b'POLITICAL CHANGESof the World Health Organization, reviseONTARIO PROVINCIALHe points out that although Canadas the role of transgender women in sport,ELECTIONS federal leadership cant control U.S. and impose tariffs on his closest allies.On February 27, Ontario Conservativepolicymakers, they can do things Definitely, the business community andleader Doug Ford was returned to powerdomestically to help. Specifically, in order the U.S. stock market were not ready with a third straight majority, erasingto lessen the impact of international trade for that. Liberal hopes of a comeback undertariffs, the federal government can help leader Bonnie Crombie. to ease restrictions on the movement of He calls the announcement of 25-per- goods between provinces.cent tariffs across the board anAfter Justin Trudeau stepped down as economic killer if it stays in place.prime minister, a power vacuum wasIf Poilievres Conservatives win the However, many of Champagnescreated, and Canada was left withoutelection, they will likely move to reducecolleagues in the U.S. love him, evena single unifying voice at the federal though theyre going to pay the pricelevel to stand up to Trumps aggressivethe size of government, with alater, which they dont realize. policies. Premier Ford was able tosignificant impact on the public service, turn this situation to his advantage bywhich will have a big impact on services, Champagne advises that as contractors,presenting himself as a vocal defendersays Champagne.as government officials, we need to startof Canadian autonomy.making decisions and accepting the factAlso, one concern that we have is that hes not a traditional president, andDoug Ford has been very good in seizingthe Conservative position towards this is not likely to change. Not every partthat opportunity and filling that vacuum.infrastructure investment; thats of Canada will be impacted the same[Alberta premier] Danielle Smith did thesomething weve been working on, way. Hamilton will be one of the mostsame thing. Its good for Canada that wehe says. Theres a concern among impacted because its close to the U.S.have people like them who can fill thatmunicipalities as to how they fund and part of the steel integrated supplyrole and step in and fill that dynamic,home-building. If a new Conservative chain, [like] almost no other region Champagne says. administration decides to reduce in Ontario.investment in the municipalities, that The federal government has beenFords victory speech expressed hiscould be very difficult, but they have been working with construction industrycommitment to building and his promisevery good about working with us.leaders to mitigate impact on theto put shovels in the ground that will industry. However, if we have ankeep the True North strong and free. The construction workforce is another economy-wide tariff, well have aarea that may be in flux. Its a twofold contracted economy and potentialLIBERAL LEADERSHIP RACE &issue: one is that Canadians dont want slowdowns and contract cancellations,FEDERAL ELECTIONS to work in construction [and] the other is he says. March 9 saw the federal Liberalsimmigration, Champagne says.choosing Mark Carney to lead the party The most important point for contractors,into the next election. After a period ofAll parties are in agreement that in the he says, will be to read their contractsConservative popularity in the polls, thepast few years there has been too much to make sure they have properLiberals have gained ground, making the contingencies in place relating to theoutcome of the next election uncertain. immigration, but it takes too long to impact of tariffs and to discuss withnurture a [new] generation of workers, owners about how to deal with them. Federally, the numbers point to a newhe says. Were working with government government, says Mollenhauer. If itsto ensure that we have the right type of Canada is a strong nation, Champagnea new Conservative administration afterimmigration in Canada: we need more says, but the time it will take to adaptmany years of a Liberal administration,trade workers and more people to do the may be too long. the changes will be significant. jobsthatCanadiansdontwanttodo.BUILDERSDIGEST Quarter 1202531'