Millwright Regional Council Secures Representation on Canadian Nuclear Association Board of Directors
Appointment marks a significant milestone for skilled trades representation in Canada’s nuclear future
Ottawa, ON – The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is proud to announce that Vice President of Business Development Andy Forsyth has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), becoming the first trades union representative to hold a seat on the Association’s Board.
The appointment represents an important milestone for the MRC and for the role of skilled trades and organized labour within Canada’s energy and industrial sectors. It reflects a growing recognition that the workers who build, maintain, modernize, and sustain critical infrastructure should have a voice in the conversations that shape its future.
For more than 60 years, Millwrights have played an essential role in Canada’s nuclear industry supporting generation facilities, maintenance outages, refurbishments, major capital projects, and the specialized industrial work required to keep Canada’s energy infrastructure operating safely and efficiently. Today’s appointment recognizes that contribution and creates an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between industry, labour, owners, contractors, and government.
“This appointment is a reflection of our members, our contractors, and our industry partners who have demonstrated the value that skilled trades bring to Canada’s long-term success,” said Andy Forsyth. “We are grateful for the confidence placed in us and we are committed to contributing in a way that supports growth, strengthens partnerships, and helps deliver the workforce solutions needed for Canada’s nuclear future.”
Over the last two years, the MRC has intentionally expanded its engagement across industry associations and strategic partnerships across Canada to ensure skilled trades perspectives are represented in national conversations. Through that work, the Council has advanced a simple position: labour should not only be engaged when projects begin, it should be involved in and accountable for workforce planning, execution strategy, and long-term industrial development.
“Canada’s nuclear future represents one of the most important industrial opportunities of our generation, and delivering on that vision will require confidence in the skilled workforce that builds and maintains these projects every day.
This appointment is meaningful because it recognizes that skilled trades have a role to play not only in delivering projects, but in helping shape the conversations around workforce readiness, long-term planning, and growth. Canada’s tradespeople are ready to lead, ready to train the next generation, and ready to partner with industry and government to ensure Canada has the workforce confidence needed to achieve its ambitions.”
– Mark Beardsworth, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Millwright Regional Council
As Canada advances its national nuclear ambitions and broader nation-building agenda, the MRC will use this opportunity to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen workforce confidence, expand apprenticeship opportunities, and ensure major projects create long-term value for Canadian workers and communities.
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
