b'COMMITTEE PROFILEMollenhauer. Government must also realize that cuttingTHE KEY TO THIS ADVOCACY MANDATE ISspending on infrastructure at this time would be catastrophic considering the slowdown our industry is currently navigating. TO ENSURE WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHTThis is why reassessing our advocacy program is so important.DIRECTION WITH THE RESOURCES WEMEMBER ENGAGEMENTThe success of combining the committees and assessment HAVE IN THE ASSOCIATION . of the new committee mandate rely on engagement of the TCA membership in the process, says Fernandes. We need to -JOHN MOLLENHAUER improve soliciting industry concerns from members and increase our engagement with the members at large. She went on to say that the plan is to encourage members to share their feedback on industry issues of concern with the new committee and eliminate the construction stigma in the minds of young peopleexpand the committee membership. This program will not work and their parents, says Suzana Fernandes, vice presidentwithout significant engagement from our members.of operations at TCA. In addition to working with a toolbelt, construction offers a large number of excellent opportunitiesMoving into 2025, TCA and the industry is entering a time when that will lead to a very successful career. elections at all three government levels are fast approaching. Another priority area will be establishing the TCA advocacyIt will be a critical time for TCA to sort out its relations program efforts at all levels of government, from municipal to provincialand ensure they have a seat at the table in all the right places. to federal. Historically, this multi-level advocacy concern aroseIn a nutshell, the most serious issue we will have to tackle for when the Toronto municipal government, under John Tory,the industry is cutting through all the governmental red tape, decided on a number of permit and other local requirementsso projects are profitable and more affordable for the buyer of that impacted construction seriously and the industry had noconstruction, says Stainton.say in the outcome. The key to this advocacy mandate is toThis new TCA committee change is only going to be as good ensure we are going in the right direction with the resources weas the members want it to be. Your association needs you to have in the association, says Mollenhauer. get involved in this new process. Whether it is sharing your He adds that he felt this new direction will have to assessthoughts on issues of concern or volunteering to serve on the how parts of the advocacy initiative will function in thenew committee, get engaged! The construction marketplace is future including strategic partnerships with groups like thechanging significantly. Its time to get involved in your future.Canadian Construction Association and the Council of Ontario Construction Associations. We will have to balance these relationships with the resources TCA has at its disposal,says Mollenhauer.There has also been discussion about priority on the intricacies and importance of the relationship between general contractorsWORRY LESSand trade contractors on the jobsite. It has been suggested that educating both groups together through TCA will help projectsBUILD MOREmove forward in a more positive manner.THE MARKETPLACE TCAs work on its advocacy program could not have come at a better time. The construction industry nationally has seen a significant downturn in the last couple of years that is quickly changing the construction market, including the GTA. High interest rates, increased construction costs and a skilled worker shortage is significantly hampering reversal of this downturn.Now more than ever, construction associations like TCA need to focus their advocacy efforts to ensure this downturn startsWhen youre backed by Canadas top to move in the opposite direction in the not-too-distant future.risk management specialists.There is a great deal of concern amongst developers about the future of the economy and the profitability of new projects. AsLearn more at northbridgeinsurance.cathe downturn increases and more projects are put on hold, the construction industrys voice needs to be heard. With the GTA being the largest construction market in Canada, TCA has a huge stake in righting the ship.Northbridge Insurance Logo is a trademark of Northbridge Financial Corporation, licensed by Northbridge General Insurance Corporation Meeting the governments housing crisis objectives and(insurer of Northbridge Insurance policies). [3877-013]finding solutions to the labour shortage need a collaborative partnership between industry and government, says BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 3202433'