Mandy Bujold's Column June

A Question Worth Asking

Earlier this month, GVCA was proud to sponsor the Skilled Trades Award at the BMO Women of the Year Awards. The evening was filled with inspiring stories, remarkable accomplishments, and well-deserved recognition of women making an impact across our community.

This year’s Skilled Trades Award recipient, Jessica Gemmell, exemplifies leadership, excellence, and advocacy in our industry. While receiving her award, she shared a message that has stayed with me long after the event ended.

Standing before a room full of business leaders, community members, and champions of women, Jessica challenged the audience to ask an important question when hiring a contractor:

“Do you employ women on your team?”

Her follow-up was equally direct: if the answer is no, perhaps it’s time to find a different contractor.

It was a powerful moment.

We often talk about the importance of attracting more women into construction and the skilled trades. We discuss workforce shortages, labour challenges, and the need to build a stronger talent pipeline. Jessica’s message reminded us that creating change requires more than conversations, it requires accountability.

The choices we make as clients, employers, and industry partners have influence. By asking questions about representation and inclusion, we signal that these issues matter. We encourage organizations to create workplaces where women are not only welcomed into the industry but are supported, valued, and given opportunities to grow.

What resonated most with me was that Jessica seized the opportunity that came with receiving the award. Rather than focusing solely on her own achievement, she used the moment to advocate for others and challenge all of us to think about the role we play in shaping the future of our industry.

Meaningful change often starts with a simple question.

Perhaps this is one worth asking.