OTTAWA, - Merit Canada, the voice of Canada's open shop construction associations, today expressed its support for key measures and initiatives contained in the federal government's 2012 budget. Terrance Oakey, President of Merit Canada, says he is encouraged that the Conservatives are continuing to focus on creating jobs, maintaining a healthy economy and reducing red tape.
"Good economic policy is good construction policy", said Oakey. "Any measures which create jobs, deal with impending shortages of skilled tradespeople, and reduce regulatory burden are a positive step for our nation and for the construction industry."
Oakey praised the government's pledge to invest in infrastructure and reform the immigration system to make it more attuned to the needs of employers. And he called the Conservatives' commitment to streamline the review process for major economic projects "an excellent and long-overdue reform", noting that "a 'one project, one review' process combined with fixed timelines is a major step forward."
Merit Canada was established in November 2008 as a united national voice for eight different provincial Open Shop construction associations. Open Shop construction represents approximately 70% of the Canadian construction industry, and our member companies directly employ approximately 60,000 people.
