CCA CORNER

CCA Board of Directors: July 2022 update

CCA’s Board met on July 14-15, 2022 in Quebec City, QC for their first full business meeting, in-person, of 2022. Here are the highlights of the meeting:

Advocacy efforts making an impact

While a significant amount of work has been undertaken to advance investment in infrastructure, workforce and procurement, there are three initiatives of note:

1. CCA funded in part the recently released Shovel Ready/Worthy report, in support of securing investment in trade-enabling infrastructure.
2. CCA delivered a report to the federal government on procurement issues and why they are not receiving bids. The government has committed to working on these issues through working groups.
3. CCA is working with Atlantic Canada partner associations to help flow the uncommitted dollars from the Investing in Canada Plan. We are seeing some movement, with New Brunwick recently making some positive announcements.

Creating new value – Workforce capacity support

As recently announced, CCA is partnering with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and other partners to deliver a program to incent the hiring of first-year apprentices, with up to $10,000 per apprentice, as well as support to find apprentices and free training through BuildForce. Read more about the program here.

Partner association reports – Keeping us informed on issues across the country

The Board greatly appreciates the reports from partner associations that help keep the Board informed about issues and accomplishments across Canada.  You can find the summary and individual reports here.

National Advisory Councils – New focus on standard practices

The Board listened to feedback from the council members who indicated a desire to actively engage in advancing standard practices. Each NAC discussed potential projects and deliverables, and the following are in progress:

1. Review/expand analysis of immigration points by province and fit with construction, and make recommendations.
2. Prepare a material/supply cost escalation and inflation best practices paper. Review and comment on Quebec’s approach for national application.
3. Prepare an overview of current procurement models and a webinar.
4. Prepare a CCA Guide: How to read a contract.
5. Develop a webinar on the top five risk areas in projects and mitigation strategies.
6. Cost escalation language and guide.
7. Review provided material and deliver a guide on onerous clauses.

Strengthening the link between CCA and LCAs – Three new initiatives

1. Following a meeting with members of the LCA NAC last fall, CCA developed an MOU to better define the services CCA provides to our integrated partner associations and mutual expectations to foster a collaborative culture. These are being introduced in a measured approach to allow time for discussion and feedback with each association.
2. Beginning this fall, CCA will be seeking nominations directly through COOs for open positions on CCA’s NACs. More consideration will be given to allocation by association size, in addition to diversity, skills and experience considerations. An open nominations process will remain in place to complement the COO-vetted nominations. More information will be forthcoming.
3. CCA is establishing a working group to look at the question of associations as members of the CCA. More to come on this in the next few weeks.

CCDC digitization service

The Board endorsed the move toward a digital CCDC service, paving the way for the delivery of trusted, smart electronic documents that are the industry standard, through a secure and simple to use digital platform. A pilot project is underway and updates will be provided through CCA channels, including CCA PLUS+ and calls with COOs.

New CCA Strategic Plan

Following a robust engagement process with over 190 completions of a survey, 1:1 interviews, and two planning sessions with the Board, NAC and Board committee members, and observers in March, a draft strategic plan was shared with the Board – see here. The final plan will be approved by the Board at its September meeting.  

CCA policy review

The Board conducted an in-depth review of CCA’s policy statements to ensure they align with industry and social priorities. CCA will be developing three new policies; one on industry data collaboration; and two for CCA: Truth and Reconciliation, and the environment.  

Upcoming meetings

• CCA Board meeting
  The next meeting of the CCA Board will take place in Calgary, Alberta on September 7-8, 2022.

• National Advisory Council meetings
  The National Advisory Councils will be meeting in Ottawa, Ontario on November 14, 2022.

• Hill Day
  The CCA Hill Day will take place in Ottawa, Ontario on November 15, 2022

• Annual Conference
  The CCA Annual Conference will take place in Tucson, Arizona, from March 7-10, 2023.

As always, we are happy to participate in your AGMs, Board or member meetings. Reach out to Deanna Young at [email protected] to schedule us!