Business Moves: May 2025

Holcim acquires Langley Concrete Group

Holcim has acquired the operations of Langley Concrete Group Inc., a provider of precast solutions based in British Columbia. This strategic move marks the company’s entry into the precast concrete market in the province, expanding its national capabilities and strengthening its footprint in the rapidly growing infrastructure sector. The acquisition includes two state-of-the-art production facilities in Chilliwack and Duncan, British Columbia. These facilities will serve the local region and manufacture a wide range of dry-cast and wet-cast concrete products for both above- and below-ground infrastructure applications. 

BM Group announces Merrit Ready Mix brand

BM Group of Companies has launched Merritt Ready Mix, a new concrete supply venture strategically located in the fast-growing City of Merritt, British Columbia. Built using existing infrastructure, the operation offers a full suite of services including ready-mix concrete, aggregates, rebar sales, foundation form rentals, and Hiab crane truck deliveries. Positioned to serve rising demand from local real estate and infrastructure projects, Merritt Ready Mix will also benefit from close collaboration with nearby Princeton Ready Mix, enhancing regional service capacity.

PCL expands presence in America’s Southwest region

PCL Construction is expanding its presence with a new commercial buildings office in Phoenix, building on over 30 years of successful water and civil operations in the Southwest. Led by 20-year PCL veteran David Campbell, the office aims to support the city’s rapid growth across sectors like aviation, hospitality, and retail. Already active in regional philanthropy, PCL plans to deepen its community involvement as it shapes Phoenix’s evolving skyline.

Crown expands into Alberta

Crown Building Supplies has expanded into Alberta with the acquisition of ADSS Building Supplies, adding new locations in Calgary and Edmonton, including a 60,000 square foot facility in Calgary. This strategic move marks a major milestone in the company’s growth, enhancing its ability to serve the Western Canadian market with the same reliable products and service that have defined its decade-long success. By integrating operations, inventory, and customer relationships, Crown aims to continue delivering professional, transparent support to contractors and builders across the region.

TBT Engineering merges with LBE Group

TBT Engineering Limited (TBTE), a multi-disciplinary firm based in northwestern Ontario, is marking its 30th anniversary with significant expansion, including a merger with Kenora-based LBE Group Inc. and the opening of a new office in Ottawa. These moves add 15 professionals and broaden TBTE’s capabilities in structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering, along with hydrogeological and geoenvironmental services.

CM Labs acquires AI Redefined

CM Labs Simulations has acquired AI Redefined (AIR) to enhance its mission of transforming workforce development through intelligent, real-time training solutions. Known for its Vortex platform and over 25 years of simulation expertise, CM Labs aims to integrate AIR’s AI technology—originally developed for aerospace and defense—to create adaptive training environments that evolve with learners. This move strengthens CM Labs’ commitment to empowering operators and trainers with innovative tools that reflect real-world demands, rather than replacing them with automation.

Women Building Futures sets up in Ontario

Women Building Futures, a non-profit founded in Edmonton in 1998 to support women and gender-diverse individuals in achieving economic security through skilled trades, has expanded its training programs to Sarnia, Ontario—its third province. The expansion targets high-opportunity sectors like petrochemicals, agriculture, and automotive, with the first Ontario program launching in August focused on automotive service and heavy equipment technician training.

SALUS unveils safety assistant tool for mobile

SALUS has introduced the Construction Safety Assistant, a free mobile tool that lets construction crews quickly generate safety documents—including toolbox talks, safe-work procedures, risk assessments, pre-task plans, checklists and general safety Q&A—directly from their phones or tablets. The assistant draws on an AI engine called SALUS IQ, which is also embedded in the company’s paid safety-management platform that offers features such as instant digitization of paper forms, automatic translation of submissions, upcoming certificate verification and other AI-driven document and search capabilities.

Vector Construction, PULLMAN merge to form Vector Restoration

Vector Restoration—formed by merging the Canadian offices of PULLMAN with Vector Construction’s Canadian branches—now pools the expertise of both firms to repair and extend the life of buildings and civil infrastructure across the country. From its four offices, the company serves commercial, public, water-and-wastewater, power, industrial and transportation clients, using union agreements to tap a nationwide pool of skilled craftworkers that supplements its own full-time crews. Vector specializes in concrete repair, corrosion mitigation and structural preservation, and, as a licensee of Structural Technologies, combines proprietary products, engineering support and field services to deliver projects of any scale under the leadership teams familiar to existing customers.

Bird Infrastructure acquires Tin Knockers

Bird Infrastructure—an Ontario-based mechanical contractor that traces its roots to Jack Bird Plumbing & Heating in 1971—has bought the final 50% of Tin Knockers Custom, a Newmarket, Ont., sheet-metal and structural-steel fabricator, after taking an initial half-stake in 2021. The deal makes Tin Knockers a wholly owned subsidiary and folds its roughly 40,000-sq-ft plant and custom metal-fabrication capabilities into Bird’s integrated construction and fabrication operations in Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Contech startup wins $30,000 ‘Prize of the Prairies’

ConstructionClock, a Manitoba-based startup that automates hands-free time tracking for contractors, has won the inaugural $30,000 “Prize of the Prairies” at the 2025 Uniting the Prairies tech summit in Saskatoon. The award honours early-stage companies showing strong traction and growth potential, and the cash will help ConstructionClock expand the app that automatically logs site hours and gives contractors real-time labour-cost visibility.

BPA brings Ecovert into the fold

BPA has acquired sustainability consulting firm Ecovert and its controls-focused affiliate EcovertCx, adding more than 30 staff and 200-plus LEED projects’ experience to BPA’s growing Toronto operation. Founded in 2007, Ecovert delivers building certification, zero-carbon design, energy modelling, measurement-and-verification planning, and whole-building life-cycle assessments, while Kitchener-based EcovertCx handles lighting, boiler, rooftop-unit and integrated controls commissioning. The deal raises BPA’s Toronto sustainability group to over 50 professionals and follows recent local acquisitions in mechanical (TMP), electrical (HCC) and structural (Honeycomb, DKWatson) engineering.

White Cap to buy Raider Hansen

White Cap Supply Holdings has signed a definitive agreement to buy Cascade Raider Holdings Ltd. (Raider Hansen), a British Columbia distributor that operates eight tool, safety-gear and equipment branches, folding the business into White Cap Canada and enlarging its coast-to-coast footprint. The deal adds Raider Hansen’s local technical expertise to White Cap’s network of about 500 North American branches, 10,500 employees and 200,000 contractor customers, and supports the U.S. company’s strategy of expanding its specialty-construction-supply and safety-product offerings in the Canadian market.

Veerum raises $12M in Series B round

Calgary-based Veerum has raised $12 million CAD in a Series B round that closed March 26, led by Emerson Ventures and Veriten with follow-on support from BDC Capital and Evok Innovations. Founded in 2014, Veerum supplies “digital twin” software that lets energy, mining, construction and other heavy-asset operators inspect and manage sites remotely; the new capital will be used to add features, improve delivery for firms of varying sizes, and broaden its customer base. The company last raised $7.4 million in a 2021 Series A and says the latest funding positions it to make visual operations a standard tool across asset-intensive industries.

BBA adds adds two firms to enhance Canadian operations

BBA has expanded its national environmental consulting capabilities through the acquisitions of Groupe Synergis in Québec and CPP Environmental in Alberta, bringing over 180 professionals into its team. These firms add expertise in areas such as biophysical assessments, regulatory compliance, aquatic sciences, social acceptability, and landscape studies, strengthening BBA’s integrated approach to environmental and engineering services. The acquisitions enhance BBA’s ability to serve clients across Canada in sectors like energy, mining, and natural resources, while maintaining strong regional partnerships—including with Indigenous communities—and ensuring leadership continuity within the acquired firms.

CIMA+ buys Calgary-based firm B&A

CIMA+, one of Canada’s largest employee-owned engineering consultancies, has bought Calgary-headquartered B&A—an urban-planning, design and community-engagement firm with additional offices in Edmonton and Vancouver—effective May 1, 2025. The deal introduces a national urban-planning practice into CIMA+’s portfolio and strengthens its Western Canadian footprint, bringing B&A’s staff, reputation and project record under CIMA+’s umbrella of multidisciplinary services that already cover mechanical, electrical, structural and environmental engineering.

Englobe buys Nanaimo-based Herold Engineering

Englobe Corporation has bought Nanaimo-based Herold Engineering, a 70-person firm with offices in Victoria and Ucluelet that specialises in building, municipal, transportation and marine projects, including mass-timber and coastal concrete work. The deal gives Englobe its first foothold on Vancouver Island, completes a coast-to-coast Canadian presence, and keeps Herold operating as a separate division with its leadership team intact.

Maple Reinders luanches safety consulting advisory

Maple Reinders has launched Maple Safety Consulting, a service that offers smaller contractors customized help with safety orientation, training, documentation and compliance. The initiative builds on the company’s long-standing safety culture: Maple Reinders has been COR-certified in Ontario since 2012, fields a country-wide team of safety professionals, and plays an active role in the Ontario General Contractors Association and the League of Champions, whose board is currently chaired by the firm’s CEO. By formalizing this advisory arm, Maple Reinders aims to share its in-house practices and support peers in reducing incidents industry-wide.

Enbridge sells portion of pipeline to Indigenous group

Enbridge has agreed to sell a 12.5 % stake in its 2,900-km, 65-year-old Westcoast natural-gas pipeline system to the Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance—which represents 36 First Nations in British Columbia—for about C$715 million. The partnership will fund the purchase partly through a C$400 million federal loan guarantee issued by the new Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corporation, the first deal under that program. The transaction, slated to close by the end of Q2 2025 once financing and other conditions are met, gives the participating Nations a long-term revenue stream from infrastructure on their territories and advances Enbridge’s strategy of offering equity stakes to Indigenous communities along its assets.

ZS2 releases Gen 2 low-carbon gypsum boards

Calgary-based ZS2 Technologies has started full-scale production of its second-generation magnesium-cement panels and boards, manufactured with a patented waste-to-cement process that uses Canadian industrial by-products and reduces embodied carbon to about one-third of conventional Portland cement. Backed by $9.9 million in government grants and third-party non-combustibility and fire-resistance certifications, the Gen 2 line is intended as a domestic alternative to gypsum board, OSB and imported MgO products; offerings include the TechTile raised-floor system for data centres. ZS2 says the material—already specified for projects in Alberta, California and elsewhere—is now available across North America to meet stricter fire codes and sustainability targets.

Wildstone purchases fruit-growing brand

Penticton-based Wildstone Capital has agreed to buy BC Tree Fruits’ intellectual property, equipment and Okanagan facilities for about $23 million, acquiring the cooperative’s familiar green-leaf logo and trademarks plus a packing plant in Oliver and receiving sites in Summerland and Keremeos. The deal follows last year’s dissolution of the 88-year-old growers’ co-op and will see Wildstone partner with Ontario’s Algoma Orchards to process fruit from local producers, keeping the BC Tree Fruits brand alive and restoring a marketing outlet for roughly 200 farming families across the valley.

VINCI acquires Peters Bros

VINCI Construction has finalised the acquisition of Peters Bros Construction Ltd, a paving company providing roadwork services and asphalt products in the province of British Columbia. The company registered an annual revenue of about $90 million in 2024. Founded in 1981 and based in the Okanagan Valley, Peters Bros employs 140 people at peak season and operates mainly in the BC interior region, with regular projects in the Dawson Creek, Williams Lake, Merritt, Kelowna and Penticton areas.

Concert purchases remaining stake in Concert-Bird Partners

Concert Infrastructure Fund (CIF) has bought Bird Capital Limited Partnership’s remaining 20% stake in Concert-Bird Partners, giving CIF full control of the concession that designed, built, financed, and now maintains five new high schools in Alberta under the P3 Schools Bundle 2 DBFM contract. Finished in May 2024 on time and on budget, the LEED-Silver-targeted campuses in Leduc, Blackfalds, Langdon and two Edmonton sites provide space for about 6,900 students and have already earned national P3 project awards; facilities-management duties remain with Ainsworth under the existing maintenance agreement.

Heidelberg buys southeast Calgary aggregates yard

Heidelberg Materials North America has purchased Concrete Crushers Inc.’s southeast-Calgary recycled-aggregates yard and its contract crushing fleet of four mobile plants, expanding the company’s local capacity to process and supply recycled concrete. The bolt-on deal enlarges Heidelberg’s footprint in the Calgary market, brings CCI’s employees onto its team and advances the firm’s strategy of growing circular and low-impact materials offerings within its core regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ontario government and City of Toronto are moving forward with plans to build a third electricity transmission line into downtown Toronto, responding to projections that the city’s electricity demand will nearly double by 2050 — especially in fast-growing areas like the Port Lands and East Harbour.
  • The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has proposed three potential routes — two overland and one underwater — all designed to minimize land-use impacts by leveraging existing corridors, underground cabling, or underwater infrastructure. A final recommendation will be made by August 2025 after further public and stakeholder engagement.
  • Alongside the transmission line, the IESO will explore complementary solutions such as rooftop solar, battery storage, and expanded energy efficiency programs to help manage peak demand and ensure a reliable, affordable power supply for Toronto’s growing population and infrastructure needs.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government and City of Toronto are working together to bring a third electricity transmission line into downtown Toronto to ensure the city has the power it needs to support new homes, economic growth and major infrastructure like transit. The government’s plan to significantly expand energy infrastructure is an important part of its work to protect Ontario by making the province the most competitive jurisdiction and best place to invest and create jobs in the G7.

“We are acting now to protect Ontario families, workers and businesses by ensuring our province’s largest city has the power it needs to grow,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “By planning for and investing in this critical infrastructure, we’re securing the electricity needed to power new communities like the Port Lands and East Harbour in downtown Toronto, as well as supporting major transit expansions like the Ontario Line and securing a reliable and affordable energy supply without relying on other jurisdictions.”

Toronto’s electricity demand is expected to roughly double by 2050, with the greatest need being projected in the downtown core. The City of Toronto is currently supplied by only two transmission supply paths, one from the west at Manby Transmission Station (TS) near Kipling Road and Dundas Street and one from the east at Leaside TS near Overlea Boulevard and Millwood Road. These pathways will start to reach their capacity in the early 2030s. Following more than a year of technical analysis and public engagement, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) has confirmed a third transmission line will be required to meet Toronto’s growing demand.

“Toronto is growing. As we build more housing, transit, and create more jobs, we’re going to need the power that fuels and sustains economic growth,” said Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto. “With our electricity needs doubling over the coming decades, we’re ready to work with the provincial government to advance a third transmission line that will help power our growing city.”

The IESO has identified three potential options for new transmission supply in Toronto, each of which has been designed to minimize land-use impacts by using existing infrastructure corridors, underground segments or underwater routes:

  • An overland route from Pickering to Leaside in Toronto. This line would connect Cherrywood Transmission Station (TS) to Leaside TS using an existing transmission corridor.
  • An overland route from Pickering to the Port Lands in Toronto. This line would connect Cherrywood TS to Hearn TS via Warden TS, using an existing corridor to Warden TS, then possibly transitioning to an underground cable from Warden TS to Hearn TS.
  • An underwater cable from Darlington or Pickering to the Port Lands in Toronto. This line would connect underwater through Lake Ontario.

The IESO – as part of its Integrated Regional Resource Plan – will conduct further engagement this summer — including continued public engagement and targeted discussions with the City of Toronto, Indigenous communities, and key stakeholders — to inform a final recommendation to the government by the end of August 2025.

Once a final recommendation is made, the Ontario government will evaluate what actions must be taken to kickstart its development. Depending on the option selected and the necessary approvals, construction and commissioning could take between seven to 10 years to complete.

In addition to a third transmission line, the IESO will also continue engagement to identify complementary solutions to meet electricity demand across Toronto. This could include small-scale generation and storage, such as rooftop solar and battery systems, as well as expanded energy efficiency programs to reduce strain on the grid and help manage peak demand.

Key Takeaways:

  • Holcim has acquired Langley Concrete Group Inc., marking its official entry into the precast concrete market in British Columbia and expanding its national footprint in Canada’s infrastructure sector.
  • The acquisition aligns with Holcim’s growth strategy by combining Langley’s technical expertise and regional presence with Holcim’s broader operations, enhancing service delivery and product offerings for infrastructure projects.
  • Langley Concrete brings a 75-year legacy, 180 employees, and two modern production facilities in Chilliwack and Duncan, which will bolster Holcim’s manufacturing capabilities in high-quality dry- and wet-cast concrete products.

The Whole Story:

Holcim has acquired the operations of Langley Concrete Group Inc., a leading provider of precast solutions based in British Columbia. This strategic move marks the company’s entry into the precast concrete market in the province, expanding its national capabilities and strengthening its footprint in the rapidly growing infrastructure sector.

“We are pleased to welcome 180 talented Langley Concrete Group Inc. employees to our team,” said Jaime Hill, Region Head, North America, Holcim. “This acquisition is a natural extension of our growth strategy. By combining Langley Concrete Group Inc.’s technical capabilities with our operations, we are better positioned than ever to deliver enhanced value to our customers through expanded reach, service, and a strong portfolio of advanced and high-quality products.”

The acquisition includes two state-of-the-art production facilities in Chilliwack and Duncan, British Columbia. These facilities will serve the local region and manufacture a wide range of dry-cast and wet-cast concrete products for both above- and below-ground infrastructure applications. The portfolio includes various products such as manholes, concrete pipe, box culverts, and other custom components essential to municipal, commercial, and industrial products.

Mark Omelaniec, president of Langley Concrete Group Inc., added, “We’re proud of the 75-year family-based business legacy we’ve built, and confident that Holcim is the right partner to carry it forward as the growth opportunities continue in B.C. This transition brings long-term opportunity for our team and customers, all while building on the quality and service standards that define who we are.”

Holcim’s acquisition of Langley Concrete Group Inc. marks a significant expansion of its presence in British Columbia’s infrastructure sector and its entry into the province’s precast concrete market.

Langley Concrete Group, a family-owned company with roots dating back to 1945, has grown into one of B.C.’s leading precast manufacturers, known for its high-quality dry-cast and wet-cast concrete products used in municipal, commercial, and industrial infrastructure.

Key Takeaways:

  • BC Hydro is launching a 10-year, $36-billion capital plan — the largest in its history — to upgrade and expand B.C.’s electricity system and meet rising demand from population growth, housing, industry, and the shift to clean energy.
  • The plan focuses on increasing the province’s supply of clean, renewable electricity through new generation and transmission projects, supporting B.C.’s climate goals and its transition away from fossil fuels.
  • The capital plan is expected to create approximately 10,500 jobs annually over the next decade, supporting economic development in communities across the province, including significant opportunities for Indigenous participation.

The Whole Story:

BC Hydro has launched two requests for expressions of interest (RFEOI) to explore the next era of the province’s power potential, expand clean-energy resources and advance energy efficiency.

Officials say these actions are critical to ensuring a stable, reliable electricity system that supports new housing, businesses and industries while keeping energy costs affordable for people.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the world in clean energy and we’re acting with urgency to make sure every British Columbian benefits,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “By expanding our clean-power supply and increasing energy efficiency, we’re securing our power grid, building a resilient electricity system and creating sustainable jobs that drive economic growth.”

The first RFEOI focuses on expanding B.C.’s long-term capacity to meet peak electricity demand as consumption patterns evolve. BC Hydro is seeking ideas on capacity and baseload energy projects, including geothermal, pumped storage and hydroelectric resources. Capacity and baseload projects can reliably deliver firm power and provide backup for intermittent energy projects, such as wind and solar that rely on external, uncontrollable conditions such as the wind blowing or the sun shining to deliver power.

The second RFEOI targets innovation in energy efficiency by identifying partners capable of delivering market-ready technologies that help conserve energy in homes and buildings. Through the RFEOI, BC Hydro seeks to collaborate with industry leaders and forward-thinking organizations to help people in British Columbia save energy and lower costs.

Energy efficiency is the cleanest and least expensive way to meet increasing demand for power. The energy-efficiency RFEOI supports BC Hydro’s comprehensive Power Smart energy savings program and complements BC Hydro’s $700 million expanded Energy Efficiency Plan, which increases investments in tools, technologies and rebates. These initiatives encourage energy-conscious decisions and help customers reduce electricity consumption. BC Hydro estimates that this plan will save customers $80 million annually and deliver more than 2,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity savings by 2030, the equivalent of powering more than 200,000 homes.

“We are looking beyond the near term and opening up exploration of the next chapter of B.C.’s energy future by advancing the dialogue with industry participants and potential partners around clean-technology investments and expanding our leading energy-efficiency programs,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO of BC Hydro. “With BC Hydro’s long-standing legacy of delivering clean, reliable power, these initiatives will drive growth, sustainability and energy security, creating new opportunities across British Columbia.”

The information gathered from both RFEOIs will guide future energy planning and procurement strategies. Submissions will close in September 2025.

Both initiatives are part of the recently announced Clean Power Action Plan, an ambitious strategy to strengthen energy security, enhance system resilience and accelerate the transition to clean power. The plan also includes:

  • launching a second call for power to acquire a target of as much as 5,000 gigawatt-hours per year of energy from large, clean and renewable projects, which builds on the success of the 2024 call for power and resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects, with First Nations asset ownership between 49% and 51%, capable of powering about 500,000 new homes;
  • investing more than $12 million from the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy fund in a targeted three-year call for new, made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies that will combat climate change and create sustainable jobs; and
  • streamlining connections to B.C.’s grid to enable new homes and businesses to access clean electricity faster and less expensively.

Through these actions, BC Hydro is reinforcing its commitment to delivering clean, reliable energy, supporting British Columbia’s transition to a low-carbon economy and ensuring electricity remains affordable, sustainable and accessible to all residents.

Key Takeaways:

  • Isobloc and CarbiCrete have launched Isobloc ZÉRO, the first insulated masonry block made from decarbonized concrete in North America, combining thermal efficiency with drastically reduced carbon emissions.
  • The product leverages CarbiCrete’s patented process, which replaces cement with steel slag and uses captured CO₂, significantly lowering the environmental impact of concrete production—an industry responsible for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions.
  • Designed and manufactured in Quebec, Isobloc ZÉRO meets ASTM standards and supports green building certifications like LEED and WELL, offering contractors and developers a practical solution to meet growing environmental requirements without sacrificing performance or profitability.

The Whole Story:

Quebec-based companies Isobloc, known for its high-performance, durable insulated concrete blocks, and CarbiCrete, a world leader in decarbonized concrete, are proud to announce the launch of Isobloc ZÉRO: the first insulated masonry solution made from decarbonized concrete in North America.

This 100% Quebec innovation combines thermal performance, ease of installation, and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions—helping to make building construction more sustainable.

Concrete is the most widely used construction material globally due to its affordability and durability. However, producing one of its key ingredients—cement, the binding agent—is responsible for around 8% of global CO₂ emissions, more than the entire aviation industry.

By combining CarbiCrete’s patented process—using steel slag and captured CO₂ to produce cement-free concrete—with Isobloc’s energy-efficient insulated block system, Isobloc says the ZÉRO product delivers the same performance as standard concrete while significantly reducing construction’s carbon footprint. Their team noted that the Canadian construction industry is expected to reach USD 417.3 billion by 2033, making such solutions more critical than ever.

“Many cities and municipalities have committed to decarbonizing construction in the coming years,” says Eric Dionne, President of Isobloc. “With Isobloc ZÉRO, we’re not just building walls—we’re building for future generations. This is a real revolution in construction. An insulated masonry solution that’s durable, easy to install… and now decarbonized.”

Designed and manufactured in Quebec, Isobloc ZÉRO is intended for architects, contractors, developers, and institutions looking for tangible solutions to meet new environmental standards without compromising quality or profitability. Company officials added that it offers real added value, meets ASTM 90 performance standards, and contributes to certifications such as LEED, BBCA, WELL, and SmartScore.

“CarbiCrete is constantly pushing the boundaries of green building,” says Jacob Homiller, CEO of CarbiCrete. “By combining our cement-free concrete technology with Isobloc’s energy-efficient solution, we’re giving building professionals a powerful tool to reduce both embodied and operational carbon in buildings.”

Founded in 1984, Isobloc manufactures insulated masonry blocks that combine structure, thermal insulation, and architectural finish. The company is known for its local, sustainable, and innovation-driven approach. 

CarbiCrete is a Montreal-based carbon removal technology company whose patented technology enables the production of cement-free, decarbonized concrete made with industrial by-products and captured carbon dioxide. 

Key Takeaways:

  • Ontario’s proposed Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act would, for the first time, direct the province’s two main energy agencies to make job creation and investment attraction explicit priorities, folding economic development into every major power-planning decision.
  • With electricity demand forecast to rise 75 % by 2050 — driven largely by a wave of data-centre projects that could equal nearly 30 % of today’s peak load — the bill seeks to let regulators screen those facilities and green-light only the ones that deliver high-value jobs and keep Canadian data inside Canada.
  • The legislation would also expand funding tools for new nuclear and hydrogen projects and let utilities spend ratepayer dollars to exclude “hostile foreign” suppliers.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has introduced legislation that would weave economic development, cybersecurity and hydrogen production into the province’s long-term energy planning.

The Protect Ontario by Securing Affordable Energy for Generations Act, 2025 would give the Independent Electricity System Operator and the Ontario Energy Board a new, explicit mandate to pursue projects that create jobs and attract investment. It also proposes letting utilities spend ratepayer dollars to bar “hostile foreign participants” from Ontario’s electricity sector and to prioritise Canadian-made equipment.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the bill is a response to an expected 75 % jump in electricity demand over the next quarter-century — the equivalent of powering four-and-a-half Torontos — as more people plug in electric vehicles, heat pumps and data centres. “As global competition intensifies, energy demand surges, and affordability becomes more important than ever, Ontario isn’t standing still — we’re stepping up,” he said in an interview.

A key pressure point is the rapid expansion of data-centre projects that support artificial-intelligence and cloud-computing services. Proposals waiting in the queue could require as much as 6,500 megawatts of new capacity, nearly 30 % of today’s provincial peak demand. The bill would create an authority to decide which of those projects proceed, favouring facilities that promise high-quality jobs and keep Canadian data on Canadian soil.

Other measures in the act would:

  • expand the Future Clean Electricity Fund so it can pay for new nuclear reactors and the transmission lines needed to connect them; and
  • broaden the IESO’s responsibilities to include hydrogen initiatives financed through the existing Hydrogen Innovation Fund.

Associate Minister Sam Oosterhoff, whose portfolio covers energy-intensive industries, said the legislation “assures all power consumers of an integrated, all-of-the-above energy approach that prioritises economic growth and affordability — for decades to come.”

If passed, the act will underpin Ontario’s first Integrated Energy Plan, expected later this month. The province says the plan will map out how to keep electricity bills stable while building enough low-carbon generation to supply homes, factories and the next wave of digital infrastructure without relying on imports from neighbouring jurisdictions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Canada Growth Fund Inc. (CGF) is committing up to $138 million to Calgary-based Eavor Technologies to accelerate the commercialization of its innovative closed-loop geothermal system, Eavor-Loop.
  • Since CGF’s initial $90 million investment in 2023, Eavor has made major technical advances at its first commercial-scale project in Germany, including new drilling technologies and proprietary systems like Eavor-Link AMR and Rock-Pipe.
  • CGF’s investment supports the retention of Eavor’s leadership and talent in Canada, aligning with its broader mandate to scale homegrown clean technologies and strengthen the country’s low-carbon innovation ecosystem.

The Whole Story:

Canada Growth Fund Inc. (CGF) and Eavor Technologies Inc. announced a financing commitment by CGF of up to $138 million to accelerate the development and commercial deployment of Eavor’s geothermal technology.

Founded in 2017, Eavor is an advanced geothermal technology company based in Calgary, Alberta. Eavor has proven pilot versions of its proprietary closed-loop geothermal system (Eavor-Loop) and a first commercial project is under construction in Geretsried, Germany. In connection with the transaction, CGF executed a definitive agreement committing it to invest up to $138 million: $89 million on financial close and $48 million upon the achievement of certain milestones.

Eavor-Loop leverages Canada’s talent and expertise to build the next generation of geothermal innovation. CGF first invested $90 million in Eavor in October 2023, through a direct commitment in its Series B preferred equity fundraise. Since CGF’s initial investment, Eavor has progressed construction of its first commercial-scale facility in Geretsried and achieved major milestones including successfully intersecting wells using its new Eavor-Link Active Magnetic Ranging (AMR) system; deploying its proprietary insulated drill pipe to enable well construction in high-temperature environments; setting, sidetracking, and retrieving whipstocks to drill deep multilateral wells; and implementing its proprietary Rock-Pipe technology to seal the multilateral wells.

CGF’s scaling capital will continue to facilitate the Company’s Canadian presence by ensuring the majority of its leadership and employee base remain in Canada and leverage Canada’s drilling knowledge and know-how to catalyze the next generation of global geothermal innovation. Eavor’s continued growth will secure its innovation and employment footprint in Canada at its Calgary, Alberta headquarters.

“Our continued investment in Eavor, as the company completes the first commercial-scale application of its technology, is a prime example of CGF’s steadfast commitment to scaling up Canadian companies and investing at a critical stage of their development,” said Yannick Beaudoin, President and CEO of Canada Growth Fund Investment Management Inc. (CGFIM). “CGF was established to drive innovation and competitiveness across new and traditional sectors of Canada’s industrial base, and Eavor is well aligned with our mandate.”

CGF has announced 13 investments since its launch in June 2023 and has committed approximately $2.7 billion to Canadian projects and companies. It has a mandate to invest in Canadian clean technology businesses that are scaling innovative technologies at the demonstration or commercialization stages of development.

“We are grateful for CGF’s continued commitment to our Canadian company, which uses Albertan expertise to drive innovation in the development of new advanced geothermal technologies,” said John Redfern, Co-Founder and CEO of Eavor. “Eavor has achieved significant development and technical milestones in scaling clean, reliable, dispatchable heat and power using its proprietary closed loop geothermal system, and we look forward to building on this progress in the months ahead.”

CGF is a $15 billion arm’s length investment vehicle that helps attract private capital to build Canada’s clean economy by using investment instruments that absorb certain risks, in order to encourage private investment in efficient low carbon projects, technologies, businesses, and supply chains.

Key Takeaways:

  • VINCI Construction has acquired Peters Bros Construction Ltd, a BC-based roadwork and asphalt company with $90 million in annual revenue, to expand its footprint in Western Canada.
  • Peters Bros, known for quality and innovation, has delivered major infrastructure projects across BC and received provincial awards for projects incorporating recycled materials and complex traffic management.
  • The acquisition supports VINCI’s long-term strategy to meet growing infrastructure demands in British Columbia, a province projected to see a 50% population increase by 2046.

The Whole Story:

VINCI Construction has finalised the acquisition of Peters Bros Construction Ltd, a paving company providing roadwork services and asphalt products in the province of British Columbia. The company registered an annual revenue of about $90 million in 2024.

Founded in 1981 and based in the Okanagan Valley, Peters Bros employs 140 people at peak season and operates mainly in the BC interior region, with regular projects in the Dawson Creek, Williams Lake, Merritt, Kelowna and Penticton areas.

The company has earned multiple awards for quality and innovation, including provincial recognition for its work on the Highway 97 CN railway tracks to Kiskatinaw Bridge near Dawson Creek, where it incorporated recycled asphalt and managed challenging traffic conditions.

Recent major projects include a $13.5 million resurfacing contract for a 61-kilometre stretch of the Alaska Highway near Fort Nelson, which features an Indigenous subcontracting component, and an $8.9 million contract to repave 33 kilometres of Highway 97 in the Okanagan, both set for completion in 2024.

VINCI says acquisition will strengthen its presence in Western Canada where it already operates in the Vancouver area, in Alberta and in Saskatchewan, allowing for greater synergies and operational capability. With the province’s population expected to grow by 50% by 2046, the acquisition will support British Columbia’s road infrastructure needs.

VINCI is a global company the specializes in concessions, energy solutions and construction, employing 285,000 people in more than 120 countries. They design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities.

Key takeaways:

  • The Capital Line South LRT Extension is a $1.38 billion project that will enhance public transit by connecting key neighborhoods from Century Park to Heritage Valley North. It includes two new stations, two bridges, and an underpass, with completion expected in four to five years.
  • The project is anticipated to generate over 3,500 jobs and more than $300 million in wages, with Alberta’s government contributing $365 million. This reflects its significance as both a transportation and economic stimulus initiative.
  • The design-build contract for Phase 1 was awarded to Capital Line Design-Build Ltd. (Ledcor Group) with AECOM as the design partner. Construction began in early 2025, and the team emphasizes a commitment to safety, environmental protection, and community benefit.

The whole story:

The City of Edmonton is officially celebrating the first year of major construction on the 4.5 kilometre Capital Line South LRT Extension. 

“The expansion of the Capital Line South LRT marks an exciting milestone in Edmonton’s transit journey,” said Eleanor Olszewski, Minister, Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “This project will better connect neighbourhoods, bridge communities, and give Edmontonians faster, more reliable and more efficient ways to get around their city.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister, Transportation and Economic Corridors, explained that the Capital Line South LRT Extension is a vital project that will give Edmontonians a safe and efficient way to get to work, school and around their city. Alberta’s government is investing $365 million to help make the project a reality.

Capital Line Design-Build Ltd., a member of the Ledcor Group of Companies, with AECOM as its design partner, has been awarded the Design-Build contract for Phase 1 of the Capital Line South LRT Extension project. The high-floor LRT extension will run along the west side of 111 Street from Century Park station to the future Heritage Valley North station at the Heritage Valley Transit Centre and Park & Ride.

“Ledcor is thrilled to partner with the City of Edmonton, AECOM and our local contractors to construct this important transportation infrastructure that will serve our growing city for decades to come,” said Brad Mytko, SVP Infrastructure, Ledcor Group. “As members of the Edmonton community for over 75 years, we are proud to be part of this significant legacy project and are committed to prioritizing safety, protecting the environment and delivering the project successfully.”

Ledcor started major construction in early 2025. Construction is expected to take four to five years, followed by testing and commissioning. Phase 1 project highlights include:

  • LRT underpass at 111 Street and 23 Avenue
  • Two new bridges:
  • Blackmud Creek LRT bridge
  • Anthony Henday Drive LRT bridge

Two new stations:

  • Twin Brooks station
  • Heritage Valley North station (connects to the Heritage Valley Transit Centre and Park & Ride)

The total project budget is $1.38 billion. Albertans are expected benefit from Phase 1 with more than 3,500 jobs and more than $300 million in wages.

Key Takeaways:

  • EllisDon has partnered with The Phil App to transform how it sources and disposes of excess soil and aggregate. By using Phil’s open marketplace and tracking tools, EllisDon aims to streamline its material handling processes while enhancing operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
  • The partnership is expected to reduce average haulage distances by more than half (from 65 km to 25 km), leading to meaningful reductions in carbon emissions and transportation costs. This shift supports EllisDon’s broader sustainability and digital transformation goals.
  • By listing its excess material needs on The Phil App, EllisDon is promoting transparency and collaboration across the construction value chain. The platform enables municipalities, contractors, and developers to easily find and repurpose materials, helping the industry adopt more sustainable and compliant practices.

The Whole Story:

EllisDon Corporation has announced the addition of a new Technology Ecosystem Strategic Partner, The Phil App, as a fundamental change in its excess material sourcing and disposal process. EllisDon will list and source excess soil and aggregate in Phil’s free and open marketplace, then digitally track from source to destination. The Phil App joins EllisDon’s Technology Ecosystem as a part of its ongoing commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and digital transformation.

This partnership will assist in diverting materials away from landfills to nearby projects for beneficial reuse. By doing so, EllisDon could achieve a 60% reduction in haulage distance; Phil’s load tracking users are hauling materials 25 kilometers on average to their destination compared to the provincial average of 65 kilometers – driving meaningful economic and carbon reduction benefits.

The adoption of The Phil App aims to support EllisDon in reducing compliance risks, gaining new levels of operational visibility, and making it easier for partners across the value chain to adopt sustainable practices.

“This partnership is more than moving excess material from sites, it’s about tracking our carbon impact and understanding our impact on the environment and the industry,” said Brandon Milner, Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President of Digital & Data Engineering, EllisDon. “Working alongside the team at The Phil App means we can now track and evaluate every kilometer our material travels. Furthermore, this single platform will provide our construction teams with a great technology to future-proof our sustainability and technology efforts across the organization.”

“Our mission is for every truck load of construction material to travel the shortest distance possible to a compliant site. That level of haulage optimization is only possible with our unique marketplace and tracking tools. We make it simple for estimators, engineers, contractors, haulers, owners, and municipalities to cut their haulage distance and related emissions in half.” said Bryan Kerr, Co-founder of The Phil App. “We have cracked the code on incentivizing good compliance in a very challenging environment; Ontario companies who create quality listings can now get matched with leaders like EllisDon.”

EllisDon’s excess material requirements can now be viewed publicly on The Phil App at  www.getphil.app. Projects seeking to source locally available soil or excess materials can search, match, and coordinate directly with EllisDon through the platform. Listings are updated regularly and are accessible to developers, contractors, municipalities, and other stakeholders looking to reduce their haulage costs and carbon footprint.