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

Alberta and Canada have agreed on a plan that could lead to construction of a new Indigenous co‑owned west coast oil pipeline as early as 2027. For CLRA members, this signals more predictable timelines, fewer overlapping reviews and the potential for steady construction demand across pipeline, electricity and carbon capture projects. Together, these factors provide the kind of certainty needed to plan, staff and finance major construction projects across these sectors. A Possible Pipeline The new Alberta-Canada energy MOU requires Alberta to submit a comprehensive proposal for a bitumen pipeline, which would move more than one million barrels of oil per day to Asian markets, to the federal Major Projects Office by July 1, 2026. In turn, it commits the federal government to review Alberta’s pipeline submission through the Major Projects Office and decide by October 1, 2026 whether it will be a project of national interest. If approved, design and construction of the proposed pipeline could begin by September 1, 2027. Significant conditions remain. B.C. has not consented to a northern route and Indigenous consultation is ongoing. Both governments say they will work with First Nations and Métis communities early and consistently, and that the project could support long‑term

On April 29th, Prime Minister Carney attended the CBTU conference in Gatineau, Quebec to announce the Team Canada Strong initiative. Team Canada Strong represents the largest single federal investment in trades training in Canadian history and it means real, tangible support for Alberta construction contractors and the apprentices they employ. CLRA member contractors have long advocated for meaningful investment in workforce development and this announcement delivers at a scale we haven’t seen before. The combination of the $10,000 first-year employer subsidy, the $16,000 in-class training top-up, and the $5,000 completion bonus means the total financial support available per apprentice now exceeds $21,000. That’s a material reduction in the cost and risk of bringing new talent onto your job site. Amount Program Description $10,000 Build Canada Apprenticeship Service New employer-side subsidy covering up to $10,000 of a first-year apprentice’s salary, plus matching support and navigation services to help you hire, train, and retain apprentices. $16,000 Apprenticeship Training Grant $400/week top-up paid on top of EI while apprentices attend mandatory in-class technical training – worth up to $16,000 per apprentice. $5,000 Apprenticeship Completion Bonus A one-time cash bonus when an apprentice earns their Red Seal certification – a direct financial incentive to