Viking Tower Crane Services over several days in late December and early January to dismantle the Liebherr and erect its replacement.

Having been self-employed for more than 15 years, Matt MacFayden is proof that it’s never too late to change tack. Having been told about the training offered by OETIO by a Local 793 member he knew, Matt decided the time was right to start his second career. He said, “I was self-employed for over 15 years, but I wanted to get into a unionized environment due to the outlook of the industry and everything that comes with being a unionized member, including a pension, benefits and workplace safety. “Being a […]

Having been self-employed for more than 15 years, Matt MacFayden is proof that it’s never too late to change tack.

Having been told about the training offered by OETIO by a Local 793 member he knew, Matt decided the time was right to start his second career.

He said, “I was self-employed for over 15 years, but I wanted to get into a unionized environment due to the outlook of the industry and everything that comes with being a unionized member, including a pension, benefits and workplace safety.

“Being a little bit older at 41, I came into this not thinking it would be as challenging and rewarding as it has been. Overall, it has been a great experience – and from the cooks to the cleaners, instructors to the security guards, everyone at Morrisburg was eager to help and make sure it was a great experience from day one.”

Matt says he would tell other people who find themselves looking to make a fresh start to seriously consider following his path as an Operating Engineer.

“I would tell them to come in with an open mind and not to be afraid of taking on the challenges headfirst.

“It might seem a bit intimidating at first, but with the way the team here at OETIO has put together this program, you’ll come out of it with a wealth of knowledge and confidence. You’ll be able go into the industry with a solid foundation of skills and competency that an employer will recognize immediately.”

  “You get a pension that you won’t get with another employer. You get benefits that you won’t get with other employers. It’s a lot better.” Why Union Matters: Meet Angelo Di Capua, a five‑year member and ready‑mix driver with Miller Concrete, who shares how he found his way into the union and why it changed his career for the better.

“You get a pension that you won’t get with another employer. You get benefits that you won’t get with other employers. It’s a lot better.”

Why Union Matters: Meet Angelo Di Capua, a five‑year member and ready‑mix driver with Miller Concrete, who shares how he found his way into the union and why it changed his career for the better.

Now hard at work at one of the most high-profile construction sites in the country, it is hard to imagine that it took Megan Morley so long to find her true calling. Having spent 13 years in retail in a job she liked – but which carried no benefits or a chance to move up the ladder – Sister Morley finally decided to accept her operator father’s advice and join him as a member of Local 793. She said, “I’d always see people running equipment and think that it was […]

Now hard at work at one of the most high-profile construction sites in the country, it is hard to imagine that it took Megan Morley so long to find her true calling.

Having spent 13 years in retail in a job she liked – but which carried no benefits or a chance to move up the ladder – Sister Morley finally decided to accept her operator father’s advice and join him as a member of Local 793.

She said, “I’d always see people running equipment and think that it was so cool, but I never thought it would be for me. But once I got into a machine and started going through the apprentice training process at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) I felt like a kid in a sandbox and never looked back.”

Taking a break from her role operating a Brokk demolition machine for Marathon Underground at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, the eight-year member admits that as a woman weighing up a career in the trades there were certain pressures and expectations in her own mind she had to get over before she was able to take the leap.

“I wasn’t sure of myself and if I could do it. There was also the perception of society too -like would anyone ever want to date me if I was an operator or date a girl who was covered in mud? Those are things I would tell myself before I tried it and the fact is that it’s not true at all.”

Now heading towards nine years as a member of Local 793, Sister Morley says her experiences on the job have been overwhelmingly positive.

“There is always going to be ‘that person’. But I haven’t received any more pushback than I would have doing anything else in life. There’s always going to be ribbing on a jobsite, whether you’re a man or a woman, but, to be honest, if you’re not being ribbed, it means they don’t like you.”

Megan has also felt the “Union difference” on the jobsite.

“The very few times that I’ve had difficulty with people at work has been with non-Union people. Having that Union backing makes a huge difference – the mentality is different and people feel more taken care of. Ever since day one with the Union I’ve felt that bond and, as I’ve worked non-Union jobs before, I know the difference.”

  Thinking about changing careers? explore the trades and become a mobile crane operator! Hear from Apprentice Josh Laur as he shares why, after a 20-year career in business, he chose to make the leap into the skilled trades. If you’re interested in learning more about our apprenticeships and training programs, visit oetio.com or join one of our information sessions.

Thinking about changing careers? explore the trades and become a mobile crane operator!

Hear from Apprentice Josh Laur as he shares why, after a 20-year career in business, he chose to make the leap into the skilled trades.

If you’re interested in learning more about our apprenticeships and training programs, visit oetio.com or join one of our information sessions.

Brother Ken Laporte might soon be heading for retirement, but his desire to give back to the Union and a new generation of OEs is as strong as ever. Having been initiated in 1997, 65-year-old Ken has vast experience in operating a range of heavy equipment, most recently for Tomlinson in the Ottawa area. It is those hard-earned skills and jobsite know-how he believes could be of use to younger operators. “If I could teach the new operators coming through something, it would be to listen to people – those […]

Brother Ken Laporte might soon be heading for retirement, but his desire to give back to the Union and a new generation of OEs is as strong as ever.

Having been initiated in 1997, 65-year-old Ken has vast experience in operating a range of heavy equipment, most recently for Tomlinson in the Ottawa area. It is those hard-earned skills and jobsite know-how he believes could be of use to younger operators.

“If I could teach the new operators coming through something, it would be to listen to people – those members who have been around 15, 20, 30 years – listen to them, and have a good attitude – none of us know everything.

“I would be happy to talk to these young people at the school, I’d do it for nothing because coming onto the jobsite with the right attitude makes all the difference between making it in this industry and not making it.”

As a cancer survivor with steel rods in his knees and grandchildren to spoil, you might think Brother Laporte would be looking forward to nothing more than finally being able to put his feet up. Not a chance.

“I can’t sit for any length of time,” he said. “I’m still up every morning at 4 a.m. because I’ve done it all my life. I’ll also continue to work every now and then when I get the call.”

Even after a long career in a tough industry, finally saying goodbye to the work and the Union will be tough for Ken.

“This Union has been like a family to me,” said Ken in the garage-turned-workshop he plans to put to good use in the years ahead. “Being part of the Union has taught me a lot – it taught me respect and it taught me different skills and, if I was 20 years old today, I’d do it all again. Yes, it can be dirty at times and the hours can be long, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Meet Nathaniel Cousins, a mobile crane apprentice with Amherst Crane Rental, who discovered the trade while earning his AZ licence. Today, he’s building a rewarding career in a high‑demand skilled trade, and you can too! Do you have an AZ manual licence and want to become a mobile crane apprentice? Your path starts here! Visit oetio.com or join one of our information sessions to learn how to begin your journey toward becoming a Mobile Crane Operator.  

Meet Nathaniel Cousins, a mobile crane apprentice with Amherst Crane Rental, who discovered the trade while earning his AZ licence. Today, he’s building a rewarding career in a high‑demand skilled trade, and you can too!

Do you have an AZ manual licence and want to become a mobile crane apprentice? Your path starts here!

Visit oetio.com or join one of our information sessions to learn how to begin your journey toward becoming a Mobile Crane Operator.

Dependents or grandchildren of Local 793 members are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this bursary! Please note that union members must be in good standing at the time of selection. Deadline to apply: September 4, 2026 Please log in to the Local 793 members’ website at iuoelocal793.org/why-join/awards/ to download the application form or contact any Local 793 area office.

Dependents or grandchildren of Local 793 members are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this bursary!

Please note that union members must be in good standing at the time of selection.

Deadline to apply: September 4, 2026

Please log in to the Local 793 members’ website at iuoelocal793.org/why-join/awards/ to download the application form or contact any Local 793 area office.