Canadian Club of Ottawa Welcomes Expertise and Research from the Diversity Institute and Future Skills Centre

The urgency of addressing Canada’s critical infrastructure sector has become increasingly apparent, particularly in the face of the country’s ongoing housing crisis. This issue took center stage at a recent Canadian Club of Ottawa (CCO) event, featuring the founder of the Diversity Institute and Future Skills Centre academic research lead, Dr. Wendy Cukier. The event brought together a diverse array of industry leaders, non-profit organizations, policymakers, and elected officials, including keynote speaker Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, to discuss innovative solutions to speed up the development of affordable housing and enhance the country's infrastructure.

Wendy set the stage with introductory remarks highlighting the latest research by the Future Skills Centre and discussed the need to do things differently.  “Innovation is often associated with technology.  We invest billions in developing new technologies. A Canadian, Geoffrey Hinton, just won a Nobel prize for his work in artificial intelligence (AI). But, innovation is not about making new technologies, it is about doing things differently. And, even though we lead in AI development we are laggards in adoption,” said Cukier.  “People often ask, why as a tech and innovation expert I am so passionate about construction and infrastructure. It's simple, we can play in virtual worlds, we can study and work online, technology can help us build faster and smarter and hopefully more sustainably, but we cannot live in virtual homes.”

Wendy also emphasized that addressing infrastructure challenges requires more than technological advancements—it demands policy innovation and workforce development as well. She noted that Canada’s construction sector contributes CAD 183 billion to the GDP but lags behind global competitors in productivity, innovation, and digital adoption. While the Government has made significant investments in tech innovation, the infrastructure sector has often been overlooked.

She stressed the importance of the need for people to innovate. “Of course we can’t adopt or innovate without talent,” The rise of post secondary education is a plus for Canada as education is the key path to social mobility and supports innovation.  “But we have failed miserably compared to other countries in ensuring we have a strong and diverse base of workers that respond to employer needs in the sector.” There has been lots said and done about labour shortages at all levels but more is needed particularly for skilled trades. “In some trades the attrition rates are over 50% and our workforce population in this sector is aging out.”The Diversity Institute and Future Skills Centre have dozens of projects and research to help face this challenge. “We also need to double down to address the misinformation and often stigma associated with the skilled trades. We need to provide pathways to trades and other roles starting upstream at K-12.  We need to find better ways to adjust the immigration point system to prioritize newcomers with skilled trade expertise and help transition them into the workforce. 

She also clarified misinformation about immigrants being the cause of Canada’s housing crisis. She cited a paper she co-authored with Professor Morley Gunderson from the University of Toronto.  Ironically in the World Economic Forum’s recommendations to address the global housing crisis, and it is global, not confined to Canada, it recommended loosening, not tightening immigration policies. Why? Because worldwide: the construction industry depends heavily on immigrant labor. “There is a strong link to my work on talent and diversity and inclusion – immigrants built this country  - literally - from the railway that created Canada to many of the homes we live in now.” 

She also reminded those attending that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the foundation of the building sector - and need to be at the centre of this work. Unlike the U.S. which has about 50% of its private sector employers as large companies, 90% of private sector employment in Canada is with SMEs. There are cost and resource barriers to technology adoption and productivity improvement - with the majority of firms having fewer than five employees there are massive impediments to innovation and to efficient access to talent when you are so close to the margins. 

To overcome barriers to innovation in infrastructure, Cukier highlighted several key areas of innovation:

• Zoning and Regulatory Reform: Encouraging upzoning and streamlining approvals to expedite housing developments.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other digital adoption: Enhancing project planning through digital models that optimize design and streamline construction.
• Advanced Construction Techniques: Exploring prefabrication, modular housing, and 3D printing to reduce costs and build faster.
• Sustainable Infrastructure: Investing in green building practices, such as mass timber construction and energy-efficient designs, to minimize environmental impact.
• Workforce Development: Addressing skilled labor shortages by investing in education, reskilling programs, and diversity initiatives to attract underrepresented groups into the sector, particularly the trades.

Wendy concluded her remarks with an inspirational example of Canada’s excellence in building. “When preparing for today, I was reminded of a building built a long time ago - the Canadian Chancery in Washington DC, home of the consulate and one of our iconic buildings. We were given prime space on Pennsylvania avenue in Washington, DC as recognition of Canadian heroism in saving the Americans held hostage in Iran in 1979. The building showcased Canadian excellence in building and infrastructure including the design by Arthur Erickson, the art (displays of Michael Snow and other artists), building expertise (including Indigenous Iron workers) as well as Canadian raw materials  - a wider range of spectacular wood products  - I still marvel at the floor - as well as limestone, marble and much more. The innovations were in the design and the materials of course rather than the technology and it was an example of a successful partnership of government, industry and a host of actors. But it reminded me of the importance of the sector and a showcase of our talent.  This is a sector that not only can address critical issues at home but also create and develop new opportunities abroad.” 

Mayor Sutcliffe reinforced the need to invest in infrastructure, saying that infrastructure is often not paid attention to until it is gone, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships in infrastructure projects. “When describing the recent drive forward in improving Ottawa’s development to support its communities, he noted that “while the city sets guidelines and oversees contracts, the bulk of the work is executed by private companies. This collaboration has been essential to the city’s growth for over 200 years, despite occasional challenges such as project delays and unforeseen complications. By and large, the system ensures taxpayers receive good value for their money. Adding,“we are improving Ottawa’s infrastructure now for generations to come.”  

CCO President Jennifer Cross, Co-Founder of City BuildHERS and Business Development Manager NCR, MARANT Construction, moderated a panel on Innovation in Infrastructure: Building More, More Sustainably with leading experts discussing innovations that their companies have pioneered and championed.

Stephen Willis, Senior Principal and Federal Sector Leader at Stantec, detailed how technological advancements are transforming infrastructure management. He illustrated how remote sensing and drone technology are being employed to monitor infrastructure conditions in more safe and efficient ways, particularly in remote and hard-to-access areas. For example, “drones are now being used to inspect sewers, while sensor systems track the condition of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s dams, docks, and bridges.” Stephen also highlighted the growing importance of digital twins—virtual replicas of infrastructure.  Data analytics and these tools allow stakeholders to make data-driven decisions, ultimately increasing efficiency and reducing costs. AI and machine learning are also being harnessed to optimize design functions and improve overall project planning.

Sherry Larjani, President of Spotlight Development, brought a not for profit perspective to the discussion, recounting her journey into the world of affordable housing by applying entrepreneurial skills gained as a private sector developer. She explained that traditional approaches to housing development are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand. Instead, innovative models that integrate non-profit and private-sector efforts must be pursued. Sherry described her experience partnering with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to create affordable housing solutions tailored to diverse communities, including Indigenous groups, veterans, and Black communities. One of the primary challenges she identified was the reluctance of some developers to include affordable units in high-end projects due to perceived stigmas. However, she argued that affordable housing should not be seen as a burden but as an integral part of community-building. She called for elected officials to “play nice” and for more proactive collaboration across municipal, provincial, and federal levels to streamline housing approvals and ensure sustainable solutions.

Frederic Bettez, Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Pomerleau Capital, underscored the broad definition of infrastructure, which includes not only structures like bridges, office buildings, solar panel farms and roads but also hospitals, housing and residential buildings. He also agreed with Stephen about utilizing technology for innovation. “Technology is at the forefront of innovation, he said. We're using it to help us with estimates as well as to reduce costs. He highlighted the need for early client involvement in infrastructure projects to improve efficiency and avoid costly delays. According to Bettez, “a well-planned project is often more cost-effective in the long run, despite the initial time investment required. He added, “you can’t have innovation unless you have collaboration with the client from the beginning.” He also stressed the importance of attracting private capital to infrastructure projects, arguing that private sector investment far exceeds the financial resources available from non-profit organizations and government entities. To make infrastructure projects more attractive to investors, Bettez suggested implementing frameworks that distribute risk appropriately and encourage long-term investment.

As Ontario prepares for upcoming provincial and federal elections, panelists stressed the importance of prioritizing infrastructure investment. Voters and policymakers must recognize the direct impact of infrastructure spending on economic growth and community well-being. They also called for greater collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive meaningful progress.

Bryan N. Detchou, Senior Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, closed the event on an optimistic note: “Today's conversation reinforces the critical reality—whether it's increasing housing supply or expanding transportation or social infrastructure, the construction sector must innovate to meet the evolving needs of our communities. The good news is that we have strong examples of innovation in infrastructure to draw from. Through collaboration between government, industry, and thought leaders, we will drive real progress.”

The Canadian Club of Ottawa event highlighted the urgent need for innovation in Canada’s infrastructure sector. By leveraging new technologies, fostering public-private partnerships, and streamlining regulatory processes, Canada can overcome its housing and infrastructure challenges. The message was clear: innovation, investment, and collaboration are essential for building a smarter, faster, and more sustainable future.