CCA engages federal leaders on advancing construction priorities at semi-annual meeting
Collaboration, early industry engagement, and more effective procurement were at the centre of discussions when the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and members of its Board of Directors met with senior federal officials on October 20. The semi-annual joint meeting brought government and industry together to address key challenges and opportunities, including procurement reform, the construction project pipeline, and the participation of small and medium-sized businesses.
“I greatly appreciate that a group of busy professionals from government and industry have committed their time to engage openly, share information and perspectives, and work collectively toward meaningful improvements. This collaboration will help ensure the successful delivery of the building programs ahead of us.”
Bruce Thomas, P.Eng.
President, Ron Eastern Construction Ltd.
The meeting brought together a range of senior decision-makers from the following government departments and agencies: Build Canada Homes (BCH), Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA), Defence Construction Canada (DCC), National Defence (DND), Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), as well as Arianna Reza, Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).
“We are all working to a common goal of improving our industry. These meetings were another great example of the collaboration between government and the construction industry.”
Cory Richter
President and CEO, Quorex Construction Services Ltd
Discussions focused on updates from the industry to PSPC and CCA’s views on procurement modernization, including the constraints facing the sector at a time when the demand for construction is so high. CCA also presented its recent report, Building forward: Industry-informed procurement strategies for successful project delivery. Additionally, the government presented opportunities for industry through its pivot in its real property services strategy, where CCA emphasized the importance of early contractor involvement to increase transparency and certainty.
“I hear a clear intention from these stakeholders to engage with industry and improve models and accessibility to projects, including a willingness to connect with true constructors (trades) in early engagement (planning, design phase) to mitigate or eliminate project risks. Their goals in making construction easier, faster, and smarter are aligned with the construction industry’s intentions. But they can’t get there without tapping into our collective experience. It felt today that this is their aim.”
Sara Becker, NCSO
Process Manager, Ideal Contract Services Ltd.
Further committee discussions and follow-up conversations are expected, building on what CCA views as a productive and important step toward maximizing the construction industry’s potential and impact, and building the Canada that Canadians deserve.
“As Canada continues to make major plans on investments in infrastructure and turning these plans to shovels in the ground, we greatly appreciate the governments continued efforts to engage industry and work together to solve the challenges of this rapid growth at scale”
Marty Harris, P. Eng.
Executive Vice President – Civil, Aecon Group Inc.
For more information on CCA’s advocacy work, please email Laurie Frigon, Director, Public Affairs.