CANADA'S ROOFING INDUSTRY Labour supply, technological change and regulatory challenges spur innovation and higher industry standards Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer Interconnected labour supply issues, technological changes, and regulatory challenges have spurred innova- tion and adaptation by Canada's industrial, institutional and commercial roofing contractors. The industry has deep roots. The Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association (OIRCA) celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2014 with a renewed commitment to higher and more reliable quality industry standards. Mean- while, across Canada, the industry has dealt with many challenges from internal and external sources, and is preparing to tackle many more in the coming year. Canadian Roofing Contractors’ Association (CRCA) ex- ecutive director Bob Brunet says labour has been the biggest challenge. “Skilled labour shortages and demo- graphic forces are reshaping the roofing industry’s work- force,” he said. “Our workers are getting older and trying to attract the younger generation is a challenge.” While technological improvements are intended to make things easier and improve quality, these have created 50 – Winter 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report challenges for contractors. Brunet says everything from GPS technology to BIM (Building Information Modelling) to modularization of roofing components “has and will con- tinue to impact our contractors.” Looking ahead to 2015, Brunet says roofing contractors will be further challenged, in some cases with the funda- mentals of how they do business. “I believe we’re going to see that the evolving payment terms will cause serious risk and cash-flow problems, not only for the roofing in- dustry, but all of the construction industry,” he said. In addition, increased competition, and not only from outside of Canada, is a concern. “Our industry has to be aware of inter-provincial competition as well. Workers will continue to be mobile and relocate where the work is and in Canada the hot spots are mainly in British Columbia, Al- berta, Saskatchewan, parts of Ontario and Newfoundland.” Brunet says labour supply will continue to be an issue until a basic mindset change occurs. He says construction careers are still seen as a second or third choice to the younger generation. This is unfortunate because the per- ception is incorrect.