Rebuilding Canada’s Economy: A Discussion with Leading Parliamentary Secretaries-Rebuilding Canada’s Economy: A Discussion with Leading Parliamentary Secretaries

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Video Summary

During a virtual meeting with members of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) Canada, Parliamentary Secretary Stephen MacKinnon and Parliamentary Secretary Andy Fillmore discussed the Canadian government's approach to supporting small businesses and the construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted key initiatives such as the $40,000 loan facility and the wage subsidy program for businesses that have suffered losses in revenue. The Parliamentary Secretaries also mentioned the government's commitment to infrastructure and construction projects, with a focus on the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan and the COVID-19 Resilience Stream. They emphasized the importance of collaboration between the federal and provincial governments on project delivery and discussed ongoing negotiations to amend the integrated bilateral agreements with the provinces. The officials acknowledged the challenges in the construction industry, such as the labor shortage and the need for workforce renewal through apprenticeships. They also addressed concerns about the reopening of borders and the potential benefits of the new NAFTA-KUSMA agreement for trade and the economy. Additionally, they discussed the concept of "shovell-worthy" projects, which refers to projects that contribute to progressive elements such as Indigenous consultation and climate action. The Parliamentary Secretaries encouraged members of the construction industry to continue making their voices heard and expressed the government's commitment to investing in infrastructure for a sustainable and resilient future.

Keywords

virtual meeting

AED Canada

government initiatives

infrastructure

COVID-19 Resilience Stream

construction industry challenges

apprenticeships

NAFTA-KUSMA agreement

sustainable future