CCA priorities include strategic investment in infrastructure, workforce development and changes to procurement
There is no debate. The infrastructure we design, build and maintain must anticipate a rapidly changing world, where future climate, technologies and social needs will be very different from today. But to achieve this, we need a considered and co-ordinated plan backed by a long-term investment strategy.
Infrastructure enables trade, powers businesses, connects workers to their jobs, creates opportunities for communities and protects the nation from an increasingly unpredictable natural environment. It also supports workers, providing millions of jobs each year in building, design and maintenance, accounting for over 1.4 million jobs in Canada.
As the industry’s national advocate, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has been working to ensure the federal government understands the importance of fair and transparent procurement, consistent and sufficient investment in infrastructure, and attracting a skilled workforce.
These issues are CCA priorities for 2022. They were already raised with key elected parliamentarians during our annual Hill Day on Nov. 30, and in our response to the federal government’s National Infrastructure Assessment. Our united industry reinforced the need to develop a long-term infrastructure investment strategy, secure the right skills for the industry now and in the future by attracting a diverse and inclusive workforce, and expand project delivery models that support fair procurement.
Investing in infrastructure will secure Canada’s growth economy
Setting national goals around building sustainability into our infrastructure is key to our future economy. The economy needs reliable infrastructure to connect supply chains and efficiently move goods and services across borders. The funds must be predictable, flow quickly and be aligned with provincial, municipal and Indigenous needs.
The creation of an independent advisory body can align governments at the provincial and municipal level to address infrastructure deficits across Canada. The stability of having multi-year project pipelines, based on evidence and independent expert advice, would also enable the development of the necessary skilled workforce and encourage private sector investment.
Supporting value and innovation through fair and transparent procurement
With productivity and sustainability issues on the rise, including net zero carbon targets and shortages in material and labour affecting profit margins, now is the time to modernize procurement practices. To build the infrastructure needed across the country and recruit the workforce of the future, federal procurement strategies need to adapt to encourage innovation, account for long-term value and sustainability, promote the use of alternative delivery models and support shared risk.
Building the workforce of the future
The construction industry is facing a serious workforce shortage that will impact our progress on building for the future. Skilled tradespeople cannot be created overnight. Now is the time to focus on building workforce capacity and boosting skilled training programs.
A strong federal partner is also needed to help the industry recruit, train and retain tomorrow’s workforce. Applying quotas when the workforce simply does not exist will not solve the root issues. Instead, the industry must be seen as a career of choice, particularly among underrepresented groups. This can be achieved through partnership between industry and government, including funding for CCA’s Talent Fits Here campaign and programs that support building workforce capacity.
Setting national goals around building sustainability into our infrastructure is key to our future economy.
Stay in touch!
Canada will be counting on the construction industry to build back better. You can count on CCA to be a collaborative partner to the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association, providing helpful tools, sharing best practices across the country and being your voice with the federal government.
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Please email me at mvanburen@cca-acc.com if you have any feedback or comments on how CCA can serve you better.