Advocacy ALERT

Construction at the heart of Canada’s economic growth: Industry welcomes Budget 2025

On November 4, 2025, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled the Carney government’s first budget. Anchored by the commitment to “spend less [to] invest more,” the government framed it as ‘generational investment’ to set Canada up for long-term economic growth and prosperity. Central to this vision is the construction industry.

Key initiatives for construction

• $115 billion for infrastructure, with $51 billion of that allocated to the Build Communities Strong Fund, prioritizing enabling infrastructure for housing and transportation.
• $264 million to streamline processes that impede construction project approvals. This includes the removal of red tape through the establishment of the Major Projects Office (MPO).
• $5 billion for the Trade Diversification Corridor Fund to improve the flow of goods and labour across the country and help build a more connected and efficient one-Canadian economy.
• $13 billion for the Build Canada Homes initiative to supercharge affordable homebuilding across Canada.
• $19 billion investment in defence infrastructure, supporting Canada’s commitment to reach NATO’s two per cent of GDP spending pledge.
• $1 billion for an Arctic Infrastructure Fund to provide a steady stream of work in the Arctic and support development.
• $4.8 billion in various reskilling and support package programs for workers in the industry.

The focus on our industry is a welcome shift from previous budgets. The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has long advocated that investment in construction has numerous positive ripple effects, creating jobs, generating economic growth, and building the foundations that connect communities across Canada.

Despite the positive news, decades of underinvestment in construction still need to be overcome. CCA looks forward to the delivery of the first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment (NIA), which will play a crucial role in mapping Canada’s infrastructure needs and establishing predictable, long-term funding models to ensure that projects that are built maintain longevity.

Equally important is the workforce strategy behind these investments. To meet growing project demands, Canada must ensure that training and support are accessible to both union and non-union workers, especially since approximately 70 per cent of construction workers are non-unionized. To keep up with the scale and scope of these infrastructure investments, the government must ensure all construction workers, not just the unionized subset, are equally equipped with the skills and training to take on these projects.

CCA will continue reinforcing our pre-budget recommendations and engaging with key parliamentarians to keep construction priorities front and centre, building on the momentum generated during our most successful Hill Day to date on November 18.

For more information on CCA’s advocacy work, please email Louis-Philippe Champagne, Associate Vice President, Public Affairs and Industry Practices.