b'CCA UPDATERodrigue Gilbert, President, Canadian Construction AssociationAN UPDATE FROM THE CCACANADAS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RALLIES FOR REFORMith an ongoing nationalthese homes to essential housing- supportive policies to not only achieve W housing crisis, the governmentsenabling infrastructure. This representsnet-zero objectives but also protect prioritization of a low-carbona major shortfall in investment.Canadians and the infrastructure they economy and a mounting workforceCanadas existingnot to mentiondepend on daily from the escalating shortage, Canadas constructionaginginfrastructure is not preparedthreats of extreme climate events.industry is in the spotlight.for the additional stress. CCAs Q4 ICIC Construction Sector Representing 18,000+ member firms,We voiced these concerns at our MeechQuarterly Insights Report observed that the Canadian Construction AssociationLake meeting in May. This meetingthe industry is making significant gains (CCA) is capitalizing on this politicalis a chance for industry experts fromin sustainability practices. Despite its attention to advocate for strategicacross Canada to connect with seniorhistory as a contributor to greenhouse investment and policies that willfederal government officials to discussgas (GHG) emissions, the sector is support rather than hinder our efforts tocritical issues affecting the industry. Byswiftly embracing measures to curb its build a stronger Canada. working together with the Governmentenvironmental impact. There has been a of Canada, the construction industrynotable decrease in emissions intensity BUILDING BEYOND HOUSING:can continue building a resilient andacross various infrastructure assets, and sustainable infrastructure for the benefitinvestments in clean technologies and CCAS ADVOCACY PUSH of all Canadians.materials are rising. While Canadas Housing Plan formed the centrepiece of the 2024The second of these biannual meetings federal budget, the industry was leftis scheduled for the fall to provideREBUILDING CANADAS disappointed by several significantanother touchpoint ahead of CCAsCONSTRUCTION WORKFORCEmissed opportunities, including: annual Hill Day in November. LastWith an estimated 265,000 set to years Hill Day was our most successfulretire in the next decade and growing Next steps for the Nationalyet, with close to 100 industry expertsconstruction demands, there is a meeting with parliamentarians from Infrastructure Assessment; all parties and regions to championreal need to partner with the federal construction and reaffirm the value government on workforce developmentnvestment in correspondingstrategies. While progress has been I of the industry to Canadasinfrastructure for every new economic growth.made, theres still much work tohome built; be done. A long-term plan to fill the gap inWe achieved some headway with the AWARENESS TO ACTION: our trade-enabling infrastructure; CONSTRUCTIONS PROGRESSfederal government on rebuilding Canadas workforce through Modernization of procurementON NET-ZERO OBJECTIVES immigration reform. Immigrationstrategies to support shared risk; and CCA will be releasing an update to ourtargets were increased and a new process 2021 Strength, resilience, sustainabilitywas announced under the Express Entry Meaningful collaboration withwhite paper in September. This broaderprogram to welcome skilled newcomersprovinces, municipalities report will highlight the progresswith work experience in occupations and industry. made by industry, explore the linkagesconsidered a priority in Canada, between climate risk and infrastructureincluding construction. Estimates indicate that each newdecisions and discuss the path forward housing unit requires up to $107,000 inin confronting the climate crisis. ItHowever, ongoing dialogue will public infrastructure investment; thus,will also serve as a springboard forcontinue as the government needs to a significant additional investment isdiscussions with government oncreate a more supportive environment needed to build, support and connectthe need for greater investment andto alleviate labour choke points14 SOUTHERN INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION'