QSA's Week in Construction (#4, 2025)

Reappointment of Federal Housing Advocate; Investment in Indigenous Skilled Trades; Rapid Construction Innovation; Transit Funding Boost; Armed Forces Housing Expansion.

Start Date: 2025-01-25
End Date: 2025-01-31

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Reappointment of Federal Housing Advocate

On January 27, 2025, the Government of Canada reappointed Marie-Josée Houle as the Federal Housing Advocate for a three-year term. Houle will continue to assess housing policies, focusing on vulnerable groups, and will collaborate with civil society organizations. Her work will involve reviewing systemic housing issues and presenting recommendations to further government housing policy. Houle's previous term included examining financial impacts on housing affordability and engaging with Indigenous partners on housing matters.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Investment in Indigenous Skilled Trades

The Government of Canada announced a $5 million investment to the Trade Winds to Success Training Society in Edmonton on January 29, 2025. This funding aims to train over 290 Indigenous apprentices in Red Seal trades, supporting the National Housing Strategy. The initiative is part of the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, which plans to unlock 3.87 million new homes by 2031. The training will help apprentices develop skills for a clean economy, addressing trade barriers to ensure workforce integration.