CCA members – 70 per cent of which are small and medium-sized, family-run businesses – have been asking for a clear, balanced, fair and flexible infrastructure stimulus plan as Canadians focus on pandemic recovery.

The growth plan announced on October 1 by the federal government and Canada Infrastructure Bank is a promising step towards securing jobs and boosting economic growth through infrastructure investment. In order for the plan to have the intended impact, there must be urgency in tendering the projects and a swift flow of funds.

The announced details of the plan do not mention support for certain essential parts of our infrastructure, like roads and bridges, which are in need of attention (as detailed in our Canadian Infrastructure Report Card). This infrastructure enables the flow of trade and, especially important at this time, the distribution of health and safety materials. Also, regions hard hit by the downturn in oil and gas also appear to be left out of the plan. We hope these oversights will be addressed.

We encourage the federal government to remain focused on getting tenders out, reducing red tape, and working with other levels of government on important infrastructure projects in all regions of Canada.

Our industry can help. We are committed to working with the federal government and the Canada Infrastructure Bank to make these investments a success.

About

Across Canada, CCA represents more than 20,000 member firms drawn from 63 local and provincial integrated partner associations. CCA gives voice to the public policy, legal and standards development goals of contractors, suppliers and allied business professionals working in, or with, Canada’s institutional, commercial and industrial (ICI) construction industry.

The construction sector is one of Canada’s largest employers and a major contributor to the country’s economic success. The industry, 70 per cent of which is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employs more than 1.5 million Canadians and contributes 7 per cent towards Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

www.cca-acc.com