Celebrating Black excellence in Canada’s construction industry: A legacy of resilience, progress, and leadership (Part 2)

Ontario Construction News Staff Writer

The journey of Black excellence within Canada’s construction industry is one marked by resilience, progress, and an unwavering fight against systemic racism and inequality. Throughout much of the 20th century, Black workers were often excluded from many workplaces, typically confined to low-paying, dangerous jobs with limited opportunities for career advancement. This exclusion kept them from the job security and improved wages that union membership provided, leaving many Black Canadians to rely on informal networks without the benefits of formal labor protections.

Today, however, Black Canadians are making significant strides in the unionized construction sector, particularly in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

During Black History Month, the Toronto Community Benefits Network is honouring the individuals who have exemplified perseverance, leadership, and vision within the construction industry.

Ontario Construction News is proud to share more of their inspiring stories today, celebrating the ongoing legacy of Black excellence in the field.

Chris Campbell is the Equity and Diversity Representative of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario. He has been a member of the Carpenters Union for 30 years and a full time staff representative for 17 years. Chris is presently on several boards and committees in the construction industry as well as in the local community. He also plays a major role in the recruiting of youths from his community for careers in the construction trade.

As an experienced plumber, Terrence Haynes has consistently upheld the project standards ensuring high quality and timely delivery at all phases. I have been part of several key projects across Toronto on major plumbing projects. He is highly motivated to encourage diverse young workers in the construction trade industry, through various initiatives that encourages youth to see careers in trades as a viable path to take.

Janvier Kenmoe is a Business Representative of LiUNA Local 183. He is a certified Blueprint Reader. He has been a member of LiUNA Local 183 for over 20 years and a union organizer for over nine years and is a current member of the LiUNA African American Canadian Caucus (LAACC). On behalf of the LAACC, Janvier volunteers with the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists as well as with the Toronto Community Benefits Network, where he has supported a number of community-based initiatives through fundraising and program development.

Roodney Clarke has been involved in the politics of UA Local 46 for twenty years. He has served on the Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Join Training Apprenticeship Committee, as Chairman of the Bylaw Committee, Chairman of the shop Steward Committee, Executive Board Member, Vice President, and currently as President of UA Local 46. He also leads the local charity drive for the UA sponsored charity, and the CBTU charity dedicated to ending youth homelessness across Canada. He also helps youth navigate the apprenticeship system as a mentor in the TCBN NexGen Mentorship Program.

Ivan Dawns has been a member for over 20 years as Drywall Finisher/Plaster. He is currently the Political Director, a member of the Local Apprentice Committee at the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre (IFSTC) and the Co-chair for the African American Community Organizing for Real Economics (AACORE) Committee, where he is tasked with the job of finding how the union can better serve Black members, recruiting and retaining Black youth and identifying programs in communities that need assistance.

Desiree T. Smith is a Black carpenter and member of the Carpenters Local 27 union. She’s well known in the industry as the Floor Diva. Desiree has been a floor installer since 2015. She is a certified expert in several areas of the flooring specialty including enhanced carpentry, terrazzo, tile and marble setting. Desiree is also a founding committee member of the Ontario Building & Construction Tradeswomen, she on Local 27’s Action committee and a founding member of their Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

She’s a member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and supports Toronto Community Benefit Network as a Mentor in their flagship program, NextGen Builders. Desiree is a frequent guest on panels and voice for the recruitment of women in the construction trades.

Stephanie McLean is a Red Seal Electrical 309A journeyperson with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 804, specializing in high-rise construction and maintenance. A dedicated trade professional, Stephanie actively supports new generations in the electrical field through mentorship and skills training, partnering with the Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) and Neighbourhood Developing Careers (NDC). Committed to fostering inclusivity in the industry, she empowers women and youth to pursue and succeed in electrical apprenticeships, providing valuable guidance and industry insight along the way.

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