Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Strong Momentum, Ongoing Advocacy

Recent wins for Manitoba construction workers and Ontario retirement home workers provide inspiration as we continue to advocate for strong, safe workplaces and proper compensation.

Guide Magazine

By Ian DeWaard, Manitoba and Ontario Director

Throughout 2026, CLAC members and staff across Ontario and Manitoba continue to navigate a dynamic labour environment shaped by strong opportunities in some sectors and ongoing challenges in others. Our focus remains clear and steady; protect members’ rights, strengthen workplaces, and advance practical solutions that make a real difference on the job.

Manitoba Construction
There has a been a significant development on the Manitoba Jobs Agreement (MJA). After more than a year of advocacy and legal preparation, CLAC achieved an important outcome for our members. Following our grievance and preparations for an unfair labour practice complaint, the province and the Manitoba Building Trades Unions agreed to amend the MJA.

This amendment now exempts CLAC members and their employers from being subject to agreements that would have overridden their freely negotiated CLAC collective agreements.

It also means CLAC members are not compelled to belong to or support unions they didn’t ask for.

This result affirms a fundamental principle, that workers should be represented by the union of their choosing. It also ensures that CLAC members can continue working on major projects without sacrificing their negotiated wages, benefits, and pension arrangements.

Ontario Construction
Ontario’s construction sector remains generally strong, with high overall hours and continued demand across many areas. However, these opportunities are not evenly distributed.

The residential sector, and particularly mid- and high-rise construction, continues to experience a significant slowdown. For members and employers in this sector, the impact is being felt through more difficult negotiations and early signs of layoffs during what is typically a busy season.

Encouragingly, there is an increase in institutional and heavy civil work, and positive signals in northern Ontario, where mining activity shows signs of returning after a quieter period.

We anticipate new opportunities for members in northern regions that have seen limited work in recent years.

We are also proud to continue delivering practical benefits to members, including the CLAC vacation pay trust fund. In June, vacation pay was distributed to more than 5,000 members across 173 workplaces. The fund continues to provide financial stability, flexibility, and peace of mind for the members who have elected to use the program.

Ontario Healthcare
In healthcare, persistent advocacy has yielded some results. The provincial government has signaled its intention to extend WSIB coverage to approximately 30,000 retirement and residential care workers through proposed legislation (Bill 105). The changes in Bill 105 would also improve WSIB by increasing loss-of-earnings coverage and removing certain age limits.

While the bill has not yet passed and is delayed until after October 27, 2026 (once MPPs return to Queens Park from summer break), this represents meaningful progress on an issue CLAC has championed for years.

At the same time, we continue to push for improvements in homecare and long term care, including better violence prevention measures and stronger support for frontline homecare workers, especially as it relates to mileage and unpaid or low-paid travel time (see page 28 for our cover story on homecare).

Engagement with members and providing critical information remains key. Our recent webinar with the new Health and Supportive Care Providers Oversight Authority, which oversees personal support workers, drew participation from over 300 members, reflecting the importance of clear information and support as a new regulatory framework is introduced.

Government & Industry Engagement
CLAC continues to ensure that members’ voices are heard in key conversations shaping the future of work. These efforts are complemented by our ongoing participation in community and industry events. In the first half of the year, we attend the Northern Ontario Municipalities Association (NOMA) conference and the Neeganii Iishawin Annual Northern Economic Development Gathering in Thunder Bay, the national First Nation Major Projects Coalition conference in Toronto, the unveiling of a new memorial to construction workers in Toronto, and government announcements for increased funding for trades training, to name a few. At these gatherings, CLAC is consistently promoting its commitment to develop and support skilled tradespeople, workplace leaders, and prospective new entrants to the trades.

At the Progressive Contractors Association Labour Relations Summit, our team contributed insights on bargaining and other labour relations trends, while contractors highlighted the value of CLAC’s collaborative approach. This partnership with PCA continues to demonstrate that constructive labour relations leads to better outcomes for workers and for the entire workplace community.

We are also advancing new partnerships to support training and workforce development. We are about to announce a major collaboration with Mohawk College which aims to expand apprenticeship training capacity in the Hamilton-Niagara region. This partnership is an important step in addressing the skilled trades shortages in the region and an investment that will support the next generation of workers.

Looking Ahead

There is clear momentum in many areas of our work. From defending bargaining rights in Manitoba to advancing policy improvements in Ontario, CLAC continues to deliver results that matter to members.

As always, these achievements are made possible by the strength and involvement of our members. Together, we will continue building fair workplaces, just working conditions, strong relationships, and career opportunities for the future.

Strong Momentum, Ongoing Advocacy

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