Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a plan Friday to boost training and employment for workers in the skilled trades.
Speaking at a news conference in Ottawa Friday morning, Poilievre said his plan for "more boots, less suits" will expand training halls and provide direct grants and faster access to employment insurance for apprentices in licensed trades.
Thank you @CDNTrades !
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 21, 2025
Together, let's build Canada FIRST and bring home powerful paycheques for our people.
đŸ‡¨đŸ‡¦ https://t.co/qzj3ibQqaf
Poilievre said the goal is to deliver higher paycheques to workers and make Canada less reliant on the U.S. economy.
The plan would see the federal government offer apprenticeship grants of up to $4,000, fund training halls for skills development for up to 350,000 workers over five years, and work with provinces to harmonize health and safety regulations to allow tradespeople to work anywhere in Canada.
"The people who build the homes are not able to buy them," Poilievre said in front of an audience of local construction union members.
"The choice is the next election is very clear."
Ana and I came to LiUNA this morning to stand with đŸ‡¨đŸ‡¦'s extraordinary trades workers who literally build our country.
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 21, 2025
Conservatives will restore apprenticeship grants of up to $4,000 & fund training halls for 350,000 workers.
Cruz came for the donut. pic.twitter.com/wGnEPz1E7p
Prime Minister Mark Carney is widely expected to call an election on Sunday, sending Canadians to the polls as early as April 28.
Poilievre spent much of his news conference talking about how he is different from Carney and claiming the prime minister wouldn't be able to stand up to U.S. President Donald Trump as well as he could.
"That's why common sense Conservatives will always stand with our employers and our unions right across the country to unleash the great Canadian promise," he said.
"Canada first."
