This episode focuses on the 2026 Contractor Outlook Survey. Each year, the survey provides a real-time snapshot of what contractors are experiencing, what’s driving confidence, what risks are emerging, and how the industry is responding to ongoing economic and policy pressures.

This year’s results paint an interesting picture. On one hand, contractors remain busy; on the other, there’s a clear sense of caution about what lies ahead.

In this episode of OCS Talks, Katherine Jacobs joins Brian to unpack the findings of the 2026 Contractor Outlook Survey and what they signal for the year ahead.

Chapter Markers

0:00 – Introduction

1:28 – What Is the Contractor Outlook Survey?

3:50 – Why the 2026 Survey Matters in Today’s Economic Climate

5:00 – What’s Driving Contractor Caution

8:02 – What Operating at Capacity Reveals About Demand

13:02 – The Significance of Project Delays

15:51 – Top Drivers of Uncertainty

19:24 – Understanding the Governments $200 Billion Sentiment

21:36 – Where Industry Strength Is Coming From

23:40 – Labour Shortages

25:08 – Challenges in Hiring Skilled Labour

27:20 – Recruitment Trends

29:45 – The Union Advantage

35:17 – What Needs to Change for a More Optimistic Outlook

37:23 – Final Remarks

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construction industry, contractor outlook, 2026 forecast, Ontario construction, economic outlook, labour market, infrastructure, construction survey, industry trends