In a powerful keynote at the Ontario Building Trades conference in Windsor, Ontario, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) president Sean McGarvey delivered a strong message about solidarity, democracy, and the need for unity amid growing political and economic turbulence south of the border. Calling Washington a “mess,” McGarvey urged Canadian and American trade unions to stand together as industries face tariffs, cancelled projects, and deep policy divides.
1. Who Is Sean McGarvey?
Sean McGarvey, a glazier by trade and long-time member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, has led NABTU since 2012. Representing over three million members across North America, NABTU has become a cornerstone for skilled construction workers advocating for fair wages, safe workplaces, and collective bargaining rights.
2. A Stark Warning from Washington
During his address, McGarvey didn’t mince words about the current political climate in the United States:
“Washington’s a mess. Our country’s a mess right now.”
He described how shutdowns, cancelled infrastructure projects, and “political brinkmanship” have jeopardized billions in investments. These issues, he warned, directly impact Canadian industries through disrupted supply chains and unpredictable tariffs.
3. The State of the U.S. Construction Industry
The American construction sector has faced instability under shifting policies — from clean energy project cancellations to erratic trade measures. Despite these challenges, McGarvey reminded delegates that the building trades have survived wars, depressions, and recessions.
| Challenge | Impact on Construction |
|---|---|
| Tariffs on Canadian materials | Rising project costs |
| Policy uncertainty | Delayed investments |
| Shutdowns and gridlock | Canceled infrastructure projects |
4. How Tariffs Impact Canada’s Building Trades
McGarvey criticized the “ungodly, unthoughtful tariffs” imposed on Canada, saying these measures ripple across borders and harm both economies. Supply chains slow down, costs rise, and working-class tradespeople pay the price — not politicians.
5. NABTU’s Relationship with the Trump Administration
When former U.S. President Donald Trump first took office, NABTU expressed willingness to collaborate on projects that could benefit American workers. However, as time went on, tensions grew over his administration’s approach to collective bargaining and renewable energy.
Still, McGarvey credited the administration for its limited support of Project Labour Agreements (PLAs) — a policy NABTU continues to champion.
6. The Message for Ontario’s Building Trades
McGarvey’s central message was one of unity. He told delegates that Ontario’s construction unions have an opportunity to model how collaboration between labour, government, and industry can drive progress:
“When the building trades work together and speak with one voice, we are unstoppable.”
He emphasized that this unity must extend to influencing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first federal budget and ensuring Bill C-5 supports Canadian workers.
7. Bill C-5: Unlocking Canada’s Nation-Building Potential
Bill C-5 includes provisions that could fast-track major infrastructure projects — but McGarvey cautioned that success depends on doing it right.
He stressed the need for federal dollars to support:
- Prevailing wages
- Registered apprenticeships
- Project labour agreements
- Enforceable labour standards
“If taxpayer money is on the table, those jobs should go to Canadian workers — not low-road contractors chasing the cheapest bid,” McGarvey insisted.
8. The Push for Fair Wages and Labour Standards
McGarvey reiterated that protecting workers must be central to all public investments. He urged the Canadian government to use PLAs and union training programs as the foundation for new projects, ensuring quality, safety, and fair pay.
9. The Importance of Union Storytelling in the Digital Age
McGarvey highlighted another critical issue: how unions are perceived online.
“If we don’t tell our story, somebody else will — and they’ll get it wrong.”
He pointed out that misinformation spreads quickly on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, often painting unions in an inaccurate light. The solution, he said, is proactive communication — sharing the real value unions bring to society.
10. A Call for Unity Across Borders
The event concluded with Ontario Building Trades business manager Marc Arsenault echoing McGarvey’s call for unity. Arsenault credited NABTU’s leadership for inspiring collaboration between Canada and the U.S. labour movements.
In his words, “We do this well — and we do it because we’re united.”