BuildForce Canada Forecasts Growth Across Four Canadian Provinces

BuildForce Canada released construction and maintenance outlook reports for Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan covering the period from 2026 to 2035. The reports indicate a general shift toward non-residential growth in most provinces, though Saskatchewan remains a rare case where new-home construction is expected to drive the sector, potentially doubling by 2035.

In Alberta, demand is sustained by oil and gas investments, healthcare expansions like the Red Deer Regional Hospital, and transportation infrastructure in Calgary and Edmonton. While non-residential employment in Alberta is projected to rise by 15%, residential employment may decline by 16%. Similarly, Newfoundland and Labrador expects a nearly 25% growth in non-residential investment, led by the Bay du Nord offshore oil development, while Nova Scotia sees major projects like the QEII Halifax Infirmary Site offset slowing residential activity.

All four provinces face critical labor shortages caused by an aging demographic. Alberta specifically faces a potential shortfall of 5,300 workers by the end of the decade as approximately 43,700 workers retire. To bridge these gaps, industry leaders are prioritizing the recruitment of immigrants, women, and Indigenous Peoples, alongside increasing apprenticeship completions.