Statement by Canada’s Building Trades Unions on Budget 2022

Canada’s Building Trades Unions are calling for the upcoming 2022 Federal Budget to include tax support for skilled trades workers. In his appearance in front of the Standing Committee on Finance this week, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Unions, Sean Strickland, made the case for a skilled trades workforce mobility tax deduction.

“CBTU commends opposition parties for their actions to implement a Skilled Trades Workforce Mobility Tax Deduction and hope to see the Federal Government follow through on its election and mandate letter commitment to implement tax fairness for construction workers,” Strickland said.

In this legislative session, both the New Democratic Party and Conservative Party have put forward Private Member’s Bills that would enable duly qualified tradespersons or indentured apprentices working on construction sites away from their ordinary place of residence to deduct their out-of-pocket travel expenses. The bills were tabled by NDP Member of Parliament Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre) and Conservative Member of Parliament Chris Lewis (Essex) respectively. 

“We support these Private Member’s Bills, but to ensure this change happens swiftly and skilled trades workers receive the support they need now, we hope to see the Federal Government include a tax deduction in its upcoming Federal Budget,” Strickland said. “Our workers can’t wait any longer for tax fairness and supports to help them travel to where the work is.”

The most recent Liberal election platform and the mandate letters for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Minister of Labour commit to implementing a tax credit to support traveling construction workers. A tax deduction – as included in both Private Member’s Bills – will be far more beneficial to construction workers and further support labour mobility.

“It is promising to see all major federal parties find common ground and support Canada’s construction workers who work to build our country,” stated Strickland. “We look forward to seeing support for skilled trades workers in the 2022 Budget.”