Construction, business leaders identify priorities for upcoming city council

As Calgary braces for another municipal election, forces in the construction and business sectors are identifying urgent priorities for the next city council.

In a media event on Tuesday, the Calgary Construction Association released its civic policy platform, dubbed “Calgary: Built to Respond, Designed to Last.”

Representing 870 member construction companies and more than 100,000 Calgarians who rely on the industry to support their families, the platform lists expanding Calgary’s workforce, closing the infrastructure gap, and placemaking and city building as three urgent priorities for the upcoming council.

“Construction is one of Calgary’s most powerful economic engines,” said director of public affairs and external relations Frano Cavar. “In 2024 alone, our sector contributed 8.9 per cent to Calgary’s GDP, and when you count in the engineers, project managers, and what have you, we anticipate that the number is much higher.”

In Alberta, construction generated more than $27 billion in economic activity. Last year, there was a record 20,165 housing starts, and the CCA projects more than $15 billion in construction activity over the next three to seven years — all while the city has grown by 250,000 people.

“And we contend with the issue of construction job vacancies, with over 6,000 construction jobs set to be filled in our industry,” Cavar said. “Roughly one in five of all job vacancies in Calgary are in construction and construction management.”

With a municipal infrastructure deficit of $7 million, Cavar said that shortfall isn’t just an accounting figure, but a reality for Calgary’s infrastructure.

“We saw that firsthand last year during the 2024 water main crisis, and how one failure shut down an entire neighborhood, disrupted businesses, and upended families’ lives,” Cavar said. “That was not simply bad luck, it was a warning.”

Construction industry looking for minimal political risk

As Calgary rapidly approaches two million residents, CEO and president of the CCA Bill Black said the city is entering a new chapter due to the volume of major projects on the horizon.

“We need to step up and be city builders, and serve Calgary with the quality of life and economic advantages that Calgarians deserve,” Black said. “Ultimately, a new council will either need to engage and grease the wheels of the momentum that’s already in place, or become a spoke in the wheel.

“And at the end of the day, if you’re not growing, you’re falling behind.”

Through the introduction of a new city council, the CCA will look for a minimization of political risks to ensure that major projects get running.

“We saw a Green Line mired in 10 years of delays, and multiple different phases announced, maybe three or four times before we finally got a shovel into the ground,” Cavar said. “So, how can we ensure that the next council is able to minimize its political risk and collaborate with levels of government that fund these mega-projects that help develop and grow this city.”

Black said the incoming council needs to do business in a wise and intelligent manner with the right partners at their side, while also avoiding potential roadblocks.

“It’s not that long ago that we were worried in the initial downturn following the oil crash, and the vacating of downtown offices of something along 14,000 workers no longer coming into the downtown core,” he said. “We were talking about Calgary at risk of becoming another Detroit. That wasn’t long ago, and we’re quite far from that now, but we could easily sink back into that.”

Regardless of who is elected on Oct. 20, the CCA said they are fundamentally ready to work and serve alongside Calgary’s elected officials.

“We’d like to work with a mayor and council who is ready to step on the train that’s already left the station, not reroute the train or stop it,” Black said. “We will work with whoever is in place and support them.”

Related

Safe, vibrant communities a priority for Business Council of Alberta

President of the Business Council of Alberta Adam Legge said their membership identified two key needs that need to be addressed by newly elected local governments.

First, they look to be treated as highly valuable and critical stakeholders.

“Our survey found that 66 per cent of business leaders felt that their local governments didn’t even care about them in the community,” Legge said. “Businesses contribute jobs, tax revenues, philanthropic and charitable dollars, and are just not seeing that reflected in a valued relationship with local governments.”

The second involves addressing three critical priorities identified by Alberta businesses, including a need to ensure safe and vibrant communities.

“There’s a huge concern about crime, social disorder, addictions and mental health that is frankly impacting businesses and their success,” Legge said. “Everything from crime and theft in rural communities, to social disorder that’s affecting the ability of people feeling comfortable to go downtown.”

Other priorities include efficient planning and streamlined development to help sustain and foster growth, and unlocking opportunity through effective leadership and financial stewardship.

“So, how can local governments make sure that they’re being good stewards of tax dollars that not only businesses, but residents contribute,” Legge said.

‘We’re long-term bullish on Alberta’

Looking to October, Legge hopes the incoming city council will recognize business as a critical stakeholder in Calgary alongside proactive outreach to business leaders, while also tackling the three critical needs identified by Alberta businesses.

“I think there will be not only a more positive view amongst business, but also I think you’ll see greater economic activity, jobs, and investment happening in Calgary,” he said.

With banks placing Alberta at the top of the provincial list in terms of GDP growth over the next few years, Legge said this is driven by strong immigration, continued resource activity, and growth in key sectors like technology, innovation, logistics and transportation.

“Our view is that we’re long-term bullish on Alberta,” Legge said. “We think we have everything the world needs and is asking for, and if we can find ways to grow our abilities to get those products and services to markets, then I think Alberta will continue to be the leader in the Canadian economy.”

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