Tla’amin Nation is set to reacquire nearly half of the former mill site at tiskwat.
The Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) between Tla’amin Nation and Domtar includes provisions for Tla’amin to assume responsibility for maintenance, taxes, and insurance upon ownership. The Nation is prioritizing archaeological and environmental stewardship, with Domtar expressing commitment to collaborative solutions and respect for Tla’amin interests.
Extensive community engagement showed overwhelming support (94%) among Tla’amin citizens for the reacquisition, with youth support even higher at 97%.
The Whole Story:
Following nearly two years of due diligence and negotiations, Tla’amin Nation is set to reacquire close to half of the former mill site at tiskwat.
The Nation stated in a release that the reacquisition will come 146 years after the lands were alienated from the Nation through the illegal sale of Lot 450 in 1878 and one year after the federal government accepted Tla’amin’s specific claim for Lot 450 for negotiation.
Last month, Tla’amin Nation and Domtar initialed an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA). The agreement is subject to approval by Tla’amin Executive Council within 60 days.
Under the terms of the APA, Domtar (formerly Paper Excellence) will return the lands to Tla’amin for the Nation’s use. Tla’amin will assume responsibility for carrying costs such as maintenance, taxes and insurance upon taking ownership.
“This agreement is a step in the right direction for us to regain our rightful place at tiskwat,” said Hegus (Chief) John Hackett. “We will continue to work with Domtar and Brookfield to protect Tla’amin archaeological and stewardship interests across the entire site.”
Sixteen parcels comprise the 120 acres of Tla’amin reacquisition lands. The reacquired lands primarily front the river and ocean and are among the least industrialized areas at tiskwat. Notably, Tla’amin assumes responsibility for most of the riverfront lands. However, the reacquisition does not include the dam, which is encumbered by a bare land trust between Domtar and Brookfield Power.
“We raise our hands in deep respect for the Tla’amin elected council and their staff for their collaboration in our ongoing work together,” says Lana Wilhelm, Director of Indigenous Relations, Domtar. “The entire Domtar team is deeply committed to working with the Tla’amin Nation to do the right thing. We continue to work on solutions for the entirety of the site.”
To build a negotiations mandate, Tla’amin Nation engaged its citizens through a series of six public engagement sessions and a survey conducted between October 2023 and May 2024.
94% of Tla’amin citizens who participated in the engagement process supported the reacquisition of tiskwat, with support among youth even higher at 97%. At the same time, 98% of Citizens were concerned about the environmental legacy at tiskwat following a century of industrial activity. These concerns and risks are addressed in the agreement being presented to the community.
The Nation stated that the reacquisition of tiskwat not only represents a historic step toward rectifying past injustices but also serves as a cornerstone of Tla’amin’s vision for economic prosperity.
Nation representatives explained that reacquisition lands will support Tla’amin Management Services LP’s (TMSLP) current business interests while creating opportunities for future development aligned with Tla’amin goals for employment, revenue generation, and sustainability.
The APA and accompanying business plan will be reviewed for recommendation by the Tla’amin Finance Committee and Tla’amin Economic Development Committee before being approved by Tla’amin Executive Council.
The EllisDon Civil East team has expanded civil construction operations into the Atlantic region with a project win of the Musquodoboit Harbour Bridge Replacement Project.
This is the first major heavy civil project for EllisDon in the region.
“I’m very proud of the Atlantic and Civil East teams whose collaboration was key to successfully securing this milestone project. Here’s to announcing more project wins in the future,” Derek Love, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, EllisDon Civil Division, said of the milestone.
The Musquodoboit Harbour Bridge is located 40km east of Halifax on Hwy Trunk 7 (Marine Drive) over the Musquodoboit River.
The current structure of the Musquodoboit Harbour Bridge will be demolished and replaced by a new 48 metre long structure; the current bridge is only 45.7 metres. The new bridge will be made with structural steel I-girders, concrete spread footing, semi-integral concrete abutments, and a thin-slab concrete deck.
·Once completed, the new bridge will carry two lanes of traffic and a raised concrete pedestrian sidewalk. A temporary detour route adjacent to the work area will be constructed as the current traffic will need to be maintained.
Construction is slated to commence in early 2025.
Whether you want to hear the crack of a bat or a searing guitar solo, Canadian builders got you covered. Our appetite for live events is growing and the infrastructure designed to facilitiate it is growing with it. Check out some major projects underway to keep up with the pace.
BMO Field Expansion – Toronto, Ont.
To accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup, BMO Field will undergo a $37 million expansion led by contractor PCL Construction, with completion targeted by early 2026. The project includes 17,756 additional seats, increasing capacity to over 45,000, along with new suites and enhanced broadcast facilities. Temporary seating will balance cost efficiency with FIFA standards compliance.
BC Place Stadium Preparations – Vancouver, B.C.
As a host for seven FIFA World Cup matches, BC Place is set for upgrades worth $240–260 million. ETRO is overseeing the enhancements, focusing on seating, lighting, accessibility, and transport infrastructure. Completion is expected by 2025, ensuring the venue meets FIFA’s requirements while boosting Vancouver’s global event hosting capabilities.
Canada Games Complex Renovation and Expansion – Sydney, N.S.
Renovations and expansions are underway at the Canada Games Complex, with an expanded Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre at its core. Expected to complete by 2025, the project has a $20 million budget. The renovated space will include expanded space for health and counselling services for students through the Nancy Dingwall Health and Counselling Centre, a new fitness facility and a walking track for students and the community and the modernization of the Canada Games Complex. When not in use as an arena, renovation improvements will allow the convocation and convention space to host conferences, dinners and concerts.
Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre – Edmonton, Alta.
Scheduled for completion in 2026, this facility is being built by Clark Builders with a $50 million budget. The recreation center will feature new swimming facilities, gymnasiums, and community spaces, advancing Edmonton’s public infrastructure and emphasizing sustainable construction practices. The project has been advanced in partnership with the Alberta Velodrome Association and World Triathlon Series Edmonton. Along with a financial contribution, these partners have been engaged in facility design. Once complete, Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre will be seeking a Category Two facility standard designation by the Union Cycliste Internationale, the world governing body of cycling.
Scotia Place – Calgary, Alta.
This $800 million project is replacing the iconic Saddledome as the new home for the Calgary Flames. The day-to-day construction activities are managed by a joint venture between CANA Construction and Mortenson. The arena is slated for a 2027 opening. Key elements include modernized seating, premium suites, and community amenities, aiming to drive economic revitalization in Calgary’s downtown.
Rogers Stadium – Toronto, Ont.
Last fall, Live Nation Canada unveiled plans for Rogers Stadium, a new seasonal outdoor concert venue set to open in summer 2025 at YZD (formerly Downsview Airport Lands). With a capacity of 50,000, Rogers Stadium will become Toronto and the GTA’s largest purpose-built music venue hosting fans and artists from around the world.
Rogers Centre Renovation – Toronto, Ont.
The second phase of the $300+ million transformation of the Rogers Centre was led by PCL Construction, focusing on converting the 34-year-old stadium into a baseball-centric venue. Upgrades included revamped outfield seating, improved concessions, and new premium spaces. Structural demolition of the lower bowl saw an average of 350 workers were on-site daily. The process included removing and recycling 26.5 million pounds of concrete and three million pounds of steel. Field-level excavation resulting 780 truckloads of materials being removed from the Rogers Centre and 530 loads were brought in.
Calgary’s City Administration has concluded its investigation into the catastrophic failure of the Bearspaw South Feeder Main in June, identifying multiple contributing factors to the rupture.
The report, conducted by Associated Engineering, cites microcracking, chloride intrusion, and wire corrosion as primary causes, compounded by soil conditions in certain areas. The findings provide critical insights into the failure while ruling out other potential contributors, such as manufacturing defects or operational issues.
The pipe investigation, overseen by Associated Engineering, has determined that there are multiple contributing factors of the June 5 water pipe failure. This includes the breakage of a significant number of wires (known as prestress wires which are wrapped under significant tension around the pipe’s outer concrete core and are protected with cement mortar), resulting in a loss of the pipe’s ability to withstand pressure. Based on the investigation, it appears that the ruptured pipe experienced microcracking, or previous damage to the outer layer of the pipe, allowing soil contact with the prestress wires.
Overall findings at the site of the original break and the five “hot spots” include:
Microcracking: Some of the pipes had visible cracks and peeling in their mortar (outer layer of the pipe) when they were dug up, while others had mortar that was still in good condition.
Chloride levels in the mortar: Lab tests revealed that some damaged pipe sections had chlorides penetrate their mortar, but other pipes did not show any signs of this.
Pitting and corrosion: The wires that help keep the pipes strong showed severe damage, including deep pits, corrosion, and many brittle wire breaks.
Wire damage: There was evidence of two types of wire damage: hydrogen embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking. Both types of damage appear to be caused by chloride penetrating the mortar or small cracks in it.
Soil conditions: Soil testing around the feeder main showed some areas with high levels of chlorides. The cause of increased chloride levels requires further study.
The report further confirms factors that are not considered to have contributed:
There is no information indicating that the manufacturing standards applicable in 1975 were not followed. We note that these standards have evolved since this time, and that some of these changes may have extended the life of the pipe if they were in place in 1975.
There is no sign of corrosion caused by stray electrical currents.
The pump operations at the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and the connected secondary pump stations before the incident did not cause pressure issues that led to the failure.
A transient pressure event did not occur immediately before the rupture.
Live loading subsequent to the construction in 1975 is not believed to be a contributing factor.
“The findings from this investigation have provided valuable insights into the causes of the failure and the steps needed to prevent similar events in the future,” says Steve Wyton, Manager, Asset Management Planning. “Our priority now is planning for the long-term rehabilitation of the feeder main and implementing proactive measures to ensure a reliable and resilient water distribution system for Calgarians. By combining advanced monitoring technologies, contingency planning, and strategic investments, we’re taking meaningful steps to safeguard this critical infrastructure and support our city’s growing water needs.”
In early 2025, the City plans to provide interim updates on the progress of the feeder main’s redundancy and advancements in north and south water servicing options. Additionally, officials expect to deliver an implementation plan for the feeder main by mid-2025 to strengthen system redundancy.
Critical repairs for five bridges in Section 3 (Highway 427 to Humber River) will begin ahead of the main 2027-2031 rehabilitation timeline. This includes work funded by the Ontario government for Park Lawn Road and Mimico Creek overpasses and the City-funded repairs for Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue bridges.
Construction on critical repairs will begin in Spring 2025 and use accelerated methods, including 24/7 work schedules, early completion incentives, and minimized lane closures.
The project includes careful scheduling, pausing construction during the FIFA World Cup in 2026 to manage increased traffic and aligning construction phases with the Ontario Food Terminal’s low season to reduce operational impacts.
The Whole Story:
The City of Toronto announced it will begin critical repair work on five bridges in spring 2025, as part of the next stage of the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan.
Rehabilitation work on Section 3 of the Gardiner Expressway, which runs from Highway 427 to the Humber River, is scheduled to take place from 2027 to 2031. However, five bridges in Section 3 have been identified for an advanced start after condition assessments noted critical repairs that need to be completed ahead of the 2027-2031 timeline.
“The Gardiner is old and falling apart,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “We must upgrade it to keep it safe and keep Toronto moving. We are working hard to ease congestion for those living and working in the area.”
The Ontario government will fund the replacement of the Gardiner Expressway overpasses at Park Lawn Road and Mimico Creek and the westbound on-ramp from Park Lawn Road over Mimico Creek as part of the Ontario-Toronto New Deal, which includes a provincial commitment to upload the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway to the Ontario government, subject to a third-party due diligence assessment. The City will fund repairs to the Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue bridges over the Gardiner Expressway.
The contract for the bridge repairs will be advertised in early January so that work can begin in spring 2025. Construction will be paused from May to July 2026 to accommodate the increased traffic anticipated during the FIFA World Cup and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
This project will incorporate acceleration measures and congestion management tools from the current work on Section 2 of the Gardiner Expressway between Dufferin Street and Strachan Avenue, including early completion incentives, enabling crews to work up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week as required to meet the compressed construction timelines, temporary turning lane modifications and other construction and traffic management measures.
Extensive work was done during the design phase to ensure lane closures are kept to a minimum. The City is anticipating the following lane and ramp restrictions during phases of the bridge repair work:
Eastbound Gardiner Expressway lanes from Mimico Creek to Park Lawn Road will be narrowed with no lane reductions.
Westbound Gardiner Expressway from Park Lawn Road to Mimico Creek will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes (for approximately one year).
Park Lawn Road, where it passes under the Gardiner Expressway, will be reduced to a single lane for an estimated two-month period in each direction.
Kipling Avenue and Islington Avenue will be reduced from six lanes to four lanes where they pass over the Gardiner Expressway (for approximately eight months).
Full closure of the Park Lawn Road on-ramp to westbound Gardiner Expressway (November 2025 to April 2026).
The City stated that it is working closely with the nearby Ontario Food Terminal to minimize impact to its operations, which are vital to food distribution across Ontario, by aligning the construction schedule with the low season at the Terminal and providing a dedicated detour route for the Terminal’s truck traffic.
Construction on Section 2 of the Gardiner Expressway Rehabilitation Plan (Dufferin Street to Strachan Avenue) began in November 2023 with the first lane closures in March 2024. In July 2024, the City and Province announced plans to accelerate the construction work to move the construction completion date from April 2027 to at least April 2026.
Stage 1 of the Gardiner Expressway Section 2 rehabilitation work was completed four months ahead of the original, pre-acceleration schedule, helping to meet the revised April 2026 accelerated timeline.
More information about the Gardiner Expressway Strategic Rehabilitation Plan is on the City’s website.
