McNaughton advocates for trades at Alberta premier’s summit
His speech covered recruitment, labour rights, supporting underrepresented groups and more.
Key Takeaways:
- McNaughton emphasized the importance of skilled trades in building Canada and highlighted efforts in both Ontario and Alberta to attract and support skilled workers, including newcomers, to address labour shortages and enhance local economies.
- He focused on making the trades more inclusive, particularly for women, by introducing measures such as properly fitting PPE and women-only facilities on job sites, aiming to create a more welcoming and equitable work environment.
- He discussed Ontario’s “Working for Workers” reforms, which introduced significant labour rights improvements, such as banning non-compete clauses, enhancing rights for gig workers, and guaranteeing washroom access for truck drivers, reflecting a broader commitment to worker empowerment.
The Whole Story:
Ontario’s former Minister of Labour, Monte McNaughton, may have exited politics, but he is still advocating for the construction sector.
McNaughton delivered a keynote speech at Premier Danielle Smith’s third annual Summit on Fairness for Newcomers in Calgary, focusing on the importance of skilled trades and government efforts to support newcomers and workers across Canada.
Speaking at the summit, McNaughton emphasized the critical role tradespeople play in building the country, building it from coast to coast to coast. He praised Premier Smith’s leadership and highlighted the partnership between Alberta and Ontario, both of which have shared initiatives to bolster the trades and welcome skilled newcomers.
Reflecting on his time as Minister of Labour, McNaughton underscored the need to shift societal perceptions of skilled trades, which he described as “meaningful, well-paying, and exciting” careers. He pointed to Ontario’s success in increasing apprenticeship registrations by 24%, including a 30% rise in the number of women entering the trades.
McNaughton’s efforts in Ontario included the launch of the “Level Up” skilled trades career fairs and the creation of Skilled Trades Ontario, a new agency aimed at streamlining the path to becoming a tradesperson. These initiatives, he explained, were designed to address the long-standing challenges in attracting youth to the trades, starting as early as Grade One to get students excited about careers in fields like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
He also focused on making the skilled trades more inclusive for women.
“For far too long, the skilled trades have been unwelcoming to many women,” McNaughton said, highlighting legislation that mandated properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for women in construction, ending the days of “pink it and shrink it.” Ontario also introduced rules requiring private, enclosed washrooms on job sites, including at least one women-only facility.
McNaughton also touched on his work in supporting newcomers, particularly in skilled trades. He lauded Alberta’s and Ontario’s efforts to give provinces more control over immigration, allowing them to better meet local labour market needs.
“Provinces should have a greater say in the immigration system—both in selecting the skilled immigrants our provinces need and in terms of numbers,” he stated.
Turning to labour rights, McNaughton discussed his “Working for Workers” initiatives in Ontario, which included landmark labour reforms. These changes included guaranteeing washroom access for truck drivers, banning non-compete clauses, and providing new rights for gig workers.
He noted, “We passed legislation in Ontario—I’m very proud of our Working for Workers bills,” which he framed as critical steps to empower workers and support their rights.
In closing, McNaughton emphasized the shared vision between Alberta and Ontario in building a working-class future. He praised the leadership of Alberta’s Premier Smith and her government’s recent pro-worker initiatives, including updates to private sector pension plans for construction trades, ensuring security for 180,000 workers and pensioners across Canada.
“Our mission is to leave no one behind and help lift everyone up through meaningful employment, creating purpose-driven lives,” McNaughton concluded, expressing optimism for the future of Canada’s skilled workforce and the broader economy.
McNaughton announced his resignation from provincial politics on Sept. 22, 2023, to pursue a career in the private sector. McNaughton had served as an MPP for 12 years and held his cabinet position for over four years.
