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.
Officials are looking to identify high wildfire risk areas near people and cities that could benefit from fire prevention efforts.
In some cases, this means partnering with forest products companies to harness logging activity for fire prevention.
The Whole Story:
Nope, it’s not just haunted house fog that wafted through Metro Vancouver this October. Once again, B.C. residents were blanketed in wildfire smoke.
But experts say the country isn’t helpless when it comes to addressing wildfire risks and the wood products industry can play a role in keeping skies clear and communities safe.
Kate Lindsay, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Forestry Products Association of Canada, explained that climate change is creating conditions for hotter, less controllable wildfires.
“That’s what we have seen, particularly in B.C., but we are seeing it in all parts of Canada to be honest,” she said.
Lindsay noted that B.C. recently updated forestry law to identify wildland fire urban interface areas (WUIs). These are lines, areas, or zones where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.
“What the B.C. government has done is allowed those WUIs to have flammability ratings done, so some will be more flammable and a higher risk for fire,” said Lindsay. “The hope is that this will allow forest managers to take those high-risk WUIs into consideration for thinning and fire break creation.”
And after trees are harvested, more fire-resistant species can be planted in their place.
These efforts can be partnered with programs like FireSmart, which seeks to improve communication with stakeholders; and to organize programs and assets into a logical, manageable structure based on three pillars – homeowners, neighbourhoods and communities.
“It’s about people understanding what the risks are around wildfires and the steps they can take to mitigate wildfire risk,” she said. “It’s a whole-of-society approach that works at multiple scales: homeowner, community and landscape scale.”
Parks Canada chronicles how it partnered with Canfor to reduce fire risk around Jasper, Alta. with logging. – Parks Canada
In some cases, this can lead to beneficial partnerships with the forest products sector. Lindsay cited a recent example of this in Jasper, Alta. Beginning in late 2018, Parks Canada contracted Canfor, a forestry products company, to log dead and dying trees in mountain pine beetle affected forest west of the city in an area known as Pyramid Bench.
“People want to have nature be relatively free from human intervention, but what we are finding is that national parks are under a lot of climate change stress,” said Lindsay.
David Argument, resource management officer for Jasper national park, explained in a video on the project that the city was too close to the affected area for safe prescribed burns.
“Logging at this scale in a national park is not something that we really do, so we had to weigh the visitor impacts and ecological integrity of the site with the need to reduce the fire risk.
Kari Stuart-Smith, senior forest scientist at Canfor, explained that the project included strict requirements to limit impacts to the soil, animals and trails.
“One of the key lessons from this project is that logging can be used to reduce the fuel hazard in extremely sensitive areas,” she said.
Fluor Corporation has been awarded a contract to help design one of the largest renewable diesel production facilities in the country.
The company won a reimbursable front-end engineering and detailed design, engineering and procurement services contract for Imperial as the company advances plans to develop a renewable diesel complex at its Strathcona refinery near Edmonton.
The new complex is expected to be the largest renewable diesel production facility in Canada and aims to produce approximately 20,000 barrels of renewable diesel per day from locally sourced feedstocks.
Fluor will design and integrate a new renewable diesel unit into the existing Strathcona refinery. The integration will include a series of utility tie-ins, electrical and control systems integration as well as commodity storage, loading and unloading capabilities.
Fluor booked the undisclosed contract value in the third quarter of 2022.
“Our involvement in this project underscores our ongoing commitment to helping clients deliver sustainable and lower carbon energy,” said Jim Breuer, group president, energy solutions, Fluor Corporation. “By combining Fluor’s global renewables engineering and construction expertise with the company’s extensive local knowledge, Fluor will provide a robust modular execution approach for this project.”
According to Imperial, the Strathcona refinery has been in operation for more than 70 years. It processes 200,000 barrels of crude oil each day.
Key Takeaways:
Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems (PMP) is acquiring WQC Mechanical in an effort to combine labour forces.
Company officials explained the size of projects in B.C. is making larger workforces more and more necessary.
They believe this will spur other companies to consolidate.
PMP officials explained that the move is part of its strategies to grow its workforce and they believe that acquisitions like this will become more common as projects continue to require more and more labour.
“Like everybody else, the shortage of skilled trades workers is impacting us,” said James Zelinski, chief administrative officer for PMP.
The B.C. mechanical contractor is currently working on large-scale projects like Gilmore Place, Richmond Centre and City of Lougheed.
The merger with WQC Mechanical was first discussed roughly a year ago when WQC was looking to be acquired. Someone from Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems then introduced the team to a contact at WQC.
“We had already been considering a more formalized strategy of growth through acquisition so it made sense when we started these conversations,” said Zelinski. “They have a whole bunch of skilled people – apprentices and red seal plumbers and we saw synergies around what we both do. They are smaller than us but are just a great group of tradespeople.”
PMP is currently in the process of on-boarding roughly 30 new trades workers. Part of the deal is that WQC will finish all the work on its books before completely transitioning its workforce.
Zelinski explained that the acquisition process allowed the company to greatly increase its workforce in one move rather than having to devise a more complex worker attraction strategy through trade shows, LinkedIn or Indeed.
He noted that not only does Pitt Meadows offer competitive wages, full pensions and benefits, but workers will be able to do larger, more complex jobs and broaden their experience.
Going forward, acquisition will continue to be part of PMP’s strategy for growth. And Zelinksi believes that the industry as a whole will see more consolidation.
“We think the industry is going to consolidate,” he said. “I think the big players will just get bigger and that’s partly because the jobs are getting bigger and more complicated. The number of people needed for one job might be 75 or 80. They are so big. The jobs in Vancouver aren’t getting smaller. They are getting bigger. So access to skilled trades is more and more important.”
Key Takeaways:
Institutional construction investment in B.C. has dropped nearly 11 per cent while labour and material costs have continued to rise.
The industry is seeing its lowest unemployment rate since 1976 and the number of trades people has dropped five per cent during the past three years.
Contractors continue to see payment delays of 90-120 days.
The Whole Story:
The BC Construction Association is calling their latest batch of data a reversal of fortunes that shows heavy pressure on the construction sector.
The statistics reported in the Fall 2022 BC Construction Association (BCCA) Industry Stat Pack, combined with findings from a new economic and policy report published this month by the organization, show a difficult road being tread by the province’s builders.
The complete Stat Pack, Economic Report from Sage Policy Group and more information can be found here.
High costs and declining demand
Investment in B.C.’s industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) construction sectors is down 10.9 per cent since February 2020, while the non-residential building price index spiked 19.6 per cent.
Rising prices led to the largest industry in B.C.’s goods sector growing 10 per cent in dollar value despite the decrease in demand, contributing 9.7 per cent of provincial GDP. Construction has seen a massive 80 per cent increase in the value of current projects compared to five years ago.
The BCCA noted that contractors are struggling to balance declining commercial demand with rising costs of materials and labour, even as waning procurement standards on public sector projects add to project risk.
“The construction industry is massive, essential, and struggling”
BCCA President Chris Atchison
B.C. is also seeing its lowest construction unemployment rate since 1976 at 5.7 per cent, with the competition for talent sending average construction skyrocketing 26 per cent since 2017 and 11 per cent since last year alone. The 2022 jump includes a 2 per cent increase due to the 5 days mandatory paid sick leave legislated this past January.
Prompt payment still elusive
The BCCA also expressed frustration that the provincial government has yet to deliver on prompt payment legislation. They noted that contractors regularly wait 90-120 days to be paid, put them in extreme financial jeopardy.
“Waiting to be paid is getting even more expensive” said Chris Atchison, BCCA president. “Slow payment for services rendered is unique to our industry, and with costs of goods, labour, and borrowing all rising, many BC contractors are reaching crisis. Prompt payment legislation is not experimental, it is proven. Unlocking cash flow is an economic necessity and in the best interests of every community in BC.”
Labour grows more scarce
According to BCCA data, the number of ICI construction companies in B.C. has grown to 26,262 but the number of tradespeople in the industry has dropped 5 per cent over three years. The average company size has shrunk 7 per cent over the last three years to an average of 6.53 workers.
Women comprise 5.7 per cent of tradespeople, an increase of 24 per cent since 2017 but a year-over-year decrease of 8 per cent.
“The construction industry is massive, essential, and struggling” said Atchison. “Make no mistake: many employers are reaching a breaking point. The urgent need for more housing and other infrastructure development hangs in the balance.”
From sightings of spectral figures to the sounds of phantom footsteps, be sure to keep the lights on during this read on the strange haunted happenings at these storied Canadian structures.
1. Fairmont Empress Hotel (Victoria, B.C.)
The Fairmont Empress sits right on the water in Victoria and is an example of picturesque Château-style design. – Bobak Ha’Eri
This hotel is a favourite B.C. spot for fancy brunch dates and luxurious vacations. However, some say it is occupied by more than just mortal guests. Staff have reported seeing a slender man with a mustache holding a cane walking on the staircase to the lower lobby and down hallways. They believe it resembles the iconic hotel’s architect, Francis Rattenbury. It’s said he remains at the building so he can continue to hear visitors praise his design. Staff have also reported seeing a ghostly maid continuing to clean up, a young girl, and an elderly woman in pyjamas trying to find her room.
2. Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame (Toronto, Ont.)
Formerly a bank, this building now houses the Hockey Hall of Fame. – Ian Mutto
The chill of an ice rink has nothing on this. According to the Toronto Star, the building was used as a Bank of Montreal branch for a century before it was home to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Residents and visitors have reported seeing a young woman that some believe resembles a former bank teller.
3. West Point Lighthouse (O’Leary, P.E.I)
It’s been a long time since this lighthouse helped bring ships in. It now serves as an inn and museum. – Government of PEI
Does a lighthouse keeper’s shift ever end? Some believe that long gone keepers have been sticking around in P.E.I. There have been reports of flickering lights and images of bearded men roaming the rooms. While the building now serves as an inn and museum, could long lost souls still be trying to help ships find their way?
4. Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, Alta.)
At 129 years old, this building has seen a lot of history. There have been reports of a spectral bride who lurks the hotel’s halls. Legend has it she had a fatal accident on the marble steps on the day of her wedding and has never left. Staff have also reported seeing the ghostly image of a helpful bellman.
5. Waterfront Station (Vancouver, B.C.)
This shot from 1972 shows Waterfront Station – a familiar sight for all who ride Vancouver’s SkyTrain. – City of Vancouver Archives
Eternity is a long time to wait for a train to arrive. Located right in the heart of downtown Vancouver, this historic station has seen millions pass through its doors. Passengers have reported seeing three women waiting for a train to arrive and a jazz-era flapper dancing the night away.
6. Kingston Penitentiary (Kingston, Ont.)
While it’s no longer used as a prison, Kingston Penitentiary can be toured by the public. – Government of Canada
Is there something longer than a life sentence? This facility housed inmates for 170 years before it closed in 2013 due to aging infrastructure. Visitors and staff report hearing the jingling of keys or seeing angry inmates roam the halls. Some say they have seen the ghostly image of William Wentworth, a former prison staff member. While there are no more inmates, the facility is open to the public for tours.
7. Bytown Museum (Ottawa, Ont.)
As Ottawa’s oldest stone building, Bytown museum has withstood the test of time. – Government of Canada
Some say this Ottawa structure is haunted by the ghost of Rideau Canal construction-era supply manager Duncan McNab. A former museum volunteer told reporters he saw a door begin vibrating and heard the sound of heavy footsteps. Other incidents include reports of crying dolls. Yikes!
Key Takeaways:
The projects include work at Hospital of Chicoutimi, Sept-Îles Hospital and the Charles Le Moyne Hospital.
The work includes providing design and engineering, site surveillance, building information modelling management and value engineering services during the next five years.
Officials say the work will increase capacity and improve patient care.
The Whole Story:
SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a series of three contracts with the Société Québécoise des infrastructures (Quebec Infrastructure Corporation), to strengthen hospital infrastructure at sites across Quebec.
Major expansion and redevelopment work will take place at the Hospital of Chicoutimi, Sept-Îles Hospital, and the Charles Le Moyne Hospital. A central focus of the projects will be expansions and redevelopments of operating rooms and specialized care units at the facilities.
“SNC-Lavalin has a long history of working on projects that have a unique and long-lasting impact on the cities and communities it serves in Canada and around the world,” said Ian L. Edwards, president and CEO of SNC-Lavalin. “We know that governments are investing heavily in infrastructure, including public investment in healthcare, and we’re well positioned to capture a healthy portion of that spend as we have the regional and global expertise of our Engineering Services business across healthcare and life sciences.”
SNC-Lavalin’s Engineering Services group, and its consortium partners, will support Société Québécoise des infrastructures by providing design and engineering, site surveillance, building information modelling management, and value engineering services during the next five years. SNC-Lavalin will also be supporting efforts to achieve LEED building environmental certifications, in recognition of portfolio decarbonization at the three sites. The cross-functional project teams, based out of the Company’s hubs in Montreal and Quebec City, will be composed of structural, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers with significant hospital project experience.
“Expansion and modernization work at these three hospitals will measurably increase capacity and improve patient care in the province,” said Ben Almond, CEO, engineering services, Canada, SNC-Lavalin. “Our track record executing projects such as these in Quebec is well known as we have delivered much of the province’s healthcare infrastructure. And as hospital emergency room capacity remains strained across Canada, we are ready to support other public sector partners with expansion and optimization projects.”
Key Takeaways:
Skilled Trades Ontario, a new agency to oversee and boost trades training, launched earlier this year.
Many processes for trades training in Ontario have begun moving online.
Officials say more changes are on the way to modernize the provinces apprenticeship and training systems.
The Whole Story:
Efforts to modernize trades training and attract new skilled workers are ramping up in Ontario.
The Ontario government announced it will be hosting career fairs this fall to address labour shortages in high-demand sectors. The apprenticeship system has also undergone a complete transformation with the launch of Skilled Trades Ontario (STO).
Melissa Young, CEO and registrar for STO, explained that the new agency was built to modernize and streamline the trades training process.
“The old system was very convoluted,” said Young. “Apprentices had to make so many different stops. It was the most confusing thing anyone could experience in their life. You register in one office, get your log book in a different office – it was five or six stops and you have to go through that every year.”
STO, which replaced the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), is moving many processes online. They recently announced that logbooks will be digital. This allows apprentices to electronically track their progress, instead of carrying paper books. This new online solution coincides with the launch of the agency’s official logo and branding, now on their website.
“Apprentices can go see where they are at and employers can update apprentice hours on the job,” said Young. “It’s just going to make life so much easier.”
Young explained that STO is wanting to send a message that construction is a high tech, modern industry.
They will take a warm body as long as they show up in the morning. Just getting them through that door though is hard. We have some marketing work to do.”
Melissa Young – Skilled Trades Ontario CEO
“Technology is really coming to the forefront of the trades on the jobsite,” she said. “There are new types of technology and products being used today that were never used before. The perception of construction is starting to take a positive turn I think.”
Ontario is a massive part of Canada’s apprenticeship pipeline. Young noted that of the roughly 380,000 apprentices in Canada, 25 per cent are in Ontario.
“It’s the same for investment in infrastructure,” she said. “Things are behind because there aren’t enough people to get the jobs done. That’s a common theme from employers. They will take a warm body as long as they show up in the morning. Just getting them through that door though is hard. We have some marketing work to do.”
Young couldn’t elaborate on what the next steps for STO are, but emphasized that many things are in the works.
“Ontario has been lagging with the winding down of OCOT,” said Young. “Skilled trades were kind of put on pause with curriculum and standards development so we are putting a heavy push on that and you will hear about it in the future.”
Young encouraged Ontario residents to check out the upcoming Level Up! career fairs which will highlight 144 different skilled trades. For the first time, students in grades 7 to 12 will have the opportunity to learn about these trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities, while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about trades careers.
“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, which means when you have a job in the skilled trades, you have a job for life,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development in a press release. “Our government is launching these annual career fairs so more students and parents know university isn’t the only path to success. We will continue to make historic investments to attract more young people to rewarding, lucrative and purpose-driven careers in the trades, and ensure employers can find the skilled workers they need to grow their businesses and our economy.”
The first career fair kicks off October 25 to 27 in Mississauga, with subsequent fairs planned in London, Sudbury, Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
“We are on a mission to fill the skills gap by better connecting and ultimately inspiring Ontario students to enter these good-paying jobs that are in demand. We are expanding career fairs and enhancing pathways to apprenticeship throughout the curriculum,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of education in a press release. “By placing a real emphasis on life and job skills like coding, financial literacy and budgeting, we are ensuring Ontario students graduate with a competitive advantage and land good-paying jobs.”
Key Takeaways:
Calgary and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation are looking to start fresh after previous plans fell apart.
Moving forward, the city will be represented by CAA ICON which will get support from Altus Group’s local office.
Officials believe a new arena could help revitalize the city’s downtown.
The Whole Story:
Calgary is looking for a fresh start on plans to build a new event centre.
City officials and the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) announced that they have agreed to begin formal discussions with a fresh start towards a new event centre.
“We’re at the beginning of an important stage,” said Councillor Sonya Sharp, chair of the Event Centre Committee. “A new event centre for our city will attract investment and international events. It will have enormous benefits for visitors and for Calgarians. We look forward to working with CSEC for our mutual benefit and for a result that works for everyone.”
Moving forward, the city will now be represented by CAA ICON, who officials say are experts in structuring deals for major sports and entertainment venues in North America and Europe. CAA ICON will have local support from Altus Group’s Calgary office.
Officials noted that CAA ICON has experience representing municipalities, as well as sports teams, in structuring deals and developing financing plans for event centres, stadiums and other public assembly facilities.
“This new team has the right expertise to get the best outcome possible for Calgary,” said Sharp. “Our environment has changed quite a bit over the past couple years. With everything we have learned, I am confident that CAA ICON representing The City is our best path forward and reflects how important this project is.”
The city and CSEC stated that they believe time is of the essence to reach a formal agreement on a new event centre, while ensuring they take the time necessary to reach an agreement that will meet Calgary’s and CSEC’s needs.
“I must emphasize this point,” said Stuart Dalgleish, general manager of planning and development services for the city. “We must do this right, which means we will need space and we will need time to work on a successful agreement. We will be keeping our discussions confidential and reporting to the Event Centre Committee when the time is right.”
The new facility will be a year-round community destination the city believes could attract people, events, investment and development. Home to the Calgary Flames and other professional sport teams, the new event centre will host global and local art and entertainment events.
Work on an events centre was set to start earlier this year, but the deal was terminated over budget disputes.
Key Takeaways:
Manitoba will skip 2015 codes to give industry more time to adapt to 2020 standards.
The province currently is using 2010 codes.
The switch to 2020 codes will happen six months sooner than required.
The Whole Story:
Manitoba is looking to get ahead of the pack when it comes to national building requirements.
The province announced it will adopt the 2020 editions of the national model building, plumbing, fire and energy codes, published by the National Research Council, earlier than required by legislation and “as soon as practically possible.”
Officials explained they are doing this in response to industry feedback on proposed changes to the regulations.
“Following feedback from industry and other stakeholders, our government has chosen to adopt the 2020 national standards, thereby bypassing the 2015 editions, to give those professionals sufficient time to gain familiarity with the 2020 codes,” said Reg Helwer, consumer protection and government services minister. “The adoption of the 2020 editions will benefit industry in Manitoba through reduced costs and improved competitiveness, which will help strengthen our province’s economy.”
The province explained that its approach will update Manitoba’s construction and fire codes to the 2020 editions approximately six months earlier than required under Canadian Free Trade Agreement commitments for harmonized and timely adoption of national model codes. Officials believe this will avoid duplication of learning and overhead investment that adoption of the 2015 editions would have presented.
The Manitoba Building Code, Manitoba Plumbing Code and Manitoba Fire Code regulations currently adopt the 2010 editions of the national model codes. The Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings regulation currently adopts the 2011 edition of the National Energy Code for Buildings.
An engagement with industry was conducted between June 29 and Aug. 17, with the results indicating an accelerated adoption of the 2020 standards is preferred rather than a two-step adoption of the 2015 editions followed shortly afterwards by the adoption of the 2020 editions.
The province stated that engagement will continue with key industry stakeholders on adoption of the 2020 national standards. Hewler noted that adding the publishing of regulation changes with ample notice will allow industry sufficient time to adjust to the updated codes.
Key Takeaways:
Construction recorded its lowest ever level of unemployment this summer.
BuildForce Canada anticipates 113,000 workers will need to be added by 2027.
To address the issue, the CCA has been working on a series of recruitment initiatives and is calling on government to take action.
The Whole Story:
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is sounding the alarm on unprecedented demand for scarce construction labour.
“Canada is facing its most severe labour shortage in over 50 years – nearly 1 million jobs are unfilled,” said Mary Van Buren, CCA president, in a statement to media. “The situation is especially acute for the construction sector – we have over 81,000 openings now. This also means the essential infrastructure projects that 38 million Canadians rely on every day risk being cancelled or delayed.”
The CCA urged everyone in the industry to join its ‘Rebuild Canada’s workforce NOW’ campaign. The campaign will see industry representatives meet with parliamentarians for CCA’s Hill Day on Nov. 15 where they will urge the federal government to:
modernize Canada’s immigration policy and point system to better recognize tradespeople and construction labourers.
work with the provinces to ensure skills matching is properly funded and supported; and
update the Temporary Foreign Worker program to allow seamless access for the construction industry.
The group stated that the demand for labour in non-residential construction is increasing thanks to the post-pandemic boom experienced by the construction industry.
The CCA cited data that shows job vacancies currently sitting at 84,585 while the value of monthly building permits reaching $3.9 billion. That’s a 17 per cent increase over its highest recorded level seen since 2019.
BuildForce Canada forecasts that given the current demand for non-residential construction, the industry will need to add 113,100 workers by 2027. The first 35,500 workers will be needed to meet the rising demand, while the remaining 77,600 are required to make up for the same number of workers set to retire over the same period.
A graph charts construction employment from 2016 to 2022. – Canadian Construction Association
“This may prove difficult in current market conditions,” said the CCA in an announcement, noting that a July report by Statistics Canada the construction industry documented its lowest ever level of unemployment.
“Low levels of unemployment indicate the supply of workers is insufficient to fill current vacancies,” said the association. “Given this trend, the construction industry is already facing the negative impacts of low unemployment, which include greater difficulties in recruitment and retention, lower productivity gains, and rapid wage growth.”
The group added that the construction sector contributes $152 billion, or 7.5 per cent of Canada’s GDP, annually.
“The industry has immense growth potential but is facing fierce competition for talent,” CCA officials said.
CCA has been working on several initiatives to build a pipeline of skilled, unskilled, and professional talent. Our Talent Fits Here initiative is a national public awareness campaign designed to attract workers by positioning construction as a career of choice. The association is also advocating for changes to the Canadian immigration system to facilitate the entry of skilled immigrants interested in working in the construction sector.
“The future of Canada’s economic growth depends on our ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent,” they said.
When electrical engineer Supneet Chawla arrived in Canada from India, she had to start from scratch and there was nobody to help guide her. When she saw other immigrants struggling, she began ACE Community College in her mother’s garage.
Over 17 years later the Surrey, B.C. school has helped more than 10,000 students, mostly immigrants like Chawla, get trades training and pass their red seal exams. She believes that the right training and the right connections is key to helping immigrants get high paying trades careers.
SiteNews chatted with Chawla to get her thoughts on the challenges immigrant works face and how they can be brought into the construction sector.
What role can new Canadians play in filling trades roles?
Chawla:“A lot of immigrants come with very big dreams. They have often left high paying jobs for a better life here. They will try to get their basic expenses paid and that’s when they knock on doors at retail stores, gas stations and they will try to get those jobs rather than looking for a career. Imagine a person with a family to support. They want to pay their rent. And that person gets sucked into a regular paying job and away from their real career. They have the skills but their dreams get crushed very quickly.”
What challenges do new Canadians face when they come to Canada?
Chawla: “The biggest thing I see for people is language. It’s a big factor. For me, 25 years ago, there was no internet and no cell phones when I landed. Research wasn’t as easily available as it is now. For immigrants now the number one challenge is language. They also come with responsibilities that they have to deliver on. And they also don’t come with a lot of money and it is so expensive these days. A one bedroom basement suite can be $1,500 and if you have kids you need a two bedroom basement suite. The living expenses are so high, that they have to start a job doing whatever they can get.”
What challenges do new Canadians face when trying to enter the trades?
Chawla: “The biggest challenge for a lot of people is the time commitment, the money commitment and the language commitment. Coming up with money for a $1,000 to $2,000 program. They don’t have that much money but the government has a lot of grants available. They just have to come to the campus so we can help them with those avenues of money that are available to a new immigrant. For language, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) allows you to bring a translator to exams or training. That comes in handy. For all our programs, people can bring their wife or child or anybody who speaks both languages comfortably to help them understand the content. Now when it comes to time they have to work that out for themselves. They can’t get sucked up into the nine-to-five job. They have to have a bigger vision. Commitment of time is the biggest. The other two we can help them get there. But they have to commit the time and show up at the campus.
What do you want employers to know about immigrants
Chawla:“Do not underestimate them just because they came from another country. Give them a chance and test the waters for a week. But do not underpay them just because they are an immigrant. This person may be an immigrant now, but in ten years they may feel that they weren’t treated fairly at their first job. Give them a good first experience of being in a good environment, pay them a fair salary. Make sure they have all the resources to do the job and give them an opportunity.
Do immigrants often get paid less than others?
Chawla: I feel that as an immigrant you are desperate and an employer sees that. I’m an employer myself and whenever I meet potential new employees, what is most important is what they want. Of course I want good work, but what do they want? If I can deliver to your needs, you will deliver for my needs. Any relationship, no matter if it is business or family, it has to be a win-win. That is the only way it works. If I can’t deliver as an employer, how are you going to deliver as an employee? So it’s really important you pay a decent salary so they can do a decent job, give them decent working conditions and not undermine them because they are an immigrant and they were desperate for a job.
What impact do trades careers have on your clients’ lives?
Chawla: The way I see it, when immigrants come to this country they are like a seed and they want to become a plant. If the seed is healthy, the plant will flourish. I see myself inputting into their lives so the seed can be sown in the right spot so their lives are flourishing. If you have a poor beginning, chances are that your end will be bad as well. Training brings that value to them. As an immigrant, that is where I take my pride. And as a college owner this is something very important to my heart. I sleep well at night thinking about the people we have helped get to a career given the tools and techniques to flourish.
What does it mean to you to be woman of colour and immigrant in the trades?
Chawla: “For me it is a satisfaction as a woman. I take so much pride in where I am today. And it didn’t come easy. There were no long weekends. In 17 years I’ve never had a Saturday because I’m always teaching Saturdays. It comes down to this satisfaction that I get from helping people in a way that I couldn’t get when I came here. I was lost when I came and I had nowhere to turn to figure this out. I had to go through so many hoops to get where I wanted. As a woman of colour, when I see these people doing so much better in life and having some input in that, it makes me feel really good. I would not have done anything differently. I love education and I believe that without education we are nobody. And that’s not just a degree, it’s being aware of what’s out there, what resources are available and what I can do to have a better life. That comes through education. Our mind thinks differently once we are educated.”
Ever wonder what engineers, CEOs and tradespeople listen to at work? Now you don’t have to. We reached out to every corner of the sector for this special Spotify playlist. Throw it on at the jobsite, in the office or while you’re on the road.
1. Mary Van Buren, Canadian Construction Association President
Unstoppable – Sia
Great motivator to kick off the day.
– Van Buren
2. Shane McKernan, Director of Construction at Chard Development
Die Hard – Kendrick Lamar
My go-to song to crush work to.
– McKernan
3. Sebastien de Ghellinck, SkillSignal Founder and Owner
Sabotage – Beastie Boys
I’ve been a Beastie Boys fan since I was 14. My absolute favourite is Sabotage. That song is 200 per cent pure energy and fun. It can pick me up in any mood I find myself stranded in and never ever gets old.
– de Ghellinck
4. Rory Kulmala, Vancouver Island Construction Association CEO
Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
Always been one of my favourites! Serenaded my wife with this song some 20+ years ago 😊
– Kulmala
5. Nicholas Tountas – Sheet metal worker at Orzech Heating and Cooling
Take ‘Em Down – Dropkick Murphys
I’m a diehard Dropkick Murphys fan and most of their music is obscure to most people. What the Murphys stand for resonates with me more than any singular song. They’re a very pro-union and pro-worker’s rights band and one song in particular, “Take ‘em Down”, really solidifies their views on the power of organizing and protecting your rights. It’s an older song, but the message is one that never ages.
– Tountas
6. Erik Backstrom – City of Edmonton Senior Planner
Light Up My Room – Barenaked Ladies
A romantically-infused reflection on urban infrastructure that has always resonated with me.
– Backstrom
7. Thomas Bamber – Air + Light Technical Lead for Integral Group
Soul Brother – Dalton
This is just a really great song. That’s all I really have to say. I don’t know who Dalton is. It’s been used in a couple of mixes I found here and there and I Shazam’d it and it’s just the nuts.
– Bamber
8. Michael Scott, Vice President of Impact Recruitment’s Building Division
Jane Says – Jane’s Addiction
Love how such a powerful band and sounds can produce something this chill and melodic but still has deep meaning behind it. Great driving song!
– Scott
9. Russell Hixson, SiteNews Editor
The Less I Know the Better – Tame Impala
This song is such a vibe. It just flows and puts me in a very calm mood. Great to listen to while I’m writing up notes or doing research.
– Hixson
*Editor’s Note – Listen to the whole Spotify playlist here. This is the first part of a three-part series that will highlight different media recommendations by construction leaders. To make sure you don’t miss out, subscribe to our newsletter below.
Key Takeaways:
RBC Bank expects a moderate recession to hit in the first quarter of 2023.
If inflation can’t slow sustainably, more rate hikes could come and the recession could deepen.
The manufacturing sector will likely be the first to pull back when the recession hits.
The Whole Story:
A moderate recession could creep into Canada sooner than expected.
The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) believes that the downturn could hit as early as the first quarter of next year.
Previously, the bank projected a moderate recession for Canada’s economy in the second quarter of 2023. They now believe this downturn will arrive as early as the first quarter of next year.
RBC added that higher prices and interest rates will trim $3,000 off the average household’s purchasing power, weighing on goods purchases.
The bank expects the jobless rate to approach 7 per cent while remaining less severe than in previous downturns.
RBC experts added that as debt-servicing costs increase and purchasing power declines, lower income Canadians – many already adjusting to the loss of pandemic support – will be hit hardest.
One of the main points RBC made was that no matter when the recession hits, it won’t be felt equally by all.
“The manufacturing sector will likely be among the first to pull back while some high-contact service sectors like travel and hospitality could prove more resilient than in a ‘normal’ historical recession,” wrote RBC experts.
The bank noted that they have already seen cracks forming in the economy, including a sharply cooled housing market and an aggressive rate-hiking cycle by central banks. RBC added that while labour markets remain strong, employment is down by 92,000 over the last four months.
“While the Bank of Canada is expected to lift the overnight rate to 4 per cent, the U.S. Federal Reserve will likely hike to between 4.5 per cent and 4.75 per cent by early 2023,” wrote bank experts. “These factors will hasten the arrival of a recession in Canada.”
RBC experts explained that what happens next will depend on a range of factors, with interest rate increases the most significant among them.
“Central banks will be reluctant to throw in the towel on rate hikes before they are confident that inflation will slow sustainably,” they wrote. “We expect the Bank of Canada to pause its rate-hiking cycle in late 2022 followed by the Fed in early 2023.”
They noted that this is contingent on inflation pressures easing.
“More stubborn inflation trends over the coming months could yet prompt additional hikes, and a potentially larger decline in household consumption and a deeper recession,” they added.
Key Takeaways:
The project has also seen huge donations from the Audain Foundation, the Chan Foundation and the federal government.
It would be the first passive house art gallery in North America and incorporate mass timber materials into the design.
The province anticipates work will generate 3,000 construction jobs.
The Whole Story:
B.C. is a big patron of the arts.
Officials announced an additional $50 million in funding to help build a new home for the Vancouver Art Gallery.
This is the second investment by the province toward the new gallery. In 2008, the B.C. government provided $50 million for a total investment of $100 million This project has received more than $190 million in private donations, including $100 million from the Audain Foundation in 2021 and $40 million from the Chan Foundation in 2019.
“The Vancouver Art Gallery is a flagship cultural institution in B.C., and we are proud to provide this additional investment to make this new building a reality,” said Lisa Beare, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. “The new gallery will be a social, artistic and commercial hub and will enrich tourism and cultural experiences in the region for residents and visitors alike. I’m especially pleased with the collaborative partnership with four local Indigenous artists to design the building exterior. Once built, it is sure to draw global attention as the largest building to reflect Coast Salish culture in the world.”
The building façade was designed through collaboration with Coast Salish artists Debra Sparrow, Skwetsimeltxw Willard (Buddy) Joseph, Hereditary Chief Chepximiya Siyam’ Janice George and Angela George, and Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, with Vancouver architects Perkins & Will.
The exterior of the building is informed by a Coast Salish world view through consultation with Indigenous artists from the host Nation.
According to the province, mass timber will be featured as part of the construction to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. The new gallery will be the first Passive House art gallery in North America and will be the most environmentally sustainable art museum in Canada.
The new Vancouver Art Gallery will be a multifaceted facility featuring a theatre, library and research centre, artist studios, child care, restaurants and retail space. There will be an Indigenous community space, along with five dedicated classrooms for specialized school programs and art instruction to serve more than 90,000 students annually. The project is expected to generate an estimated 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 permanent jobs in the tourism sector.
The new Vancouver Art Gallery’s Chan Centre for the Visual Arts will also optimize capacity for safe and efficient storage of works of art in the gallery’s permanent collection, including Canada’s most important collection of works by renowned Canadian artist Emily Carr. The new gallery will be located at Larwill Park on Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver.
“The new Vancouver Art Gallery will truly be a community space for the growth of B.C.’s arts and cultural sector, the enjoyment of the public and the prosperity of the region,” said Anthony Kiendl, CEO and director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “Combined with the support of generous donors, members and stakeholders, we are closer to realizing our vision of a new gallery that better reflects everyone in B.C. Together, we are contributing to a rich cultural environment in Vancouver, through the voices of Indigenous communities and the people from many lands who have decided to make Vancouver and British Columbia their home. The gallery will create strong links between local culture and international art and audiences.”
Federal officials have stated that they are looking to have the new gallery open in 2027.
A rendering shows the entrance to the new Vancouver Art Gallery – Herzog & de Meuron/Perkins + Will
There’s very little fat on this one.
15 Toronto Street is a redevelopment of an existing office building. The project team is looking to breathe new life into the 1960s modernist office tower by transforming it into a thin 53-storey mixed-use building featuring a minimalist design.
The team has proposed indoor and outdoor amenity areas at the top of the tower, as well as a restaurant and patio wrapping around the 11th floor space.
A rendering shows the ground level redesign of 15 Toronto. – BDP Quadrangle
Key Takeaways:
B.C., Ontario and Quebec will fall well short of 2030 affordable housing goals due to lack of skilled labour.
Labour capacity issues are most critical in Ontario, which has the largest population and the highest price pressures.
These provinces would need to double their best-case labour capacity in order to adequately reach housing affordability supply targets.
The Whole Story:
Even under best-case scenarios, major Canadian housing markets will severely miss affordable housing targets due lack of skilled labour.
According to a report by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), housing starts will fall well below the 2030 affordable supply targets in Ontario, B.C. and Quebec, while Alberta will be able to achieve its affordable housing supply target by 2030.
“This report further reinforces that to solve the issue of housing affordability in Canada, we need an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to increasing the supply of housing to meet demand,” reads the report. “This will include building on innovative ideas and initiatives being utilized in the current housing industry and through the federal government’s National Housing Strategy.”
In June CMHC released “Canada’s Housing Supply Shortages: Estimating what is needed to solve Canada’s housing affordability crisis by 2030”, which took initial steps to estimate how much additional housing supply is required to restore housing affordability by 2030.
Using the housing supply targets outlined in ESG 2030, CMHC released the follow-up report “Labour Capacity Constraints and Supply Across Large Provinces in Canada”, which examines the skilled labour capacity in Ontario, Quebec, B.C. and Alberta, to deliver on this level of needed housing supply.
Housing Supply Affordability Targets. – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
The report looks at a best-case scenario, which projects housing starts with maximum labour capacity and compares these projections to the affordability supply targets set out in its housing shortage report and CMHC baseline starts forecasts. The best-case scenario is based on the highest percentage of people in our population who work in residential construction and the lowest number of residential construction workers per housing unit under construction in the past 25 years.
To address the issue, the report offered a series of recommendations. These included creating and rolling out programs, such as the Housing Accelerator Fund and the Rapid Housing Initiative, amongst others, as part of the National Housing Strategy, that aim to identify and address innovative solutions to accelerate the construction of housing supply in many urban centres in Canada.
The authors also suggested a shift in focus towards converting existing structures into residential units – particularly existing commercial structures.
They added that Canada could increase the construction of multi-unit housing, as it provides less logistical constraints of moving labour materials and equipment among structures than single-detached homes.
They also called for more incentives to develop a new generation of skilled construction workers and more targeted immigration programs to encourage skilled, temporary and/or permanent foreign workers to bridge the labour shortage, particularly in Ontario and B.C.
Origine Building – Quebec City, Que.
Origine Building – Nordic Structures
While there are much taller mass timber buildings in Canada and the world, a case study by the Canadian Wood Council, Origine is the tallest building with a structure made entirely in wood. The project was developed by NEB group, a consortium made up of Nordic Structures, EBC, and Synchro Immobilier, with architecture by Yvan Blouin Architecte. The builders wanted to showcase Quebec products and expertise. Wood is used from the first floor all the way up to the thirteenth. Load-bearing walls, shear walls, floors, and the roof are all made from cross-laminated timber, with glue-laminated (glulam) timber posts and beams rounding out the structural system. All the products were manufactured from FSC-certified black spruce at the Chantiers Chibougamau plant in Northern Quebec.
Landing Building – Vancouver, B.C.
While it’s currently a multi-tenant commercial building, this structure was originally a supply warehouse for gold rush miners. It is Canada’s tallest heavy timber building at 30 metres. It was restored and renovated in 1987. But it’s famous far beyond the world of mass timber. According to the book “Ghosts of Vancouver” security guards have reported seen the ghost of a lady dressed in white. She passes through an elevator door in the lobby and walks toward the arched window. There, she stops and looks out to the harbour, then vanishes. Spooky.
Wood Innovation and Design Centre – Prince George, B.C.
The Wood Innovation and Design Centre – Province of B.C.
Not only does this project showcase wood technology, the people inside are working to advance the wood construction industry. The Prince George building is home to University of Northern B.C.’s Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design program. With the exception of a mechanical penthouse, there is no concrete used in the building above the ground floor slab, . The design incorporates systems-integrated CLT floor panels, glulam columns and beams and mass timber walls.
“This simplicity translates into repeatability of the system,” wrote the project’s architect, MGA. “Instead of focusing solely on a showpiece structure, we created a building that can be easily replicated.”
Audain Art Museum – Whistler, B.C.
Audain Art Museum – Audain Art Museum
Easily one of the most beautiful buildings in Canada. The Audain Art Museum is a 56,000-square-foot private museum located in Whistler, B.C. It is home to the private art collection of Michael Audain. It was designed by Patkau Architects. According to Naturally Wood, extreme weather meant the project team needed to seal the building quickly. The architects used computer software to design a steel frame to support prefabricated wall and floor panels. Prefabricated engineered panels, 2.4-metres wide and up to 16.5-metres long, were trucked in for the roof. Roof sheathing was built from laminated strand lumber and the rafters from parallel strand lumber.
Capilano Branch Library – Edmonton, Alta.
The prairies have bonafide wood credentials too. To work with a narrow and challenging building footprint, builders in Edmonton came up with a jagged roof of three peaks running along the length of the building, giving the appearance of different roofs collapsing against each other. The peaked shaped allowed for the installation of additional diffused glazing and the concealment of mechanical and electrical services. According to architect Fast + Epp , a repetitive series of welded steel frames were created that were each a cross-section of the entire building form over which a roof of Douglas-Fir timber panels could be installed. The steel frames were pre-fabricated and delivered on site in two pieces, and the mass timber panels, which connect the jagged steel frames, were installed in just a few days.
Ecole Gravelbourg School – Gravelbourg, Sask.
Ecole Gravelbourg School – Town of Gravelbourg
According to Natural Resource Canada’s “State of Mass Timber” report, the design of the school is intended to harmonize with the nearby 19th century heritage buildings, which is a designated National Historic Site – an important feature in the small, multicultural town with fewer than 1,000 homes. The wood makeover was devised when the school underwent renovations and an addition to the high school to accommodate the inclusion of the elementary school. The project vision was developed with students, staff and the community using a collaborative design process. The major update added classroom space, a new library and media centre, multipurpose areas, and offices.
UQAC Arena – Saguenay, Que.
UQAC Arena – Nordic Structures
You’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful space to play hockey. The hybrid structure employed wood for approximately 70 percent of the construction materials. The arena was designed for the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi (UQAC), which serves more than
6,000 students each year. The facility includes an ice rink, changing rooms, indoor stands
and outdoor. Composite girders using glulam with steel tensioners are topped by a wooden roof deck, with large structural spans of 35 metres. The angular beams create extra height above the public space, allowing for the addition of a press gallery and related rooms upstairs.
Green Gables Visitors Centre – Cavendish, P.E.I
Green Gables Visitors Centre – Government of Canada
Straw hats and braids are most welcome here. The 19th-century farm property gained notoriety from the popular Anne of Green Gables series as the heroine’s childhood home. Today it has become one of the most visited federal parks in the country. To keep up with the crowds, a renovation and expansion was planned. In the second phase, the Green Gables Visitors Centre was built, along with the addition of a commercial kitchen and cafe. Mass timber was used to blend with the traditional timber framing used for the original barn.
Brock Commons Tall Wood House – Vancouver, B.C.
Brock Commons – University of British Columbia
When this student housing project opened at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2017 it was the tallest mass timber structure in the world. While it no longer holds the title, it remains an iconic structure for the history of Canadian mass timber. The tower’s frame consists of pre-fabricated engineered timber manufactured by Structurlam. The roof is steel-framed, composed of pre-fabricated steel beams supporting a metal deck. Brock Commons clearly demonstrated that tall mass timber structures are possible.
Canada’s Earth Tower – Vancouver, B.C.
Canada’s Earth Tower – Perkins + Will
Ok. So this hasn’t been built. Yet. But B.C. is looking to take back the global title of tallest mass timber building in dramatic fashion. Architect Perkins+Will writes that at 40 stories, the mixed-use development will become the world’s tallest hybrid wood tower, dramatically reducing the project’s greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration.
“Beyond timber, the project will be a zero-emissions building; it will not consume fossil fuels, such as natural gas, in operation,” the architect noted. “Equally important, the project will support community and dramatically improve livability in tall, urban residential buildings.” So far, the building is still in the planning stages.
13. Taza Mixed Use Developement ($4.5 billion) – Alberta
The Taza mixed-use development will consist of 1,200 acres of development on the Tsuut’ina Nation near Calgary, which will include 17 million square feet of real estate. This makes it one of the largest First Nations developments in all of North America. There will be three distinct areas of the development known as Taza Park, Taza Crossing, and Taza Exchange. Costco was announced as the anchor tenant in 2019.
Once in service, the 18-kilometre Hazel McCallion Line 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.
11. Gordie Howe International Bridge ($5.7 billion) – Ontario
This project aims to forge a stronger connection with our southern neighbours. The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a six-lane crossing of the Detroit River connecting the city of Detroit with Windsor, Ont. Once completed, the 1.5-mile crossing will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, with a main span of .53 miles. 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. In October 2019, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario officially announced Mobilinx is the winning bidder for the project.
This pipeline will serve the top project on this list. Work involves building a 650 km natural gas pipeline from the Dawson Creek area to the Canada LNG facility. TransCanada Corp has been selected to design, build, own and operate the project. The pipeline has received all pipeline and facility permits and certification under the Environmental Assessment Act in Oct 2014, and in May 2018 for alternate route application. The construction timeline will coordinate with LNG Canada project advancement.
9. The Réseau express métropolitain ($6.9 billion) – Quebec
Currently under construction, the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project is being led by CDPQ Infra, a subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. It will considerably transform the service offer in the Montreal metropolitan area by adding a 67 km long public transit network, served by an automated and electric light rail. The first trains are expected to start running in 2022 from the South Shore to Bonaventure-Central Station. Then, the West Island, North Shore and Centre of Montréal branches will be put into service at the end of 2024.
The design concept for the upgrade includes tertiary treatment and a range of ecological restoration projects. Upgrades will include secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment expansion, and groundworks improvements. The facility operations will be completed by 2034 and additional digestors will be constructed by 2041. Crews are currently conducting in-water geological investigations.
The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is part of Metrolinx’s regional transportation plan, The Big Move, and is one of the first large-scale transit projects for the Toronto area. The LRT will provide fast, reliable and comfortable transit along Eglinton Avenue and will help to reduce congestion, offer reliable transit to Toronto residents and integrate transit services.
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.
5. Bruce Power Refurbishment ($13 billion) – Ontario
Ontario is going nuclear. 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. It 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.
4. GO Expansion – On-Corridor Works ($15.7 billion) – Ontario
The On Corridor Works project is the largest capital infrastructure project in the Province’s historic 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. System-wide infrastructure upgrades will include: adding tracks, expanding stations, electrification of the rail network, new locomotives and train control systems to enable more frequent service.
3. Site C Project ($16 billion) – B.C.
Easily one of the most talked about project’s on this list, Site C involves building a third dam and hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River approximately seven kilometres southwest of Fort St. John. It will be capable of producing approximately 5,100 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and 1,100 megawatts of capacity. Site C will provide clean, renewable and cost-effective power in B.C. for more than 100 years. While the project is currently underway, it has stirred up some controversy as its costs have escalated. It was originally approved with a budget of $8.7 billion. The latest employment report showed an army of 4,578 workers were on the site in August.
2. Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion ($21 billion) – B.C./Alberta
With cost increases, ownership changes and safety concerns, this is easily one of the most storied projects on this list. The original Trans Mountain Pipeline was built in 1953 and continues to operate safely today. The expansion is essentially a twinning of this existing 1,150-kilometre pipeline between Strathcona County, Alta. and Burnaby, BC. It will create a pipeline system with the nominal capacity of the system going from approximately 300,000 barrels per day to 890,000 barrels per day. The original cost of the project was estimated to be $7.4 billion. The most recent cost increase have been attributed to the pandemic and catastrophic flooding in B.C.
1. LNG Canada ($36 billion) – B.C.
This behemoth 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. An agreement is in place to connect to the BC Hydro power grid. The project has been approved under the Environmental Assessment Act, and by the National Energy Board (NEB) for a 40-yr export license to replace the current 25-year license. A final investment decision was approved in October 2018 to go ahead with the project. The 5-year process to complete a potential of four trains is expected to have the first train in production by Late 2023.
Key Takeaways:
The $15 million will be spent on 12 new and existing partnerships over the next three years.
The funding comes after a recent report showed a 35 per cent decline in apprenticeship enrolment over the past five years in the province.
The news brings total new funding for apprenticeship education to $30 million over the next three years.
The Whole Story:
Alberta is looking to boost apprenticeship with a series of new training partnerships.
The province will spend $15 million over the next three years to fund 12 new and existing community partnerships.
Officials stated that these partnerships help promote and build awareness for skilled trades professions and expand support for Albertans wanting to register for apprenticeship education programs.
“We are elevating apprenticeship education and making sure Albertans understand the great value in training for a career in the skilled trades. Demetrios Nicolaides, minister of advanced education. “Alberta’s continued economic growth depends on the development of a highly trained workforce to meet increasing labour market demands.”
This grant funding builds on the recently announced $15 million in funding to expand apprenticeship opportunities, bringing the total new funding for apprenticeship education to $30 million over the next three years through the Alberta at Work initiative.
Funding comes from the Alberta at Work initiative introduced in Budget 2022 and provides $5 million a year for the next three years to fund existing and new apprenticeship partnership grants.
Community Partner Grants and funding amounts:
Alberta Ironworkers Apprenticeship and Training Trust Fund (Pre-Apprenticeship Gladiator Program, Recruitment & Marketing Strategy): $488,866
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (Pre-Employment Pipe-Trades Training Program): $1,205,475
Christian Labour Association of Canada (Train to Employment Program): $796,500
Electrical Industry Training Centres of Alberta (Pre-Apprenticeship Candidate Training Program): $626,940
Lethbridge College – Centre for Trades (STEM Program): $1,385,500
Momentum Community Economic Development Society (Women and Self-identified LGBTQ2S+ Participants Program): $727,282
The Educational Partnership Foundation (Trades Careers Program – Indigenous Partnerships): $1,109,700
Women Building Futures (Women and the Emerging Energy Future Program): $840,000
Skills Canada-Alberta (Try-A-Trade Takeout and Skills Exploration Days Programs): $4,302,737
CAREERS: The Next Generation (High School Integration for Work Integrated Learning): $1,260,000
Key Takeaways:
Surrey is embarking on a multi-phase project to upgrade its dyke systems.
The city’s strategy is in response to increasingly severe flooding and storm events.
Officials are seeking $10 million in provincial funding for the first phase.
The Whole Story:
Surrey officials are moving to bolster the city’s defenses against climate change.
The B.C. city announced it is in the first phase of upgrading the dyke network to protect against flooding from increasingly more common high magnitude storm events.
Officials explained that the upgrades are being done to protect against flooding from increasingly more common high magnitude storm events. As a next step in enhancing the network, the city will be applying for $10 million in funding to upgrade the Nicomekl River Dyke.
“It is important that the city expand and enhance our dyke network to protect against the increasing effects of rising sea levels and storm events,” said Mayor Doug McCallum. “Upgrading and maintaining Surrey’s dykes are important because it provides effective protection against flooding from increasingly more common high magnitude storm events as was experienced in November of 2021. For these reasons, the city is applying for grant funding to significantly upgrade our dyke network.”
The city council has endorsed an application for grant funding for the Nicomekl River Dyke Upgrade Project, from 168 Street to 188 Street for a total of $10 million through B.C.’s Green Adaptation, Resilience & Disaster Mitigation Program (ARDM) as part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Officials noted that the city’s drainage utility has enough funding in its capital project reserve for the city’s financial portion (27 per cent) of the project’s eligible costs.
Surrey has approximately 100 kilometres of dykes throughout the city.
