Mr. Christopher Smillie at the Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee

On October 27th, 2011. See this statement in context.

October 27th, 2011 / 5:15 p.m.

Senior Advisor, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, Canadian Office

Christopher Smillie

The testing for the red seal is determined by the Red Seal Secretariat. They determine who, where, when, and why, and it is administered by HRSDC. It's an opportunity.

I know the four gentlemen who run the Chicago building trades in the greater Chicago area. They represent close to 400,000 folks in that state alone. They're currently experiencing 30% unemployment. What an opportunity for Canada to be able to say “This is what we can do as a good neighbour. We can put you to work where our industry is almost completely tapped out.”

This time next year, the industrial construction sector will be at 120% employment.

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