New coalition calls for Canadian infrastructure investment

A coalition of construction sector associations have formed the Building for Recovery coalition to urge the Canadian federal and provincial governments to deliver on infrastructure investments.

The coalition includes Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), 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,” said 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. Infrastructure Canada’s website shows that of the nearly 17,000 approved projects, fewer than 900 have received funding,” said John Gamble, President and CEO of ACEC – Canada.

While rebuilding Canada’s economy from the pandemic’s impacts will require a comprehensive stimulus plan, investing in infrastructure has a proven return on investment. According to the Public Policy Forum, for every dollar invested in public infrastructure, governments can expect to see a return of two to four dollars.