b'CCA UPDATESTRENGTH IN UNITY AND COLLABORATION:A L O O K B A C K A T 2 0 2 0 Mary Van Buren,CCA Presidents we all welcome a new year, Irent assistance program. Our unitedAs Canada looks to revitalize its A look back on 2020 with prideefforts also paid off with the more recenteconomy in the wake of the COVID-19 in our industry and hopegovernment agreement to reimbursepandemic, investing in infrastructure for the future. While some sectors hadcompanies that incurred unforeseen andis now more important than ever. to shut down or drastically alter theirextraordinary costs on federal projectsLarge or small infrastructure projects services early on, the construction sectordue to COVID-19. This could not have roads, bridge maintenance and largely continued to operate during thebeen accomplished without the help ofpipelines, light-rail transit construction, COVID-19 crisis, which speaks to thethe over 1,000 letters sent by membersschools, parks, community centres, strength and resiliency of our industry.acrossCanada. hospitals and wastewater managementall contribute to a countrys We are essential service providers! OurAs the federal government embarks on aeconomic prosperity, job creation and members construct commercial andstrategy to accelerate economic recoveryinternationalcompetitiveness.public buildings, airports, shoppingacross Canada, our focus remains on centres, factories, schools and hospitals.ensuring infrastructure investment isLEADING THE WORKFORCEThey build and maintain highways, roadspart of the solution. There are billions and bridges, ports, public transit andof dollars already earmarked for projectsAND INNOVATION AGENDASwater and wastewater treatment facilities. and training across the country. However,CCAs members are focused on securing there is still a little more than half ofthe right skills for the industry, now CHAMPIONING THE INDUSTRY the $4.1 billion earmarked for Britishand in the future. Our Talent Fits Here Columbia from 2018. We must continuecampaign, launched in September, This year we found strength in unity andto work together to ensure all promisedshowcases the industry as a viable and collaboration, sharpening our focus onfunding flows urgently.inclusive employment sector for skilled health and safety with the creation oftradespeople and for all Canadians from standardized protocols and championingThe participation of the Southern Interiorall fields, including science, technology, the industry for the essential work we doConstruction Association (SICA) in ourengineering and math (STEM). And it is by uniting in our advocacy efforts, sharingHill Day initiative was invaluable thisalready gaining traction on social media best practices and holding hundreds ofyear. We thank Angela McKerlich, Scottwith over 20 million impressions, 60,000 training events and webinars.page views and over 2 million video views.Bone and Phil Long who met with MPs CCAs voice, amplified by our networkTracy Gray and Dan Albas. DiscussionsOur CONtact innovator mentorship of 63 partner associations across Canada,centred around CCAs recommendationprogram continues to match aspiring secured big wins early on for the industry,for a 25-year plan for stable and secureentrepreneurs creating new solutions such as the 75-per-cent wage subsidyinfrastructure investment, as well asfor the construction industry with program and extended financing availablethe need for greater flexibility in theexperienced industry leaders to help refine to firms from the Business Developmentrollout of existing funds under thetheir products and services. Bank of Canada (BDC) and ExportInvesting in Canada Plan to ensure it Development Canada (EDC), as wellis meeting provincial and municipalWe have also launched two new member as greater flexibility on the commercialinfrastructurepriorities.services designed to accelerate the 18 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'