Calgary, Alberta \u2013 Canada\u2019s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), Building Trades of Alberta (BTA), and Friends of Calgary Airport\u2013Banff Rail (CABR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize collaboration in support of building the Calgary Airport\u2013Downtown\u2013Bow Valley\u2013Banff passenger rail system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The agreement signals a shared commitment to move from years of study to construction on one of Canada\u2019s most shovel-ready passenger rail projects, creating good-paying union jobs, strengthening Alberta\u2019s economy, and building confidence in Canada\u2019s ability to deliver major infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CABR represents an immediate opportunity to put Canada\u2019s skilled tradespeople to work while diversifying Alberta\u2019s economy. Designed primarily within an existing CPKC rail corridor and supported by MOUs with CPKC and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the project is positioned to advance far more quickly than typical greenfield infrastructure. CABR was formally submitted in December 2025 to the federal Major Projects Office as a Project of National Interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanada has the workforce and the need,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> said Sean Strickland, Executive Director of Canada\u2019s Building Trades Unions. \u201cThis agreement reflects our members\u2019 readiness to build nation-building infrastructure that delivers good jobs and long-term public value.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Independent analysis estimates that combined Calgary Airport – Downtown Express (CADE) and CABR construction from Downtown to Banff would support approximately 9,900 job-years, equivalent to roughly 1,700 full-time jobs, generate nearly $700 million in economic output over a three-year build, and create hundreds of permanent operational jobs. Over the long term, the project is projected to support more than 22,000 jobs through tourism and related economic activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlberta\u2019s building trades are ready to build,\u201d<\/strong> said Terry Parker, Executive Director of Building Trades Alberta. \u201cInvesting in projects like CABR puts Albertans to work, supports apprentices, and delivers infrastructure that strengthens the province.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The MOU emphasizes safety, quality, apprenticeship training, and inclusive workforce development, while recognizing the importance of coordination across municipal, provincial, and federal governments. Advancing CABR now would increase good-paying unionized employment and bring more opportunity to Alberta\u2019s next generation of major infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPassenger rail from the airport through downtown Calgary to Banff is more than transportation, it\u2019s an economic development strategy,\u201d<\/strong> said Adam Waterous, Chair of Liricon Capital and lead proponent of CABR. \u201cThis MOU demonstrates alignment between labour, proponents, and advocates. With collaboration across governments, Alberta can show leadership by building infrastructure that works for workers, communities, and the economy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Calgary, Alberta \u2013 Canada\u2019s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), Building Trades of Alberta (BTA), and Friends of Calgary Airport\u2013Banff Rail (CABR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize collaboration in support of building the Calgary Airport\u2013Downtown\u2013Bow Valley\u2013Banff passenger rail system. The agreement signals a shared commitment to move from years of study to construction […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[36,40,54,37,45,18],"class_list":["post-11127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-bill-c5","tag-building-trades","tag-major-projects","tag-major-projects-office","tag-nation-building","tag-skilledtrades"],"yoast_head":"\n