Industry associations and businesses enthusiastic with Liberal infrastructure spending plans Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer Several industry associations and businesses have expressed enthusi- asm for the federal government’s planned multi-billion (and multi-year) infrastructure investment program. Here are some of the comments: Canadian Construction Association (CCA) CCA president Michael Atkinson says in published interview: “The fact they (the Liberals) are a majority gov- ernment gives them some time to put in place the people they want and get on with the job. If it had been a minor- ity situation, especially if it had been a slim minority situation, governments tend to go into re-election mode rather than sticking with their plat- forms. (The Liberals have a solid ma- jority with 184 seats in the House of Commons.) “It gives us a little more certainty that we’re going to see something rolled out,” he said. “Frankly, certainly the infrastructure programs are very important because I think it allows other levels of government to plan.” Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada (ACEC) “Infrastructure is an investment in social, economic and environmental quality of life,” said ACEC president John Gamble. “We need to both ex- pand and renew our infrastructure. In- frastructure is what enables our economic activity, it is what connects and grows our communities,” he said in a published report. “We are not just throwing money at the issue,” Gamble said. Contractors, investors and consulting engineers are “all looking for long-term pre- dictability so that we can make our re- spective investments in our capacities to deliver infrastructure.” Cement Association of Canada (CAC) The CAC says it is pleased that the Liberal Party has committed to na- tional leadership on climate change and to joining with the provinces and territories to put a price on carbon and reduce carbon pollution. The Liberals have committed to a $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Trust that will fund projects to help reduce carbon emissions and, appropriately, help place municipalities at the fore- front of renewed investment in green and more prosperous communities, the CAC said in a news release. “As these and other infrastructure invest- ments are made, the CAC urges the new government to make life cycle as- sessment a core tool for decision making as they seek the greatest eco- nomic, environmental and social value from investments in our built environ- ment,” said Michael McSweeney, the CAC’s president and CEO. Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) The RICS says its surveys indicate that infrastructure projects could help 6 – November 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report