On June 16, CLRA welcomed Mike Holden, Vice President of Policy and Chief Economist with the Business Council of Alberta (BCA), for an Industry Insights session focused on the economic and regulatory issues affecting major projects in Alberta. With investment conditions, permitting timelines and regulatory reform top of mind for construction employers, the discussion provided insight into the pressures shaping project decisions.
The conversation focused on Canada’s current investment climate and the regulatory factors that influence whether major projects move ahead. Between 2006 and 2021, federal regulatory requirements increased by 37%. Slow review processes, overlapping federal and provincial rules and unclear timelines continue to create uncertainty for companies planning large projects. BCA’s recent report, From Barriers to Breakthroughs: Unlocking Investment Through Regulatory Reform, shows how this uncertainty can delay projects, disrupt workforce planning and increase costs for employers.
For Alberta’s construction industry, these issues have direct consequences. Long approval timelines make it harder for CLRA members to plan their workforce and deliver the infrastructure the economy relies on. The session highlighted how complex and inconsistent federal processes can discourage the capital‑intensive projects that support Alberta’s growth. Employers need clearer rules, predictable timelines and better coordination between governments to support long‑term investment decisions.
Mike touched on BCA’s recommendations for how project reviews and permitting could work better. The focus was on making processes transparent, timely and aligned with economic realities. Regulatory efficiency is not about lowering standards. It is about ensuring that once technical requirements are met, projects can move forward without unnecessary delays. These improvements are essential for project planning, securing investment and supporting the skilled workforce that delivers Alberta’s major industrial and infrastructure projects.
Success means approval timelines that match the pace of industry, clear pathways for cross‑provincial projects and fewer delays once requirements are satisfied. Alberta has the workforce and expertise to build what Canada needs. Major construction opportunities are ready to proceed, and the regulatory system needs to keep up.
CLRA members and industry and post-secondary representatives also discussed how to attract and retain skilled trades workers and how to ensure apprentices can maintain employment through approaches such as treating job sites as a classroom.
CLRA thanks the Business Council of Alberta and Mike Holden for contributing to this important conversation. These insights support our ongoing advocacy for a competitive and predictable environment for construction employers and the workforce that is building Alberta’s future.
