The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and his new members of Parliament from across the country for winning the confidence of Canadians.
“For Mark Carney and his administration, now is the time for action,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of CCA. “A strong, sustainable and resilient Canada needs a strong, sustainable and resilient construction industry. To support Canadians, the next federal government must support construction.”
During the federal election, CCA launched Construction for Canadians, a campaign supported by Canada’s national, provincial and regional construction associations to emphasize the importance of construction to building the strong Canada that Canadians deserve.
“Beyond the economic impact, the construction industry builds the critical infrastructure Canadians rely on every day,” said Gilbert. “We build the schools where our children learn; the hospitals that care for us; the roads and highways that connect our communities and economies; and the housing that becomes our homes.”
Over the course of the campaign, Construction for Canadians received an outpouring of support from dozens of candidates across Canada and was featured in hundreds of media publications, discussing the priorities of the Canadian construction industry.
“This campaign has never been just about our industry – it’s about Canada and Canadians,” said Gilbert. “We cannot grow our economy or develop the infrastructure we need to compete globally and respond to political and economic challenges without construction.”
During this election, Carney and his candidates made various commitments which involve the construction industry. These commitments include:
Investing in critical, community-enabling infrastructure to connect Canadians and grow regional, provincial and economic economies.
Investing $5 billion for the new Trade Diversification Corridors Fund to support the development of trade infrastructure, including, but not limited to, ports, railways, airports and highways.
Deploying a made-in-Canada procurement strategy that prioritizes Canadian suppliers and supply chains.
Increasing labour mobility for skilled trades people between provinces and territories to address labour shortages.
“CCA will continue its work in close collaboration with the new government to ensure that Prime Minister Carney and his new administration keep their promises to the construction industry,” said Gilbert. “Only together can we build a strong foundation for Canada’s future.”
The dust has settled on the April federal election and now is the time for our elected representatives to get to work. The campaign saw many issues discussed by party leaders and their candidates with varying opinions from all sides of the political spectrum. All campaigns experience competing interests and some voices are heard over others.
The heavy construction industry was one of those voices. Much like the Canadian electorate, our industry is at a crossroads. Will the future of Canadian infrastructure expand for the economy to grow? What does the result of the federal election mean for projects in Western Canada and, more importantly, for Saskatchewan?
During the campaign, there were many discussions on ways to advance the Canadian economy while, at the same time, to become less reliant on the United States. The ebbs and flows of the tariff threats continue to have an impact on how we do business across the country and here in Saskatchewan.
Rather than looking south, Canada has started to look east and west to create opportunities by removing barriers that create stagnation in economic growth. All sectors are looking at ways to create solutions that bring mobility across the country on vital projects required to keep our economy on track.
Our industry adapts to change quickly, and the challenges facing it due to the tariff issue was one that we took on. The heavy construction industry here in Saskatchewan has been very vocal with all levels of government on action that needs to be taken to ensure our industry remains economically healthy. We, as an industry, continue to advocate for long-term strategic funding for infrastructure which guarantees good jobs, safe roads and economic growth.
As the newly elected federal government begins to take shape, the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA) will be looking intently at what direction it takes with respect to the future of infrastructure funding. Hopefully, lessons have been learned and the misguided notion of not funding future projects of infrastructure that are tied to road building have been tossed into the dumpster of bad ideas.
As an advocate for the heavy construction industry, the SHCA will always put our members interests first and let governments know when they have been right and when they have been wrong.
In this federal election, construction will no longer be ignored. March 27 marks the official launch of the Construction for Canadians campaign, supported by 57 national, provincial and regional construction associations from coast to coast.
“A strong construction industry is the key to a strong Canada,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). “To support long-term growth, the next federal government must make the necessary and overdue investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, workforce development and modernized procurement.”
Construction affects every Canadian. It shapes Canada’s physical landscape, grows the economy, connects communities and plays a critical role in building a prosperous and resilient country. However, underinvestment, workforce challenges and outdated policies, combined with Donald Trump’s threats and tariffs, are barriers to the growth Canadians need. To set Canada up for success, the next federal government must commit to supporting construction.
“The stakes are high. Without strategic investment, Canada risks falling further behind,” said Gilbert. “We need bold action to ensure our industry has the resources, talent and opportunities to keep building a strong economy and communities where Canadians can thrive.”
Canada’s economy runs on construction. With over 1.6 million workers and $151 billion in economic impact, this industry is the foundation of the future. Learn more about Construction for Canadians at construction4cdns.ca. Canadians can help spread the word by sharing #construction4cdns on social media and sending a letter to their riding candidates at construction4cdns.ca/get-involved.
Paving the way for Saskatchewan’s construction future
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This was an election year for our province, and for the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA), it’s an opportunity. Elections are a chance to draw attention to significant issues in Saskatchewan’s communities and province. Candidates are busy convincing voters to choose them, and voters are paying attention to decide who to support.
It’s an ideal time to have matters important to the construction industry seriously considered by both. The SHCA board wants all members to know the issues it advocated for during the election campaign and to help add their voices to its calls for change.
There were three primary issues impacting our industry that the SHCA focused on during the lead-up to the 2024 provincial and municipal elections. These issues were chosen by the SHCA’s board because they have the most significant impact on the financial certainty of the industry.
They are:
Budget planning and procurement
Inflation
Labour
What members should know
Before these issues are explained, it’s important for members to understand why the SHCA was active during the election campaign. The SHCA is always working to secure improvements for the construction industry. Members may not see a win every time the SHCA engages with the government, but the SHCA always grows stronger as an association through the effort and collaboration it takes to raise and press an issue. By working together, all members benefit.
Voters should care about the issues raised by the SHCA because the taxes they pay go toward building and maintaining infrastructure. Those taxes should be spent in ways that enhance their quality of life.
The SHCA raised these issues to benefit its members, and also to better the province and the quality of life experienced by those living and working in its communities. That focus helps the industry maintain the respect and appreciation of the public, who politicians must pay attention to if they are to win votes. Addressing these issues strengthens not only the industry, but also contributes to a healthier economy and a growing province that can afford to maintain and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Why voters should care
Voters should care about the issues raised by the SHCA because the taxes they pay go toward building and maintaining infrastructure. Those taxes should be spent in ways that enhance their quality of life.
Ask any voter who lives on a pothole-riddled street if improving that road is worth the local improvement tax they pay. Talk to the Regina resident who uses a filtration system on their tap water because they still have lead pipes, and ask whether replacing those pipes is a good use of public funds. Good underground infrastructure ensures clean drinking water. We saw how quickly underground pipes became a political issue for the City of Calgary this year, and more recently, Montreal faced similar challenges.
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Taxpayers should also consider what it means when projects are deferred. Taxes will rise to cover them in the future, and inflation has already driven up project costs.
Construction projects such as new libraries and pools often get attention. The federal and provincial governments partially fund these projects, but unlike good roads and water infrastructure, they become a continuing expense for the municipality because they need ongoing maintenance. Meanwhile, residents wait for improvements to the infrastructure needed to meet their basic needs.
Understanding the issues
All three of these issues – budget planning and procurement, inflation and labour – are interconnected.
Budget planning and procurement
Multi-year budget commitments have been a longstanding request from the industry to the provincial government. Budget assurances allow members to better plan the resources required to complete projects. Year-to-year budgeting creates uncertainty, making it difficult for members to invest in equipment, retain quality employees or hire and train new staff. This drives them to consider out-of-province projects that don’t strengthen Saskatchewan’s economy.
Manitoba and Alberta both follow long-term budget planning cycles. Saskatchewan needs to take a close look at what they’re doing right. A five-year budget cycle would be ideal, but even allowing contractors to carry over work from one year to the next would help. Manitoba already allows this, providing contractors with some certainty of spring work.
Supporting the heavy construction industry means voters get what they want, and candidates benefit from the positive outcomes the SHCA and its members can help create.
The time is right for Saskatchewan to closely look at what other provinces are doing. The province has made a commitment to work with Manitoba and Alberta to improve the transportation system and to strengthen the economic corridors that support supply chains when it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with those two provinces in April 2023.
Planning, investment and partnership opportunities with the private sector as well as harmonizing the regulatory environment are some of the key priorities for the three provinces. So too is advocating for federal investment into economic corridors. So far, not much progress has been made on these priorities because elections were held in Alberta and Manitoba after the MOU signing. Now, Saskatchewan has had its own election. The time is right to get serious about this.
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Then there is the release and awarding of work. Contractors need work to be released in September and awarded no later than the end of November for the next construction season. Delays in releasing and awarding contracts adds pressure during the building season.
The SHCA knows of no reason it should now take minimum of five days to award a job that used to be awarded the same day the bids were opened. Most construction projects are standard and are driven by data that SaskBuilds already has. The government has created unnecessary layers of bureaucracy with no advantage to business.
Inflation
Looking at budget planning through the lens of inflation, operational expenses for SHCA members have risen as inflation drives up costs for fuel, materials and labour. Yet, the provincial government’s base capital budget hasn’t been adjusted to reflect today’s realities.
Inflation impacts budget planning when the government fails to properly fund its capital plan to account for the industry’s increased operational costs. This results in fewer projects being tendered, leading to fiercer competition so governments think they are getting sweet deals while it creates increased financial uncertainty for contractors.
Labour
Labour is another critical issue. Training, recruitment and retention within the construction industry are heavily influenced by government decisions. The provincial government needs to acknowledge heavy civil construction as a priority to change how young people view the industry, encouraging them to see it as a career and not just a seasonal job. Reliable funding enables heavy construction employers to build and retain a stable workforce. When funding is unreliable, it leads to a transient workforce.
Manitoba and Alberta both follow long-term budget planning cycles. Saskatchewan needs to take a close look at what they’re doing right.
Saskatchewan also lags in recognizing civil construction as an apprenticeable trade, creating a perception that employment in the industry is less desirable than in other construction sectors. This is despite heavy construction being one of the better-paying sectors in the province, second only to mining. The government could also implement aptitude testing during high school to help identify students interested in a construction career.
Why should elected officials care?
The SHCA expects many of its members will encounter elected officials, and it is providing this information to share with them. It is in the government’s interest to support these calls by the industry. Elected officials need to understand how addressing these issues impacts not only the construction industry, but also the economic growth and quality of life in Saskatchewan. By supporting these changes, they contribute to a stronger tax base through infrastructure development that drives growth and generates revenue.
The construction industry enhances the quality of life for residents through the work the SHCA and its members do. Elected officials should recognize that a partnership with the construction industry will help them deliver on voters’ priorities. People want governments – especially municipal governments – to get back to basics: Provide good roads, clean drinking water and efficient and dependable services such as snow removal and garbage pick-up. All those examples are impacted by the work done by SHCA members.
Supporting the heavy construction industry means voters get what they want, and elected officials benefit from the positive outcomes the SHCA and its members can help create.
