The Carpenters District Council of Ontario (CDCO) took new measures in November to encourage  inclusiveness in the workplace with the appointment of Chris Campbell as the Union’s new Equity  and Diversity Representative. The veteran business representative for Local 27, who has a long  history of community involvement and outreach to minority-focused organizations, told OCC he  is excited to take up these new duties at a time when the construction industry is increasingly  focusing on becoming safer and more equitable for Ontario’s 30,000 plus tradespeople. 

Campbell says his first priority will be to evaluate what is happening within the industry currently  and identify areas where new initiatives are needed. He will work with both employers and  labour to point out deficiencies and offer advice for improvements. He will be going out to equity  seeking groups to link them into the union to determine where there can be collaboration. 

When he joined the industry as an apprentice in 1989 Campbell says he was often the only person  of colour on a jobsite. Issues of discrimination, subtle or blatant, were often ignored. People  who raised concerns were often dismissed as ‘troublemakers’. But in the decades since, attitudes  have changed dramatically. Young people have a heightened awareness of discrimination.  

“The George Floyd issue and its aftermath were pivotal. It shone a light on the treatment of black  people anew and showed that complacency about progress made since the Civil Rights era was  not enough. With people having cameras on their cellphones, now everybody is a potential  reporter when an abusive situation arises,” said Campbell. 

OCC asked Campbell about the recent disturbing incidents of nooses being found at the Michael  Garron Hospital jobsite in Toronto. This led to a public outcry, police investigation and arrest.  Campbell said the incidents were disturbing, but that the union’s reaction had been swift and  unwavering. 

“We reached out to the neighbourhoods and community groups. These disgusting incidents  were the work of a few bad apples. A large coalition of contractors signed a declaration decrying  xenophobia. The silver lining of the Michael Garron incident is that it galvanized our sector in  opposition to racism on the jobsite,” said Campbell. 

A new initiative will be outreach to the province’s LGBTQ community.  

“In the new year I will be meeting with the Pride at Work organization to see how we can  strengthen that bond. The Carpenters’ Union has long assisted with the construction of Pride  parade floats for, but I want to do more. Everyone is welcome in our union family, people of  colour, of any ethnic, religious affiliation or sexual orientation,” he said.