OTTAWA – September 11, 2025 –  Today, Prime Minister Carney announced the first set of “projects of national interest” that will be advanced through the newly established Major Projects Office. The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) welcomes these additional details, as well as the recognition that Canada’s skilled trades workforce will be at the heart of delivering these transformative projects on time and on budget.

The five projects announced today will require at least 24,500 skilled trades workers for construction, and an additional 6,000 workers for ongoing operations. With Canada already facing shortages in key trades in the construction sector, scaling up the “growth-critical” skilled trades workforce will be critical to ensuring these projects move forward at the necessary pace.

“Canada’s contractors and skilled trades workers are ready to step up and support the government’s nation-building goals,” said Tania Johnston, MCAC Chief Executive Officer. “Collaboration between government and industry will be vital to ensure the necessary workforce capacity is available, at the right time and place, to deliver these projects and secure Canada’s long-term prosperity.”

MCAC has long advocated for a comprehensive, industry-informed Labour Market Strategy to identify and address shortages across the mechanical trades and broader construction workforce. Growth Critical Trades must be prioritized for recruitment, training, and retention supports. Without this focus, Canada risks delays in delivering the very projects meant to drive economic growth and strengthen national capacity.

Beyond recruitment, workforce development requires a coordinated “all-hands-on-deck” approach. Attracting new workers into the trades, retaining existing talent, and ensuring alignment between government planning and industry needs will be essential. This will require ongoing collaboration between federal departments, the Major Projects Office, and Canada’s construction sector.

MCAC looks forward to further details on the labour force needs of these initial projects, as well as future project announcements, and stands ready to collaborate with government to ensure Canada’s skilled trades workforce grows in step with the country’s ambitions.

 

About the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) is a national, non-profit federation of autonomous provincial associations working for the betterment and advancement of the trade and mechanical contracting industry in Canada. With over 900 member companies employing over 50,000 Canadians in 10 designated Red Seal trades, MCAC is Canada’s largest trade contractor association.