Ontario’s Throne Speech Sets Skilled Trades as Priority
On August 9rd, Ontario Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the first session of the forty-third Parliament of Ontario. The throne speech comes at the beginning of any new legislative session and lays out the government’s goals and plans to achieve them. The speech largely touted key parts of the Ford government's agenda, including building highways and other infrastructure, attracting manufacturing investment, and a skilled trades strategy that seeks to address a labour shortage.
Some commitments that could prove interesting for the HVACR industry in Ontario include a $1 billion investment in a skilled trades strategy to reduce the negative stigma around the trades, particularly for women and young people. This strategy would also aim to expand training opportunities which include partnering with training centres to provide people with the skills they need for new and exciting job opportunities.
The government also called on the federal government to double the number of skilled workers that are allowed to immigrate to Ontario each year to break down barriers that prevent out-of-province workers and newcomers from finding good jobs in the trades.
HRAI will continue to engage with key Ontario Ministers and senior bureaucrats to hold this government accountable for their commitments and ensure they are favourable to the interests of the HVACR industry.
For more information, contact Chelsea Goberdhan at (905) 602-4700 ext. 236 or email cgoberdhan@hrai.ca
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