Ƶ mobilizes members to oppose government-owned enterprises

OTTAWA, January 26, 2018 – The Ƶ (Ƶ) announced yesterday in an email to its board members, partner associations and corporate members that it has advised the government of Canada of its opposition to government-owned or controlled entities competing for construction contracts. Most recently, Chinese state-owned CCCC International Holding Limited’s (CCCI) announced it is seeking to acquire Aecon Group Inc., a Canadian publicly-traded construction firm.

“This is not about competition from foreign construction companies – this is about foreign governments being in the construction business in Canada,” said Ƶ chair Chris McNally. “We want a level playing field. Government-owned and government-controlled entities have completely different access to capital and can be influenced by political agendas.”

Ƶ’s opposition to government-owned or -controlled entities in the construction business is based on one of its long-standing policy statement (4.5).

Ƶ has asked the government to extend the time for review of the CCCI transaction to allow for more fulsome input from industry. Additionally, since the review is well underway, Ƶ is urging its members to make their views known by writing to the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Sector, Paul Halucha.

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Kirsi O’Connor
Director, Communications
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