A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

A Message from your President, Paul Lemire

For over forty years, the National Capital Heavy Construction Association has represented the interests of the heavy construction industry in the national capital region. Our industry is a significant economic driver performing well over $1 billion in infrastructure work annually. We play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of the infrastructure that is so critically important to maintaining the well-being of our community.

I am honored to act as the 44th President of the Association and build upon the foundation laid by our Past Presidents and Board Members. I am very fortunate to have the support of outgoing President, Steve McEachen, our committed Board of Directors, Executive Director, Kathryn Sutherland, and Association Coordinator, Kerri Albright.

This year is an important one as we roll out new programs and initiatives to support our members so that they, in turn, will be successful.

I invite you to view NCHCA’s 3-year Business Plan which identifies all of NCHCA’s objectives and the outcomes that we hope to achieve, and our Communications Strategy which identifies our stakeholders, communications objectives and key messages. Both documents are posted on our website.

During my presidency, my priority will be advocacy which aligns with NCHCA’s first objective to advocate strong, clear positions and expectations to regarding issues that affect the heavy construction industry. I invite you to take a moment to review NCHCA’s 2021 Advocacy Report posted on NCHCA’s website to be informed of our recent advocacy efforts.

Our advocacy efforts in 2022 will build on the work of previous years including:

  • Promoting the safe use of broadband backup alarms to the City of Ottawa
  • Advocating for timely locate services with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
  • Offering webinars and bulletins on excess soil management
  • Working with the City of Ottawa to manage COVID-19 safely on construction sites
  • Suggesting improvements to the City of Ottawa VPM system
  • Participating in City of Ottawa specification reviews
  • Advocating for increased investment in road building, and sewer and watermain construction projects with the City of Ottawa
  • Addressing labour shortages through NCHCA’s Recruitment Project, developing strategies and solutions with input from industry
  • Working with the City on its social procurement initiative
  • Continuing with “construction community cares” initiatives such as the construction equipment parade in in support of CHEO and Roger Neilson House that we held in 2021

We anticipate holding many networking events over the balance of 2022, including a new slo-pitch tournament, Manhole and Pothole Open golf tournaments, BBQ Shine & Show, and the Fall Dinner Dance.

Improving the recruitment and retention of workers in the heavy construction industry remains a priority for us. In 2020, NCHCA undertook a multi-year recruitment project with funding from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to address industry labour shortages in the Ottawa area. We thank all of our members who participated in this initiative. We have submitted a follow-up request for funding to assist us in support us in rolling out the strategies and solutions identified.

We recognize and value our relationships with our stakeholders. We will continue to work closely with our partners – municipal governments, private sector owners and consulting engineers – and will build on the success of the 2022 Education Series, which brought together over 600 industry professionals at this industry-wide educational and networking event.

We will continue to work closely with the City of Ottawa through monthly liaison meetings and providing feedback on City initiatives such as the use of broadband backup alarms, VPM improvements, and specification updates.

I look forward to my term as president and to providing our members with information and resources so that they, in turn, can be successful.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time.

Yours truly,

Paul Lemire
NCHCA President
paul@cacecon.com