On November 20, the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Board of Directors and National Advisory Councils (NAC) met in Ottawa following the successful conclusion of CCA’s annual Hill Day. These meetings focused on advancing the construction sector by advocating for key issues, fostering best practices, and tackling emerging challenges.

Below are the key takeaways and updates from these productive discussions.

Construction advocacy: Preparing for the federal election

Representatives from all provinces and sectors convened for CCA’s annual Hill Day, an opportunity to create momentum ahead of the upcoming federal election.

The Board of Directors expressed its sincere appreciation for the strong partnerships with local construction associations and corporate members, recognizing how these alliances are essential in amplifying our collective voice and influence.

As we prepare for the upcoming election campaign, we are intensifying our efforts, with a particular focus on shaping discussions during the budget season. Stay tuned for more updates.

Best Practices Services and CCDC advancing thought leadership and expertise

The Board of Directors endorsed CCDC 30 ‘Integrated Project Delivery Contract’ and its accompanying guide. These will be featured in upcoming seminars hosted by CCA this spring in collaboration with our local construction associations.

The Board also approved CCDC 19 ‘Stipulated Price Sub-subcontract’ and the Partner Evaluation Tool, developed by the Trade Contractors NAC.

Key appointments to CCDC

The Board extended its gratitude to Christina O’Donnell for her exceptional service over the past eight years as the CCA trade representative on the CCDC committee. Christina’s contributions have advanced numerous critical documents and initiatives.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Michele Kidd, Senior Vice President Legal and General Counsel of the Flynn Group of Companies, for a two-year term. Additionally, Glen Anderson from PCL Construction has been re-appointed for another two-year term as a General Contractor representative on the committee.

NAC updates

The NACs continue to provide valuable insights to the Board on the evolving needs of the construction industry. Below are key updates from the latest meetings.

Civil Infrastructure

Earlier this fall, the subcommittee on greening in the civil sector convened to review ongoing environmental initiatives within the industry. After careful consideration, it was decided to temporarily pause the initiative until Q1 2025, as other groups are currently working on similar studies. Meanwhile, members of the National Advisory Council (NAC) engaged in insightful discussion about promoting healthy cultures on worksites. They reviewed training and educational programs designed to support shifts towards more welcoming, safe, and respectful workplaces. To advance this issue, a subcommittee will be formed to assess the role the Civil NAC and CCA can play in championing the issue.

General Contractors

The GC NAC has made strides with its newly released Construction Playbook, which addresses the issue of transferring ambiguous or uncontrollable risks in public construction projects. The subcommittee is also developing a webinar to further disseminate this crucial information. Additionally, the GC NAC has released a document aimed at helping contractors navigate risk management in construction contracts. This reference guide, along with an upcoming webinar, is designed to ensure that contractors understand and address potential contractual risks to avoid financial losses. Furthermore, a new subcommittee is conducting an industry analysis of Building Information Modeling (BIM), with their next steps to be revealed at an upcoming meeting.

Trade Contractors

Feedback from CCA’s Hill Day was overwhelmingly positive, with members reporting productive discussions on key concerns like U.S. tariffs, potential retaliatory tariffs from Canada, and immigration targets that could negatively impact the workforce. A subcommittee of the TC NAC is working on a “version 2” of its Partner Evaluation Tool, while another group is developing a tool to improve communication on jobsites, particularly with non-native English speakers. Members are also examining the challenges of third-party pre-qualification programs, which trade contractors often need to participate in to submit bids. Issues discussed included the high costs of these programs, concerns over data security, and the administrative burden they create.

Local Construction Associations

The LCA NAC also shared positive feedback from Hill Day, where key issues were raised, including misconceptions about union versus non-union sectors, the need for better regional ties in education funding, and the inadequacies of the Temporary Foreign Worker program. A major focus has been on improving Indigenous recruitment in the industry. Additionally, the immigration subcommittee is expanding its focus and may undergo a name change to better reflect its broader mission. The committee is gathering experiences from LCA members on the current immigration system to create a toolkit to help associations advocate for necessary changes. Discussions have also focused on initiatives in the Atlantic provinces and other sectors to improve immigrant and foreign worker recruitment, as well as efforts to improve industry culture and better integrate these workers into the workforce.

Manufacturers, Suppliers and Services (MS&S)

The MS&S Tech subcommittee recently hosted three successful webinars on artificial intelligence in construction, in collaboration with members of the General Contractors (GC) NAC. These webinars, which attracted over 260 participants, have spurred plans for a new series in 2025 due to strong demand. In addition, a new committee has been formed, combining members from the GC and Civil Infrastructure NACs, to prepare the 2025 CCA and KPMG Construction 4.0 Digital Readiness Survey. This survey will assess how ready the industry is for digital transformation and track progress since the initial report in 2021. Another initiative underway is the creation of an educational subcommittee focused on modular construction. This effort aims to deepen understanding and encourage the adoption of modular practices within the industry.

Board approved 2025 CCA plan and budget

As previously communicated in September’s update, CCA will implement a modest two per cent membership fee increase.

Partner Association reports: A nationwide overview

The Board of Directors greatly appreciates the comprehensive updates and valuable insights provided by our partner associations. These detailed reports offer a vital window into key activities and developments within their communities, enriching our understanding of the broader industry landscape. The Board recognizes how these contributions strengthen CCA’s overall ecosystem, ensuring that we remain well-informed and responsive to the needs of our members across the country.

CCA Partner Association Symposium

The Partner Association Symposium is scheduled for May 20-22, 2025, in Calgary. Chief Operating Officers (COOs) have received a “Save-the-Date” notice, and a survey to confirm session topics will be sent out shortly. Suggested discussion topics at the NAC table include succession planning, strategies for marketing construction careers at LCAs, and the role of education and training within LCAs.

Updates on SignaSur and CCA service agreement

CCA provided a recap of changes that have occurred with SignaSur following consultations with COOs. COOs who have not yet signed the distribution agreement are invited to attend a walk-through on December 2 to review changes.

CCA presented a draft service agreement outlining roles and responsibilities between CCA and partner associations, with plans for approval at the January Board meeting.

Upcoming meetings or events

• March 10, 2025: CCA Annual General Meeting – Quebec City
• March 10, 2025: National Advisory Councils – Quebec City
• March 11-14, 2025: CCA Annual Conference – Quebec City

As we move forward, the Board is committed to fostering collaboration, advocating for the construction sector, and advancing best practices. Together with our members and partners, we are shaping the future of the Canadian construction industry.

We are always happy to participate in your AGMs, Board, or member meetings. Just reach out to Robin Borne at [email protected] to schedule us!