FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 13, 2022 Calgary’s Construction Industry Grows as City’s Economy Recovers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 13, 2022

Calgary’s Construction Industry Grows as City’s Economy Recovers

Calgary, AB – According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for August 2022, 82,800 Calgarians were employed in the construction industry – up from 76,300 in August 2021. This figure represents a growth rate of 8.5 percent year over year.

“Calgary’s construction industry is back in a growth mode,” said Bill Black, President of the Calgary Construction Association. “These new numbers show that our industry has weathered through the pandemic and continues to grow as Calgary’s economy recovers.”

Moreover, unlike in previous years, Calgary’s construction industry has seen continued growth month to month. 3,200 more Calgarians were employed in the industry in August than in July.

The construction industry has both recovered to pre-pandemic levels and seen accelerated growth. In August 2019, 76,800 Calgarians were employed in the industry. Comparatively, the new figure of 82,800 represents a growth rate of 7.8 percent from pre-pandemic levels.

“The construction industry is a barometer for our overall local economy,” said Black. “When the economy is growing, we see it reflected in our industry. When the economy shrinks, we are the first to feel it.”

According to Statistics Canada, the construction industry is the fourth-largest industry in Calgary when compared to employment numbers, behind retail, professional services, and health care. 9.2 percent of all jobs in the Calgary CMA region are directly in the construction industry. More Calgarians are employed in construction than they are in resource extraction industries (forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, oil and gas).

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For more information:

Frano Cavar

Director of Government Relations, Calgary Construction Association

(403) 291-3350

franocavar@cgyca.com

Labour Force Survey Statistics are available here: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220909/dq220909a-eng.htm