Russell Hixson is an award-winning investigative journalist who spent the early parts of his career doing crime and courts reporting in the U.S. before stumbling into covering Canada’s construction sector. He spent eight years writing for the Journal of Commerce where he became well versed on the industry and its issues. He’s covered the federal budget from Ottawa and documented the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while locked down in his bedroom.
Hixson has developed a passion for the construction industry and seeks to convert others by sharing its stories through SiteNews. When he’s not writing stories, the East Vancouver resident enjoys kayaking, skateboarding and avoiding the neighbourhood skunks.
The $50-million pilot project will analyze the energy performance of 20 single family homes and four apartment buildings following a deep energy retrofit.
The pilot will take an envelope-first approach, improving the building envelope (outer shell) to prevent heat loss and reduce heating demand. This includes upgrades to walls, windows, doors and insulation.
All buildings have completed the majority of upgrades and construction is now underway in the four apartment buildings. Once complete, each home and building will be tested for one year to determine the energy savings.
The Whole Story:
FortisBC Energy Inc. has embarked on an extensive $50 million pilot project aimed at uncovering the best pathway to reduce energy use in older homes and multifamily housing units.
Working with partners such as Metro Vancouver Housing and participating customers from across the Lower Mainland and Southern Interior. FortisBC now has 20 single family homes and four apartment buildings participating in a deep energy retrofit pilot. A deep energy retrofit is a comprehensive, whole-home upgrade aimed at reducing energy use by half or more.
During each phase of the multi-year pilot, FortisBC will analyze the energy reductions, customer experience and overall costs. The information gained will be invaluable for industry, policymakers and FortisBC to determine how best to ensure older housing units can continue to meet the needs of families as the province moves towards a net-zero future.
“To our knowledge, this is the largest targeted, real-world study of deep energy-efficiency upgrades in B.C. homes and the information will be invaluable to us and others looking to transform energy use,” said Joe Mazza, vice president, energy supply and resource development, FortisBC. “Determining the most effective path to greatly lower energy use in older homes is a critical way we can help lower emissions while helping customers save money on energy costs.”
FortisBC officials noted that buildings account for just over 10% of B.C.’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To address this, the province has set a target of lowering GHG emissions in the building and communities sector by 59 to 64% of 2007 levels by 2030. However, older homes and apartment buildings pose a complex challenge to achieving those targets because a significant number across B.C. were built before energy efficiency was incorporated into the National Energy Code for Buildings in 1997. With many expected to remain in active use by 2050, they will need to undergo a deep energy retrofit to achieve these targets.
“Metro Vancouver Housing has set targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions from our buildings by 45% (from 2010 levels) over the next 10 years and significantly bring down energy consumption through rehabilitation projects. Reducing emissions from buildings is one of the main ways that Metro Vancouver will reach its goal of becoming a carbon neutral region by 2050,” said George V. Harvie, chair, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. “Partnering with FortisBC on a deep energy retrofit project offers a way to explore and implement new technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHGs, resulting in a building that’s more resilient and comfortable for tenants.”
The current pilot takes an envelope-first approach, improving the building envelope (outer shell) to prevent heat loss and reduce heating demand. This includes upgrades to walls, windows, doors and insulation. Each home and building will also have its space heating, domestic hot water and ventilation systems upgraded to be as energy efficient as possible. This includes installing new gas heating technologies like dual-fuel hybrid systems or gas heat pumps that have achieved efficiencies of more than 100% in manufacturers’ testing, and determining if this can be replicated in real-word settings.
Each of the participating homes and buildings have now undergone a detailed energy assessment, modelling and design phase and these early indicators show promising results. For example, Metro Vancouver Housing is participating with Manor House, a 1972 three-level apartment building in North Vancouver that provides affordable housing to 50 households. The project is projected to reduce GHG emissions by 66% and energy usage by 56%.
All 20 participating single family homes have completed the majority of upgrades and construction is now underway in the four apartment buildings. Once complete, each home and building will be tested for one year to determine the energy savings.
With FortisBC planning to invest close to $700 million in energy-savings programs over the next four years, the information gained from the pilot will be used for establishing the most effective, affordable ways to lower energy use in existing buildings and will help inform future incentive programs. FortisBC and its industry partners plan to use the findings to determine what to replicate in similar buildings and set benchmarks for future upgrade projects, policy decisions and incentive programs.
Key Takeaways:
BuildForce’s analysis found that the system currently and disproportionately favours applicants with high education levels.
Individuals with apprenticeship certificates or non-apprenticeable trade certificates accounted for only 4% of total admissions for principal applicant landed immigrants between 1980 and 2021.
BuildForce called for a series of reform principles to be adopted, including more transparency, awarding selections based on domestic labour needs and supporting competencies-based skills assessments for foreign credential recognition.
The Whole Story:
A new report from BuildForce Canada found that the nation’s immigration system favours university-educated applicants.
BuildForce officials stated that changes are needed to the immigration system to ensure the construction sector can respond to growth, and deliver on key public-policy priorities such as building new housing and greening infrastructure.
The report found that of the 1.3 million principal applicant landed immigrants admitted between 1980 and 2021 still in the labour force, 69% held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Individuals with apprenticeship certificates or non-apprenticeable trade certificates accounted for only 4% of total admissions. Looking just at individuals in the labour force, between 1980 and 1990, university-educated individuals made up 34% of total primary applicant admissions, while individuals with apprenticeship and non-apprenticeable trade certificates 9%. Between 2016 and 2021, the combined university educated primary applicants admitted accounted for 75% of primary applicant admissions, whereas non-apprenticeable and apprenticeship certificate holders had declined to just 2%.
BuildForce stated that it believes further evidence of the bias in the selection criteria can be found in the 2022 Express Entry Year-end Report. In 2022, 46% of the candidates receiving ITAs (invitation to apply) held master’s degrees, 40% had post-secondary credentials of three or more years, and 4% held PhDs. Of the top 15 professions receiving ITAs, software engineers received the greatest number of ITAs at 3,848. Despite the strong demand for healthcare and construction workers since 2020, no professions in demand in these sectors were found in the top 15. However, since 2020, 2,778 university professors and lecturers received ITAs; 955 alone were granted ITAs in 2022.
The report was developed with input from an industry Steering Committee consisting of representatives from Canada’s Building Trades Unions, the Canadian Construction Association, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Merit Canada, and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada.
It recommends the adoption of a series of consensus principles by governments to ensure the construction sector can better access skilled workers from abroad in an effort to address projected shortages of skilled labour created by rising construction demands and changing demographics.
“Construction activity is projected to grow across the country over the next decade, driven by more than $450 billion worth of non-residential projects that are taking place across the country and renewed growth in the residential sector in the middle and later years of the 2020s,” said Bill Ferreira, executive director of BuildForce Canada. “Our labour market information models, which do not take into account additional labour demands created by the impetus to build millions of new housing units or to meet Canada’s net-zero targets, suggest that the industry could face a recruiting gap of more than 85,000 workers by 2033. Closing this gap will require the industry to hire from a variety of sources, including from among the hundreds of thousands of new permanent and non-permanent residents that are projected to be admitted to Canada in the coming years. The difficulty is, the system does not currently support this objective.”
The report found that Canada’s immigration system favours university-educated applicants. BuildForce noted that absent change, this may create challenges for the construction sector, which depends on recruiting large numbers of individuals with trade certificates or other competencies that are currently overlooked in the immigration process. Particularly in demand are technical trades and transportation officers and controllers (NOC Category 7), which collectively account for more than three-quarters of the total construction labour force, and who have struggled to obtain entry under Canada’s existing Express Entry system.
To better support industries like construction that are strongly dependent on skilled trades workers, the BuildForce report recommends four guiding reform principles be adopted.
Address educational bias in the Express Entry selection system
The system currently and disproportionately favours applicants with high education levels. In so doing, it effectively excludes others who possess the valuable skills or the willingness to work in construction that Canada requires. The system should be reformed to better reflect domestic labour force priorities, and award additional selection points based on those needs. Doing so would increase the likelihood that skilled and unskilled trade workers would be invited to apply for immigration under industry-specific, Provincial Nominee Program, and general Express Entry intakes.
Better align federal and provincial immigration policies, and increase transparency
Immigration is a shared responsibility among the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Given that the provinces and territories now comprise more than half of the total immigration selections annually, greater coordination is required among these programs and with the federal system to ensure that goals are transparent and aligned, and to enable industry to coordinate domestic training and recruitment programs with the projected inflow of permanent residents.
Ensure industry involvement in labour market planning, analysis and recruitment
The federal government should consult more broadly with Canadian industries, including the construction sector, when establishing national immigration targets. Doing so will ensure selection policies and priorities better align with domestic labour market requirements.
Support competencies-based skills assessments for foreign credential recognition
Although credential recognition is within the purview of the provinces and territories, the federal government can and should play a role in ensuring the provinces and territories adopt competencies-based skills assessments of foreign credentials. Doing so can help ensure individuals with foreign credentials are matched to job opportunities that align with their skills.
“While the construction industry will always prioritize the recruitment of domestic workers, the changing career preferences of Canadian youth and rising retirement levels have made it more challenging for the industry to keep pace with accelerating construction demands,” said Sean Strickland, chair of BuildForce Canada. “Aligning immigration priorities more closely with the current and future needs of Canadian industries is therefore imperative.”
BuildForce added that implementing these reforms will enable Canada to build a more adaptable and responsive immigration framework that effectively addresses the acute skilled labour shortages faced by industries like construction, and which contribute to the continued growth and prosperity of Canada’s economy and society.
President and CEO – Toronto, Ont. – Canadian Institute of Steel Construction
Global building materials supplier Holcim is introducing ECOAsh starting in Western Canada.
It is a specification-grade Type F fly ash reclaimed from landfills and transformed into a resource for enhancing cement and concrete construction applications.
ECOAsh is produced using advanced beneficiation technology and proprietary techniques to mine the landfill ash, remove moisture, mill the material, and remove excess carbon.
As the region shifts away from coal-fired power plants continues, addressing challenges related to sourcing reliable fly ash supplies prompts the exploration of harvesting and beneficiating legacy landfilled ash as a viable replacement, said officials.
The Whole Story:
Holcim North America is rolling out ECOAsh beneficiated ash into its Lafarge Western Canada operations, its first application of the product globally.
With plans for future expansion into the U.S., Holcim stated that the move demonstrates its dedication to sustainability but also positions the company as an early adopter of innovative technology aimed at decarbonizing the construction industry.
Holcim explained that ECOAsh stands as a high-quality, specification-grade Type F fly ash reclaimed from landfills and transformed into a resource for enhancing cement and concrete construction applications.
“As we continue to build to support growing population demands, the integration of circular building materials such as ECOAsh plays a crucial role in driving our portfolio towards a more sustainable future,” said Toufic Tabbara, Holcim regional head, North America. “By embracing these strategies, we not only provide essential building materials but also establish the foundation for building greener and smarter cities while shaping the trajectory of our industry for generations to come.”
Officials explained that fly ash, known for being a byproduct of coal-fired power plant operations, is extensively used as a supplementary cementitious material. In addition to its performance and economic advantages, fly ash use is beneficial to the environment because it recycles an industrial byproduct and can reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials.
Holcim noted that as the shift away from coal-fired power plants continues, addressing challenges related to sourcing reliable fly ash supplies prompts the exploration of harvesting and beneficiating legacy landfilled ash as a viable replacement.
“The transformation of landfill materials into high-value fly ash for sustainable building presents an exciting opportunity for our customers and us to build more with less and work towards a net-zero future,” said Brad Kohl, president and CEO of Lafarge, Western Canada. “At Holcim, we are fully dedicated to meeting future market demands by harnessing and enhancing extensive fly ash reserves secured through well-established, long-term sourcing agreements with electric utilities.”
Following extensive landfill ash evaluations, Holcim North America and Geocycle North America’s new state-of-the-art processing facility in Alberta—the first of its kind within Holcim’s global operations—will use advanced beneficiation technology and proprietary techniques to produce fly ash with equivalent performance and more consistent quality compared to any freshly produced Type F fly ash commercially available. The ECOAsh then undergoes rigorous testing in the plant’s certified quality-assurance laboratories to ensure it meets or exceeds regulatory standards for cement and concrete applications.
ECOAsh can be used in a wide range of construction applications, from general buildings to specialized projects like dams and piers. Its ability to improve concrete’s durability and strength makes it suitable for numerous structural components, including foundations, columns, beams, walls, driveways, and walkways.
Commissioned in February, the new ECOAsh processing facility will commence production and the supply of products to customers throughout Western Canada in the first quarter
Key Takeaways:
The team includes Ledcor, Dragados Canada and SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies.
The contract includes designing, building and financing the elevated guideway and associated roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements of the project.
The team is set to begin some early works to prepare for major construction, including geotechnical investigations, locating utilities and clearing vegetation.
The Whole Story:
B.C. has selected a preferred proponent team to design, build and finance the elevated guideway and associated roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements of the Surrey Langley SkyTrain.
The preferred proponent team selected to enter final contract negotiations with the Province is SkyLink Guideway Partners (SLGP), which is comprised of Dragados Canada, Inc., Ledcor Investments Inc., Ledcor Mining Ltd. and SYSTRA International Bridge Technologies Inc.
As the province enters final contract negotiations with the preferred proponent, the team will start some early works to prepare for major construction, including geotechnical investigations, locating utilities and clearing vegetation.
The province says it is working closely with the proponent and local governments to plan the work, and impacts to the public are expected to be minimal during this stage.
The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is a 16-kilometre extension of the Expo Line from King George Station to Langley City Centre, the first rapid transit expansion south of the Fraser River in 30 years.
Once complete, the project will provide transportation for people in Surrey, Langley and throughout Metro Vancouver. Major construction on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is expected to begin this year.
The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project is being delivered through three separate contracts. Requests for proposals (RFPs) for all three phases were issued in early 2023.
In addition to the elevated guideway and associated roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements, the province continues evaluations and discussions for the design and construction of eight new stations, including active transportation elements, such as cycling and walking paths around the new stations, as well as for the design, installation and testing of electrical systems.
Formal contract award announcements are anticipated in the coming months.
A map shows the new SkyTrain project’s route. – Province of B.C.
While constructing a building can pose a multitude of challenges, tearing one down presents its own. With a variety of environmental concerns and even some surprise discoveries, demolition contractors have to be experts in taking a structure down in a way that makes sure the environment is protected and people are kept safe. They are paving the way for the structures of the future.
Clearview
Clearview crews help demolish a stray barge in Vancouver’s English Bay. – Clearview
All Vancouverites remember the iconic moment in 2021 when a giant steel barge washed ashore in English Bay. Western Canadian demolition contractor Clearview was part of the team that chopped up the barge and cleared the beach (sorry, barge fans). The company’s history goes back to 2006, when they began doing small demolitions with an excavator and a wood chip grinder, with a focus on recycling and land clearing. In 2009, the team saw the opportunity to take on new challenges with hazardous materials abatement. Since then, Clearview has grown into a full-service demolition company, capable of taking down the biggest and most complex projects, with a large fleet of heavy equipment and a dedicated team of professional technicians and operators. Their project resume includes several major pulp mills, the Centerm Expansion Project, Playland’s Corkscrew roller coaster and more.
QM Environmental
Started by Dragons Den star and expert investor Wes Hall, QM Environmental has more than 600 employees in locations across the country and is one of Canada’s leading environmental and industrial services companies. They have worked on projects at Gunnar Mines, Harbour Towers Hotel, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Halifax Shopping Centre, Elbow Park School and more with a focus on protecting the environment. In 2022, the company successfully completed the acquisition of HighPoint Environmental, a Toronto-based environmental services company, as part of its growth strategy.
JMX Demolition
A demolition robot looks out over English Bay in Vancouver while carefully deconstructing the Empire Hotel. – Brokk
After being incorporated in 2000, JMX swiftly rose to prominence as a national leader in commercial, industrial, and institutional environmental contracting services. With numerous successful projects completed across all provinces in Canada, they started expanding the demolition business to better serve current clientele and support the areas where other national companies are pulling out. One of their most eye-catching tasks was demolishing Vancouver’s 42-storey Empire Landmark Hotel, the tallest demolition in the city’s history. They did this over 21 months, floor-by-floor, using cutting edge robots.
Dallas Watt
Dallas Watt Demo is an industry veteran that has been providing demolition and specialty contracting services since the 1980s. Their services include the complete demolition of any building and/or on-site improvements, selective demolition, and asset recovery for renovations to heritage buildings, residential, hospitality, institutional, commercial, industrial, and warehouse, as well as seismic upgrades and building envelope projects. Dallas Watt is part of the BM Group of Companies, an alliance of integrated companies within the construction sector.
Priestly Demolition
Priestly Demolition is a giant in North American but has stayed true to its family business roots. Founded as Priestly Contracting in 1971 by Vic Priestly, Priestly Demolition Inc. (PDI) was incorporated as a unionized company with 10 employees in 1993. Since that time, PDI has provided demolition, excavation, remediation, hazardous material abatement, and salvage services to the commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors of the construction industry in Canada and the United States. Today, it has over 400 employees and operate in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, Calgary and Virginia. And its executive team is still led be the Priestly family. Their team was instrumental in projects like the Gardiner Expressway demolition, the Nipigon River Bridge, Humber Hospital and even parts of the CN Tower. They also produce some of the most epic demolition photos in the industry.
Inflector Environmental Services
Started in an Ottawa basement with Jeffrey Clarke Sr. in 1994, Inflector Environmental Services‘ legacy has carried on with his son, Jeff W. Clarke. Under his leadership, the company grown into the largest environmental services contractor in all of Atlantic Canada with offices in Halifax, N.S. and Moncton, N.B. Part of their growth strategy has been through acquisitions, including Donalco and EnviroBate. The company also caught the eye of Fengate Asset Management, which announced a minority equity investment in Inflector in 2022 to fuel its growth. This month they marked 30 years of doing business. Their project resume includes Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Brockville General Hospital, Toronto Transit Commission: North York Centre and more.
VEMA Deconstruction
VEMA Deconstruction is redefining what it means to take a building apart. Based in British Columbia, the company focuses exclusively on deconstruction—a meticulous, material-conscious alternative to traditional demolition that prioritizes reuse and recycling. VEMA’s projects often involve hand-dismantling structures piece-by-piece to preserve everything from old-growth timber to heritage hardware. Their approach diverts a significant portion of construction waste from landfills and helps fuel the circular economy by supplying reclaimed materials to builders, artists, and architects. Working in both residential and commercial sectors, VEMA has become a leader in sustainable teardown, proving that demolition can be thoughtful, beautiful, and incredibly green.
Key Takeaways:
CIB’s $100 million participation agreement with the First Nations Bank of Canada will enable new infrastructure projects in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Interested Indigenous communities can apply for loans to finance enabling infrastructure, with the process managed entirely by FNBC.
Enabling infrastructure can include site works, roadworks, water and wastewater management and utility connections.
The Whole Story:
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has announced a $100 million loan participation agreement with the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) for enabling infrastructure in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
Indigenous communities will have access to affordable and flexible financing to unlock enabling infrastructure development that can support improved living conditions, new economic opportunities and housing.
“This first-of-its-kind loan product with FNBC catalyzes innovation in the financial services sector and in the Indigenous market. Through this investment, Indigenous communities will work with FNBC to access critical financing to develop much-needed infrastructure in their communities and advance socio-economic reconciliation,” said Ehren Cory, CEO of CIB.
According to CIB, Indigenous communities’ limited access to affordable capital at flexible terms can constrain, impede or stop the achievement of community development projects.
Enabling infrastructure can include site works, roadworks, water and wastewater management and utility connections, and is needed to support economic and community growth through residential, commercial or industrial developments.
To pair with the CIB’s commitment, FNBC will provide concurrent project lending. CIB stated that together, this comprehensive financing package will enable Indigenous communities to realize their community and/or economic development plans faster.
FNBC is the largest Indigenous-owned and -led financial institution in Canada. More than 70% of FNBC’s employees are Indigenous, and Indigenous clients comprise 90% of its loan portfolio. FNBC provides services to First Nation, Métis and Inuit people and communities in urban areas and remote locations, including in Canada’s arctic region.
“This new loan program will make infrastructure projects in Indigenous Nations and communities more affordable and allow for more opportunities to develop Indigenous-owned lands,” said Bill Lomax, president and CEO of FNBC. “By partnering with CIB, we can leverage our expertise in working with Indigenous communities and support new projects in a way we have not seen before.”
Through the CIB’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Initiative, the CIB collaborates with First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada on infrastructure projects in partnership with, and for the benefit of Indigenous communities across Canada.
Indigenous communities interested in accessing this community development financing, can learn more on the FNBC site.
This first-of-its-kind loan product with FNBC catalyzes innovation in the financial services sector and in the Indigenous market. Through this investment, Indigenous communities will work with FNBC to access critical financing to develop much-needed infrastructure in their communities and advance socio-economic reconciliation.
Key Takeaways:
McElhanney Ltd. will acquire 60-year-old Edmonton Engineering firm BPTEC, which specializes in bridge and structural projects.
The firm’s project history includes Latta Bridge Replacement, North Saskatchewan River Crossing at Drayton Valley, and the Health Research Innovation Facility.
McElhanney officials stated that the acquisition with strengthen its offerings in Alberta.
The Whole Story:
McElhanney Ltd. has announced plans to acquire BPTEC Engineering Ltd., an Alberta firm that specializes in bridge and structural engineering.
McElhanney officials stated that its offerings in Albert will be strengthened by BPTEC’s six decades of expertise. By expanding these bridge and structural engineering services, McElhanney’s clients will have access to skilled engineering experts committed to delivering transportation projects that meet and exceed the needs of communities.
“It’s undeniable that BPTEC’s expertise and strong reputation will mean an elevated experience for everyone,” says Stewart Smith, McElhanney vice president, Transportation and Transit. “This expansion means we will bring new service offerings to our northern Prairie clients and beyond, with the added touch of exceptional client service and high-quality work. We look forward to having their expert hands supporting our transportation and transit partners.”
Originally founded in 1961, BPTEC provided structural engineering solutions to the infrastructure industry with successful projects including the Latta Bridge Replacement, North Saskatchewan River Crossing at Drayton Valley, and the Health Research Innovation Facility.
“McElhanney is always looking for how we can amaze our clients, care for our communities, and empower our people,” said Allan Russell, McElhanney president and CEO. “Welcoming BPTEC into our growing team enhances our bridge and structural engineering services in Alberta and will enhance our communities with thoughtful, leading design.”
BPTEC stated that it looks forward to their future as part of the McElhanney team
“At BPTEC, we are all looking forward to joining the McElhanney team,” said Mike Swanson, BPTEC engineering director. “This partnership means expanded services for our clients and communities, and more opportunities for our team to grow their careers with an exceptional company supporting them every step of the way.”
Spring has not yet fully sprung in many parts of Canada, but builders are forging ahead. This month we checked out some furry visitors, enjoyed some lakeside views admired some epic pours.
Orion Construction
Orion Construction‘s team celebrates employee appreciation day from the inside of one of its industrial projects.
Fast + Epp
Ādisōke, the new Ottawa Public Library – Library and Archives Canada joint facility, continues to take shape. The project is targeting Net-Zero Carbon and LEED Gold certification, and includes large-scale use of natural materials, reclaimed wood, solar cells on rooftop panels, as well as sequestered carbon in the concrete.
Metrolinx
A tieback drill rig helps reinforce excavation as crews work on the Ontario Line.
Greg Tymchyna / Fort Modular
The sun hits a project just right as Fort Modular crews prep for a build.
StructureCraft
Glulam frames are lifted up to form the roof of the Fraser Mills Presentation Centre.
WZMH Architects
WZMH staff got a special visit last month. Corporate Canine Therapy brought their fleet of stress-relieving dogs to give employees a mood boost.
TYBO Contracting
B.C.-based TYBO Contracting uses heavy equipment to prep a site.
T & A Rock Works crews operate an excavator-mounted drill rig for work on a home development high above Okanagan Lake.
Chandos
Chandos‘ Ottawa team pours the concrete foundation walls for the future Petrie Island Canoe Club boathouse. Once the foundation walls are complete, they will receive unique precast concrete modules.
Charlton Mosdier / Pomerleau
Crews at Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant have successfully utilized PERI formwork panels to pour the lower section of the Outfall Shaft’s Dividing Wall.
The shot of the month goes to…
Lafarge Canada
Some furry friends pay a visit to Lafarge‘s cement plant in Exshaw, Alberta, the largest cement plant in the country.
Key Takeaways:
Great West Equipment has 11 branches in B.C. and the Yukon.
With the acquisition, Nors’ operation now has a total of 37 branches and more than 750 employees in Canada, covering more than 80% of the Canadian market.
Nors noted that the construction equipment sector is one of its big focus areas in its strategy until 2030.
The Whole Story:
Portuguese-based heavy equipment company Nors Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Canadian forestry and construction equipment dealer Great West Equipment (GWE) for around $150 million.
“We are very proud of the legacy of ‘Service First’ attitude that our incredible team at Great West Equipment has ensured for our many customers,” said Colin Matejka, CEO of Great West. “As part of the Nors Group, we now have access to the resources that will enable us to elevate GWE’s ability to serve the territories in which we work. We remain committed to listening to our customers and growing alongside them.”
The announcement comes three years after Nors entered the Canadian market with the acquisition of Strongco in 2020.
Great West’s team travels to the U.S. for the North America Regional Finals of the Volvo Masters Competition. – Great West
Great West Equipment has 11 branches in B.C. and the Yukon. With its origins in the forestry and construction sectors, Great West has grown to become a major player in all segments of construction equipment, including mining, oil and gas, recycling, waste management, utilities, ports and aggregates.
The company represents leading equipment manufacturers with globally recognized brands including Volvo Construction Equipment, Madill, Metso, Sennebogen, Falcon and others.
With the acquisition, Nors’ operation now has a total of 37 branches and more than 750 employees in Canada, covering more than 80% of the Canadian market.
“We are very excited to welcome Great West Equipment to the Nors family, amplifying our presence in Canada, a market that has proven to be very relevant and strategic for the Group. We believe that Great West Equipment will benefit from the global presence and growth momentum that Nors is experiencing, combined with our 90 years of experience, to improve its performance and promote its future growth,” said Tomás Jervell, group CEO of Nors.
Nors noted that the construction equipment sector is one of its big focus areas in its strategy until 2030, having recently completed an operation in the same sector in the Brazilian market.
The 90-year old company has been one of the Volvo Group’s main partners since 1933. The Group has been a family business since its foundation and is currently present in 17 countries on four continents, such as Portugal, Canada, U.S., Brazil, Angola, Turkey, Spain, Austria, among others. Nors has more than 4,200 employees worldwide and an aggregate turnover of 2.8 billion euros.
Reputation is everything in construction.
While the technology and complexity of work has changed, the value of a strong reputation has remained.
For service provider Stormtec Water Management, reputation has connected it with the nation’s largest contractors, won it work on multi-billion dollar mega projects, grown its workforce to more than 90 and carried it to its 20th anniversary.
“There are thousands and thousands of hours of effort, good days and bad days, that go together to build that reputation. We work as hard as we can to maintain it,” said Chris Jakul, Stormtec’s Director of Regional Operations and a 15-veteran at the company.
Water management services cover a lot, but it essentially comes down to solving any sort of problems water could cause at a construction site while also protecting the environment.
“We extract, move and clean water,” said Jakul. “Our clients are expert builders and expert contractors, but they are not water experts and water can become a huge hindrance to completing work on time and on budget.”
Building trust
Founded in 2003, Stormtec initially focused on filtering water on residential and commercial developments in the Lower Mainland. Over time, they expanded their capabilities to work on contaminated sites and work with cities on infrastructure projects like sanitary sewer system upgrades requiring temporary bypass solutions. Wherever there was opportunity, they flowed.
“We have grown organically over the last 20 years, adding services while we perfected existing ones and hiring people to develop those services,” said Jakul.
They are now fast approaching nearly 2,500 projects under their belt. One of their first big breaks on larger infrastructure work was doing filtration systems for the cut-and-cover portion of the Canada Line Skytrain project in Vancouver.
“That really raised awareness for us at that time,” said Jakul. “Our type of work was in a really new part of construction. It was very new to have to do more than simply just pump muddy water out of the excavation and let it run down the street to need to filter it. That was a new idea. That really set the stage for us.”
With offices in B.C. and Alberta, as well as a growing reputation for tackling challenging work, their footprint grew. Stormtec’s team went on to work on Calgary West LRT, Confederation Line LRT, Kitchener Waterloo LRT, Pointe Du Bois spillway replacement, Ruskin Dam upgrades and even Canada’s largest current project, the Site C Dam.
“It’s pretty hard to drive around Vancouver, Burnaby, Calgary or Richmond without seeing new towers we have worked on. In Calgary, especially since 2009, we’ve done probably 95% of the new high-rise development in the city,” said Jakul. “Everybody at Stormtec is like a little kid when we see a big crane or a dump truck or excavator. We’re all geeks when it comes to construction work, so being able to see our part in that finished product is a source of pride.”
While Stormtec is proud of the size and scope of their projects, they are also proud of their impact on the environment.
“We take our responsibility to return clean water back to the environment very seriously,” said Jakul, fondly recalling the times he has seen water from their projects safely discharged directly back into aquatic habitat.
Massive growth
In 2003, Art Cote established Stormtec in his garage. Over time, the company proved to be very successful and grew to be a leader in the water treatment industry. However, Cote realized that changes were necessary to take the business to the next level. In 2014, he decided to seek the help of a consulting firm, Bellrock Benchmarking. The firm was retained to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the business and identify various areas that needed attention, including the need for new leadership.
After a careful evaluation, it was recommended that Stormtec should hire a new President and CEO to replace Cote. Following this recommendation, the company appointed Leonard Firkus as the new President and CEO in 2015.
“Leonard brought with him a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the business. He quickly implemented new strategies to revamp the company’s operations,” said Cote. “Under his leadership, the company has experienced substantial growth and success. This is thanks to his innovative approach to problem-solving and his ability to motivate the team. The company has been thriving ever since the change in leadership, and it continues to grow and expand its operations.”
This is not an easy feat in the water management sector.
“The water management industry is very competitive,” explained Jakul. “There’s a high volume of players and I think being around for 20 years proves that we’ve earned it. You’re not given much and we’ve separated ourselves. It proves the quality of our work.”
Stormtec’s team isn’t ready to slow down. They opened new location on Vancouver Island last year and plant to expand their footprint in the region
“We want to have an Island-based provider giving the same level and quality of service as you get in the larger centers,” said Jakul. “That is really important for us.”
In the coming years, the company’s goal is to triple in size (again), and grow to have permanent operations in more areas.
Being grateful
Reflecting on 20 years, Stormtec’s team plans to use the anniversary as an opportunity to thank its customers and its employees. During the past two decades, some of its biggest customers have been a group that they refer to as the “super generals”. They include PCL, Kiewit, Graham, EllisDon, and Ledcor. Stormtec also noted developers like Centreville, Axiom, Bosa Properties and Embassy also have continued to use their services.
Despite many years spent working alongside these clients, Stormtec never wants to feel entitled.
“We will never stop continuing to earn their trust,” said Jakul. “We don’t believe for a second that all of their work is going to come to us because we deserve it. We work on all of their projects as hard as we can to ensure that they want to use us on the next project. we want them to choose us, not to be forced to use us.”
Jakul also thanked Stormtec’s dozens of employees for working long hours and tackling challenging jobs.
“We ask a lot of our teams during the busiest times of year,” said Jakul. “That’s just part of a cyclical business. That is Construction. During those times they give us everything so it’s not even just thanking them. It’s thanking their families as well for allowing them to put in the hours that are needed.”
The Calgary community of Practice provides a space for local professionals working in the building, construction and renovation industry to share information about emissions-neutral construction.
The effort is a partnership between the Calgary Construction Association, the City of Calgary and Alberta Ecotrust.
The first Communities of Practice event took place Feb. 28.
The Whole Story:
Professionals in Calgary’s building, construction and renovation industries celebrated the launch of a Calgary Community of Practice that enables information sharing on reducing emissions from buildings.
The Calgary Community of Practice, part of Emissions-Neutral Buildings Information Exchange (ENBIX), provides a space for local professionals working in the building, construction and renovation industry to share information about emissions-neutral construction. The effort is a partnership between the Calgary Construction Association (CCA), the City of Calgary and Alberta Ecotrust, who all want to accelerate the transition to an emissions-neutral built environment for new and existing buildings across Alberta.
“The launch of the ENBIX Calgary Community of Practice marks a pivotal moment in our industry’s commitment to high performance buildings, especially in terms of long-term energy consumption and carbon footprint,” said Bill Black, president and CEO, CCA. “By focusing on realistic solutions, and through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the leaders in our construction industry are taking proactive steps to mitigate our carbon footprint and contribute to a greener, cleaner future for Calgary.”
Officials explained that commercial and residential buildings are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions across Canada. In Calgary, buildings account for about two-thirds of the city’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
“Our greatest opportunity to see greenhouse gas reductions is through our buildings,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “ENBIX is an investment in Calgary-made solutions, building capacity and momentum for emissions-neutral construction that will grow over the next several years and beyond.”
Over the next four years, ENBIX will continue to expand the ways in which it shares market research, industry experience and training, including webinars, site visits, technology demonstrations, training sessions and more.
“Collaboration initiatives like the ENBIX Community of Practice will help us go faster towards net zero, together,” said Claire Beckstead, leader of community energy, City of Calgary. “This initiative will help us develop made-in-Calgary solutions to achieve high performance buildings, and will accelerate progress toward our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.”
the province is investing $254 million in the design and site preparation phase of the Halifax Infirmary expansion
The expansion will enable services to be relocated from aging facilities.
This phase of construction, which will ready the site for the new tower, is expected to continue throughout 2024.
The Whole Story:
Halifax is one step closer to a major healthcare upgrade.
Nova Scotia announced that site preparation is about to begin for the acute care tower at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Halifax Infirmary site.
In early spring, workers will start putting up fencing, begin site excavation and apply for all necessary construction permits. A new emergency department entrance for the public off Bell Road will also be constructed.
The province stated that this work will help pave the way for a modern healthcare building that will include 216 acute care beds, 16 operating rooms, an intensive care unit and a new, larger emergency department.
“This is one of many steps ahead of us, but it is a significant step forward for the largest healthcare construction project ever considered in this province. It will mean better healthcare services for Nova Scotians for generations to come,” said Michelle Thompson, minister responsible for healthcare redevelopment. “Not only will this exceptional facility provide the best care for Nova Scotians, but it will also help us attract and retain the talented healthcare professionals we need to deliver that care.”
This phase of construction, which will ready the site for the new tower, is expected to continue throughout 2024.
As part of this project, the province continues to upgrade the Halifax Infirmary’s Summer Street entrance, which will become the hospital’s main entrance during construction. Work also continues to relocate utilities, as well as to replace and renovate the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) space.
Key Takeaways:
The partnership is 40% Aecon and 60% Pomerleau.
The 12-month development phase includes finalizing the design and estimating schedule and cost for the Contrecœur Terminal Expansion project in-water works.
The scope of in-water works following the development phase includes dredging, the construction of dock infrastructure, quay walls, return walls, and auxiliary works.
The Whole Story:
Contrecoeur Terminal Constructors General Partnership, comprised of Aecon (40%) and Pomerleau (60%), has executed a contract with the Montréal Port Authority (MPA) for the Contrecœur Terminal Expansion project in-water works under a Progressive Design-Build approach.
The collaborative agreement covers a 12-month development phase to finalize the design, estimated schedule and cost of this phase of the project, delivered under a Progressive Design-Build approach. The scope of in-water works following the development phase includes dredging, the construction of dock infrastructure, quay walls, return walls, and auxiliary works.
“The in-water works are an important component of delivering the new Contrecœur terminal – providing increased capacity to the largest container port in Eastern Canada and supporting continued economic growth in Québec and Canada,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO, Aecon Group Inc. “We look forward to bringing our experience working under collaborative delivery models and building complex civil infrastructure to deliver this vital project with our client and partner.”
The Contrecœur terminal is a diversified transshipment centre served by some of the largest shipping lines in the world – connecting to major rail networks and highways and helping to meet the needs of domestic and international importers, exporters and consumers.
“We are proud to be part of the Port of Montreal’s Contrecœur expansion project, which will enable APM to realize its innovative vision for the country’s shipping industry,” said Philippe Adam, president and CEO of Pomerleau. “We applaud the use of the collaborative design-build model, which prioritizes transparency and teamwork between prime contractor and designer, ensuring better planning and risk management. Together, with our partner Aecon and the APM team, we will leverage our know-how and experience in the design and construction of world-class port infrastructures.
This recognition from the Order of Canada is not mine alone. It reflects the collaborative spirit and exceptional talents of my students, past and current, and colleagues I’ve worked with — in academia and the industry, in Canada and globally.
Osama Moselhi
Mark Heffernan has been named principal at O’M Engineering. Heffernan has over 16 years of experience in the industry and began his career as a qualified electrician.
Paul Verhesen, former president and CEO of Clark Builders, has been hired as a strategic advisor for KV Capital. Verhesen brings over 30 years of construction industry leadership to his new role spearheading the expansion of the private equity group into building products acquisitions.
Brent Payne is Marcon’s new vice president of construction. He has 30 years of global experience in civil engineering, transportation, construction management, project and program management.
Being the first female executive director of the Manitoba Building Trades, I hope to bring a diverse perspective towards building upon our history and helping us write the next chapter,” said Palson. “A negative stigma still exists around skilled trades work, and we are facing the largest labour shortages our industry has ever experienced. It’s important to continue and expand our efforts with our community partners, and governments to open the door to the trades for so many Manitobans.
Tanya Palson, executive director, Manitoba Building Trades
Tanya Palson
Dave Pooley has been named chief financial officer of Bridgit. Pooley will oversee Bridgit’s financial strategy and efficiency across the organization.
Josh Teller, also of Orion Construction, has been promoted from site superintendent to general superintendent.
Since Orion’s inception, Josh [Teller] has exemplified excellence. With over 23 years of experience in site supervision, his leadership has been invaluable.
Orion Construction
Jason Davidson is celebrating 20 years at PCL. The HSE manager for the company’s Ottawa district left his career as a paramedic to join the construction sector. He has worked on landmark projects, including the Vancouver Convention Centre Expansion and the BC Place Roof Phase II project.
Jatinder Heer is NorLand’s new chief financial officer. He brings over 20 years of progressive experience in business leadership and corporate governance.
Kristal Kaye has been brought on as chief financial officer for CarbonCure. Kaye brings 25 years of finance expertise across a variety of industries, including mining, energy and retail pharmacy. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) who most recently served as CFO for Arctic Canadian Diamond Company.
Kristal’s expertise in financial management and strategic planning will undoubtedly be assets to CarbonCure and our mission, helping us achieve our goals, operate with efficiency at scale and generate even more value for our customers.
Esther Rivard-Sirois has been promoted to principal at Kasian. She has been with the firm for 16 years, starting as an intern architect.
Norm Streu has been hired as associate counsel for Harper Grey LLP. Streu has an extensive history in the construction sector, previously serving as president of Con-Force Structures, executive vice president of NCM development at Nexii and president of LMS Reinforcing Steel Group.
Cameron McPhaden is starting a new position as a senior design manager at EllisDon. As part of the team delivering the New Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Center project, he has recently been confirmed as the Design-Builder’s Design Manager, a contractual Key Individual.
Under John’s visionary leadership, Keller Construction Ltd. has left an indelible mark on the western Canadian landscape since the 1980s. From intricate visitor centers to major housing developments, his commitment to excellence and innovation has shaped the success of our company.
Keller Construction
Andrew Tashiro, senior principal of properties and buildings at WSP in Canada, is celebrating 34 years at the company.
Andy Tam has been appointed senior vice president of development at Nonni Property Group. Tam has more than 28 years of experience in the sector. He will oversee all development and construction activities.
Ralph Ward has officially retired from Scott Builders. The company said Ward founded the modern version of Scott when he purchased the company in the mid 1980s. He led it for many years as president and CEO. More recently, he worked on the company’s board.
Tanya Justason has been promoted to project accountant at Westridge Construction. Justason initially joined Westridge in October 2023 as the accounting administrator, but the company says her dedication and adaptability led to a swift promotion.
Josh Gallipeau, also of Westridge Construction, is celebrating 10 years at the company. He serves as a journeyperson carpenter and is currently leading the way as the concrete superintendent on the Redbear Avenue Pumping Station & Reservoirs project.
Paul Forgues has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Edmonton Construction Association. Starting his career as a draftsman, Forgues worked his way up to become project director at Bird Construction.
Drew Monnier has started a new role as operations manager, infrastructure, in Graham’s Manitoba District.
Alicia Cornford has been promoted to director, brand & engagement at Clark Builders. She has more than 17 years of experience in the AEC industry and serves as the acting board president for the Canadian Society for Marketing Professional Services.
Helen van ter Meij, PCL’s treasury supervisor, is celebrating 40 years with the company.
Derron Bain now holds the title of CEO of Concert Infrastructure. The company stated that the change reflects and aligns with the leadership and practice in the Canadian infrastructure sector. It also reflects the growing scale and scope of the Concert Infrastructure business and team.
Tara Rogers has joined Flatiron as director of preconstruction Canada. Prior to the role, she worked at Deloitte leading capital projects practice in B.C. Tara has almost 25 years of experience in the infrastructure development market and is part of the steering committee for Women in Infrastructure Network (WIN).
Trevor Doucette has joined Synergy Group of Companies as its new senior director of operations. Doucette will work closely with Synergy’s management team to ensure the success of the projects it undertakes and help them continue to grow their footprint across Alberta and Canada.
Kathryn Kennedy has been appointed chief growth officer at online heavy equipment rental company DOZR. Kennedy has held senior leadership positions at large online companies, including Wayfair, Zulily, Amazon, and Expedia.
I am excited to join DOZR at such a pivotal moment in its growth trajectory. The company has already established itself as a leader in the heavy equipment rental space, and I look forward to working with the talented team to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth. Together, we will leverage data-driven strategies and innovative approaches to further enhance the customer experience and solidify DOZR’s position as the preferred choice for heavy equipment rentals.
Kathryn Kennedy, chief growth officer, DOZR
Dave Turnbull is Lark Group‘s new construction safety officer. Turnbull brings over 35 years of experience in the construction industry and he spent more than a decade focused on safety as a CSO/OFA (Level 2).
Simon Green has hired as vice president, major projects west, at Aecon.
Ilana Danzig and Will Watson are the newest principals to join ASPECT Structural Engineers. The firm stated that that Danzig and Watson embody ASPECT’s core values of quality, accountability, drive, diversity, and collaboration, and will act as ambassadors of the firm as it continues to grow.
Jason Nelson has joined Edge Consultants as their new chief executive officer, bringing two decades of experience in the building consulting industry across North America.
Our collaboration with Jason symbolizes a new era for Edge Consultants. Together, we’re committed to enhancing our impact in creating healthier, smarter, and more sustainable buildings.
Eoghan Hayes, principal at Edge Sustainability Consulting
Key Takeaways:
The city is expected to experience 29,100 construction job openings, 6% of total job openings in the coming decade.
Three out of four job openings within the construction industry will result from the need to replace workers over the forecast period.
Some of the reports recommendations include focusing immigration on skilled workers, targeting underrepresented groups, easing job requirements and creating incentives to attract surplus labour from other provinces.
The Whole Story:
Construction is one of five industries that will experience the most job openings in Calgary over the next decade, a new report predicts.
Calgary Economic Region Labour Market Outlook 2024-2033, the city’s first economic regional-level labour market outlook to provide detailed labour market projections has been released. It includes a 10-year assessment of the expected gap between labour demand and supply within the Calgary Economic Region.
The report assesses what is responsible for changes in the demand and supply of jobs and estimates future supply and demand by industry, occupation, and education. After providing a long-term assessment of potential labour market imbalances in the region, the report suggests policy changes to help address the identified labour market imbalances.
“The key takeaway from the Labour Market Outlook is that the Calgary Economic Region is expected to experience dynamic labour market conditions and challenges over the next decade. During the current budget cycle, the CER labour market will experience labour surpluses driven by increases in population and labour supply, but the Outlook also shows that we should anticipate labour shortages in specific occupations in the next budget cycle”, said Carla Male, The city’s chief financial officer.
Zooming in on construction, the sector is expected to experience 29,100 job openings, 6% of total job openings for the next decade.
Key highlights include:
Over the next 10 years, the Calgary Region is expected to offer 479,000 positions to job seekers. Economic growth is expected to drive job openings within the current budget cycle. However, replacing aging workers will be the primary driver of job openings in the long term, as it is estimated that one in every six Calgarians will be at least 65 years or older by 2030.
Hiring challenges that began after the pandemic are expected to ease within the current budget cycle (2023-2026) as the number of job seekers exceeds the number of job openings as net migration reaches record highs. This labour surplus will be driven by the federal government’s plan to attract 985,000 workers (and their families), coupled with Calgary’s relative housing affordability.
The next budget cycle (2027-2030) will see a different trend driven by a shortage in labour supply. The combination of economic expansion as interest rates moderate, coupled with a slowdown in population growth will lead to a slowdown in job seekers and surge in job openings. Without compensating policy actions, some labour market imbalances are expected to re-emerge in key occupations between 2027 and 2030.
Five Industries are expected to account for half of all job openings over the next 10 years: construction; professional, scientific and technical services; health care and social assistance; retail trade, accommodation and food services.
Some industries are forecast to have surplus labour. These include: Auditors,
Accountants, and investment professionals; helpers, labourers (warehouse workers and material handlers); insurance, real estate and financial sales occupations; retail and wholesale trade managers; elementary and kindergarten schoolteachers.
The report’s authors explained that Calgary’s construction industry is currently facing shortages, delaying projects while raising price fluctuation risks. While job vacancies have declined for three consecutive quarters as of Q2 2023, job vacancies remain elevated.
“Construction jobs are still a primary contributing factor to the elevated job vacancies within the region,” they wrote. “Record high net migration and relative affordability have increased demand for housing construction. On the other hand, an aging workforce and a drop in construction trade enrolments have contributed to the slow growth in the supply of construction workers. As a result, close to three out of four job openings within the construction industry will result from the need to replace workers over the forecast period.”
They added that unless policies targets individuals with the skills to work in construction, immigration numbers may not necessarily ease some current and projected shortages.
These were their overall recommendations:
Immigration support and advocacy to attract people with the right skills.
Support for easing regulation and licensing requirements.
Introducing mobility incentives to attract surplus labour from other provinces.
Increased municipal government advocacy for provincial government investment in education and training programs for occupations with acute shortages.
Increasing job market participation by underrepresented groups, especially encouraging youth and women’s participation in the labour force.
Key Takeaways:
Toronto is one of several cities Ontario is awarding funding this month.
Brampton, Brantford and Chatham-Kent also received millions for their progress on housing goals.
The money stems from the province’s Building Faster Fund, a three-year, $1.2 billion program that is designed to encourage municipalities to address the housing supply crisis.
The Whole Story:
It pays to crush your housing goals.
Premier Doug Ford announced Ontario is providing Toronto with $114 million in funding through the Building Faster Fund after the city exceeded its 2023 housing target. Toronto broke ground on a total of 31,656 new housing units last year, unlocking an additional $38 million by exceeding their 2023 target by 51%.
“Toronto has shown it can get it done on housing and we are proud to reward them for their success,” said Premier Doug Ford. “My challenge to Mayor Chow and to every mayor in Ontario is to get even more homes built in the coming years so we can make life more affordable and keep the dream of homeownership alive for families across the province. We’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”
Announced in August 2023, the Building Faster Fund is a three-year, $1.2 billion program that is designed to encourage municipalities to address the housing supply crisis. The fund rewards municipalities that make significant progress against their targets by providing funding for housing-enabling and community-enabling infrastructure. Funding is provided to municipalities that have reached at least 80 per cent of their provincially assigned housing target for the year with increased funding for municipalities that exceed their target.
“It’s harder than ever for people in Toronto to find a home they can afford,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “We are committed to addressing the housing crisis by building more homes of all kinds, faster. Toronto has an ambitious plan to speed up approval times and build 65,000 rental homes in the coming years. The Building Faster Fund will help us meet and exceed our housing targets and provide the critical infrastructure that creates great neighbourhoods for people to live in.”
In the coming weeks, the province will announce Building Faster Fund rewards for all municipalities that met, exceeded or achieved 80% of their assigned housing targets in 2023. Any unspent funding will be made available for housing-enabling infrastructure to all municipalities, including those that have already received funding as a result of reaching their targets, through an application process. In addition, ten per cent – or $120 million – of the Building Faster Fund is being set aside for small, rural and northern municipalities to help build housing-enabling infrastructure and prioritize projects that speed up the increase of housing supply.
“I applaud the work being done by Toronto and all the other municipalities that have met or exceeded their housing targets,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Our government is committed to building at least 1.5 million homes by 2031 and I look forward to unveiling the next steps in our plan to build more homes with the release of our fifth housing supply action plan next month.”
Other cities that have received funds include:
$25.5 million for Brampton for substantial progress towards meeting its 2023 housing target. Brampton broke ground on a total of 7,028 new housing units last year.
$440,000 for Chatham-Kent after the municipality exceeded its 2023 housing target. Chatham-Kent broke ground on a total of 522 new housing units last year, unlocking an additional $146,667 by exceeding their 2023 target.
$3 million for Brantford for exceeding its 2023 housing target. Brantford broke ground on a total of 788 new housing units last year, unlocking an additional $400,182 by exceeding their 2023 target by 8%.
Canadian food and pharmacy retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited, expects to invest more than $2 billion dollars into the Canadian economy in 2024.
This includes the construction of 40 new stores, expanding or relocating 10 stores and renovating more than 700 others.
The company says the record investment reflects Loblaw’s plans to enhance its store network, create job opportunities, and improve accessibility to affordable food and healthcare services for communities across the country.
The company’s capital investments this year are expected to create more than 7,500 jobs in Canada.
“This year, we are investing where Canadians need it most. We will introduce more than 40 new discount stores and 140 new pharmacy care clinics in communities across the country – making healthcare and affordable food more accessible to more people,” said Per Bank, president and CEO, Loblaw Companies Limited. “These investments in Canada are a catalyst for job growth and the creation of countless opportunities, in our stores, in our company and with the many partners who work with us.”
You wouldn’t step onto a job site with someone you can’t trust.
First West Capital believes the same reasoning applies to financing your construction business. They explained that their team has in-depth knowledge of how the industry operates and are committed to the long-term success of their clients.
Steve Chen, vice president and head of First West Capital, explained that trust is a requirement for the job site and it’s no different for finance.
“You can’t document or put in the legal contracts every nook and cranny, every possibility that comes up, so you have to trust the people that you’re working with will do the right thing right at the end of the day,” said Chen.
A partner that will be there
First West Capital understands the intricacies of construction work and has the risk appetite to finance it. Rather than just being a lender, they want to seek out firms that are looking for someone to help them grow.
“Those that have gone through different financings, or needed financing to finance a larger project or a bigger order, understand that they need a financial partner who will be there throughout all their cycles and changes and that’s what I mean,” said Chen, “Risk appetite means that the money will be there when you need it.”
He explained that this means the First West Capital team will help their partners figure out cash flows and forecasts so they are on solid financial footing. They want to remove uncertainty.
“For the right companies, we are the partner that will make sure that you have that piece figured out so that you don’t need to worry or second guess whether or not that lender will be there,” said Chen. “I think that’s a big thing because, for folks in the sector, they’re good at running their business, they’re good at whatever their expertise is. They know they’re going to make money. It’s just they need that financing help to make money because the dollars are big and the projects get larger and they need somebody there with them.”
Geoff Devereux, a director at First West Capital, recalled that this was the exact reason one of their former clients sought them out. A project had gone sideways, leaving them short of working capital.
“We were able to understand that it was really a one-off kind of Black Swan type of event,” he said. “They have really strong management and we were able to come in to provide some additional financing to right-size their working capital on the back of that and fast forward and they are back in great shape. That’s an example of us putting our money where our mouth is.”
Devereux noted that traditionally in lending there is less appetite for this due to cautionary tales or the niche understanding required for the ebbs and flows of a project-based business. But First West Capital can demonstrate the patience required of a lender or for managers who are doing all the right things.
Finding the right fit
Whether you are looking to buy your first building, finance a project or need extra equipment, First West Capital’s team wants to dig deep into how major financial decisions can help you thrive. The boutique firm of only seven people are specialists that are zeroing in those looking for growth.
“We are here for your ongoing success,” said Chen. “We are looking beyond just the credit metrics to what will benefit the business most in the long term.”
If, in their opinion, the project doesn’t build value, if the margins are too thin, if project risk is high, if overruns seem likely, if the bids are too tight, they will express those views which could help a company think more deeply about a project.
“But sometimes it really makes sense,” said Chen. “It’s a fantastic project, you’re expanding in the right areas. You’ve done all your homework and we want to be there for you to support you financially with that.”
He stressed that above all, they are looking for partners with a growth mindset and who are looking for a financial partner.
“We want people who are looking for advice and are willing to spend the time and money investing in systems and processes that will elevate your business,” said Chen.
Green flags
It also comes down to the right people.
“A key thing for us is character,” said Devereux. “The character of the people we’re working with is paramount, the grit, resilience and hard-working nature of our clients.”
Other “green flags” that First West Capital looks for are a diversity of projects (size, type, location, customer), owners who delegate effectively, companies with strong systems, processes, and procedures, and long-term business planning.
Carmel Tang, operations advisor at First West Capital, noted that once the firm finds a company that’s a good fit, the partnership that’s formed is unique.
“What makes us really special and really unique is how much we work with our clients,” she said. “Working with First West Capital means you have a partner who will be responsive and understanding. I am Just so proud of the level of service and communication that we give to our clients. It really is a working relationship to try to make them as successful and I think that’s what really truly sets us apart.”
Connect with the team to see if First West Capital might be a good fit to achieve your growth goals. Here’s how to get in touch:
