Welcome to Summer and Greetings from the ECA Chair and your Board of Directors.
I trust this message finds all our members and their loved ones in good health and in good spirits. The 2020 construction season is well underway after a challenging start and while many of us are still dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 personally, financially and psychologically, there are many things we as an industry, Edmontonians and Albertans should be proud of. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rethink how we conduct business and has possibly forever changed our day to day, face to face interactions. The pandemic has disrupted so much of the economy and our way of life that during these times it can be hard to find positives. I personally am a positive person and I am extremely proud and fortunate to be part of our industry in a great city, a determined province, and the best country in the world. Our city and provincial leaders were diligent in responding to the needs of our province amidst such challenging times.
Our industry is very much relationship driven. Relationships are forged through our people. Over the past few months your people, your staff and your future leaders continued to build and nurture the relationships that have made our industry and our association as strong as it is. Throughout the course of the past few months our member firms and construction professionals have demonstrated the ability to rise up to the challenges of the pandemic and respond with overwhelmingly positive and ingenious ways to keep our jobsites open, our workplaces safe and our people healthy.
Together our General Contractors, Subtrades, Suppliers, Owners, Consultants & Engineers united on numerous fronts, supported each other, lent a helping hand, openly shared information and put healthy competitiveness aside to come together for the greater good and the preservation of our livelihoods. I have witnessed humbleness and humility, fear and frustration; as well as comradery and compassion throughout every aspect of our Industry. Never have we relied on each other so much, while breaking down the invisible barriers and demonstrating the collaborative and unified spirit of our member firms.
This pandemic reminded us that we are vulnerable, yet proved that we are resilient, determined, and thoughtful. Many of our projects never skipped a beat while adapting to a new normal. Our project superintendents, craft labour and HSE professionals worked diligently to protect our greatest assets which is our people.
I personally would like to thank all of our member firms and your teams for demonstrating that our industry is not just one of the most important in our nation, but one of the most versatile and adaptable in the face of a crisis. I also would like to thank our Executive Director, John McNicoll, and his amazing team at the Edmonton Construction Association for their tremendous work and dedication as they deliver the best in class service to member firms. Last but not least, I would like to thank the 2020 Board of Directors who continue to represent and lead their respective areas of industry.
In closing, I wish you all a safe & healthy summer and prosperous times ahead.
Warmest of Regards,
Trevor Doucette 2020 ECA Board Chair
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