Ontario Construction News staff writer
A coalition of construction sector associations is urging the federal and provincial governments to deliver on infrastructure investments.
The newly formedย Building for Recoveryย coalition includes Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), Association of Consulting Engineering Companies โ Canada (ACEC โ Canada), and the National Trade Contractors Council of Canada (NTCCC).
โThe construction sector is ready to rebuild Canadaโs economy but all levels of government must deliver on infrastructure investments now to get projects started,โ stated Brian McGuire, AEDโs President and CEO.
Theย coalition was developed to encourage individuals working in and supportive of the construction sector to send letters to federal and provincial representives, asking for support to deliver infrastructure investments to help rebuild the Canadian economy in the wake of COVID-19.
โDespite billions of dollars of existing infrastructure commitments, these investments have been slow to roll out.ย Infrastructure Canadaโs websiteย shows that of the nearly 17,000 approved projects, fewer than 900 have received funding,โ said John Gamble, President and CEO of ACEC โ Canada.
While rebuilding Canadaโs economy from the pandemicโs impacts will require a comprehensive stimulus plan, investing in infrastructure has a proven return on investment. The Public Policy Forum has found that for every dollar invested in public infrastructure, governments can expect to see a return of two to four dollars.
โHistory shows that investments in infrastructure are not only the best way to stimulate the economy, but they also create immediate employment opportunities and improve the economic and environmental quality of life for all Canadians,โ said Sandra Skivsky, Chair of the NTCCC.
โWith federal and provincial governments working in collaboration with Canadaโs construction sector, we can ensure that we build back a stronger, more resilient country from the pandemic,โ continued Mary Van Buren, President of CCA. โThe time is now to deliver on billions of dollars of investments so we that can start to rebuild our economy.โ
To get involved, send a letter, and learn more about theย Building for Recoveryย coalition visitย buildforrecovery.ca.