Page 11 - Flipbook

And while Alberta’s economic improvement remains sluggish, Bedford also participated in a July 27 meeting at IBEW Local 424
optimism is growing among both apprentices and journeypersons in Edmonton with Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi who
and as large-scale developments that expand the market for told the crowd the twinning of the TMX is expected to produce
skilled trades labour, move forward. 12,000 to 15,000 construction jobs.

For example, the long-awaited events centre in Calgary, which went The number of big projects on the horizon, approved or reaching
through years of debate and several different plans, was approved final approval stage have the potential to be economic game
in July and is now heading to the design phase with construction changers for Alberta and the entire country. And that’s why the
slated to begin in 2021. BTA ensures stakeholders are engaged and know the roles
affiliates can play in the construction of those big projects. These
The BTA supported this project publicly and advised local
developments are an opportunity to not only maintain, but grow
politicians to back the new events centre and the construction
market share as more jobs become available and a higher number
jobs it brings. BTA’s Director of Communications and Relations
of young workers are exposed to working through their unions.
Tyler Bedford was on hand at Calgary City Hall alongside other
arena supporters when city council gave the events centre the As more opportunities take shape, the BTA will continue its
green light. participation with industry, all levels of government and others to
push for job-creating projects and to ensure all stakeholders are
Teck Resources’ Frontier oilsands project mine north of Fort
aware of the benefits a unionized skilled trades workforce provide.
McKay, another project the BTA has heavily engaged leaders on,
is also getting closer to the construction phase as Canadian All building trades have an important role to play on the national
energy regulators recommended the project’s approval this level as well. With a federal election fast approaching that is
summer. shaping up to be as competitive as it will be contentious, it’s the
perfect opportunity to boost political engagement with all federal
The final approval on Frontier now lies at the feet of the federal
parties.
government, with a Feb. 28, 2020 deadline to approve or reject
the project. The BTA will continue to advocate for Frontier as its It’s incredibly important to remind our candidates and leaders that
construction is expected to produce more than 7,000 new jobs. affiliate members play a major role in Canada, they pay close
That’s good news for affiliates and the province. attention to the issues and they vote.

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, long-supported by Remember, our influence rests on our engagement, and our
Canada’s Building Trades Unions, the BTA, more than 40 engagement determines our futures. So, let’s get involved and get
Indigenous groups in B.C. and Alberta and others, is also gearing active to help ensure building trades’ influence and market share
up with some preliminary work already underway in British expand as we move into this century’s second decade, together.
Columbia, with speculation major construction could start in
September.

C A N A D I A N B U I L D I N G T R A D E S M A G A Z I N E E L E C T I O N 2 0 1 9 ~ 1 1