A coalition of construction sector associations is calling for the federal and provincial governments of Canada to deliver on infrastructure investments.
The newly formed Building for Recovery coalition includes the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada (ACEC – Canada), and the National Trade Contractors Council of Canada (NTCCC).
“The construction sector is ready to rebuild Canada’s economy, but all levels of government must deliver on infrastructure investments now to get projects started,” says Brian McGuire, AED’s president and CEO.
The Building for Recovery coalition was developed to encourage individuals working in and supportive of the construction sector to send a letter to their local representative at both the federal and provincial levels, asking for support to deliver infrastructure investments to help rebuild the Canadian economy in the wake of COVID-19.
“Despite billions of dollars of existing infrastructure commitments, these investments have been slow to roll out,” says John Gamble, president and CEO of ACEC – Canada. “Infrastructure Canada’s website shows that of the nearly 17,000 approved projects, fewer than 900 have received funding.”
The coalition contends that rebuilding Canada’s economy from the pandemic’s impacts will require a comprehensive stimulus plan.
“History shows that investments in infrastructure are not only the best way to stimulate the economy, but they also create immediate employment opportunities and improve the economic and environmental quality of life for all Canadians,” says Sandra Skivsky, chair of the NTCCC.
Adds Mary Van Buren, president of CCA: “With federal and provincial governments working in collaboration with Canada’s construction sector, we can ensure that we build back a stronger, more resilient country from the pandemic. “The time is now to deliver on billions of dollars of investments so we can start to rebuild our economy.”
