CLRA recently brought together MLAs, industry partners, government officials and post‑secondary leaders for a focused discussion on the workforce and regulatory conditions that directly shape Alberta’s construction sector, titled Building Prosperity: Construction’s Role in Alberta’s Economy. These priorities matter to CLRA members because they determine how employers plan, hire and deliver work across the province. CLRA Board Chair Wayne Troock opened the evening by emphasizing that government, industry and education all share responsibility for building a strong labour pipeline. Meeting future demand requires coordinated action on training and retention, and he reinforced that these solutions must be developed together. The panel, moderated by CLRA Board Member and Chief Operating Officer for Connect Group Mandy Kaiser, kept the conversation grounded in the practical realities facing Alberta’s construction sector. Workforce supply remains one of the most pressing issues for CLRA members. President Joe McFadyen highlighted the need for thousands of additional skilled workers over the next decade and emphasized CLRA’s Seed vs. Sod approach, which focuses on developing Alberta talent to help employers build a stable workforce. He also reinforced the importance of treating worksites as learning environments so apprentices stay engaged and complete their training. Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall

Understanding workforce demand in Alberta is critical for construction employers, and effective labour planning depends on having accurate data. A new report from the Canada West Foundation highlights why it remains difficult to determine how many skilled workers are employed in the energy sector, and how these gaps affect workforce planning. Western Canada’s energy industry spans oil and gas, pipelines, electricity generation and renewables, and demand pressures continue to grow. Electrification is increasing, which means more infrastructure to build and more skilled trades needed to build it. Understanding the current workforce is essential to meeting that demand, but today’s data provides only a partial picture. Canada tracks labour market information through two systems: NAICS, which classifies industries, and NOCs, which classify occupations. In the energy sector, both have limitations. NAICS divides energy into separate categories such as oil and gas, pipelines and electricity, which makes it difficult to assemble a complete view. In smaller sub-sectors such as electricity generation, Statistics Canada suppresses data to protect confidentiality, which results in understated employment numbers. NOCs present a different challenge. Some energy-specific roles, such as wind turbine technicians, do not have dedicated codes and are grouped into broader trades like millwright. This makes

CLRA’s partnership with the Edmonton Elks is entering its third season in 2026 and, with a new five-year agreement now in place, there is plenty more to come. Back again as the Tailgate Presenting Partner, CLRA continues to help fuel the game-day energy and community spirit that Elks fans know and love. And this year brings even bigger news: CLRA has extended its partnership with the Edmonton Elks through 2031, a five-year commitment that reflects our ongoing dedication to not just the construction industry but to community building as well. As Tailgate Presenting Partner, CLRA has a unique platform to grow awareness of the association and promote both our member companies and careers in the skilled trades to thousands of fans at every home game, all while demonstrating support for Edmonton and the people who keep Alberta building. “The construction industry and the football community have more in common than people might think. Both are built on teamwork, hard work and pride in what you create together,” said Joe McFadyen, President, CLRA. “The Elks give us a fantastic platform to celebrate that shared spirit and bring more attention to the trades, and we look forward to keeping that going for