$2.7 million is being allocated by the Ontario government to enhance the skills of electrical workers in eastern Ontario.
“This project, led by KE Electrical, will provide participants with the skills they need to progress from apprentices to labourers, labourers to journeymen,” Ford said. ” Programs like these are helping to ensure we have the skilled workforce to build the homes, schools, hospitals and infrastructure projects our growing province needs.”
The Ontario government has allocated $2.7 million to enhance the expertise of 65 electrical workers in eastern Ontario. This investment aims to upgrade their skills and ensure their proficiency in their field.
On Tuesday morning, Premier Doug Ford revealed this funding initiative during his announcement at KE Electrical, located in Kanata.
As part of a comprehensive plan to recruit 100,000 skilled trades workers in Ontario, including a minimum of 1,600 additional electricians, Premier Doug Ford highlighted that this program is a vital component. The announcement was made in the presence of Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development Monte McNaughton and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
Minister McNaughton expressed the government’s commitment to empowering workers by equipping them with the necessary skills to secure in-demand jobs within their local communities. He emphasized that Premier Ford has spearheaded these efforts.
The province has allocated funding for this initiative through the Skills Development Fund, which amounts to $700 million. This fund is dedicated to supporting programs that facilitate the connection between job seekers and the required skills and training they need.
Appeal
During a press conference, Premier Doug Ford faced inquiries regarding his government’s decision to appeal a court ruling that invalidated Bill 124. This legislation had imposed a three-year cap on public sector wages but was deemed unconstitutional by the court.
Numerous organizations representing public sector workers strongly criticized the bill, asserting that it violated a section of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms safeguarding meaningful collective bargaining. Conversely, the province maintained an opposing viewpoint. However, Justice Markus Koehnen issued an extensive 80-page decision in November, stating that Bill 124 did indeed encroach upon the applicants’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. In response, the province promptly pledged to appeal the decision.
When questioned about the ongoing court process, Premier Ford refrained from commenting and instead emphasized his government’s investment in healthcare. Despite persistent queries on the matter, he emphasized his commitment to upholding the interests of taxpayers as his primary objective.
“Our whole goal with Bill 124, I have to make sure we respect the taxpayers but also make sure the front-line workers are treated fairly and come up with common ground,” Ford said. “We’re going to sit down again with the unions and we’re going to get a fair deal for the front-line workers but always respecting the taxpayers, making sure that we’re prudent fiscal managers of the taxpayers’ money.”
Premier Ford declined to provide any comment regarding the potential course of action his government would pursue if the appeal were to be unsuccessful, including whether it would be escalated to the Supreme Court of Canada.
