Category: Union News

Local 793 members working in the residential construction sector in Toronto can look forward to expanding work opportunities over the next several years after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $2.7 billion investment program to deliver 5,600 new rental homes by 2031. The money will go towards 18 projects in and around the city, with work to begin on 4,500 new homes this year. After a years-long development boom, the city’s condo development market has slowed significantly in recent times, with demand plummeting and new units left unsold. In fact, […]

Local 793 members working in the residential construction sector in Toronto can look forward to expanding work opportunities over the next several years after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $2.7 billion investment program to deliver 5,600 new rental homes by 2031.

The money will go towards 18 projects in and around the city, with work to begin on 4,500 new homes this year.

After a years-long development boom, the city’s condo development market has slowed significantly in recent times, with demand plummeting and new units left unsold. In fact, a recent report showed that in the first quarter of 2026, just 246 new condos were sold in the Greater Toronto Hamilton region, down 52% from a year earlier.

PM Carney says the government’s intervention is particularly aimed at bringing more affordable housing onto the market, which means rent would not cost more than 30% of income. Of the units planned, 1,800 will be affordable.

He said, “Every home in this portfolio will be a rental. And together they span the entire continuum, from supportive housing to affordable homes. For decades, Toronto simply did not build enough homes, and too much of what was built was unaffordable for most Torontonians.”

Dan Walton again proved his mettle during a gruelling Ironman 70.3 Muskoka in Huntsville, consisting of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km run. At half the distance of the full Ironman event Dan completed in Florida in 2023, the mechanic at Baffinland’s Mary River mine in Nunavut says the race through cottage country on July 5 turned out to be a lot tougher. He said, “I did meticulous preparation and was really happy with the way it was going. I was the first there in […]

Dan Walton again proved his mettle during a gruelling Ironman 70.3 Muskoka in Huntsville, consisting of a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.1 km run.

At half the distance of the full Ironman event Dan completed in Florida in 2023, the mechanic at Baffinland’s Mary River mine in Nunavut says the race through cottage country on July 5 turned out to be a lot tougher.

He said, “I did meticulous preparation and was really happy with the way it was going. I was the first there in the morning and did a walkthrough of all the transition areas to make sure I knew where I would be after each stage.

“I had a solid swim and everything was going like clockwork on the bike. I was over 20km in and just settling down when I felt a funny sensation in my right pedal. The pedal was new and I thought it might be defective, but it wasn’t – it had started to unwind and come loose.”

Having damaged the thread, repairs on the fly proved impossible until a passing rider lent him a hex key that finally helped him get the pedal operational. By then, the issue had cost him at least 20 minutes and no end of frustration.

“The thing you always dread most is having a flat, but now I would trade a flat for what happened any day! It was pretty heartbreaking. If I was a younger man, I think I would have thrown the bike down and said I’m not going on!”

But Dan’s steely determination – and the thought of his family waiting for him at the finish line – kept him in the race. However, having overcome equipment issues, Dan faced the run with the mercury climbing beyond 30 C.

He said, “It was so intensely hot with the heat coming off the concrete and the buildings, and the course was very hilly which also made it tough.

“I had set personal bests in training and run multiple half-marathons but in the end it was kind of wasted due to the heat. Eighty-five to 90 per cent of the competitors were doing a combination of walking and running – it was just survival.”

Dan ended up crossing the line in a very respectable 6:33:58, finishing 38^th of 55 athletes in the 55-59 age group.

With his family and Union in his corner, the former RAF serviceman has no plans to hang up his racing suit just yet, despite his bad luck in Muskoka. His sights are already fixed on flying the Local 793 flag at his next big target, the Barrelman Niagara Falls Triathlon in 2028.

He said, “I’m so appreciative to this Union for its support, not just of my Ironman racing, but over the years since they came into Baffinland. They’ve helped me out in more ways than one and I’m so grateful for that.”

An exhausted Dan Walton is greeted at the finish line by wife Jo, daughter Katie and partner Ethan, son Matt and his partner Simon.An exhausted Dan Walton is greeted at the finish line by wife Jo, daughter Katie and partner Ethan, son Matt and his partner Simon.

Dan shows off his medal after completing the race in 6:33:58.

Dan prepares his race bike ahead of the race. A loose pedal would almost dash his hopes of finishing.

Just some of the equipment and supplies Dan requires to compete in an Ironman event.

The new Hamilton Office is underway! Local 793 Business Manager Mike Gallagher (right) and Area Supervisor Andrew Saunders (left) met with Sean Hart (second left) from General Contractor Bird Construction, and Ben Gregory (third left), our architect from WalterFedy, on-site in Barton St. yesterday, marking a key milestone in the development of our new location for members in South-Central Ontario. This progress reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding and improving our office and training facilities across the province. Please note, the previous Hamilton office remains closed until the new building […]

When a Canadian icon needs a lift, our members get the call. Local 793 mobile crane operator and steward Mike Death was at the controls as the storied Avro Arrow jet enjoyed one last flight before landing at its final resting place on a pedestal at Paul Coffey Park, just north of Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. The Arrow was an engineering marvel of its age when it was designed and built as an RCAF supersonic interceptor at the nearby A.V. Row Canada plant in Malton in the 1950s, promising […]

When a Canadian icon needs a lift, our members get the call.

Local 793 mobile crane operator and steward Mike Death was at the controls as the storied Avro Arrow jet enjoyed one last flight before landing at its final resting place on a pedestal at Paul Coffey Park, just north of Pearson International Airport in Mississauga.

The Arrow was an engineering marvel of its age when it was designed and built as an RCAF supersonic interceptor at the nearby A.V. Row Canada plant in Malton in the 1950s, promising to reach an unequalled Mach 2 at an altitude of 50,000 ft. When the program was controversially cancelled in 1959, it caused a political firestorm.

Brother Death, operating a Liebherr LTM-1300, ensured the replica jet’s recent take-off and landing was a much slower and steadier affair, although no less inspiring. Painstakingly built over two years by Stainless Outfitters Inc. in Barrie, the replica is scaled at 60% of the size of the original aircraft.

The Amherst Crane Rentals OE said, “It was pretty cool to be involved and the plane looks really good up there. It was a high-profile job, with the mayor of Mississauga (Carolyn Parrish) and lots of people standing by – there was even a guy who showed up at 1 a.m. just to watch the wings, tail and fuselage turn up on the trucks! When I got it down onto the pedestal all I heard was cheering and clapping.”

Wanting to find out more about a plane that attracted such attention, the 29-year Union member hit the books once he got back home. “The story behind the plane is something else. I’m 57 and never learned anything about the Arrow in public school or high school and it’s such an important piece of Canada’s history.

“I went home after the job and looked it up – they scrapped the planes, scrapped the engineering blueprints and then the US snapped up our engineers and brought them down to NASA. Because Canada had a faster plane the US didn’t want anything to do with it.”

While Canada might have suffered an aviation industry brain drain in the wake of the Arrow’s demise, Brother Death’s expert handling of the jet again proved one thing – this country still boasts the world’s best Operating Engineers!

The official unveiling of the replica CF-105 Avro Arrow, built and installed at a cost of $3.6 million, is scheduled for August 31.

The 60% scale replica of the Avro Arrow touches down on its pedestal.

Experienced Local 793 crane operator Mike Death poses with the Avro Arrow, which he lifted into place at Paul Coffey Park in Malton on June 25.

Brother Death working the Liebherr LTM-1300 for Amherst Crane Rentals at Paul Coffey Park.

Brother Death begins his lift.

Flying high over the Malton sign at Paul Coffey Park.

Brother Death keeps the Avro Arrow flying straight and level.

The plane is bolted into position.

Six Indigenous students from the Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre (OSTTC) in Ohsweken on the Six Nations of the Grand River visited OETIO’s Oakville campus last week to gain insight into life as an OE. Accompanied by the OSTTC’s trades team lead and employment coaches from the Grand River Employment and Training organization, the students are enrolled in a 13-week Work Ready Indigenous Trades Experience program that allows them to explore different career pathways before committing to a specific apprenticeship. During the visit, the students each had a chance […]

Six Indigenous students from the Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre (OSTTC) in Ohsweken on the Six Nations of the Grand River visited OETIO’s Oakville campus last week to gain insight into life as an OE.

Accompanied by the OSTTC’s trades team lead and employment coaches from the Grand River Employment and Training organization, the students are enrolled in a 13-week Work Ready Indigenous Trades Experience program that allows them to explore different career pathways before committing to a specific apprenticeship.

During the visit, the students each had a chance spend some time with our instructors, ask questions, test their skills on the simulators and check out many types of cranes and other machinery used by Local 793’s apprentices at our world class training facility.

OSTTC coach Delhia Gray said, “The visit was informative, interactive, and engaging from start to finish. It was clear how welcoming and supportive everyone was.”

Let us celebrate this great nation we call home and all the men and women who make it work. We wish all our members and their families a very happy Canada Day!

Let us celebrate this great nation we call home and all the men and women who make it work. We wish all our members and their families a very happy Canada Day!

Please be advised that the IUOE Local 793 Hamilton Area Office, located at 35 Goderich Road, Hamilton, ON., will be permanently closed effective immediately, June 30, 2026. Hamilton Area Office staff will now work out of the Union’s Head Office location at 2245 Speers Rd, Oakville, ON., where they will continue to serve members until the planned Hamilton Area Office is constructed.

Please be advised that the IUOE Local 793 Hamilton Area Office, located at 35 Goderich Road, Hamilton, ON., will be permanently closed effective immediately, June 30, 2026.

Hamilton Area Office staff will now work out of the Union’s Head Office location at 2245 Speers Rd, Oakville, ON., where they will continue to serve members until the planned Hamilton Area Office is constructed.

Orange and yellow-level heat warnings have been issued by Environment Canada for much of Ontario, with temperatures expected to hit 36C during a prolonged event beginning today, June 30, and lasting until at least Friday, July 3. Local 793 members should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during this period of especially hot and humid weather. For an interactive map showing the areas affected, visit the Environment Canada website here. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning […]

Orange and yellow-level heat warnings have been issued by Environment Canada for much of Ontario, with temperatures expected to hit 36C during a prolonged event beginning today, June 30, and lasting until at least Friday, July 3.

Local 793 members should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during this period of especially hot and humid weather.

For an interactive map showing the areas affected, visit the Environment Canada website here.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning and can cause myriad problems from rashes and cramps to exhaustion and full-blown heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stress can include sunburn, fainting, heavy sweating, headaches and dizzy spells.

It’s important, then, for OEs to prepare ahead of time, recognize symptoms of heat stress and know how to treat it when problems arise.

Heat stress occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal temperature. The body’s internal thermostat maintains a constant inner temperature by pumping more blood to the skin and by increasing sweat production. But in very hot environments the body temperature can rise, resulting in heat stress. When the body can no longer cope, several illnesses can occur, including:

• Heat Rash: This is characterized by tiny red spots on the skin that can cause a prickling sensation. It’s a result of inflammation when the ducts of sweat glands become plugged.
• Heat Cramps: These are sharp pains in the muscles caused by an imbalance resulting from failure to replace salt lost with sweat.
• Heat Exhaustion: This is caused by loss of body water and salt through excessive sweating. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, intense thirst, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps and diarrhea.
• Heat Stroke: This condition requires immediate medical attention and is characterized by an elevated body temperature. Signs of heat stroke include dry, hot skin, a high body temperature and complete or partial loss of consciousness.

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause other problems such as sleep disturbances and susceptibility to minor injuries and sicknesses.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour recommends that workers in a hot environment should try to drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and that workers also:

• avoid working in direct sunlight
• reduce the pace of work
• take breaks in a cool or shaded area
• schedule heavy work for cooler periods
• wear light-coloured clothing
• reduce the physical demands of work

Employers have a duty under clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This includes developing policies and procedures to protect workers in environments that are hot because of hot processes and/or weather.

Any Local 793 members with concerns about employers not taking appropriate steps to help workers avoid heat stroke and exhaustion should contact their business representative immediately or Local 793 Director of Health and Safety Brian Alexander at 905-469-9299, ext. 2206. You can find the contact details for your business rep by visiting Local 793’s website here.

Click here for more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

Click here for more information on managing heat stress at work from the Ontario government.

A massive thank you to all our members, staff and supporters who came out to the magnificent Flamborough Hills Golf Club in Copetown on Saturday to support Local 793’s South Central Ontario Golf Tournament. A fabulous day’s golf was followed by a lunch and raffle, with all proceeds from the event again going to support local area charities. See you all again next year!

A massive thank you to all our members, staff and supporters who came out to the magnificent Flamborough Hills Golf Club in Copetown on Saturday to support Local 793’s South Central Ontario Golf Tournament.

A fabulous day’s golf was followed by a lunch and raffle, with all proceeds from the event again going to support local area charities.

See you all again next year!