Ahead of its largest Hill Day, the Canadian Construction Association urges federal policymakers to accelerate infrastructure delivery, modernize procurement and expand workforce programs to meet the rising demand for concrete-intensive road, bridge and public-sector building projects across Canada.
The Canadian Parliament building in Ottawa, Ontario. Image courtesy of Saffron Blaze.
With billions of dollars in concrete, cement and civil infrastructure needs poised to shape Canada’s highways, bridges and non-commercial buildings for the next decade, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) arrived in Ottawa this week calling for urgent federal action to convert major policy commitments into job-site progress.
Developing a predictable pipeline
On the eve of its annual Hill Day, the CCA gathered 115 delegates representing contractors, material producers, and civil engineering specialists – many of whom support the concrete supply chains that keep Canada’s transportation and public-sector infrastructure moving. Together, they set out to participate in more than 100 meetings with parliamentarians in an effort to press for a predictable pipeline of infrastructure projects that allows firms to invest confidently in people, equipment and modernized concrete technologies used in roads, bridge decks, foundations and municipal structures.
Realities of construction
CCA President Rodrigue Gilbert welcomed Budget 2025’s infrastructure investments, the launch of the Major Projects Office (MPO) project list and the intent behind new Buy Canadian measures but cautioned that these commitments must be paired with clear, stable project flow and procurement systems that reflect the realities of today’s complex construction environment.
Encouraging innovation
For concrete and cement contractors, predictable timelines are essential for material planning, ready-mix batching and sequencing large volume pours that keep transportation corridors and civic buildings on schedule. Gilbert stressed that federal procurement must evolve toward fairer risk-sharing, improved clarity and processes that encourage innovation – including construction methods that reduce waste, accelerate concrete curing cycles and improve lifecycle durability of pavements and structures.
National workforce strategy
The CCA also emphasized the need for a national workforce strategy, noting that the projects outlined through the MPO, from transportation link upgrades to site preparation and processing facilities, cannot advance without a well-trained labour pool. While the Union Training and Innovation Program marks a positive step, the Association underscored that roughly 70 per cent of Canada’s construction workforce is non-unionized and currently outside the program’s reach, limiting the availability of skilled labour required for concrete formwork, rebar installation, precast assembly and aggregate handling.
Gilbert reinforced that the industry stands ready to deliver infrastructure that strengthens Canada’s resilience and sovereignty, but that the policy environment must enable major projects to move quickly, responsibly and visibly forward so Canadians can see real results on the ground.
