CMY K
8 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2021
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
in Canada. in Canadians. in infrastructure.
Mary Van Buren C onstruction is a key economic sec- tor, employing millions of Canadians with good paying jobs. The industry is made up of nation-builders, creat- ing and maintaining the essential infrastruc- ture Canadians rely on every day, including the infrastructure we rely on to connect sup- ply chains and efficiently move goods and ser- vices across borders. Throughout the pandemic, the industry has demonstrated its ability to move projects forward, safely, implementing and complying with provincial health guidelines across Canada. From hospitals where we receive care, to schools where our children get educated, to the roads we drive on to connect with each other, construction was there for you, in your community. As Canadians prepare for the post-pandemic world, Canada has an opportunity to build a brighter and better future – one that supports sustainable growth and benefits each of us. However, action must be taken to empower the construction industry to lead the recovery today and generate benefits for decades to come. Setting national goals around building sustainability into our infrastructure and supporting the Western Canada Trade Gateways and Corridors Initiative are just two significant opportunities for Canada. Infrastructure investment can be transformational: a catalyst for nation-building and achieving the aspirations of all Canadians. Yet Canada’s infrastructure strategy has been chronically underfunded, leading to a multi- billion-dollar infrastructure deficit for our aging assets, and little room for visionary investment. As a long-time champion of infrastructure investment as a driver of economic, social and environmental benefits, the CCA is focusing on three issues with the federal government: Increase infrastructure investment: To be successful, infrastructure investment funds must be predictable, flow quickly and be aligned with provincial, municipal and Indigenous needs. To achieve this, the federal government must create an independent advisory body that can align governments at the provincial and municipal level to address infrastructure deficits across Canada. Having multi-year projects in the pipeline gives a stability to the planning that the industry needs to line up a skilled workforce and private-sector investment.
Manitoba’s Leading Construction Insurance and Bonding Broker
Mary Van Buren is the President of the Canadian Construction Association
Work with industry to build the workforce of the future: The construction industry is facing a serious workforce shortage that will impact our progress on building for the future. There are tremendous opportunities for Canadians in construction; in trades, as project managers or in emerging areas like machine learning. To fill this gap, the federal government needs to work with industry to recruit, train, and retain the workforce of tomorrow. We know applying quotas when the workforce simply does not exist will not solve the root issues. Instead, the industry must be seen as a career of choice, particularly among underrepresented groups. This can only be achieved through partnership between industry and government, including funding for CCA’s Talent Fits Here campaign and programs that support building workforce capacity. Refresh the government’s approach to improve fair and competitive procurement: The federal government’s procurement strategy is outdated and leaves little room for creative solutions and fair risk sharing. In order to build the infrastructure needed across the country and recruit the workforce of the future, the federal procurement strategy needs to adapt to encourage innovation, account for long-term value and sustainability, and explore the use of alternative delivery models. A thriving construction sector can bring Canadians’ aspirations to life. The industry is ready to lead the recovery and Build a Better Canada.
Christopher Wiens
Sel Tse
Chris Wren
Scott Gilmour
Scott Fraser
Patrick Smoke
Craig Swaitkewich
Local experts advising local contractors
204.560.2508 apexsurety.ca
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