Advocacy ALERT

Hill Day 2023 a chance to reaffirm value of construction to Canada’s economy

Close to 100 industry experts from across Canada and representing all sectors of the construction industry met with parliamentarians from all parties for CCA’s Hill Day on November 7, 2023.

The association’s hallmark advocacy event centred on the essential role of construction as an engine of economic growth and the need to partner with the industry to build a strong foundation for a stronger Canada.

Participants highlighted the need for a long-term, national plan and investment commitment for foundational infrastructure, including housing- and trade-enabling infrastructure, and measures to increase the construction workforce. They also called for improvements to the procurement process to ensure practices better balance risk-sharing between public contracts and the private sector, reduce red tape, and accelerate approvals for critical projects.

Over 70 meetings were held throughout the day with parliamentarians, including Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and members of the shadow cabinet – a record high for the annual event.

Discussions continued at an evening reception where industry leaders were joined by several Members of Parliament and Senators, including the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault.

With many Canadians focused on housing and affordability, CCA’s Hill Day was an opportunity to remind the federal government about the need to also plan for the infrastructure at the heart of new housing and communities. From roads, bridges, schools and shopping centres to water and sewer systems, telecommunications and the power grid, all of this must be built and maintained by construction workers.

With construction as its partner, the federal government can build a stronger Canada through comprehensive infrastructure investment, workforce development, and procurement modernization.