Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher and executive board members welcomed Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau to the union’s head office and training campus in Oakville on Aug. 27.
During the visit, Trudeau tried his hand at the controls of a Manitowoc 8500 crawler crane under the watchful eye of OETIO director of training and operations, Kelly Burla.
Afterwards, he spoke to more than 300 media, party faithful, and Local 793 officers, business reps and staff.
Representatives of the union wore safety vests and bright red hard hats in honour of the visit.
It was Trudeau’s second visit to Local 793’s office. He visited in 2013.
In a speech, Trudeau said it was great to be back in Oakville, and especially to make a return visit to Local 793.
“It was one of the first places I visited when I first became leader and I got to drive a crane then, too,” he remarked.
Trudeau thanked business manager Gallagher and the union for hosting the visit.
In his remarks, he noted that the labour movement is an important part of the Canadian economy.
“I know your members continue to do good work building roads and bridges, subways and subdivisions and so much more,” he said.
Trudeau made an important announcement on planned infrastructure spending during his remarks.
He said the Liberals would make the largest infrastructure investment in Canadian history.
The plan, he noted, would see the Liberals nearly double infrastructure investment to $125 billion — from the current $65 billion — over the next decade.
“Every dollar we spend on public infrastructure grows our economy, creates jobs, and strengthens our cities and towns,” he said. “Government has a responsibility to act decisively and for the public good.”
Business manager Gallagher praised the Liberal plan and said it’s welcome news for labour and the working people of Canada.
“I applaud Mr. Trudeau and the Liberals for putting forth such a bold plan. We think this could be a game changer in this election.”
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