b'CCA NEWSCCA SECURING A STRONG FUTUREFOR THE INDUSTRY THROUGH COLLECTIVE ADVOCACYBy Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction AssociationRepresenting 17,000+ member firms,CCA thanks our coalition partners,growth. This includes changing an the Canadian Construction Associationwhich include the Business Counciloutdated immigration point system (CCA) is proud of our mission toof Canada, Canadian Chamber ofand working with provinces to ensure inspire a progressive, innovative andCommerce, Canada West Foundation,better skills matching.sustainable construction industry.Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters,The urgent need for skilled trade The key to our collective successCivil Infrastructure Council Corporationworkers is also receiving nationwide is working with valued partnerand Western Canada Roadbuilders, forattention as we work to build the associations like the Winnipegthis important step towards achievingnumber of apprentices, through Construction Association. Together, wea Canadian Trade Infrastructure Plan.our partnership with the Canadian are driving impactful change on keyWORKFORCE REMAINS ANApprenticeship Service (CAS), and turn issues, benefitting not just our industry,URGENT PRIORITY construction into a first-choice career, but all Canadians.We achieved some headway with thethrough our industry-wide Talent Fits federal government on our collectiveHere campaign. Within the first six ADVANCING A CANADIAN TRADEcornerstone issue to rebuild Canadasmonths of the CAS program, millions INFRASTRUCTURE PLANworkforce through immigration reform.in funds were dispersed to eligible The industry is gaining traction in itsThe Department of Immigration,employers, and 47 per cent of the pursuit of more investment in keyRefugees and Citizenship recentlyapprentices self-identified as being trade gateways and corridors acrossannounced a new process under thefrom an equity-deserving group. the country. Canadas decliningExpress Entry program to welcomeFAIR PROCUREMENTreputation as a global trade partnerskilled newcomers with workThe value of involving contractors was a top concern at a meeting ofexperience in occupations consideredearlier in projects is gaining premiers and territorial leaders ina priority in Canada. Ten occupationsrecognition. CCA obtained a Winnipeg, thanks to a breakfastin construction, including carpenters,commitment from government presentation on July 12 by a coalitionplumbers, welders and electricians, areleaders at its semi-annual Meech Lake of partners advocating for a Canadianincluded in the list of nearly 83 jobs. meeting to establish a working group Trade Infrastructure Plan. Our collective efforts to make theon procurement and project delivery Canadas premiers recognized thatworkforce shortage issue a priority formethods. To build the infrastructure trade-enabling infrastructure isthe Government of Canada, bringingneeded across the country and an indispensable part of Canadasthe message locally, provincially andrecruit the workforce of the future, economic profile, supporting supplyfederally through our Hill Day andfederal procurement strategies need chains and the growth of residualsemi-annual Meech Lake meetings,to adapt to encourage innovation, industries while also helping tohave also generated governmentinclude contractors earlier in the fund vital social services and publicsupport for investing in the process, account for long-term value infrastructure from the revenuepromotion of trades and increasingand sustainability, promote the use earned. They also called on theimmigration targets to help ease theof alternative delivery models and federal government to convene alabour shortfall. support shared risk.First Ministers meeting dedicated toConversations will continue, however,CCA continued its summer Standard discussing the priorities of a strategicas the government needs to createPractices Tour to learn firsthand from trade corridor infrastructure federala more supportive environment tomembers about their challenges with program and its link to Canadasalleviate the labour choke points thatcurrent procurement practices. With economic growth and competitiveness.risk crippling Canadas economicstops in Kelowna and Prince Edward 26 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'