The Alberta government is developing the business case to move forward with a P3 approach to deliver new schools approved in the 2019 Capital Plan. 

"As promised in our Fiscal Plan, we are investing in infrastructure that is financially sustainable, drives the economy and creates jobs. Alternative financing and public private partnerships are being closely considered where they can provide on-time and on-budget results.”

Prasad Panda, Minister of Infrastructure

Government anticipates the business case will demonstrate these five school projects are suitable for P3 delivery. The next step will be issuing a Request for Qualifications to industry in spring 2020. Up until completion of market sounding the minister reserves the right to change the composition of this P3 bundle.

Quick facts

  • Alberta’s 2019 Capital Plan invests $397 million over five years for 25 new school projects, five of which are anticipated to be delivered through P3:
    • K-4 public school in Calgary, Auburn Bay          
    • K-9 Catholic school in Cochrane
    • K-9  Francophone school in Legal
    • K-9 Catholic school and K-9 public school both in Edmonton, Windemere-Keswick
  • Additional opportunities for P3 projects will be assessed as planning and design proceeds. School projects outside of the P3 bundle will be delivered through more traditional methods such as design-build. The government will work with school jurisdictions throughout the process.
  • The MacKinnon Report recommended that “the government should refresh its policy on major procurements to look at how to achieve the best value for money for taxpayers, which should include exploring innovative partnerships.”
  • Infrastructure has re-established a Public Private Partnership (P3) Office to work with other ministries to advance future P3 projects.
  • Alberta’s P3 framework is a proven, cost-effective means of delivering long-term capital projects.
  • Alberta has successfully used P3s to deliver 40 schools, ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton, and a water/wastewater treatment plant in Kananaskis Country. These P3 projects saved an estimated $2.2 billion over the cost of delivering through more traditional methods.