Press releases

CCA calling on federal government for action in support of industry and its workers due to COVID-19

OTTAWA, March 26, 2020 – Yesterday, CCA issued letters to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement (PSPC), Anita Anand, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng, calling on the federal government for action and information in support of our industry and its workers due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The letter sent to Minister Anand detailed the challenges facing the industry’s workforce and identified the important role infrastructure will play in the recovery of the Canadian economy. CCA asked PSPC to exercise fairness and consideration in these extreme circumstances when dealing with schedule and cost impacts experienced by contractors on federal contracts, including, but not limited to:

  • Providing fair extensions of time and fair compensation for reasonable costs incurred due to COVID-19 so as to remove much of the pressure from businesses already dealing with serious financial repercussions from this crisis. During the recovery phase, the industry will need time to return to full productivity as supply chains ramp up and some of the workforce may still be under quarantine or healing.
  • Compensation for reasonable costs must be supported by sufficient documentation. They may include, but are not limited to, any expenses incurred relating to:
    • Contractors are to provide proper notices as required under contracts, to keep adequate records of all relevant information, to mitigate costs, and to be transparent and forthcoming in discussions with the Government of Canada of the schedule and cost impacts related to the COVID19 pandemic.
    • Recognizing the undue stress on workers from interruptions in the payment chain, the Government of Canada would continue existing payment terms with prompt and appropriate approvals to ensure timely release of monies.

    The letter sent to Minister Ng expressed CCA’s request that the Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) offered through Export Development Canada (EDC) be available to all Canadian construction companies for all domestic business and without the export criteria.

    For information on how to secure the EDC Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Guarantee as it stands today, CCA has created a tip sheet outlining eligibility requirements, how to apply and the loan process. Click here to access: Tips to help you secure the EDC Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP) Guarantee.

    Contact

    Rodrigue Gilbert
    Vice-President, Public Affairs
    613-236-9455, ext. 432
    [email protected]