Author: Russell Hixson

Key Takeaways:

• Teck and Anglo American will merge to form Anglo Teck, headquartered in Vancouver, which will rank among the world’s top five copper producers with more than 70% copper exposure.
• The merger is expected to generate US$800 million in annual synergies within four years and an additional US$1.4 billion in annual EBITDA from 2030–2049 through expanded Chilean copper production.
• Anglo Teck has committed $4.5 billion in Canadian investments over five years, including life-extension and critical-minerals projects, while maintaining jobs and honouring Indigenous agreements.

The Whole Story:

Teck Resources Ltd. and Anglo American PLC have agreed to merge in an all-share, at-market transaction that will create “Anglo Teck,” a Canada-headquartered mining company the partners say will be a top-five global copper producer with more than 70% exposure to the metal.

Under the arrangement, each Teck class A common share and class B subordinate voting share will be exchanged for 1.3301 Anglo American ordinary shares. Eligible Canadian Teck shareholders may elect exchangeable shares in a Canadian subsidiary with the same economic and voting rights. On closing, Anglo American shareholders are expected to own about 62.4% of Anglo Teck and Teck shareholders about 37.6 per cent.

Anglo American’s board intends to declare a special dividend of about US$4.5 billion (approximately US$4.19 per share) to its shareholders ahead of completion, subject to customary conditions.

The companies said the combined group will be headquartered in Vancouver with corporate offices in London and Johannesburg. Duncan Wanblad will serve as chief executive, Teck’s Jonathan Price as deputy CEO, and John Heasley as chief financial officer. Sheila Murray is to chair the board. Each company will nominate half of the non-executive directors.

Anglo Teck is expected to list in London as its primary market and maintain listings on the Johannesburg and Toronto stock exchanges. A New York presence is planned via American depositary receipts, all subject to exchange approvals.

The partners said the merger is backed unanimously by both boards and is expected to close in 12 to 18 months, pending shareholder, court and regulatory approvals, including under the Investment Canada Act and competition reviews in several jurisdictions.

The companies forecast pre-tax recurring annual synergies of about US$800 million by the end of year four after closing, with roughly 80 per cent realized by the end of year two. They also outlined additional average pre-tax annual underlying EBITDA uplifts of about US$1.4 billion from 2030 to 2049 by optimizing two adjacent Chilean copper operations, Collahuasi and Quebrada Blanca, working with joint-venture partners. That integration is expected to add about 175,000 tonnes of potential annual copper production over that period.

Anglo Teck’s copper portfolio will include Collahuasi and Quebrada Blanca in Chile, Quellaveco and Antamina in Peru, Los Bronces in Chile and Highland Valley Copper in B.C. The group will also retain premium iron ore operations in South Africa and Brazil and the Red Dog zinc mine in Alaska, along with Teck’s Trail metallurgical complex in B.C.

As part of commitments offered under the Investment Canada Act, the companies said Anglo Teck will keep its global headquarters in Canada, maintain Canadian employment levels with no net reduction tied to the merger, and invest at least C$4.5 billion over five years. Planned spending includes the Highland Valley Copper life-extension project, upgrades at Trail — including potential increases in germanium and other critical-minerals output — and advancing copper projects such as Galore Creek and Schaft Creek in northwestern B.C. The group also plans at least C$300 million for Canadian critical-minerals exploration and technology and will honour existing agreements with Indigenous governments, communities and unions.

Anglo American said it remains committed to its portfolio simplification, including separating De Beers and completing planned divestitures of steelmaking coal and nickel.

Teck separately noted it is conducting a comprehensive operations review to conclude by October 2025 and continues to advance a “QB Action Plan” at Quebrada Blanca to support a return to full production.

Transcript: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Digging In from SiteNews. We are going through the week’s biggest construction headlines. And man, we have some major breaking news that broke late this week. So we have four top stories. First, nation building project list leaks. Second up, Bird construction is taking to the high seas. Third, PCL has completed a historic digital consolidation project. And finally, Quebec has pulled the plug of support on a $7 billion EV project. And of course, stick around for the end. You can listen to our bonus story, which is about protecting ancient graffiti and Canada’s role in that. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

So one of our top stories, there’s been a leaked draft of 32 potential projects that might qualify under Ottawa’s New Building Canada Act. So these are major infrastructure, energy, mining projects, and they could be fast-tracked for approvals. So the list was obtained by the Globe and Mail. It’s not final, but it kind of offers one of the clearest looks at some of the projects that Mark Carney is looking at. I mean, we’ve had bits and pieces here and there, but this is the most fulsome view we have. Of projects that could be subject to the Building Canada Act. So let’s rattle off some of them that made this leaked preliminary list. So first, we have the Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline from Alberta to BC. We have LNG Canada Phase 2, which I believe we wrote about this recently because a major kind of early works contract was awarded for this. You also have KSI, LISMS, LNG, and KSI. So these are the Nisga’a nations LNG project. Port expansions at Churchill, in Quebec, St. John, and also Vancouver’s Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project. So a lot of port projects, although I believe Carney mentioned some of these recently. Ring of Fire mining projects, Darlington small modular reactors. As people in Ontario know, most of Ontario’s power is nuclear, and they’re trying to expand that. Bay de Nord offshore oil project, and just a bunch of others. So it’ll be really interesting to see if that list becomes pared down. And maybe this was purposely leaked just to get the public’s reaction to see if there’s any kind of hot button projects that they might want to avoid or nix from it.

Next up, Bird Construction has acquired FRPD. So Fraser River Pile and Dredge. So they are Canada’s largest marine land foundation and dredging company. And the transaction is valued at about $82.3 million. So this company is headquartered in New Westminster, BC, right on the Fraser River. And FRPD was founded in 1911. So that’s before World War One. And they employ about 300 people. So Bird said the purchase is expected to strengthen its infrastructure portfolio by adding national marine construction and land foundation expertise. While also enhancing their profit margins. So on a pro forma basis, they expect this new new company to generate about $160 million in revenue. So why is this interesting? Exactly about one year ago, Bird acquired Jacob Bros for 135 million. So this is kind of a continuation of Bird’s aggressive acquisition strategy in these large purchases. And this is also during a kind of an uncertain period of time. So they’re trying to build a new company, and they’re trying to build a certain economic time. So it’s really interesting to see Bird kind of double down on the strategy, despite some of the geopolitical challenges that we’re facing right now, and just kind of the confidence that they have in the current market.

So next up, PCL, one of the largest construction companies in Canada. I think it’s the largest construction company in Canada. So they’ve just completed a sweeping digital transformation, consolidating 26 separate enterprise resource planning systems into one single company. So they’re going to be building a new company, one single Microsoft Azure cloud platform. And this was completed by Syntax Systems. And they say that this is one of North America’s largest ever ERP consolidations. It was a multi year project that unified kind of decades of fragmented payroll and operations infrastructure across, you know, more than 370 financial entities. And it migrated all that data, it streamlined all those workflows. This was just like a massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive, massive lift, you know, at an $8 billion contractor. And so they say it’s going to provide greater agility for their finance, payroll, supply chain and project execution. So why do we care about this? Why does this matter? Well, I think in my experience, from what I’ve seen, during my coverage of the sector, what’s often what often happens that kind of these large, sophisticated contractors and is proven out amongst them can trickle down into smaller ones. And this is also just kind of the largest, or sorry, the latest rather large digitization effort in the construction sector. I know Graham had a major one in the past few years. I’m sure many others have done similar things. And the question is why? Well, one, I think that digitization is just the future of being an efficient company of any kind. But also, you know, the buzzword of all buzzwords, artificial intelligence. So if you do not have structured data, if you don’t have structured data, if you do not have clean, good, organized data for AI to comb through and interface with, it’s like having a digital Word document compared to something scrawled on a piece of paper and crayon. You know, AI can’t do much with that. And so to utilize the tools of the future, I’m guessing that PCL needs to do something like this to make sure that their housekeeping is in order. And so tools that might not even exist today, they will be able to do something like this. And so I think that’s a take advantage of later because they’ve done this heavy lifting.

So next up, we are moving to Quebec. So Quebec Superior Court has declared Northvolt Batteries North America insolvent. So this places it under creditor protection. And this is just after the provincial government withdrew its funding for the company’s $7 billion battery plant that they plan to build near Montreal. I remember them announcing this. It was hailed as just a humongous economic win for the region. So this ruling follows Quebec’s effort to recover about $260 million that is owed by the firm, of which I think nearly $2 million has already been seized from frozen accounts. And Northvolt, which laid off about 50 of its employees this week, they accused the government of just abruptly abandoning the project despite attempts to find investors. But Northvolt, did say would not contest these proceedings. Now, provincial officials say that the company failed to present a plan that met Quebec’s interests. I think this is particularly indicative of the times that we’re in. There have been other struggles in Canada’s EB sector, and other major projects have stalled or been delayed or even abandoned or shelved due to rising costs and trade pressures. You know, I think a lot of things that are outside of these companies are going to be delayed or even abandoned or shelved due to rising costs. Unfortunately, I mean, I think that this is just disappointing to see. I know there were tens of billions of dollars tied up in this industry. And a lot of people were really looking forward to it putting food on their tables for years to come. However, I would say this, I think that we saw years and years of the LNG sector struggle, particularly in BC after it was touted as this huge economic driver. And I think a lot of people had given up on that. Industry or didn’t think that it might happen anytime soon. And look at us now. We have LNG Canada, Wood Fibre LNG, Cedar LNG, the list goes on. We definitely thought we had missed the window in LNG, and that didn’t turn out to be the case. So, you know, I think there’s still hope. And, you know, hopefully in the future, you know, the EV and vehicle plant and battery manufacturing sector can experience a resurgence. And I think that’s going to be a big part of the resurgence after some of these difficult economic times come to a close.

Well, dear listener, you’ve made it to the end of the podcast. And we have the bonus story. Think twice before getting upset at graffiti artists defacing your job site, because it could one day become very cherished history. Because right now, Canada is playing a key role in trying to document ancient graffiti along Asia’s famed Silk Road before it’s gone. So there’s a new dam being built in Pakistan that threatens to erase some of these centuries old carvings that have been left by traders and travelers, missionaries, pilgrims, armies that pass through the region in the route, leaving their mark. This dam, which is set to be complete in about five years, is going to flood the entire region. And so most of this route and most of these carvings will be destroyed. But they’re hoping… to live on thanks to researchers from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario. And so what they’re doing is they’re part of an international team that is in the region right now, and they’re using high-tech equipment to do digital scanning of every single rock, every little patch of dirt that has some of these ancient carvings, this ancient graffiti. And so even after this massive dam covers up all this stuff, people are still going to be able to digitally tour it. There’s going to be a 3D model of each rock, so you can walk through these places, and researchers can check it out, and the public can check it out. And this graffiti will live on long after it’s destroyed. So that is this week’s episode. Thank you so much for joining us. If you want more stories and insights, go to readsightnews.com. And of course, once you’re there, you know, give our free newsletter a check and sign up. And we will see you next week. Who knows what major news stories might break, but we will be there to cover them. Goodbye for now.

Newly released before-and-after footage from the June 2025 Split Lake, Manitoba wildfire shows a nearly completed community building still standing after flames passed. As Canada prepares for longer, more dangerous wildfire seasons, the videos offer a clear, real-time look at what fire-resilient construction can mean on the ground.

The Tataskweyak Transition Centre — a 10-room short-term living facility built by SEKO Construction with ZS2 Technologies’ fire-resilient prefabricated TechPanel® system — was in its final stages of construction when the wildfire reached the site. The first clip, originally shared by TikTok user T.R.A.V., shows the fire advancing; the second, filmed by a member of the on-site construction crew, captures the aftermath with the structure virtually unscathed. Together, the footage underscores how material and design choices can determine outcomes when fire strikes.

“We chose ZS2’s panels for their durability, speed of installation, and climate resilience,” said Peter Shoulak, Vice President and Partner at SEKO Construction. “In this case, that decision helped protect a critical piece of infrastructure — and more importantly, our crew. We’ve now seen that choice pay off in the most important way.”

The SEKO on-site team remained on the ground as long as safely possible to support evacuation efforts, helping ensure everyone cleared the area before the wildfire advanced. Fortunately, no injuries were reported on the project site.

Built for one of Canada’s harshest and most remote environments, the facility uses ZS2 TechPanel® — a Canadian-manufactured system that combines framing, insulation, and a highly fire-resistant magnesium cement sheathing. The panelized assembly does not ignite, does not produce toxic smoke, and remains stable under extreme heat, helping safeguard structures and air quality during fire events.

“This is what climate resilience actually looks like,” said Scott Jenkins, CEO and Co-Founder of ZS2 Technologies. “The footage speaks louder than anything we could ever say. It is one thing to evaluate in a lab — it is another to survive a wildfire.”

The panels withstood winter installation temperatures of -30°C and fire-related surface heat estimated above +80°C. ZS2’s proprietary magnesium cement technology is also resistant to moisture, mold, and degradation, making it a long-term solution for resilient housing in vulnerable regions. This 10-room transitional living project, offering flexible one- to three-bedroom suites with shared communal spaces, was designed to address diverse family needs.

As wildfires continue to burn across Canada — with New Brunswick facing new threats and smoke from the Prairies triggering ground stops as far away as Boston’s Logan Airport — the footage underscores the urgent need for building systems that are both fast to deploy and built to endure. In this context, the survival of Split Lake’s transition centre isn’t just remarkable, it’s essential. Standing in a remote forest community, still under construction when flames closed in, the facility endured. It shows that fire resilience is not only about flame resistance, but about the synergy of materials, design, and execution working together to protect people and property. Above all, it’s a reminder that resilience is a construction choice made long before the first shovel hits the ground.

Key Takeaways:

• Ottawa is creating a new Major Projects Office to accelerate approvals for housing, energy and industrial developments, while Build Canada Homes will aim to double the pace of residential construction over the next decade.
• A new Buy Canadian policy will require federal projects and Crown corporations to prioritize local suppliers, creating stronger demand for Canadian-made materials and services.
• Expanded loans for small and medium-sized firms, a $5-billion Strategic Response Fund, and reskilling programs for 50,000 workers are designed to give the construction and development sector more capital and skilled labour to deliver projects.

The Whole Story:

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a sweeping package of measures designed to insulate Canadian workers and industries from mounting U.S. tariffs and a rapidly shifting global trade order.

The plan, billed as the most comprehensive suite of trade resilience measures in Canadian history, aims to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States by strengthening domestic industries, boosting consumer demand at home and broadening international partnerships.

Speaking Thursday in Ottawa, Carney said the world economy has entered a period of profound disruption, with the United States retooling its trade relationships in ways that have shaken global supply chains and injected uncertainty into investment decisions.

“We cannot control what other nations do. We can control what we give ourselves – what we build for ourselves,” Carney said. “Canada is building the strongest economy in the G7, one that is less reliant on foreign powers and more resilient in the face of global shocks.”

$5B response fund and new reskilling package

The centrepiece of the announcement is a new $5-billion Strategic Response Fund that will provide flexible financing to firms in industries hit hardest by tariffs. The government says the money will help companies retool their production lines, diversify their products and expand into new markets.

Workers are also a key focus of the package. Ottawa will launch a reskilling program for up to 50,000 Canadians, extend Employment Insurance benefits for those facing layoffs, and create a digital jobs and training platform with private-sector partners to connect people with new career opportunities.

Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said the initiatives are aimed at ensuring Canadians can adapt to a rapidly evolving economy. “Canadian workers are the foundation of our economic strength,” she said. “By investing in skills, training, and resources, workers will be ready to adapt to today’s challenges and lead in tomorrow’s economy.”

Buy Canadian policy and business support

The government is also introducing a new Buy Canadian Policy that will require federal departments and Crown corporations to prioritize domestic suppliers. Where Canadian suppliers are unavailable, the policy will mandate local content requirements and extend similar standards to federal funding streams.

Procurement Minister Joël Lightbound said the approach will help secure Canadian supply chains and spur growth. “Through the new Buy Canadian Policy, we are leveraging our purchasing power to strengthen domestic supply chains and drive prosperity,” he said.

Small and medium-sized businesses will see the maximum loan size through the Business Development Bank of Canada rise to $5 million. Larger firms will gain access to more flexible financing through a revamped Large Enterprise Tariff Loan Facility.

For the auto industry, Ottawa is offering temporary relief by waiving Electric Vehicle Availability Standard requirements for 2026 model-year vehicles and launching a 60-day review aimed at cutting costs.

Fast-tracking major projects

In addition to immediate support, the government announced the creation of a Major Projects Office intended to fast-track “nation-building” infrastructure projects. Officials said the office will be central to speeding up approvals for housing, energy and industrial developments that are key to Canada’s long-term resilience.

Future initiatives will include a Defence Industrial Strategy, a new Trade Diversification Strategy and the launch of Build Canada Homes, a government entity tasked with doubling the pace of residential construction over the next decade.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly described the moves as a turning point. “Canadian industry is the backbone of our country’s economy,” she said. “Our government is investing strategically in our workers and our industries to build the most resilient economy in the G7.”

Responding to U.S. tariffs

The measures come as Canada faces mounting pressure from a wave of U.S. tariffs and trade disputes that have touched sectors ranging from steel and softwood lumber to agriculture and autos.

Dominic LeBlanc, minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, said the government will not hesitate to act when Canadian interests are threatened. “Our government understands the uncertainty and concerns many Canadians are feeling as a result of the tariffs imposed by the U.S.,” he said. “That is why we remain committed to continue using every tool at our disposal to support Canadians and Canadian businesses.”

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne echoed that message, saying the plan will give companies the resources to withstand global turbulence. “These measures will ensure businesses have the liquidity to adapt, workers have the skills to lead, and our economy is built to thrive in a more self-reliant, diversified future,” he said.

Building strength at home

Carney said the government’s goal is to ensure Canadian prosperity is not overly dependent on any one trading partner. “In the face of uncertainty around the world, we are ensuring that our workers and businesses will prosper by building Canada’s strength at home,” he said.

While Canada continues to maintain what officials describe as the “best deal” of any U.S. trading partner, Carney said the country cannot afford to assume that relationship will remain stable. Instead, he argued, the economy must be built on the “solid foundation of strong Canadian industries, robust domestic demand and diverse trade partnerships.”

With global uncertainty discouraging private-sector investment, Carney said Ottawa had no choice but to step in with major public support. “By supporting our workers and industries, we will build Canada strong,” he said.

Transcript: Hello everyone. Welcome back to Digging In the podcast from SiteNews, where we dig into the biggest construction headlines of the week. I’m your host, SiteNews editor in chief, Russell Hixson, and we have some massive news for you all. First up, our first headline, Canada has officially launched its Major Projects Office. After that, number two, we’re going to be looking into big tech as they eye the construction sector for optimization. And our third headline is a trio of humongous project updates in Ontario. And for our fourth story, Westbank has sold their entire stake in the Sen̓áḵw project, so we’re going to be discussing that, and stick around to the end for our bonus story, we’re going to be talking about how minerals are so nice we’re trying to mine them twice. So without further ado, let’s get into it.

So first up, we have some massive news out of Ottawa. Prime Minister Mark Carney has officially launched the major projects office, and it’s opening its headquarters in Calgary, and there are plans for satellite offices in other cities. So what is it? Well, it’s going to act as a single point of contact for companies and governments that are pursuing large scale projects, kind of nation building projects, as they’ve said, these would be ports, railways, energy corridors, critical mineral developments and clean energy initiatives. Kearney has also kind of signaled that some of the first projects that Canada is eyeing are ports. So yeah, they say that this office is going to streamline environmental and regulatory reviews, and they’re trying to get project approval timelines down to no more than two years. And we already know who’s going to be leading this effort. It’s going to be Don Farrell. So they are the former head of the Trans Mountain Corporation and Transalta, and so, yeah, they’re going to be the CEO. And so why does this matter? Well, rather than navigating kind of this patchwork of federal departments and agencies, proponents are going to be able to deal with one entity. And also the government’s been very explicit that they want to prioritize projects of national significance. And so that’s, I think these projects are going to be evaluated in a bit different of a light. So that’s going to be very interesting to see how it rolls out. And, you know, some of the other cities that are going to get these offices.

So next up, we’re going to talk about big tech continuing to turn its gaze towards the construction sector. So Procore and Amazon have signed a multi year strategic collaboration agreement. So it’s going to be aimed at accelerating digital transformation in construction using artificial intelligence analytics and data driven tools. So the two companies say they’re going to co invest in product development and market of marketing market initiatives and also procores construction platform is now available in the Amazon Web Services marketplace. They say that the collaboration will be used to advance the use of AI to streamline project delivery, improve decision making and reduce risk. Obviously, Amazon famously disrupted, you know, brick and mortar stores all bookstores by selling books online. And they’re not the only ones, I think, recently, about a week ago, field AI, which is backed by Nvidia and Bill Gates, they they write programs that control models, that control robotics worldwide that, you know, are used in sectors like construction, energy, logistics, and you know, they’re they’re wanting to use them on construction sites. They raised about $400 million I think they’re valued at $2 billion and so why does this matter? Well, you know, that says it all. The tech industry has a ton of money to throw around. Obviously, Amazon and Nvidia are the biggest companies in the entire world, and if they’re looking at construction, they have vast amounts of capital to disrupt. And it’ll be really interesting to see what Amazon comes up with, and in the coming years, you know what big tech is going to do when it comes to construction, then, you know, they may have a more outside perspective and be able to, you know, come at these problems in in a different way. And obviously, construction is facing a lot of labor challenges. It’s facing a lot of productivity challenge. It challenges. So it could be really fascinating to see what comes from some of these gigantic tech companies.

Finally, it was a big week for Ontario builders. So Ontario is moving forward on several major infrastructure projects. We got some huge updates. So first they awarded a. Uh, the contract for the 9.2 kilometer westward extension of Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT to Trillium rail partners, and so this will add seven new stations and fully integrate rail signaling and communication systems. So also you had Infrastructure Ontario and North York General Hospital issue an RFP for a new patient care tower, and that will add over 300 private rooms and nearly 100 acute care beds and underground parking. And so that’s a major health care project. Also, the province has awarded the first contracts for highway 413, which is a long planned route that’s expected to significantly ease gridlock in Toronto. So for all our Toronto listeners, you know what it’s like to be sitting in that that traffic. And so this is also expected to create 6000 jobs annually during construction and contribute more than $1 billion to Ontario’s GDP. So this could be just a massive impact for Ontario.

So for our fourth and final story, Westbank, a Vancouver based developer, a major developer, has sold its entire ownership stake in the first two phases of the massive Sen̓áḵw housing development right in the heart of Vancouver, and they’ve sold it to OPT Trust, which is the Canadian pension fund manager as a result. So now the Squamish nation and op t trust are equal ownership partners for phase one and two, while the nation has secured full ownership of phases three and four. So why are we talking about this? Well, Westbank hasn’t publicly commented on why they did this, but I suspect a lot of developers, and again, this is not confirmed, but a lot of developers are face facing issues right now with the slump in the condo market. You know, I suspect that west bank wants a bit of liquidity. So, you know, a lot of developers have been selling off assets and trying to get their affairs in order to kind of make it through this challenging time in the development sector. So this could be one way that Westbank is trying to weather current economic conditions, is just get that cash flow going.

All right, for our bonus story, it’s very apt for digging in as we’re digging into mining. That’s right, we’re going back to the mines, as are many others. It seems that the mining industry is facing mounting pressures to meet soaring demand for copper and other critical minerals that are needed for our energy transition, particularly with electric vehicles, solar panels, all those different things. But we have declining ore grades. There’s very long project timelines and waste challenges. So according to a 2020, research paper, the entire world dug up about Sif, 650 million metric tons of copper, between 1910 and 2010 but about 100 million tons never even made it to market, and so experts argue that all that metal is just still sitting there laying in tailings tailings ponds, and it’s potentially Just a massive resource waiting for the right technology to unlock it. So companies are increasingly turning to innovation to try and pick up these table scraps, these crumbs that have fallen by remining tailings, they’re trying to improve grinding and leaching processes and exploring bioengineering solutions to get more value from existing resources, because digging a new mine is dirty, it’s expensive, takes a long time, and it just puts us kind of back in the same situation. So why not go back to places that have already been mined and using modern technology and slurp up those crumbs? That’s what people are doing. And obviously, you know from the top, we explain why this matters. We’re in the midst of a major energy transition. We want to drive electric vehicles. We want to shift our energy over to more sustainable sources. And a lot of these things require these critical minerals, and that’s why I think Canada and a lot of other countries have developed a critical mineral strategy. And yeah, that does it for this week. Thank you so much for joining us. If you want more stories and insights, go to readsite news.com and subscribe to our industry leading newsletter. Until next week, I’m your host, Russell Hixson, we’ll see you in a bit.

Key Takeaways:

• Bird Construction is acquiring Fraser River Pile & Dredge (FRPD) for $82.3 million, a move expected to close in late 2025 pending regulatory approval.
• FRPD brings over a century of expertise in marine construction, dredging, land foundations and environmental remediation, strengthening Bird’s infrastructure portfolio and expanding its self-perform capabilities.
• The deal is expected to boost Bird’s adjusted earnings per share by about 7%, with further growth potential from cross-selling opportunities and operational synergies.

The Whole Story:

Bird Construction Inc. has struck a deal to acquire Fraser River Pile & Dredge (FRPD), Canada’s largest marine infrastructure, land foundation and dredging company, in a transaction valued at $82.3 million.

The acquisition, announced Wednesday, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, pending regulatory approval under the Competition Act and other customary conditions.

Headquartered in New Westminster, B.C., FRPD was founded in 1911 and employs more than 300 people. The company is the leading provider of marine construction and dredging services in Canada and is also active in land foundation work and marine environmental remediation. Its operations are divided into two business lines: construction and dredging.

The construction division is primarily marine-focused but has also expanded into land foundations, supported by specialized equipment and skilled personnel. The dredging division, meanwhile, maintains shipping routes in the lower Fraser River for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and has carried out complex dredging projects in the North.

Bird said the purchase will strengthen its infrastructure portfolio by adding national marine construction and land foundation expertise, while also enhancing profit margins through more specialized, self-performed work. On a pro forma basis, FRPD is expected to generate about $160 million in revenue and $20 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

“This acquisition is expected to be a catalyst for future growth,” Bird president and CEO Teri McKibbon said in a statement. “FRPD’s expertise complements Bird’s ability to deliver complex projects across industrial, infrastructure and building sectors.”

FRPD president and CEO Sarah Clark said joining Bird marks “a pivotal part” of the company’s 115-year history. “We look forward to leveraging our combined strengths to create additional opportunities across our client bases,” she said.

Bird plans to finance the deal with a new term debt facility. The company also amended its syndicated credit facility, extending its maturity to 2028 and replacing existing term loans with a $215.6-million loan that will help cover the acquisition and other debt repayments.

Bird said the transaction is expected to boost adjusted earnings per share by about seven per cent on a full-year basis compared with 2025 consensus estimates, with potential for further growth through cross-selling opportunities and operational synergies.

The move follows another major acquisition from mid-2024. Bird Construction completed its acquisition of Jacob Bros Construction for approximately $135 million. The deal—consisting of roughly $97.2 million in cash, $38.1 million in equity (via 1.49 million common shares), and the assumption of equipment debt—was finalised on August 1, 2024. Bird’s purchase of the Surrey, B.C.–based civil infrastructure specialist, with over 350 employees, immediately enhanced its scale and diversification in Western Canada’s high-demand infrastructure market.

Key Takeaways:

• Fermeuse Energy Ltd. plans to build a $12–15 billion LNG liquefaction hub at the Fermeuse Marine Base, aiming to export gas from Newfoundland’s Jeanne d’Arc Basin to Europe.
• The project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and more than 500 permanent positions, with strong support from the Town of Fermeuse.
• The development aligns with provincial and federal goals of using natural gas as a transition fuel and could position Newfoundland and Labrador as a major global LNG supplier.

The Whole Story:

Fermeuse Energy Ltd. has unveiled plans for a massive liquefied natural gas hub on Newfoundland’s east coast, a project the company says could turn the province into a major exporter of LNG to Europe.

The $12-billion to $15-billion development would see the Fermeuse Marine Base converted into a liquefaction hub to process offshore gas from the Jeanne d’Arc Basin. The company estimates the basin holds 9.7 trillion cubic feet of associated gas — more than three times the initial reserves found off Nova Scotia’s Sable Island.

Fermeuse Energy says the project will use advanced LNG technology and take advantage of the marine base’s nearly one kilometre of quayside, heavy-lift capacity and ice-free harbour. The company expects the hub to generate thousands of construction jobs and more than 500 permanent positions.

“This transformative project harnesses Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore gas reserves to create a sustainable energy future,” Fermeuse Energy CEO Swapan Kataria said in a statement Tuesday. “We’re not only building on local expertise to create jobs and economic resilience, but also contributing to Canada’s role in the global energy landscape.”

The Town of Fermeuse has endorsed the plan, with Mayor Jerome Kenny calling it “a tremendous opportunity for economic development” that would bring long-term stability to residents.

The project, which the company promoted ahead of the Gastech 2025 energy conference in Milan, is expected to deliver provincial royalties and align with both provincial and federal government goals of using natural gas as a transition fuel.

Fermeuse Energy is a Newfoundland and Labrador-based firm focused on energy infrastructure and offshore resource development. The company’s partner, Crown LNG Holdings Ltd., specializes in liquefaction and regasification terminals for harsh environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Quebec has officially scrapped the $7-billion Northvolt battery plant after the company failed to deliver a viable plan, leaving the province unable to recoup its $270-million equity stake following Northvolt’s bankruptcy in Sweden.
• Of the $510 million in taxpayer support, Quebec expects to recover only the $240-million loan, while Hydro-Québec will reallocate 352 megawatts of reserved power once earmarked for the plant.
• The failure underscores wider setbacks in Canada’s EV push, with multiple stalled or delayed projects raising questions about the long-term payoff of more than $50 billion in federal and provincial subsidies.

The Whole Story:

Quebec has pulled the plug on the Northvolt battery plant, ending a high-profile but troubled project once billed as a cornerstone of the province’s green industrial strategy.

Economy Minister Christine Fréchette announced Tuesday the government will no longer invest in Northvolt Batteries North America, saying the company failed to present a plan that met Quebec’s interests.

“This venture proved unsuccessful, and we are obviously disappointed,” Fréchette said in a statement, adding the province will seek to recover as much of its investment as possible.

The decision marks the collapse of Northvolt’s $7-billion plan to build a plant in Saint-Basile-le-Grand and McMasterville, south of Montreal. Quebec had backed the project with $510 million in public money, including a $240-million guaranteed loan and a $270-million investment in the Swedish parent company.

Fréchette said the $270 million is lost following Northvolt’s bankruptcy filing in Sweden earlier this year, but the government expects to recover the loan. Hydro-Québec had also set aside 352 megawatts of power for the facility, which will now be reallocated.

The plant was touted as a pillar of Premier François Legault’s “battery sector” strategy, intended to attract research, mining and manufacturing linked to electric vehicle production. Fréchette said other projects remain on track.

Opposition parties blasted the government, accusing the Coalition Avenir Québec of mismanagement. Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez called the project “a failure on the planning level and on the execution level.” Québec solidaire’s Ruba Ghazal said Quebecers may never see their money again, while Parti Québécois MNA Pascal Paradis called it “hundreds of millions of dollars … wasted by the CAQ government.”

Canada’s overall EV push has hit major roadblocks, with Honda shelving a $15-billion Ontario battery complex, BASF and Northvolt stalling projects in Québec, GM pausing BrightDrop van output in Ingersoll, and Ford delaying Oakville EV launches. Weakened demand, U.S. tariffs, and ballooning costs have raised doubts about whether Ottawa’s $50-billion bet on foreign-owned battery plants will pay off.

Key Takeaways:

• PCL Construction, working with Syntax Systems, migrated and unified 26 separate ERP systems into a single cloud-based platform on Microsoft Azure — one of the largest projects of its kind in North America.
• The new system integrates more than 370 financial entities and supports global payroll, finance, asset management, project execution and supply chain management, improving reporting accuracy, reducing duplication, and lowering IT risk.
• By moving decades of infrastructure to the cloud, PCL has built a scalable, secure foundation to streamline operations, enhance governance and support future digital initiatives across its $8-billion annual business.

The Whole Story:

PCL Construction has completed a multi-year digital transformation that overhauled its global payroll and operations systems, consolidating decades of fragmented infrastructure into a single cloud environment.

The Edmonton-based builder partnered with Syntax Systems to migrate and unify 26 separate enterprise resource planning (ERP) instances into one system hosted on Microsoft Azure. The project, billed as one of the largest ERP consolidations in North America, was finalized last month.

PCL chief information officer Mark Bryant said the work fundamentally changes how the 119-year-old company operates.

“Through close collaboration with Syntax, we’ve moved decades of fragmented infrastructure to the cloud,” Bryant said. “This not only streamlines how we operate but equips us with the agility and insights to support our long-term strategy.”

For decades, PCL’s operations grew across multiple regions and business units, each maintaining its own ERP system on legacy IBM AS/400 infrastructure. The decentralized setup made reporting difficult, limited scalability and introduced operational risks.

To address this, Syntax and PCL devised a phased roadmap. Early stages involved migrating the ERP environments to the Syntax Enterprise Cloud. The final consolidation on Microsoft Azure now supports core functions including finance, payroll, asset management, project execution and supply chain management.

“Consolidating our ERP environment on Azure marks a pivotal shift in how PCL operates financially across its global footprint,” said Glen Anderson, PCL’s vice-president of finance and commercial risk. “We’ve significantly improved reporting accuracy, eliminated duplication, and reduced risk — while building a flexible platform to scale with our business.”

Syntax CEO Christian Primeau said the transformation demonstrates how large, asset-intensive enterprises can simplify operations. “Together, we’ve delivered a customer-centric ERP model for enterprises looking to scale without complexity,” he said.

According to the companies, the project has integrated more than 370 financial entities into a single platform, migrated and validated two years of financial and payroll history, and streamlined workflows using Microsoft’s Power Platform to reduce errors and speed execution. Hosting on Azure also provides high availability, scalability and enterprise-grade security.

PCL, one of North America’s largest general contractors, completes more than $8 billion US in work annually. Company officials say the new platform will strengthen governance, improve data accuracy and reduce IT overhead, while better preparing the firm for future digital initiatives.

PCL leaders are scheduled to present details of the transformation at the JD Edwards INFOCUS 2025 conference in Denver this September.

Key Takeaways:

• Alberta will introduce a 2% levy on hardware for data centres of 75 MW or more starting Dec. 31, 2026, offset against corporate income taxes once facilities are profitable.
• The province is considering payment-in-lieu-of-tax and deferral programs to provide cost stability during construction and early operation.
• The measure is part of Alberta’s strategy to attract AI infrastructure investment, emphasizing cooling efficiencies, low-cost electricity, and a competitive tax system.

The Whole Story:

Alberta will introduce a 2% levy on computer hardware for large-scale data centres beginning Dec. 31, 2026, a move the province says will ensure the industry contributes fairly while maintaining its competitiveness.

The levy will apply to grid-connected facilities with power capacities of at least 75 megawatts. The province said the measure was developed following a six-week consultation with industry stakeholders.

To avoid additional costs once data centres become profitable, the levy will be fully offset against provincial corporate income taxes.

“Alberta’s government has a duty to ensure Albertans receive a fair deal from data centre investments,” said Nate Glubish, minister of technology and innovation. “This approach strikes a balance that we believe is fair to industry and Albertans, while protecting Alberta’s competitive advantage.”

Treasury Board president and Finance Minister Nate Horner said the government is also considering options to provide more cost stability, including a payment in lieu of taxes program to allow for predictable annual payments, and a deferral program to ease cash-flow pressures during construction and early operations.

“After working closely with industry, we’re introducing a fair, predictable levy that ensures data centres pay their share for the infrastructure and services that support them,” Horner said. “This approach provides stability for businesses while generating new revenue to support Alberta’s future.”

The province said qualifying data centres will be recognized as designated industrial properties, with property values assessed provincially. Land and buildings tied to these facilities will remain subject to municipal taxation, though municipalities will be permitted to offer incentives or deferrals of up to 15 years under the Municipal Government Act.

The new framework follows Alberta’s Artificial Intelligence Data Centre Strategy, launched in December 2024, which aims to position the province as a hub for AI infrastructure. Alberta touts its natural cooling advantages, relatively low-cost power, and tax regime as draws for investors.

According to industry projections cited by the province, the global AI data centre market could top $820 billion by 2030, with capacity demand expected to more than triple. AI alone is forecast to drive a 160% increase in global data centre energy use by the end of the decade.

Key Takeaways:

• The federal government has launched a new Major Projects Office (MPO), headquartered in Calgary, to streamline approvals and accelerate construction of large-scale infrastructure projects such as ports, railways, and clean energy initiatives.
• The MPO aims to cut project approval timelines to two years or less, using a “one project, one review” approach in partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities.
• Dawn Farrell, former Trans Mountain and TransAlta CEO, has been appointed to lead the office, which will also establish an Indigenous Advisory Council and expand financing tools, including the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program.

The Whole Story:

Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a new federal agency aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating the development of major infrastructure projects across Canada.

The Major Projects Office, headquartered in Calgary with satellite offices planned for other cities, will act as a single point of contact for companies and governments pursuing large-scale projects such as ports, railways, energy corridors, critical mineral developments and clean energy initiatives.

Carney said the office will streamline environmental and regulatory reviews, with the goal of reducing approval timelines for nationally significant projects to no more than two years. Ottawa also plans to work with provinces and territories to implement a “one project, one review” approach for environmental assessments.

The office will also help structure and co-ordinate financing, drawing on private investment, provincial and territorial partners, and existing federal tools such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the Canada Growth Fund and the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program.

Dawn Farrell, former head of Trans Mountain Corporation and TransAlta, has been appointed the office’s first chief executive officer. Farrell, who brings four decades of energy sector experience, is expected to play a central role in advancing projects and navigating regulatory processes.

An Indigenous Advisory Council, with members from First Nations, Inuit, Métis and modern treaty partners, will be established next month to guide the office’s work. The federal government has also committed $40 million over two years to help Indigenous communities engage in the review process, and has expanded the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to $10 billion.

Carney said the initiative builds on the Building Canada Act, passed in June, which created a framework for accelerating projects deemed in the national interest.

“For too long, projects have been stalled by arduous approval processes, leaving enormous investments on the table,” Carney said in Ottawa. “We are moving at a speed not seen in generations to build ports, railways, energy grids – the projects that will unlock Canada’s full economic potential.”

The government said the first slate of projects to be advanced under the new system will be announced in the coming weeks.

Philip Hoare is stepping down as Chief Operating Officer at AtkinsRéalis and will become Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty on September 8th, succeeding Leo Quinn.

Mark Brown has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer at ATCO EnPower, bringing nearly three decades of energy sector experience to lead the company through its growth period.

Beau Brooker has joined Northcrest as Vice President, Construction, where he will lead the construction of YZD, the former Downsview Airport lands development project in Toronto.

Gerald Cottreau is now Director of Estimating at Chandos Construction.

Erin Elliott, CPA, CA will join Conwest Developments as Chief Financial Officer on September 8th.

Kris Emmons has been appointed President at Raven Roofing Ltd.

CarbonCure Technologies announced some key Board of Directors appointments: William Holden has been elected Board Chair, Onne van der Weijde is now Board Vice Chair, and Stacy Kauk, P.Eng., Chief Science Officer at Isometric, is joining the Board.

Meghan Damaj has accepted a new role as Indigenous Relations Manager with Graham.

Gianfranco Provenzano is now Communications and Community Engagement (Yonge North Subway Extension) at Aecon Group.

Dean Rawson has been appointed Vice President, Construction, at Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC), bringing over 30 years of leadership experience in construction, operations, engineering, and project execution across multi-billion-dollar programs in Canada and the United States.

EBC Inc. has announced five strategic leadership appointments: Alan McNee joins as Vice President, Operations – Building Toronto/Ottawa; Sebastien Ducharme as Vice President, Operations – Building Montreal; Louis Thomassin as Vice President, Operations – Building Quebec; Jerôme Nombalais as Vice President, Preconstruction – Building Montreal; and Gary Kozak as Vice President, Proposals and Business Development – Building.

Rick Doman has been appointed to the Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) board as chair. Doman brings more than 40 years of experience in Canada’s forestry industry to the role.

Éric Landry has been appointed as Director of Major Projects Scaffolding at Atwill-Morin Scaffolding, a division of Atwill-Morin.

Cam McFadyen has joined Komplete Modular Solutions Ltd. as Account Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience in account management, business development, and sales leadership.

Tanner Uzzell is leaving Horizon Contracting Group after 8 years, most recently serving as VP of Operations, and is exploring new opportunities.

Chuck Chow has joined Fort Modular Inc as BC Lease and Fleet Manager, bringing over 22 years of experience in the modular solutions rental space and construction industry.

Miguel Santos is starting a new position as Director, Construction Operations at Fitzrovia.

Jason Winterbottom has been promoted to Director of Drafting Services at Glotman Simpson Consulting Engineers after 24 years with the company.

Cathleen Basco is now Events and Sponsorships Manager at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association.

Vicky Donovan has been promoted to Manager of People Operations at SitePartners.

Paris Lavan has joined Beedie as Director of Leasing for their Industrial team, bringing over a decade of experience in landlord and tenant representation from her previous brokerage career.

Danish Javed has stepped into the role of Director of Construction Systems & VDC at Lundy Construction Inc.

Aldo Porra is now Preconstruction Manager at Aecon Group Inc.

Trevor E. has been promoted to Field Operations Manager at Mission Group.

Jennifer Fraser has left her role as Project Executive with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit after 17 years.

Michael Brimer has been appointed as Vice President of Construction at Townline Group of Companies, bringing over 25 years of experience in large-scale commercial construction projects across North America.

Scott Armstrong has joined Entuitive as a senior associate in the firm’s building envelope and sustainability team, based in Toronto.

Nick Milestone is now Chief Operating Officer at Mercer Mass Timber.

Laura Samson, a former 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction Winner, has started a new role as Director, Airport Operations at Calgary Airports. 

Sam Fuller has been promoted to President of Thomas Fuller Construction Co. 

Brad Quartel is now Vice President at Thompson Construction Group. 

Thomas Clochard has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Aecon Group Inc., effective September 2, 2025.

Samson Tam has been appointed as Vice President of Development at Corix Group of Companies.

Lora McMillan has been promoted to National Director, Construction Services at BGIS. 

Caitlin Hartigan has been hired as the new dean of trades and apprenticeship at Okanagan College, bringing her experience from Women Building Futures in Edmonton and Northwestern Polytechnic in Grande Prairie.

Glen Barker has joined TROIKA as Vice President of Construction, bringing over 40 years of experience and $1B+ in delivered projects including the YVR Runway Extension, Nanaimo Airport, and South Fraser Perimeter Road.

Yadana Oo has joined B&A as a Planning Technician, bringing 8+ years of international experience in architecture, interior design, and urban planning from projects across Singapore, China, and Myanmar.

Tina Webb has been promoted to Director of Building Information Modelling (BIM) at Fast + Epp. Webb, based in Nanaimo, B.C., is a certified structural technologist with over 25 years of experience, including more than 15 years specializing in BIM.

Laurel Murphy has been appointed Vice President and Director of Operations for Water in Central and Western Canada at AECOM, succeeding David Humphreys who becomes Senior VP and Project Delivery Leader for Canada.

Bruce Vasarhely has been promoted to Director of Operations at Kinetic Construction Ltd., stepping up from his role as Vancouver Branch Manager.

Chernoff Thompson Architects has promoted Michelle Yeung and Byung-Hee Kang to Principal. Both architects bring decades of experience across industrial, healthcare, education, and laboratory sectors.

Heidi Deras has joined ConstructionClock as Director of Product, bringing experience from RocketRez and Bold Commerce.

CAWIC Announces New 2025-2026 Board of Directors: The Canadian Association of Women in Construction has appointed Kristen Bauer as President, with Lisa Laronde as Past President, Susan Carey as President Elect, Christina K. as Treasurer, and Jamie West as Secretary.

Madeleine Payne, CFA has joined Ayrshire Group as Vice President, Developments.

Mick Prieur, P.Eng. has joined the Cement Association of Canada as Senior Technical Director, Engineering, where he’ll work with the Construction Innovation team on codes and standards, concrete pavements and transportation infrastructure.

John McNicoll is now Vice President at Cormode & Dickson—a company with over 60 years of construction excellence across Western Canada.

Key Takeaways:

• The Nisga’a Nation, Tahltan Nation and Arrow Transportation are jointly acquiring the Port of Stewart Bulk Terminal and consolidating regional trucking operations under a new partnership.
• The deep-sea terminal is a key export point for copper and gold concentrate from northwest B.C.’s mining sector, including Newmont’s Brucejack and Red Chris mines, and currently operates at about half capacity.
• The deal gives the Indigenous nations equal ownership and control over major regional infrastructure, backed by a $5-million provincial grant and support from Newmont, marking a significant step in advancing Indigenous economic sovereignty and participation in Canada’s critical minerals supply chain.

The Whole Story:

The Nisga’a Nation and Tahltan Nation are joining forces with Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. to acquire the Port of Stewart Bulk Terminal, a deep-sea shipping facility in northwestern British Columbia that serves as an export hub for critical minerals.

The three groups have formed Portland Canal Holdings Limited Partnership, which has signed a binding agreement to purchase Stewart Bulk Terminals Ltd., the owner and operator of the facility. The deal is expected to close in the coming months, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.

The joint venture will also consolidate Arrow’s Stewart trucking division with the Tahltan-Arrow Transportation Limited Partnership, which already hauls bulk commodities in Tahltan Territory. Together, the new entity will control both port and trucking operations through separate subsidiaries, with each partner holding equal ownership, board representation and profit rights.

“This acquisition of a strategic asset will drive economic growth, create opportunities and strengthen our Nations’ self-determination,” said Kerry Carlick, president of the Tahltan Central Government. “I can only imagine how proud our Tahltan and Nisga’a ancestors would be.”

Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government president Eva Clayton said the partnership allows the Nisga’a Nation to help manage an important piece of infrastructure within its territory. “This represents an opportunity for the Nisga’a Nation to be involved in efficiently operating and expanding an integral asset in a way that is environmentally responsible,” she said.

Arrow executive vice-president Tim Bell said the deal creates a vertically integrated supply chain that will improve efficiency and safety. “By consolidating the port terminal and our regional trucking operations, we are creating long-term, high-quality jobs while advancing economic reconciliation and unlocking generational opportunities,” he said.

The Port of Stewart sits on six acres at the northern tip of the Portland Canal and is fully permitted as a deep-sea shipping terminal. It was originally designed to provide export access for copper concentrate and has operated under private ownership since 1994, most recently by the Soucie family. The facility currently employs six full-time staff and handles about 260,000 tonnes of copper and gold concentrate a year — about half its rated capacity.

The terminal is a critical link for the mining sector in B.C.’s mineral-rich northwest, where more than 50 per cent of the province’s exploration activity takes place. Current customers include Newmont’s Brucejack and Red Chris mines, both located within Nisga’a and Tahltan territories.

Provincial officials have framed the transaction as part of B.C.’s “Northwest Strategy,” which aims to balance mining development with reconciliation and conservation. The province has provided a $5-million grant to support the purchase.

“This joint venture is a great example of what can be achieved when you see an opportunity and work to make it a reality,” Premier David Eby said. “It furthers reconciliation and creates good jobs while demonstrating how British Columbia will become Canada’s new economic engine.”

Mining and Critical Minerals Minister Jagrup Brar said the investment will strengthen export capacity and support industrial growth in the northwest. “This contribution advances reconciliation through meaningful economic inclusion and partnership,” he said.

Newmont, one of the largest mining companies operating in the region, is also backing the deal. Abdul Rahman Amoadu, managing director for the company’s Africa and Canada business unit, said Newmont’s support goes beyond exporting minerals. “It involves empowering our First Nation partners in owning the infrastructure that will define the region,” he said.

For both the Nisga’a and Tahltan Nations, the acquisition represents a long-sought opportunity to play a larger role in managing resource infrastructure on their territories. Tahltan leaders described it as another step toward economic sovereignty. “Generations of Tahltans have expressed their desire for greater control over the resources within our Territory,” said Chief Richard (Rocky) Jackson of the Tahltan Band.

With new ownership in place, the partnership says it plans to optimize use of the port, expand services, and help unlock economic opportunities tied to critical minerals development in northwestern B.C., Canada and beyond.

Infrastructure Ontario and North York General Hospital have invited four construction teams to submit proposals for a major redevelopment project that will add a new patient care tower to the hospital.

The tower, to be built through Infrastructure Ontario’s Alliance delivery model, will connect to the existing building and include underground parking. The facility is expected to feature up to 317 private patient rooms, expanding acute care capacity by about 100 beds. It will also house additional space for some of the hospital’s most critical programs and services.

The four prequalified bidders are:

• Building Beyond Alliance, led by Bird Design-Build Construction Inc. and Graham Design Builders LP, with HDR Architecture Associates Inc. as design prime.
• EllisDon Corporation, with Parkin Architects Limited as design partner.
• North York Healthcare Alliance, led by Pomerleau Inc. and Ledcor Construction Limited, with Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. as design prime.
• PCL Constructors Canada Inc., with DIALOG Ontario Inc. as design partner.

The firms were shortlisted following a qualifications process launched in January. Their proposals will be evaluated by Infrastructure Ontario and North York General, with the top-ranked team entering into a Project Alliance Agreement, pending approval from the Ministry of Health.

Key Takeaways:

• Procore Technologies has entered a multi-year collaboration with Amazon Web Services to accelerate AI, analytics, and cloud-based solutions for the construction industry.
• Procore’s construction management platform is now available in AWS Marketplace, making it easier for contractors and owners in North America and Europe to access the software through existing AWS accounts.
• Major builder Balfour Beatty is already adopting the partnership, using Procore and AWS to gain real-time data and project insights aimed at improving efficiency and reducing risk.

The Whole Story:

Procore Technologies has signed a multi-year strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed at accelerating digital transformation in construction through artificial intelligence, analytics and data-driven tools.

The deal will see the two companies co-invest in product development and market initiatives, with Procore’s construction management platform now available in AWS Marketplace for customers in North America and Europe. The arrangement gives contractors and owners access through their existing AWS accounts, with consolidated billing and the ability to apply cloud credits toward the software.

Procore said the collaboration will advance its use of AI to streamline project delivery, improve decision-making and reduce risk. By integrating Amazon’s Bedrock large language models, the company plans to strengthen its suite of AI agents, which can handle document analysis, automate tasks and provide intelligent assistance on complex projects.

“This collaboration with AWS is a force multiplier of our mission to connect everyone in construction on a global platform,” said Steve Davis, Procore’s president of product and technology. “With AWS as one of our strategic collaborators, we will continue to supercharge our tools, enabling owners and general contractors to plan, build and operate their portfolios with greater efficiency and cost effectiveness.”

AWS said the partnership reflects the growing demand for cloud-based solutions in construction. “By combining Procore’s industry expertise with AWS infrastructure and services, we can empower customers to unlock new levels of productivity, gain deeper insights from their data, and scale their operations more effectively,” said Allison Johnson, senior manager with AWS.

Balfour Beatty, a major player in construction and infrastructure, said it is already working with Procore and AWS to digitize its operations. Senior vice-president and chief information officer Kasey Bevans said the partnership gives the company real-time data and project analytics that sharpen decision-making and improve visibility into project health.

“The combination of Procore and AWS helps us build smarter and more efficiently,” Bevans said. “By providing access to real-time data and clear sightlines into KPIs, we’re better able to reduce risk — which is fundamental to our business.”

Industry analysts say the agreement highlights how cloud providers are increasingly teaming up with sector-specific software firms to modernize industries like construction, which has been slower than others to adopt digital tools.

Key Takeaways:

• The federal government is providing more than $326 million to British Columbia this year through the Canada Community-Building Fund to support local infrastructure projects.
• The funding will cover a wide range of needs, from essential infrastructure such as transit, water systems, and roads to recreational facilities like parks and sports fields.
• The Union of British Columbia Municipalities will administer the program in the province, giving local governments flexibility to invest in projects that respond to housing growth and community priorities.

The Whole Story:

The federal government is sending more than $326 million to British Columbia this year to support infrastructure projects ranging from public transit and water systems to community parks and sports facilities.

The funding, delivered through the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), is intended to help municipalities improve essential infrastructure and support housing growth while also investing in recreational projects that make communities more livable.

In Surrey, for example, the program is helping pay for a new sports field, enhanced lighting and safety upgrades at Tamanawis Park. The city says the improvements will create a safer and more accessible space for families while encouraging active lifestyles.

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said the investments are part of Ottawa’s broader push to link housing growth with infrastructure upgrades.

“Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities,” he said.

B.C. Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Christine Boyle added that the funding will help local governments respond to growth pressures.

“From better parks and sport courts to transit and water systems, people thrive when their communities have the infrastructure that makes life better for everyone,” she said.

The Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), which administers the program in the province, said the fund has been crucial for local governments for more than two decades. UBCM president Trish Mandewo said the program’s flexibility allows municipalities to invest in critical projects while supporting long-term growth.

The CCBF is a permanent source of federal funding provided to provinces and territories, which distribute the money to municipalities. Ottawa says it will deliver $26.7 billion through the program between 2024 and 2034, including $2.5 billion to 3,700 communities across Canada in 2025-26.

Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $29 billion nationwide through the program, including $3.1 billion in B.C.

Key Takeaways:

• Trillium Rail Partners has been selected to deliver the Stations, Rail and Systems package for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, covering seven stations, track, and systems work.
• The westward expansion of Line 5 is part of Ontario’s priority transit projects, but follows years of delays and cost overruns on the original Eglinton Crosstown, placing pressure on Metrolinx to avoid repeat setbacks.
• Once complete, the extension is expected to ease congestion, improve access in Toronto’s west end and Mississauga, support housing growth, and lay the groundwork for a future connection to Pearson Airport.

The Whole Story:

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have awarded Trillium Rail Partners the contract to deliver the Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, a major transit project in the Greater Toronto Area.

The consortium — made up of Amico Major Projects Inc., Alberici Constructors Ltd., and Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc., with WSP Canada Inc. as lead designer — has signed a Development and Master Construction Agreement with Metrolinx. The deal allows the group to begin early works while collaborating with the transit agency to finalize scope, risk allocation and pricing during the development phase.

The SRS package includes design and construction of seven stations, installation of rail and systems for the 9.2-kilometre extension, and work at Mount Dennis Station to connect the line with future Line 5 Eglinton LRT service.

The Crosstown West Extension is part of a larger effort to expand rapid transit across the GTA. The project extends Line 5 westward from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive, with a planned connection to Pearson International Airport through a separate link under study.

The Ontario government first announced plans for the extension in 2019 as one of four priority transit projects in the region. Procurement has been divided into several packages, including tunnels, stations, and systems, with a mix of public-private partnerships and progressive design-build models used to attract bidders and manage risk.

The broader Eglinton Crosstown program has faced significant hurdles. The main Crosstown line — still not open after more than a decade of construction — has drawn criticism for delays, cost overruns, and complex contract structures. Those setbacks have heightened scrutiny on the extension, with Metrolinx pledging lessons learned would be applied to speed up delivery.

Challenges for the west extension include tunnelling through dense urban areas, minimizing disruption to communities and businesses, and coordinating with multiple overlapping contracts. Rising material costs and labour shortages in Ontario’s construction market have also added pressure.

When complete, the extension is expected to cut travel times, ease congestion, and improve transit access in Toronto’s west end and Mississauga. Metrolinx projects that tens of thousands of daily riders will benefit, with smoother connections to buses, regional rail, and eventually Pearson Airport.

The provincial government has framed the project as part of its plan to boost housing supply by linking new developments to rapid transit. Officials say the investment will also support thousands of construction jobs and strengthen long-term economic growth in the region.

The extension is being delivered through multiple contracts, with other procurement packages already underway. No firm completion date has been announced, though early construction activities have started.

Key Takeaways:

• The Goldboro gold mine is expected to create 735 jobs, add $2.1 billion to Nova Scotia’s GDP, and generate $528 million in tax revenue over 15 years.
• The project received its industrial approval after seven years of consultation, following an earlier environmental assessment approval in 2022.
• NexGold has signed benefit agreements with local and Mi’kmaw governments, and the mine will be subject to strict environmental and operational conditions under provincial oversight.

The Whole Story:

A new gold mine in Guysborough County has received industrial approval from the Nova Scotia government, clearing the way for a project expected to create hundreds of jobs and inject billions into the province’s economy.

The Goldboro gold mine, owned by NexGold Mining Corp., is projected to generate 735 jobs and contribute $2.1 billion to Nova Scotia’s gross domestic product over its 15-year lifespan. Work is set to begin in 2026 following seven years of consultation and study.

The province says the project will also provide $1.1 billion in direct and indirect household income and $528 million in tax revenue, including $274 million provincially, $44 million municipally and $209 million federally. NexGold has signed benefit agreements with both the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs.

Industrial approvals set conditions for daily operations and environmental safeguards. The Department of Environment and Climate Change has created a specialized oversight team to monitor large industrial projects, including mining. The department says the Goldboro project will be subject to stringent terms and conditions covering construction, operation, closure and site reclamation.

Kevin Bullock, NexGold’s president and CEO, called the approval “a tremendous moment” and said the company is committed to operating “in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.” Guysborough Warden Paul Long said the mine would bring “significant socio-economic benefits” to the region through job creation, community agreements and new tax revenue.

The mining industry in Nova Scotia currently supports about 2,500 jobs with average wages of $100,000 a year. The Goldboro project has a planned 15-year timeline, including 11 years of operation and a remediation phase.

NexGold received environmental assessment approval for the project in June 2022.

Key Takeaways:

• The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce called the project “critical to supporting the movement of goods and unlocking future economic opportunities,” while the Ontario Road Builders’ Association said investments like Highway 413 are needed to reverse the mounting cost of congestion.
• The Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario said the highway would support demand for building materials and skilled trades jobs.
• Highway 413 is one of several large projects the province is pursuing as part of a $30-billion, decade-long investment in highways, bridges and roads, which also includes the Bradford Bypass and the twinning of the Garden City Skyway.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has awarded the first two construction contracts for Highway 413, a major step in the province’s plan to build a new expressway across the northwestern Greater Toronto Area.

One contract was awarded to Fermar Paving for an embankment at the Highway 401 and Highway 407 interchange. The second one went to Pave-Al to resurface Highway 10 in Caledon, Ont.

Premier Doug Ford announced the contracts Tuesday in Caledon, where crews are beginning to resurface Highway 10 in preparation for a new bridge over the planned route. Work will also begin at the Highway 401/407 interchange, which will serve as the highway’s western terminus.

The 60-kilometre highway is slated to run from the 401/407 near Mississauga, Milton and Halton Hills to Highway 400 in Vaughan, with connections to Highways 410 and 427. The province says the route will save drivers up to 30 minutes per trip, support more than 6,000 jobs annually and add $1 billion a year to Ontario’s GDP during construction.

“Highway 413 is at the centre of our plan to get drivers in the GTA and across Ontario out of gridlock, and we’re getting it done,” Ford said. “In the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, we’re awarding critical construction contracts faster so we can keep Ontario’s economy going and keep thousands of workers on the job.”

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said congestion costs Ontario up to $56 billion a year and Highway 413 will bring relief to one of the most heavily used corridors in North America.

The project has been strongly backed by several municipal leaders. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said the highway will “create good quality jobs, attract new investment and ensure people and goods move more efficiently.” Caledon Mayor Annette Groves said the route will ease traffic pressure on local roads and heavy-truck traffic through her community.

Business groups also welcomed the announcement. The Vaughan Chamber of Commerce called the project “critical to supporting the movement of goods and unlocking future economic opportunities,” while the Ontario Road Builders’ Association said investments like Highway 413 are needed to reverse the mounting cost of congestion.

The Ontario Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario said the highway would support demand for building materials and skilled trades jobs.

Highway 413 is one of several large projects the province is pursuing as part of a $30-billion, decade-long investment in highways, bridges and roads, which also includes the Bradford Bypass and the twinning of the Garden City Skyway.

The government passed legislation last year aimed at expediting Highway 413 construction. According to a report by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis, the annual cost of gridlock in Ontario could reach $108 billion by 2044 if left unchecked.

The project has faced opposition from environmental groups and urban planners, who warn it could damage farmland and sensitive ecosystems while encouraging suburban sprawl. The province says those concerns are being addressed through its planning process.