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Business Council Winter 2025 Snapshot Summary
Alberta has shown resilience through a turbulent year and is expected to lead Canada with roughly 2% growth this year and next, according to the Business Council of Alberta’s Winter 2025 Snapshot. While this is modest growth, it shows the province’s strength during a challenging year marked by uncertainty over U.S. trade and tariffs. Alberta’s labour market has held up well despite these challenges. The province has added jobs at more than twice the national pace since January, with the unemployment rate dropping from 8.4% in August to 6.5%. Construction activity remains strong, with Alberta still building roughly twice as many homes as in 2019 and on track for a record year. However, the residential construction boom that drove much of Alberta’s growth is stabilizing as both population growth and housing markets return to more balanced levels. The recent Federal-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) could open the door to real opportunities for the province. Many details still need to be worked out and challenges remain, but it signals the federal government’s renewed commitment to supporting Canadian workers and our economy. The MOU supports major infrastructure projects that could create significant construction opportunities, including a new pipeline capable of moving one
Learn about diversity in the trades:
WorkAlbertaTrades.org/Todays-New-Workforce
Building Alberta's Workforce Together
CLRA Teaming Up with the Edmonton Elks
Here’s why you should consider the trades:
WorkAlbertaTrades.org/Education-Tools-for-Trades
News

CLRA Welcomes Federal-Alberta Energy Agreement And Pathway For Major Pipeline Infrastructure
CLRA is encouraged by the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, which represents a significant step forward for Alberta’s construction industry. It signals the federal government’s commitment to building critical energy infrastructure that supports Canadian workers and our economy. The MOU establishes a clear pathway for a new pipeline to the west coast, with Alberta required to submit a formal proposal by July 1, 2026, for review through the newly established Major Projects Office. For CLRA members, this could mean one of Canada’s most significant pipeline projects in a generation – a line capable of moving one million barrels per day to Asian markets. But the pipeline is just the start. The agreement also supports the Pathways Alliance carbon capture project, which aims to become the world’s largest carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) network. Major transmission lines connecting Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan will be needed. Large-scale data center infrastructure is part of the framework. Long-term nuclear generation development is on the table to support an expanded low-carbon grid. Each of these represents significant construction opportunities for Alberta’s skilled trades. “This agreement shows that both levels of government understand what Alberta’s construction

Compulsory Remittance Requirement Breakdown
REMINDER – Upcoming Change to CLRA Remittances (Effective January 1, 2026) This notice is to remind you that the CLRA remittance schedule will be updated effective January 1, 2026. Please ensure the attached schedule is circulated to the appropriate individuals in your organization so they are prepared for this change. This schedule will also be posted to our website under the Resources tab for future reference. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 780-451-5444 or admin@clra.org

Building Alberta’s Workforce Together
For over 50 years, CLRA has brought contractors, owners and skilled trades together to build Alberta’s economy and strengthen our construction industry. Through strategic partnerships with government, educational institutions and industry leaders, we’re building the workforce Alberta needs – today and into the future. Our lead role in labour relations and workforce strategy is core to achieving our mandate to foster productive relationships between employers and unions, support policy that drives growth and help build a resilient, future-ready workforce. https://youtu.be/Cn6SDrETKcs What Drives Our Work Workforce Development: We champion innovative solutions to attract, train and retain skilled trades workers across Alberta, from apprenticeship programs to funding opportunities like the Workforce Development Trust and the Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant. Strategic Partnerships: By fostering collaboration between government, educational institutions, and the skilled trades, we create solutions that benefit the entire construction sector. Industry Leadership: We advocate for policies that support workforce growth, stable infrastructure investment, and a competitive future for Alberta’s unionized construction industry.
Excerpt: Board Chair's New Year Message to Members
“Over the next several months, much of our association’s focus for that work will be advocacy with the provincial government and with other industry stakeholders. Politics in Alberta have changed dramatically and permanently over the last decade. As a result, we have work to do to raise awareness about CLRA with decision-makers and influencers in government.
“We have important messages to deliver on your behalf about the value of the collective agreements we’ve signed with the skilled trade unions, about the value CLRA offers to government efforts to attract investment and workers to Alberta, about the need for more predictable and stable investments in the construction industry, trades education and workforce retention, about the impact of potential changes to labour legislation, workplace safety regulations and building codes, and about the need to attract and recruit more people to our industry from underrepresented groups including women, LGBTQ2S+ and Indigenous people.
“As Chair, my only ask of our members this year is to support these efforts.”