General publications

Access useful resources and best practice guides to support your business goals and lead the way towards a progressive, innovative, and sustainable construction industry that consistently acts with integrity.  Most are available as free downloads. Others, such as the CCA human resource toolkit, are sold through our partner associations and can be purchased by visiting your document outlet.

Banking Guide for the Canadian Construction Industry

The primary purpose of this guide is to foster a better understanding between members of the construction industry and the banking community. To do this, the guide debunks some of the myths about both industries and clearly states the needs and expectations of both groups.

CCA Human Resource Toolkit

This guide to leadership in the construction industry is designed to provide construction employers with practical guidance on human resources-related issues.

The toolkit includes explanations of key concepts, templates, and case studies. It also contains modules on workforce planning, recruitment and selection as well as workforce engagement and performance. More information

The purchase of this hardcopy toolkit includes access to download over 50 forms and templates relating to finance and administration, health and safety, conduct and discipline, employment, strategic planning, and promoting careers in construction. List of downloadable forms and templates

This document is sold through our partner associations.

CCA Tax Guide to Employer-provided Vehicles & Allowances

The tax treatment of employer-provided vehicles and vehicle allowances is not well-understood within the construction industry. Common misconceptions include the belief that driving pick-ups and vans to and from home to construction sites at the employer’s insistence will not amount to a taxable benefit. To address this and the changes announced in the February 2003 federal budget, CCA, in consultation with CCRA, has produced a guide on employer-provided vehicles.

Change orders: An engineer’s perspective webinar

Change orders and their associated impacts are a reoccurring concern for trade contractors. The Canadian Construction Association’s Trade Contractors Council organized a webinar entitled “Change orders: An engineer’s perspective” on Thursday, February 21.

Construction Accounting Best Practices – Guide on Revenue Recognition

The primary purpose of this guide is to identify and promote a better understanding of the accounting principles relevant to the construction industry, in the areas of revenue recognition, future income taxes and debt financing. It also discusses differential reporting options available to private companies. This guide will provide guidance on when to use the percentage of completion and the completed contract methods of revenue recognition, and demonstrate the effect these methods have on a company’s bottom line.

Corporate Social Responsibility in the Canadian Construction Sector: A Practical Guide to CSR

This guide answers questions like:

  • What does corporate social responsibility (CSR) mean for companies in Canada’s construction industry?
  • Why is it important for a company to consider CSR?
  • How can CSR help your company achieve greater success?

This guide also provides you the tools and framework you need to manage CSR within your company. It identifies how to create value for stakeholders while also creating value for the firm in the form of brand recognition, employee retention, cost savings, enhanced risk management, among other benefits.

Drug and Alcohol Policy Resource Material

Impairment in the workplace caused by drug and alcohol use compromises safety and poses a grave risk to construction companies. In an effort to assist companies in meeting their human resources objectives and effectively addressing drug and alcohol-related issues, CCA has prepared a generic, customizable Drug and Alcohol Policy as well as a Fact Sheet on Employee Assistance Programs. These resources are intended to serve as guidelines for companies that want to develop a drug and alcohol program. CCA is not promoting any policy or program.

Guide to Cost Predictability in Construction

Prepared by a joint taskforce consisting of senior representatives from the construction industry and the federal government, this guide offers practical advice on ways to improve construction project cost predictability. Useful to both owners and contractors submitting bids, the guide provides eight recommendations that cover the time before, during and after the bids. Also included in the guide is a list of recommended design and development documents for different classes of estimates.

Guide to Public-private Partnerships in Canada

This guide is prepared for CCA members who may wish to consider participating in a public-private partnership (P3) project. It highlights some of the unique risks that contractors face during the procurement and contracting phases of P3 projects as well as best practices to mitigate risks. It is not intended to promote or discourage participation in P3 projects but to provide information to support the decision-making process.

ICIC Quarterly Insights Q4

Overview for fourth Quarter 2022

Indigenous Engagement Guide

CCA commissioned this guide to help the construction industry engage more effectively with Indigenous companies and communities in Canada. The guide was researched and written by Indigenous Works (formerly the Aboriginal Human Resource Council), an ISO-certified organization that helps companies increase indigenous workplace performance and build successful engagements and relationships with Indigenous people, businesses and communities. The guide provides general information, guidance and insights into Indigenous engagement strategies.

Industry trends report

CCA conducted research and held dozens of interviews with expert representatives from the Canadian construction industry. We looked into and asked about factors that are influencing or will influence the industry over the next five to 10 years, and we categorized them into the five key themes that are explored in this report.

Insight report: Innovation and R&D in construction

CCA’s Insight report: Innovation and R&D in construction highlights innovative research projects in the areas of construction procurement and delivery; transportation, sewer and water infrastructure; and other sustainability-related research initiatives. There are also helpful links to related content, webinars, and tools. Pulled from our Construction R&D Portal, this easy-to-read report is a snapshot of the $14 billion in research performed by universities annually. 

Mould guidelines for the Canadian construction industry

In 2002, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) created a mould taskforce to develop national guidelines to assist contractors in minimizing the potential for mould growth and instituting effective remediation practices. A technical review and update of the document was conducted in 2018. These national guidelines provide useful information and step-by-step instructions in various areas.

Ready-mixed Concrete Information

Since 2004, more and more ready-mixed concrete suppliers have decided not to disclose detailed proprietary concrete mix proportions. This document is a model form jointly prepared by the Canadian Construction Association and Canadian Ready-Mixed Concrete Association to ensure CCA members receive all of the necessary information to handle the concrete without knowing the detailed mix proportions.

Strength, resilience, sustainability: Canada’s construction sector recommendations on adapting to climate change.

The paper highlights the benefits of sustainable and resilient infrastructure that can withstand the effects of climate change and stresses the imperative of investing in sustainable infrastructure, particularly as COVID-19 economic recovery efforts are underway.