Mr. Speaker, the government is on a mission to build Canada's economic strength. We are building big, building bold and building right now.
The cornerstone of our plan is to build 500,000 homes and other major projects using Canadian steel and Canadian lumber. We will upgrade our grid, expand transmission lines and modernize energy infrastructure to power AI. To move our critical minerals and energy resources, we will build bigger ports and create more liquefied natural gas capacity, faster rail and modern pipelines.
To make this happen, we need new skilled workers. We will not be able to double the pace of housing construction without an influx of an additional half a million workers, including tile setters, painters, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, construction craft workers and bricklayers. We also need automotive service technicians, power line technicians, millwrights, truck and transport mechanics and so much more.
Skilled workers are essential to Canada's future prosperity. That is why we are actively encouraging young people to consider a career in the skilled trades. That is also why our government is investing nearly $1 billion every year in a range of apprenticeship supports.
First, we have the union training and innovation program under the Canadian apprenticeship strategy. This program is focused on improving the quality of training in the Red Seal trades. This helps to ensure that apprentices, pre-apprentices and journeypersons have the best possible learning opportunities through union-based apprenticeship training, through innovation and through enhanced partnerships.
For the apprenticeship service, we have earmarked $90 million to help small and medium-sized employers bring apprentices on board and create new placements. Further, through the sectoral workforce solutions program, we will fund strategic projects in residential construction and other key economic sectors, including those impacted by U.S. tariffs, with initiatives aimed at addressing acute and systemic workforce development needs, so that we have the workforce we will need.
Finally, we have introduced tax measures aimed at reducing costs for tradespeople. The tradesperson's tools deduction and the deduction for tools for an eligible apprentice mechanic allow workers to deduct the costs necessary for their work.
The tuition tax credit allows apprentices to claim expenses related to classroom-based technical training, as well as the cost of writing the Red Seal exam.
In addition, the labour mobility deduction helps workers cover travel expenses.
Together these programs strengthen our skilled trades workforce and make it easier for Canadians to get trained, get hired and build our country. The just-passed One Canadian Economy Act legislation has removed federal barriers to labour mobility, which means that once they are trained, a worker licensed or certified by a province or territory can work in a comparable occupation in federal jurisdiction without additional requirements. Being able to work across Canada expands opportunities for workers, gives employers a bigger hiring pool and strengthens our economy.
The new law also enables the government to cut the approval times for major projects from five years down to two so we can get shovels in the ground faster and so people can work sooner.
I want to thank the Canadian building trades for helping us pass the One Canadian Economy Act. They asked for it, and we listened. Meeting Canada's economic and climate challenges starts with listening to workers. Together we made it happen. They are standing with us to make this Canada's moment.