The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Monday, November 23, 2026
The Canadian government has launched a new era of nation‑building, putting major projects at the centre of its economic and sovereignty agenda while navigating a more volatile, protectionist trading relationship with the United States. This strategy is designed to unlock long‑term growth, strengthen interprovincial trade, and secure critical infrastructure from coast to coast to coast. But the central test of this agenda is stark: can Canada’s capacity match its ambition?
Canada’s major projects will require a workforce more sizeable—and in many cases more specialized—than it is today, demanding hundreds of thousands of new tradespeople by 2034. Not since the Second World War industrial mobilization has there been a nationwide effort to summon labour resources in such an ambitious fashion. the Far North and remote Indigenous communities, across heavy industry, critical minerals, energy, transportation and housing. Those who build this country have never lacked grit. The question is whether Canada can recruit, train and deploy the workforce our major projects will require in time—and at sufficient scale—to meet the moment.
The competition for talent will be intense. Labour demands will extend into the Far North and remote Indigenous communities, across heavy industry, critical minerals, energy, transportation and housing. Those who build this country have never lacked grit.
On November 23, the Empire Club of Canada will convene leaders from labour, business and government to tackle that question head‑on. The Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State for Labour, will join a panel of experts featuring Joseph Mancinelli, International Vice President and Regional Manager for Central and Eastern Canada, LiUNA on Canada’s nation‑building ambitions —and what it will take from governments, employers and labour to align capacity with ambition. The event will begin with presentation by Irwin Bess, Executive Director of BuildForce Canada.
Join us for this event to discuss Canada’s major projects strategy — which places labour at its core — including a commitment of $6 billion to recruit, train and deploy new Red Seal–certified skilled‑trades workers by 2034 this timely discussion to explore whether those measures—and the broader partnership between labour, business and government—can bridge the gap between Canada’s major projects ambitions and the workforce capacity required to realize them.
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Minister John Zerucelli is the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North and currently serves as Secretary of State for Labour. A lawyer by training, Zerucelli’s focus was on dispute resolution – a skill he brings to the Labour file.
His private sector roles include executive positions at the Labatt Brewing Company and Universal Music Canada— a wealth of practical experience much needed in government today.
Minister Zerucelli has been active in politics since the era of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, contributing to both provincial and federal campaigns. Elected in 2025, the issues he champions are: middle-class prosperity, youth empowerment, and safe communities– issues grounded in fairness, compassion, and service.
Irwin Bess joined BuildForce Canada in March 2026 and brings extensive national experience in labour market analysis, economic policy, and digital transformation, with a strong track record of translating labour market data into practical workforce insights that support Canada’s construction and maintenance sectors.
He has held senior leadership roles across the federal public service, leading major policy transformation, data analytics and service innovation initiatives. Prior to joining the public service, Irwin worked in the private sector as a land development planner and holds a Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Planning) and a Master of Arts with a focus on transportation and supply chains.
Irwin is committed to strengthening BuildForce Canada’s labour market leadership, modernizing digital tools, and expanding partnerships nation-wide with industry, stakeholders and government at all levels to support a skilled, resilient, and inclusive workforce.
Joseph S. Mancinelli is International Vice President, Canadian Director, and Central and Eastern Canada Regional Manager of LiUNA, the Labourers’ International Union of North America, a progressive union representing various sectors, primarily construction, with over 160,000
members across Canada and 550,000 North America-wide.
Mr. Mancinelli leads many of LiUNA’s entities including chairing the LiUNA Pension Fund of Central and Eastern Canada (LPF), one of Canada’s fastest growing pension funds, whose assets are over $13 Billion through investments in infrastructure development, private equity, real estate and money markets.
Joe is a Trustee on LiUNA’s International Boards – Laborers’ Training; Laborers-Employers’ Education Trust and the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund. He serves on the Executive Board of the Canadian Building Trades and the Executive Committee of the Canadian Labour Congress.
He is an advocate of relationship building, whether it be within LIUNA, with management partners, in the greater community or across global borders. As Chair of the LPFCEC, Joe is dedicated to building stronger communities through investments and real estate developments
that put LIUNA’s members to work.
Joe is a leader in community advocacy and fundraising initiatives, including children’s and community charities, hospital systems, natural disaster relief initiatives and cultural inclusiveness initiatives. He is an ardent supporter of the arts, is passionate about the restoration of historical sites and is an accomplished artist in his own right.
He has also served on numerous community boards including Invest Ontario, McMaster University’s Board of Governors and the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation to name a few.
Recently invested into the Order of Ontario, Mr. Mancinelli also holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from McMaster University and serves as the Honorary Colonel of the Governor General Horse Guards
