WHEREAS carpentry is a trade which entails optional certification, rather than compulsory certification; AND WHEREAS carpenters do not currently require a journeyman’s certificate to hold building permits for residential construction; AND WHEREAS carpentry is a trade which requires proficiency and should not be regarded as separate from the other trades, such as the plumbing or electrical trades;AND WHEREAS it is in the collective and best interest of the Province of Alberta to ensure the adept building of homes;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties meet with the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board to engage in a dialogue with industry officials, with the aim of gaining support to change the status of the carpentry trade to one which requires compulsory certification, rather than optional certification.

The west end of Beaver County consists of numerous country residential subdivisions with a high density of residential development. Although 99 percent of the development has been constructed to Safety Codes standards, one particular contractor has not met Safety Code requirements, and despite the Safety Codes Officer’s best efforts, the contractor has burdened subsequent homeowners with substandard dwellings. It is the feeling of Beaver County Council that these problems, and future problems, may be remedied by the compulsory certification of the carpentry trade. Currently, carpenters may be certified journeymen, qualified journeymen, apprentices, or uncertified carpenters. This means that many homes and other buildings may be built inconsistently. While it may be argued that there are many different sub-trades within the carpentry trade, and thus the certification process may be onerous, the long-range benefit far exceeds the burden. Safe and consistent building practices should be the goal of the provincial government, as well as the carpentry/construction industry. Thus, carpentry ought to be regarded as a proficiency trade, and only certified carpenters should be able to hold building permits. It is suggested that the AAMD&C meet with the Emerging Trade and Occupations Manager of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, to gain support of the affected industries to change carpentry from an optional certified trade to a trade of compulsory certification.