Author: Russell Hixson

After serving four years as Kingston and the Islands MPP, Ian Arthur announced he would not be seeking re-election. 

Ontario NDP leadership praised him for leading the battle to get more family doctors in Kingston, and by being an outspoken and purpose-driven advocate for action to address the climate crisis.

While he was proud of his political career, he wanted to do something bold in the private sector to solve some of the country’s biggest issues. 

“Serving as MPP was a huge honour and I am happy I did it but I wanted something else,” said Arthur. “I was interested in getting back into the private sector and working in an area with room for innovation where I could be disrupted.” 

When he saw the progress being made in robotics technology, he decided to tackle the issue of affordable housing and construction timelines. 

“I’d been watching the technology for years and found it interesting and saw it reaching a tipping point where it was in a viable place to get into the sector and start building,” he said. “I think the link started while I was a politician. We did a lot of work on housing to increase availability of affordable housing. But we were faced with the reality that while there are some provincial policy levers we can pull that do have an effect, the breadth of problems facing construction were not going to be addressed by policy alone.”

Finding a robot 

The same year he left politics he founded Nidus3D with Hugh Roberts. Roberts has worked in construction and development spaces for over a decade and has expertise in operations, R&D, sales, and strategy.

Their first step was building out a relationship with Denmark-based COBOD, the only company that manufactures a printer with the capability to match Nidus3D’s vision

The BOD2 printer’s modular truss structure presents several advantages for construction printing. The printer can be configured exactly to each project. It can also be upscaled and downscaled to suit larger and smaller projects that you may have in your pipeline. Nidus went to Demark to tour COBOD’s facility and watch the printers in action. The Nidus team then spoke with other COBOD customers about their experiences.

A ‘let’s get building’ approach 

After that, Nidus3D scraped together some capital through a small pre-seed round to buy its first printer. It arrived last February for commissioning and the team started building. Since then, they have been making Canadian history: 

• In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex, and the University of Windsor, Nidus3D delivered North America’s first residentially permitted multi-unit 3D printed building. The build included four self-contained 560 square foot homes and was partially funded through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Innovation Fund. 
• Near Kingston, Ont., Nidus3D constructed the first-ever 3D-printed, multi-storey, mixed-use concrete building in North America. The 2,300-square-foot, two-storey building has a workshop on the ground floor and a residence on top.

Arthur explained that they are pushing the young, 3D-printed building industry forward not just because they want to, but because they have to. 

“Hugh and I have driven a practical, ‘let’s get building’ approach’ while a lot of other groups in the sector bought the tech on a more experimental basis to play around a bit,” he said. “That is partially out of necessity. We did secure some small, pre-seed money, but we have to secure projects to secure revenue so it is a necessity for us to get out and deliver projects and that is a big factor pushing us forward.” 

While these small, one-off projects are proving the viability of the technology, Arthur noted that 3D printing is far better applied on a larger scale. 

“When we run our forward-looking numbers that’s where it really becomes cost competitive,” he said. “Our build costs on probably ten units and above per site is, I think, universally competitive with any technology in Canada and it’s only the beginning of this technology.” 

This year the company plans to demonstrate the true benefits of 3D printing by spending roughly three months building a small, eight-building sub-division of about 24 units. 

Addressing housing and labour issues

Arthur hopes that in the coming years, the technology can be used to address housing affordability and labour shortages. 

“We make buildings with hundreds of different materials, thousands of components, tens of thousands of different process steps,” he said. “While we have had incredible material advances over the years, none of it has solved the process problem. I think this is one of the first things I have seen that addresses that process problem.”

Arthur noted that while Nidus3D’s projects get larger and more complex, the number of people required doesn’t increase. 

“The best case scenario for training workers still won’t meet demand. This technology still has challenges, it still needs to improve and be optimized for efficiency, but it does begin to address that process problem,” he said. “When we do deploy a larger printer than we have now, it still only needs three people and as you scale that you begin to see what it could have a profound impact on the building sector and housing supply in Canada.”  

Arthur doesn’t want to stop at 3D printing. While the goal is to scale the 3D business, he wants to look at ways to optimize the rest of the construction process, including mechanical systems, lighting systems, door and window installations, flooring and more.  “How can we use technology to make these things faster to deploy? Maybe we rethink how we deliver those systems?” said Arthur. “We have to start thinking about building in new ways. The industry is scaling in inefficient, slow, complex and unpredictable ways. We can’t scale that, we will just fall further and further behind. If we don’t find groups and technology that break that down and rebuild from ground up will never solve these problems.”  

Video shows tour of Canada’s first 3D-printed home:

B.C. is providing $65 million to the City of Prince Rupert to replace crucial sections of its aging water-distribution system.

“The importance of reliable drinking-water delivery cannot be overstated. We saw first-hand the critical need for this funding last December when the city issued a state of emergency due to water-distribution concerns,” said Premier David Eby. “Crews worked tirelessly to keep potable water flowing to homes during the holiday season, and I want to thank them for their efforts. Together we are working to support the people of Prince Rupert, replacing aging infrastructure and ensuring that this valuable resource is available now and in the future.”

Officials explained that Prince Rupert’s water-distribution system is undergoing an increasing number of water-main and service-line failures, including the major line break on Dec. 15, 2022, which threatened the water supply for the community, which is home to Canada’s third-largest port.

“We know that old infrastructure can cause both public-safety and economic issues within communities,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Working together, this funding will help support the health and safety of the community, and ensure people have access to the services they rely on.”

Prince Rupert’s water-distribution system delivers drinkable water to approximately 14,000 people and the city’s port. According to the province, the port and B.C.’s northern trade corridor provides vital trade capacity and resiliency for provincial and national supply chains. The Port of Prince Rupert ships more than $50 billion worth of exports and imports every year, and provides economic and employment benefits in Prince Rupert and throughout B.C.

The funding, through the provincial Critical Community Infrastructure fund, is in addition to the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund, which was provided to all 188 B.C. municipalities and regional districts to support their local infrastructure and amenities needs.

Alberta is investing $30 million to expand the Red Deer Regional Airport, clearing the way to develop a national transportation logistics hub in central Alberta.

“Alberta’s airports play a critical role in strengthening and diversifying our economy by expanding access to markets, as we don’t have direct access to tidewater,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and Economic CorridorsThis investment will allow additional aviation cargo and logistics services, which will not only provide new travel options and get more products to market but also create jobs and help attract new investment to central Alberta.”

The expansion will support the growth of rural communities in central Alberta while enhancing the safety of local residents and airport users by creating an additional emergency access to the airport and the Hamlet of Springbrook. This new funding builds on a $7.5-million grant from Alberta’s government in 2022-23 for the airport to repair and upgrade its runway.

Funding through Budget 2023 will support north end road construction and civil works, including water sanitation, stormwater and fibre optics, to Township Road 374 to support new business opportunities for the north end land development. The development of the north end road will also create additional emergency access to the airport.

“The city and county recognize the Red Deer Regional Airport as an economic catalyst,” said Ken Johnston, Red Deer mayor. “The city, as a joint appointer for the airport with the county, is working together to be a key logistics hub based on our prime location. Thank you to the Province of Alberta for their investments in central Alberta.”

Key Takeaways:

• 2Nations Bird is a partnership between Bird, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation’s Willow Cree Developments General Partner Inc. and Fishing Lake First Nation’s Development Corporation, FLFN Ventures. 
• The partnership was formed to ensure that Indigenous communities and businesses are given opportunities for training and employment during the project. 
• Officials expect roughly 3,500 jobs to be created at during the entirety of the Jansen Stage 1 project.
• 2Nations Bird will self-perform concrete foundations work for four main non-process buildings at Jansen.
• 2Nations Bird also won a three-year site services agreement contract.

The Whole Story:

The 2Nations Bird joint venture is taking flight in Saskatchewan. 

The venture announced it has been awarded two contracts by BHP for works on the Jansen Stage 1 Potash Project. 

2Nations Bird is a partnership between Bird, Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation’s Willow Cree Developments General Partner Inc. and Fishing Lake First Nation’s Development Corporation, FLFN Ventures.  

“We are honoured to be chosen as a key partner for BHP’s Jansen project and are committed to delivering exceptional results through our 2Nations Bird partnership over the next three years. Together, our shared values of respect and collaboration will be instrumental in creating positive and sustainable impacts in the region,” said Teri McKibbon, president and CEO of Bird. “As a service provider in this vital sector of the Canadian economy, working on BHP’s world-class, sustainable potash project is an exciting opportunity.” 

Impacting First Nations communities

The venture explained that the 2Nations Bird partnership is rooted in culture, respect, collaboration and providing sustainable, positive impacts for the communities. It was formed to participate in BHP’s Jansen project, providing a full scope of construction and maintenance services. The partnership is focused on procuring goods and services from local Indigenous businesses and aims to maximize employment opportunities for local Indigenous people. Venture officials believe opportunities for specific training and employment programs will support long-term career employment and advancement opportunities. 

We held a shareholder question and answer session today and our CEO, Mike Henry, spoke about the importance of our Jansen potash mine and how it is on track for first production in 2026.

Watch the full Shareholder Q&A:

— BHP (@bhp) March 16, 2023

2Nations Bird will self-perform concrete foundations work for four main non-process buildings at Jansen, a contract valued at approximately $62 million. The partnership was also awarded a three-year site services agreement where 2Nations Bird has responsibility for general site services during the execution of Jansen Stage 1, as well as maintenance of a variety of facilities currently in operation to service the site. The three-year service agreement is valued at over $110 million.  

Working with First Nations subcontractors

2Nations Bird has engaged with KDM Constructors, as the designated subcontractor. KDM has been involved with the project with BHP for over seven years, providing contract services for the Jansen site. As a First Nations-owned industrial construction and maintenance service provider, KDM brings together Kawakatoose, Day Star and Muskowekwan Nations along with the Saskatchewan-based SECON Group of Companies. George Gordon Developments Ltd, the economic development arm of the George Gordon First Nation will also be a subcontractor on the site services agreement.  

“Indigenous and industry partnerships, such as 2Nations Bird Construction, create economic and employment opportunities for our Nation and its members. It allows us to develop capacity, learn from one another, and grow in tandem,” said Chief Edwin Ananas, Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation. “More importantly, these types of relationships are critical to advance economic reconciliation which allows us to develop long-term, meaningful, and sustainable outcomes,”  

Jansen to be one of the largest potash mines

BHP is investing $7.5 billion to build Jansen Stage 1, which will be one of the world’s largest and most sustainable potash mines and is located 140 km from Saskatoon. Jansen Stage 1 is expected to produce approximately 4.35 million tonnes of potash per annum, with the first production planned for late-2026.  

Jansen is 100 per cent owned by BHP. The group stated that its large resource endowment provides the opportunity to develop the project in phases. Jansen Stage 1 is the first of four potential phases. Officials expect roughly 3,500 jobs to be created at the peak of construction. 

“BHP is delighted to announce the partnership with 2Nations Bird and we look forward to building strong working relationships,” said Simon Thomas, president Potash, BHP. “The award of these contracts is a significant milestone for Jansen Stage 1 and one that will have positive impacts for the local community. We are committed to upholding the opportunity agreements we have with the six First Nations surrounding Jansen and to working with other Indigenous communities to help ensure Indigenous Peoples gain from our presence in the region.” 

Major work is being done to transform how Ontario residents move around the province and power their homes. Nearly all of biggest projects revolve around transit and two projects on this list are significant nuclear power upgrades that will impact the region for decades. Keep reading to see how the lives of Ontario residents are set to change in the coming years.

11. Ottawa LRT (Stage 2) – $4.6 billion

The nation’s capital will soon have 44 kilometres of rail and 24 new stations for its LRT system. Last year saw stations taking shape, rail installation advancing, and trains on track for testing. However, it hasn’t been without some snags. Reports to the city show the project is running a year-and-a-half behind schedule because of labour and cement shortages and is now expected to be delivered in late 2026. Construction is being carried out by Kiewit and Vinci. Design engineering services is being provided by WSP Canada Inc. and Hatch Ltd.

10. Eglinton Crosstown West Extension – $4.7 billion

The extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT will run 9.2 kilometres from the future Mount Dennis LRT station to Renforth Drive and will operate mainly underground. Once complete, it will create a continuous rapid transit line that stretches from Scarborough, through midtown Toronto, and into Mississauga. In 2021, officials awarded a fixed-price contract of $729.2 million to West End Connectors (Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., Ghella Canada Ltd.) to design, build and finance the tunnels. Last month these tunneling efforts reached the halfway mark. plans are also being explored to extend the line to Pearson International Airport.

9. Centre Block Rehabilitation – $5 billion

Following an Auditor General’s report that predicted the Centre Block would experience “total failure” sometime between 2019 and 2025, officials embarked on the largest, most complex heritage rehabilitation project ever seen in Canada. The design lead is CENTRUS and the construction management is being done through a partnership between PCL and EllisDon. According to the latest progress report, the team aims to complete construction between 2030 and 2031. The Centre Block will reopen about one year later.

8. Hurontario LRT – $5.6 billion

Once in service, the 18-kilometre Hazel McCallion Line (Hurontario’s name once it is completed) will bring a new method of transportation to a rapidly growing region. The new transit system will feature 19 stops, travel through two urban growth centres and connect to major transit systems including GO Transit (Milton and Lakeshore West lines), the Mississauga Transitway, Brampton Transit, ZUM and MiWay. The Hazel McCallion Line will operate in its own dedicated lane. Mobilinx, a consortium of local and international companies, was awarded the contract to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the system. Major construction began in spring 2020 and the expected completion is fall 2024.

7. Gordie Howe International Bridge – $5.7 billion

This January was an epic month for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, marking the beginning of the stay cable installation. In total, the bridge will feature 216 stay cables, 108 on each side. The structure will be a six-lane crossing of the Detroit River connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ont. When completed, the 1.5-mile crossing will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, with a main span of .53 mile. The bridge will also feature a nearly 12-feet-wide pedestrian/cycling path. The project also includes building new ports of entry that will connect to both the American and Canadian bridge termini, as well as onward connections to I-75 in southwest Detroit. The project is being delivered by a consortium that incldues ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Fluor Canada Ltd. and Aecon Concessions.

6. GO Expansion Projects (Early Works) – $10.5 billion 

While the main work on the GO Expansion has yet to begin, over $11 billion of early works and off-corridor projects are already underway, including station renovations, expansions and improvements, grade separations, bridge and tunnel expansions and maintenance facilities.

5. Ontario Line – $10.9 billion

There is a strong argument that this project should be further down this list. While its original cost estimate is $10.9 billion, Infrastructure Ontario believes it could be much closer to $19 billion. Last fall, two massive contracts were awarded for the line: a $9 billion contract to the Connect 6ix team to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Ontario Line rolling stock, systems, operations and maintenance (RSSOM) package; a $6 billion package to Ontario Transit Group package to deliver the rail project’s tunnel, seven stations and other rail infrastructure. The subway line will bring 15 new stations to the city and will run from Exhibition Place, through the heart of downtown, all the way to the Ontario Science Centre.

4. Eglinton Crosstown LRT – $12.5 billion

This work will create a midtown connection between east and west Toronto. With 25 stations along the dedicated route, officials say it will make getting across town will be up to 60 per cent faster. In 2016 Crosslinx Transit Solutions began work. The group has a $9.1 billion, 30-year alternative financing and procurement (AFP) contract to finance, build, and maintain the line. Its team includes EllisDon, Aecon, Dragados, SNC-Lavalin, IBI Group and many others.

3. Darlington Nuclear Refurbishment – $12.8 billion

In 2016, after years of detailed planning and preparation, Ontario Power Generation’s team shut down the first of four Darlington reactors scheduled for refurbishment over the next 10 years. Officials say the project continues to progress on time and on budget. The refurbishment and the subsequent 30 more years of station operation are expected to generate a total of $89.9 billion in economic benefits for Ontario, create 14,200 jobs per year, and boost personal income by an average of $1.6 billion on an annual basis. Work on the first four units is expected to wrap in 2026. Darlington will also be the site of a historic small modular reaction project.

2. Bruce Power Refurbishment – $13 billion

Another upgrade to the province’s nuclear infrastructure, this project will overhaul all eight of the units of the 6.2GW Bruce Nuclear Generating Station. The largest plant of its kind in the country, Bruce was originally constructed by Ontario Hydro between 1970 and 1987. Early project work began in 2016 and the refurbishment of unit 6 is expected to wrap in 2024.

GO Expansion (On-Corridor Works) – $15.5 billion

The On Corridor Works project is the largest capital infrastructure project in Ontario’s GO Rail Expansion program. On Corridor work includes all works that facilitate train service, such as track, civil infrastructure, signalling, electrification infrastructure and electric vehicles, as well as the operations and maintenance of the GO rail network. Last April, the project contract was awarded to ONxpress, a group that includes Aecon, ALSTROM, FCC Construction S.A, and DB International Operations. ONxpress is responsible for designing, building, operating and maintaining all GO Rail infrastructure and trains for 25 years.

Key Takeaways:

• Michelin is planning a $300M facility expansion in Nova Scotia to produce tires for electric vehicles.
• Michelin will receive a tax credit of about $61.3 million over five years for the project.
• The project will also receive up to $44.3 million in federal funding .

The Whole Story:

Michelin, one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers, is moving forward with a major expansion of its manufacturing facility in Bridgewater with the help of a recently enhanced provincial tax credit.

“Nova Scotia is an amazing place to do business and Michelin’s decision to modernize and expand its operations here speaks volumes about our business environment,” said Premier Tim Houston. “Michelin’s strong commitment to greening their operations aligns with our government’s plan for a clean and green economy, where the environment and Nova Scotians can thrive, and no one is left behind.”

Michelin will modernize and expand its operation in Bridgewater, enabling the plant to produce energy efficent tires for the electric vehicle market and larger rim size tires.

In October, the province expanded the Capital Investment Tax Credit. The tax credit rate increased from 15 to 25 per cent, the cap from $30 million to $100 million for all applicants and extended the time period from 2025 to 2029.

Michelin will receive a tax credit of about $61.3 million over five years based on eligible capital investments of $302.7 million to be used in Nova Scotia.

The Government of Canada, through the Strategic Innovation Fund, is also contributing up to $44.3 million in federal funding toward Michelin’s expansion, pending a final agreement.

“Companies understand the excellence of Canada’s workers and auto sector – and today’s announcement is a testament to that,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Here in Nova Scotia, we are once again seeing that when we invest in our workers, we build communities and an economy that works for everyone, while leaving a stronger, healthier future for our kids.”

The Capital Investment Tax Credit is a refundable corporate income tax credit that provides credit for capital costs of new equipment used primarily in manufacturing or processing goods for sale or lease, farming or fishing, logging, storing grain or harvesting peat.

Michelin employs more than 3,600 Nova Scotians at their manufacturing plants in Bridgewater, Lunenburg Co., Waterville, Kings Co. and Granton, Pictou Co.

Key Takeaways:

• Officials are proposing that there be access to at least one women’s-only washroom on jobsites.
• They are wanting to ensure properly fitting equipment such as uniforms, boots and safety harnesses are provided.
• The province also intends to require jobsite bathrooms be private and completely enclosed, have adequate lighting and hand sanitizer.

The Whole Story

Ontario is on a mission to clean up bathroom conditions for construction workers and accommodate women on jobsites. 

Officials are proposing a series of changes that, if approved, would ensure there is access to at least one women’s-only washroom on jobsites and properly fitting equipment such as uniforms, boots and safety harnesses.

“Access to a washroom is a basic human dignity and something every worker should have the right to,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Careers in construction offer six-figure salaries with pensions and benefits, and it is an injustice only 10 per cent of them are filled by women. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will continue to stand with these heroes. Everyone has the right to a safe and welcoming workplace.”

I launched a social campaign to hear your experiences on bathrooms at your construction sites… Let's just say, the responses were messy. 🚽 pic.twitter.com/EGki6qqBEh

— Monte McNaughton (@MonteMcNaughton) March 10, 2023

The government is further improving portable washrooms by requiring them to be private and completely enclosed, have adequate lighting and hand sanitizer (where running water is not reasonably possible). Additionally, the government is doubling the number of toilets on most jobsites.

“Workplaces that are safer and more equitable help increase women’s participation in the workforce,” said Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. “Our government is taking action to remove barriers and empower women to excel in sectors where they are underrepresented – because when women succeed, Ontario succeeds.”

Officials noted that there are nearly 600,000 construction workers in Ontario, but only one in 10 are women. 

These changes are part of a larger package that expands on actions introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021 and 2022.

The announcement also comes after the Ministry of Labour conducted a major bathroom inspection push last month at over 1,800 construction sites. Inspectors reported 244 violations, the most common being no toilets provided, a lack of privacy, or a lack of cleaning. Minister McNaughton also embarked on a social media campaign that asked workers to share their experiences with jobsite bathrooms.

Workers responded, saying employers had made no effort to provide sanitary options for women changing their menstrual products while at work and that typically bathrooms are cleaned only once a week.

Key Takeaways:

• Cedar LNG has received its Environmental Assessment Certificate from B.C.
• The project has also signed a memorandum of understanding with ARC Resources Ltd. for a long-term liquefaction services agreement
• A final investment decision for the project is anticipated in the third quarter of 2023.
• It would be the largest First Nations majority-owned infrastructure project in Canada.

The Whole Story:

Cedar LNG has received its Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) and signed a long-term liquefaction services agreement. 

The Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation announced that the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office has issued the project its EAC. The project has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ARC Resources Ltd. for a long-term liquefaction services agreement.

Cedar LNG is a proposed floating liquified natural gas facility located on Haisla Nation-owned land in Kitimat, B.C. with the capacity to export three million tonnes per year of LNG. It is estimated to cost roughly $3.3 billion.

“The receipt of our EAC is the culmination of more than a decade of work by the Haisla Nation and marks a significant milestone for the Cedar LNG project and the Haisla Nation’s journey towards economic self-determination,” said Crystal Smith, chief councillor for Haisla Nation. “With Cedar LNG, we are setting a new standard of responsible and sustainable energy development. Together with our partner, Pembina, we are committed to advancing an LNG project that protects the environment, respects Haisla Nation values, and meets the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.”

Pembina president and CEO Scott Burrows stated that the project will benefit Pembina and its customers, the Haisla Nation, and all of Canada, while meaningfully contributing to the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

“Pembina is proud of its long history of safe and reliable operations, and we look forward to contributing our expertise as we work together to bring Canadian LNG to the world,” he said. 

Project officials noted that Cedar LNG made several innovative design decisions to minimize its environmental footprint and ensure it is one of the lowest-emitting LNG facilities in the world. This includes deciding to power the facility with renewable electricity from BC Hydro.

In addition, the choice of site location allows the project to leverage existing LNG infrastructure, including the Coastal GasLink pipeline, with which Cedar LNG has a long-term transportation agreement, a deep-water port, roads, and other infrastructure.

Cedar LNG also received its first permit from the BC Energy Regulator for the approximately 8.5 kilometre pipeline that will connect the Project into the Coastal GasLink pipeline.

The project team added that a major part of its success to date has been the strong support of neighbouring Nations. They explained that this has been achieved through years of collaboration and constructive engagement with these Nations.

Cedar and Arc are working towards finalizing a definitive agreement for 1.5 million tonnes of LNG per year, equivalent to approximately 200 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas, or approximately half of Cedar LNG’s production.

“We are pleased to partner with Cedar LNG on this important infrastructure project for Canada. Through responsible development, innovation, and collaboration, we can advance the export of more Canadian energy to global markets,” said Terry Anderson, president and CEO, ARC Resources. “This agreement is an important step forward in delivering our low-cost, low-emission natural gas to key demand markets, and increasing ARC’s exposure to LNG-linked natural gas prices.”

Cedar LNG added that it continues to progress commercial discussions with other potential customers, all of which are investment grade counterparties, for long-term volume commitments.

The province also plans to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Haisla Nation to help the project achieve climate objectives, including exploring ways to enhance environmental performance and lower emissions to near zero by 2030.

“This decision was carefully made after considering all environmental impacts and comes with 16 legally enforceable conditions that Cedar must follow over the lifespan of the project, in addition to other oil and gas emission control regulations which government is developing,” said George Heyman, minister of environment and climate change strategy. “This project will take all possible measures currently available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the MOU between Haisla Nation and the province will explore ways to have the project work toward reaching near-zero emissions by 2030. With these measures in place, I have concluded that the project can fit within B.C.’s climate targets and goals.”

A final investment decision for the project is anticipated in the third quarter of 2023.

When one of the three Brierley brothers was laid off from his job at a drywall and prefabrication contractor in Calgary, it got them all thinking about making a major career move together. 

“Things slowed down and I ended up getting laid off,” said Gaius. “Did a bit of work here and there to make ends meet. I started off doing a few days selling floor protection and it wasn’t too long before we decided to do it properly full time.”

Gaius and his brothers, Sam and Shane, had moved to Canada from the UK as kids in 2003. All had found work in various parts of the construction sector. But with Gaius looking for new work, they all decided to take a stab at starting their own business.

“We knew the industry and that there was a demand for protecting surfaces,” said Sam. “When Gaius went out he just would drop in on sites in Calgary and just started talking to people, asking what they needed. When we got our first order we had to fill out the forms in Excel to invoice.”  

They celebrated by going out to lunch and rushed to officially set up their company. Each had their specialty. Sam would focus on sales and marketing, Gaius would handle operations and Shane would be in charge of administration and finance.

Their background in the UK also came in handy. The brothers’ travels had exposed them to a wider range of products that were common overseas, but hardly known in Canada. Their goal was to provide the industry with new solutions. 

“It was hard work,” said Sam. “We didn’t know if it would get big and or if it would be a hard slog.”

The traditional surface protection product used for most jobsites was a paper-based product called Ram Board. While the Brierleys explained that this product was perfect for some situations, it struggled in others. 

For longer jobs with high traffic, the paper-based boards would break down. It also doesn’t perform well if it gets wet and tends to curl up. Axiom introduced thick fluted plastic sheets that were more suitable for these jobs. They lay flatter, absorb impact and can easily be cleaned. Rather than the one size fits all approach, Axiom has sought to provide builders with the right tool for the job. 

“Instead of just floor protection, we have a complete range of options,” said Sam. “If you come to us with your needs, how long the job is, what you are protecting, what you are protecting it from, we can almost value engineer a solution.” 

Their approach from the beginning was this: Save construction professionals time and money, and make them look good. 

They initially tracked sales and customers in large binders full of tabs but soon they would have to get more sophisticated. In 2017 they grew by 250 per cent. The year after their size more than doubled again. It was then that they decided it was time to start making their own products. 

“We figured we needed to show we could create our specs with manufacturers of products, hold that quality and create a brand people could trust,” said Gaius. 

They started with their Armour Surface Protect brand and the first product was polyethylene backed and UV stabilized Armour Tape. 

“From there we kept exploring different products and branding,” said Gaius. “It was a big learning curve over the years, especially dealing with manufacturers overseas. We had a lot of challenges over the years with quality assurance. You think you got something nailed and then a container comes in with stuff you didn’t expect. Everytime that has happened, we have owned it and gone on to perfect the process.”

Their specifications have become more exact and their product orders are pre-inspected before they leave the factory. This process was a major challenge initially when they had to invest a lot up front in a large product order when the sales weren’t there yet. Now their products have been used on massive projects, including the Calgary Cancer Centre, CIBC Square, Roger Centre renovations, Royal Inland Hospital and The Residences at TELUS Sky.

When it comes to working as brothers, the trio says they have been quick to find out what their individual strengths are and stay in those lanes. They also attribute their success to their team.

“We take pride in building a good team that enjoys working here everyday, and they build the company as well,” said Sam.

The past few years have seen major expansion. So far they have four distribution centres across the country and are currently eying a fifth one in Quebec. They already have a bilingual account manager on their team that is working to grow the business in that region. 

And while they produce their own version of paper-based floor protection similar to Ram Board in addition to many other products, the team is continually innovating new ones. 

“We have a product roadmap of innovations that comes directly from the challenges we get from clients on their sites,” said Gaius. “We flag those and if there is enough of a need, we try to figure out a solution.”

The team is even planning expansion beyond Canada. 

“Looking to the future, we are eyeing up the U.S.,” said Sam. “We sell a small amount there but the focus has been on Canada. The intent in the future is to take it across North America.”

Editors Note: SiteNews has partnered with Axiom to giveaway two free graphite hard hats to our readers. Click on the image below to learn how to enter and get multiple entries.

New data released by Statistics Canada is showing the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on journeyperson careers. 

The agency noted that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 had a negative impact on the economy as a whole, and on newly certified journeypersons in particular. This was seen in the take-up rates of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit among skilled tradespeople (38.4%) and the general working population (35.2%). Among the restrictions that provinces and territories implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 was the closure of many worksites. Without the capacity to perform their jobs virtually, newly certified journeypersons were more affected than others in the labour force.

Journeyperson income dropped in 2020

Journeypersons who newly certified in 2020 earned a median employment income of $50,080 that year, which marked a 5.2% drop compared with what those who certified in 2019 earned. This also represented one of the lowest median employment incomes of newly certified journeypersons since the series started in 2008.

The median employment income of newly certified journeypersons continued to be highest in the territories (-13.5% to $66,540) and Alberta (-7.0% to $57,230). While both jurisdictions experienced significant drops, it was Newfoundland and Labrador (-16.3%) that recorded the largest decline from 2019.

Only 3 of the 31 trades saw growth in the median earnings of newly certified journeypersons from 2019 to 2020, namely agricultural equipment technicians (+9.8%), industrial instrumentation and control technicians (+4.4%) and powerline technicians (+1.1%). The remaining trades experienced decreases from 0.4% to 31.2%. 

Trades that rely heavily on interactions with the public, such as hairstylists (-31.2%), cooks (-21.5%) and estheticians (-21.3%), decreased the most. The agency noted that because these three trades have some of the highest concentrations of female journeypersons and were most at risk of job disruption because of COVID-19 restrictions, their decreases contributed to a larger decline in female journeypersons’ income (-$3,780; -13.1%) than in male journeypersons’ income (-$3,190; -5.7%).

Across many trades, the median employment income of male and female journeypersons decreased by similar amounts, with a few exceptions. In the automotive service technician and welder trades, compared with 2019, the median employment income of newly certified female automotive service technicians (-$7,320; -18.1%) and welders (-$11,330; -19.8%) decreased more than that of male automotive service technicians (-$3,130; -6.8%) and welders (-$6,840; -11.9%). In contrast, although the median income of newly certified cooks (-21.5%) posted a large decrease compared with the previous cohort, the median income of male cooks (-$8,910; -24.4%) decreased more than that of female cooks (-$5,190; -16.8%).

Low mobility also recorded

In 2020, one year after certification, 5.2% of journeypersons either lived or worked in a province or territory other than their place of certification. This marked the lowest national mobility rate of journeypersons since the data series started in 2008, and a continued downward trend for a third year.

In 2020, against the backdrop of COVID-19 restrictions, weak oil prices, and declines in construction activity and support activities for oil and gas extraction (-41.3%), Alberta’s gross domestic product dropped 8.2%, the largest decline among the provinces and territories. Amidst these economic uncertainties, Alberta had difficulties retaining and attracting migrant journeypersons. In 2020, under one-fifth (18.2%) of mobile journeypersons (i.e., those who lived or worked in a province or territory other than their place of certification) who certified in 2019 moved to Alberta. This marked a 3.7 percentage point decline from the previous year and the sixth consecutive year of in-migration declines. In 2014, Alberta’s resource boom made it an attractive destination, and in-migration of newly certified journeypersons to Alberta peaked, with nearly one-half (48.9%) of mobile journeypersons moving there. In 2020, just over one-third (33.7%) of mobile journeypersons had left the province.

British Columbia slowly replaced Alberta as the most common destination for newly certified migrant journeypersons. In 2020, one year after certification, British Columbia received just under one-quarter (24.4%, +1.5% from 2019) of newly certified in-migrants, most of whom migrated from Alberta, followed by Ontario (22.6%), which also surpassed Alberta.

Ontario, start your engines. 

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker, announced that its subsidiary PowerCo will establish an electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing facility in St. Thomas.

Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest automakers, $406 billion in revenue 2022. It manages a portfolio of ten companies.

Following this announcement,  François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science and industry, Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation and trade, called the move a major vote of confidence in Canada and Ontario.

“This historic investment is a testament to Canada’s strong and growing battery ecosystem and Ontario’s competitive business environment. With a highly skilled workforce, clean energy, an abundance of critical minerals, access to markets, and a flourishing automotive and battery sector, we are an attractive investment destination with everything companies need to grow,” they said. “In addition, Canada and Ontario offer stability and predictability to their business partners.”

The ministers added that the investment is a significant step towards building a clean transportation sector to meet global and North American demand for zero-emission vehicles.

Designing a universal washroom is a common task for architects. 

They are required for most buildings, codes often lay out complex requirements and working them into a project can eat up hours or more.

“That simple little room could have our staff busy for a day trying to lay it all out and there’s a good chance they don’t get it right every time,” explained Zenon Radewych, a principal at Toronto-based WZMH Architects in Ontario. 

That’s why the firm developed the Universal Washroom APP, a design assist tool which automatically generates layouts for the Ontario Building Code Universal Washroom. The AI-powered app provides a quick solution instead of hours and hours of tinkering and sketching.

“Students that join us can now use these tools to solve problems within seconds. The next step with this app is integrating it into a drawing program so a drawing can be generated,” said Radewych. “I see the future of building design being like that – inputting numbers into spreadsheets.” 

He believes this could free up far more time for architects to design the look and feel of buildings rather than spending time on technical documents.  

“If AI tools generate the technical layout details, we can focus more on design quality,” he said. “The more accurate we are, the better the documents are. That means less conflicts and less errors.”

Sparkbird is born

The app is just one of the many projects hatched by the firm’s unique innovation lab Sparkbird. The lab was founded by Radewych in 2017 to spur innovation in the construction sector.

“I’ve been around a long time and spent a lot of time on sites,” he said. “What bothers me is that I haven’t seen a lot of change. We have built the same way for 75 years. Productivity is down. It’s taking a lot more effort to produce these buildings with labour shortages and quality control is not there.” 

He began to look at the different layers of a project to see if things could be combined for more efficiency. The result was Sparkbird’s first project, the intelligent structural panel (ISP). 

The ISP can be used in place of traditional structural elements such as reinforced concrete and steel decking. The prefabricated steel plate sandwich panel, contains an “intelligent layer” with plug-in ports for everything from HVAC and lighting to security systems and elevators which respond via sensors to changes in movement, touch, sound, sunlight, temperature and even occupant flow.

“The whole thinking process led us to combining materials,” said Radewych. “We are basically reducing the materials and steps needed. Instead of just concrete and steel, we embed an intelligent layer highway to run wiring for lights and other things. It looks like a circuit board.”

Changing how things are built

As the ISP development progressed, a portion of the office became an active research and development lab space and Sparkbird was hatched. Now the team uses the lab to develop and test new ideas and software applications in collaboration with industry partners.

“This whole idea of innovation evolved from the idea that we need to change how we build things,” said Radewych. “There are too many layers and steps. We looked at how to combine things. That’s kind of the process behind what we do in the lab. It’s about reducing, combining and integrating.” 

Another product from the lab is the Digital Client Standards APP, a user-friendly, interactive and digitally connected version of traditional building design standards. These replace thick hardcopy binders that require manual updates. The app interacts with furniture and equipment suppliers to track the supply chain, and issue bulletins to BIM software to ensure design projects’ latest standards are reflected in real time.

“The time period to train staff is hugely reduced by having this digital document,” said before had to give them big binder, now it’s simple.”

Earlier this year, the firm developed a prefabricated modular precast solution, Speedstac, for mid- to high-rise residential buildings to address housing shortages. But the team soon realized the approach could be used to help rebuild wartorn Ukraine or earthquake damaged buildings in Turkey.

Made of “boxes” that are stacked together, side by side or on top of each other, these prefabricated modular units slide into the existing building and replace damaged sections with new residential units. To facilitate the installation of the Speedstac modules, the firm and UA IT Hub have developed a software and AI tool doton, which provides efficient and safer means of installing components by crane, and utilizes drones or stationary Lidar cameras to measure the distance between building components and the final resting or installation point. The firm says the future of doton is a software platform that will automate the process of installing building components by “autonomous” cranes.

The firm is also harnessing the power of robotics and has presented a robotic solution to install the nuts and complete the required torque for the connection points for prefabricated / modular building components such as Speedstac. Dubbed Torqbot, the robot is flown into position by a drone, and all procedures are streamed to a mobile device such as a tablet.

“While we believe in the whole prefabrication and modular industry and that it will take off at some point, there are still some challenges,” said Radewych. “It’s not cheaper yet and there isn’t enough competition. I don’t think it’s going to move fast but there are definitely benefits to that industry and I think it will eventually prove itself.”

He believes more specialization needs to take place in the prefabrication and modular sector for it to be a more commonly accepted option.

Trying new things

“The idea of the lab and what we do is playing and having fun,” he said. “A lot of these are things that we aren’t in the business of doing. But we are doing them to have fun, show people and think about the future. It’s also great retaining talent as lots of people want to join our firm because of the lab and it shows our clients that we like to think outside of the box.”

He also sees cracks forming in the standar construction project formula as labour shortages, climate targets and other pressures have increased. He believes this will necessitate change in the coming years. 

“I think lots has happened in the past ten years, and the  industry has realized it has to change or there will be serious problems,” said Radewych.

Key Takeaways:

• The ICBA is expanding in Alberta with a new suite of services for members.
• ICBA Alberta will be led by Mike Martens who spent the past eight years working for Progressive Contractors Association of Canada.
• ICBA Alberta will focus on advocacy, group health benefits, training, and wellness programs designed for Alberta’s open shop contractors, builders, and entrepreneurs.

The Whole Story:

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) is expanding in Alberta.

Building on the growth of its Alberta group health benefits business which has been offering health, dental and retirement plans to contractors and businesses for nearly a decade, ICBA is rolling out a suite of new services for its members in Alberta.

Mike Martens, one of the province’s top advocacy leaders, has been selected to head up ICBA Alberta, ICBA president Chris Gardner announced today.

“Founded 48 years ago, ICBA has grown into the country’s largest construction association with more than 4,000 members and clients and 150,000 people on one of our group health benefit plans,” said Gardner. “Today, I’m proud to announce that we are expanding in Alberta and that Mike Martens has joined us to lead the roll-out and growth of the suite of new member services we will be offering to ICBA Alberta members. Mike is a dynamic, respected advocate, and is focused on growing the construction, building, and resource development industries in Alberta.”

Martens was director of public affairs (Western Canada) for the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada for the past eight years. Working out of ICBA’s Calgary office as ICBA Alberta President, Martens will work with the ICBA Alberta team to expand its member service offering in areas related to advocacy, group health benefits, training, and wellness programs designed for Alberta’s open shop contractors, builders, and entrepreneurs.

According to ICBA, some 88 per cent of the more than 220,000 people who work in Alberta construction make up the open shop sector.

“It’s an honour for me to be able to help build on ICBA’s incredible platform in Alberta,” said Martens. “We’re going to be offering some very exciting services to help merit and open shop construction contractors grow, and we’re going to give them a strong voice in public policy advocacy.”

When it comes to federal advocacy, ICBA Alberta is a member of Merit Canada, joining Merit Saskatchewan, Merit Manitoba, Merit Ontario, Merit Nova Scotia and ICBA. Through Merit Canada, the partnership of open shop construction organizations advocates on issues important to open shop contractors in Ottawa.

“Mike and the team at ICBA Alberta will be working to help construction companies grow and support their workers with the best benefits, training and advocacy possible,” said Gardner. “They will be supporting the reduction in unnecessary red tape and the creation the economic conditions necessary to attract investment, build the infrastructure and harness our energy resources in a way that secures our long-term prosperity.”

Martens encouraged all merit-based, open shop construction companies doing work in Alberta, to send him me a note at mmartens@icba.ca so they can meet to discuss how our ICBA Alberta can help. 

“I’ve hit the ground running with meetings and introductions, and I can’t wait to share what ICBA Alberta can do to help construction companies,” said Martens.

*Editor’s note: This article contains very strong language & describes graphic harassment

Marcia Braundy never planned to make history as B.C.’s first female Red Seal carpenter. 

It was out of necessity. Things needed to be fixed and built. So she learned. 

“I had Volkswagens in the 60s and I had to be able to fix them but I didn’t have work that paid me any real money,” she said. “I had to do all of that myself. I found wonderful men who would let me use their tools and give me direction if I needed it.”

She got so proficient that she was able to rebuild two entire engines. 

Marcia’s main passions were feminism, environmentalism and alternative schooling. While organizing for the National Student Association in the U.S, she began to uncover a skillset that would be invaluable her whole life. 

“Chuck Hollander, who hired me there, gave me the gift of learning what I am really good at in this world,” said Braundy. “I am a community organizer, and I am an activist, and I am really good at identifying issues and helping people find ways to solve them.”

Finding home in the valley

Born in Massachusetts and raised in Pleasantville, New York, Braundy’s travels eventually brought her to B.C.’s Slocan Valley.

“I knew immediately that this was my home,” she said. 

She founded the Slocan Valley Free School, which still exists today as The Whole School, a community-supported, non-profit, independent, elementary school. Its program focuses on outdoor learning, multi-age, small class sizes, independent education planning, and student-driven learning.

In the early 1970s, an effort was made to build a community centre in the valley. But there was little money for the project, so residents rolled up their sleeves and got to work, including Braundy. 

“I ran the volunteer crews and I would sit down once a week with someone who knew more than me,” said Braundy. “The men seemed busy most of the time but they would come and we would draw pictures on 2x10s of the work that needed to be done.”

Braundy and other women in the valley wanted to learn but soon found they were being sidelined by the men. 

“I noticed that the guys kept taking the tools out of the women’s hands, saying ‘here, honey, let me show you how to do it’ and then they didn’t give the tool back,” she said. “So I started having women’s work days where we could come, teach each other and learn. It was wonderful.”

The centre eventually became the Vallican Whole Community Centre which still serves the region to this day.

Starting pre-apprenticeship training 

After several years of working on the community centre, Braundy decided to learn more about carpentry to earn a better living. But after a year of asking the province’s apprenticeship counsellor in Nelson to get into pre-apprenticeship training, she had been ignored.  

“At that point I called the director of apprenticeship,” she said. “And I said ‘I think I am being discriminated against and I am really unhappy.’” 

She was told a course in Dawson Creek started in three days so she made her way to Northern Lights College.  She very quickly found out that all of the other women who had tried to take training in the male-dominated programs had left.

“I heard about them every day and people would tell me women couldn’t make it here,” she said.  

Despite these stories, made a promise to herself that no matter what, she would give four years of her life to becoming a carpenter.

“An apprenticeship was four years,” she said. “And whatever happened in that period of time, I would keep going. And if at the end of four years it was too icky, I gave myself permission to walk away.” 

Things got icky fast. “Marcia’s tits” was scrawled on the blackboard, “Fuck you, miss” was on the tool room door and “Marcia’s potty seat” was written in the bathroom. 

To keep herself motivated she would play song tapes recorded by her friends back in the valley and look at architectural plans of an upcoming Slocan Valley project on her wall. 

“They were fabulous plans,” she said. “They had three octagonal bays on them. I had them on my wall because that was the job I was going to do when I got out of school. I had reasons to keep me there.” 

Everyday she erased the crude messages on the blackboard in class but finally she called her instructor over and told him about the harassment. He erased the board and never said anything to anyone.

When the school was creating posters to welcome a local MLA, some of them were also adorned with crude messages or sexualized depictions of nude women. Braundy objected, telling her classmates that she would not let those images represent the carpenters.

“I grabbed a can of paint and threw it all over their poster. They picked up a can of paint and threw it all over me. I didn’t care. That poster wasn’t going up,” she said.

Braundy had been documenting all the harassment and misogyny on campus and after six months she decided it was time to take action with school officials. 

“I have to speak up,” said Braundy. “I have to. And I did. I let them know what was happening and called it to attention.”

The result shocked her. 

The college president, Barry Moore, went around to every single male dominated trades training classroom on campus and told them that their language and actions were inappropriate at an institution of higher learning and if it continued they would be thrown out of school and would not get an apprenticeship anywhere in British Columbia. 

Getting experience

Braundy graduated with the highest grade in the class on her final exam and took her certificate back to the valley to begin her apprenticeship. She worked in various woodworking shops, helped with Nelson’s first Victorian renovation and did some homebuilding projects. But the real money and opportunity was in the carpenter’s union. 

After months and months of being ignored she finally showed up to the union office and demanded a copy of the constitution and standard collective agreement. After she reviewed the documents with a lawyer and found nothing that would prevent her from becoming a member she showed up at the next meeting. She discovered that she had be accepted as the first woman member of B.C.’s carpenter’s union, local 2458.

Now a third-year apprentice, her first union job was the Chahko Miko Mall in Nelson and her business agent told her this: “Marcia, you don’t have to take any shit from anybody. You’re a union member now.”

Her crew was doing concrete flooring work and she made fast friends with the other workers. When she eventually left the job, the team threw her a party and gave her a 15-year-old bottle of rye whiskey in a velvet case. 

While working on the Hume Hotel she became a miter joint expert, learning how to precisely chisel the joints so that even to this day they have stayed intact without cracking. 

“There’s a pride that comes from doing the job that is thrilling,” said Braundy. 

She soon found herself living in a work camp doing larger, more complex jobs. Braundy was part of a 70-person team doing form work on two side-by-side coal silos, each 278 feet tall. Day shifts were 13 hours and night shifts were 11 hours. Typically, carpenters would be paired up for long periods of time but the foreman bounced her from man to man. After 25 different partners, she learned the foreman wasn’t punishing her. 

“Each of the guys that I was with there, it was the first time they had worked with a woman,” said Braundy. “And he wanted as many men there as possible to have that opportunity. I am forever thankful to him. I felt great on the site with all of them.”

But those good feelings were shattered when a crude joke began circulating the camp and was eventually told to her. 

“I can say that I have no memory of exactly what the joke was, but I remember that I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and I couldn’t breathe,” said Braundy. “And I was horrified that all these people who I had thought were my friends had known about that joke and were walking around with that thought in their minds. I suppose I should have written it down, but it was so horrible and awful I just couldn’t even think of writing it down. I had to get through the rest of the day but I was barely functional.”

Her friend, a carpenter from Cranbrook, found her in her room crying and she made him promise to never tell anyone what he had seen. He agreed. 

“I had to get up the next day, go to work and put all of that away,” she said. 

Making history

In 1981, Braundy was in her fourth year of apprenticeship and traveled to BCIT to complete her trades education. She was met with more disturbing behaviour. Her classmates regularly posted explicit pornographic images on the classroom wall. When she finally brought it up with the instructor, he took the images down but never said anything to anyone. 

On the last day of class, one of the students put a particularly explicit pornographic image on the back wall of the classroom and declared, “this is for the guys in the next class, we hope there aren’t any women in it.” 

She quietly shredded the image, threw it in the trash and went to return her books as she prepared to take the final exam. She left her Frederickson Metric Square in the room. The carpenter’s square was designed by carpentry instructor Paul H. Frederickson to help builders, and he had signed Braundy’s. When she returned, it had been destroyed.

“My signed Frederickson square had been twisted into a knot and dropped on my desk,” said Braundy. “‘CUNT’ was written in pencil below it in big letters.”

Emotionally shattered, she began the half mile walk across campus to take the test that will determine if she will be a Red Seal carpenter or not. A classmate of her’s told her not to pay attention to the bully. She asked him one question: “Where were you when it was going on?”

She later found out the bully had failed his exam, but she had passed. She was informed by the school that she was the province’s first ever female Red Seal carpenter

The story doesn’t end there. Here projects are almost too numerous to mention. Braundy even worked with 13 other women to develop EMMA’s Jambrosia, a food manufacturing business to support chronically unemployed women in the West Kootenays.

In addition to to being on BCIT’s board of governors and holding PhD from University of British Columbia, Braundy is a community development worker, social change activist, independent research scholar, multimedia project manager, archivist, teacher, and was the founding national coordinator of Women in Trades and Technology National Network (WITTNN). She curates and manages KootenayFeminism.com and has been active in the Canadian women’s movement since 1972. 

Braundy is currently building a freely-available, full-text digital archive of equity in apprenticeship and technical fields, with a focus on initiatives for under-represented groups.

The Site Visit podcast took their show out of the studio and onto the road last month.

Instead of just bringing their content to listeners’ digital devices, the Site Visit team brought their recording setup to the trade 162,000-square-foot show floor of Buildex Vancouver.

During the two-day trade show event, hosts James Faulkner and Christian Hamm embarked on a marathon of recording, producing 10 episodes with scheduled and drop-in guests.

It was a deliberate departure from the usual methods they use to promote their construction management software company, SiteMax. The company offers field management software for construction designed to meet the needs of a general contractor or subcontractor on a commercial, multi-family residential, hi-rise or light industrial project. The complete jobsite management platform has generated millions of daily logs, safety reports, photo records, time entries and more worldwide.

“We had this idea to switch up the trade show strategy from a typical presentation to a more interactive engagement that can build momentum and create something that’s unforgettable to exhibitors and guests,” said Hamm. “The typical trade show experience is sending a few sales guys with the latest product and you just try to engage whoever will talk to you. But it’s a lot of time and capital to get a booth at a show so we felt that we might as well create something engaging enough to make every dollar worthwhile.”

The setup included a full mixing board, microphones, headphones, a table, couches and even a ping pong table. Speakers even broadcast the podcast live to passersby on the trade show floor.

“For the first five minutes you think about your words being broadcast to exhibitors but after that you sort of lose yourself in the conversation,” said Hamm. “It actually kind of got fun having a live audience as opposed to waiting to see the downloads.”

Hamm said he enjoyed hearing stories from builders and entrepreneurs who have created something from nothing. But he noted the podcast also branched out into discussing topics and trends.

“The things we learned from the live show experience will heavily influence even how we do things in the studio,” he said. “We want to do more topics and trend segments, maybe even segments of tips and tricks. We would also like to have regular guest contributors and host live events. We want to invite a live podcast audience, even online, so questions can be fielded.”

The team is also considering deploying the mobile podcasting concept at other events.
“Can we replicate it in another market for another trade show? There are so many great ones in other markets,” said Hamm.

Check out all the Buildex Vancouver podcasts below:

Olivia Olczak Day from Day Media Consulting

Daniel Loney from Excelsior Measuring

Marlo van den Brink from Aerotek

Jason Carton from Hyland Landscapes

Enoque Panzo from Kiese Technologies

Carrie Hunter from Sensera Systems

Jordan Bateman from the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association

Dave Bouwman, from Midland Appliance

Russell Hixson from SiteNews

Sanjeev Dhillon from the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association

Key Takeaways:

• Those in grade 11 can transition into full-time, skilled trades programs while also earning high school diploma credits.
• The province is also planning consultations with employers, unions, education stakeholders, trainers, parents, and others to make further improvements.
• Recent data shows here were nearly 285,000 jobs in Ontario going unfilled, while about one in five job openings in Ontario are projected to be in the skilled trades by 2026.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government is making it easier for high school students to begin careers in the trades.

The province is now allowing students in grade 11 to transition to a full-time, skilled trades apprenticeship program.

Upon receiving their Certificate of Apprenticeship, young workers can apply for their Ontario Secondary School Diploma as mature students.

“These changes provide students with exciting pathways to good-paying jobs and rewarding careers and support our government’s ongoing work to attract more young people into the skilled trades,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Whether it’s enhancing trades education in our schools, breaking down barriers for newcomers or upskilling workers, we’re leaving no stone unturned to train the skilled workforce that will build Ontario.”

In the construction sector alone, 72,000 new workers are needed by 2027 to fill open positions because of retirements and expected job growth. To help deliver the province’s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, more people are needed in the skilled trades.

“For far too long, parents and students have been told the only path to succeed in life is by going to university, which is simply not true,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “When you have a career in the skilled trades, you have a career for life. Our government will continue to provide students with the tools they need to land well-paying and life-long careers.”

Additionally, the government will begin consultations in fall 2023 with employers, unions, education stakeholders, trainers, parents, and others about ways to make it even easier for young people to enter a career in the trades. This includes the potential of lowering entry requirements for some of the 106 skilled trades that currently require a grade 12-level education.

“To ensure all students can get ahead in this province, we are accelerating pathways from high school to apprenticeship learning and ultimately, a career in the skilled trades,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of education. “Our government’s mission is to fill the skills gap by better connecting Ontario students to these good-paying jobs, helping many students who may not have graduated, now gain a credential that leads them to meaningful employment.”

Key Takeaways:

• Coast Capital’s donation will create the Road to Red Seal Program.
• The program provides individualized assessment and support to Red Seal students in B.C.
• Officials say one-on-one support can be critical to give students the tools and confidence they need to pass exams.

The Whole Story:

Failing a Red Seal exam can be devastating. 

But it’s a common reality in Canada. Completion rates for Red Seal trades are on average below 50 per cent nationally and below 41 per cent in B.C. Often, the decision to quit a program is a direct result of educational barriers that face many trade students related to the academic portion of their training.  

“Imagine what that does to an apprentice when they fail,” said Michelle Anderlini, Construction Foundation of B.C. project manager. “All of a sudden you have no self esteem, you’re nervous, you’re scared to get back and write that exam.”

Anderlini has worked with countless students during her career. She explained that many who enter the trades do so because they excel at working with their hands, but are often dismayed at the thought of going back to school.  

“A lot of the challenges that apprentices face is the educational background they came from,” she said. “They do well working with their hands. So for the most part, the way they learn is very visual and kinaesthetic. So when they get into the trades, it’s very scary for them to go back to school.”

To support trades students in B.C., Coast Capital has made a one-million-dollar investment that will fund a new, no-fee, educational support program, Coast Capital Road to Red Seal. The program focuses on addressing educational barriers faced by many trade students.

The initiative offers a suite of tools and one-on-one support directly to students to address their specific challenges and support their continued progression in their program.

Anderlini said that student needs are often unique to them so one-on-one support is especially crucial. This is also helpful for those who are too shy to ask for help in a group setting. Whatever a student’s issues may be, Anderlini said that these kind of supports all provide a crucial ingredient for success: hope.

“It’s about building hope. It’s about building self confidence that they have got it,” she said.

Anderlini is currently working with a trades student who failed his exam eight years ago and hasn’t been back since. 

“He is scared to go back but he wants to start his own business,” she said. “So it’s about talking with them, and encouraging them. Telling them that they got this. Giving them all the tools they need so they go write the test and nail it.”  

Officials with Coast Capital explained that they believe supporting trades students is the right thing to do for B.C. 

“As a federal financial cooperative and social purpose organization, Coast Capital is committed to helping create a better, more equitable, financial future for everyone,” says Maureen Young, vice president of social purpose at coast capital. “With this initiative, we are so proud to be able to contribute to and advocate for a community where everyone has the skills and opportunities to thrive. Coast Capital’s Road to Red Seal initiative, broadens and personalizes the tools accessible to trade students to empower them in completing their certification so they can confidently enter the industry, grow their careers and shape their better future.”

Key Takeaways:

• The line features a maternity button-up work shirt and maternity cargo pants.
• It comes from Ontario-based Covergalls Inc. which specializes in workwear for women.
• The company says they not only hope the gear can make pregnant workers more comfortable but also keep them safer.

The Whole Story:

A new workwear option for women has just been born in Ontario.

Covergalls Inc. – a Sudbury-based company specializing in creating inclusive personal protective equipment for women – has announced the launch of their new maternity workwear. 

The apparel collection, made up of a maternity button-up work shirt and maternity cargo pants, aims to provide personal protective equipment for pregnant women in the workforce.

Alicia Woods, CEO and founder of Covergalls Inc. says she sees the launch as an important and long overdue step towards helping working women in Canadian industrial sectors be safe, comfortable and heard. 

“I’m really excited for this new addition to our collection. So many women have had to create makeshift solutions due to lack of options and inaccessibility to proper PPE, myself being one,” said Woods. “Creating maternity workwear that companies and suppliers can provide to their employees? It’s a step in the right direction towards greater workplace equality.”

The launch of the maternity workwear line has been a passion project that Woods and her team at Covergalls have been working on since a visit to Yamana’s Jacobina Mine in Brazil in December 2019. In the Spring of 2022, Covergalls began to work on the designs for the maternity workwear and engaged with pregnant workers to trial the apparel and get boots-on-the-ground feedback. 

Since then Covergalls has worked together with uniform provider CINTAS to make these pieces available for their clients.

“The partnership with these women has been wonderful, and an example of the amazing solutions that can be found when industry leaders and companies partner with individuals to try and make a difference in the workwear industry,” added Woods.

The Covergalls Maternity Workwear Collection:

• The Covergalls Maternity Button-Up Work Shirt is designed to fit the unique needs of pregnant women in the workforce. The design features a longer front to safely cover a growing belly and a tab hem with 2 snaps that allows the wearer to adjust the shirt waist as their body grows. 
• The Covergalls Maternity Cargo Pant is designed to provide full and flexible coverage for pregnant women in the workforce. Using a rib knit front panel and high waist design, the pants securely pull over a growing belly. 

Made in Canada, both workwear pieces meet OHS safety standards and use 3M Scotchlite 4” yellow/silver/yellow retro Reflective Tape to give workers high-visibility. 

Woods noted that while the design for the collection includes important special features, they are also purposefully made to fit standard safety workwear guidelines and looks.

“Our design choice to make these pieces was very intentional,” said Woods. “Women in the workforce do not want to be stereotyped or gendered. Rather, they want creative solutions to the current limitations of safety gear. We have to meet the needs of a diversity of body shapes and pregnant women happen to be one body type underrepresented – and that changes over time.” 

The maternity workwear release comes at the start of an important month for women all around the world: Women’s History Month. The company stated that Ill-fitting safety gear is dangerous for any worker. Historically, however, designs have not been considered to accommodate the heights and curves necessary for women who are pregnant and at work. 

Woods hopes that by launching this collective she is able to reach women across industrial sectors who are having to create their own makeshift solutions to ill-fitting equipment. 

“I’ve struggled with ill-fitting workwear. It’s horrible – not just for safety reasons but for also making you feel like you don’t belong in your field. You don’t fit the ‘norm’,” said Woods. “My hope is that this new apparel opens up more discussions around what current and future corporations can do to step up and help improve diversity and belonging in the workforce, pregnant or not.” 

The collection will be available and sold on Covergalls’ e-commerce site beginning this month. 

Whether it is generous benefits for new parents, access to gyms, funding for mental health or large bonuses for recruiting others, these companies are raising the bar when it comes to employee treatment. Each company was recognized last month as part a larger list by BC’s Top Employers, an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

Companies are chosen by editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers using the same eight criteria as the national competition: workplace; work atmosphere & social; health, financial & family benefits; vacation & time off; employee communications; performance management; training & skills development; and community involvement. The judges also compare candidates to other organizations in their field to determine if they are ahead of the pack.

Canfor

Established in 1938, Canfor has a long history in Canada and they are one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable lumber, pulp and paper. For employees, they cover up to 100% of tuition per year. They also offer apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, in-house training, online training, mentoring, paid internships. Canfor pays up to $1,000 each year for mental health practitioner and allows hybrid work for eligible roles.

Ausenco Engineering

Ausenco Limited is a multinational engineering, procurement, construction management, and operations service provider to the energy and resources sectors. Last year, Ausenco implemented a new parental leave program, offering a top-up of 100 per cent of salary for 12 weeks for primary caregivers. New parents also have the option to phase-in their return work or prolong their leave to an unpaid leave of absence. The company also recently established a women’s employee resource group and rolling out training and networking sessions — the company also launched a reconciliation action plan, with six action areas including cultural awareness training, internships and scholarships

Beedie

Beedie is a private real estate development, investment and property management company who’s president, Ryan Beedie was recently honoured by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce as Canadian Business Leader of the Year.. Not only does Beedie assist workers in saving for the future, they provide a year-end bonus program and up to $5,000 in referral bonuses for employees who help recruit new talent. Employees have access to a free onsite gym at its Burnaby office. The gym has free instructor-led classes and even personal training. Beedie also has a digital well-being education platform with resources on mental health, financial well-being, family and relationships.

West Fraser Timber Co. 

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. is a Canadian forestry company that produces wood products, including lumber, laminated veneer lumber and plywood. West Fraser offers a flexible health benefits program, mental health coverage, a $3,000 annual health spending account, They also allow the transfer of unused health credits to salary, savings or additional time off. The company designates a portion of its pre-tax profits for charitable and community giving. Where most donations go is decided by employees. New employees with three weeks of paid vacation and considers previous work experience when setting individual vacation entitlement. Salaried receive an additional paid week above their regular vacation after five years of service, as well as a bonus week of vacation every fifth anniversary thereafter.

TYBO Contracting 

Tybo Contracting Ltd. is a civil contracting company based in Langley and it operates throughout the province. Tybo gives workers retirement planning assistance services and matching RSP contributions. It also helps employees transition out of work with flexible, phased-in retirement options.

Tybo offers $1,000 to $5,000 for successful hire referrals. It supports expecting mothers with maternity and parental leave top-up. Parents with children pursuing post-secondary education can receive $2,500 academic scholarships for each child per year. 

SkilledTradesBC

SkilledTradesBC, formerly Industry Training Authority, is the government organization that advances B.C.’s trades training system. It offers employees an annual spending allowance on items related to personal health goals such as fitness equipment, classes and gym memberships. It supports new parents with extensive maternity and parental leave top-up payments for a full year of paid leave and provides parental leave top-up for new dads and adoptive parents, for up to 35 weeks. New employees start with three weeks of paid vacation, moving up to four weeks after three years.

Ventana Construction Corporation

Ventana is a full-service construction partner based in Burnaby. It supports a group of in-house Wellness Champions in partnership with the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association. Wellness Champions share online materials on a range of topics, from physical fitness to emotional intelligence, and the company recently worked with the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation in support of Men’s Health Week. Ventana also provides variety of financial benefits, including profit-sharing for all employees, signing bonuses for some, and referral bonuses as an incentive for employees to recruit from their personal networks, from $800 to $5,000 depending on the position. Employees can also receive subsidies for job-related courses and professional accreditation. 

Turner Construction Company

Turner Construction opened its Vancouver office in 2011 with the goal of increasing reach and providing construction services across Canada.Turner offers paid volunteer time and matching charitable donations, up to $500 annually, to encourage employees to give back to the community. Employee referral bonuses can get as high as $14,000. Employees can enjoy a reduced summer hours program that includes a company-paid early shutdown every Friday afternoon, from the end of May to the end of August.

Perkins & Will

Architecture firm Perkins & Will offers discretionary compassionate leave top-up for those caring for a loved one (to 80 per cent of salary for up to 52 weeks). It also invests in ongoing professional development with tuition subsidies for courses both related and not directly related to an employee’s current position, subsidies for professional accreditation and financial bonuses (up to $2,000) for some course completions. The company offers paid internships, summer employment, apprenticeships and formal mentoring programs to attract new people into the field.

Ledcor

Ledcor Group of Companies is an employee-owned, diversified and vertically-integrated construction company operating primarily in Canada and the U.S.. Ledcor recently doubled its mental health coverage to $1,500 annually per employee, which includes visits with psychologists, social workers, certified Canadian counsellors, or registered clinical counsellors. Ledcor employees who have over five years of service are enrolled in the Savings Time Annual Reward program, which offers a choice of an additional 40 hours of paid time off or the equivalent dollar amount deposited into a Ledcor RRSP account. Ledcor also supports ongoing employee development throughout an employee’s career, from co-op placements, apprenticeships and mentoring programs to tuition subsidies for courses taken externally.

Jacob Bros Construction 

Jacob Bros Construction, based in Surrey, is a family-owned general contractor operating across Western Canada. The company supports a number of charitable initiatives each year and matches charitable donations made by employees, to a maximum of $500 per year. It also organizes an awards program for employees with five years of service, allowing them to choose between a trip for two, an RRSP contribution, or a cash reward for their tenure. Employees can receive tuition subsidies for job-related courses (to $2,500 per year), subsidies for professional accreditation and a range of in-house and online training options, including apprenticeships.

Hudson Pacific Properties

Hudson is a Vancouver-based real estate developer. It supports new birth moms with maternity leave top-up, to 100 per cent of salary for 16 weeks. Hudson extends parental leave top-up payments to biological parents, same-sex spousal equivalents and new adoptive parents (to 100 per cent of salary for 12 weeks). Referral bonuses go up to $5,000. Hudson also encourages employee volunteerism, providing up to four paid days off to volunteer each year. It also matches employee charity donations up to $1,000 per employee per year.

ETRO Construction 

ETRO Construction is one of Vancouver’s fastest growing construction management and general contracting firms. It offers a fitness subsidy of $500 annually to support employees in achieving their health and wellness goals (can be used for gym memberships and classes), and offers subsidized group personal training weekly at a nearby gym. It provides maternity and parental leave top-up payments, to 100 per cent of salary for up to 26 weeks.

ETRO also recognizes employees  through its Wall of 100 display at head office, showcasing plaques and photos of employees who have achieved their five year milestone with the company.

Concert Properties

Concert Properties is a Canadian real estate company based in Vancouver. It is owned by 19 union and management pension funds and its commercial assets are valued at over $8 billion.

Concert supports a peer-to-peer recognition program and offers up to five additional paid bonus days off per year for employees as a reward for exceptional performance. Concert provides commuters with a public transit subsidy of up to $1,000 per year. Additionally, employees get free access to a fitness facility, a community garden, and regular deliveries of fresh fruit

Concert supports ongoing employee development through in-house and online training initiatives, as well as tuition subsidies for courses related to their current position.

Wesgroup Equipment

Wesgroup Equipment is an award-winning full-service construction equipment and material handling dealership operating with eight locations across B.C. Wesgroup supports ongoing employee development with tuition subsidies for courses at outside institutions along with a range of in-house training options throughout their careers, from mentorships and apprenticeships to leadership training and financial bonuses for certain course completions. Wesgroup offers matching RSP contributions, retirement planning assistance and phased-in retirement work options that allow employees to gradually reduce their hours.

RF Binnie

Binnie delivers civil engineering, surveying and project management services to the public and private sector in Western Canada. The company offers referral bonuses up to $5,000 depending on the position and helps employees save for the future with RSP contributions. Some employees can get profit and deferred profit sharing plans. The company surveyed its employees to help design its return to work program and developed a formal Return to Office Guide that provides support for onsite, hybrid and flexible work options.