b'CONSTRUCTION[also] focusing on our procurement process to secure goods and services from Indigenous businesses that create wealth and skills development in their communities. Contact Walsh Canada Van Buren notes that the industry may even ease its labour shortage by integrating laid-off workers from other indus-for upcoming ICI tries, i.e., skilled tradespeople or labourers who lost work due to COVID lockdowns. The [construction] industry is construction projects looking to absorb skilled workers who have unfortunately been displaced by harder hit sectors, she says.Lets Grow IN THE TRENCHESIn terms of the day-to-day reality of implementing construc-Together! tion projects during a pandemic, builders and their trades have managed to adapt well to the new normal, both in terms of mitigating severe disruptions and limiting the spread of the virus. The industry has done a remarkable job in keeping its workers, families and communities safe throughout the pandemic by adopting and being vigilant on health protocols, says Van Buren. The industry, adds Laronde, has some built-in advantages on this front. Unlike many of the retail and foodservice businesses that had to close, construction companies are in the unique position to operate in large, private spaces where we can put in additional controls to minimize risk to people, he says. And since the construction industry www.walshgroup.com already operates with a high level of safety discipline, we could respond in record time with the implementation of new measures. David Abbott, director of Indigenous relations and busi-\x1f\x1f\x1f\x1e\x1d\x1c\x1b\x1a\x1e\x19\x18 ness partnerships at Bruce Power, notes that the impor-BUILDINGtance placed on health and safety at construction sites made it easier for construction stakeholders to adapt and pivot to new conditions. Our strong safety track record has COMMUNITIESenabled us to continue to move forward with the work that were doing on-site, says Abbott. Weve been fortunate.WHERE WE BUILD BUILDINGS. Despite initial speedbumps at the onset of the pandemic, the energy provider is making progress on its massive Major Component Replacement (MCR) project at Lake Huron, which includes replacing four key reactors at its nuclear power facility. Carried out in partnership with Makwa-Tron, a joint venture comprised of the First Nations-owned firms Makwa Development Corp. of Nawash First Nation and Tron, a construction company based on Saskatchewans English River First Nation, the project is expected to support 22,000 jobs and open up opportunities for future collabo-rations. Developing an Indigenous nuclear supplier has been a huge win for everyone, says Abbott. For Makwa-Tron, not only are they playing a critical role in our MCR, but the project is teeing them up to participate in a lot of new nuclear construction projects.As Canada looks to revitalize its economy in the wake of the COVID pandemic, all things point to infrastructure invest-ment playing an increasingly important role. And while st. johnshalifaxsaint johnwabushmontrealottawa no one can predict with certainty how the pandemic will torontowinnipegcalgaryedmontonvancouver shape the countrys construction industry, if current activity is any indication, theres reason to get the shovels ready.20A CCAB PUBLICATION2021'