News & Events
Updates from Local 397 and from SMART’s Canadian office: events, member supports and notices. Call the hall at (807) 622-2609 for anything not posted here.
The federal government has committed $2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to expand skilled trades training, delivered over five years under the Team Canada Strong initiative. The goal: recruit, train and certify 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers, against a projected need for more than 1.4 million new trades workers by 2033.
For Northwestern Ontario that means more training seats, shorter certification waitlists and a clearer road into a Red Seal career. Thinking about sheet metal or flat roofing? See the training schedule page.
Source: SMW & Roofers Local 397
Working at Heights, WHMIS and Roofer Propane refreshers run through the hall with the Safety & Training Coordinator. Tickets renew every three years. Renew yours before it expires and stay job-ready. Contact the hall to book.
No experience needed. All training is provided. Sheet metal starts at $24.17/hr (journeyperson $48.16/hr); flat roofing starts at $24.94/hr (journeyperson up to $41.99/hr), plus vacation pay, benefits and pension. Figures are indicative. Contact the hall to confirm. Drop a résumé at the hall to get started.
Members, make sure the hall has your current phone, address and email so notices and dispatch reach you. Call the hall at (807) 622-2609 or email sheetmetal397@tbaytel.net to update your details.
Membership meeting dates and times are available from the hall. Call (807) 622-2609 for anything not posted here.
SMART Canada marked National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (November 1–7) by making the case for careers in sheet metal and roofing. About 20% of the construction workforce is expected to retire over the next decade, and BuildForce Canada reports the national construction unemployment rate fell to 3.8% in September, its lowest level in two years. Canada is expected to have more than 299,200 skilled trades job openings by 2032. Apprentices earn a wage while they train, without the student debt that comes with many other paths. Jack Wall, SMART Director of Canadian Affairs, said there has never been a better time to start a career in sheet metal or roofing. SMART Canada represents 17,000 members in 21 locals across the country.
Thinking about the trade? Start with our training page.
Announced in Ottawa on October 15, the investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) includes $197.2 million to expand training facilities and $135 million for new ways to recruit pre-apprentices, move apprentices through to certification and upgrade journeypersons. Training providers can also apply at any time for help buying training equipment, with the federal share temporarily raised from 50% to 70% to offset rising equipment and material costs. Expressions of interest for facility projects close November 12, and innovation proposals close December 17. Canada’s Building Trades Unions called it “a significant and welcome investment in Canada’s unionized skilled trades.” Ottawa expects more than 1.4 million skilled trades job openings between 2024 and 2033. Thinking about the trade in Northwestern Ontario? Start with our training page, or see Canada.ca for program details.
The federal government has committed $2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to expand skilled trades training, announced in Halifax following a meeting of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers. Delivered over five years under the Team Canada Strong initiative, the money targets pre-apprenticeship and technical training capacity, shorter certification waitlists and higher completion rates, part of a national push to recruit, train and certify 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers. Ottawa projects Canada will need more than 1.4 million new trades workers by 2033 to build homes, transit and energy infrastructure. Funding agreements with the provinces are expected to be finalized in the 2026–27 fiscal year. Thinking about the trade in Northwestern Ontario? Start with our training page, or see Canada.ca/skilled-trades for federal supports.
The Canadian Council of Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers (CCSMWR) marked its 50th Annual Convention in Edmonton this July, hosted by SMART Local 8 at the Chateau Lacombe. Delegates from locals across the country gathered July 9–12 for governance sessions and the milestone 50th Annual Apprenticeship Competition, where the trade’s top apprentices went tool-to-tool for national bragging rights.
Sheet Metal
1st: Justin Costa, Local 285 (EM Air Systems)
2nd: Nathan Marzilli, Local 537 (Flynn Canada)
3rd: Michael Pardy, Local 562 (Nelco Mechanical)
4th: Lauren Coates, Local 276 (Playsted Sheet Metal)
Congeniality: Rodeo Richard Michaud, Local 437 (Beaulieu Mechanical)
Roofing
1st: William Morgan, Local 276 (Aurora Roofing Ltd)
2nd & Congeniality: Joshua Blais, Local 47 (Flynn Canada)
3rd: Leandro Rites, Local 47 (Simluc Roofing)
Congratulations to every competitor who stepped up to the bench. You represent the future of our trade, a path that starts with an apprenticeship. The 51st Convention heads east to Cape Breton in 2027.
SMART Canada joined apprentices from locals across the country at the Skills Canada / Compétences Canada Competition. Apprentices from Ontario, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan showcased their skills at the SMART Canada booth, working on a replica firehouse project, and the Canadian office welcomed special guests including Ontario’s Minister of Labour David Piccini, Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu and Secretary of State John Zerucelli, who stopped by to build a toolbox and see the craft first-hand. The weekend ended on a high: Lindsey of Local 30 (Toronto) earned silver, placing 2nd in the country, and Mitchell of Local 296 (Saskatchewan) captured bronze, placing 3rd, a testament to the strength of SMART apprenticeship training and the future of the trade.
SMART Canada Director Jack Wall has announced three new supports for Canadian members. (1) A dedicated Canadian Facebook page for member stories, local successes and updates from the Canadian office. (2) Enriched Academy financial wellness, now added to the Health & Welfare package, covering budgeting, debt management, investing and retirement planning, available to members and their immediate families. Reach out to the local for enrollment. (3) A Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy funding opportunity covering up to 50% of eligible training-equipment costs for Red Seal trades; SMART will promote proposals to locals for facility upgrades.
Sources: SMART Union & SMART Canada · smart-union.org
Archive (1)