Ottawa's construction sector is one of the most economically significant parts of the capital's economy, generating over $5 billion annually for the National Capital Region. And the man now leading its trade association is wasting no time making the case that the industry is overdue for reinvention.
Bill Ferreira recently took over as executive director of the Ottawa Construction Association (OCA), replacing John DeVries who retired after 27 years at the helm. Ferreira arrives with serious credentials: 8.5 years as executive director of BuildForce Canada and nearly a decade in senior leadership at the Canadian Construction Association.
A Modern Industry With an Old-School Reputation
"We're not your grandfather's construction industry anymore," Ferreira told the Ottawa Business Journal. "This is a modern industry that relies heavily on technology and skills."
It's a pitch he'll need to make loudly, because the sector is fighting a perception problem at the worst possible time. Just as Ottawa is gearing up for some of the largest construction projects in its history, the industry faces a deepening workforce shortage.
Massive Projects on the Horizon
The pipeline of major builds in Ottawa over the next decade is extraordinary:
- The new Civic campus of The Ottawa Hospital, a multibillion-dollar undertaking
- The Centre Block and Parliamentary Precinct redevelopment
- The Supreme Court building renovation
- The Pearson Building and the new City of Ottawa Central Library
These aren't just big contracts. They're transformational projects that will define how the city looks and functions for generations, and they all need skilled people to build them.
The Workforce Challenge
Ferreira is candid about the demographics. Roughly 20% of the current construction workforce is aged 50 to 64, while only 16% of the population is under 15. The pipeline of replacement workers isn't keeping pace, and the situation will worsen over the next 15 years if left unaddressed.
His prescription includes reforming federal immigration policy to prioritize skilled trades workers, not just university graduates, and aggressive outreach to younger Canadians who haven't considered construction as a career.
Technology as the Answer
On the technology front, Ferreira sees modular construction, 3D printing, augmented reality, and AI-driven site management as the tools that will transform productivity on job sites. These aren't futuristic fantasies. They're being piloted on projects right now.
For Ottawa, a city that prides itself on its government and tech sectors, the construction industry's modernization story is one worth following closely.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
