Ottawa, March 22, 2025 – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has ramped up his efforts to court working-class voters with an ambitious plan to train 350,000 new tradespeople across Canada, emphasizing the need to strengthen the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on foreign labor.

Unveiling his plan in Ottawa on Friday, Poilievre promoted his vision under the slogan “More Boots, Less Suits,” pledging to “bring home a country that works for the people who do the work.”

A Push to Strengthen the Trades Sector

“Canada’s workers are the backbone of our economy,” Poilievre told reporters. “We need more plumbers, electricians, welders, and carpenters – not just more bureaucrats and consultants.”

Poilievre’s plan seeks to address the severe labor shortages in Canada’s trades sector, where demand for skilled workers has outpaced supply for years. With an aging workforce and declining interest among younger generations in pursuing trades, industry leaders have warned of a looming crisis that could jeopardize major infrastructure projects and industrial growth.

“We’re going to give young Canadians the skills they need to succeed in the trades, earn a good living, and contribute to building a stronger Canada,” Poilievre added.

Key Elements of Poilievre’s Plan:

🔹 Massive Expansion of Apprenticeship Programs: Partnering with colleges, trade unions, and industries to scale up hands-on training opportunities.
🔹 Incentives for Employers: Offering tax breaks and financial incentives to companies that hire and train apprentices.
🔹 Streamlined Certification Process: Reducing bureaucratic hurdles to make it easier for qualified tradespeople, including immigrants, to gain certification and enter the workforce.
🔹 Promoting the Trades in Schools: Encouraging high school students to explore careers in the trades through enhanced vocational education and mentorship programs.

A Message to Unions and Workers

In a marked shift toward appealing to blue-collar voters, Poilievre has made building stronger ties with labor unions a core element of his strategy. His announcement included a clear message to union members, signaling that the Conservatives are “ready to fight for Canada’s workers.”

“Conservatives are standing with the workers who build our homes, power our industries, and keep our communities running,” Poilievre said.

Poilievre has made several recent overtures to trade unions, attending events and meeting with union leaders to discuss their concerns about wage stagnation, job security, and foreign competition.

U.S. Tariffs and Taking Back Control

A major factor behind Poilievre’s push is growing concern over U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on key Canadian industries, which have placed additional pressure on Canadian manufacturers and trade-dependent sectors.

Poilievre’s statement accompanying the announcement framed the move as a step toward “taking back control of our economy from the Americans.”

“Trump’s tariffs are hitting our industries hard, and it’s time Canada took charge of its future,” Poilievre said. “By training our own workforce and reducing our dependence on foreign labor, we can strengthen our economy and protect Canadian jobs.”

Challenges Facing the Trades Sector

Canada’s skilled trades sector has long struggled with recruitment and retention issues. Despite offering high-paying and stable careers, many young Canadians have been reluctant to pursue careers in the trades, opting instead for university degrees that often lead to less secure employment.

According to a recent study by BuildForce Canada, the country will need to replace more than 700,000 retiring workers in the construction sector alone by 2030. Without a substantial influx of new apprentices and trained workers, experts warn that Canada risks falling behind in critical industries.

Mixed Reaction from Industry Leaders and Unions

While Poilievre’s plan was welcomed by some industry leaders who see it as a necessary step to address the labor shortage, union leaders expressed caution, emphasizing that any plan must include strong worker protections and fair wages.

Jerry Dias, former president of Unifor, said, “It’s a positive step to recognize the need for more tradespeople, but we need to ensure these jobs come with fair wages, benefits, and protections that respect workers’ rights.”

A Key Election Issue

With Canada potentially heading into a federal election later this year, Poilievre’s focus on the trades and working-class voters is widely seen as an effort to expand the Conservatives’ support base beyond their traditional strongholds.

“The future of our economy depends on empowering the people who build it,” Poilievre concluded. “It’s time we put Canadian workers first and bring home a country that works for everyone.”