CCA brings workforce, procurement and investment gap to top of agenda at key meeting with government leaders
On the heels of the federal government’s release of Budget 2023, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) met with senior government leaders on April 25 for our semi-annual joint meeting to discuss key issues affecting the construction sector.
CCA called attention to the lack of progress on the National Infrastructure Assessment, critical gaps in infrastructure investment, policies to address the construction workforce shortage, and the need to modernize procurement.
In attendance were senior decision-makers from Public Services and Procurement Canada, Infrastructure Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Department of National Defence (DND), and Defence Construction Canada (DCC).
CCA was pleased that senior leadership at the meeting were receptive to the industry’s thoughts on the use of new delivery models and the challenges in bringing people to Canada and matching their skills to the jobs the industry needs.
The meeting also provided an open dialogue on how the industry and government can partner on climate action, including the need to update current procurement practices to those that support fair competition in order to encourage innovation and the adoption of greener materials and practices. CCA emphasized the importance of the industry’s role in the greening of the economy through the implementation of sustainable practices in construction.
Following the meeting, CCA will continue its work promoting best practices in procurement and delivery models and will closely monitor any next steps announced regarding the National Infrastructure Assessment.
For more information on the CCA’s advocacy work, please email Louis-Philippe Champagne, Director of Government Relations.