Construction association launches industry call to action

With many Canadians distressed about the housing crisis, high cost of living and economic uncertainty impacting their daily lives, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is launching an industry call to action urging the federal government to partner with the construction industry on building a strong foundation for a stronger Canada.

Through its online advocacy platform, the Construction Action Network, CCA is urging its 18,000 members and the public to send a letter to their local MPs reminding them of the importance of partnering with the industry to make a number of strategic changes. Standardized letters are available on the CCA website.

Citing estimates by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation indicating that Canada needs to build 3.5 million additional homes above and beyond what is currently projected to be built by 2030, along with the current construction workforce shortage, the association says the industry simply does not have the workers required to meet our projected building needs. Factoring in inflation, rising interest rates and affordability, and Canada’s deteriorating foundational infrastructure, and the organization says it becomes clear that Canada is in dire need of a holistic and long-term strategy to get on track.

As such, it is calling for the government to commit to a comprehensive, long-term infrastructure investment strategy that includes a 25-year plan for housing and trade-enabling infrastructure. It also is asking the feds to address the workforce shortage by modernizing the existing immigration policy and points system to better reflect the workforce needs of the Canadian economy.

Also on its list is a need to modernize procurement to ensure practices better balance risk-sharing between public contracts and the private sector, reduce red tape, and accelerate approvals for critical projects.

While the federal government has launched various programs, such as the Express Entry program to target immigrants with high-demand skills as well as several initiatives under the National Housing Strategy to fast track the building of new homes, CCA says these measures are short-term solutions to problems that require consultation, partnership and long-term planning.

In addition to the campaign, CCA will be hosting its annual Hill Day event on November 7, where industry representatives will meet with parliamentarians to discuss the construction sector’s essential role in creating and maintaining the infrastructure Canadians use daily. This includes the foundational infrastructure at the heart of new homes and communities.

To add your voice to CCA’s campaign, send a letter to your MP.

www.cca-acc.com