If you see a politician, bend the ear

Construction projects take far too long to see shovels in the ground, and it’s largely because the needs of contractors – the experts on the ground – are not recognized in the writing of specifications, design of projects, tenders to the market and the many contracts and contractual requirements that follow, says Rod Gilbert, CCA VP of procurement.

There are many “pain points” contractors hit when working to bid and right up top, the industry rates “risk” because too often most of it sits on a contractor’s shoulders.

Risk should be fairly shared between owner and builders, but it’s not, he says.

Following up on that, a survey conducted among members of CCA found that frustration is high at the security clearance processes and requirements at the federal level of procurement.

While it’s understandable why an electrician working on a federal site where highly sensitive work goes on or where information is stored is carefully vetted, a lot of federal construction jobs come nowhere near needing that level of clearance.

And it is possible to fix the broken pieces. Gilbert uses the example of British Columbia’s ‘atmospheric river event’ in late 2021, the government brought all parties necessary to rebuilding a massive amount of infrastructure into the same room.

A lot of listening went on, and it worked: roads, highways, bridges and overpasses were repaired or rebuilt, opening up critical transportation infrastructure (including rail lines) within months to public travel.

So the answer is talking, ensuring those in government – elected members and civil servants – know that there is a problem, it has to be fixed, the solutions will save everyone money and they need to hear from the experts who are expected to deliver the goods, he says.

Whenever you see these people – in the grocery store, on the street, in meetings – talk about it. Let them know.