Urban Futures senior advisor David Baxter was the keynote speaker at the recent The Canadian Construction Association held in Vancouver. Baxter explained the impact of a shrinking labour force, an aging population, and the need for construction to expand past its traditional labour pool. Given lengthening life spans and a ballooning population of seniors, it is vital that more infrastructure is built to serve that cohort, but that same age group is also retiring from high level positions in the construction industry, causing a significant labour gap. The solution, he said is increased immigration, along with drawing from non-traditional sources for labour such as women, aboriginal workers and the disabled. Baxter also outlined the changing business climate for Canadian firms, pointing to opportunities in green building and overseas work, while cautioning that foreign companies will do the same in Canada. Long term, he said, non-residential construction will be the driver that keeps the industry moving forward. JOC DIGITAL MEDIA