CCA Updates
2023
‘Students love it’: New program aims to spark interest in trades at Calgary schools
‘We realized that there was a gap between the workforce needs, as well as when kids were learning in schools about skilled trades and construction careers,’ said Angela Coldwell, founder of Honour the Work via Calgary Herald by Steven Wilhelm A new initiative at Calgary elementary schools aims to help educate students about skilled trades and construction careers. The curriculum supplement, a program called Honour the Work, was launched in 750 Calgary Catholic School District classrooms this year, along with 40 within the Calgary Board of Education. One school in Red Deer and 18 schools in Edmonton are also signed...
Opinion: City council must prioritize infrastructure in November budget deliberations
via Calgary Herald by Bill Black and Frano Cavar As Calgary’s population surges, city council’s upcoming budget discussions must prioritize infrastructure. Maintaining existing infrastructure is no longer enough; our city needs forward-thinking strategies to support its status as a resilient, prosperous hub. For too long, infrastructure has been regarded as a necessary but uninspiring expense to politicians and voters alike. Yet, with a strategic approach, these investments can become essential drivers of growth and long-term resilience. Calgary’s recent growth numbers are striking: the metro area welcomed more than 96,000 new residents in 2023, and projections show similar growth ahead. This...
Get ’em young: Industry hopes early education key to making careers in trades attractive to ‘anybody’
Group hopes to target 30,000 students in 850 Calgary elementary classrooms via CBC News by David Bell About 30,000 Calgary elementary school students will have access to a program that highlights careers in construction and the trades. (Colleen Underwood/CBC) An industry group is trying to make trades and construction jobs more appealing to students leaving high school, and they are starting early. The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) launched a program in Calgary schools this week, aiming to reach 30,000 elementary students in 850 classrooms. The group’s boss says time is critical. “Now probably more than ever, most high school kids, they...
Impact of the winter on construction projects
As cold weather approaches, it is important to keep in mind the impact of the winter on construction projects. Weather and the changing conditions need to be considered, not only for the safety of workers, but also productivity, timelines and the sequencing of work, changes, and delays. The completion of day-to-day tasks, outdoors, in cold, snowy, and icy conditions, with thick gloves and additional breaks to warm up simply means it takes longer. Equipment may not run as well or need more time to warm up. The snow and ice may need to be cleared from an area before work...
City of Calgary Asphalt plant seasonal shutdown
This memo is to inform you that as of November 4 The City of Calgary’s asphalt plant will be closed for seasonal maintenance through end of March 2025 (timeline pending, weather permitting).The City will have a limited inventory of reclaimed asphalt pavement available for emergency repair projects through the winter. Information on The City’s Asphalt Plant and product availability can be found on Calgary.ca/asphalt. Sincerely,Charmaine Buhler, Manager, Construction & Materials, MobilityShannon Williams, Senior Plant Leader, Mobility
Calgary Construction Association Welcomes Forward-Looking Amendments to Alberta’s Prompt Payment and Public Works Acts
Calgary, AB — The Calgary Construction Association (CCA) is optimistic about the recently proposed amendments to Alberta’s Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act (PPCLA) and Public Works Act (PWA), introduced through Bill 30, the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. These changes represent a promising step toward strengthening fairness and efficiency in Alberta’s construction sector. The amendments introduce clearer definitions for payment deadlines and adjudication processes, fostering a smoother payment cycle across all project levels. Specifically, the revisions to the PPCLA and PWA will enable prompt payment from contractors to subcontractors and suppliers, enhancing cash flow and stability throughout the...