b'INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLEwere essential to keep our workers safewill be felt in late 2021 and beyond.CA:Well keep working, keep and healthy, but the majority of ourThis is why the federal government hasbuilding, keep making the industry was able to continue its work.to stop playing politics with provincescontributions we have been trained The problem is money allocated byand municipalities and show someto make. Well keep operating safely, municipal and provincial governmentsflexibility in their programs. sharing best practices and showing up for infrastructure and constructionevery day on sites all across B.C. to projects continues to be diverted,ensure that British Columbians can and projects of all kinds continueWHAT ROLE WILL THElive and work in a world-class and safe to be canceled or delayed. It is trueCONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYbuiltenvironment. that our industry has continued toPLAY IN THE GRADUAL work throughout the pandemic, butREOPENING/RECOVERY OF THEBF:Heading into 2020, the B.C. and we believe the overall effects of theOntario economies were expected to pandemic on the construction industryPROVINCIAL ECONOMY? lead construction industry growth. B.C. in particular was looking at very strong growth, in part due to the numerous non-residential construction sector projects stacking up across the provincesuch as the LNG in Kitimat, Site C and pipeline work Engineersin the north and interior, as well as numerous health care, elder care, in yourhospital, trade and transportation-related infrastructure projects in the Backyard lower mainland. While some of the schedules for these projects were Structural Engineering Revelstoke affected by COVID-19, the vast Building Enclosure EngineeringKamloops majority will proceed as planned. Energy Modelling Seismic for A/M/E ComponentsLillooet Thompson/Salmon Arm These projects alone are expected to Fall Protection &Merritt Okanagan Vernon generate nearly 15,000 additional Building Access Maintenance Region employment opportunities in the Kelowna industry over the coming decade, Princeton let alone billions of dollars in new Penticton employment and revenues generated Thompson Okanagan Region778-738-1700kelowna@rjc.caOsoyoos by the built assets once they are 214 - 1626 Richter Street, Kelowna rjc.ca completed. Therefore, as it was following the great recession of 2009, the construction sector will be instrumental in the strong recovery of the provinces economy.RG:The construction industry is well-positioned to absorb talent reoriented from hard-hit sectors, as labour shortages will leave the construction industry with over 300,000 jobs to fill in the next decade. As Canada looks to revitalize its economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in infrastructure is more important than ever. Infrastructure projects of all sizesthings like roads, bridges and pipelines, light-rail transit construction, schools and hospitals, and wastewater managementall these things contribute to a countrys economic prosperity, job creation and internationalcompetitiveness.38 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'