Discussions with an Industry Expert: The Very Real Problem of Construction Labour Shortages in Canada

We have a labour shortage problem in Canada. Baby boomer retirements, which accelerated after COVID, continue. Early Gen-X retirements are starting to take hold. In Canada’s labour force, these retiring workers are not being replaced. Not enough students exiting high-school aspire to jobs in the trades. When we add that to Canada’s declining population, our need (and commitment) to billions of dollars in infrastructure spending, the Liberal’s promise of a robust home construction program and the pause placed on immigration efforts, we see a problem with no immediate or identifiable solution.

This Tuesday, join us as we discuss these issues with Patrick McManus, the executive director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association. In his role, Patrick focuses largely on advocacy and relationship building with municipal, provincial and federal decision-makers on key policy issues which affect the construction industry. He has been extremely involved in efforts to address labour shortages, at both the micro level with contractors and associations and at the macro level with government. He is as knowledgeable and active in these areas as anyone we know, and we really look forward to picking his brain about what can be done about them.

This Webinar is part of a series in which we offer free 1 hour seminars every Tuesday morning, from 8:30 – 9:30 am, on a variety of timely issues and topics. Our goal is to provide focused and practical information, and to conclude each session on the hour with additional time then set aside for questions and discussion for those that want to stay behind. We hope to see you there!