House of parliament building
by SHCA SHCA

Canada’s Construction Leaders Call on the Federal Government to Address Labour Shortages, Outdated Policies and Investment Gaps

A strong and healthy construction sector is the key to a solid Canadian economy, but outdated procurement strategies, labour shortages and a lack of adequate investment are preventing the industry from realizing its full potential. On Nov. 19, 2024, construction leaders from across the country headed to Parliament Hill to advocate for urgent intervention from the federal government.

As part of the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) annual Hill Day, Canada’s construction industry called on the federal government to:

  • Invest in long-term infrastructure, with a focus on housing, transportation and trade-enabling projects.
  • Grow the construction workforce to address critical labour shortages.
  • Modernize procurement processes and cut unnecessary red tape.

Construction contributes $162 billion annually to Canada’s GDP and employs over 1.6 million Canadians. Supporting construction means supporting job creation, trade, critical infrastructure, productivity and growth.

“It’s not promises that build the economy – it’s construction. It drives growth, creates jobs and builds and maintains the essential infrastructure we all depend on,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “To secure Canada’s future, we need to invest in infrastructure, expand our workforce and modernize procurement. Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient Canada.”

Canada’s builders are asking for substantial changes in how the federal government approaches infrastructure investment, workforce development, and procurement. By cutting red tape, collaborating on a long-term vision for infrastructure, and addressing labour challenges, we can deliver the projects Canadians need for a stronger future.

The Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan in the City of Regina. Regina is the provincial capital of Saskatchewan, Canada.
by SHCA SHCA

Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba Continue Collaboration on the Joint Memorandum of Understanding

Ministers for highways and transportation in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba met on July 4 in Saskatoon to continue work to strengthen economic corridors that support Canada’s supply chains. It has been a year since a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the three provinces.

The MOU commits the partners to jointly working to improve our shared transportation system, to ensure the strength and competitiveness of the Prairie provinces.

Over the past year, the focus has been on regulatory harmonization, advocacy and regional planning. These priorities will continue with additional work on improving multi-modal transport infrastructure for the efficient movement of exports and imports.

The provinces are working on co-ordinated improvements that benefit the entire region, and they link producers more efficiently to markets across the globe. They are creating a prairie regional economic corridor to guide strategic investments in transportation. 

“By keeping the momentum of the Prairies MOU going, we can continue to improve western economic corridors that will enable the efficient movement of Prairie exports and imports to and from markets around the world,” Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen said.

“For Saskatchewan people, improving transportation efficiency with initiatives like these supports our strong and growing export-based economy,” Saskatchewan Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “A strategic approach helps the province invest in key services and helps build and protect our quality of life.”

Saskatchewan has achieved its Growth Plan pledge to increase exports by 50 per cent. The province continues to expand export infrastructure to increase the mobility of Saskatchewan’s products to international markets over the next decade. Exports support a vibrant business community and ensure an improving quality of life for Saskatchewan people.

Seventy per cent of Saskatchewan’s economy is dependent on exports. In 2023, Saskatchewan exported $49.3 billion in goods. Saskatchewan goods reached 163 countries, with 32 of those countries receiving over $100 million in provincial exports.