Keeping Canada Running: The Role of UBC Millwrights in Critical Infrastructure Maintenance
In Northern Ontario, the heartbeat of Canada’s industrial sector pulses through mines, pulp and paper mills, hydro dams, and processing facilities. At the core of this essential infrastructure are the millwrights of UBC Millwright Local 1151, working to ensure operations run safely, smoothly, and reliably.
“Just how diverse our skill set is—that’s something I wish more of our industry partners fully understood,” says Christian Pepin, Business Representative for Local 1151. “We have many strong up-and-coming millwrights in the region, and we’re proud of the expertise we bring to the table.”
Local 1151 members are deeply involved in maintaining some of the most critical infrastructure in Canada. Their work spans mining, power generation, including hydroelectric facilities managed by Ontario Power Generation; sawmills and pulp and paper mills; as well as new projects that are a vital link in the global shift toward electric vehicles.
“Whether it’s full EVs or plug-in hybrids, there’s clearly a growing demand. And we’re excited to be playing a part in that transformation,” Pepin explains. With the push for green technology, Thunder Bay is emerging as an important player in Canada’s clean energy supply chain.
The region is also preparing for future energy solutions, including the construction of a spent nuclear fuel storage facility a few hours west of Thunder Bay. “A lot of our area is bedrock,” says Pepin, “which makes it ideal for deep geological storage.” Projects like these highlight the evolving role millwrights play, not only maintaining infrastructure but helping build what’s next.
Despite the region’s vastness, millwrights in Northern Ontario are never working alone. Mobility across provinces ensures Local 1151 can call in reinforcements when needed or send their skilled tradespeople to jobs in Sothern Ontario, Manitoba, or further afield. “We’re more connected than ever,” Pepin adds. “it’s just a phone call to get more manpower on site.”
“Whether it’s a mine, a power plant, or a lithium facility, our millwrights are on the front lines of the Canadian economy. Local 1151 is proof that skilled tradespeople in small communities are building and maintaining the infrastructure that powers this country,” says Mark Beardsworth, Millwright Regional Council EST.
This cross-provincial collaboration within the Millwright Regional Council reflects a deeper truth: the skilled workforce is already here and ready to go where it’s needed, when it’s needed.
As governments and industries invest in infrastructure renewal and energy transition, millwrights like those in Local 1151 will remain essential partners. Their commitment to safety, technical excellence, and regional economic development ensures that Canada’s critical systems, power, transportation, and production; keep running smoothly.
From mining to green energy, Thunder Bay’s millwrights are proving that small communities can play a big role in the national story of resilience and innovation.
About the Millwright Regional Council
The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of twelve affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) across Canada. The UBC Millwrights are vital partners in diverse industries such as energy, automotive, aerospace, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. ubcmillwrights.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Bredin
Director of Communications
Millwright Regional Council
416-757-5161
abredin@ubcmillwrights.ca
