The federal government’s 2025 budget puts construction at the heart of Canada’s economic strategy through investments in infrastructure, defence, and housing. These measures are critical to supporting the businesses and people who build the homes, transportation networks, and other projects Canadians rely on every day.
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) commends the government’s significant $115-billion investment in infrastructure, including $51 billion for local infrastructure such as housing and transportation, which will support communities across Canada and enable the ambitious homebuilding agenda.
“Canada has underinvested in critical infrastructure for decades,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, president of CCA. “These investments reflect the essential role of housing-enabling infrastructure in addressing the national housing shortage and committing substantial resources to these projects.”
The new Build Communities Strong Fund will invest $51 billion over 10 years, followed by $3 billion per year ongoing, to revitalize local infrastructure. Budget 2025 also proposes to provide $213.8 million over five years, starting in 2025-26, for the Major Projects Office.
The industry also welcomes the government’s investment into the construction workforce, with $97 million invested over five years to establish the Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund to improve foreign credential recognition, focusing on the construction sector.
While the budget marks an important step toward recognizing construction’s role in Canada’s economy, CCA continues to call for a coordinated national workforce strategy, one that connects immigration, apprenticeships, upskilling, and the destigmatization of careers in the skilled trades.
The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) cautions that while the government’s commitments are bold, turning ambition into action will require serious coordination on the ground.
“Budget 2025 is a big moment for Canada’s construction industry and for the Lower Mainland,” said Jeannine Martin, VRCA president. “The investments are bold, and the direction is right – but turning ambition into action will take timely permits, fair procurement, and a workforce ready to build.”
