Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Relief Program would provide much needed support to contractors across Canada

OTTAWA, April 7, 2020 — The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) was pleased to see the call from the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to establish an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Relief Program to help contractors grappling with the financial implications of project shutdowns, delays, and losses of productivity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As with industries across Canada, the construction industry and the mechanical contracting sector have been faced with unforeseen challenges and issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dave Holek, MCAC President and Chair. “Whether it is the necessary but added costs of health and safety to protect workers, losses in productivity as we adapt to the changing requirements for job sites, or supply chain and payment problems as a result of shutdowns or delays, the COVID-19 pandemic has already proven to have far-reaching consequences. Our association supports any measures to help contractors access liquidity or financial support to help contractors work through this crisis.”

In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dated March 30, 2020, MCAC noted several ways the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted mechanical contractors, including site shutdowns and delays on projects. At the same time, new health and safety programming for construction projects deemed as essential have added new costs for project stakeholders, while reducing the overall productivity of those projects as contractors and workers implement new protocols.

To help address these and other issues, MCAC asked, among other requests, that the federal government provide financial support for those construction firms affected by the closure of construction sites and any project delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The request to establish an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Relief Program reinforces the fact that contractors across Canada are facing unprecedented challenges,” added Holek. “We are pleased to see any efforts that will help our members through this crisis and beyond, and we look forward to working with governments at all levels to ensure our industry is fully prepared to help rebuild the Canadian economy when the dust settles on COVID-19. We are all in this together.”

-30-