Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs Welcome Support from International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
First-ever endorsement by Boilermakers for Ontario PCs driven by party’s unprecedented support for workers in the skilled trades
TORONTO, May 11, 2022 – Today, Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs welcomed an endorsement from International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB). As the first endorsement for the Ontario PCs, the Boilermakers’ support is reflective of the PC government’s unprecedented support for workers in the skilled trades and investments in training and resources to address the province’s labour shortage.
“I am honoured to have the support of Arnie Stadnick and the hardworking women and men who belong to the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers,” said Doug Ford. “Under Arnie’s leadership, the Boilermakers union is the choice for workers who want an innovative, forward-thinking union that looks out for its members today and tomorrow. At a time when we’re building Ontario, a re-elected PC government will continue to work with unions like the Boilermakers to address the province’s labour shortage by getting more people into good jobs in the skilled trades.”
Since 2018, the PC government has invested significantly in the skilled trades, including the following:
- Relaunching the Second Career program as Better Jobs Ontario, which will now support a larger, more diverse range of Ontario workers with $5 million in new funding in 2022–23 in addition to the nearly $200 million invested over the last three years.
- Investing an additional $114.4 million over three years in its Skilled Trades Strategy to break the stigma associated with the skilled trades, simplify the system and encourage employer participation.
- Expanding college degree granting to help build a pipeline of job-ready graduates in applied fields and allow students to gain the education, experience and skills to enter the workforce faster.
- Providing $37 million to help more than 15,000 people upgrade their skills and train for new jobs.
- Investing $1 billion annually in employment and training programs to help people retrain and upgrade their skills.
- Launching the Ontario Jobs Training Tax Credit, which will provide an estimated $535 million in support over 2021 and 2022. The credit, which provides up to $2,000 in relief for 50 per cent of a person’s eligible expenses for the year, is expected to provide support to about 240,000 people in 2022.
- Expanded pre-apprenticeship training to a record $28 million, providing more young people with the training needed to launch rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
- Invested $75 million to help apprentices pay for living expenses during in-class training.
- Setting up apprentices and employers for success by investing $23 million through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant to provide over 11,000 employers in the construction, industrial, service and other sectors with up to $4,000 in funding per apprentice as they reach key milestones.
These are just a few of the many investments and initiatives from Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs to make the trades a career of choice for more people.
“Whether it’s through investments in training, breaking down barriers for newcomers or raising the minimum wage, the Ontario PCs will never stop working for workers,” added Ford. “We’re bringing good manufacturing jobs back home to Ontario with 500,000 more people working today than when we took office. We’re the only party that will get it done.”
Doug Ford is the only leader with a real plan:
- Rebuilding Ontario’s economy with good manufacturing jobs, more support for small business and a mining plan that will finally open up the Ring of Fire.
- Working for workers by encouraging apprenticeships and opening up jobs in the skilled trades, allowing colleges to grant three-year degrees and increasing the minimum wage.
- Building highways and infrastructure, including Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass while investing in the 401 East.
- Keeping costs down by lowering gas taxes, getting rid of license plate stickers and removing unfair tolls on Highways 412 and 418.
- Plan to stay open by hiring more nurses, doctors and personal support workers, allowing more seniors to stay in their own homes and producing more vaccines and critical supplies like PPE right here in Ontario.
Only Doug Ford will Get it Done.