Canadian Environment Week: Building a Cleaner Future Together with IBEW 993

Categories: Industry News
Posted by Darryl Schmidt on June 8, 2026 at 2:39 pm

Canadian Environment Week is a good time to reflect on the role we all play in protecting the places where we live, work, and raise our families. For IBEW 993 members, that responsibility is not something we only think about once a year. It is part of the work we do every day across northern British Columbia and the Yukon.

Here in British Columbia, we are fortunate that almost all of our electricity is generated using clean and green methods. Hydroelectricity and other renewable sources make B.C.’s electrical system one of the cleanest in North America. That is something we should be proud of, and IBEW 993 members are a big part of that story.

Our members skilled tradespeople who help build, maintain, and upgrade the electrical systems that keep communities moving. From homes and schools to hospitals, industrial facilities, public infrastructure, and clean energy projects, IBEW members are part of the backbone of modern life. As Canada continues to move toward a cleaner and more efficient energy future, that work is becoming even more important.

Protecting the environment is not separate from creating good jobs. In fact, the two must go together. A cleaner future needs skilled workers. It needs safe worksites. It needs proper training, fair wages, and high standards. It needs people who know how to do the job right the first time.

Too often, environmental discussions leave workers out of the conversation. That is a mistake. The transition to cleaner energy, better infrastructure, and more efficient buildings will only succeed if the workers building it are respected and included. IBEW 993 believes that environmental progress should support working people, not leave them behind.

Our members are already part of that progress. Every properly installed electrical system, every energy-efficient upgrade, every renewable energy project, every improvement to public infrastructure, and every apprentice trained to a high standard helps move our communities forward. The work may not always make headlines, but it matters.
Canadian Environment Week is also a reminder that stewardship starts close to home. We are fortunate to live and work in some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Our members understand the value of clean air, clean water, healthy land, and strong communities. These are not abstract ideas. They are part of our everyday lives.

As a union, we also know that strong communities are built through long term thinking. That means investing in local workers. It means supporting apprenticeship and skills training. It means making sure public and private projects are done safely, responsibly, and by qualified tradespeople. It means recognizing that environmental responsibility and economic fairness should go hand in hand.

This week, we encourage our members, contractors, community partners, and elected leaders to think about the kind of future we are building. A clean energy future should be one where workers have good union jobs, where communities benefit from local investment, and where the next generation has real opportunities in the skilled trades.

IBEW 993 members are proud to do our part. We build the systems that power our communities, and we are ready to help build a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for everyone.