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.
Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton doesn’t quite remember when he first got a taste of construction and the trades because he was probably too young to remember.
He grew up in a small, southwest Ontario town where his family owned and ran a hardware store for decades.
“At a young age I was sweeping the floors, stocking shelves and loading trucks for contractors. And at a young age I saw families in our community make a damn good living in the trades,” said McNaughton. “Our family owned a home hardware store and I can’t remember what age I started loading drywall and two-by-fours. I really gained an insight into the trades and I had respect for the men and women in the trades.”
“It became clear on day one that it all had to do with stigma. We have spent years sending a message to parents, guidance counsellors, young people and others that careers in the skilled trades are meaningful and lucrative.”
Monte McNaughton – Ontario Minister of Labour
Decades later, McNaughton is now presiding over an unprecedented boom in apprenticeships in the province. This June, the province reported apprenticeship registrations have increased 24% in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319. Officials stated that in order to help deliver Ontario’s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade.
The increase comes after years of challenges. According to Statistics Canada, the largest drop in recent memory happened in 2020. New apprenticeship registrations declined almost 29% across the country. In Ontario, they were down 37%.
How has McNaughton pulled off this burst in apprenticeship registration? The story goes back to 2019 when he was appointed minister of labour by premier Doug Ford. His first task was hitting the road with his ears open.
“I met with apprentices, employers, union leaders, visited training centres, colleges and really got an understanding of the challenges with our apprenticeship system in Ontario,” he said. “It became clear on day one that it all had to do with stigma. We have spent years sending a message to parents, guidance counsellors, young people and others that careers in the skilled trades are meaningful and lucrative. These are careers you can build a family around and you can be damn proud of these careers.”
These trips haven’t stopped. When he spoke with SiteNews, McNaughton was was on the road to meet with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario.
Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton meets with workers to discuss issues with job site bathrooms – Monte McNaughton / Twitter
After conducting their research, McNaughton and his team devised a three pillar plan:
End trades stigma
Simplify the training system
Encourage employers to take on apprentices
McNaughton noted that ending stigma has been one of the biggest focuses of his strategy.
To attack some of the cultural attitudes directed towards the trades, McNaughton sought to take his message straight to young people.
“Around stigma, we had to be clear in saying that we don’t need every young person going to university,” said McNaughton. “I have been critical of the government in the past when they told every young person that the only way to be successful was to go to university. In the trades you can start your own business, travel Canada – the possibilities are endless.”
He explained that the education system has been built around sending every young person to university. He made it his mission to make sure all students were presented with the option of trying a career in the trades.
“When I think of how we got to the point this year with the nearly 25% increase, it’s because we’ve promoted the skilled trades, and invested heavily making sure, starting in grade one, that every student is learning about the skilled trades,” he said.
The ministry sent dozens of trades recruiters into every high school in the province to compete with university recruiters. And the conversation went both ways.
“Before we rolled out our $1.5-billion skilled trades strategy, we had the ministry do research and we interviewed hundreds of millennials and did focus groups,” said McNaughton. “Unprompted and unscripted, they said they would rather work for less if they were safe at their job. This highlighted the importance of health and safety. We have invested more in health and safety in Ontario than at any point in its history. We’re hiring a lot of health and safety inspectors.”
The province also embarked on a widespread crackdown on job site bathrooms. In 2022 ministry inspectors visited 14,000 construction projects and issued nearly 2,000 orders to upgrade facilities. McNaughton also passed new laws that require better sanitation and at least one women’s-only washroom where the size of the site warrants it. The legislature also requires women in construction and workers with diverse body types to be outfitted in properly fitting gear, including uniforms, boots and safety harnesses.
To simplify the apprenticeship process, McNaughton launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a new Crown agency tasked with to promoting and marketing the trades, developing the latest training and curriculum standards, and providing a streamlined experience. One of the agency’s early actions was to digitize apprentice log books to make things easier for workers.
Looking ahead, McNaughton said he plans to double down on his strategy and that he believes some of his tactics are set to bear even more fruit in the future. As students enter high school and graduate, he believes that the new curriculum and recruitment efforts will have produced even more apprentices.
He also is leaving no stone unturned. McNaughton has struck deals or is creating new policy to help skilled immigrants, residents with criminal records and underrepresented groups get careers in the trades.
“For far too long, people have looked down on people in the trades,” he said. “It’s an injustice and we’ve turned that conversation around in Ontario. I believe that has led to our success. We have a long way to go but it’s a good start. It will take years to fill labour shortages.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
CarbonCure’s equity round was led by Blue Earth Capital and saw support from many existing shareholders.
The new funding also features the participation of strategic investors BH3 Growth Equity (BH3) and Samsung Ventures.
CarbonCure plans to use the capital injection to accelerate its product roadmap and expand geographically.
The Whole Story:
CarbonCure Technologies, a Halifax-based tech company committed to reducing carbon emissions in the concrete sector, has raised more than $100 million in its latest investment round.
The equity round was led by Blue Earth Capital and saw with strong support from existing shareholders, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Taronga Ventures, Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, and 2150. Citigroup served as a financial advisor to CarbonCure during the financing process.
Notably, the new funding also features the participation of strategic investors BH3 Growth Equity (BH3) and Samsung Ventures, who contribute not only financial support but also actively engage in new product development and stimulate market demand.
CarbonCure stated that its expansion plans and product roadmap will be significantly accelerated thanks to the new capital.
Robert Niven, chair and CEO of CarbonCure Technologies, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “The financial backing of this special syndicate of investors is an exciting endorsement of CarbonCure as a go-to solution for low embodied carbon concrete, a leader in carbon removal technologies, and a provider of the highest quality carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market.”
Niven emphasized the growing demand for effective solutions and impactful strategies to drive industrial decarbonization and facilitate immediate, permanent, and verifiable carbon removal pathways.
Blue Earth Capital, a globally active investment firm committed to sustainability, played a key role in leading the investment round. Through its Climate Growth Strategy, the firm supports companies that possess the potential to generate measurable impact alongside attractive financial returns. Blue Earth Capital provides equity capital to businesses that facilitate the global energy transition and decarbonize crucial economic sectors, including large-scale production and consumption.
“CarbonCure’s technologies achieve both, on the one hand enabling concrete production with less carbon-intensive cement and on the other creating less solid waste and using less fresh water,” said Kayode Akinola, head of private equity at Blue Earth Capital. “Solutions like these are urgently needed to help meet global climate goals.”
CarbonCure plans to use the capital injection to accelerate its product roadmap and expand geographically.
Robert Niven further emphasized the positive impact of CarbonCure’s solutions:
“Our solutions help concrete producers deliver high-quality, lower carbon concrete in an efficient, economical, and non-disruptive way,” he said. “With more than 750 systems sold, this latest investment will drive CarbonCure’s deployment across the global concrete industry as the private sector doubles down on sustainability in new construction and as federal, state, and even municipal procurement policies requiring green building materials continue to multiply.”
To date, CarbonCure’s technologies have been utilized in the production of nearly five million truckloads, equating to over 37 million cubic yards of lower carbon concrete. This has resulted in saving approximately 290,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to removing more than 64,000 gas-powered cars from the road for an entire year.
Key Takeways:
After federal mediators stepped in, both parties have tentatively agreed to a four year deal that would open B.C.’s ports back up.
The 13-day port strike is the longest in decades, disrupting an estimated $9.7 billion in trade.
Some pushed federal officials to develop new tools that might prevent future strikes.
Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan announced that he received notice Thursday morning, July 13, that the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have accepted the Terms of Settlement from federal mediators.
The parties have reached a tentative agreement and they are finalizing details for the resumption of work at the ports.
“We thank the union and the employer for their commitment to the collective bargaining process and federal mediators for their instrumental role in supporting the parties in their negotiations and proposing the successful settlement,” said O’Regan.
He noted that the scale of the disruption has been significant.
Greater Vancouver Board of Trade President and CEO, Bridgitte Anderson explained that it will still take time to get operations back to normal, noting that it is the longest strike the region has had in nearly 40 years. It also follows years of already disrupted supply chains.
“The 13-day strike has had a significant impact on Canada’s west coast ports and Canadian economy, disrupting an estimated $9.7 billion in trade,” said Anderson. “The consequences of the strike have been felt across various industries nationwide and will continue for some time.”
She urged the federal government to explore adding additional tools in their toolkit that can better address labour disputes on the waterfront to avoid further damage to Canada’s supply chains.
O’Regan stressed that the disruption is not something Ottawa wants to see repeated.
“The extent of it has shown just how important the relationship between industry and labour is to our national interest,” he said. “Our supply chains and economy depend on it. We do not want to be back here again. Deals like this, made between parties at the collective bargaining table, are the best way to prevent that. They are the best way to preserve the long-term stability of Canada’s economy. But we do not want to be back here again.”
Those who grew up before the rise of Amazon, Ebay and even Craigslist likely spent many hours hanging out at the mall with friends. Without cell phones or the internet, what else was there for a teenager to do?
These spaces weren’t just a place to shop. They were a social hub. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many shoppers were already shifting to online purchases.
With many of these aging malls now decades old, developers have seen a massive opportunity to completely reimagine these sites or augment them with a new vision.
During the past few years, this trend has been particularly strong in Ontario. Though, as evidenced by projects like the 4.3 million square-foot redevelopment of Vancouver’s Oakridge Centre, it is not confined to the East.
Nevertheless, this week, we are zooming in on the wave that is happening in Ontario. Let’s explore the most significant mall and shopping center redevelopment projects currently planned or in progress across the province.
Sherway Gardens Mall
Hariri Pontarini Architects
In 2021, developers revealed a master plan to redevelop the 30-acre Sherway Gardens site at The Queensway and The West Mall in Etobicoke. Mall owner Cadillac Fairview joined forces with real estate developer DiamondCorp to propose over 6,200 residential units in 15 new buildings ranging in height from 17 to 45 storeys, as well as over 14,000 square metres of new retail and office uses.
Scarborough Town Centre
Oxford Properties Group
The Scarborough Town Centre is the fourth largest mall in Canada and developers have been working since 2016 on plans to transform the site. Oxford Properties Group and Urban Strategies proposed initially building two towers, each taller than 50 storeys. Later phases would transform the site’s 21 blocks of mostly parking into mixed-use buildings.
Square One Shopping Centre
Oxford Properties
A contender for the largest redevelopment on this list, Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga launched in 2020. Oxford Properties‘ multi-decade plan calls for the creation of the Square One District which would create 18,000 residential units and keep the mall intact. It includes 37 towers (nope, that’s not a typo) which essentially would create a downtown core for the city.
Galleria Mall
Almadev
The Yelp reviews for the Galleria aren’t exactly flattering and BlogTO has called it the city’s “most derelict mall”. The space is set to get a major refresh. Almadev is working with Hariri Pontarini Architects on the redevelopment of the Galleria Mall, starting with a rebuilt community centre and two new mixed-use towers. The entire project is expected to take 10 years and produce a total of eight towers.
Yorkgate
Petroff Partnership Architects
SmartLiving, a subsidiary of SmartCentres REIT, has crafted a plan with Petroff Partnership Architects, to replace an under-utilized portion of the Yorkgate Mall’s surface parking lot with a 22-storey tower. SmartLiving eventually hopes to build out the entire Yorkgate Mall site over the next decade.
Jane Finch Mall
JFM+
The Finch West LRT isn’t just bringing transit. It’s transforming a Toronto community. The Jane Finch Mall and its owners have begun the planning process for the future of the site, exploring options that could include a mix of housing, retail, and community amenities.
Yorkdale Shopping Centre
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Oxford Properties has something massive brewing at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Plans include 19 towers ranging from 12 to 50 storeys in height. If approved, the project create 7,935 units of housing, three public parks and a multi-purpose amenity space.
Centrepoint Mall
Morguard Corporation
It might be best to zip down to Centrepoint Mall’s while you still can. It’s days may be numbered. Plans have been submitted to transform the site into a 40-building community. Morguard Corporation‘s vision for the North York mall would create 18 towers, four mid-rise towers and 16 low-rise structures. Towers would range from 22 to 50 storeys.
Dufferin Mall
Primaris
Toronto’s storied Dufferin Mall, lovingly teased by locals as “The Dirty Duff”, could soon see some massive changes. Primaris Management is partnering with Quadrangle Architects and Urban Strategies to create a master-planned community that will extend the existing mall and introduce new uses to the site. It would add four residential towers, the tallest reaching up 36 storeys.
Atrium on Bay
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Atrium on Bay Expansion is a proposed 34-storey mixed-use rental building designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Adamson Associates Architects for KingSett Capital. The proposal was presented to the Toronto Design Review Panel in March, 2023. It would replace a portion of the decades-old Atrium on Bay complex which has office and retail tenants.
Agincourt Mall
North American Development Group
North American Development Group is currently working with Toronto officials to progress their plans to massively transform the Agincourt Mall in Scarborough. The first phase of the multi-phase plan includes two towers while future phases include eight more towers, retail and parks.
A good deal is within reach to end the strike at B.C.’s ports, says Canada’s minister of labour.
Seamus O’Regan Jr., minister of labour, says the differences between the positions of the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada are not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage.
“As a result of the hard work by the parties at the bargaining table, there is a good deal within reach – one that would work for both the employer and the union,” said the minister in a statement.
O’Regan Jr. has asked that the senior federal mediator send a written recommendation of the terms of settlement to him within 24 hours. Once he has received the terms of settlement, he plans to forward them to the parties and they will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to recommend ratification of the terms to their principals.
“Our nation’s economy depends on the relationship between industry and labour,” he added. “The scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the BCMEA and the ILWU is to our national interest. We cannot allow this work stoppage to persist and risk further damage to the relationship between these parties.”
Key Takeaways:
Pattern energy has completed its 11th wind energy project in Canada.
The project has entered into a power purchase agreement with wood products company West Fraser for 50% of the facility’s output.
Lanfine Wind represents a total investment of roughly $335 million.
The Whole Story:
Pattern Energy Group LP announced today it has completed construction and begun operation at its 150 megawatt (MW) Lanfine Wind power project in Alberta.
“As one of the largest operators of wind power in Canada, Pattern continues to expand its presence with its first facility in Alberta,” said Hunter Armistead, CEO of Pattern Energy. “Lanfine Wind utilizes the most powerful turbines in our operating fleet at an impressive 4.3 MW each, altogether powering 30,000 homes in Alberta each year.”
Armistead noted that Pattern has now brought 11 wind energy projects to operation across five provinces in Canada over the past decade, creating thousands of Canadian jobs and millions of dollars in direct economic benefits to our local communities.
The Lanfine Wind project utilizes 35 Vestas V150 4.3 MW turbines. Lanfine Wind has entered into a 10-year financially settled power purchase agreement with West Fraser, a diversified wood products company with more than 60 facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, for approximately 50% of the facility’s output, which is supporting West Fraser’s efforts to reduce its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 46.2% by 2030.
“The Town of Oyen welcomes its continued partnership with Pattern Energy’s Lanfine Wind,” said Oyen Town Mayor Doug Jones. “Pattern Energy has proven they want to be a good neighbour for the long term. We extend our gratitude for all the support shown to our local businesses. Lanfine Wind’s Community Benefits Program will provide vital support that will have a long and lasting positive impact on our entire community.”
In May, Pattern Energy closed an approximately $220 million project financing based on 20 years of cash flows for Lanfine Wind with National Bank of Canada and Siemens Financial Services. Lanfine Wind represents a total investment of roughly $335 million in Alberta.
Approximately 250 workers were on-site during peak construction activity, spurring demand for local businesses and services in the rural community. Construction of the project was managed by Borea Construction.
In addition to employment and contracting opportunities, Lanfine Wind will generate landowner revenue and provide tax revenue to the local community, which will directly contribute to education, community services, roads, and first-responder capabilities. Further, a Community Benefits Program funded by the project will support local initiatives and community-based organizations with a $2 million commitment over the first 20 years of Lanfine Wind’s operation.
Key Takeaways:
The funds will go towards groups that support the province’s goals of recruiting young people, Indigenous people and women into the trades and guiding them along their apprenticeship journey.
It will also support the development of more workers to get into home construction.
Over the next decade, there are expected to be 83,000 job openings for tradespeople. On average, approximately 6,400 apprentices complete their training each year.
The Whole Story
The government of B.C. is investing $5 million to support individuals entering the trades and help them complete their apprenticeships.
“This $5 million will do two things: help get people through apprenticeships by targeting organizations that provide apprentices with support, but it’s also to raise the profile and prestige of the trades,” said Andrew Mercier, B.C.’s minister of state for workforce development.
Over the next decade, there are expected to be 83,000 job openings for tradespeople. On average, approximately 6,400 apprentices complete their training each year.
The funds are specifically targeting underrepresented groups like women, young people and Indigenous people. They also will go towards developing workers for critical parts of the industry, like homebuilding.
The province’s strategy is to boost existing groups that are already accomplishing these goals. The $5-million investment will be allocated to six organizations specializing in attracting individuals to the skilled trades and providing support throughout their pre-apprenticeship training and apprenticeships.
“This is about making sure we are supporting the communities and the organizations in the industry that are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly those who work with the vulnerable, at-risk and underrepresented apprentices,” said Mercier.
The organizations that will benefit from this funding are:
“This is about making sure we are supporting the communities and the organizations in the industry that are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly those who work with the vulnerable, at-risk and underrepresented apprentices,” said Mercier.
In addition to expanding access to trades training and apprenticeships, the provincial investment aims to remove barriers for underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous Peoples.
The funding will support the development of new and improved programming, as well as resources for equity-serving groups. Anti-racism initiatives, inclusivity-based workplace training programs, and student bursaries will also be enhanced, further promoting diversity and inclusion in the trades.
While women comprise 50.6% of the population between 15 and 65 in B.C., they currently represent only 10.1% of all apprentices in the province.
“Every time I speak with tradeswomen I always ask about their journey and experiences in the industry and listen to their stories,” said Mercier. “The one thing that keeps coming back is the role of mentorship. We want to make sure we are supporting groups that provide that.”
He noted that BCCWITT has built up an informal support network of mentors that the group is looking at formalizing.
Indigenous people account for 13.3% of the population between 15 and 65 in B.C. Currently, 8.5% of all apprentices in the province are Indigenous, with Indigenous women making up 1.5% of the total apprenticeship population.
Mathew Sheena, an apprentice at the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC), shared his personal experience: “I was at a point in my life where I felt lost and down, struggling with no sense of direction. But then, I crossed paths with ACCESS and joined the entry-level trades training program at the EJTC. These programs turned my life around, giving me back control over my future, as well as a solid career and big dreams.”
Mercier noted that in addition to supporting underrepresented groups, the funding will try to bolster the homebuilding sector.
“We want to build a lot of homes and we need to make sure we are supporting the skilled workforce that can do that,” he said. “Residential construction is a unique market and sometimes supports are aimed more broadly at the ICI sector and others.”
The investment in trades training aligns with the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which focuses on increasing accessibility, affordability, responsiveness, and relevance of education and training. The plan seeks to prepare individuals for both current and future job opportunities. The province has committed $480 million over three years to support the implementation of this action plan.
Key Takeaways:
The 450 workers include housekeepers, kitchen staff, janitors, lounge servers, guest service agents and maintenance.
Some Lodge workers are making $5 per hour less than they earned in the same positions at the Kitimat Modernization Project 8 years ago.
The project is close to 85% complete and remains on track to ship its first cargo by mid-decade.
The Whole Story:
Hospitality workers at Canada’s largest construction project have voted to go on strike.
Last week, Sodexo hospitality workers at LNG Canada’s Cedar Valley Lodge in Kitimat., B.C. voted 97% in favour of strike action.
Union officials stated that workers are frustrated with little movement by management in bargaining to address cost of living concerns.
“Cedar Valley Lodge is the only accommodation facility in Kitimat large enough to house workers for the LNG Canada project,” said officials with UNITE HERE Local 40 in a press release. “Usually accommodating up to 5,000 camp workers, a strike at the worksite could cause significant disruption to pipeline work.”
The union added that Sodexo Cedar Valley Lodge hospitality workers are the lowest compensated workers at the LNG Canada construction site. The poly-party vote was conducted by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993. The workers are asking for “significant economic improvements” that will allow them to keep up with the rising cost of living.
The 450 workers – including housekeepers, kitchen staff, janitors, lounge servers, guest service agents, and maintenance – unionized with UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW on April 12.
According to UNITE HERE, BC Building Trades workers at the LNG Canada camp received a 12.5% wage increase in 2022, and by the end of October 2023 will receive an additional 10% increase.
Sodexo hospitality workers at Cedar Valley Lodge were not included in these increases. Some Lodge workers are making $5 per hour less than they earned in the same positions at the Kitimat Modernization Project 8 years ago.
“Cedar Valley Lodge workers are being treated unfairly. We deserve fair pay for the work we do – not to be the lowest paid people at the LNG Canada camp,” said Mike Lightheart, a first cook who has worked at Cedar Valley Lodge for 3 years. “With families to support, we need to be able to keep up with our bills. We will not be disrespected anymore, and we are ready to strike if we do not receive a fair proposal.”
Mediation between the Union and the employer began Monday at the BC Labour Board.
The massive LNG terminal facility is being built on the former Methanex facility site. It will include a gas liquefaction plant, storage tanks, a marine terminal and a rail yard.
Water treatment facility and flare stacks will also be constructed on the site. JGC Corp and Flour Corp have been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract.
The project has been approved under the Environmental Assessment Act, and by the National Energy Board (NEB) for a 40-year export license to replace the current 25-year license. A final investment decision was approved in October 2018 to go ahead with the project.
Earlier this month, LNG Canada officials announced the project is close to 85% complete overall and remains on track to ship its first cargo by mid-decade.
Key Takeaways:
Stantec will acquire Environmental Systems Design (ESD) which specializes in mission critical facilities and data centre design.
Stantec, which already maintains three offices in Chicago, will now have a total of five in the state of Illinois.
The acquisition is expected to conclude at the end of June.
The Whole Story:
Alberta-based engineering firm Stantec has announced its agreement to acquire Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD), an engineering firm based in Chicago.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Stantec, as it strengthens the company’s expertise in the field of mission critical facilities and data center design. The firm noted that mission critical facilities have emerged as a rapidly growing sector, involving purpose-built infrastructure that demands heightened levels of reliability.
These facilities, which span across various major industries, are specifically designed to ensure the continuity of essential functions such as building infrastructure maintenance, emergency dispatch, data storage, and more, even in the face of adverse weather conditions and utility outages. The design of data centers, including hyperscale facilities, requires specialized considerations to guarantee resilience, necessitating teams with unique qualifications and regular exposure to the evolving needs of large-scale companies.
Stantec officials explained that the acquisition of ESD presents a significant expansion of its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and structural engineering practice in the U.S., bolstering it by 40 percent. The firm stated that the addition of these resources enhances its smart building engineering capabilities, aligning it with the future trends of decarbonization, building repositioning, and adaptive reuse.
“Merging talent with ESD positions Stantec as one of the top integrated design firms in the US market,” said Leonard Castro, the executive vice president and business operating unit leader for Buildings at Stantec. “Our expanded services in data center, smart building design, and high-performance buildings will offer our clients the flexible and stable facilities that meet their operational needs into the future.”
Raj Gupta, the executive chairman at ESD, echoed Castro’s comments.
“Stantec is a top-tier firm that shares our vision to improve society through the built environment,” he said. “ESD has increased the depth and breadth of its services in recent years. Joining Stantec expands our offering globally and creates exceptional career growth opportunities for our employees.”
ESD’s project portfolio includes data center design services for various leading technology clients. Notably, ESD was recently entrusted by a confidential client to provide peer review and hyperscale data center design services, leading to engagements in multiple hyperscale data centers across the U.S.
Additionally, ESD has been involved in MEP and mission critical engineering for the United Airlines Network Operations Center in Chicago.
The firm also contributed its MEP and fire protection engineering expertise to the massive 1.4-million-square-foot expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest convention centers globally.
ESD’s work extended to the field of healthcare with its MEP and fire protection engineering and energy modeling contributions to Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital in Illinois. Designed to meet future demands, the 201-bed hospital was modeled to achieve LEED Silver Certification.
Stantec, which already maintains three offices in Chicago, will now have a total of five in the state of Illinois. ESD, with a significant employee presence in Chicago, operates additional offices in New York City, San Francisco, and Phoenix. This acquisition will expand Stantec’s influence in Chicago, bringing its employee count in the city to nearly 600 and in the broader U.S. North Central region to over 2,050, covering a total of 12 states.
The acquisition is anticipated to conclude on June 30, 2023.
Years ago, builders on the Las Vegas strip faced a problem: heavily congested work sites.
In an effort to speed up work, safety was thrown out the window and bodies began piling up.
It wasn’t a news aggregator, blogger or even the government that dug into the issue. It was boots on the ground reporting.
It took a year of writing and more than 50 stories by reporter Alexandra Berzon and her editors at the Las Vegas Sun to get the attention of the nation. The result was a series of congressional hearings and new state mandates for safety training and oversight for construction sites.
For their effort, the community newspaper beat out giants like the New York Times, Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and others for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize, media’s highest honour.
In Canada, not only is this kind of journalism dying out, the work that is being done will soon be much harder to find.
The government recently passed Bill C-18 which essentially requires tech giants like Google and Meta to pay for Canadian news content if they want to include it in their various services. The tech world has dubbed this the “link tax”.
The result so far has been a tit for tat between these tech giants and Canadians. Google and Meta announced that rather than negotiate deals with news providers, they will just wipe all Canadian content off their services. Firing back, the federal government and Quebec stated they would pull all advertising from Meta.
The impact on our country’s ability to know things could be devastating. We have come a long way from the days of ink-stained fingers and printing presses. Nearly half of Canadians get their news from social media. With local, original journalism already struggling, this could create a gaping blindspot for the public. How can people know what is happening in their own country if it never shows up in their feed?
Just zooming in on the construction sector, a firehose blast of project announcements, research reports, policy changes and more is happening everyday and it’s a struggle enough as it is to keep up. That chore just got harder because now one of the tools to help people discover relevant content will be gone.
For most in the media industry, this is just the latest battle in a journalism war that has been raging for decades. Newsrooms all over the world have been shrinking as the industry struggles to figure out how to adjust its business model for a world with the internet. The result has been reporter layoffs, newspapers closing and a consolidation of what is left. Others have shifted to become entertainers rather than informers.
We would argue that despite the media’s challenges, it remains a critical part of democracy. The alternative is that governments, public officials, law enforcement, companies, advocacy groups and other newsmakers get to disseminate their own narrative that few have the time to question.
Although the federal government has shown good intentions in trying to support the news industry, the resulting backlash has ironically caused more harm. Attempting to force modern tech giants into a century old media model may simply be a lost cause.
The solution isn’t clear, but what Canadians can do before the bill goes into effect is to make sure they are following and subscribing to all Canadian media that they find useful and informative. In our case, if you want to keep getting Canadian construction news, sign up for newsletter.
If there is a local news organization that you want to keep up with, accessing their content directly may soon be the only way you ever see them.
Key Takeaways:
Crews are halfway done Coquihalla repairs stemming from the 2021 atmospheric river event.
New bridges are being built on pile footings to withstand extreme weather events.
Crews are on track to complete all six permanent bridge replacements by the end of 2023.
The Whole Story:
A fourth permanent bridge has opened on B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway, passing the halfway point for the reconstruction project.
“Getting to this stage this quickly is a testament to the dedication and skill of B.C.’s world-class road builders and the contractor, unions and ministry staff working on restoring the Coquihalla,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “Making sure there are reliable, climate-resilient roads and bridges for residents, industry and emergency services will keep British Columbians and their supply chains safer and more connected during extreme weather.”
The new southbound Juliet Bridge, 55 kilometres south of Merritt, which opened Friday, July 7, 2023, is built to a higher standard of climate resiliency. Other new bridges on the Coquihalla include the northbound Bottletop Bridge, 50 kilometres south of Merritt, and the southbound Jessica Bridge, 20 kilometres north of Hope, both of which opened in early June. The northbound Juliet Bridge opened December 2022.
All the new bridges are built on pile footings to withstand high water levels and feature longer spans than the previous bridges to reduce the effects of erosion from changing water paths over time, further improving the long-term resiliency of the Coquihalla to extreme weather events. The remaining two bridges are expected to be completed later this year.
The new bridges were completed by KEA5, a joint venture between Kiewit and Emil Anderson Construction (EAC). KEA5 also completed the new Juliet Bridge. Crews are on track to complete all six permanent bridge replacements by the end of 2023.
The Coquihalla was closed to regular vehicle traffic on Nov. 14, 2021, due to damage caused by extreme rain and flooding. More than 20 sites between Hope and Merritt were damaged. Workers were able to get the Coquihalla re-opened in 35 days.
Work will continue throughout 2023 to complete the permanent repairs to the Coquihalla. The area remains a construction zone and drivers are reminded to slow down and drive to conditions. Drivers can expect to see on-going speed and traffic pattern changes.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Canada’s business community is calling for an end to a labour dispute that has shut down Western Canadian ports.
On July 1, more than 7,000 International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) workers walked off the job after negotiations with the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) failed to produce a new collective agreement. Days later, the two parties seem no closer to a solution.
“The BC Construction Association is deeply concerned about the labour dispute at Canada’s West Coast ports,” said Chris Atchison, BC Construction Association (BCCA) president, in a statement to SiteNews.
Approximately 25 percent of Canada’s total traded goods flow through these ports and this shutdown will fuel inflation, increase costs for business and consumers, and damage the Canadian economy.
Chris Atchison / BC Construction Association President
Atchison noted that with BC Contractors already feeling operational pressures tied to high demand for construction services, coupled with a continuing shortage in labour supply and rising costs due to post pandemic supply chain issues, the added strain will push BC’s builders into an even tougher spot while also negatively impacting the 230,000+ British Columbians employed in the sector.
Atchison added that the BCCA, along with its partner associations across Canada, have implored the Government of Canada to take immediate action to resolve the dispute.
Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, noted that the shutdown is not sustainable.
“The continued shutdown of Canada’s busiest and third busiest ports, where as much as $800 million worth of cargo is moved daily, is untenable,” she said in a statement to SiteNews. “Every day the job action remains unresolved increases impacts on Canadians, businesses and our economy. Without swift resolution, this strike will become dire for every organization that relies on international supply chains to produce, supply and sell goods or services.”
Striking workers walk the picket line with Canada’s largest port, the Port of Vancouver, in the background. – ILWU Canada
Famulak urged the union and the employers association to reach a deal as quickly as possible.
“On behalf of the 100 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and the 36,000 businesses that we represent, we are calling on the parties to resume negotiations immediately and commit to finding a mutually acceptable resolution to the impasse,” she said. “If negotiations do not bring resolution to the labour action, the federal government must act with urgency to facilitate an end to the strike.”
The BCCA and BC Chamber of Commerce are just the tip of the iceberg. Over 120 associations, chambers of commerce, and boards of trade representing the Canadian business community have united in a joint letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to express their deep concern over the labour disruption at Canada’s West Coast ports.
In addition to the BCCA and BC Chamber, industry signatories include the Canadian Construction Association, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada, Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, BC Council of Forest Industries, Northern Regional Construction Association, Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Southern Interior Construction Association, Western Retail Lumber Association, Vancouver Regional Construction Association and the Vancouver Island Construction Association.
Here is the letter in its entirety:
“Dear Prime Minister:
On behalf of the Canadian business community, we are writing to express our deep concern regarding the labour dispute at Canada’s West Coast ports.
As associations, local chambers of commerce and boards of trade, whose members employ millions of Canadians, we are calling on the Government to reconvene Parliament and pass back-to-work legislation, immediately.
The shutdown of our ports will fuel inflation, increase costs for businesses and consumers, and damage the Canadian economy. It will severely reduce the ability of our exporting industries to move their products to market, making it much more difficult to secure the global contracts that drive investment and employ Canadians.
Approximately 25 percent of our total traded goods flow through the ports in Western Canada. They are Canada’s largest gateway, handling over $800 million worth of cargo, from agri-foods and potash to critical minerals, forestry, construction materials and household necessities, every single day. As a result of Canada’s heavy reliance on trade, the smooth delivery of goods is in the national public interest making the impact of this dispute far more profound than that of most other more isolated labour disruptions.
To position Canada as a reliable trading partner that is competitive in the global economy, businesses must be able to reliably and efficiently get goods to and from market. Canadians expect our elected officials to ensure that this labour dispute is resolved quickly.
Sincerely,
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Independent Contractors and Businesses Association Alberta Chambers of Commerce Innovative Medicines Canada Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce (Manitoba) Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Kamloops & District Chamber of Commerce Barriere & Area Chamber of Commerce Kelowna Chamber of Commerce BC Chamber of Commerce King Chamber of Commerce BC Chamber of Shipping Leamington District Chamber of Commerce BC Council of Forest Industries Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Life Sciences BC Brampton Board of Trade London Chamber of Commerce British Columbia Construction Association Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce British Columbia Trucking Association Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Burlington Chamber of Commerce Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce Burnaby Board of Trade Mining Association of Canada Business Council of Canada Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce Calgary Chamber of Commerce Mississauga Board of Trade Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters New Car Dealers Association of BC Canadian Automobile Dealers Association North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Canola Growers Association Northern Regional Construction Association Canadian Chamber of Commerce Oakville Chamber of Commerce Canadian Construction Association Ottawa Board of Trade Canadian Federation of Independent Business Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Food Exporters Association Parkland Chamber of Commerce Canadian Home Builders’ Association Parry Sound Area Chamber of Commerce Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Perth & District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Meat Council Port Hope and District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Produce Marketing Association Prince Albert & District Chamber of Commerce Canadian Society of Customs Brokers Prince George Chamber of Commerce Canadian Sugar Institute Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce Canadian Toy Association Railway Association of Canada Canadian Trucking Alliance Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada Canola Council of Canada Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce Cap-Acadie Chamber of Commerce Responsible Distribution Canada CCSPA Restaurants Canada Chamber of Commerce Brantford-Brant Retail Council of Canada Chetwynd Chamber of Commerce Richmond Chamber of Commerce Clarenville Area Chamber of Commerce Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce Rocky Mountain House & District Chamber Of Commerce Cochrane Board of Trade Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Cold Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce Saskatchewan Mining Association Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Delta Chamber of Commerce Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce Edmonton Chamber of Commerce Shipping Federation of Canada Electro-Federation Canada Smithers District Chamber of Commerce Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce Fertilizer Canada Southern Interior Construction Association FETCO St. Albert and District Chamber Of Commerce Food Producers of Canada St. Andrews Chamber of Commerce Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada Surrey Board of Trade Freight Management Association of Canada Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce Global Automakers of Canada The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Toronto Region Board of Trade Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce Vancouver Island Construction Association Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce Vancouver Regional Construction Association Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Vermilion & District Chamber of Commerce Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce Western Canadian Shippers’ Coalition Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Western Retail Lumber Association Halifax Chamber of Commerce Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.”
Key Takeaways:
Work will happen in two phases. The first will wrap in 2026 and the second in 2029.
The project’s estimated budget is $336.5 million.
The redevelopment plan includes a three-storey addition and extensive renovations to the existing facility.
The Whole Story:
The Cariboo-Chilcotin region is set to witness a major boost in healthcare services as the long-awaited redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital enters its construction phase. The upgraded facility aims to improve access to care for residents of Williams Lake and the surrounding area, including the First Nations communities of the Secwépemc, Tŝilhqot’in, and Dãkelh Dené.
With an estimated project budget of $366.5 million, the redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital marks a significant investment in the health and well-being of the Cariboo-Chilcotin communities. The initiative, a collaborative effort involving the province, Interior Health, and the Cariboo Chilcotin Regional Hospital District, was officially celebrated this month.
Health Minister Minister Dix expressed his excitement about the commencement of construction, emphasizing the project’s potential to enhance the hospital’s capacity and create a modern working environment.
“The redevelopment of the Cariboo Memorial Hospital represents a significant investment in the Cariboo-Chilcotin communities’ health and well-being, now and into the future,” said Dix. “That is why it is so exciting to be with the community today to celebrate the start of construction that will increase the hospital’s capacity and provide a modern working environment.”
The redevelopment plan includes a three-storey addition and extensive renovations to the existing facility. The hospital’s bed capacity will see a substantial increase, with the addition of 25 new beds, bringing the total to 53. Among the enhancements are a new medical/surgical inpatient unit with 36 beds, a mental-health and substance-use inpatient unit featuring eight single-occupancy rooms, a patient-seclusion room, and an expanded ambulatory-care and oncology unit with 16 renovated treatment spaces.
One of the most crucial components of the project is the establishment of a new emergency department, which will feature 23 treatment spaces, two trauma-treatment bays, a seclusion room, an ambulance carport, and a separate public entrance. Furthermore, the expansion will include an upgraded maternity and women’s health unit with four single-occupancy rooms for maternity care, two nursery rooms, and two women’s health beds in private rooms, allowing parents to stay with their newborns until they are ready to go home.
Apart from the enhanced clinical areas, the redevelopment plan incorporates several ancillary facilities. The pharmacy will undergo expansion, providing additional space for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The addition of an interfaith sacred space will enable traditional cultural and healing practices, while the provision of 71 new parking stalls aims to alleviate parking constraints.
The importance of improved healthcare accessibility in rural and remote regions was highlighted by Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health.
“Our government is taking action to help people who are facing challenges accessing care in rural and remote areas,” said Rice. “This fully redeveloped hospital will provide expanded access to a state-of-the-art facility for people in Cariboo-Chilcotin to help them get the services they need.”
The construction of Cariboo Memorial Hospital will occur in two phases. The first phase, including the three-storey addition, is expected to conclude in 2026. Subsequently, Phase 2 will commence, encompassing further renovations, and is slated for completion in 2029.
Susan Brown, President and CEO of Interior Health, expressed her appreciation for the involvement of First Nations partners in the design process. “Beginning construction on the redevelopment of Cariboo Memorial Hospital is a significant milestone. I know the people of Williams Lake and surrounding communities are looking
A city’s skyline – the shape, size, and arrangement of its towering buildings – is part of its character. And anytime a new significant tower goes up, those features change. They also represent one of the ways Canada’s growing cities can densify: going up. Here are ten examples of major tower projects under construction or in development that are transforming our urban centres.
The One
Mizrahi Developments
Currently under construction, The One is vying to be Canada’s tallest building. Situated at Yonge and Bloor Streets in Toronto, the 85-storey tower will combine seven levels of retail and restaurants, a 175-room hotel and a roughly 60-floor stack of condo apartments with multilevel penthouses. However, the team is asking the city to let them go to 94 storeys. The owner, Mizrahi Developments, explained that the design scheme pushes the structure to the edges of the building. On each of its four sides are two “mega-columns,” as the architects call them, with diagonal bracing that extends up the façades, suspending a series of rectangular blocks within. The project team includes architect Foster + Partners, Clark Construction Management, Walters Group and RJC Engineers.
Senákw
Squamish Nation
Sen̓áḵw is a development project on 10.5-acres of Squamish Nation land located on Kits Point adjacent to Vanier Park in Vancouver. It is taking place on lands under the governance of the Squamish Nation.It includes 11 towers around the south end of the Burrard Street Bridge with the largest tower set to be 58 storeys. There will be around 6,000 rental units and Khelsilem said about 250 of those will be earmarked for Squamish Nation members, though that figure could change.
Forma
Great Gulf Group
Superstar architect Frank Gehry is returning to his roots with Forma, a mixed-use development, located at Downtown Toronto’s 266-284 King Street West. The project will feature two residential towers – one will be 73 stories and the other will be 84 stories with a total of 2034 condominiums – commercial and retail spaces and a new space for OCAD University. It will be Gehry’s most substantial work in his birthplace.
Canada Earth Tower
Perkins & Will
Although there are no current plans to build, a team has been researching and testing how to build taller with mass timber. Using a mass timber hybrid technique, the team designed a concept for a 40-storey mixed-use tower that—if built—would be the tallest of its kind in the world. The concept employs Passive House principles and targets zero-emissions, refraining from consuming fossil fuels in its operation. Designed to improve livability in tall urban buildings, the team integrated generous social spaces and gardens that offer an immediate connection to nature.
Pinnacle One Yonge
Pinnacle One Yonge is a mixed-use development rising in Toronto. The plans call for six skyscrapers ranging in height. The building known as the SkyTower aims to be Canada’s tallest building once built at 95 storeys but the project team is asking the city to let them take it to 105 storeys.
Union Park
Oxford Properties Group
At 4.3-million square feet, Oxford Properties’ Union Park will be one of the largest mixed-use developments in Toronto history. It includes two new office towers, 200,000 square feet of retail, 800 family-oriented rental units across two buildings, as well as a three-acre urban park built over the Union Station rail corridor. One of the office towers will be over 300 metres tall.
Niagara 77
Chamberlain Architects
The name says it all: a 77-storey tower in Niagara Falls, Ont. The project is looking to claim the title of tallest condo building in Canada. Fudzi International Group’s plans for the tower were approved earlier this year. The design of the building comes from Chamberlain Architects.
Maestria
Lemay Architecture and Design
Maestria is bringing things together. It’s the largest mixed-use residential project in Quebec and includes the highest residential tower in Montreal. The project includes a 58 and 61-storey tower joined by the province’s highest ever skybridge. The team says the design was inspired by the architecture in the largest cathedrals of the Renaissance.
Jericho Lands
MST Development
The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Indian Band, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation (collectively the MST Partnership), who own the site in a joint venture partnership with Canada Lands Company (CLC), recently unveiled new plans for Vancouver’s Jericho Lands. The mega project concept features many towers over 20 storeys and three that are 49 storeys. The city and developers are currently gathering feedback on the plans from residents.
Library Parcel
These two Ottawa towers – 31 and 36 storeys – will create a transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use and sustainable community. The design is being led by Perkins&Will and KPMB Architects, and supported by Two Row Architect and Purpose Building. There will be a focus on making sure a significant portion of rental units are affordable. Construction is expected to begin this year.
Work will resume on a $5-billion electric vehicle (EV) battery plant after work halted seven weeks ago over government funding.
Union officials announced that Stellantis and the federal and Ontario governments have reached an agreement that will see construction of the Windsor EV battery plant resume.
“We knew the high stakes. We knew these commitments had to be kept because the alternative would have been unthinkable for so many workers. I know what resonated with all parties was the persistent message from our union that thousands upon thousands of workers’ livelihoods were hanging in the balance throughout this dispute,” said Lana Payne, Unifor national president. “We would like to thank Prime Minister Trudeau, Premier Doug Ford and the company for reaching this important conclusion and taking the necessary action to secure the Stellantis production footprint in Canada.”
The lithium-ion battery plant is a joint venture of Stellantis and LG Energy Solution. It was first announced in March 2022. Construction at the future plant was halted on May 15, 2023, after Stellantis claimed the federal government had not met its financial commitment and that the company was implementing contingency plans for battery production. Windsor officials called the delays unacceptable and are circulated a petition to push Ottawa to finalize a deal.
Key Takeaways:
This year’s wildfire season is already well on its way to beating the 1989 record of 7.5 million hectares burned.
Sawmills, oil and gas sites, and construction sites have all been impacted and could be impacted more if severe wildfires continue as predicted.
The nation’s GDP lost could be as high as 0.6 ppts.
The Whole Story:
Canadian wildfires aren’t just destroying trees. They are burning Canada’s GDP.
According to advisory firm Oxford Economics, Canada’s early-season wildfires have already reduced GDP in Q2 by 0.1ppt.
And if predictions of record-breaking wildfires this summer are realized, Oxford’s preliminary analysis suggests cuts to Q3 GDP could be between 0.3 ppts and 0.6 ppts. This would make the impact worse than the catastrophic 2016 Fort McMurray fires.
So far, Canada has passed the halfway mark to the previous record-holding year of 1989, when about 7.5 million hectares burned. According to Natural Resources Canada, over 100,000 people have been affected by evacuation orders so far this year, with an estimated 27,643 people still evacuated across the country due to fires as of June 8.
The firm noted that the bulk of the hit to the economy will be in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction in Alberta, Quebec, and B.C. where fires have forced operations to shut down for various periods since mid-May.
“In our low-impact scenario, we assume 10 more poor air quality days than normal this wildfire season, while our high-impact scenario assumes 20 more poor air quality days than normal,” they wrote. “However, once the wildfire season is over, rebuilding efforts should provide a meaningful but gradual boost to the construction sector.”
The forestry industry has also been directly impacted by the closure of sawmills in hard-hit areas, particularly in Quebec.
One of the most visible impacts is in the sky. Wildfire smoke is causing periods of poor air quality across much of Canada and parts of the U.S.
“So far, we don’t think this has had a measurable macroeconomic impact,” said researchers. “But, if the wildfires lead to a large number of poor air quality days this summer, outdoor economic activities like recreation travel, tourism and construction could be disrupted.”
The firm noted that a larger number of poor air quality days could disrupt Canada’s construction sector if labourers aren’t able to work safely outdoors. They noted that a growing body of economic research on the effects of poor air quality and air pollution show the impact on hours worked and productivity, though most focus only on specific sectors and regions and the research techniques used vary considerably.
In a worse case, should wildfires shut major traffic corridors, cutting off supply lines or disrupting power supply to large population and business centres, the economic consequences could be even more severe, said Oxford.
Key Takeaways:
The scholarship is named after Jack Funk, who was a longtime Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia member and former president.
The funds will cover different regions in B.C.
Successful candidates will be selected by a panel.
The Whole Story:
Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) have jointly announced the establishment of the ECABC Jack Funk Scholarship, aimed at providing financial assistance to electrical apprentices in the province.
The scholarship serves as a tribute to the memory of Jack Funk who dedicated 45 years to running his electrical contracting business and served as president of ECABC between 1994 and 1996. The association stated that the scholarship reflects his commitment to training and supporting future generations of electrical apprentices and contractors.
Derek Fettback, Chair of ECABC and vice president of Western Pacific Enterprises, emphasized the significance of the scholarship in encouraging the next wave of electrical workers.
“Providing financial and educational support to electrical apprentices is a vital initiative by ECABC to foster the growth of the next generation,” said Fettback. “An electrical apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn income, pursue education, and refine one’s skills.”
The scholarship is open to registered apprentices enrolled in years 1-4 of their electrical apprenticeship and employed by an ECABC contractor member. Eligible candidates must be receiving their electrical apprenticeship training from an approved training institution in British Columbia. Six individual scholarships, each worth $1,000, will be awarded as follows:
Three scholarships for electrical apprentices in Metro Vancouver
One scholarship for electrical apprentices on Vancouver Island
One scholarship for electrical apprentices in the Interior and Northern BC regions
One scholarship for a line technician apprentice
The selection process for the scholarships will involve a panel consisting of ECABC board members and staff. They will review applications and consider recommendations provided by the CFBC.
Matt MacInnis, ECABC President, emphasized the promising opportunities available for young individuals pursuing a career in the electrical trades. He highlighted the remarkable contributions made by ECABC members and their employees toward building a sustainable economy. These contributions include constructing new hospitals, developing clean energy projects, supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles.
“There has never been a better time for young people to pursue a career in the electrical trades,” said Matt MacInnis, ECABC President. “ECABC’s members and their employees are making remarkable contributions to building BC’s sustainable future – from constructing new hospitals, to building world-class clean energy projects, to supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the infrastructure needed to power electric vehicles.”
Key Takeaways:
Several days into the strike, both parties have accused the other of being unreasonable and negotiations appear to have stalled.
Automation of ports, the rising cost of living and the use of outside contractors are major issues that have been raised by workers.
The employers association argued the union is trying to expand their scope and redefine their work.
The strike includes more than 7,000 workers and impacts West Coast ports, including Canada’s largest port, the Port of Vancouver.
The Whole Story:
A supply chain crisis is brewing in Western Canada as workers at some of Canada’s largest ports are striking.
On July 1, more than 7,000 International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada (ILWU Canada) workers walked off the job after negotiations with the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) failed to produce a new collective agreement. Days later, the two parties seem no closer to a solution.
What the employers say
On Monday BCMEA announced that a continuation of bargaining at this time is not going to produce a collective agreement.
“The BCMEA has continued to advance reasonable proposals and positions in good faith with the urgent objective of making progress, reaching a fair deal, and ensuring ports are open and supply chains are stable and reliable,” officials said. “Rather than work towards an equitable deal, ILWU Canada seems to have entrenched their positions. The BCMEA has gone as far as possible on core issues.”
The group stated that the ILWU Canada is attempting to “aggressively expand” their scope and re-define regular maintenance work far beyond what is set out in the industry-wide agreement. The BCMEA’s view is that changing this definition would result in immediate and significant impacts to terminal operations. They explained that under the current collective agreement, the ILWU exclusively supplies the labour force, however, the employers noted that the union has been consistently unable to fulfill the trades work they have jurisdiction over.
“Further, ILWU Canada’s proposals for compensation are unreasonable, and well outside the established norm of union settlements in Canada,” they said.
In 2022, the median salary of an ILWU Union longshore worker in B.C. was $136,000 per year, plus benefits and pension. Over the course of the past 13 years, longshore wages have risen by 40%. ILWU Canada member wages have increased by approximately 10% in the past three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“ILWU Canada went on strike over demands that were and continue to be outside any reasonable framework for settlement,” said the BCMEA. “ILWU Canada needs to decide if they are going to continue this strike with no hope of settlement, or significantly modify their position so a fair and balanced deal can be reached.”
Workers float on the picket line as part of the ILWU strike in B.C. – ILWU Canada
What the union says
When the union issued its strike noticed, it cited three main objectives:
Stop the erosion of their work through contracting out.
Protect current and future generations from the impacts of port automation.
Protect longshore workers from record high Inflation and sky-rocketing cost of living.
According to the union, the association was not willing to engage in any meaningful way on substantive issues based on their experience with how the the BCMEA approaches collective bargaining. In response, the union issued notice of dispute in an effort to move the process along and parties have been involved with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) since April.
The union replied to the association’s argument of them trying to expand its scope of work beyond regular maintenance.
“The fact is that the union has been raising the issue of rampant contracting out of our maintenance work for years,” said ILWU officials. “Our focus in this round of bargaining has been to stop the erosion of jurisdiction and the extensive use of contractors.”
According to the union, they moved substantially from their original position on regular maintenance issues and the parties had produced a document that was largely agreed upon. They accused the employers of changing their position at this late stage to “muddy the water” and mischaracterize the union’s concerns.
“The BCMEA drew a line in the sand and ended the progress that had been made so that the new maintenance document would have no ability to achieve the aims set out in it,” stated union officials. “The association deliberately sabotaged the progress that had been made therefore we must question their motives and the appropriateness of the BCMEA bargaining committee to actually negotiate a collective bargaining agreement.”
The unions also argued against the employers’ position on compensation, noting that the BCMEA’s members have enjoyed record profits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and other industries, like the transportation sector, have shared those profits with workers.
“We implore the BCMEA to get back to the table to achieve a fair and reasonable agreement that the parties negotiate together,” stated the union. “It is unrealistic to think that a collective agreement that is imposed will result in long term labour stability in the industry. The parties need to put their best effort forward for the entire country and not just their individual aims.”
Automating port facilities
The automation effort the union is referring to is the the $3.5-billion Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project which received federal approval earlier this year. The work, to be funded by the port authority and private investment, involves the construction of a new three-berth marine container terminal in Delta, B.C. The terminal will serve container ships bringing a wide variety of goods such as clothing, electronics, food, auto parts, manufacturing parts, furniture, and household goods.
The terminal will also serve overseas markets, shipping export containers loaded with a range of Canadian goods including pulp, lumber, crops such as lentils and legumes, grain, fruits, and specialty items like wine and craft beer. As part of the project, the existing causeway will be widened to accommodate additional road and rail infrastructure, and the existing tug basin will be expanded to accommodate a second tug operations
When it comes to automation, port officials stated that the future terminal operator will determine the final configuration and operating concept for the terminal, taking into account the conditions and commitments set out in the environmental process.
“However, it is important to note that all the work we have completed to date has planned for a semi-automated terminal and we assume the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project will be partially automated, similar to newer container terminals around the world,” they said.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce urged the Government of Canada to immediately intervene in order to prevent further disruption to Canada’s supply chains and limit the impact of the strike.
“The government should immediately recall Parliament to pass back-to-work legislation to protect the livelihoods of Canadian workers and the health of Canadian businesses affected by disruption to the more than $800 million worth of cargo flowing through West Coast ports every single day,” said Robin Guy, vice president and deputy leader of government relations for the chamber.
