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COAA Encouraged by Creation of Federal Government’s Calgary Major Projects Office

The federal government’s creation of the Major Projects Office in Calgary is an important step for Alberta and Canada’s industrial construction sector, signaling to the world that Canada wants to get projects built and get Canadians working.

Bill C-5 and the Building Canada Act are key pieces of legislation that move us forward, positioning Canada back into the business of large nation-building projects, and COAA encourages the government to do more. The Major Projects Office initiative has the potential to support large-scale projects that are critical to our nation’s economic growth and competitiveness, something COAA has long recognized as essential to ensuring Canada is recognized globally as the safest and most productive jurisdiction to build and sustain world-class assets.

COAA members are leaders and innovators in project delivery, safety, execution, technology, and asset management. We are encouraged by the initial policy signals to accelerate projects of national interest, align investments and bring much-needed clarity to processes that shape the success of large-scale major industrial and infrastructure projects.

“This is a positive development for our industry and for Canada,” said Blake Ronellenfitch, COAA President. “When government and industry work together to remove barriers and streamline processes, projects are safer, they move faster, investment flows more freely, and industry thrives. COAA looks forward to contributing to the success of the new initiative however we can.”

As an owner-led non-profit association, COAA is focused on enabling smarter investment, advancing modern and effective contract strategies, and driving the efficient delivery of large-scale projects so that Alberta and Canada can build faster, smarter, and with long-term value in mind.

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Construction Owners Association of Alberta recognizes that COAA’s office in Edmonton is located within Treaty 6 Territory and within the Métis homelands and Métis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We further acknowledge that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Namely: the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations and we are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.

Shawn Madro is a Portfolio Design Engineer at TC Energy, where he leverages software and data tools to optimize operations and maintenance programs across Canada and the United States. With over a decade of experience in engineering, supply chain, and project management, Shawn has supported major energy infrastructure projects and led initiatives to improve efficiency and collaboration across teams and in project execution. He is also active with the Construction Owners Association of Alberta, currently serving as Co-Chair of the Collaborative Contracting Committee. Shawn is a Professional Engineer and a graduate of the University of Calgary’s Schulich School of Engineering.

Dillon Shepherd is a Digital Construction Manager with specialized expertise in the implementation of digital twin technologies within the built environment. He supports building owners, developers, and construction companies in bridging the gap between physical assets and digital intelligence, ensuring that organizations are positioned to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance long-term asset performance.

With a strong background in business strategy and technology enablement, Dillon provides structured leadership in guiding organizations through every stage of digital transformation—from strategic planning and design through to deployment and operational integration. His focus is on delivering measurable outcomes while maintaining alignment with organizational goals, industry standards, and best practices.

Gordon Walsh has been working in health and safety for over 20 years. Gordon is currently employed with Energy Safety Canada (ESC) as Principal Consultant, Safety Centre of Excellence. Over his 15 plus years with Energy Safety Canada (previous ENFORM), Gordon has worked in multiple roles and departments. Before working with ESC, Gordon worked for two other industry safety associations in commercial trucking and manufacturing. Before starting a career in safety Gordon was employed in various industries including Excavation, General Construction and a short stint in Underground Coal Mining.  

Gordon completed his OHS Certificate with the University of Alberta and has been qualified as a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) since 2007, further completed a Business Essentials Program Certificate through the University of Calgary Haskayne School Of Business, and NEBOSH Tech Cert Oil and Gas Ops Safety. 

Over the past 5 years Gordon has been focused on learning about Human and Organizational Performance, working directly with experts in industry and academia to progress the adoption of doing Safety Differently through the lens of the 5 Five Principles of HOP, evolving safety forward. 

Gordon has been an instructor of safety courses and a presenter at multiple conferences over the last two decades covering topics relevant to frontline workers as well as manager level content. 

Gordon sits on the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Regulator OHS Advisory Council as well as Construction Safety Research Alliance (CSRA) research projects.    

Angela Thompson is Vice President of Commercial at FLINT Corp., a leading provider of construction, maintenance, turnarounds and environmental services across Canada. She oversees PMO, Estimating, Business Development & Indigenous Relations and has been instrumental in advancing FLINT’s project delivery systems, client account frameworks and building meaningful indigenous relations.

With a career spanning operational P&L leadership and project execution, Angela is recognized for her collaborative leadership style and her ability to connect commercial strategy with operational delivery. She has been named to Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and recognized among Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women, bringing a grounded perspective on lessons learned, innovation, and building partnerships that drive stronger project outcomes.

 

As the Vice President of Operational Interface for Bird, Adam is a seasoned leader with a proven history in the industrial services sector. He has been driving excellence in industrial maintenance, overseeing strategic initiatives, and ensuring the successful execution of the organization’s growth strategy. 

Adam’s role centers on strengthening collaboration and solution development between Bird’s shared services and field teams, helping to drive reliable execution and streamlined workflows. Recent key initiatives that Adam is focused on include enhancements to the craft management system and development, advancements to the HSE management system, and improvements to vendor management processes. 

With a career spanning diverse sectors within the industrial landscape, he continues to be a force behind Bird’s success, embodying a commitment to operational excellence and a strategic vision that positions the company as an industry leader in construction and maintenance services. 

With over 25 years of experience, Adam offers a unique perspective gained from starting his career in the field and advancing through a range of support roles into senior P&L management. This progression has provided him with deep insight into industry challenges and clear opportunities for improvement.

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