News & announcements

From the Local

Bargaining updates, member notices, events and announcements from Sheet Metal Workers' & Roofers' Local 235.

October 15, 2026

Ottawa puts $430 million into union trades training

Announced in Ottawa on October 15, the investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) includes $197.2 million to expand training facilities and $135 million for new ways to recruit pre-apprentices, move apprentices through to certification and upgrade journeypersons. Training providers can also apply at any time for help buying training equipment, with the federal share temporarily raised from 50% to 70% to offset rising equipment and material costs.

Expressions of interest for facility projects close November 12, and innovation proposals close December 17. Canada’s Building Trades Unions called it “a significant and welcome investment in Canada’s unionized skilled trades.” Ottawa expects more than 1.4 million skilled trades job openings between 2024 and 2033. Thinking about the trade in Windsor-Essex? Start with our apprenticeship page, reach the hall, or see Canada.ca for program details.

July 17, 2026

Ottawa commits $2 billion to trades training

The federal government has committed $2 billion in new funding for provinces and territories to expand skilled trades training, announced in Halifax following a meeting of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers. Delivered over five years under the Team Canada Strong initiative, the money targets pre-apprenticeship and technical training capacity, shorter certification waitlists and higher completion rates, part of a national push to recruit, train and certify 80,000 to 100,000 new Red Seal trades workers.

Ottawa projects Canada will need more than 1.4 million new trades workers by 2033 to build homes, transit and energy infrastructure. Funding agreements with the provinces are expected to be finalized in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Thinking about the trade in Windsor-Essex? Start with our apprenticeship page, reach the hall, or see Canada.ca/skilled-trades for federal supports.

July 12, 2026

Canada crowns its top apprentices at the 50th CCSMWR Convention

The Canadian Council of Sheet Metal Workers & Roofers marked its 50th Annual Convention in Edmonton this July, hosted by SMART Local 8 at the Chateau Lacombe. Delegates gathered July 9 to 12 for governance sessions and the milestone 50th Annual Apprenticeship Competition. Sheet Metal: 1st Justin Costa, Local 285 (EM Air Systems); 2nd Nathan Marzilli, Local 537 (Flynn Canada); 3rd Michael Pardy, Local 562 (Nelco Mechanical); 4th Lauren Coates, Local 276 (Playsted Sheet Metal); Congeniality Rodeo Richard Michaud, Local 437 (Beaulieu Mechanical). Roofing: 1st William Morgan, Local 276 (Aurora Roofing Ltd); 2nd and Congeniality Joshua Blais, Local 47 (Flynn Canada); 3rd Leandro Rites, Local 47 (Simluc Roofing). Congratulations to every competitor who stepped up to the bench. The 51st Convention heads east to Cape Breton in 2027.

June 2, 2026

SMART Canada shines at Skills Canada

SMART Canada joined apprentices from locals across the country at the Skills Canada / Compétences Canada Competition. Apprentices showcased their skills at the SMART Canada booth, working on a replica firehouse project, a testament to the strength of SMART apprenticeship training and the future of the trade.

May 26, 2026

Local 235 craftsmanship honoured on historic Streetcar No. 351

The City of Windsor received the University of Windsor History Department's Kulisek Prize for restoring Streetcar No. 351 (built 1918), now on permanent display at the riverfront Legacy Beacon. Local 235 members contributed significantly to the building and restoration work, and Business Manager Ryan Thompson and organizer David Campbell presented the City with a copper-and-brass replica built by apprentices at the 2025 Ontario Sheet Metal Workers' & Roofers' conference in Windsor.

May 19, 2026

New resources and support for Canadian members

SMART Canada Director Jack Wall has announced three new supports for Canadian members: a dedicated Canadian Facebook page for member stories and updates; Enriched Academy financial-wellness (budgeting, debt management, investing and retirement planning) added to the Health & Welfare package for members and their families; and a Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy funding opportunity covering up to 50% of eligible training-equipment costs for Red Seal trades. Contact the local to learn more.

January 15, 2026

Carhartt jacket order form now available

The final Carhartt jacket order form is available for members. Download the form and return it to the hall by the deadline.

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