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ARTICLE · 26 MAY 2025

Alberta's Public Works Act Explained: Key Processes For Contractors And Subcontractors

McCarthy Tétrault
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In Alberta, private construction project participants enjoy the luxury of the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c P-26.4 (the "PPCLA")...

CanadaReal Estate and Construction
Canadian Construction Law Blog
Canadian Construction Law Blog
Bryan West
Bryan West
Andrew West
Andrew West
Conrad Parken
Conrad Parken
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A Primer for Contractors and Subcontractors

In Alberta, private construction project participants enjoy the luxury of the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c P-26.4 (the "PPCLA"), which provides meaningful rights and relief by establishing lien rights, statutorily secured claims, and adjudication processes with the goal of facilitating and maintaining the movement of project funds.

On the other hand, public-sector project participants have historically been limited to the, much less understood and rarely litigated, Public Works Act, RSA 2000, c P-46 (the "PWA"). The PWA is a bespoke piece of legislation that aims to govern public-sector projects that the PPCLA does not apply to, such as the construction of public works and infrastructure (e.g. highways, dams, etc.).

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