O U T G O I N G C H A I R
Outgoing
ARHCA Chair,
JOE KABARCHUK
Building a legacy and a strong voice for the industry
At the beginning of this construction season, just a
few months into Joe Kabarchuk’s term as chair,
ARHCA was expecting massive cuts to the industry.
Then the pandemic hit, and the construction season’s
forecast did a 180. It was like nothing the industry had
ever seen, and no one was quite sure what to make of it,
but the association needed to act fast. Never one to sit back
and watch things happen, Kabarchuk has shown that he’s
been up to the challenge, working closely with the CEO
and the ARHCA’s Government Relations committee to
ensure the Alberta government knew just how important
the roadbuilding and heavy construction industries are to
economic recovery.
“I think everyone in our industry will agree, the
COVID-19 pandemic is the single biggest issue we’ve had
to deal with in the last decade, and even before,” said
Kabarchuk. “But together, our voice is stronger and louder
as an association than we could ever be individually. If this
last year has taught me anything, it’s the importance of
associations like the ARHCA, and the impact we can have
when we stand together.”
At the outset of COVID, ARHCA worked hard to
highlight for government the key role the roadbuilding
industry can play in getting people back to work, and this
was something that paid off in the way of stimulus spending
on Alberta’s highway network. As the 2020 construction
season wraps up and his tenure as ARHCA chair comes to a
close, Kabarchuk emphasizes the importance of continuing
to advocate to municipal and provincial governments to
make sure ARHCA members are treated fairly when it
comes to COVID costs and delays.
By Rae Thygesen, ARHCA
Photo courtesy of ARHCA
Suwichan Pralomram/123rf
ALBERTA HEAVY Quarter 4 2020 13