When a new Canadian Construction Association (CCA) chair is appointed they are given a little gold pin that’s been passed down over the years and is a little piece of history.
Outgoing 2017 CCA chair Chris McNally recalled wearing this pin on his cross-Canada trek while meeting and listening to members discuss a wide variety of issues.
“The pin has always been greeted as a friend and confidante. It is treated with great respect,” he said, recalling a year of change and modernization at the association with the implementation of the strategic plan considered a highlight.
During the final day of the CCA’s 100th annual conference in Banff, Alta. on March 15, McNally passed the pin on to 2018 chair Zey Emir.
“I know you will wear it with pride,” he told her.
Emir is the president of Revay and Associates Limited, a firm that provides dispute resolution and project management services to the construction industry in Canada and internationally. She has over 25 years of experience specializing in construction claims and dispute resolution as well as contracting strategy, explains a CCA statement. Emir joined the CCA board in 2009 and was named to the executive in 2010.
During her opening address at the association’s annual general meeting, Emir described an industry that is evolving quickly.
“The size of both public and private projects is growing exponentially,” she said. “More and more projects are being bundled by owners who believe this will reduce costs. We need to adapt to this new reality.”
As a result of some of these large-scale projects, several mergers and acquisitions have occurred.
“The consolidation of construction companies is now a significant trend,” she stated, which creates an opening for foreign investment. “There are different players in the marketplace, different ways of doing business, different cultures. We need to be agile to adapt.”
Nobody can carry the bus ahead by themselves. The bus has to be pushed by the group
— Chris McNally
Canadian Construction Association
In an interview with the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce, Emir pointed out one reason why more foreign entities are investing in Canadian businesses is because of a lack of succession planning.
“With the newer generation…what we see is that they’re reluctant to take on the leadership positions,” she explained. “The owners, if they’re not able to sell it to the current workforce…they are looking at the foreigners who want to come here and make small purchases or large purchases and that’s again changing the landscape of the industry.”
Such is the reason why one her goals is to encourage more diversity within the CCA membership, by providing opportunities for younger and underrepresented groups such as women.
“We will need representation from small businesses, from different geographic areas, from different sectors as well as seeking to add new voices such as young leaders,” she explained.
“We have to be open to diversity, a representation that reflects our industry. Smart, capable people are often overlooked because they don’t fit the current mould. Opportunity is the only factor that is holding them back. Let’s make this year a year of giving people the opportunity to shine.”
Another priority is undertaking a governance review of the association, its current board makeup and practices.
“We are a board of almost 90 volunteers,” she explained. “This is what we know and this is what we’re comfortable with, but is this the best way going forward? As we go through this review, we need to listen to each other, learn from each other and grow with each other.”
Emir made clear the review was not being carried out to “make changes for the sake of making changes.”
Another key priority for Emir is to continue to build strong relationships with local construction associations.
“They have boots on the ground,” she said. “We must continue to attract and retain members who are committed to our cause. Now more than ever it’s important for the construction industry to stick together and make sure our voice is heard. There is strength in numbers.”
It’s a message that was echoed by McNally when asked what advice he had for Emir.
“Nobody can carry the bus ahead by themselves. The bus has to be pushed by the group,” he said, adding it was also important for Emir to focus on accomplishing her three goals during the association’s 100th year, which will embrace the past but look to the future.
Emir said she is humbled to be the 2018 chair during such a milestone year.
“I think I have huge shoes to fill. Already as a chair one has huge shoes to fill but particularly in the 100th anniversary, it gives me just tremendous honour,” she said.
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