Chris Campbell is the new representative for The Carpenter’s District Council of Ontario

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

The Carpenter’s District Council (CDCO) of Ontario recently appointed Chris Campbell as their Union’s new Equity and Diversity Representative.

The Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario (“CDCO”) is composed of sixteen affiliated Local Unions, including 3,000 members of HOPE Local 2220 and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners across the province.

In total, they represent over 30,000 women and men working in a wide range of skilled trades.

This organization realizes the importance of backing community-building initiatives in our industry and championing diversity and inclusion. This draws them closer to creating a safe and equitable industry for Ontario’s more than 30,000 tradesmen and women.

As professionals in the construction and building department, the CDCO continues to support all apprentices who are looking to pursue a career in the trades, regardless of race, sex, or ethnic background.

The organization said that the construction industry is becoming more diverse and they are learning valuable lessons along the way about the importance of creating safe and inclusive workplaces.

They are also learning, growing and looking for great people who are interested in a fulfilling career in the trades.

As he assumes his new position as Equity and Diversity Representative, Campbell will help the relationship between the CDCO and members of the community to encourage all Canadians to get involved in the trades and provide mentorship for the duration of the apprenticeship process.

Campbell will also work diligently with the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN), where he now sits on the Board of Directors. Everyone, in particular young people from troubled backgrounds, deserve access to guidance, opportunities and the tools necessary to excel in the trades.

Here is a little taste of Mr. Campbell’s working experiences.

As a veteran of diversity, Campbell understands the importance of being an active member of his community. He has been a Business Representative of Locals 27 since September 2003, but dedicates his free time to being involved in many community-building initiatives.

“I have been volunteering in the local community for many years during evenings and weekends while working for the CDCO full-time,” said Campbell. “I’ve worked with the Toronto Police Service, the Jamaican Canadian Association, Helping Hands Jamaica, and many others Carpenters’ Union community outreach projects.”

Canada’s largest Caribbean newspaper (Toronto Caribbean Newspaper) spoke with Mr. Campbell about his present and future plans to ensure that equity and diversity is front and center in youth development.

“One of the things that I have been trying to do in Toronto,” Campbell said, “is to work with the Toronto Community Benefits to reach urban youths to start a career in the construction industry.”

We are trying to reach out to the different sectors representative within my union. I want to see if I can integrate some of these youths in the industry working on the massive infrastructure projects like: the Finch LRT, the Eglinton Cross Links, The West Park Hospital, Peel LRT and a lot of major City of Toronto projects.”

Campbell told Toronto Caribbean Newspaper. “I am trying to work with my colleagues with the support of my management to get that up and going within my union. Then I will be reaching out to competing unions or other trade unions to convince them to give these youths an opportunity so they don’t follow the path that we have been seeing in the media over and over.”

When asked what are his plans in the near future, he said, “First I have to be optimistic. I am going in several directions and since this is going to be my full time gig, I am familiar with the youth side of things, and the contractor’s side of things.

I am going to do a survey on these associations, reach out to them, ask for their support and hear their sentiments on integrating black youths,’ indigenous youths,’ female’s, and LGBTQ. It is not that they are not doing it now, but I want to enhance what they are doing a little bit more.”

For more information on this organization: https://thecarpentersunion.ca/