CALGARY CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION 2023 YEA R IN REVIEW
REMARKS FROM CCA PRESIDENT
TO OUR VALUED MEMBERS
It always feels like the years go faster and 2023 has been no exception. It does feel however
that the hangover from the pandemic finally left us over this summer. While we always
remain vigilant in that regard, we seem to be entering a new period of activity and growth in
Alberta and with our industry stepping up to meet this reality, we at CCA are right there with you.
The population of Alberta grew by 4% year over year in 2023 - the greatest increase since 1981. We are likely to see that trend continue, and our industry will be a major part of this. Of course, renewed and long-awaited growth rarely comes without new challenges and, while
some of the lead time and escalation issues may have settled down to some degree, they
have been quickly eclipsed by emerging challenges in securing workforce. We knew this was coming and have been discussing it for years and it is now here for real.
Bill Black
President Calgary Construction Association
Our industry will need to become builders of people – not just buildings! When the CCA board met in early 2022 in the early post COVID days to review our strategic objectives, Growing Industry Talent Pool was on the final list. Even then we probably did not fully appreciate how this issue would grow over the following months, but we now know that this may be the most important challenge our industry has faced in decades. Based on what
we have heard from you on this subject, CCA is considering how we can meaningfully
engage in this challenge and support our members in the years ahead. We are not naïve or arrogant enough to imagine that we can solve this, but we are confident that we can make a difference by investing significantly in this on your behalf so please stay tuned!
Your voice is growing! We invested 2 years ago in taking advocacy to the next level and we have been able to own a narrative and represent the industry voice in media, in front of City Council – even at the
Alberta Legislature. Since investing in our new approach, we have seen our exposure in
media increase from 2 or 3 times a year to over 70 media hits since November
Bill Black is President & COO of the Calgary Construction Association (CCA) and has a career spanning 42 years in the construction industry. No stranger to the challenges of the commercial construction sector and a highly adaptable individual, as evidenced by his varied career, Bill always brings a fresh perspective to the challenges and opportunities that he is involved with.
2021 including radio, television, popular media and industry publications. CCA is also now registered as an official provincial lobbyist and, while some of these steps
may seem incremental from a certain perspective, each one is a step towards becoming the recognized subject matter expert representing the industry the way we
want to be seen and heard. This means that we can own this narrative on your behalf and
champion the issues and opinions that you need positioned in front of policy makers.
We are 100% committed to elevating our industry in the eyes of the public, media and
policy makers in terms of our fundamental contribution to society, the opportunities we
provide for successful careers and the role that the built environment has in the Calgary of the future.
“Making Calgary the Best City in Canada to Be in the Construction Industry.”
REMARKS FROM CCA PRESIDENT Great communities thrive in great community spaces alongside great community partners! This was also the year that we finally renovated our own 42-year-old office space and created the CCA Member Centre – a place that you can use to meet and gather as well as a venue for many events and activities that will make our community even
stronger. The power of relationships, industry intelligence and connection is still at the heart of our industry. We look forward to
seeing that flourish in our great new space so come visit and see for yourself.
With signature events such as the Stampede BBQ and the Christmas Social as new fixtures in the calendar as well as CCA
Connect and Meet the GC along with our education programs and legacy services, CCA is poised to enter a new chapter along with our members while always striving to improve and increase the value we already provide.
We want to do this together and build a community we can all be proud of - One that we value being a part of as a community of
real meaning. Our real wish is to shift the idea of membership at CCA from being a somewhat transactional decision to being an investment in supporting programs and activities that bring value to the business owners, the professionals and the tradespeople that make up our industry.
Consider what we have built and what is still possible! On behalf of your CCA team, thank you sincerely for being a part of this community and for supporting everything that we have
been building together including the fact that…
We have proved that we can grow our ability to be a stronger voice to government at all levels, as well as media and
the public in advancing and promoting everything the industry stands for…
We have provided a new location where members can meet, gather and connect instead of coffee shops etc… We are able to add these new features to our value & service portfolio while also continuing to deliver the best community building networking events, education programs and other services… And why stop there …
CCA is about to invest in dedicated effort and engage on your behalf in our workforce challenge! With all that in mind we hope you will join us in making Calgary the best City in Canada to be in the Construction Industry by helping us all ensure that the CCA Community is the best network to do it in. With 2024 also being our 80th anniversary as an association there will be even more to celebrate and we will provide many
opportunities to consider our legacy while also acknowledging our present as we consider a great future for Calgary and the industry.
We look forward to experiencing all this with you as we thrive and grow together. Yours faithfully, Bill Black, President & COO
2023 ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS Hosted Premier Danielle Smith for an important conversation around public procurement,
labour shortages, skills development, trades, immigration reform and building the Calgary of tomorrow.
Sent a delegation to Edmonton to advocate directly at the Provincial Legislature. The CCA raised concerns about stable and predictable funding for infrastructure projects, procurement and risk allocation, labour supply challenges, and prompt payment.
Attended roundtables with
Provincial ministers
on immigration, trade and labour.
Raised the profile of Calgary’s construction industry with over
70 media appearances
since November 2021 (TV, Print, Radio).
Appeared for City Council numerous times to advocate directly for new infrastructure spending, housing affordability, impacts of the climate strategy on the construction industry, and the labour shortage.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek dedicated
and officially re-opened the Calgary Construction Association Member Centre.
Advocated for Calgary’s proposed
Fieldhouse Development and support the Foothills Athletic Park Redevelopment Plan, which will create jobs and opportunity for construction.
Voiced our support for Calgary’s new event centre and culture and entertainment district – which will create up to 3000+ jobs and spur follow-on investment into the next decade.
Launched a provincial platform piece that advocated for our positions during the 2023 Provincial Election.
Inaugural Annual Premier's Luncheon
Advocacy Priorities in 2024 and Beyond 1 2 3 4 5
Tackling the Labour Shortage Establishing our Provincial Voice Supporting Calgary Through Strong Infrastructure Preparing Calgary For the Future Addressing Issues Around Public Procurement and Risk
2023 EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS Construction Risk: Identify, Analyze, Mitigate Construction Contract Documents
High Impact Leadership – 6-week program Updated AGC Lean Certification Units 1-5
New Education Courses
Project Managers Guide to Accounting Practices Lead to Succeed
CCDC 2- 2020- Beyond the Boardroom Soft Skills for Hard Job Sites
1883
Virtual Student Hours
The Art of Construction Management
Construction Budget Estimating Processes
136
365
In-Person Student Hours
Scheduled Courses on Education Calendar
Proposal Writing as a Career Workshop
Effective & Technical Writing
18
New Courses Added to Calendar
25
Students Wrote Gold Seal Exam
2023 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Meet the GC Series:
22 Featured GC's 4 Unique locations 650+ Attendees
Inaugural Annual Premier's Address
Political keynote & fireside chat
Sold out Spring Classic Golf Tournament
$21,617
Sold out Education Fundraiser Golf Tournament
HIGHLIGHTS
Official Launch of CCA Member Business Centre
170+
$73,500 raised
35+
Number of events
900+
donated to Prostate Cancer Centre
300+ Industry Leaders
25th Anniversary
Record breaking CCA Stampede BBQ
attendees.
3,600+
Number of attendees
attendees
Addressing Workforce Challenges CCA & BuildEX Alberta join forces Seminars Demonstrations Workforce Solutions Centre
Annual AGM & Banquet Dinner
400+ Industry Leaders Key note address Industry Awards
500+
Companies Attended
After conducting a comprehensive Business Review in December 2022, which underscored the need for action to ensure the sustainability, improvement, and growth of the BuildWorks platform, BuildWorks Canada embarked on a renewed journey to enhance the overall member experience and improve operational efficiencies. Since July 2023, our primary focus has been on sustaining and improving the existing platform, while our vision for 2024 revolves around introducing additional value-added services for our valued members. At the core of the BuildWorks member experience lies our digital platform and the BuildWorks Canada website. So far in 2023, we have posted over 2750 projects, spanning both Civil and ICI classifications of work, from over 480 different Owners across 13 different Owner Types (see charts for more details). Posting project opportunities remains the core service of BuildWorks, connecting members to procurements across the province. We are working diligently to upgrade the daily functionality of BuildWorks, keying in on a streamlined login process, improvements to the keyword search and a smoother delivery of your Daily Emails. In Q4 2023, we plan to engage directly with our members to identify and prioritize the services that matter most. In parallel, we plan to enhance the BuildWorks Canada Website, which serves as the gateway to our platform. We are currently in discussions with partners and stakeholders to explore a website redesign that will foster deeper engagement with our existing members and attract new ones by showcasing the services BuildWorks offers, such as the Directory, myPlanRoom, Substantial Completion Certificates and of course the aggregation of millions of dollars of Projects. Our partnerships, particularly those with our contracted service providers and our national Association colleagues who operate on the same platform (i.e. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island), hold great value. Collaboration is a cornerstone of our efforts to sustain and improve the BuildWorks platform, and we are committed to nurturing these relationships. In summary, BuildWorks remains dedicated in its commitment to resolving the issues that have been experienced by members since the introduction of the new platform, and overall enhance the member experience. The initiatives we are undertaking demonstrate our commitment to effectively serve our members. By confronting challenges head-on, refining tools and functionality, and optimizing our partnerships, BuildWorks is determined to deliver a seamless and valuable experience for all Association members. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to enhance your user experience and provide even greater value. Member Value Report Q3 2023 Prepared by: Sarah Aspinall, BuildWorks Canada Consultant
CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES - Q3 2023
CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
© BuildWorks
Civil Projects
Canada
58%
IC I Projects 42%
CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES - Q3 2023
CLASSIFICATION OF WORK
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Civil Pathways/Trails 2%
Civil Supply/Service/Maintenance 24%
Civil Water Treatment Plant 1%
2%
Civil Playgrounds/Porks/Athletic
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Sidewalks/Gutters/curbs
14%
CIVIi Bndges
CIVIi Parktng Lots
5%
1%
ot ,on
r
2753 ��T-PROJECTS POSTED IN ALBERTA
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1%
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Civil Culverts/Drains
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ICIRe
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ICI Demoh t,on
14%
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