Alberta construction employers and building trades unions have agreed to new collective agreements that preserve Alberta’s place as the most stable and competitive construction market in Canada. The new four-year agreements between Construction Labour Relations Alberta (CLRA) and the 16 affiliate unions of the Building Trades of Alberta (BTA) are the result of a collaborative and professional collective bargaining process that focused on preparing Alberta’s construction sector for nation-leading growth. The industry collaboration and resulting collective agreements have brought stability to the construction industry through to April 2029. “If you’re looking to build or invest in Canada, Alberta is the place to do it. Alberta has Canada’s most stable and collaborative labour market for the unionized skilled trades, with competitive jobs. Our employers are willing to invest in today’s workers and the youth of tomorrow. And our unionized labour force is dedicated to quality, safety and efficiency.” -Joe McFadyen, President of Construction Labour Relations Alberta Prior to the onset of bargaining, CLRA, the BTA and union leadership agreed to prioritize a streamlined and equitable bargaining process. A negotiations advisory council was created in August 2024, which was essential for early identification of common issues and principles for the unionized building

This week, Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at improving the free flow of goods, services, and workforce talent between provinces. American tariffs (including 50% on steel and aluminum) are spurring Canada to turn inward to boost its competitiveness via easier domestic trade. A central theme of the MOU was simplifying the requirements for regulated professions – including the skilled trades – allowing workers to fill labour shortages by enabling freer interprovincial movement. Greater mobility across borders will give more tradespeople the ability to move where the work is, without being delayed by lengthy approval processes. While details are still emerging on how specific trades will be impacted, this agreement is part of a broader, Canada-wide push to break down interprovincial trade barriers. Similar memoranda have already been signed with Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick; collectively, these agreements can unlock up to $200 billion in economic potential. Another notable commitment made in the MOA was to explore the possibility of Ontario joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). The NWPTA – currently between Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and B.C. – automatically recognizes professionals and skilled

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