Atlantic construction leaders launch new alliance to tackle shared challenges and strengthen the region

HALIFAX, NS — Construction leaders from across Atlantic Canada have come together to launch the Atlantic Construction Alliance (ACA), a united regional voice strengthening how projects are planned, managed and built across all four Atlantic provinces.

The ACA will bring the industry together to advocate for fairer rules, modern procurement practices, better labour mobility, stronger workforce development, smarter long‑term infrastructure planning, and accelerated delivery of new housing. By speaking as one region instead of four separate provinces, the alliance aims to reduce red tape, improve consistency, and drive economic growth across Atlantic Canada.

The founding partners include:

• Construction Association of Nova Scotia
• Nova Scotia Road Builders Association
• Construction Association of New Brunswick
• New Brunswick Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association
• Construction Association of Prince Edward Island
• Prince Edward Island Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association
• Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association
• Heavy Civil Association of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our industry builds the roads, schools, hospitals, safe water facilities and infrastructure that support every Atlantic community,” said Duncan Williams, President & CEO of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. “By coming together as one regional alliance, we can better advocate for fairer policies, promote skills mobility across provinces, and attract the investment needed to grow our economy and workforce.”

A collaborative vision for Atlantic growth

The Atlantic Construction Alliance was created by eight provincial construction associations, representing thousands of contractors, tradespeople and suppliers who collectively employ more than 100,000 Atlantic Canadians.

What the new alliance will do:

• Modernize procurement: Promote fair, transparent, and consistent contracting practices across the region through wider adoption of standard Canada-wide construction contracts (CCDC documents), so companies can bid more easily and governments get better results.
• Support housing delivery: Advocate for procurement, financing and regulatory approaches that allow builders to deliver more housing faster, including multi‑unit, rental and affordable housing projects.
• Improve workforce mobility: Work to remove barriers that prevent skilled tradespeople from moving freely between Atlantic provinces, helping fill labour shortages where they are most urgent.
• Advocate for infrastructure investment: Advocate for equitable federal and provincial investment in nation-building projects that strengthen Atlantic supply chains and communities.
• Strengthen workforce development: Coordinate regional responses to labour shortages and work with governments to align apprenticeship systems, immigration pathways, and credential recognition.
• Support sustainability and innovation: Encourage adoption of new building technologies, digital tools, and energy‑efficient construction standards that make the industry more productive and future‑

One industry, one voice

The ACA will act as a collaborative forum for Atlantic industry leaders to engage governments, owners, and post-secondary institutions. It will also share best practices, conduct joint research, and deliver unified policy positions on issues that transcend provincial borders.

“Each province has unique strengths, but our challenges—workforce shortages, rising costs, and outdated procurement frameworks—are the same,” added Williams.  “The Atlantic Construction Alliance allows us to speak with one voice on behalf of our industry, our workers, and our future.”

Over the coming months, the Alliance will formalize its governance structure, establish working groups on procurement, workforce, and sustainability, and begin developing shared policy priorities.

-30-