The national push to advance major projects, develop new infrastructure, increase defence spending and connect the North will create new opportunities, Kieran Hawe said at SiteSummit in Toronto on Wednesday. But “there is going to be a shortage of labour,” he warned, and if the construction industry doesn’t address it, “we won’t be able to deliver that work.” (The Logic)

Talking point: Building industry executives at the summit welcomed what they described as a positive shift in the policy approach to projects, particularly from Ottawa. After a decade of “tougher federal involvement, now we feel there’s a future in infrastructure,” said Canadian Construction Association president Rodrigue Gilbert, citing data centres, energy, roads and sewers. Still, Canadian capital will flow to the U.S. if policymakers here don’t address long approval timelines and other issues, said Mattamy Homes Canada CEO Brad Carr. And Canada will need more construction workers, a major concern for the data centre buildout, and a longstanding worry for EllisDon. Hawe said the industry should pitch policymakers on programs to help fill the gap via immigration or education.