Saturday, November 22, 2025

CLAC Champions Open Procurement and Collaboration

Labour and management spoke with one voice for Ontario’s construction workforce during CLAC’s annual Lobby Day at Queen’s Park

Ontario Construction Construction

By Andrew Regnerus, Ontario Construction Coordinator

On November 3, 2025, CLAC—together with our management partner, the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)—returned to Queen’s Park for our annual Lobby Day. Each year, we meet with government and opposition leaders to advocate for the policies, programs, and legislation that make life better for CLAC members and Ontario’s construction workforce.

For the past five years, CLAC and PCA have presented a united front on key issues that matter most to both workers and employers. This collaboration stands out in a political environment where unions and contractors often disagree. When labour and management bring the same message to government, legislators listen closely.

Our day began with recognition in the Legislature, highlighting CLAC’s contributions to Ontario’s skilled construction workforce. The centrepiece of the day was an extended roundtable discussion with Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Together, we explored ways to strengthen Ontario’s trades training system, increase access to apprenticeship opportunities, and better support newcomers joining the profession.

Over the course of the day, CLAC and PCA representatives participated in more than 15 meetings with MPPs, ministers, and senior political staff from across all parties and ministries—including Premier Doug Ford, Opposition Leader John Fraser, and Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. We also met with senior officials in the Premier’s Office and key ministries such as Finance, Colleges and Universities, Red Tape Reduction, Transportation, and Infrastructure.

In our conversations, we focused on promoting open construction and fair procurement for all publicly funded projects, stressing the importance of ensuring every qualified worker—including CLAC members—can access jobs at major infrastructure sites. We also shared real‑world examples of how Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF) is helping workers and apprentices gain the training they need to build their futures. Despite some negative press surrounding the SDF, the projects supported by CLAC and our signatory employers stand as strong examples of funding well spent—creating opportunities, enhancing skills, and widening the pathway to the trades.

The day concluded with a well‑attended evening reception at the Legislature, where more than 150 MPPs and staff joined us. CLAC’s provincial director, Ian DeWaard, brought greetings on behalf of members and contractors, emphasizing the shared goal of building a modern construction industry that is inclusive, innovative, and open to all.

When labour and management work side by side, our influence is greater, our message clearer, and our successes stronger. That partnership—built on collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a fair and open construction market—continues to define CLAC’s advocacy at Queen’s Park.

For your direct influence, send ideas for future Lobby Days to aregnerus@clac.ca.

CLAC and PCA staff meet with MPPs at Queen’s Park as part of their annual Lobby Day to advocate for policies, programs, and legislation with the Ontario government.

Andrew Regnerus, Ontario construction coordinator, tries out Premier Ford’s chair at CLAC’s annual Lobby Day at Queen’s Park.

CLAC Champions Open Procurement and Collaboration

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