GVCA President’s Message May
The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) is inviting your organization to join a broad-based industry coalition in advance of the June 3, 2026, Special Council Meeting regarding water capacity constraints in the Mannheim Service Area.
The Region’s ongoing water servicing constraints are affecting the entire construction and development ecosystem including housing delivery, industrial and commercial growth, infrastructure planning, investment confidence, job creation, and the broader economic competitiveness of Waterloo Region. Delays and uncertainty in servicing capacity do not just slow projects; they risk undermining business confidence and limiting the Region’s ability to remain open for growth, investment, and employment.
For that reason, we believe this moment calls for a unified, solutions-focused industry response.
GVCA is currently advancing several parallel initiatives with members and technical consultants. We are now seeking to broaden this effort through a formal coalition of industry partners so that Council, staff, and the province hear a clear and consistent message: urgent action is needed, practical solutions exist, and industry is prepared to work constructively to help move them forward.
Proposed Joint Industry Coalition
We have joined a coalition partnership between WRHBA, GVCA, CHCA, Cornerstone, and Build Urban to support a coordinated advocacy effort focused on the June 3 Special Council Meeting and the actions surrounding it.
Coalition objectives
- Present a unified industry voice on the seriousness of the Mannheim water capacity issue.
- Demonstrate that this is a regional economic and construction industry issue, not a narrow sectoral concern.
- Advance credible, technically grounded solutions supported by expert analysis.
- Encourage immediate action by Regional Council and engagement from relevant provincial ministries.
- Show that industry is aligned, organized, and ready to support a path forward that restores certainty and gets Waterloo Region building again.
Key initiatives underway
1. Joint industry position paper and technical submission
The coalition has engaged CF Crozier and BM Ross to help prepare a co-branded joint industry position paper for submission in advance of, and at, the June 3 Special Council Meeting.
This submission will provide a technically informed and solutions-oriented foundation for coalition advocacy.
2. Special Council Meeting – June 3, 2026
The coalition is working together to support a strong industry presence at the June 3 meeting through:
- submission of the joint industry position paper.
- delegation by Chris Gerrits of CF Crozier to present the technical analysis.
- delegation by participating association representatives in support of the joint position.
- encouragement for member companies across all partner organizations to attend and be present.
3. Coordinated industry communications and outreach
To reinforce the message beyond the Council chamber, the coalition is proposing aligned communications efforts across coalition partners, including:
- co-branded webinar and online technical briefing featuring the Chris Gerrits presentation the information he shared WRHBA April 14th business luncheon; This event is May 14 at 9:00 am. Here is the link
- coordinated posting through websites, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social media channels.
- shared messaging emphasizing that now is the time for urgent action and that Waterloo Region must be reopened to growth and investment.
- a coordinated association-led letter-writing campaign for member companies; link to letter here
- association-supported distribution of an industry survey* documenting project delays, job impacts, and broader economic consequences.
4. Government and municipal outreach already initiated (attached)
WRHBA has already undertaken several steps, including:
- formal letters to Ministers McCarthy and Flack requesting immediate provincial action and meetings.
- launch of a member letter-writing campaign.
- ongoing development of a multimedia communications campaign to broaden public and stakeholder awareness.
If this issue is not resolved on or before June 3rd, our reality is that any issuance of permits will not happen until late fall after the election.
The time to act is now.
Please reach out for more information, clarity, and direction on how you can assist the industry realign the water issue and get the Region of Waterloo building again. jeff@gvca.org 519-616-3553