b'POLITICAL CHANGESU.S.ANDCANADIAN By Sarah B. HoodPOLITICAL PENDULUMS SWINGWHAT IMPACT WILL RECENT AND UPCOMING ELECTIONS HAVE ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY?Editors note: This article was written prior to the results of the Canadian election on April 28, 2025.AT ALL LEVELS of North Americanin both Canada and the U.S. are usheringby the Canadian federal government, government, the one word thatin change and economic disruption. which are necessary. The impacts will be best describes the current landscape isenormous, and I dont think most people chaos, says Louis-Philippe Champagne,Chaos, I think, is really the commonrecognize that yet.associate vice-president thread here, Champagne says.of Public Affairs and Industry PracticesRaw materials and component parts with the Canadian ConstructionU.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION may cross back and forth between the Association (CCA). The return of Donald Trump as U.S.two countries several times before being president has ushered in a climate,assembled into their final forms as Were really in a time of unprecedentedshocking to many, of economic warfaremanufactured goods, incurring tariffs political chaos, but also economicbetween longtime allies across theat each crossing and effectively layering chaos, he says. I think the closestworlds longest undefended border. tariffs on top of tariffs, he explains.weve been was the crisis of the 80s and 90s with the Quebec referendum. Obviously, tariffs will have a hugeTrumps election came as a surprise to impact, and the jurys out as to whatmany people, yet he came in with a very During times of crisis, voters tend tothat will look like, says TCA presidentstrong mandate, says Champagne. He re-elect incumbent leaders; afterwards,and CEO John Mollenhauer. Thehas a very strong agenda of breaking they look for change. Thus, electionsimpact of the tariffs themselves to thethings, with his decisions to cut the held during COVID-19 lockdowns mainlyconstruction industry are insignificant;U.S. Department of Education and aid returned sitting leaders. Now, electionsits the impacts of the countermeasuresprograms, revoke DEI policies, pull out 30Quarter 12025 BUILDERSDIGEST'