UA Canada

More photos of our skilled UA members competing in their respective crafts at Skills Canada / Compétences Canada!

It was a pleasure to welcome The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, and The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), to the UA Canada booth at the Skills Canada / Compétences Canada National Competition this week in Toronto.

The ministers rolled up their sleeves to try their hand at copper soldering while learning more about the rewarding careers available in the unionized piping trades. Pictured alongside are UA Canada Director of Canadian Training Mike Gordon and UA Special Representative for Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations Alanna Marklund, who were proud to showcase the hands-on training and opportunities available to the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Thanks to Training Specialist Jamie McPherson and our journeyperson and apprentice volunteers for helping deliver a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for all participants.

The Skills Canada / Compétences Canada National Competition will come to a close today. We wish all UA competitors the best of luck as they wrap up their projects!

Thanks as well to all of the judges who are working long hours to ensure that the competition is run safely and efficiently!

Congratulations to UA Director of Canadian Training Mike Gordon on being named the recipient of the 2026 Darryl Cruickshank Red Seal Industry Award!

This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated inspirational leadership in workplace education and apprenticeship across Canada. As a Red Seal Journeyperson in multiple trades, an educator, mentor, and strong advocator of union values, Mike has played a tremendous role in strengthening apprenticeship pathways, advancing training innovation, and supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to excellence in the skilled trades.

The UA Canada team is proud to be at the Skills Canada National Competition this week at the Enercare Centre in Toronto! As a proud long-time partner of Skills Canada / Compétences Canada, this event is a tremendous opportunity to showcase the exciting careers available in the unionized skilled trades and to engage with industry, educators, students, and government leaders—including the Honourable Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini.

Best of luck to all of the talented UA competitors showcasing their skills and representing their trades on the national stage. We are also proud to have UA Canadian Director Terry Snooks, Director of Canadian Training Mike Gordon, Special Representatives Alanna Marklund and Paul Boyle, as well as UA Canada Training Specialists and staff onsite supporting the event and promoting opportunities in the skilled trades.

Be sure to stop by the UA Canada booth, where students from across the GTA can take part in our hands-on Try-a-Trade activities, including copper soldering, virtual welding, and fusion courtesy of our long-time partners at McElroy Manufacturing!

Congratulations to Brother Hostrawser and the Toronto Rock!

We would like to congratulate Local 853 member Bill Hostrawser on winning the National Lacrosse Championship with the Toronto Rock lacrosse team. Well done Bill.

UA Administrative Assistant to the General President Trevor Robertson was thrilled to welcome Prime Minister Mark Carney to UA Local 496 in Calgary today!

As the federal government focuses on strengthening Canada’s skilled trades workforce, improving labour mobility, and advancing major infrastructure projects across the country, highly skilled, safety-focused UA members will continue to play a key role.

When we work together, we grow together.

UA Canada wishes a very Happy Mother’s Day to all of the hardworking Moms across the UA family and beyond. Thank you for all that you do!

Mental health matters—both on the job and at home. Mental Health Week 2026 is a time to reduce stigma, build awareness, and remind ourselves that mental health is an essential part of overall well‑being.

Through the UA Canada National Wellness Program, members and their families have 24/7 access to confidential supports, including counselling, well-being, support for grief, crisis, addictions and peer support at no additional cost. We also offer mental health training courses through https://nausc.ca, like Mental Health First Aid for the Skilled Trades and Su***de Prevention in Construction, which help members build skills, and confidence to support themselves and others.

Learn more about available supports and programming by visiting https://uacanada.ca/wellness

That’s a wrap at Skills Ontario! Congratulations to all of our UA Sisters and Brothers that competed this week.

UA Canada would like to thank Locals 46, 67, 71, 401, 527, 663 and 800 for their assistance with our Try-a-Trade and Young Women’s booths—over 80 apprentices assisted over the two day event.

Lastly, thanks to Skills Ontario for awarding our crew with the Best Booth Award!