Housing crisis, apprenticeship training as well as the
underground economy and related worker exploitation among top
concerns of the Carpenters' Union.
OTTAWA,
ON, April 18, 2024 /CNW/ - The availability of
safe and affordable housing is essential. Carpenters and other
construction workers are key to building houses and Canada needs many diverse and well-trained
tradespersons to address the national housing crisis. The United
Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) welcomes Budget 2024's emphasis on
housing while pointing out that more support is needed for workers
on the frontline who build homes.
Budget 2024 rightfully focuses on expanding the much-needed
supply of skilled trades labour by continuing to fund the
successful Apprenticeship Service Program. The program supports
small- and medium-sized employers in hiring new first-year
apprentices in Red Seal trades. The Budget's $50 million investment in Employment and Social
Development Canada will help support new immigrants working in the
trades with a commitment to better recognize foreign credentials in
construction. Together, these programs help support the urgent need
for more tradespeople to build our homes. The UBC also looks
forward to engaging with government on the development of a
Canadian industrial strategy for homebuilding, which was
highlighted in the Budget.
However, the UBC continues to call attention to the growing
problem of construction industry tax fraud. This
illegal practice is caused by disreputable employers who do not
follow the rules, misclassify their employees or pay them in cash,
thereby cheating workers out of protections to which they are
entitled.
Construction industry tax fraud, labour trafficking
and the underground economy hurt everyone and cost the Canadian
economy billions. According to Statistics Canada, the gross
domestic product (GDP) at market prices for underground economic
activity in Canada was estimated
to be $68.5 billion, or 2.7 per cent
of the total GDP, in 2021. This represents billions of dollars that
are being effectively siphoned from government revenues, which
compromises government's capacity to deliver much needed public
services. Representatives from the Carpenters' Union are in Ottawa this week as part of the annual Tax
Fraud Days of Action campaign, meeting with
Members of Parliament and government officials to drive home this
important message.
The 2024 Federal Budget proposes amendments to provide greater
enforcement powers to both FINTRAC and the Canada Revenue Agency
officials in fighting tax evasion and other financial crimes,
including the creation of a Canada Financial Crimes Agency, which
do not currently focus on the residential construction industry.
The Carpenters' Union welcomes
potential data sharing on worker misclassification between
Employment and Social Development Canada and the Canada Revenue
Agency. We look forward to these changes and partnerships with
government to tackle these problems.
Links
https://stoptaxfraud.ca/
https://www.carpenters.org/tax-fraud-2/
https://www.ubccanadiandistrict.ca
Social Media
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UBCJA_Official
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarpentersUnited
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/unitedbrotherhoodofcarpenters/
About The United Brotherhood of
Carpenters
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) is one of
North America's largest building
trades unions, with more than a half million members working in the
construction and wood-products industries. The UBC is committed to
providing the next generation of construction professionals with
the tools and resources they need to succeed in a demanding and
competitive business. With more than 140 years of experience in the
construction industry, the UBC provides unmatched support for their
members, highly skilled tradespeople for contractors, and
leadership for the industry.
UBC has five councils in Canada:
- Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights
& Allied Workers
- Conseil Régional Québécois
- National Construction Council
- Millwright Regional Council
- Carpenters' Regional Council
About Tax Fraud Days
of Action
Every year, UBC runs a campaign to highlight the issue of tax
fraud and the underground economy in the construction
industry. Affiliates of the UBC have led the way in exposing
cheaters and educating taxpayers and government representatives
about the real harm that comes from construction industry employer
tax fraud.
SOURCE UBC Canadian District