b'TCA ANNUAL MEETING154 THTCA ANNUAL MEETINGANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY By Warren HeeleyON FEBRUARY 17, the TorontoAmerica. The Ontario government hasOVERVIEWConstruction Association heldbudgeted $144 billion for infrastructureJohn Mollenhauer delivered his report its 154th annual meeting and, for theimprovements and recognized the needon the 2021 year. He stated that despite second successive year, it was held into keep construction jobsites open duringthe pandemic, construction had a busy a virtual format because of the ongoingthe pandemic so vital infrastructure andyear with more than $140 billion in work challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.housing projects could continue to completed in Canada. Ontario comprised The meeting reviewed the associationsmove forward.about $50 billion of that total. In the work and accomplishments in 2021, withGreater Toronto Area (GTA), for example, more than 180 members and guests The Ontario premier also highlighted histhere were more than 240 active condo in attendance.governments commitment to reducingjobsites with 22,000 units completed. red tape for the industry by workingAnother good indicator of construction The audience was also treated to keynotewith the municipalities to shorten thework in the GTA is the 225 tower cranes in remarks from Ontario Premier Douglastime for permit approvals and increasinguse during 2021, which represents nearly Ford, as well as a presentation of thethe number of site inspectors. His50 per cent of the total construction annual TCA Best of the Best Awardsgovernment also recognized the needcranes in use for the whole of(BOTB) to deserving TCA members. for more skilled workers in constructionNorth America.(See BOTB article on pg. 16.) and other industries. He said they are looking at how to get trades training backSkilled worker shortages and the need to The meeting began with TCA presidentinto the high schools so young people getinvest in new technology remain high on and CEO John Mollenhauer introducingexposure to these careers at an early age. the list of industry challenges, explained Premier Ford. In his address, FordMollenhauer. Technology investment is expressed his thanks for being invitedincreasing when you look at areas such to talk to the TCA membership andFord pointed to his governments progressas drone use, which increased 239 per congratulated the association on its morein job creation, reductions in WSIB ratescent in 2021. The difficulty is that many than 150 years as a strong representativeand the commitment through Buildcompanies do not have the necessary of the construction industry.Ontario to improving transportation incapital to invest after two years of the province. This includes new roads,uncertainty created by COVID.Ford stressed how important thesubways and rail lines. In closing, Ford industry was to the Ontario economy andthanked the industry for its commitmentMollenhauer went on to say that when you noted that the province has the fastestto the province during the difficult time ofadd issues like recovering costs due to growing construction sector in Norththe pandemic. COVID shutdowns, H&S changes required 28Quarter 12022 BUILDERSDIGEST'