Endorsement driven by the party’s strong commitment to investing in skilled trades and protecting Ontario workers
KITCHENER, February 6, 2025 — Today, Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs welcomed an endorsement from the Ontario Pipe Trades Council. Their endorsement highlights the Ontario PCs’ strong commitment to investing in workers, boosting economic growth and protecting Ontario against the threat of President Trump’s tariffs.
“I am grateful for the support of Andrew Tarr and the more than 25,000 hardworking members of the OPTC,” said Doug Ford. “Our communities depend on Ontario’s plumbing, sprinkler fitters, welders and HVAC&R trades professionals every day. They ensure our homes, schools, hospitals and vital industries have the reliable piping systems essential to their daily operations. With the support of Ontario workers and a strong, stable mandate for the next four years, our Ontario PC team will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect our workers.”
“The Ontario Pipe Trades Council – representing 10 local unions and more than 25,000 members across Ontario – is proud to endorse Premier Doug Ford and David Piccini,” said Andrew Tarr, President, OPTC. “In recent years, we have forged an unprecedented partnership with the Ontario government that has not only set a new standard for collaboration but has also enabled us to provide tangible benefits to our members through enhanced training programs, extensive upskilling initiatives and a robust promotion of our industry and the skilled trades. In these challenging times, as our sector faces increasing uncertainty, the leadership of Premier Ford and David Piccini stands out as a beacon of commitment to our industry’s future, ensuring that our workforce remains a priority and continues to receive the support it deserves.”
“UA Local 527 is proud to endorse Doug Ford and David Piccini,” said Jason Pfeffer, Business Manager, UA Local 527 Southwestern Ontario. “Their leadership has promoted the skilled trades and expanded training opportunities in southwestern Ontario, helping to secure a strong future for our more than 2,700 local members.”
“Premier Doug Ford has proven time and time again that he puts the interests of the working women and men of this province at the forefront. His stance and, ultimately, response to the recent tariff threats from the United States is a prime example of what a leader should do; support his constituents and stand up to the bully with the pulpit for the betterment of the public,” said Terry Snooks, Director of Canadian Affairs, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada. “We thank Doug Ford for his support for the skilled trades in Ontario and we look forward to building an even stronger relationship as we all find ways to deal with this fast-changing world. We need more leaders like Doug Ford!”
Since 2018, the Ontario PCs have invested significantly in the skilled trades, including the following:
- Over $14 million to Ontario Pipe Trades Council locals to boost training of more plumbers, steamfitters, welders, and sprinkler fitters, as well as over $2 million through the Apprentice Capital Grant to purchase tools and equipment needed to train the next generation of pipe trades workers.
- More than $63 million to help students and young people get first-hand experience and prepare for future careers in the skilled trades.
- Creating a new 27-week job-protected long-term illness leave for workers with a serious medical condition.
- Putting money back into workers’ pockets by waiving the fee for apprenticeships taking their first Certificate of Qualification exam, saving each apprentice up to $570 throughout their apprenticeship journey.
Only Doug Ford has a plan to protect Ontario:
- Building Ontario’s economy by investing more than $200 billion in our plan to build roads, highways, transit and other infrastructure projects while investing over $2.5 billion to train more than a million people for better jobs and bigger paycheques in the skilled trades.
- Protecting workers in the face of President Trump’s tariffs by doing whatever is necessary to protect people’s livelihoods, including by investing tens of billions of dollars to keep people working.
- Keeping us competitive by fighting the job-killing Liberal carbon tax and urging the federal government to cut red tape and streamline approvals to get big things built.
- Cleaning up our streets by protecting families and children by banning drug injection sites near schools and daycares and clearing out encampments from public parks with new investments in shelters.
- Delivering better care, including by investing $1.8 billion more to connect everyone in Ontario to a family doctor and primary care.
Doug Ford will never stop working to protect Ontario.
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