Canada’s construction industry has launched a national campaign calling for action on infrastructure investment and development ahead of the federal election.
The Construction for Canadians campaign, announced by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), is supported by 57 national, provincial, and regional construction associations from coast to coast.
“A strong construction industry is the key to a strong Canada,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “To support long-term growth, the next federal government must make the necessary and overdue investments in trade-enabling infrastructure, workforce development, and modernized procurement.”
Construction affects every Canadian. It shapes Canada’s physical landscape, grows the economy, connects communities, and plays a critical role in building a prosperous and resilient country. But underinvestment, workforce challenges, and outdated policies, combined with Donald Trump’s threats and tariffs, are barriers to the growth Canadians need. To set Canada up for success, the next federal government must commit to supporting construction.
“Construction touches every part of our lives, from the homes we live into the schools we learn in and the infrastructure that connects our communities,” said Jeannine Martin, president of VRCA. “This campaign is about ensuring that candidates understand construction isn’t just an industry. It’s a national priority.”
The Construction for Canadians campaign highlights the critical need for increased investment in infrastructure, solutions to the skilled workforce shortage, and modernized policies that support growth. These issues are especially pressing in British Columbia, where the construction industry plays a vital role in addressing housing affordability, climate resilience, and economic stability, all while navigating uncertainty from global factors like U.S. tariff threats from the Trump administration.
“Our members are facing real challenges on the ground here in the Lower Mainland,” said Craig Larkins, Director of Advocacy at VRCA. “Outdated procurement practices, labour shortages, and underinvestment in public infrastructure make building the communities we call home harder. We’re calling on all federal candidates to prioritize construction and commit to policies that empower this essential industry.”
The construction sector is one of Canada’s largest economic drivers, employing more than 1.6 million people and contributing over $162 billion to the national GDP. In British Columbia, construction contributes $29 billion to the B.C.’s GDP.
