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I am pleased to share two exciting developments from our Canadian office that reflect both our growth and our continued commitment to supporting our members.

First, we are proud to announce the launch of our new Canadian Facebook page! This is an exciting step forward in how we connect and communicate with members across the country. Our page will serve as a space to highlight SMART Canada initiatives, showcase member stories, celebrate local successes and provide visibility into what the Canadian office and sister locals are accomplishing on the ground every day.

This platform is about representation, connection and pride. It’s a place where members can see the strength of SMART Canada in action, stay informed and celebrate the incredible work happening from coast to coast. We encourage you to follow, engage and share your stories with us by clicking here.

I’m equally excited to announce that SMART Canada is now offering a new benefit as part of our Health & Welfare package: a Financial Wellness Program through Enriched Academy.

We know that financial stress doesn’t just affect wallets; it also impacts health, well-being and overall happiness. With this new initiative, we are tackling these challenges head-on by providing education that can truly transform our members’ financial reality.

Through Enriched Academy, Canadian members will receive:

  • Exclusive access to expert financial guidance
  • Practical tools to manage and grow their finances
  • Interactive webinars and educational resources
  • Strategies to build confidence and long-term financial stability

This program is designed to give Canadian members the opportunity to redefine their financial future with knowledge and support tailored to their everyday needs. Reach out to your home local today for more informa­tion and to get signed up.

At the same time, we are encouraged to see continued support from the Canadian federal government for the unionized construction industry through major infrastructure investments. Equally important is the recognition that investing in projects must go hand in hand with investing in the skilled workforce needed to deliver them.

This commitment is reflected in new funding oppor­tunities under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy — Investments in Training Equipment program. This initiative is designed to help Red Seal trades modernize and upgrade the tools, equipment and technologies used in apprenticeship training, ensuring workers are fully prepared for today’s jobsite demands.

With the federal government covering up to 50% of eligible costs, this program offers a valuable opportu­nity to strengthen training capacity nationwide. We will actively promote this funding to our locals and encourage them to take full advantage by submitting proposals that enhance their training facilities and support the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

We are proud to continue expanding the value of our membership by investing in initiatives that strengthen both our union and our members’ well-being.

Stay connected, stay engaged, and as always, thank you for being part of SMART Canada.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs

As we begin the new year, there is a lot to be thankful for. Our industry is thriving, our members are supported through existing and newly negotiated collective agreements, and we are preparing to take on an increased number of megaprojects in healthcare, the industrial sector and housing. At the same time, our production units continue to be busy.

We are entering 2026 well-positioned to build on this momentum. Supporting our members and the union­ized construction industry more broadly is the 2025 Federal Budget, passed on November 17, that included significant investments in infrastructure, housing and megaprojects across the country.

Some of these major investments include:

  • $75 million over the next three years to fund the Union Training and Innovation Program.
  • $51 billion over 10 years through the Build Communities Strong Fund to support provincial and local infrastructure projects.
  • $115 billion over five years for infrastructure in healthcare, transit and wastewater systems.
  • $25 billion to accelerate homebuilding and address housing needs across the country.

SMART members have always played a critical role in building community infrastructure that keeps our cities thriving. Looking ahead, we will remain key in delivering transformative megaprojects, with the federal government’s goal of “building an enormous amount of infrastructure at speeds and scales not seen in genera­tions.” SMART members will be on the front lines, shaping Canada’s future while leading the shift toward modern, low-carbon construction.

This is the work our members have excelled in over the centuries. Now, that expertise will be formally recog­nized through the SMART Green Certificate program, which is currently being developed. This program will reaffirm our members’ knowledge and readiness to contribute to upcoming clean-economy projects. The SMART Green Certificate program is being established in collaboration with Canada’s Building Trades and Skill Plan Canada.

In the new year, SMART will continue working on the development of this program, which will feature sheet metal-specific learning modules tailored to today’s evolving industry and will provide unified, industry-leading green training nationwide. Down the road, this certification will increase employability, support greater mobility between provinces and give our members pride in the environmental leadership that SMART Canada is striving for.

SMART Canada team members join training experts from coast to coast and
our Green Future Partnerships collaborators

SMART Canada was proud to host Secretary of State for Labour, Minister Zerucelli, at the Local 47 Training Centre (Ottawa, Ontario) for the re-announcement of the SMART Green Certificate. The visit highlighted how government, industry and unions continue to work together to strengthen our training and support the future of our trades.

We closed 2025 on a high note and look forward to what 2026 will bring as these major infrastructure and training investments begin to take shape. Together, we can build a stronger future for our members, our industry and our country.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs

As we settle into the fall, I’d like to take a moment to look back on what was an incredibly busy and productive summer for our Canadian locals. From participation in cross-border conferences and key gatherings here in Canada to important preparations for upcoming project implementations, this summer showcased the development and strength of our union.

We kicked off the summer with a strong presence at the Canadian Convention in Toronto and the SMART Leadership Conference in New York. In New York, we delivered Canadian-specific breakout sessions, which gave our members a platform to explore new resources, discuss innovative recruitment strategies and address unique challenges and opportunities facing our locals from coast to coast.

The momentum continued in Chicago, where over 300 Canadian Building Trades delegates participated in the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference. The energy and solidarity were truly inspiring, and a testament to the growing strength of tradeswomen across Canada. Events like this not only celebrate how far we’ve come, but also empower SMART members to expand their involvement, grow their networks, step into leadership roles and estab­lish women’s committees within their locals.

Back at home, the Ontario Conference met in Windsor to celebrate recent victories in organizing efforts and to prepare for the next wave of megaprojects set to shape the province’s future. It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish through unity and the value of strong partnerships with federal and provincial govern­ments to advance key projects and worker priorities. As part of the conference, a SMART Army event brought members out for a local community clean-up. This was another meaningful opportunity for our members to give back to our communities.

Most recently, I had the privilege of joining the Canadian Building Trades Executive Board for a signifi­cant announcement with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Wall, third from right, and the CBTU Executive Board with Prime Minister Carney

The prime minister officially launched the Major Projects Office, a new initiative designed to fast-track critical infrastructure and energy projects across the country. This office aims to cut approval timelines to under two years, an important step in supporting a growing and evolving Canada.

Five transformative projects have already been greenlit, representing more than $60 billion in invest­ment and creating thousands of jobs, including opportunities for SMART members across Canada.

We are also excited to celebrate a major milestone on the East Coast — Local 409 in Halifax will mark its 80th anniversary since being chartered. We are incredibly proud of Local 409 for its accomplishments, including growing and diversifying the local’s workforce. Congratulations to all current and past members on this incredible achievement.

Moving forward, there are many promising initiatives underway, and we will continue to work closely with the federal government, provincial governments and our locals as they complete and prepare for more green infra­structure and other nation-building projects that will be vital to Canada’s future.

Thank you to everyone who made this summer such a success. As always, we remain committed to building a stronger, more inclusive and forward-thinking union across Canada.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs

Big and exciting developments are underway in Canada’s unionized construction industry, signaling strong growth, major investments and new opportunities across the country.

One standout moment reflecting this momentum was the welcoming of General President Michael Coleman and General Secretary-Treasurer John Daniel to our Canadian Convention, where they had the opportunity to meet with local leaders and witness our talented appren­tices showcase their craft during the highly antici­pated skills competition.

SMART Canada is also celebrating the recent mobilization of over 450 members to support Local 235 in Windsor for the Stellantis electric vehicle battery plant megaproject, one of the largest green energy projects in the country. At the project’s peak, more than 950 SMART members were on site, demonstrating our union’s capacity to rapidly scale up a skilled workforce to meet the industry’s demand. Our signatory contractor, Lancaster, was particularly impressed with the efficiency and impact of the mobilization, which showcased SMART’s reputation as a reliable partner in delivering complex and high-profile projects.

We are building on this megaproject momentum as Canada’s newly elected prime minister, Mark Carney, successfully passed Bill C-5, An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility Act and the Building Canada Act. This legislation will provide the regulatory reform that Canada’s Building Trades Unions have been advocating for to expedite the construction of major projects. Projects deemed in the national interest will have a reduced approval time, from five years to two years, enabling thousands of SMART members to access jobsites more quickly and provide long-term job stability and economic benefits to our members and their families.

As the nation continues to prioritize sustainability and nation-building projects, there will be an increased focus on green energy projects, which SMART is fully prepared to support with a skilled, job-ready workforce. Through a recent $8.9 million investment in federal funding, more than 2,000 SMART members will be able to upgrade their skills through training curricula and online learning tools focused on the future of clean technology. This funding announcement is a sign that Canada’s federal government sees SMART workers as key to building Canada’s future.

Another key invest­ment in the skilled trades, and in SMART specifi­cally, is the Government of Ontario’s funding of over $1 million to build a training centre in Thunder Bay at Local 397. This invest­ment will support the construction of a dedicated facility for sheet metal workers and roofers, with the capacity to train and upskill 760 individuals over a five-year period through pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.

This investment is a testament to SMART’s strong and collaborative relationships with all levels of govern­ment, reflecting the recognition that labour unions play a critical role in expanding career opportunities, driving economic growth and delivering state-of-the-art training. Together, we are helping to create a stronger skilled trades workforce across Canada.

As we continue to strengthen our relationships with provincial and federal governments, we are growing in capacity, preparing for increased work opportunities and building a stronger, more secure future together.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs

Sisters and brothers,

My name is Jack Wall, and I’m honoured to have been appointed director of Canadian affairs for SMART in December 2024. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of those who served before me. Like them, I’ll work hard every day to represent our members and do what’s best for our union.

We’re at an important moment — not just for SMART Canada, but for the broader labour movement across North America. This year has already brought significant political changes and new challenges. Ongoing tariffs continue to impact our sheet metal, roofing and production sectors here at home and for our SMART brothers and sisters in the United States. But beyond the headlines, your Canadian staff is pushing forward — advocating, organizing and working to strengthen the future of our locals from coast to coast. Despite the challenges we face, I firmly believe the future is bright for SMART members.

Years of advocacy at all levels of government have resulted in real, concrete wins — from funding grants to labour-friendly language in clean energy legislation. These achievements didn’t happen by chance — they’re the result of hard work, persistence and unity. Now, we need to build on that momentum. That means growing our capacity and continuing to invest in the future of our members.

Over the past year, and with the full support of SMART leadership, we’ve added key resources to help us make progress — both politically and publicly — across Canada. I’m pleased to welcome two new staff members to our dedicated team:

Bob Gougeon, former business manager and financial secretary-treasurer of Local 285 in Toronto, has joined as our new International representative for government affairs and megaprojects. Bob brings years of experience and a strong understanding of what our locals need on the ground.

Aidan Strickland, previously director of communications for Helmets to Hardhats Canada, is our new communications specialist. She will help raise SMART’s public profile and share the stories and successes of our members in a variety of forums.

Together, our Canadian team brings the knowledge, experience and energy we need to keep moving forward. I’m confident we’re stronger with them onboard — and that their work will make a meaningful difference for members from coast to coast to coast.

I also want to acknowledge the continued uncertainty caused by shifting tariff policies. I know the toll this takes on our industries, our locals and our families. But I also know that General President Michael Coleman has been clear: Canadian locals and members have his full support. His commitment to unity across borders — Canadian and American alike — remains one of our greatest strengths. I share that commitment, and I know it will carry us through whatever comes next.

As we look ahead to the rest of 2025 and beyond, we’ll stay proactive — whether it’s organizing in our communities or working with officials at every level of government to advance our cause. You have my word: I, along with the rest of the Canadian staff, will give everything we’ve got to secure a strong future for SMART members across this country.

In solidarity,

Jack Wall

Director of Canadian Affairs

In November 2024, the SMART General Executive Council voted to appoint longtime SMART leader Jack Wall as the new director of Canadian Affairs, the latest step in a journey spent advocating for workers in provinces and territories across Canada.

“Brother Jack Wall has dedicated his life to advocating for the workers who make up our industry,” said SMART General President Michael Coleman. “With his four decades of knowledge in the sheet metal industry, we look forward to Jack’s leadership in Canada and wish him great success in his new role.”

Brother Wall began his career as a sheet metal worker with Local 56 (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia) 38 years ago. He began serving his fellow union members as recording secretary in 1990 and held that position through 2005, when he became business manager and financial secretary-treasurer. Over the next 19 years, he dramatically increased membership diversity at the young and growing local, demonstrating a commitment to the values of our union.

On October 1, 2021, Wall was elected to the SMART General Executive Council; after nearly three years serving on the GEC, he became an International representative in 2024, working in that capacity until his appointment as director of Canadian Affairs.

Throughout his career, Wall has sat on various boards and councils, including on the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council and the executive board of the Canadian Council of Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers since 2008. He serves as the president of the Cape Breton Island Building and Construction Trades Council, has been a member on the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Committee for the last 16 years, and has sat as a trustee to the Local Union & Council Pension Fund since 2018. He is a sitting member of the Nova Scotia Labour Board and has been listening to hearings since 2019. And in March 2024, he was appointed as the SMART delegate to the General Presidents’ Maintenance Committee for Canada & National Maintenance Council for Canada (GPMC/NMC).

As SMART’s new director of Canadian Affairs, Wall will work closely with International staff, local union officers and more to support our union’s efforts to organize and grow, from Vancouver to Toronto to St. John’s (and everywhere in between).

It’s an exciting time to be a sheet metal worker, a roofer and a trade unionist in Canada, and I’m honored to be given the opportunity to serve our members as the new director of Canadian Affairs,” Wall said. “To every single member of this great labour organization: I will work tirelessly to represent you to the best of my abilities.”