The Public Policy Forum’s recent report, Build Big Things, is a national call to action, and Alberta’s construction industry is at the heart of the opportunity.
Canada is entering an era of historic infrastructure expansion to meet ambitious climate and economic goals. From clean energy projects to critical minerals and transportation infrastructure, the scale of what needs to be built is unprecedented.
For Alberta’s unionized construction workforce, this represents both a challenge and a chance to lead.
What’s Coming: Why It Matters
Massive Build-Out Ahead
To meet net-zero goals, Canada must double or triple electricity generation capacity. That means new hydro, nuclear, solar, wind, and transmission projects. Alberta’s strengths in energy construction make it a key player in this national transformation.
Faster Approvals, Smarter Planning
Bottlenecks in project permitting and regulatory approvals must be addressed. Provinces like B.C. and Nova Scotia are streamlining environmental assessments—cutting wait times and getting shovels in the ground sooner. Alberta must stay competitive by keeping project timelines efficient and predictable.
Addressing Labour Supply
Labour shortages remain a major barrier. Alberta’s unionized workforce offers a competitive advantage in skills training, safety, and productivity, but investment in recruiting and retaining tradespeople is more critical than ever.
Indigenous Partnerships Are Essential
The report emphasizes early and equitable Indigenous involvement, with priority given to projects where Indigenous ownership exceeds 25%. This aligns with Alberta’s ongoing efforts to build respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities on construction projects.
National Coordination Needed
A call is made for a national infrastructure strategy – potentially through a dedicated Canada Infrastructure Agency – to guide long-term planning. Alberta must have a strong voice at that table to ensure regional needs and strengths are represented.
Embracing Innovation
Finally, the report challenges the construction sector to adopt digital tools, modern project delivery methods, and data-driven decision-making. Alberta’s unionized contractors are well-positioned to lead this shift through collaboration and a focus on quality.
Read the full report from the Public Policy Forum here.
