CLAC

What CLAC does

CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada) is an independent, member-funded Canadian labour union founded in 1952 and headquartered in Cambridge, Ontario. It represents over 60,000 members across nine or more industry sectors including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, emergency services, retail, service, transportation, and mining, operating through 14 member centres and 23 active affiliated locals in five provinces (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia) plus the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. The union differentiates itself through a non-confrontational, cooperative approach to labour relations, and currently holds over 3,500 bargaining unit certificates with over 900 active collective agreements (over 8,000 since founding).

The organization's service stack spans workplace representation, collective bargaining, training (CLAC Training, CLAC Career Development College in Edmonton), apprenticeship navigation, employment placement (CLAC Jobs West and Central), group benefits coverage (health, dental, vision, life, disability), multi-employer retirement plans (CLAC Pension Plan - the 11th largest defined contribution pension plan in Canada - and CLAC Group RSP), and member discount programs (MemberPerks). Technology infrastructure is centered on the myCLAC member portal for benefits/training/apprenticeship self-service, with a newly piloted adaptive learning platform launched in March 2026 through a partnership with Built To Learn and funded by a $4 million Alberta government grant. Specialized programs include Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC), Indigenous Initiatives, and mental health/substance use/PTSI supports.

The revenue model is non-profit subscription-dues based: dues are set at the National Convention at rates described as among the lowest in Canada, supplemented by retiree memberships ($10/month or $120/year), ancillary training course fees, the CLAC Store retail program, and occasional public-sector grants. CLAC is governed by members through elected representatives and a National Board, with no external equity owners, and is affiliated with the World Organisation of Workers (representing over 1.3 million workers globally), whose board is presided over by CLAC's Executive Director Wayne Prins.

Name

CLAC

Legal name

Christian Labour Association of Canada

Website

https://clac.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada) is an independent Canadian labour union founded in 1952 representing over 60,000 members across five provinces, providing collective bargaining, workplace representation, training, apprenticeship support, employment services, retirement plans, and group benefits to workers in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and other sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Dues: CLAC generates revenue through union dues paid by members. Dues policy is set by the union's National Convention at a competitive rate. CLAC dues are among the lowest in the country, and dues stay in Canada to support members rather than political parties.
2. Retiree Membership Fees: Retiree Local 1 membership at $10 per month or $120 per year provides access to member benefits including discounts, scholarships, training courses, and health benefit options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CLAC is a Canadian independent labor union that represents over 60,000 workers through collective bargaining, workplace representation, and advocacy. Its core offerings include union representation and negotiation of collective agreements, workforce training and apprenticeship support, job placement services through CLAC Jobs, group health and life insurance coverage, and retirement savings plans (CLAC Pension Plan and CLAC Group RSP). The union serves workers across construction, manufacturing, healthcare, education, emergency services, transportation, and retail sectors in five Canadian provinces.

Product overview

CLAC (Christian Labour Association of Canada) is a national labor union providing a comprehensive suite of member services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include union representation, job placement (CLAC Jobs), and apprenticeship support (CLAC Apprenticeship). Training is delivered through CLAC Training with courses across five provinces and the CCDC College institution. Benefits include Group Benefit Coverage (health, dental, vision insurance), CLAC Retirement Plans (Pension Plan and Group RSP), and MemberPerks discount program. CLAC also operates community programs including Scholarships, Building Communities donations, Everyday Champions recognition, and the Frank Kooger Apprenticeship Awards. Specialized initiatives include Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC), Indigenous Initiatives, and Mental Health/Wellness Supports including PTSI awareness. Members access services through the myCLAC digital portal and retail through the CLAC Store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• myCLAC: Member portal providing access to retirement, benefits, training, and other member services
• CLAC Store
• MemberPerks for CLAC
• CLAC Jobs
• Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC)
• Building Communities

Products and services

• CLAC Training Safety, operator, trade skills, and leadership courses delivered by certified trainers in modern training centres, on job sites, or online. Courses include WHMIS, confined space entry, working at heights, scaffolding, welding, and more, available across Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan for CLAC members.
• CLAC Apprenticeship Apprenticeship navigation and support services helping workers start and progress in skilled trades careers, with funding guidance, employer/sponsor support, tuition reimbursement, and awards.
• CLAC Jobs Employment services connecting workers with CLAC-signatory employers in construction and maintenance across Western Canada (Jobs West) and Central Canada (Ontario and Manitoba via Jobs Central).
• Group Benefit Coverage Health and life insurance plans negotiated through collective bargaining, covering life and disability insurance, prescription medication, vision, paramedical, dental, and employee/family assistance programs for CLAC members.
• CLAC Retirement Plans Two retirement savings plans: the CLAC Pension Plan (a multi-employer defined contribution plan, 11th largest in Canada) and the CLAC Group RSP (with professionally managed investment options and tax-free growth).
• MemberPerks for CLAC Member discount program offering savings on home electronics, entertainment, restaurants, health and wellness, apparel, and more through partners including TD Insurance and Mark's.
• Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) Program dedicated to supporting women in skilled trades with apprenticeship support, mentorship, resume building, and career development services.
• Indigenous Initiatives Training-to-employment programs designed with Indigenous communities to provide skills training for careers in construction, including programs in northern Ontario.
• Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellness Supports Programs including Alcohol and Drug Case Management (ADCM), Mental Health First Aid training, Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and recovery support resources for CLAC members.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) Awareness Awareness and support program for PTSI in the workplace, recognized annually on June 27, providing resources and training for recognition and support.
• CLAC Career Development College (CCDC College) Pre-employment and apprenticeship-style training institution in Edmonton offering hands-on, practical learning experiences for skilled trades careers.
• myCLAC Portal Online member portal providing access to retirement accounts, benefits information, training registration, apprenticeship tracking, and other member services.
• CLAC Store Online store offering workwear, outerwear, tools, and accessories from brands including Carhartt, Under Armour, and Helly Hansen for CLAC members.
• Retiree Local 1 Membership Retiree membership program at $10/month offering MemberPerks discounts, scholarship eligibility, discounted training, Guide magazine, labour rights advice, and wellness program access.

Named customers8 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alberta GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026The Alberta government invested $4 million through a partnership with CLAC and Built To Learn to expand training opportunities for skilled trades workers. The pilot program runs from March 27, 2026 to March 27, 2028 and initially supports 200 workers in high-demand trades.
• Built To LearncoreTechnology or Integration · 27 March 2026A two-year pilot program in partnership with Built To Learn introduces an advanced adaptive learning platform designed to support workers preparing for certification and Red Seal exams. The platform tailors training to each learner by assessing existing knowledge and focusing on required competencies.
• Skills CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAC sponsors Skills Canada, an organization that encourages and supports a coordinated Canadian approach to promoting skilled trades and technologies to youth. CLAC attends and sponsors Skills events in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and the national event.
• Women Building Futures (WBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAC has partnered with Women Building Futures, the nation's premier trades training facility for women. WBF offers women pre-trades competency-based training in welding, steamfitting/pipefitting, ironworking, plumbing, sheet metal, carpentry, scaffolding, electrical, heavy equipment operator, and more at their training centre in Edmonton.
• Threads of LifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAC is a national sponsor of Threads of Life, a Canadian registered charity committed to supporting families affected by workplace tragedies including fatalities, life-altering injuries, and occupational diseases. Through a network of family members and corporate partners, Threads of Life fosters healing and promotes awareness.
• CAREERSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAREERS is an industry-led public/private not-for-profit foundation established in 1997 that brings together industry, schools, government, and communities to guide youth into successful career paths. Together with CLAC, CAREERS motivates students in Alberta by making the workplace an extension of the classroom.
• World Organisation of Workers (WOW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLAC is a member of WOW, a federation of progressive unions from around the world bound together by shared values of respect, dignity, fairness, and community. Over 1.3 million workers are represented by WOW's member unions. CLAC's Executive Director Wayne Prins serves as President.
• League of Champions (LOC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe League of Champions is an Ontario-based safety leadership network that helps organizations strengthen workplace safety culture and mental health through collaboration, peer learning, and practical tools. CLAC's participation reflects commitment to leading industry best practices in health and safety.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Unifor: Canada's largest private-sector union with over 315,000 members across manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and transportation. Represents workers in many of the same sectors as CLAC, including construction-adjacent manufacturing.
• Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC): Canada's largest federal public-sector union with over 230,000 members. While more focused on federal public service, PSAC competes for organizing opportunities in sectors where CLAC also represents workers.
• United Steelworkers Canada: Canadian branch of the United Steelworkers representing over 225,000 workers in steel, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors. Overlaps with CLAC in construction, manufacturing, and resource sector representation.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Canada: Represents electrical workers across Canada in construction, utilities, and telecommunications. Directly competes with CLAC in the construction trades space, particularly for electrical apprenticeships.
• Canadian Labour Congress (CLC): National labour body representing over 3 million Canadian unionized workers through affiliated unions. CLAC is an independent union that interacts with CLC through its WOW affiliation and competes for the same organizing space in Canada.
• Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): Canada's largest union with over 700,000 members across public services, healthcare, education, and municipalities. CLAC overlaps with CUPE in healthcare and education sector representation in Ontario and Western Canada.
• LiUNA Canada (Labourers' International Union): Construction-focused union representing construction labourers and trades across Canada. Most direct peer to CLAC's construction and maintenance membership base, especially in Ontario and Western Canada.
• Teamsters Canada: Canadian branch of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing over 125,000 members across transportation, warehousing, construction, and manufacturing. Competes with CLAC in construction and industrial maintenance sectors.

Regional players

• Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ): Major Quebec-based union confederation representing over 200,000 members in education, healthcare, and public services. Comparable in operating model but geographically distinct from CLAC's Western/Ontario footprint.

Others

• World Organisation of Workers (WOW): International federation of progressive unions representing over 1.3 million workers globally, of which CLAC is an affiliated member with the Executive Director serving as President. Closest international peer and strategic alliance partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/clacunion
• Facebookfacebook.com/clacunion

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CLAC