Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has a simple message for the next federal government: Invest in Canada. Invest in Canadians. Invest in Infrastructure.
A new website has been launched to advocate for the industry during the election campaign and the CCA is asking members to write letters to candidates, to highlight several key industry concerns.
“The industry is made up of nation-builders, creating and maintaining the essential infrastructure Canadians rely on every day – from the schools we send our kids to; the hospitals that care for us; the roads, bridges and trade corridors that connect our communities not only to each other but also the global marketplace,” the association wrote on the website.
“This is a historic moment for Canada to build a brighter and better future – one that supports sustainable growth and benefits all Canadians. Canada is poised to rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic, but action must be taken to empower the construction industry to lead the recovery today and generate benefits for all for decades to come.”
There are currently about 1.4 million construction workers across the country and the industry contributes about $141 billion to the economy annually.
Supporting construction important to drive the economy, create good jobs and connect communities.
The CCA is asking for action on three key priorities:
- Creating an independent advisory body that can align governments at the provincial and municipal level to fix aging infrastructure across Canada and invest in new trade-enabling infrastructure backed by an objective, long term plan.
- Working with the industry to recruit, train, and retain tomorrow’s workforce and make construction a first-choice career, particularly among underrepresented groups.
- Adapting the federal procurement strategy to encourage innovation, account for long-term value and sustainability, and explore the use of alternative delivery models.
“Setting national goals around building sustainability into our infrastructure and supporting the Western Canada Gateway Trade Initiative are just two significant opportunities for Canada. The economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across borders,” the CCA writes.
The funds must be predictable, flow quickly and be aligned with provincial, municipal, and Indigenous needs. To achieve this, the federal government must create an independent advisory body that can align governments at the provincial and municipal level to address infrastructure deficits across Canada.
The association has created a form letter that members can send to their candidates.