As construction begins on a new hospital project in Moosonee, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC or Carpenters’ Union) is proud to play a key role in not only building critical infrastructure, but also in strengthening the economy and workforce of Northern Ontario.
The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) Redevelopment Project is one of the most significant healthcare infrastructure investments ever made in Ontario’s North. The project will deliver a state-of-the-art, 419 000 square foot facility that includes a 36-bed acute care hospital, 24/7 emergency services, surgical suites, diagnostic imaging, mental health and addictions services, and dedicated Traditional Healing spaces. The hospital will improve access to high-quality, modern health care for residents in the James Bay region.
The Carpenters’ Union has been deeply committed to ensuring this is a truly local build - one that maximizes career opportunities for Northern workers and delivers long-term benefits to the region’s economy. Labour for the project has been sourced through targeted outreach, including job fairs and direct engagement with the UBC’s Northern Ontario membership. A primary goal has been to ensure that local residents - particularly those from Moosonee, Moose Factory, and surrounding Indigenous communities - have clear, supported pathways not only onto this project, but into long-term careers in the skilled trades.
This project will attract and create opportunities for newcomers to the construction industry. Through membership with the Carpenters’ Union, they will gain access to apprenticeship programs, safety and skills training, and future employment opportunities through our union contractor partners. The efforts to supply a local workforce will ensure that this project will be the foundation for many lasting skilled trades careers.
Our efforts have placed a strong focus on Indigenous engagement, working in partnership with local leadership to recruit workers from nearby James Bay communities and support their training. In doing so, we are helping to not only deliver a healthcare facility designed with meaningful input from Indigenous persons, but we are also supporting the economic stability and workforce development of Indigenous communities.
The UBC’s involvement in the WAHA Redevelopment Project is a model for how major infrastructure projects in remote regions can be delivered with community partnership, cultural respect, and a commitment to local benefit. The Carpenters’ Union is proud to contribute our experience, workforce, and values to this transformative initiative in a manner which will serve Northern Ontario for generations to come.
Learn more online here.