If you ask any Canadian today what is keeping them awake at night, they will frequently point to the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, and economic uncertainty. While there seems to be no shortage of proposals to solve these issues, one answer is obvious – construction.
Our industry is responsible for shaping the physical landscape of our country. From homes and roads to hospitals and schools, construction enables the essential services that Canadians rely on daily and is the foundation of our quality of life. But more than that, Canada’s construction industry is at the heart of our national economy. It creates jobs, enables trade, develops critical infrastructure, connects industries, and drives growth.
The truth is we cannot have a solid Canadian economy without a strong and healthy construction sector.
And everyone wants a solid economy. It makes Canada a stronger nation, helps deliver services our population depends on, and ultimately leads to a better life for Canadians. So how do we secure Canada’s prosperity and resilience today and in the future? By removing roadblocks that dampen productivity and create impossible conditions for our industry to thrive.
The potential within the construction industry is immense. There are significant opportunities to adopt innovative practices, technologies, and more efficient methods to accelerate project delivery and improve outcomes. We can build more resiliently and sustainably, develop a diverse and impactful workforce, and begin investing in projects that bring real value to Canadians.
To do all of this, there has to be substantial changes in how the federal government approaches infrastructure investment, workforce development and procurement. These changes are critical and present the federal government with a unique opportunity to partner with the construction industry to unlock these gains, support community development, and build a stronger economy.
Support an industry that drives our economy. Help us Build a Better Canada by implementing the public policies that remove barriers and stimulate construction.
INVEST in infrastructure
An investment in infrastructure is an investment in Canada’s economy and the health, safety, and well-being of Canadians. The federal government can prioritize this by implementing the National Infrastructure Assessment, with a focus on long-term projects, including housing, transportation, and trade-enabling infrastructure.
By moving away from the boom-and-bust cycle of investment that has plagued construction development for years, our industry can improve our productivity and deliver value for Canadians. Boosting construction’s productivity can ensure that the sector can both meet increasing demand and mitigate the impact of an economic slowdown, while building resilient infrastructure.
GROW our workforce
Canada needs an ambitious growth plan – one that includes repairing, maintaining, and retrofitting aging infrastructure while also building for future climate resilience. But even the best laid plans can be derailed without the workers we need to keep us on track.
To address the critical shortage of the construction workforce, the federal government must modernize immigration policies to better align with the needs of the Canadian economy, streamlining processes to allow the faster integration of skilled trades and construction workers. Long term, we also need to change the perception of the industry and the diversity of opportunity that exists in the sector. With a strong and vibrant workforce, our industry can enhance productivity and deliver on the infrastructure Canadians need, propelling our economy to new heights.
MODERNIZE procurement
The federal government’s procurement strategy is outdated, leaving little room for creative solutions and fair risk-sharing. With productivity and sustainability challenges on the rise, now is the time to modernize procurement practices and cut out unnecessary red tape so we can build the conditions needed for Canadians to prosper.
Modernized procurement policies and tendering models create more balanced risk-sharing between owners and contractors and accelerate approvals for critical infrastructure projects. By updating current procurement processes to support fair competition, early contractor engagement, and shared risk, the government can boost productivity by minimizing project delays, lowering costs, and helping construction projects progress more efficiently.
Contact:
Louis-Philippe Champagne
Associate Vice-President, Public Affairs and Industry Practices
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (613) 236-9455