The Case for a More Competitive Labour Framework in Alberta's Oil Patch (Calgary)

Guest Speaker: Stephen Kushner

Alberta's economy is running on all cylinders, oil and oil sands activity looks particularly strong with significant spin off benefits for the Alberta economy. With a high level of construction activity our province is at risk of becoming a "high cost" construction jurisdiction. Maintaining a cost effective sector will require solutions on many fronts including strategies to address increasing skilled manpower, immigration reform and changes to our Labour Code to ensure cost effective construction pricing. Stephen Kushner, President of Merit Contractors Association will speak to why the time is now to generate effective changes that will yield benefits for the next 20-30 years.

About the Guest:

Stephen Kushner is the President of Merit Contractors Association, a construction trade Association based in Alberta with over 1300 member construction companies, Merit focuses on the human resource needs of open shop construction firms. Mr. Kushner started with Merit in its founding year in 1986 and has been the President since 1988. Mr. Kushner has overseen the development of Merit programs, including a large industry sponsored benefit plan, with over 55,000 employees active in the program, retirement programs, construction skill training programs, supervisor training programs, apprenticeship support programs, e learning management training, job placement services and employment youth initiatives. Merit operates an office in Edmonton and Calgary, and its programs are being used throughout Canada with seven other similar organisations. Mr. Kushner is also the Chief Operating Officer for Merit Canada.  Mr. Kushner has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alberta and an M.B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Kushner resides in Edmonton, is married and has four children.

Event Details:

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