Latest news with #ORBA
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Ontario's Infrastructure Builders Unite at Queen's Park to Call for Investment, Red Tape Reduction, and Aggregate Approvals
TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - for the first time in both association's long history, the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) and the Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) are joining forces at Queen's Park with a clear and pressing message: Ontario's infrastructure goals are at risk without immediate support for the foundational industries that build and supply it. With Ontario advancing a $200 billion infrastructure strategy—including $30 billion for highways and $61 billion for transit—leaders from both associations are meeting today with MPPs and senior government officials to stress the urgent need for sustained, predictable investment, expedited permitting processes, and harmonized construction standards to keep projects on track and the economy moving. "Ontario's roads, bridges, and transit systems all begin with aggregate and end with asphalt," said Malcolm Croskery, Chair of ORBA and President of Pioneer Construction. "Today's joint advocacy is about breaking down the silos that exist between planning, permitting, and procurement. We're sending a clear message: our sectors are aligned and ready to deliver for Ontario—now we need government to keep pace." ORBA and OSSGA are calling on the government to fully implement the Ontario Provincial Standards System (OPSS) across all municipalities, fast-track aggregate approvals and maintain a consistent pipeline of shovel-ready projects to avoid seasonal delays and layoffs. "Our members are the foundation of Ontario's growth, but we're facing real challenges—demand is down, permitting is slow, and uncertainty is high," said John MacKay, Chair of OSSGA and Vice President at Green Infrastructure Partners. "We're proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with ORBA today. The future of Ontario's infrastructure depends on the collaboration between material suppliers and builders—and the government policies that enable us." Today's lobby day marks a new era of partnership between ORBA and OSSGA, reflecting their shared commitment to advancing Ontario's infrastructure agenda through coordinated solutions and on-the-ground insight.
Cision Canada
14-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Provincial Construction Associations Applaud Introduction of Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 14, 2025 /CNW/ - Ontario's Construction Associations strongly support the Government of Ontario's introduction of the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025 (The Act). This legislation has the potential of accelerating project approvals using consistent construction specifications and standards, which ultimately will create more consistent and competitive bidding for contractors and more cost-effective projects for tax-payers. Ontario will launch consultations in the Fall of 2025 on a legislative framework to harmonize municipal road building standards, with the objective of eliminating avoidable delays and costs on projects. A harmonized framework would unlock significant efficiencies in design, technical review, and procurement—ultimately allowing municipalities to build more for less. Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA), Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) and Progressive Contractors Association of Ontario (PCA) have long advocated for modernizing and standardizing Ontario's fragmented construction specifications. By streamlining standards, reducing red tape, and fostering innovation in materials and methods, the Act will accelerate the delivery of essential infrastructure, reduce costs for taxpayers, and improve outcomes for communities across Ontario. The industry commends this step towards greater Transit-oriented communities will benefit from streamlined planning processes, enabling more housing and job opportunities near major transit lines. The Act will also align building construction standards across Ontario municipalities, helping speed up project approvals and create consistency for developers. The industry commends this step towards greater efficiency and consistency in construction and design practices. We remain committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders and the construction sector as the legislation is a pivotal opportunity to build smarter, faster, and together. About ORBA: The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build provincial and municipal roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure across the province. The road building sector directly and indirectly supports 56,000 workers, and over $5.5Bn in annual GDP impact. To learn more about ORBA, visit About (OSWCA): The Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) is a not-for-profit organization representing sewer and watermain construction contractors throughout the province of Ontario. It serves as a collective voice for its members in advocating for the interests of the sewer and watermain construction industry. About (OGCA): The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) is a 200-member organization drawing membership from across Ontario. OGCA members account for over $14 billion of construction annually in Ontario, focusing on supplying the infrastructure needed to support our growing communities. OGCA members include small, medium and large General Contracting firms representing both union and open-shop contractors. About (PCA): PCA is a national association of leading construction companies that build major infrastructure and capital projects. Its members employ more than 40,000 unionized construction workers who are represented primarily by CLAC. PCA advocates for a fair, open and competitive construction market. SOURCE Ontario Road Builders Association
Cision Canada
08-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Statement from the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA): ORBA Calls for Legislative Action to Standardize Municipal Construction Specifications
MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 8, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) is urging the provincial government to introduce legislation that would compel municipalities to harmonize construction and design specifications. Across Ontario, municipal infrastructure is deteriorating while municipalities struggle to fund and deliver their capital programs. At the same time, a patchwork of inconsistent standards and specifications is driving up project costs, creating administrative inefficiencies, and slowing down the delivery of critical infrastructure. A harmonized, province-wide approach to construction specifications would create economies of scale, reduce taxpayer burden, and improve the cost-effectiveness of public infrastructure investments. It would also break down inter-municipal trade barriers that restrict market access and prevent contractors and suppliers from efficiently working across jurisdictions. "Harmonization is a practical solution to a long-standing challenge," said Walid Abou-Hamde, Chief Executive Officer of ORBA. "By aligning standards, we can deliver better infrastructure, faster and more affordably. It's a win for municipalities, a win for industry, and a win for Ontarians." Standardization would not only increase efficiency but also enable municipalities to stretch limited capital budgets further helping them address growing infrastructure deficits while reducing reliance on higher levels of government for funding. ORBA stands ready to work with the provincial government and municipal partners to advance this important legislative reform. The Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build provincial and municipal roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure across the province. The road building sector directly and indirectly supports 56,000 workers, and over $5.5Bn in annual GDP impact. To learn more about ORBA, visit
