9 minute read
Industry interview – Zey Emir
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Zey Emir, Chair, 2018 Board of Directors, Canadian Construction Association
Zey Emir
In this edition, Zey Emir, Chair of the 2018 Board of Directors of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), has graciously responded to several key questions that are currently on the minds of those in the Canadian construction industry . The questions and responses are below .
What is your role as Chair of the 2018 Board of Directors with the Canadian Construction Association?
The CCA board of directors is responsible for governing the association in line with the regulatory environment, strategic plan, budget, policies, and best practices . As the CCA chair, I ensure that the meetings of the board, executive committee, and governance committee run efficiently and focus on the most important issues or opportunities for our members . Along with the CCA president, I am a spokesperson for the association . We address members and the industry regularly across the country, ensuring the communication of the most pressing priorities for the industry .
What are the current and ongoing challenges facing the construction industry in Canada?
The workforce is the number one issue we have heard . BuildForce Canada is predicting that 21% of the national construction workforce will retire over the next decade . At the same time, construction is often regarded as the last resort occupation . While technology – for example, driverless vehicles – may close some of the gap, we have a lot of work to do to attract and retain workforce needed for a competitive, technologyenabled, inclusive, and productive construction industry .
The second area of concern is the state of our current and future trade-enabling infrastructure . A consistent flow of capital is needed to fuel Canada’s competitiveness, which is vital for our industry and for all Canadians .
The third priority is innovation . The construction industry has traditionally lagged in productivity and technology adoption . One of our goals is to better support our members’ adoption of tools and best practices . We are advocating with the government for a dedicated R&D fund to drive our productivity forward .
What are your views on the impact of the outcome of the NAFTA negotiations on construction in Canada? Recently, Canada reached a tentative trade agreement with the US and Mexico.
CCA was understanding of the initial application of the steel and aluminum tariffs in response to the unfair actions of the US . With the tentative agreement, the industry’s requests that the tariffs be removed were disregarded by our government and exacerbated by the imposition of so-called safeguards on steel products .
The US-imposed tariffs and the safeguards on the import of foreign steel will hurt the construction industry, its workers, and all Canadians by raising prices, damaging competitiveness for business, and delaying projects necessary for Canada’s infrastructure .
How is the CCA addressing major challenges a round project performance and limited resources?
The CCA is addressing project performance by developing industry standards, guides, and best practices through our Standard Practices Committee and through participation in the Canadian Construction Documents Committee . CCA’s committees, Canadian Design-Build Institute and Lean Construction Institute of Canada, promote best practices and provide resources for the industry .
One of the goals of CCA’s plan is to reposition the industry to address workforce shortages . We hope to attract a diverse workforce, including under-represented segments: women, indigenous Canadians, new Canadians, among others . The CCA is currently seeking nominations for counsel on advancing our goal to make construction an employer of choice .This advisory working group will help develop a survey to measure perceptions, inform the building diversity and inclusion, and celebrate those who champion this initiative .
What changes have you seen in the Canadian construction industry over the past five years?
In the past five years I have observed an increase in project size, bundling, mergers, acquisitions, as and foreign investment . There has also been a surge in new and different construction contracts . Simultaneously, we’re seeing a decrease in document quality, which adds to the risk that contractors face .
What challenges do you foresee for the Canadian construction industry in the next five years?
It is said that the construction industry will likely see more change in the next five years than in the previous 50 years .
Declining investor confidence in Canada is an increasing concern . For example, the uncertainty created by the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, the requirement of community benefits, and our tax environment all have a profound impact on investors’ confidence . On the technology front, there are many innovations that will fundamentally change how we deliver projects . From 3D printers to new materials and integrated software, the industry and the owners who commission these projects will benefit in the form of productivity gains, reduced waste over time, and improved project delivery .
Is the CCA positioned to address the opportunities and challenges present and forecast?
Very much so .In March 2018 the CCA board approved a new five-year strategic plan for CCA . President Mary Van Buren is an experienced change leader,focused on modernizing the association, delivering more value to members, and increasing advocacy efforts with the government . This plan was the result of extensive consultation . It explains how CCA will meet its vision to ‘Build a better Canada’ . You can read the plan at www.plan.cca-acc.com.
Is the CCA aware of any upcoming legislation that will directly affect the Canadian construction industry?
CCA is active on about 15 files at any one time . Two key pieces of legislation of more recent concern relate to environmental assessments and community benefits . The federal government has started a complete review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) . CCA is monitoring its progress and engaging the government to ensure that the proposed measures will not be a source of supplementary delays for projects . Bill C-69 (An Act to enact the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Energy Regulator Act) is in the second reading phase in the Senate .
CCA’s concern with bill C-344: An Act to amend the Department of Public Works, Government Services Act (Community Benefits), and the community employment benefits framework may lead to an unpredictable, unfair, and opaque procurement processes . We request that community benefits be clearly laid out in the tender documents, so that each contractor can price the work required . Should these additional benefits fall outside the scope of the document, contractors would be in blind competition with each other without knowing how their proposed benefits would influence the overall evaluation .
Bill C-344 is part of a larger push that also includes the community employment benefits, now part of the framework agreements under the Investing in Canada plan . Recipients of federal funding for new major public infrastructure projects are being asked to pursue targeted efforts to contribute to the employment, economic, and social benefits of the community . CCA is concerned about anything that may add further regulatory requirements to access federal infrastructure funding, reducing productivity and increasing uncertainty . How committed our crosscountry members are to their communities is a great source of pride for us . From work at food banks or Habitat for Humanity, to hiring apprentices, the construction industry makes a difference – ahereing to our voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives . This is in addition to the many formal programs initiated by construction associations, already helping under-represented segments get into the construction industry . More effective ways to boost employment – as stated in our pre-budget submission – include providing funding for STEM WIL (Work Integrated Learning) programs, recruitment, and retention campaigns . This will ensure that the procurement process is fair, transparent, and productive; and increase the annual value of the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC), broadening its application to all years of study in all recognized provincial apprenticeship programs .
In the lead up to the 2019 federal election, what do you consider the contending parties should consider that would benefit the Canadian construction industry?
Investor confidence in Canada will be a key theme going into the election . CCA has been strongly advocating for the Government of Canada to establish an environment that is attractive to investors .
Because the industry will be facing a major workforce shortage over the next 10 years, we are expecting all parties to address the issue . In particular, CCA has advocated with the Business Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) for increased government funding for student workplace placements . CCA has submitted its own proposal to fund 1,000 co-ops over four years .
Innovation is another expected topic . As the industry actively works on being more efficient in the always-evolving world of bigger and more complex projects, CCA has made numerous requests for an R&D fund for the construction industry . We expect political parties to show how they would support the industry on this journey .
Finally, infrastructure will remain at the centre of CCA’s preoccupations . In Budget 2018, the government slowed the infrastructure expenditure to control the deficit . CCA is working with the government to ensure it respects its infrastructure commitment from Budget 2016 .
What future role do you see for the CCA in supporting the Canadian construction industry?
CCA’s 2018-2023 strategic plan lists three priorities and areas of focus for CCA . We seek to unite the industry while proactively championing national issues that matter, lead the construction industry in adopting best practices to help our members in their success, broaden our membership, and drive member value .
About the author
Interview conducted by Arif Ghaffur, PQS, Editor of Construction Economist. Zey Emir, P .Eng ., MBA is the 2018 chair of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) and president of Revay and Associates Limited . She has 25 years of experience in construction claims, dispute resolution, and contracting strategy; and is a recognized expert court witness in delay, productivity, and quantification of damages . She joined the CCA board in 2009; chaired the CCA Manufacturers, Suppliers and Services Council; and been the Vice-Chair of the CCA Standard Practices Committee . She then served as the second national Vice-Chair/Honorary Secretary, the first national ViceChair/Treasurer, and as the Chair . She’s also a former board member of Canadian Construction Innovations (CCI) .
Connect with our advertisers
Company
Adjudico Inc . Altus Group Bisceglia & Associates CB Ross Partners ConEcon Consultants Core Two Exactal Group Ltd . George Brown College Goldman Sloan Nash & Haber LLP
Page
4 29 11 20 9 17 2 40 13
LCO Construction and Management Consultants Inc . 23
Ontario General Contractors Association 15 Pelican Woodcliff Inc . 3
QS Online Cost Consultants Inc .
33 QSM – Mechanical Quantity Surveying 31 TD Insurance 3
Vertigraph, Inc . 31
Phone #
Website
905-829-4000 www .adjudicoinc .ca 416-641-9703 www .altusgroup .com 905-695-5200 www .lawtoronto .com 416-487-3330 www .cbross .ca 604-522-8970 www .conecon .ca 604-760-3402 www .coretwo .ca 512-768-8111 www .exactal .com 800-265-2002 www .coned .georgebrown .ca 416-597-9922 www .gsnh .com
514-846-8914 www .lcogroup .com
905-671-3969 www .ogca .ca 905-889-9996 www .pelicanwoodcliff .com 902-405-1504 www .qsonlinecostconsultants .com 416-949-8540 www .qsmcon .ca 866-269-1371 www .melochemonnex .com 800-989-4243 www .vertigraph .com
Please support these advertisers who help make Construction Economist possible.
To reach construction and quantity surveying professionals through Construction Economist and its targeted readership, contact Jeff at your earliest convenience to discuss your company’s promotional plans . Jeff Kutny, Marketing Manager jeff@kelman .ca 866-985-9789
Published for CIQS by:
