General publications

The primary purpose of this guide is to foster a better understanding between members of the construction industry and the banking community. To do this, the guide debunks some of the myths about both industries and clearly states the needs and expectations of both groups.

This bulletin was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Trade Contractors National Advisory Council to provide best practice guidance to trade contractors determining whether to bid on a project. This decision should always be a part of a nuanced team discussion, as certain risks might be priceable or dealbreakers in different circumstances. Much of the information in this bulletin may also be applicable to general contractors when dealing with project owners.

This two-part bulletin was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association’s Trade Contractor and General Contractor National Advisory Councils to provide best practice guidance to contractors on handling cost escalation and price fluctuations.

The primary purpose of this Guide is to foster a better understanding of doing business in the United States as a viable market opportunity for Canadian-based construction firms.

This guide to leadership in the construction industry is designed to provide construction employers with practical guidance on human resources-related issues.

The toolkit includes explanations of key concepts, templates, and case studies. It also contains modules on workforce planning, recruitment and selection as well as workforce engagement and performance. More information

The purchase of this hardcopy toolkit includes access to download over 50 forms and templates relating to finance and administration, health and safety, conduct and discipline, employment, strategic planning, and promoting careers in construction. List of downloadable forms and templates

This document is sold through our partner associations.

The tax treatment of employer-provided vehicles and vehicle allowances is not well-understood within the construction industry. Common misconceptions include the belief that driving pick-ups and vans to and from home to construction sites at the employer’s insistence will not amount to a taxable benefit. To address this and the changes announced in the February 2003 federal budget, CCA, in consultation with CCRA, has produced a guide on employer-provided vehicles.

Change orders and their associated impacts are a reoccurring concern for trade contractors. The Canadian Construction Association’s Trade Contractors Council organized a webinar entitled “Change orders: An engineer’s perspective” on Thursday, February 21.

This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the construction industry’s journey in addressing climate change, highlighting key developments, best practices, and areas for future growth. By examining the successes and lessons learned, we seek to inspire further collaboration and drive transformative change toward a more sustainable and resilient built environment. We will also provide updates on new steps taken, the collaborative work done to date, and highlight areas where improvement is still needed.

The primary purpose of this guide is to identify and promote a better understanding of the accounting principles relevant to the construction industry, in the areas of revenue recognition, future income taxes and debt financing. It also discusses differential reporting options available to private companies. This guide will provide guidance on when to use the percentage of completion and the completed contract methods of revenue recognition, and demonstrate the effect these methods have on a company’s bottom line.

Developed by CCA’s General Contractors National Advisory Council, the Construction playbook outlines the fundamental principles of risk management in construction. It highlights recent examples of risk transfer and explains how an unbalanced approach can negatively impact all parties involved in a project. The report also offers practical mitigation strategies. By equipping contractors with the tools to identify, manage, and protect themselves against uncertain project risks, the paper aims to foster a more collaborative environment in public procurement.

This guide answers questions like:

• What does corporate social responsibility (CSR) mean for companies in Canada’s construction industry?
• Why is it important for a company to consider CSR?
• How can CSR help your company achieve greater success?

This guide also provides you the tools and framework you need to manage CSR within your company. It identifies how to create value for stakeholders while also creating value for the firm in the form of brand recognition, employee retention, cost savings, enhanced risk management, among other benefits.

Impairment in the workplace caused by drug and alcohol use compromises safety and poses a grave risk to construction companies. In an effort to assist companies in meeting their human resources objectives and effectively addressing drug and alcohol-related issues, CCA has prepared a generic, customizable Drug and Alcohol Policy as well as a Fact Sheet on Employee Assistance Programs. These resources are intended to serve as guidelines for companies that want to develop a drug and alcohol program. CCA is not promoting any policy or program.

Prepared by a joint taskforce consisting of senior representatives from the construction industry and the federal government, this guide offers practical advice on ways to improve construction project cost predictability. Useful to both owners and contractors submitting bids, the guide provides eight recommendations that cover the time before, during and after the bids. Also included in the guide is a list of recommended design and development documents for different classes of estimates.

This guide is prepared for CCA members who may wish to consider participating in a public-private partnership (P3) project. It highlights some of the unique risks that contractors face during the procurement and contracting phases of P3 projects as well as best practices to mitigate risks. It is not intended to promote or discourage participation in P3 projects but to provide information to support the decision-making process.

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

• The Canadian economy reported a slight increase of 0.6 per cent in its business activities
  during Q1 2023.
• Construction continued to grow in Q1 2023. Construction GDP increased by one per cent.

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

Canada’s economic landscape: Canada’s economy exhibited modest growth in the first quarter of 2024, with GDP increasing by 0.6 per cent. Despite lagging behind the U.S. and other nations, this slower growth has led to a more favourable inflation scenario in Canada, prompting early interest rate cuts.

• Monetary policy adjustments: Due to eased inflation pressures, the Bank of Canada implemented its first two interest rate cuts in four years in June and July, lowering the overnight rate to 4.50 per cent. Further rate cuts are anticipated this year.

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

• The Canadian economy exceeded expectations in Q1 2023, with a slight
• increase of 0.7 per cent across all business activities.

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

• Sentiment for Industrial, Commercial, Institutional and Civil (ICIC) Construction remains positive in North America
• Two critical issues currently inhibiting the industry’s growth: the unprecedented post-COVID-19 workforce shortages and the rapid growth in the prices of construction materials

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

Following a strong first six months in 2022, Canadian economic growth slowed down during Q3:

• Interest rates began to hamper economic growth.
• Severe workforce shortages and the rapid inflation of construction materials continued to hinder industry growth

This report was prepared by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to provide an overview of the last quarter, the current economic health of the industry, and its implications for member businesses.

Highlights:

• Economic deceleration impact: The Canadian economy experienced a slowdown in the last quarter of 2023,
  influenced by tight monetary policy, with growth decelerating to a mere 0.1 per cent increase.
• Construction sector trends: Although construction faced a 0.7 per cent decline in total activity in Q4 2023,
  the industry saw positive movements in residential and non-residential sectors with increases of 1.3 per cent
  and 1.6 per cent, respectively.

CCA commissioned this guide to help the construction industry engage more effectively with Indigenous companies and communities in Canada. The guide was researched and written by Indigenous Works (formerly the Aboriginal Human Resource Council), an ISO-certified organization that helps companies increase indigenous workplace performance and build successful engagements and relationships with Indigenous people, businesses and communities. The guide provides general information, guidance and insights into Indigenous engagement strategies.

CCA conducted research and held dozens of interviews with expert representatives from the Canadian construction industry. We looked into and asked about factors that are influencing or will influence the industry over the next five to 10 years, and we categorized them into the five key themes that are explored in this report.

CCA’s Insight report: Innovation and R&D in construction highlights innovative research projects in the areas of construction procurement and delivery; transportation, sewer and water infrastructure; and other sustainability-related research initiatives. There are also helpful links to related content, webinars, and tools. Pulled from our Construction R&D Portal, this easy-to-read report is a snapshot of the $14 billion in research performed by universities annually. 

This document is intended to serve as a reference for Contractors as they bid and negotiate work. Its purpose is to ensure that the associated contractual risks are understood and properly addressed to avoid significant financial loss.

Since 2004, more and more ready-mixed concrete suppliers have decided not to disclose detailed proprietary concrete mix proportions. This document is a model form jointly prepared by the Canadian Construction Association and Canadian Ready-Mixed Concrete Association to ensure CCA members receive all of the necessary information to handle the concrete without knowing the detailed mix proportions.

Close to 40 association staff and volunteer leaders convened at a session organized by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to exchange best practices in governance at the 2024 CCA Annual Conference. Moderated by industry experts, the session covered crucial topics, including recruiting volunteers, board effectiveness, revenue generation, and membership dues restructuring.

December 20, 2023

The Standard Practices Tour is an engagement opportunity for CCA to collect information on the top procurement issues and project delivery pain points experienced by members from across Canada. The findings help CCA to develop and propose solutions to educate owners, both public and private, on how to deliver projects in a more collaborative and cost-effective way. They also help to inform other CCA initiatives.

The paper highlights the benefits of sustainable and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change and stresses the imperative of investing in sustainable infrastructure, particularly as COVID-19 economic recovery efforts are underway.