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

CLRA recently brought together MLAs, industry partners, government officials and post‑secondary leaders for a focused discussion on the workforce and regulatory conditions that directly shape Alberta’s construction sector, titled Building Prosperity: Construction’s Role in Alberta’s Economy. These priorities matter to CLRA members because they determine how employers plan, hire and deliver work across the province. CLRA Board Chair Wayne Troock opened the evening by emphasizing that government, industry and education all share responsibility for building a strong labour pipeline. Meeting future demand requires coordinated action on training and retention, and he reinforced that these solutions must be developed together. The panel, moderated by CLRA Board Member and Chief Operating Officer for Connect Group Mandy Kaiser, kept the conversation grounded in the practical realities facing Alberta’s construction sector. Workforce supply remains one of the most pressing issues for CLRA members. President Joe McFadyen highlighted the need for thousands of additional skilled workers over the next decade and emphasized CLRA’s Seed vs. Sod approach, which focuses on developing Alberta talent to help employers build a stable workforce. He also reinforced the importance of treating worksites as learning environments so apprentices stay engaged and complete their training. Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall