June 13, 2011
Canadian Government announces support for Helmets to Hardhats (Canada)
In the federal budget, which was tabled in Parliament on June 6, 2011, the Canadian government announced support for a Helmets to Hardhats Program in Canada for transitioning veterans and reservists.
Joe Maloney, IVP for Western Canada and Chairman of the Canadian Executive Board of the Canadian Building Trades, was the lead lobbyist and spokesperson for the program.
[Click to Enlarge] Left to right: Bob Blakely, Canadian Director of the Building Trades,
Joseph Maloney, IVP of Western Canada and Jack Layton, Leader of the Opposition at a all party meeting regarding the H2H program
December 2010.
Maloney states, "It has taken us over three years to convince the Canadian military and federal government to agree to implement this program. We are extremely happy that the government has seen the value of such a program." The program will be web-based where a veteran or reservist can register from anywhere in the world and join a construction trade anywhere in Canada, either through an apprenticeship program or directly to a journeyperson status depending on their qualifications.
This is truly a win-win-win program for the federal government, the construction industry and most importantly the veterans and reservists. Bob Blakely, the Canadian Director of the Building Trades remarked, "Helmets to Hardhats being included in this federal budget is the conclusion of a very long process and we would never have gotten this initiative off the ground without the persistence and drive of IVP Maloney."
The bottom line is, for what they do for us, this is the right thing to do! For more detailed information on Helmets to Hardhats (Canada), please click here.