April 3, 2024 (Ottawa) – The Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) executive director, Mr. Jim Facette, welcomed the attention and federal announcements concerning construction overall and housing needs, however, cautioned that serious skilled trade shortages remain.

“Federal efforts to boost real housing and infrastructure spending are, on the surface, welcome news, CRCA members remain very concerned about the acute nature of finding roofers,” said Mr. Facette. The CRCA has met with the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) and departmental staff, including Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), advocating a more flexible immigration system to help meet the roofing industry labour demand.

Immigration provides another “tool in the toolbox” to help resolve the serious nature of the commercial roofing labour shortage. CRCA members, on their own, continue to search the world over to meet their labour needs, yet could use assistance from a more flexible and construction trade-friendly immigration system.

Mr. Facette added, “Our recent efforts include working with Talent Beyond Boundaries to provide CRCA members the opportunity to access the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) program.”

About CRCA
The Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), incorporated in 1960, is the Canadian voice of the industrial, commercial, and institutional roofing industry. We provide technical and policy support to more than 400 members from coast to coast. Dedicated to their success, CRCA members provide low-slope roof, steep-slope roof and building enclosure construction services to their respective clients. www.roofingcanada.com