Ontario Construction News staff writer
Theย Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)ย is calling on the federal government to take steps to keep the industry and its workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that enough skilled trades are in the pipeline to fill future jobs.
In a statement this week, RESCON said it is crucial that Canada receive COVID-19 vaccines and at a faster rate, and that government must continue toย maintain PPE supply chains throughout the remainder of the pandemic so that there is an abundant supply for all Canadians, including construction workers.
The organization also wants the allocation number for Ontarioโs Immigrant Nominee Program increased to give the province flexibility to recruit for specific skilled trades occupations.
RESCON wants the government to work with Ontario to provide municipalities withย funds so shovel-ready and state-of-good-repair projects can continue.
โThe construction industry represents six per cent of Canadaโs GDP and it is critical to the post-pandemic recovery of our country,โ RESCON president Richard Lyall said in the news release. โIt is imperative that government take the steps we have outlined to keep workers safe and ensure we have an adequate supply of trades so that we will be able to contribute to Canadaโs post-pandemic recovery.โ
He notes that vaccines are the strongest line of defence against COVID-19, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is integral to the effort, so it is critical that efforts continue on both fronts.
RESCON also wants the government to increase the allocation number for Ontarioโs Immigrant Nominee Program and introduce a โtrusted employer programโ within the Temporary Foreign Workers Program that would reward compliant businesses with a streamlined process to hire workers. The organization, meanwhile, is also asking the federal government to continue harmonization of the skilled trades in the Red Seal program to allow for greater interprovincial mobility.
To keep Canada on the road to recovery, RESCON also supports a request by theย Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontarioย urging theย federal government work inย partnership with Ontario to provide municipalities with financial assistance through a Safe Restart Agreement 2.0 or other 2021 funding mechanism, as investing in infrastructure and public works is crucial to the countryโs economic recovery.
A request for improvements to the review process for the National Building Code is also included in a 2021 federal pre-budget submission made toย Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Financeย Chrystia Freeland. RESCON outlines four steps that are necessary to ensure the construction industry remains a significant driver of the economy throughout the pandemic and beyond.
โDue the fiscal challenges facing municipalities, many are unable to support infrastructure and public works projects,โ says Lyall. โWe need immediate assurances from the federal government that municipalities will soon get the funds that they need to continue with capital projects in 2021.โ
Click hereย for the 2021 federal pre-budget submission.