Steven Guilbeault has landed himself in hot water with construction industry groups after suggesting earlier in the week that the federal government will stop investing in new road infrastructure.

The federal Environment Minister has since walked back his remarks, indicating that he meant to say the government would not fund "large" road projects.

"Of course we're funding roads. We have programs to fund roads," he said.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) quickly seized on the message, demanding clarity from the Prime Minister.

“We are dealing with an acute housing crisis,” the association said in a release. “The government is asking our industry to build 5.8 million new homes, but is overlooking the investment needed to support these homes and communities.”

CCA cited a report from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities that estimates that it will require $107,000 in public investments per new housing unit. This amounts to a total of $620 billion in public funding needed – an additional $375 billion beyond the current planned budget.

“These new communities need new roads. People need to be connected to their jobs, their schools, and their hospitals,” said CCA president Mary Van Buren. “A growing population has growing demands. We not only need the road networks to support their movement; we also need to shore up our trade infrastructure, which includes roads, bridges and highways.”

CCA has long been advocating for greater funding for roads and infrastructure. The association says Canada has been under-investing in trade-enabling infrastructure for 15 years.

“Without continued investment in critical infrastructure, as recommended by the National Supply Chain Task Force, including trade-enabling infrastructure, Canada will fail to harness trade with its international partners for its economic success,” it says. “We need the federal government to partner with industry and work with municipal and provincial governments to build a strong foundation for a stronger Canada.”

The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (OSSGA) also weighed in on the issue, saying that any strategies relating to reduced carbon emissions must be developed through a balanced, thoughtful approach.

"While the aggregate industry is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, there is a consensus that climate mitigation strategies must be pragmatic and grounded in economic reality,” said OSSGA Chair Rob Pierce. “It is important that potential solutions don't disregard the complex interplay between infrastructure development, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.”

Since Gilbeault made his remarks, senior government officials have since told major media outlets such as CBC News that, "there are no changes to federal policy."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said later in Question Period that the government will continue to invest in "infrastructure."