Endorsement driven by the party’s strong commitment to investing in skilled trades and protecting Ontario workers
OAKVILLE, February 10, 2025 — Today, Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs welcomed an endorsement from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 793, which represents more than 20,000 members throughout Ontario. Their endorsement reflects 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 Mike Gallagher, Dave Turple and the more than 20,000 hardworking women and men of the IUOE Local 793,” said Doug Ford. “Our government knows that building the future of this province starts with investing in the people who will make it happen: our operating engineers, carpenters, electricians and so many others. By expanding training and apprenticeship opportunities, we’re creating pathways for young people to build rewarding careers and ensuring Ontario has the best-trained workforce in the world.”
“The Ford government is investing a historic $2.5 billion through the Skills Development Fund to train the next generation of operating engineers, carpenters, electricians, pipefitters, boilermakers, ironworkers and all the other trades that this province so desperately needs. It’s thanks to that level of support that skilled trades workers in Ontario will remain the best trained in the world and will have the tools they need to build an Ontario fit for our children and grandchildren,” said Mike Gallagher, Business Manager, IUOE Local 793. “ With Donald Trump’s America First agenda threatening to spark an economic crisis, PC Leader Ford has shown that he not only has the guts to stand up to bullies, but that he has a plan ready to go that will protect Ontario’s workers and keep this province growing. We need Doug Ford back as Premier on February 27.”
“The Ford government’s plan to build recognizes the need for new homes, hospitals, roads, and transit, but none of that can be done without a skilled workforce. Investment in apprentices and training centres through the Skills Development Fund gives more young people than ever a chance to secure better jobs and bigger paycheques as skilled trade workers,” said Dave Turple, President, IUOE Local 793. “By investing now, the Ford government ensures that Ontario has the highly trained workers it needs to build the infrastructure of tomorrow.”
Since 2018, the Ontario PCs have supported and invested significantly in the skilled trades, including the following:
- Over $13 million to IUOE Local 793 through the Skills Development Fund to increase training opportunities for members and build a new training centre in Oro-Medonte.
- Over $3 million to IUOE Local 793 through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to ensure apprentices have the tools and equipment they need to become the next generation of operating engineers.
- 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 apprentices 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 $2.5 billion to train more than one 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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