The Building Trades of Alberta (BTA) welcomes Budget 2026 and extends its sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the federal Liberal government, and the many government representatives who have worked collaboratively with Canada’s Building Trades to advance shared priorities.
Over the past year, we have seen a meaningful commitment to engagement, dialogue, and partnership. The federal government’s willingness to listen to skilled trades leaders, recognize the importance of organized labour, and work with us on the challenges facing our industry has been both encouraging and appreciated.
This is what meaningful partnership between government, labour, and industry should look like.
Investments That Recognize the Value of Skilled Trades
Budget 2026 builds on that relationship through significant commitments to major infrastructure, energy development, critical minerals, housing, apprenticeship training, and workforce mobility. These investments recognize an important reality: Canada’s economic prosperity depends on the skilled tradespeople and responsible contractors who turn ambitious plans into completed projects.
We are particularly appreciative of the government’s recognition that Canada’s skilled trades workforce is not simply a component of economic development, but one of its greatest competitive advantages.
From Cost to Value
Through the Western Canada Skilled Metal Trades (WCSMT), BTA and our partners have been working to strengthen that understanding with independent research conducted by Independent Project Analysis (IPA). This work is helping demonstrate why workforce productivity, competency, quality, and project performance must be central considerations in Canada’s infrastructure strategy.
The conversation is no longer simply about the cost of labour. It is about the value of labour.
We believe the government’s commitment to building a stronger Canadian economy creates an opportunity to further recognize the value delivered by highly trained unionized skilled tradespeople and the single-breasted union contractors who invest in them. That includes procurement practices that recognize productivity, apprenticeship development, workforce sustainability, pensions, safety, and long-term value for project owners and Canadian taxpayers.
We also appreciate the federal government’s openness to continued discussions on fair labour practices, workforce development, and ensuring that public investments support the very training and collective bargaining systems that make our skilled trades workforce successful.
Looking Ahead
There is more work ahead, and we look forward to doing it together.
On behalf of Alberta’s approximately 60,000 Building Trades members, we thank the Prime Minister, his government, and our federal partners for their continued engagement, accessibility, and willingness to work collaboratively toward solutions.
Strong relationships build strong projects. Strong partnerships build a stronger Canada.
BTA remains committed to working alongside the federal government, Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), WCSMT, our signatory contractors, and industry partners to translate these investments into productive projects, sustainable careers, and lasting economic benefits for Canadians.