Monte McNaughton

As I have always said, when you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life.

It’s great seeing Saskatchewan Ministers Eric Schmalz and Ken Cheveldayoff trying their hands at welding at the UA Canada training centre in Saskatoon with UA union leadership and apprentices, and Saskatchewan Building Trades ED Jeff Sweet. Working together, employers, labour, and government, Saskatchewan is building some big projects.

The Future of Work 2.0.

Back in Waterloo exploring how AI, technology, and other changes are reshaping work.

We began this conversation years ago. Today, the stakes are even greater.

Stay tuned.

It was a fun time at the Calgary Stampede with friends and colleagues from across Canada. Always a good time seeing and catching up with Premiers Danielle Smith, Doug Ford, Tony Wakeham, and Scott Moe, infrastructure proponents, and construction and labour leaders.

Back home at LIUNA Local 1059 in London with their members and leadership. We did a lot, together. Thanks to Brandon and Mike for the tour and lunch.

Eight years ago today, Premier Doug Ford and our government was sworn into office and his first cabinet was appointed. I was honoured to serve as Minister of Infrastructure during that time (and subsequent portfolios in the years that followed). We got a lot accomplished during that time, together.

It was great to be invited back home to the Sarnia Construction Association’s 59th Annual Apprentice Graduation to recognize 250 people taking the next step in their careers. Sarnia is special in Canada in the construction industry. Labour, employers, and government work together to get big things built, including building great careers in skilled trades. Always good to be with my friend Bob Bailey.

It was great seeing all the students in New Brunswick exploring skilled trades at the National Boilermakers Skills Competition this week. Bus loads of young people attended over two days.

I am in New Brunswick this week at the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers National Skills Competition at local 73 with Boilermakers and contractors from across Canada. It’s also good being with our friends from Irving Oil. I’m proud of the work we are doing across the country with incredible people.