ACA submitted key recommendations for the Alberta Budget 2025 earlier this month, urging the provincial government to prioritize infrastructure investment, workforce development, and balance risk allocation in public projects.
Here are our key recommendations:
Consistent and Predictable Capital Investment – The ACA calls for stable, long-term funding for critical infrastructure projects, including Highway 3 twinning, Highway 686 expansion, NAIT’s Advanced Skills Centre, and Calgary’s Green Line LRT. Additionally, increased capital maintenance and renewal funding is needed to address gaps in schools, roads, transit, and healthcare infrastructure.
Increased Workforce Training and Upskilling – Alberta is facing a skilled labour shortage in the construction industry. The ACA is advocating for increased funding for apprenticeship programs, enhanced Dual Credit programs in K-12 education, reinstated funding for the Canada-Alberta Jobs Grant, and streamlined immigration pathways for skilled trades under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program
Balanced Risk Allocation in Government Contracts – The ACA is urging the government to work with industry stakeholders to develop fair risk-sharing agreements that ensure competitive and sustainable project delivery. The current practice of passing risks down the supply chain increases costs and reduces the number of bidders for government projects.
The construction sector is vital to Alberta’s long-term economic resilience. By ensuring predictable infrastructure investment and addressing workforce shortages, we can build a stronger, more sustainable Alberta for the future.