Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT) held their first-ever Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park on May 26, bringing together tradeswomen from across the province to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament, including Minister of Labour David Piccini. Their mission: to push for stronger safety measures and greater inclusion in Ontario’s skilled trades.
OBCT’s top priorities focus on improving workplace culture and conditions for tradeswomen, including:
- Making Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment (ADAH) training mandatory for all apprenticeships in Ontario
- Ensuring access to properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers, especially women and non-standard-sized tradespeople
- Strengthening inspection and enforcement of washroom access and cleanliness regulations, including hot water availability, to meet occupational health and safety standards
“We’ve made real strides in improving safety and inclusion on job sites, but there’s more work to do. Culture change doesn’t happen overnight—and by making ADAH training a standard part of apprenticeship, we’re setting the tone from day one,” Karen Pullen, Chairperson of OBCT, said in a news release, emphasizing the importance of systemic change.
ADAH training, developed by OBCT and offered free across Ontario, targets the root causes of harassment and discrimination on construction sites. While it has proven effective, it remains optional. Without legislation, many workplaces continue to leave tradespeople—especially women and marginalized workers—exposed to unsafe and unwelcoming conditions.
“This is about building a stronger, skilled trades workforce—for everyone,” Pullen said. “When workers feel safe, respected, and seen, they stay. And that’s what Ontario needs.”
About 64 per cent of women in construction report experiencing discrimination; nearly half have faced sexual harassment. Also, about 90 per cent of tradeswomen report challenges working with PPE that does not fit properly – including ill-fitting gloves, harnesses, and overalls that increase risk of injury.
Only 6% of women surveyed said their PPE is designed specifically for them, with most gear tailored to average male body types, leaving many unprotected.
Current Ontario law mandates anti-harassment policies but does not require training; provinces like BC, Alberta, and Quebec already do.
As OBCT members continue to advocate for legislative changes and safer working conditions, the hope is to create more inclusive, respectful, and secure job sites for all tradespeople across Ontario.