ONTARIO BUILDING TRADES GATHER IN OTTAWA FOR 69TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

Hundreds of Building Trades leaders from across Ontario will gather in Ottawa this week for the 69^th Annual Convention of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO), taking place October 14-16 under the theme Safety Rooted in Ontario: Powered by Workers.

Representing more than 150,000 unionized construction workers across the province, the Council’s Annual Convention brings together labour leaders, tradespeople, government representatives and industry partners to address the issues shaping Ontario’s construction workforce and the future of the industry.

This year’s theme puts workers at the centre of that conversation, recognizing that Ontario’s ambitious infrastructure plans depend not only on investment, but on a highly skilled workforce supported by safe and healthy workplaces, strong training systems and a meaningful voice in the construction industry.

“Ontario is building at an extraordinary pace, but behind every project are the skilled tradespeople who make it possible,” said Marc Arsenault, Business Manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario. “Our theme this year, Safety Rooted in Ontario: Powered by Workers, recognizes that workers must remain at the heart of our industry. When we invest in their safety, their skills and their future, we are investing in Ontario.”

The three-day program begins October 14 with a dedicated Workshop Day focused on an increasingly important aspect of workplace health and safety: supporting members returning to work following addiction treatment or a mental-health related absence.

Supporting Members After Treatment: Practical, Scenario-Based Return-to-Work Training will be hosted by Michael Varieur, Executive Director of De Novo Treatment Centre, and Carmine Tiano, Director of Occupational Services for PBCTCO.

The interactive workshop will provide union representatives with practical education, evidence-informed resources and hands-on learning to help support members returning to the workplace following addiction treatment, mental health recovery, or both. Through realistic scenarios and case studies, participants will explore accommodation, safety, privacy, duty to cooperate and the complexities of early-stage return-to-work planning.

The Convention program includes:

·       Wednesday, October 14 – Workshop featuring Supporting Members After Treatment: Practical, Scenario-Based Return-to-Work Training.  

·       Thursday, October 15 – Opening day of the Convention proceedings, featuring addresses from elected officials, industry speakers, and union leaders.

·       Friday, October 16 – Final day of Convention, open to credentialed Delegates only, with debates and votes on Resolutions that guide the Council’s collective work.

Throughout the Convention, delegates will discuss priorities including worker health and safety, training and apprenticeship, workforce development, infrastructure investment and the continued strength of Ontario’s unionized construction industry.

The PBCTCO Annual Convention is the Council’s largest annual gathering and provides an important forum to establish priorities, strengthen collaboration and advocate for the workers who build the province.