Building momentum for Canada’s construction industry: Highlights from the September Board meeting
As we head into the fall, CCA is focused on strengthening our voice in Ottawa, delivering practical value to members, and helping position Canada’s construction industry for growth.
The CCA Board of Directors recently met in Montreal on September 10, 2026. The meeting provided an important opportunity to take stock of the work underway across CCA and look ahead to a busy fall.
ADVOCATE: Making construction’s priorities heard
With Parliament returning September 21, CCA is preparing for an important fall advocacy agenda focused on issues that directly affect the industry, including workforce development, infrastructure investment, procurement, and trade.
CCA has submitted its recommendations for Budget 2026 to Finance Canada, outlining steps needed to help the construction industry deliver on the federal government’s major project and infrastructure ambitions.
Interprovincial trade barriers are another area where CCA is pushing for practical solutions. CCA recently participated in the federal, provincial and territorial Committee on Internal Trade, highlighting barriers to labour mobility and the transportation of construction materials that can affect productivity and project delivery.
Planning is also underway for the fall Meech Lake meeting on October 20, which will bring together senior federal officials, parliamentarians, and industry leaders. The session will provide an important opportunity to discuss emerging issues affecting the industry, including Buy Canadian procurement policies, workforce challenges, and the delivery of major projects.
Beyond these direct government engagement efforts, CCA continues to raise the profile of the industry through initiatives such as the Construction for Canadians Tour, while our growing contributions to LCA publications and industry events are helping strengthen connections across the construction community.
This visibility matters because it gives CCA more opportunities to bring the industry’s perspective into national conversations about infrastructure, housing, productivity, procurement, trade and workforce development.
ENGAGE: Turning industry knowledge into practical tools
CCA continues to bring industry leaders together to share lessons, identify challenges, and develop practical resources.
The Best Practices in Construction Symposium, taking place October 6–7 in Toronto, will bring together owners, contractors, consultants and industry partners to examine how some of Canada’s most complex projects are being delivered. Sessions will cover major transit and healthcare projects, productivity, procurement, digital tools, infrastructure financing, and project delivery.
CCA continues to expand its economic intelligence work, providing members with timely analysis through the summer 2026 economic report and ongoing monitoring of trade and procurement developments affecting the industry.
Work is also progressing on several resources designed to help members address real-world challenges, including CCA’s Productivity Report and a new Guide to Cost Predictability. Industry working groups are also developing resources on BIM for owners and access to health and safety information.
CCA will also continue sharing best practices through member webinars covering topics such as prefab and modular construction.
ADVANCE: Tools and resources for members
The Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) continues to advance industry standards with the publication of several new and updated documents. In September, the Board endorsed three new documents:
- CCDC 9A ‘Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution by Contractor’
- CCDC 9B ‘Statutory Declaration of Progress Payment Distribution by Subcontractor’
- CCDC 10 ‘Guide to Construction Project Delivery Methods’
Building on the strong response to the spring seminar series, CCA will deliver six in-person CCDC seminars this fall in partnership with local construction associations in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, Edmonton, and Vancouver to support awareness and adoption of the new documents.
The transition to SignaSurTM is moving ahead, with 27 local construction associations (LCA) using the CCA-hosted storefront completing their final implementation steps. CCA will host monthly live webinars from September through December to help members learn how to execute and manage documents using the platform.
Meanwhile, nominations are open for the 2026–2027 CONtact mentorship program, providing another opportunity for construction professionals to connect, learn and build their careers.
Other updates
Code of Conduct
The Board also considered and approved a new Code of Conduct, which now sets standards of conduct for all those who are engaged within the CCA network. This was an important decision to ensure that CCA events, activities, and other engagements are held to a high standard of professionalism and respectful conduct.
2027 annual plan
CCA staff presented the 2027 annual plan based on 2026 achievements and CCA’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. The Board discussed priorities for the coming year and observed industry trends, ultimately approving the 2027 annual plan, which included a two per cent increase to membership fees.
NAC updates
The Board received updates from all five National Advisory Council (NAC) chairs, who met virtually with their council members the week prior, highlighting emerging issues, regional insights, and priority areas across the country.
Civil Infrastructure
The Civil Infrastructure NAC meeting focused on improving federal procurement for civil construction. Members agreed to form a sub-working group to examine restrictive contract terms, cash-flow constraints, lengthy procurement processes and limits on self-performed work, with a meeting planned around Hill Day’s program. They also discussed harmonizing inconsistent provincial and municipal specifications; the cost, supply and specification implications of Buy Canadian requirements; workforce shortages, Red Seal gaps and limited civil-sector labour data; and helping owners identify projects eligible for trade-corridor funding. Additional files included Clean Fuel Regulation credits for electric vehicles, reported deterioration involving GUL cement, health and safety resources, cost predictability amid inflation, tariffs and supply-chain volatility, and ongoing federal consultations and regulatory developments.
General Contractors
The GC NAC focused on several initiatives aimed at improving project delivery and industry performance. Updates were provided on CCA’s advocacy activities, government engagement efforts, and upcoming industry events, while subcommittees reported progress on key resources under development. The BIM Subcommittee is advancing a guide for owners to support broader adoption and effective implementation of Building Information Modelling, while the Health and Safety Subcommittee is exploring a centralized hub to help contractors, particularly smaller firms, access trusted safety resources. The Productivity Subcommittee continues to examine factors affecting productivity across the project lifecycle. Members also identified risk allocation, labour shortages, innovation, digital construction, and procurement practices as priority issues requiring continued industry attention and advocacy.
Local Construction Associations
The LCA NAC focused on strengthening collaboration across the association network while advancing priorities that matter most to members. Discussions included the ongoing membership model review, with an emphasis on maintaining engagement with local construction associations, understanding membership trends, and ensuring the value proposition remains strong for small and medium-sized businesses. The council also received updates on the transition to SignaSur, preparations for the 2027 CCA Partner Association Symposium, and a potential member incentive program with Ford Pro. Looking ahead, members agreed to place greater emphasis on sharing best practices and regional insights to inform national advocacy efforts. Workforce development, immigration, workforce standards, and social procurement policies emerged as key areas of focus, reflecting common challenges and opportunities facing construction associations across the country.
Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Services
The MSS NAC continues to advance initiatives focused on emerging construction practices, collaborative contracting and issues affecting the industry. In partnership with the GC NAC, the NAC is delivering a three-part webinar series covering modular construction, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), and procurement, contracting and site execution. Sessions feature perspectives from construction, trades and owners. Members also shared regional perspectives key industry challenges and opportunities. Discussions highlighted concerns with public sector procurement practices, particularly the use of sole-source procurement on multi-million-dollar projects, as well as skilled labour shortages, prompt payment, trade uncertainty, and capacity constraints associated with major infrastructure projects. Members also emphasized that successful collaborative contracting requires more than a contract—it depends on leadership, culture, behaviour, systems, and operational readiness.
Trade Contractors
The Trade Contractors National Advisory Council discussed the ongoing CCA initiatives on modular construction and productivity. The subcommittee on third-party prequalification and project management programs reported that they were developing a brief document outlining key concerns and improvements that can be made. Members also discussed renewed challenges with cost escalation and market uncertainty around tariffs and the continued workforce shortage. Other issues raised included security clearance processes, worsening risk download, and concerns around the feasibility of the federal government’s Red Seal targets.
Partner Association reports
The Board also expressed appreciation for the detailed Partner Association reports received, which continue to inform national strategy and ensure alignment across the country.
Upcoming meetings or events
- September 28, 2026: Call for applications opens for position on CCA’s Board, committees, and NACs
- October 6-7, 2026: Best Practices in Construction Symposium – Toronto, Ontario
- October 20, 2026: Meech Lake – Ottawa, Ontario
- November 16-18, 2026: CCA Board and NAC meetings, Hill Day – Ottawa, Ontario
- March 8, 2027: CCA Annual General Meeting, Board and NAC meetings
- March 9-12, 2027: CCA Annual Conference – Niagara Falls, Ontario
As always, we are happy to participate in your AGMs, Board, or member meetings. Just reach out to Anthony Valenti to schedule us!