Canada’s construction industry is at an inflection point. Over 380,000 additional workers will be needed by 2034. Meanwhile, the industry is navigating economic shifts, rapid technological advances and growing infrastructure demands. The question is no longer whether we need more workers. It’s whether we are ready to rethink how we build our workforce.
Incremental change will not solve a structural challenge. We need a bold target. One that is measurable. One that is shared. One that demands action.
A national goal: 35 per cent women by 2035
The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is advocating for co-ordinated, industry-wide efforts to reach 35 per cent women’s representation across Canada’s construction sector by 2035.
This is not about optics. It’s about workforce sustainability.
Women remain significantly underrepresented in construction. At a time when we need hundreds of thousands of new workers, leaving half the population underutilized is not a strategy – it is a liability. Reaching 35 per cent representation will help address labour shortages, expand the talent pipeline and build stronger, more adaptive teams. Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones in problem-solving, innovation and performance. Construction should be no exception.
Vision 2035 is not symbolic. It is a benchmark. And benchmarks create accountability.
An industry issue, not a women’s issue
Vision 2035 cannot be achieved by a single organization. It requires a co-ordinated effort from leadership across the entire ecosystem, including:
- Contractors and developers
- Skilled trades and site leaders
- Unions and training institutions
- Educators and career counsellors
- Government and policymakers
Creating inclusive workplaces is not about checking a box. It is about building environments where people can succeed, advance and lead. As an industry, we must:
- Remove systemic barriers that limit entry and advancement
- Improve recruitment, retention and career progression
- Ensure physically and psychologically safe job sites
- Make career pathways visible and accessible
- Position construction as a respected, high-opportunity career for the next generation
These are not “nice-to-haves.” They are competitive advantages.
From aspiration to execution
CAWIC does not claim to have all the answers. However, we are committed to convening the industry to build them. Over the coming year, CAWIC will bring together leaders across Canada to identify critical gaps, risks and opportunities. These discussions will result in a clear, actionable national roadmap defining the capabilities, partnerships and milestones required to achieve 35 per cent representation by 2035.
Vision without execution is rhetoric. Vision with accountability is transformation.
2035 starts now
The future workforce will not build itself. If we act collectively with courage, co-ordination and measurable goals, Canada can lead globally in building a modern, inclusive construction industry that reflects the full strength of our workforce. Vision 2035 is within reach. The only question is whether we are prepared to build it.
