(Edmonton, Oct. 24, 2019) – The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), whose member companies employ thousands of Alberta construction workers, supports the Alberta government’s 2019 budget, recognizing that sacrifices are necessary to restore the province’s investment climate, drive the economy and create jobs.
“This is a budget that’s right for the times,” said Paul de Jong, President of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA). “We support aggressive measures aimed at defending and growing Alberta’s energy economy, including construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion project.”
The UCP government’s budget, “A Plan for Jobs and the Economy,” aims to balance the budget in four years, restore Alberta’s competitiveness by reducing the corporate tax rate from 12% to 8% by 2022, and enhance the capital cost allowance to support business investments and grow jobs. The budget also invests in skills training. However, capital spending will be reduced over the next four years, as is funding to municipalities, slowing infrastructure construction.
“We recognize that there are some tough measures in this budget,” added de Jong. “However, our members have been making tough budget choices for many years as a result of Alberta’s declining investment climate and low energy prices.”
PCA believes difficult choices were necessary to get the province’s economy back on track, restore investor confidence and Alberta’s reputation as a world leader in energy, innovation and major infrastructure construction.
About the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA)
With offices in BC, Alberta and Ontario, PCA is the voice of progressive unionized employers in Canada’s construction industry. Our member companies are responsible for 40 percent of energy and natural resource construction projects in British Columbia and Alberta and are leaders in infrastructure construction across Canada. PCA member companies employ more than 25,000 skilled construction workers in Canada, represented primarily by CLAC.
For further information, contact:
Danna O’Brien, Danna@obriencommunications.ca 416-500-0699