On September 11, 2025, Trade Winds to Success was proud to host a federal government announcement at our Edmonton location. The event, led by Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, unveiled $3.2 million in funding through the Toward Net-Zero (TNZ) Homes and Communities Program. This investment supports five clean energy projects across Western and Northern Canada, and Trade Winds to Success is honoured to be one of them.
Canada’s energy and economic future depends on the people with the skills to build the projects we need. This announcement demonstrates how the new federal government is investing in new economic opportunities for Indigenous and other Canadians that will get construction projects built, growing the economy while cutting pollution.”
The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
“As the world shifts toward clean energy, Canada is moving with purpose to grow a competitive, sustainable economy and build on our record as a global leader in energy efficiency. That means accelerating solutions—like green buildings—that lower emissions and improve affordability at the same time.”
Corey Hogan
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and MP for Calgary
Investing in Indigenous Skills and Communities
With $651,000 in additional funding (for a total of $783,588), Trade Winds will be able to grow its Residential Construction Program in Edmonton and expand its outreach training across Alberta. For our students, this means more opportunities to learn hands-on skills in carpentry, framing, and energy-efficient construction. For our communities, it means more homes built, more local training delivered, and more pathways into the trades for Indigenous learners.
Already, communities like Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Fishing Lake Métis Settlement, and East Prairie Métis Settlement have hosted training programs, giving students the chance to learn close to home while directly contributing to their own community’s housing needs. Over the next two years, more Indigenous communities will be able to access these training opportunities, bringing skills and housing solutions where they are needed most.
Learning by Building EcoSmart Homes
This funding will enable Trade Winds students to contribute to the construction of 15 EcoSmart homes. These homes are designed to be affordable and energy-efficient, lowering costs for families while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For students, every wall built and every nail hammered becomes part of their education and part of a sustainable future.
The Bigger Picture
For Trade Winds, this is about more than just houses, it’s about creating opportunities. Opportunities for Indigenous people to train, to work, and to thrive. Opportunities for Indigenous communities to reduce housing shortages and embrace sustainable building practices. And opportunities for Canada’s workforce to grow stronger, more diverse, and more inclusive.
