The construction union has stated the need to attract immigrants due to a labor shortage. These statements were made to journalists during the annual LiUNA Local 183 picnic, held at Downsview Park in Toronto, which gathered thousands of union members and their families.
Demographic challenges in the labor market
The business manager of LiUNA Local 183 noted that the aging active population is one of the main problems for the Canadian labor market. He reported that over the past 15 years, the number of union members retiring has increased from approximately 3,500 to about 12,500.
According to Jack Oliveira, every worker leaving the labor market requires not just a replacement, but double compensation: one person to retain accumulated experience and another to perform the actual work.
Labor demand
Oliveira emphasized that planned infrastructure investments will further increase the demand for workers. He stated that there are billion-dollar projects in the construction sector, and the government must take this issue seriously.
Furthermore, he reported that LiUNA Local 183 currently has about 75,000 members and plans to continue growing. The organization is expanding its network of sites, including buildings in Vaughan, Kingston, Cobourg, Cambridge, and Barrie, to be ready to represent up to 150,000 workers if needed.
Ontario Premier's address
The Ontario Premier, Doug Ford, was also present at the event, stating that the provincial government is investing $236 billion CAD (about €148 billion) in infrastructure. Ford stressed that these projects depend on the workforce represented by LiUNA and include the construction of hospitals, roads, and other facilities across Ontario.
LiUNA Local 183 is the largest local union within the Labourers' International Union of North America (LiUNA), representing over 70,000 workers in Ontario, primarily in the construction, waste management, building maintenance, and healthcare sectors, covering the area from Kitchener to Kingston and the Muskoka region.