What are the parties promising on Trades?

This is a page from the 2025 Ontario general election.

Trades platforms

Here's what the 2025 Ontario election parties are promising.

Require all electrical workers to be registered apprentices or have a certificate of qualification

"Doug Ford renewed the Ontario PCs’ commitment to enforce compulsory certification in the electrical trade and ensure all electrical workers in Ontario are registered apprentices or have a certificate of qualification." — ontariopc.ca, retrieved 2025-02-19
Provide $165M for an initiative to help workers earn a paycheque in the skilled trades while receiving in-class and on-the-job training
"$165 million for a “Learn and Earn” initiative to help workers earn a paycheque in the skilled trades while receiving in-class and on-the-job training . Key initiatives include:
1. $120 million to expand the existing Apprenticeship Development Benefit, including a new On-The-Job Training Support Stream to cover up to $2,500 for dependent care, learning supports and transportation costs .
2. $30 million to expand the existing Apprenticeship Completion Bonus that offers a grant of $2,000 for apprentices who complete either a Red Seal or Non-Red Seal trades certification .
3. $15 million to extend and expand the Tools Grant program to support apprentices with the cost of tools and equipment for their trade by increasing and standardizing the amount eligible to $1,000 for all in-scope trades ."
— Our Plan to Protect Ontario, retrieved 2025-02-26

Create thousands of new jobs in residential construction, and keep skilled labour employed during market slowdowns

"Homes Ontario will help create thousands of new jobs in residential construction, while keeping skilled labour employed in periods of market slowdown." — On Your Side, retrieved 2025-02-22
Continue investment into the Skills Development Fund and workers' training centres

"We will support pathways into the skilled trades, from shop classes to those seeking a career change later in life, with continued investment in the Skills Development Fund and workers’ training centres across the province." — On Your Side, retrieved 2025-02-22

Provide tax credits for employers who hire young people through paid co-op, internship, and apprenticeship programmes

"Cut youth unemployment by half by creating 40,000 new paid co-op, internship and apprenticeship positions through tax credits for employers who hire young people." — Getting the Basics Right: A Plan to Do More For You, retrieved 2025-02-22
Provide opportunities for skilled trades and health care workers through union-led training programmes

Fund colleges appropriately so they can offer programmes for training in the trades
Retrofit 40% of existing homes and workplaces to net zero by 2035, and 100% by 2045

"Create hundreds of thousands of new jobs by retrofitting 40% of existing homes and workplaces to net zero by 2035, and 100% by 2045" — Our Plan for Fairness, retrieved 2025-02-22
Provide a year of free college tuition and a year-long apprenticeship to 60,000 people to develop skills and experience in the green economy

"Give 60,000 people the skills and experience to work in the green economy through a year of free college tuition plus a year long apprenticeship when they graduate" — Our Plan for Fairness, retrieved 2025-02-22