CRCA Leads the Way for Advocacy in the Canadian Roofing Industry

By Adam Cabrera. 

The association aims to address labor shortages by forming an advisory group for infrastructure investment. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Troy Ferreira, technical director of the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA), to discuss key trends and issues facing the Canadian roofing market. Ferreira also serves as a committee member for the 2023 ROOFTech Steering Committee and provides valuable insights into the upcoming event. 

Ferreira introduced the CRCA as a longstanding advocate for the Canadian roofing industry. Established in 1960, the association is dedicated to the promotion of industry collaboration, offering various benefits to its members. 

For 2023, the association has its sights set on a handful of important initiatives. Troy said, "We're recommending that the federal government expedite and introduce regulations for the Federal Prompt Payment Act." This proposed legislation aims to ensure timely payment to contractors, alleviating cash flow concerns for businesses. CRCA is also spearheading the formation of an advisory group focused on infrastructure investment and extending support for skilled tradespeople through immigration and training programs. 

Much like the United States, Canada's roofing industry grapples with labor and material shortages. "The labor shortage is the main thing," Troy emphasized. To tackle these challenges, the CRCA aims to broaden its outreach to attract more talent into the field, including women and underrepresented groups. 

Turning to ROOFTech 2023, Ferreira expressed excitement for the event, which marks its 30th anniversary. ROOFTech serves as a major exposition and educational forum for the roofing industry in Canada. "With all ROOFTechs, attendees will be able to view live mockups and installations of the most common roof systems used in the industry today," Troy said. New to the event this year will be the first-ever National Women in Roofing Day in Canada, aimed at boosting women's involvement in the industry. 

In addition to education, the event offers invaluable networking opportunities and showcases technological advancements in the field. Troy summed it up by stating, "It's a great place to meet up with like-minded individuals in your industry and just talk and discuss roofing." 

Listen to the full Roofing Road Trips episode or read the transcript to learn more about what the CRCA is doing to improve the roofing industry.