b'OSWCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE OSWCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGEMODIFYING LOBBYING GOALS PATRICK MCMANUS A s we approach the endAssociations lobbying work, dating back to EXECUTIVE DIRECTORof the year and begin tothe late 1990s. We have had some moderate look ahead to 2021, theresuccess on this, with approximately 40 per is considerable unease incent of Ontario municipalities adopting the construction industrythis practice; however, it has never been as the financial impacts ofmade a requirement by the province. It is the COVID-19 pandemican important initiative because it would become more apparent. The levels ofeffectively recession-proof the sewer debt accumulated by the federal andand watermain construction industry. A provincial governments are staggering,provincial mandate would mean that every and municipalities are struggling tomunicipality would be required to collect figure out how to fill gaps in their opera- and dedicate funding for proper system tional budgets for the remainder of thisoperation, maintenance and expansion year and next.every year. While other industries may struggle for funding, the sewer and As is often the case during periods ofwatermain infrastructure sector would economic downturn, all three levelshave permanent and reliable funding every of government have delayed and/oryear, no matter the circumstance. cancelled infrastructure spending to help manage operational losses. TheWe have had some success at inching impact of this on the constructionthis issue forward this fall. In September, industry is already being felt across thethe provincial Standing Committee on province, as there has been a substantialFinance and Economic Affairs, in its report reduction in capital works tendersto the government on how to manage throughout the fall. As a result, manythe COVID-19 impact on infrastructure, companies are closing for seasonal shutdown early and uncertain when they will re-open in the spring. OSWCA QUICK TO REACT OSWCA IS MODIFYING As the OSWCA Board of Directors recognized the early warning signs ofITS LOBBYING this impact, the Association has been quick to react, modifying its lobbying goals to focus on the need for securingGOALS TO FOCUS municipal infrastructure investment dollars for 2021.ON THE NEED FOR We are doing so through two specificSECURING MUNICIPAL approaches:First, we have, once again, moved backINFRASTRUCTURE to a focused campaign of pushing forward the requirement that municipal- INVESTMENT DOLLARS ities operate their water and wastewater infrastructure on a full-cost recovery basis. This has long been a staple of theFOR 2021 6 H 2 OSWCAFall 2020'