By: Jason Rowe, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Carpenters’ Regional Council
Since 1882, members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) have been the backbone of Ontario’s growth. From the towering skyscrapers that define our cities to the hospitals that care for our families, and the transit and energy projects that keep our province moving, our skilled tradespeople have played a vital role in shaping this province. But beyond our economic contributions, we are also the foundation of our communities—working families who deserve a government that values and invests in our future.
For the first time in our history, the Carpenters’ Union is endorsing the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party and Premier Doug Ford in the upcoming election. This decision was not made lightly, but it reflects a reality we cannot ignore: no government in recent memory has recognized and supported skilled trades as strongly as Doug Ford’s has.
Under Ford’s leadership, Ontario has made historic investments in UBC training and workforce development. Through the Skills Development Fund (SDF), we have been able to develop incredible, life-changing programs. We’ve brought thousands of carpenters into the workforce, provided them with the safety and skills to succeed in their careers, and provided them with a well-paying union job. With even more SDF investment promised with a new mandate for the PCs, this is just the beginning.
Further, landmark legislation such as Working for Workers has delivered tangible benefits in job site safety and workplace protections time and time again. From mandating menstrual products and naloxone kits on large construction sites to ensuring employers impose sanitation standards on jobsite washrooms, our skilled tradespeople know they can count on Ford’s Government to have their back.
This is the kind of leadership that ensures Ontario’s workers are not only protected but empowered. Our partnership with the PC government has been the most productive and collaborative we have ever had with any administration. Their commitment to training, safety, and opportunity means more jobs, stronger communities, and a future where Ontario remains UBC Built.
As Ontario heads to the polls, we stand firm in our support for a government that prioritizes workers, invests in skills, and values the contributions of our tradespeople. Our province’s success depends on those who build it, and we are confident that the Progressive Conservative Party will continue to stand with us in shaping a stronger, more prosperous Ontario.
