Canadian steel construction industry meets with parliamentarians in Ottawa to seek support for local procurement, ensure prompt payment of trades, and a free and fair trade environment

MARKHAM, ON, June 23, 2015 /CNW/ - A national delegation of members and associates from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC), the voice of the Canadian steel construction sector, a vibrant $5.0 billion industry that employs over 40,000 Canadians, met with government ministers and parliamentarians from all political parties during CISC's "Steel Construction Day on the Hill" on June 9 to seek support for local procurement policies, ensure prompt payment of trades, and a free and fair global trade environment.

1.	Federal Prompt Payment Legislation:  Prompt payment is one of the biggest issues impacting the construction industry. The ability of trade contractors to be paid in a timely fashion for services rendered is critical to ensuring the long-term survival and growth of these small to mid-sized enterprises, their ability to support employment and job growth, and investments in machinery,  innovation and our future workforce.
	"We request the government to enact Federal Prompt Payment legislation to provide immediate relief to construction industry trades - the life blood of the Canadian construction industry" remarked Ed Whalen, President of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
2.	Infrastructure and local procurement:  This is a key government priority outlined in the 2015 federal budget, which includes the new $5.35 billion per year Building Canada Plan.  We urge the development of policies that require Canadian content in government funded infrastructure projects, Public-Private Partnership(PPP) projects,  and projects in the natural resources sector .
	"Requiring some amount of Canadian content in large infrastructure projects and providing royalty rebates/credits for the natural resources sector will have a significant impact on creating jobs, investment, innovation and on keeping world class manufacturing in Canada" , added Tareq Ali, Director of Marketing & Communications for the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.
3.	Free and Fair Trade:  The introduction of a stronger trade remedy system that ensures   free and fair trade practices by Canada's trading partners is outlined as a key priority in the 2015 federal budget.
	We consider this vital to ensure that Canadian manufacturers are able to access, compete, and thrive in an open, competitive, free and fair global marketplace.  As such, we are proposing the adoption of a Federal Reciprocal Procurement Act based on the following principles:
	The Federal government supports the concept of free and fair trade.
	The Federal government supports the concept of reciprocal procurement.
	The Federal government, while respecting current trade agreements, reserves the right to prohibit government procurement of products and services from a foreign country (and/or state within) that restricts or limits access of Canadian suppliers and manufacturers.

"We urge the Canadian government and all political parties to take the lead to ensure a level playing field, encourage local procurement, and preserve a free and fair trade environment that will ensure a strong and vibrant steel construction industry, and secure the livelihood of thousands of families across Canada for generations to come", added Mr. Whalen.

About the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC):

The CISC is Canada's voice for the steel construction industry, providing leadership in design and construction efficiency, quality and innovation.  The CISC promotes the use and benefits of steel in construction, adds value to the construction and design community and supports the needs of the membership and industry through education and training, research and development, industry codes and standards, certification, and advocacy.

 

SOURCE Canadian Institute of steel construction

Image with caption: "National delegation of CISC Members and Associates at Parliament Hill (CNW Group/Canadian Institute of steel construction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150623_C9805_PHOTO_EN_43711.jpg

Image with caption: "Canadian Institute of steel construction (CNW Group/Canadian Institute of steel construction)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150623_C9805_PHOTO_EN_43709.jpg

For further information:

Media contact:
Tareq Ali
Director of Marketing, Communications & Membership Services
Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC)
Tel: [phone] ext.113
[e-mail]