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The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction<br />
Message from the Chairman of the Board and the <strong>CISC</strong><br />
President<br />
While the global economy suffered setbacks that<br />
has slowed its recovery momentum in <strong>2011</strong>, the<br />
Canadian approach to spending and debt has put us<br />
in good form going forward. Canadata reports that<br />
in retail malls, institutional, warehouse, commercial<br />
and industrial markets the current square footage<br />
of 86.1 million will rise to approximately 127 million<br />
square feet by 2013 <strong>–</strong> all good news. A number of<br />
fabricators across Canada are planning expansion<br />
to their facilities to service this demand.<br />
Most regions have seen substantial growth in the<br />
past year. Alberta and Saskatchewan are leading<br />
the way with Newfoundland and the Maritimes<br />
close behind due to natural resources and shipping<br />
contracts. Ontario is poised to see a stronger<br />
market (if only in the short run) due to the Pan Am<br />
Games in 2015 and the Toronto Transit Expansion.<br />
<strong>Quebec</strong> and British Columbia are lagging in the<br />
post-recession recovery but they will benefit from<br />
stronger markets in other regions as firms will need<br />
to “partner” to deliver the large tonnages required<br />
over the next few years.<br />
Economic factors or challenges we are still facing<br />
as an industry are the currency exchange rates,<br />
the price of oil, access to capital, access to foreign<br />
markets, foreign competition, government policy,<br />
need for innovation, unfair trade and the global<br />
economic recovery.<br />
Still, all in all, I am optimistic the next few years look<br />
bright for our industry.<br />
Stephen Benson<br />
Chairman<br />
2 <strong>2011</strong>/12 Annual Report<br />
The <strong>CISC</strong> continues to move forward in the second<br />
year of our strategic plan. With the Canadian<br />
economy strongly linked to the boom in the<br />
natural resource sector, the <strong>CISC</strong> is working hard to<br />
leverage opportunities with a focus on building a<br />
stronger organization with a greater voice through<br />
membership growth, enhancement of member<br />
services and strategic initiatives and partnerships<br />
designed to ultimately increase the steel industry’s<br />
market share.<br />
Our vision is to be the voice of the Canadian steel<br />
construction industry. Through By-Law reform and<br />
new policies, all stakeholders in the construction<br />
industry can now be active within the <strong>CISC</strong> with<br />
their input and participation.<br />
In the next year, the newly branded <strong>CISC</strong> Solutions<br />
Centre and strengthened resources in our regions<br />
will be key drivers for ensuring new projects and<br />
their consultant teams have all the tools and<br />
information needed to choose the best solution.<br />
Membership growth will be a prime goal. To achieve<br />
this, research and focus groups will be conducted to<br />
help us better understand perceived membership<br />
value and desired member benefits.<br />
This next year is expected to be very positive with<br />
growth in almost all regions creating demand for<br />
a strong workforce. We will continue to work with<br />
our partners to help address this industry need.<br />
Hang on, the next few years are sure to be exciting!<br />
Ed Whalen<br />
President
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