Labour shortages have long been a concern in Canada’s construction industry — and they are projected to persist in the coming years.
According to the 2025–2034 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward report by BuildForce Canada, meeting workforce demand will require a multifaceted strategy. This includes boosting youth recruitment and training, while also increasing participation from underrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, and newcomers.
The Daily Commercial News examined the data, breaking down workforce representation across Canada and by province.
Note: BuildForce’s employment projections were developed with industry input before recent Canada-U.S. trade disputes emerged.
National Snapshot (2023)
- Roughly 217,700 women were employed in construction across Canada.
- Only 29% of those women worked directly in onsite roles.
- Women accounted for just 5% of the 1.21 million onsite trades workforce.
- Indigenous representation stood at 5.2% nationally within the construction sector.
Alberta Highlights
- Apprenticeship registrations jumped nearly 50% in 2023.
- In 2024, approximately 39,140 women were employed in construction, with 32% working onsite.
- Women made up 7% of Alberta’s overall construction workforce.
- In 2023, Indigenous workers represented 6.6% of the province’s construction labour force.
British Columbia
- Registrations for apprenticeships in B.C.’s 25 largest construction trades rose by 36% in 2023.