Attract. Connect. Educate. Advocate.
President’s Message 2025 - 2026
Looking Back. Building Forward.
“The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come.”
There’s something grounding about looking back before looking forward. Last year’s annual recap gives us a new baseline. A reminder of where we were this time last year, how much ground has been covered since then, and just how far we’ve come over the last nine years.
We’ve evolved from an organization with limited offerings into one that works every day to place members at the centre of everything we do. From hosting more than 39 events annually to building an education portfolio that continues to grow, every initiative is rooted in supporting this industry and the people behind it.
We know we’re making a difference, and some of the most rewarding moments come from hearing directly from members. From startups whose products had never reached a store shelf before partnering with our organization, to retailers benefiting from the renovation tax credit that helped make projects more attainable for Canadian families, these stories reinforce why this work matters.
Over the past year, members have asked how the rebrand is working out. The answer is evident in the actions and opportunities that have followed. Stepping into a new identity came with risk, and the process itself was not easy, but the relationships we’ve built and the doors that have opened since validate the direction we chose.
We’re now sitting at tables we were never previously invited to with government and industry stakeholders. We’re attracting new members more easily, and our name now better reflects the scope of what we offer. Supply-Build Canada is open to businesses across the country, and we encourage members to take advantage of the resources available to them. From foundational learning for newcomers to the industry to executive-level education and support, we are committed to helping members at every stage of their journey.
President’s Message 2025 - 2026
Last June brought another moment of clarity when I participated in a trade mission to the United States alongside Chris Sainas of Dakeryn Industries. Too often the lumber and building materials industry is overlooked in policy and trade discussions and this trip highlighted the level of complacency that existed in our discussions pertaining to the softwood lumber duties. This issue deserves attention and the negatives impacts of the escalated duties and tariffs need to be known on both sides of the border.
The trip also highlighted how conversations around steel and aluminum tariffs remain heavily focused on the automotive sector, while the impact on housing affordability continues to be overlooked.
Housing affordability is not an abstract issue, and the building materials industry is not a footnote. We will continue pushing to ensure neither is treated that way. This industry is the third-largest contributor to Canada’s GDP behind oil and gas and agriculture, and we will continue communicating the critical role it plays in the country’s economy. I encourage you to follow our progress through the Industry Pulse, delivered to your inbox every Monday morning.
The Supply-Build Canada team is putting in the daily reps to ensure this industry remains top of mind and its members are represented where it matters most. Whether it’s international trade, Buy Canada initiatives, housing policy, municipal red tape, transportation, workforce development, training, education, or creating the connections that help businesses thrive, this team is working for you every day.
The work does not always look dramatic, but the effort compounds overtime. Members feel it through the programs available to them, the support they can access, and the confidence that there are people genuinely advocating on behalf of this industry.
As always, if you’re interested in learning more or becoming more involved in our work, I encourage you to reach out. We also have four Board positions opening this fall. If you’re interested in learning more about what that entails, I’d be happy to connect.
Here’s to another year of building a stronger, more resilient industry together.
Liz Kovach, President of Supply-Build Canada
2025 - 2026 Finance Message
Fiscal Responsibility. Industry Commitment.
Dear Members and Stakeholders,
As we close our 2025/26 fiscal year books, I am pleased to report that our association continues to demonstrate strong financial stewardship while advancing initiatives that are critical to the long-term health of our industry.
This year was marked by continued growth, reflecting strong engagement from our membership and partners. Revenues from membership dues, events, sponsorships, and education increased year over year, reinforcing the value our association delivers, and the trust placed in us by the industry.
At the same time, this fiscal year also represented a period of deliberate and strategic investment. Most notably, we made the decision to significantly expand our advocacy efforts in the United States. This is an initiative that resulted in a net loss greater than originally budgeted.
This decision was made in response to significant and escalating challenges facing our industry. U.S. duties and related trade pressures continue to impact Canadian producers, contributing to mill closures, reduced capacity, and rising costs across the supply chain. These dynamics ultimately affect retailers, builders, and housing affordability nationwide.
2025 - 2026 Finance Message
In response, we launched a coordinated advocacy initiative in Washington, D.C., engaging dedicated resources to ensure Canada’s position is clearly and consistently represented. While this required meaningful investment in the past and current fiscal year, it reflects our commitment to protecting the long-term strength and competitiveness of our industry.
Beyond advocacy, we continued to build momentum across our core programs. We expanded educational offerings, events hosted, strengthened partnerships with key stakeholders, and continued to invest in workforce development initiatives aimed at addressing labour challenges across the industry.
Transparency and fiscal responsibility remain foundational to our operations. We continue to carefully manage administrative costs and ensure that the majority of our resources are directed toward member value and industry impact. I encourage you to review the financial snapshot included in this report and reach out with any questions.
Looking ahead, our focus remains clear: to strengthen our industry through strategic investment, collaboration, and advocacy. However, the scale and importance of our advocacy efforts require collective support.
As businesses across our industry continue to navigate rising costs, increasing regulatory pressures, and ongoing economic uncertainty, we recognize that every dollar matters. Many of the same economic pressures affecting member businesses are also impacting the Association. At a time when businesses are facing mounting pressures from all directions, the need for strong, effective advocacy has never been greater.
With more than 1,300 member locations, even modest contributions can collectively make a meaningful impact in ensuring we have the resources needed to effectively advocate for policies and decisions that protect your business, support our industry, and address the challenges we are all facing. We encourage those who can to consider supporting our advocacy initiatives so that, together, we can continue to be a strong and effective voice for the industry when it matters most.
As a not-for-profit organization, all revenues are reinvested into initiatives that support our members. This year’s results demonstrate that commitment, balancing strong revenue performance with investment in advocacy, education, events and workforce development.
Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and commitment to building a stronger future for the lumber and building materials sector.
Sincerely,
Travis Waite Director, Finance & Administration
2025 - 2026
2025 - 2026
Thank You Message
Everything we did this year, we did with you in mind.
“Your membership is only as powerful as what you do with it.”
While a lot was happening at the industry and government level, our focus on the ground stayed the same: making sure your membership was working as hard as you are.
That means training that actually builds your team, events that put you in the room with the right people, programs that move the needle on your bottom line, and connections that last well beyond any single conversation.
And if this year proved anything, it’s that the value of being part of this community goes far beyond what’s written on a paper for you as a member. It shows up in the conversations that lead to new business. In the training that gives your staff real confidence. In knowing that when something affects this industry, there are people actively working on it, and that you’re not navigating it alone.
Your membership is only as powerful as what you do with it. And right now, there’s so much on the table.
Every time you show up - at an event, in a conversation, with a referral, with your voiceyou make it better for everyone. That’s not something we take lightly.
The next few pages highlight the incredible accomplishments of the team here. Have a look - any feedback is welcome.
So as we head into this next chapter, thank you. For trusting us. For being part of this. And for caring as much about this industry as we do.
We’ve got a big year ahead. Let’s make it count.
Amanda Camara, VP of Business Development & Marketing
246k 68k
Searches on the Job Board
Eyeballs on the Let’s Go Build Campaign
12
7
8 Career Fairs School Tours
Successful Internships Placements with Supply-Build Canada Members
10
4
$1,500 Scholarships awarded to Supply-Build Canada Members
$5,000 Scholarships awarded to students to support industry growth
at 13 webinars on HR, Marketing, Responsible AI, and more!
5,691 Streams
Building Materials Fundamentals courses released to supercharge your product knowledge
40+
Comprehensive Education Coures Launched
Exclusive new Business Series for high level positions who want to strengthen their business foundation/planning
Elite level coaching for leaders
FISH! Your Way to Better Customer Service offers lessons on world-class customer service in a different lens
2025 - 2026 Year in Review
ADVOCACY
52
Government Officials Directly Engaged Including officials posted in Washington, DC, United States
15
US Congressional offices visited to advocate for Canadian Softwood Lumber
Sent statements on behalf of the industry to the provincial & federal government on:
• Housing Unaffordability
• Discussing collaboration on Buy Canada Policies
• Feedback on Buy Canadian procurement policies
• GDP & Economic Impact Studies
• Updates on Softwood Lumber Advocacy
• Softwood lumber trade with the US
Memorable Radio and TV Interviews About the Industry
• Held discussions on impacts of Canada’s counter-tariffs on steel and aluminium
• Discussing transportation policies
