Advocacy

Sustainable Infrastructure funding

Ontario’s existing water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure is aging, and municipalities are failing to budget and maintain these infrastructure assets in a state of good repair. A growing population will only put greater stress on these assets and the consequences, if continued to be left ignored, will lead to continued flooding, broken water mains, drinking water contamination, sewage backups or overflows and sinkholes– or worse, a water crisis like we saw in Calgary or Montreal. 

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) estimates that municipalities will be faced with having to invest up to $290 billion over the next 10 years to build the infrastructure needed to accommodate for growth and keep existing assets in a state of good repair.  

We recommend municipalities operate at full-cost recovery or a utility pricing model to ensure the financial long-term sustainability of their water infrastructure.

Fair and Transparent Procurement

The GTSWCA is responsible for constructing billions of dollars in capital spend across the Greater Toronto Area. We work collaboratively with municipal governments to promote fair and transparent project tendering practices. We also propose solutions to help accelerate construction timelines.

Labour relations

The GTSWCA serves as the collective bargaining agent on behalf of member companies for LiUNA 183, IOUE Local 793, and Teamsters Local 230.

With skilled workers retiring over the next decade, we are focused on attracting, training and retaining the next generation of workers in our industry. Together with the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), we are also leading initiatives in recruiting young talent and promoting rewarding careers in our trade.

Locate Delivery improvements

  • Streamlining environmental assessment processes

  • Improve locate delivery in partnership with Ontario One Call

  • Construction Act review 

  • Improved Health and Safety regulations

  • Promote the reuse of excess soils and reducing unnecessary costs