CCA Hill Days with MPs hits high mark
More than 70 representatives of construction associations from across the country met November 8 in Ottawa with federal ministers, MPs and political staff to discuss the need for a long-term infrastructure investment strategy as one of three priorities.
It was the biggest Hill Days event to date.
Hill Days is an annual initiative organized by CCA for members from local construction associations. MHCA Chair Dennis Cruise, Past Chair Nicole Chabot and President & CEO Chris Lorenc met with a number of government ministers, including those responsible for infrastructure, housing and procurement. Chabot is also a member of the CCA Board of Directors and Chair of the CCA Civil National Advisory Council.
The agenda prioritized discussing the need for a 25-year plan for infrastructure investment, as well as the need to ease immigration restrictions to facilitate the entry to Canada skilled trades persons to assist filling gaps in the construction industry, and to balance federal procurement practices to help eliminate risk and support a partnering objective into project contracts.
Canada’s construction industry contributed $151 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2022. That equates to 7.4% of the national GDP. Over the same period, the industry also generated $92.7 billion in wages and compensation.
However, government investment in public infrastructure dropped to 2.7% of GDP in 2022. It peaked at 3.6% in 2010.
The industry employs some 1.6 million Canadians, but a long-standing labour shortage has been exacerbated in recent years. In 2022 alone, job vacancies rose by 26%.
Our industry fuels economic growth; creating jobs, stimulating investment, and fortifying Canada’s global standing in international trade and commerce through world-class airports, highways and ports,” the CCA noted.
“Our industry impacts every Canadian’s quality of life and plays a critical role in building a prosperous and resilient nation. For Canada to prosper and address the key issues facing our country, the federal government needs to make substantial changes around infrastructure investment, workforce development and procurement modernization.”
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