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Premier Ford: puts too much power in the hands of employers. Our members are
In Fall 2018, our government passed the Making Ontario Open for all about providing a good day’s work for a good day’s pay and just
Business Act which among other things set journeyperson-to- want to be treated fairly. Do you have any insight you would like to
apprentice ratios to 1:1 for all trades subject to ratios. Previously, share with respect to this issue?
these ratios required as many as six journeypersons to train one
Premier Ford:
apprentice.
Over the years, certain broader public sector (BPS) employers have
This change allows Ontario businesses to hire more apprentices, become subject to specialized provisions under the Labour
encourage more young people to develop a career in trades, and Relations Act even though they are not in the construction
bring quality jobs back to the province. business.

In fact, since the legislation passed, construction sector apprentice Although an employer that becomes bound to these specialized
registrations have increased by 12% -- creating more opportunities provisions may make an application to the Ontario Labour Relations
for people to become trained in the skilled trades. Board, for a declaration that it is a “non-construction employer”
(NCE), some stakeholders have argued that the process requires
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has continued
litigation that can lead to uncertain results.
to verify compliance with the ratio when apprentices and sponsors
enter into a Registered Training Agreement. After consulting with and listening to feedback from the broader
construction labour community and our municipal partners, our
Peter:
Government ultimately enabled BPS entities to opt out of Schedule
Ontario offers great opportunities to skilled workers from across
9 of Bill 66, thus addressing the fact that certain parties may wish
the county who are looking for work. The people resources are
to preserve historical bargaining relationships under the
available – the problem is the cost of travel and housing. Our
construction industry model of the LRA.
industry struggles because skilled trades people are not offered
the same tax incentives that other professionals are when they The Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act (Bill 66) allows
travel for work. Do you think we could work together to help municipalities, school boards, hospitals, colleges, universities and
overcome this challenge? If so, do you currently have any solutions other public bodies to be NCEs under the LRA.
on where we could start?
This allowed BPS entities to opt out of the provisions that would
Premier Ford: otherwise deem them to be NCEs.
At this time, apprentices pursuing full time in-class training can
Peter:
apply for Apprenticeship Income Supports through Part II Federal
Bill 66 included a total infrastructure investment of $14.7 billion in
Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. This includes a commuting
fiscal year 2019-2020. The government intends to spend about
allowance of 15 cents per kilometre for those residing more than
$144 billion over the next decade, with $66.7 billion for transit and
24 kilometres (one way) away from trade school or living-away-from-
$22.1 billion for highway infrastructure. Can you talk about how
home allowance up to a maximum of $116 per week.
some of that money will be spent and when some of those projects
Apprentices who are not eligible for EI can apply for a provincial non- will be announced?
EI bonus that provides up to $1,500 of taxable financial supports
Premier Ford:
for each level of full-time training successfully completed. This
Ontario’s Government for the People is committed to improving the
support could be used to help with the costs of traveling to and
transportation network across the province to reduce congestion
from in-class training.
and get people moving.
For more information, apprentices may contact their regional
Improving public transit is vital to stimulating the economic
Apprenticeship Office.
development of Ontario.
Peter:
Ontario’s government is building better public transit and
Part of Bill 66 includes serious changes to free collective bargaining
transportation infrastructure, delivering faster service – and putting
specifically in the construction sector. What it appears to do, is
people first by making public transit an attractive, affordable and
deprive construction workers of their collective bargaining rights and
low-stress alternative for individuals and families.
The province unveiled a $28.5 billion commitment to Ontario’s New
Subway Transit Plan for the GTHA, the single largest commitment
to new subway builds and extensions in Canadian history. This new
transit plan consists of four rapid transit projects in the Greater
Toronto Area (GTA) including:
• The Ontario Line
• Yonge North Subway Extension
• Scarborough Subway Extension
• Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

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