CALGARY, ALTA. — As federal party leaders continue to make their campaign stops across the country, the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) has released its own federal policy platform entitled Building a Strong Calgary in a Strong Canada.
Through consultation with the construction community and board of directors, the “Calgary-specific” plan is divided into four sections specific to the province’s local environment.
The first section tackles addressing the skilled labour shortage
According to Statistics Canada, in the third quarter of 2024, the Calgary Economic Region reported 5,890 job vacancies across key trades and construction-related management roles, from a total of 26,345 total vacancies in the region. The proportion of construction and trade roles within the total job vacancies remained steady at 22 per cent of all total vacancies.
The CCA is proposing the following solutions:
- A restoration and expansion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
- A faster and more targeted immigration pathway along with faster processing times to get workers on jobsites quickly.
- Targeted pathways to permanent residency for essential trades.
The second section takes a look at enhancing the workforce
Access to training programs that help workers develop new skills, adapt to technological advancements and meet industry demands is essential for long-term success, the CCA states.
This can be done by:
- Restoring Labour Market Transfer Agreement funding to reinstate the Canada-Alberta Job Grant.
- Ensuring long-term stability for programs like the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Apprenticeship Completion Grant and the Apprenticeship Service Grant.
- Expanding industry consultation to develop responsive, employer-driven workforce development solutions.
The third section outlines how to build a stronger Calgary
From transit expansion to trade-enabling infrastructure, the future of Calgary depends on the right projects moving forward with certainty and adequate funding.
The CCA is asking for the prioritization of the Green Line LRT Expansion by:
- Securing full funding to complete the Green Line to both Eau Claire and North Calgary.
- Ensuring long-term commitment for the Carrington and Seton extensions.
- Streamlining project delivery to prevent unnecessary delays and cost escalations.
The CCA is also advocating for the advancement of the Prairie Economic Gateway so that the province can become a “logistics powerhouse.” The association says this can be done through:
- Infrastructure funding for intermodal hubs, warehousing and transportation corridors that enable efficient goods movement.
- Regulatory streamlining and investment incentives to attract logistics and distribution companies.
- Enhanced connectivity between road, rail and air transport to strengthen Calgary’s role as the central gateway to Western Canada and beyond.
The final section addresses strengthening Calgary’s and Canada’s energy sector
The CCA advocates for policies that support responsible energy development, modern infrastructure, and workforce readiness to ensure Canada remains a global leader in energy production.
The CCA supports:
- The expansion of pipeline capacity and energy export infrastructure.
- Investment in Alberta’s power grid and industrial infrastructure to meet growing demands and strengthen reliability.
- Innovation in modular and industrial construction to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness in energy projects.
To attract continued investment and keep energy projects moving forward, a clear and predictable regulatory framework is essential, the platform explains.
The CCA calls for:
- Streamlined approval processes that reduce delays and encourage new development.
- A competitive business environment that fosters industry investment and job creation.
- Collaborative partnerships between government, industry, and Indigenous communities to strengthen project certainty.
The CCA is also a part of the Canadian Construction Association’s election platform, Construction for Canadians, which can be found at construction4cdns.ca.
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