Thursday, December 4, 2025

CLAC Welcomes Canada-Alberta Partnership, Calls for Worker-First Approach

EDMONTON/OTTAWA—CLAC welcomes the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the federal and Alberta governments, calling it “a positive step toward stronger job growth, energy security, and responsible emissions reduction.”

The agreement ties a commitment to a million barrels of bitumen per day pipeline with ties to the Asian market and the Pathways Alliance Carbon Capture project. The opportunities created through the construction phase of both projects will create thousands of skilled trades and energy-sector jobs.

CLAC applauds the MOU’s commitment to meaningful participation of Indigenous communities by way of equity positions on projects tied to this agreement. The opportunity this creates for economic reconciliation and for nations to determine their own future is immeasurable.

“This agreement has the potential to create real economic stability for working families across Alberta, British Columbia, and Canada,” says Dennis Perrin, CLAC Alberta director. “The true measure of success of the MOU will be dependent on a commitment to a fair and open tendering model that welcomes workers of all stripes regardless of their union affiliation or if they choose not to belong to a union.”

Perrin added that Canada’s path forward requires energy solutions that are both economically strong and socially responsible. CLAC is urging both levels of government to commit to

quality job creation with high safety standards that promotes worker choice and a pluralistic union environment;
apprenticeship training with a commitment to building the workforce of the future;
building transparent, respectful, and long term partnerships with Indigenous communities, with a focus on creating long term investment and revenue streams as well as training and career development for individual community members;
ensuring clear environmental performance and public reporting.

“With a membership base of tens of thousands of workers in the construction, energy, and skilled trades sectors, CLAC is committed to doing our part to support the projects outlined in the MOU, including the commitments made to Indigenous communities and workers in general,” says Perrin. “Through a fair, balanced approach in the representation of our current members and a commitment to training new members, we know we can bring value and a high degree of productivity to all nation-building projects in Canada.”

CLAC Welcomes Canada-Alberta Partnership, Calls for Worker-First Approach

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