About Us Growth in Niagara over the last several years has been felt with the never-ending sprawl of the GTA toward our area. Reinvestment in our infrastructure has been Evident

President's Message

As the 51st President of the Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara, I am truly honored to lead an organization that has played a pivotal role in strengthening our region’s infrastructure. Our association has always been a powerful platform for fostering collaboration and promoting an inclusive culture that brings together heavy construction professionals with local, municipal, and public works officials.

Our mission remains clear: to drive growth, innovation, and safety within the heavy construction sector. We are committed to providing our members with the tools and resources they need to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. By embracing new technologies and methods, we are positioning ourselves to be leaders in innovation—ensuring our projects are not only efficient but also environmentally sustainable and forward-thinking.

Equally important is our steadfast commitment to safety. Together, we work to ensure that safety remains at the forefront of all projects, protecting the well-being of workers, communities, and the environment. Through ongoing education, training, and collaboration, we continue to raise the bar for safety standards across the industry.

As we move forward, I am excited to deepen our partnerships, enhance our impact, and continue to build stronger, more resilient infrastructure that will serve our communities for generations to come. I look forward to working alongside all of you as we advance these shared goals.

Thank you for your dedication and support.

Sincerely,
Patrick DeRose ~ President 2025/2026
Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara

Links

Please find links to helpful documentation below

Organization Profile

The Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara is a non-profit organization operated by volunteers and established to represent the interests of the civil and heavy construction industry in the Niagara Region. Members are Contractors, Trade Contractors, Manufacturers, Suppliers and professionals affiliated with the industry.

The Association was originally formed in 1973 by a small group of interested contractors. In 2001 the Association by-laws were amended to allow the membership of Associate Members. The 2007 membership consists of 28 Contractor Members (voting) and 27 Associate Members (non-voting). The mandate of the Association is as follows:

HCARN Mandate:

To foster and advance the interest of those who are engaged in or who are directly connected with the heavy construction industry in the Niagara Region;
To promote and maintain harmonious relations between the members of the Association and their employees in their mutual interest;
To establish and maintain better understanding and goodwill between the public and members of the Association;
To obtain, disseminate and exchange information regarding all matters conducive to the improvement of conditions within the industry;
To represent members who authorize the Association to act on their behalf in their relations with professional bodies and related associations;
To promote suitable and desirable legislation affecting the industry, and to provide liaison regarding any contemplated legislation by either Municipal, Provincial or Federal authorities, insofar as the same may affect the industry
To do all such things as may directly or indirectly seem to be incidental, conducive, or the objectives of the Association, or expedient for or benefit of the members

As a member of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), HCARN members automatically receive membership with OSWCA, who continually monitor ongoing province-wide issues affecting the underground infrastructure construction industry. Items of concern to members are addressed on several levels including lobbying Federal and Provincial governments. The major focus of HCARN is to keep on top of such issues and at all times represent the interests of their members. Since 2000 the Association has actively monitored and reported on municipal roads, water and wastewater capital spending to ensure that proper levels of investment are committed to these important infrastructures in Niagara.

With ongoing Scholarship Awards, the Association in conjunction with OSWCA partners with Niagara College in a Construction Engineering Technology program. To date the contributions to the Niagara College endowment fund exceed $100,000. Along with the Niagara Construction Association resumes and Educational Program information are placed on the bulletin board to assist and encourage young adults branching into the construction industry. Members sit on advisory boards at Niagara College in addition to donating money and services. Secondary School Career Days and Take Your Kids to Work Days, introduce students to the trades where they participate in hands-on demonstrations. The ultimate goal of the Education Committee is to encourage the youth of today to become the skilled tradespeople of tomorrow.

Benefits and services are plentiful for members. The Specs and Tendering Committee represents the interests of the members in working with representatives of the local municipal governments in the content, form and specifications contained in the Municipal Tenders. Working closely with the Construction Safety Association of Ontario, WSIB and the Ministry of Labour, HCARN actively promotes industry safety. Annually the Board of HCARN meets with the public works officials of the area municipalities to discuss matters of mutual interest in order to continually improve the working environment between the two groups. Generally three membership meetings are held during the year to report to the membership on Association business and at the same time to provide speakers that impart insight and information on issues of interest to the members.

Socially on an annual basis, a Christmas dinner and dance, golf tournament and dinner and a Spring social event are held. The social events also provide an opportunity for the Association to fundraise for worthwhile Community Organizations, such as Tender Wishes, The Child Advocacy Centre and the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre Foundation.

The Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara is committed to addressing construction issues and concerns of the membership while striving to enhance the industry in our regional community.