Photo © Can Stock / Elnur
Around the Bend By / Sandra Skivsky, Director of Marketing & Business Development for NTCCC member Canada Masonry Centre
The National Trade Contractors Council of Canada (NTCCC) believes the construction industry in Canada has not seen the last of the COVID-19 effects; in fact, the real future of the industry may have only just begun. To move forward, construction will need a two-phased approach to remaining a leading sector in Canada’s economic recovery. The first is to address the costs and contract issues that are arising from the work being done since mid-March. The second phase addresses the risks that the industry needs to mitigate in order to operate to its fullest potential during the pandemic and following its resolution. Phase I – Survival Phase I solutions need to be implemented within four to six months and will ensure the sector remains in a stable position to aid in economic recovery. Although only Quebec and Ontario construction saw partial shutdowns, all provinces experienced project delays and some shutdowns. Those firms who continued to operate underwent major adjustments to keep workers safe and comply with health and safety directives. Four key problems that are particularly challenging for trade contractors have resulted: 10 » The Trowel
• New and unforeseen costs • Reduced productivity • Schedule delays • Liquidity concerns Keeping workers safe has always been, and will always be, the top priority of the construction industry. However, the contracts under which the industry was and is operating did not include the extraordinary measures required. As companies attempted to obtain the increasingly scarce sanitization and safety items, they have incurred additional costs. Contractors will be expected to absorb additional costs on projects where contracts have already been awarded. There has been a proposal from the Canadian Construction Association for a COVID-19 construction emergency relief fund that would help mitigate these costs. Worker productivity has also been impacted. The first few weeks were confusing, and the framework provided by public health sources was evolving almost daily. It took time to adapt. There are similarities between jurisdictions, but there persists a variety of rules and guidelines from coast-to-coast. This, along with declined workforce availability, negatively affected productivity. The industry adapted quickly, but it was
