PCA applauds Alberta Budget
By Adam Freill
Construction LabourPlanned spending on apprenticeship spaces and training, as well as capital spending on infrastructure sit well with contractor association.
The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) is lauding 2024 Alberta provincial budget, citing it for its focus on fiscal responsibility and investments in skills training and infrastructure to support the province’s growing population.
“It’s refreshing to see this government’s commitment to fiscal balance,” said Paul de Jong, PCA president and CEO. “This is a responsible budget that at the same time makes major investments in health care, education, new apprenticeship spaces and infrastructure to keep Alberta’s economy strong, and growing.”
The national association, whose member companies employ thousands of Alberta construction workers, expressed strong support for the United Conservative Party’s budget initiatives aimed at addressing labour shortages, including $102 million in funding over three years to create 3,200 apprenticeship spaces in high-demand areas and for curriculum development in trades training.
The budget also earmarks $25 billion in capital spending over three years to build critical infrastructure projects from new roads and hospitals to schools. That will support 24,000 direct and 13,000 indirect jobs.
“Alberta is undergoing significant population growth, and this government makes the kinds of investments in critical infrastructure and apprenticeship training to support that growth, attract investment and keep our province and the construction sector competitive,” added de Jong.
PCA member companies employ more than 40,000 unionized skilled tradespeople throughout Canada.
