Falling Oil Prices Stall Alberta Construction Projects

Alberta – Declining oil prices are having an impact on the province’s construction industry, resulting in new project cancellations, delays and job losses. The industry, howewver, is expected to rebound after a three-year downturn, according to the latest forecast from BuildForce Canada.

“While oil prices have sent construction into a downturn, the industry will recover,” said Rosemary Sparks, Executive Director of BuildForce Canada. “While it’s early to pinpoint when that will happen, our forecast projects a near-term recovery, with jobs in engineering construction rising gradually from 2018 to 2024, as oil prices come back up.”

BuildForce Canada’s 2015-2024 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast shows falling oil prices are slowing Alberta’s investment in new major capital projects. Sustaining capital projects and maintenance of existing facilities, however, are continuing, and this work accounts for a significant share of total oil sands investment.

New project delays result in job losses from 2015 to 2017, primarily in engineering and residential construction. A modest down cycle, followed by gradual growth, drives up institutional, commercial and industrial construction employment by 8,000 jobs to 2024.

Oil prices are projected to rise after their fall in 2014-2015. As prices recover, oil sands investment resumes, with production supported by pipeline and other infrastructure that is now being planned and built. By 2024, construction employment is up 6 percent from record levels in 2014, with job gains in all markets.

BuildForce Canada’s forecast also shows:

• Maintaining and sustaining current operations and equipment provides stable work for a large and growing segment of the construction workforce.
• Falling oil prices trigger a new housing cycle, resulting in job losses between 2017 and 2018, followed by moderate recovery when housing starts rise close to current levels by 2024. The home renovation market adds more than 4,000 jobs.
• The construction industry needs to hire more than 36,000 new workers to counter rising retirements over the next 10 years.

“Despite current conditions, local employers should stay focused on recruitment,” added Sparks. “This is key to building the workforce, so it is ready when growth resumes, and retirements rise.”

BuildForce Canada is a national industry-led organization that represents all sectors of Canada’s construction industry. Its mandate is to provide accurate and timely labour market data and analysis, as well as programs and initiatives to help manage workforce requirements and build the capacity and the capability of Canada’s construction and maintenance workforce. Visit: www.constructionforecasts.ca

For further information, contact: Rosemary Sparks, Executive Director, BuildForce Canada, [email protected] or (905)-852-9186

Funded by the Government of Canada