Executive Director Report - November 2017
I hope you had a great construction season. With winter upon us and 2017 coming to a close, we begin to look to position the industry for a successful 2018, and there is much to do. The revamped Mixer newsletter is one way we will be providing you with updates on the initiatives the association is engaged in on your behalf, I encourage you to take the time to review the content each month and share your feedback.
My first three months as Executive Director have been active as I get to know Concrete Alberta and our members. I have had the opportunity to meet with some of you and I look forward to meeting with more of you over the coming weeks and months. I am learning about your concerns and your vision for the industry, and I am incorporating those learnings into the day-to-day operations and long-term strategies of the association as well as communicating them when I advocate on your behalf with government and industry stakeholders.
One particular initiative I want to bring to your attention is the Concrete Council of Canada’s Federal Lobby Days, which took place in Ottawa in October. Concrete Alberta, along with ready-mix associations from across the country and other concrete and cement industry associations and members participated.
I had the opportunity to meet with a number of Members of Parliament from Alberta and senior Civil Servants from the Government of Canada, the message delivered was clear – the concrete industry plays a pivotal role in building resilient and low carbon communities, and we are constantly innovating to deliver building solutions that meet the needs of government as well as Canadians and Albertans. We provide a product that is sourced locally and supports local jobs, families and communities.
The main ask of the MPs and Civil Servants was to reinvision how decisions are made on taxpayer funded infrastructure investments to ensure these investments deliver maximum economic, social and environmental value. This includes pursuing a full economic lifecycle cost assessment on infrastructure decisions rather than relying on the traditional low cost framework. It was also stressed that this approach needs to be attached to investment dollars that are provided at the provincial and municipal levels of government.
The message and ask was received positively, the Alberta MPs I met with are supportive of the concrete industry and are interested in working with the association to advance our priorities.
I have been and will continue to deliver a similar message and ask to elected officials and administration at the provincial and local levels of government in Alberta to ensure that concrete is positioned positively and competitively as a building material.
I am excited for the opportunities that are ahead for the concrete industry in Alberta and working with all of you, government and industry stakeholders to achieve success.