Endorsement driven by the party’s strong commitment to investing in skilled trades and protecting Ontario workers
MISSISSAUGA, February 24, 2025 — Today, Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs welcomed an endorsement from the Brick and Allied Craft Union (BACU), which represents bricklayers, stone and marble masons, pointer-caulker-cleaners, cement finishers and fireproofers across 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’m so grateful for the endorsement of Tony DiMaria, David Stubbs and the hardworking women and men represented by the Brick and Allied Craft Union,” said Doug Ford. “Trump’s tariffs pose a severe threat to our construction industry, but we will take decisive action to protect Ontario jobs and workers by investing billions in critical infrastructure projects and skills training. With a strong four-year mandate, we will stand together and fight back against anything that undermines Ontario workers.”
“Doug Ford is the leader Ontario needs right now,” said Tony DiMaria, President, BACU Canada. “Doug has been fighting for our workers every step of the way. And he’s not just talking about support, he’s proven it by investing billions in infrastructure and trades training. For the hardworking members of the Brick and Allied Craft Union who are building the future, this isn’t just policy: it’s a promise. With a strong advocate at Queen’s Park, our skilled tradespeople have someone who will relentlessly safeguard their livelihoods and ensure Ontario remains strong in the face of any challenges the future may bring.”
Since 2018, the Ontario PCs have supported and invested significantly in the skilled trades, including the following:
- Over $2.5 million through the Skills Development Fund to BACU’s training partner, the Ontario Masonry Training Centre (OMTC), and over $800,000 through the Apprentice Capital Grant.
- 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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