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.
When Hammad Chaudhry left EllisDon earlier this year to join construction technology startup Timescapes, the news circulated quickly through Canada’s construction industry. Chaudhry had spent more than a decade rising through EllisDon’s ranks, eventually leading national innovation and digital strategy efforts. His departure raised eyebrows not because it was controversial, but because it was rare. Few people make that kind of leap from a secure leadership role at a Tier 1 contractor to a startup environment.
Six months later, Chaudhry says the move was not about dissatisfaction, but about timing and opportunity. After years of evaluating, piloting, and deploying technology within a large organization, he wanted to gain hands-on experience on the product side.
“I had always worked with startups from the outside—as a client, a partner, sometimes an advisor,” he said. “But I’d never built something from within. I felt like if I didn’t do it now, I might never get the chance.”
Chaudhry joined Timescapes, a company focused on visual jobsite intelligence through automated camera systems and software. He was already familiar with the product through past collaboration and saw a practical advantage in how easy it was to use. In contrast to many construction tools that require complex onboarding or technical fluency, Timescapes stood out for its accessibility—something he believes is increasingly important as user expectations evolve.
“A big reason I was drawn to it was the simplicity,” he said. “It just worked. People on site didn’t need a tutorial to understand it, and that’s where a lot of technology falls short.”
Now embedded in a smaller team and faster-paced environment, Chaudhry has shifted from corporate innovation strategy to direct product involvement. His focus is on ensuring that Timescapes stays aligned with jobsite realities, drawing from his background working with project teams across Canada. He said the change has been refreshing—less process, more immediacy, and a stronger connection between decision-making and outcomes.
The move also highlights a broader trend in the industry: experienced professionals crossing into the tech space to help shape tools that are better informed by construction practice. As more contractors adopt digital workflows, there is growing recognition that successful technology must be intuitive, field-ready, and integrated into the way projects actually run.
“One of the biggest challenges in this space is building tools that match how construction really works,” he said. “If you’ve never built a project, it’s easy to miss the mark.”
Looking more broadly at construction technology in Canada, Chaudhry remains cautiously optimistic. He acknowledges that progress is being made—particularly in regions like Alberta and British Columbia—but believes the national ecosystem still lacks the strategic support necessary to retain and grow early-stage contech companies. Many promising startups, he notes, continue to scale by shifting their focus to U.S. markets. That reality underscores the importance of creating more supportive conditions for innovation at home.
At Timescapes, Chaudhry is focused on product strategy, customer integration, and ensuring that field workflows inform the company’s development roadmap. “We want to be known as a trusted, reliable tool that’s actually built for construction—not just for tech’s sake,” he said. “That means staying close to the people who use it every day.”
While the startup environment has its own challenges, Chaudhry believes the shift reflects a necessary convergence between construction and technology. “This wasn’t about leaving construction,” he said. “It was about contributing to it in a new way.”
Key Takeaways:
North Vancouver RCMP are investigating the detonation of a homemade explosive device that caused minor damage to an office building on June 27.
Police believe the device was made from fireworks or bear bangers and are seeking help identifying two male suspects seen on CCTV.
Authorities have increased patrols in the area and are urging the public to review suspect images and report any information that could aid the investigation.
The Whole Story:
Mounties are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects after a homemade explosive device was detonated outside a Lower Lonsdale office building late last month.
North Vancouver RCMP say officers responded to reports of a loud bang in the 200-block of West Esplanade Avenue around 4:15 a.m. on June 27. When officers arrived, they found minor damage to the front door of an office building. No injuries were reported.
Following an investigation by the RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit and the Explosives Disposal Unit, police confirmed the damage was caused by a rudimentary homemade device, likely constructed using commercially available fireworks or bear bangers taped together and ignited with a burning fuse.
Police have since conducted extensive video canvassing, reviewed hours of surveillance footage, and interviewed witnesses. They’ve also increased foot patrols in the area to reassure the public and deter further incidents.
Investigators have released images of two men considered persons of interest. CCTV footage shows the detonation occurred at exactly 4:04 a.m.
The first suspect is described as a Caucasian man with short, balding hair, a stocky build, wearing a black jacket, dark T-shirt, and blue jeans. The second suspect is described as a Caucasian man with a slender build, wearing a long blonde wig, a black hoodie, and dark blue pants.
“We are urging the public to review these images and contact police if they recognize the suspects,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak in a statement. “Even a small tip can be the final piece of the puzzle in a complex case.”
Police have not determined a motive and say there is no indication yet whether the act was politically motivated.
Anyone with information is asked to contact North Vancouver RCMP at 236-481-9100, quoting file number 25-13204.
Key Takeaways:
Morgan Construction secured $200 million in financing from Gordon Brothers to support working capital, purchase new equipment, and drive long-term growth.
The five-year partnership includes both capital and advisory services through Nations Capital to help Morgan optimize its fleet and expand operations across Canada and the U.S.
Gordon Brothers continues to expand its presence in Canada, offering asset-based financing and consulting services to support companies in heavy industry and construction.
The Whole Story:
Morgan Construction, one of Canada’s largest heavy civil contractors, has secured $200 million in financing to support its working capital, expand its fleet, and drive long-term growth.
The deal, facilitated by global asset advisory firm Gordon Brothers, includes a five-year, $150 million revolving credit facility and a $50 million accordion feature. In addition to the funding, Morgan will receive ongoing asset advisory and consulting services through Nations Capital, a Gordon Brothers company.
“As we’ve established a strong presence in Canada and continued expansion of solutions supporting Canadian borrowers, we’re proud to partner with a respected family-run business and industry leader like Morgan Construction and provide financing and asset-advisory services that drive long-term value,” said Kyle Shonak, Chief Transaction Officer at Gordon Brothers. “By combining our traditional lending capabilities, advisory and consulting services, and our deep asset expertise, we’re able to provide a full, comprehensive solution that enables growth within the Canadian market.”
The partnership aims to help Morgan acquire new, high-calibre equipment and optimize its existing fleet to meet the demands of its expanding operations in energy, mining, and site development across Canada and the U.S.
“Gordon Brothers’ vast industry experience and equipment expertise has been critical as we continue to service our customers throughout Canada,” said Peter Kiss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Construction. “As we continue to expand existing operations and enhance growth prospects, the firm’s well-structured facility and holistic partnership will enable us to scale operations.”
Morgan Construction is one of Canada’s leading heavy civil contractors, providing earthworks, environmental and demolition services, and site development solutions across key energy and mining sectors. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, with operations spanning the country and into the United States, the company employs over 1,100 people and partners with more than sixteen Indigenous communities.
Gordon Brothers, founded in 1903 and based in Boston, provides capital and advisory services to clients undergoing transformation, with a global footprint across more than 30 offices.
Key Takeaways:
The City of Toronto has selected the Spanier Group to lead a real estate strategy and Monumental to oversee public engagement for the revitalization of Old City Hall.
Following the relocation of court services, the landmark building will be repurposed with a focus on public access, heritage preservation, and local economic development.
A long-term redevelopment plan will be delivered to City Council by the second quarter of 2026, guided by key principles including financial sustainability and community engagement.
The Whole Story:
The City of Toronto has selected a team led by the Spanier Group and Monumental to guide the future of Old City Hall, a National Historic Site and prominent downtown landmark that recently became vacant after serving as a courthouse for decades.
The Spanier Group, working alongside partners CBRE, Turner & Townsend, Bespoke Collective, and Artuitive Group, will lead real estate advisory efforts to develop a long-term strategy for the site. Their work will include market analysis, vision development, and financial modelling aimed at identifying the building’s highest and best uses, in line with a City Council directive issued earlier this year.
“This initiative aims to enhance public access, drive economic development, and ensure the long-term preservation of this nationally significant site,” said Meghan Wong, vice-president of the Spanier Group, in a statement.
Old City Hall
To complement that work, Monumental will lead public engagement efforts with support from CreateTO, the City agency overseeing real estate and development. The firm, which specializes in socially equitable urban planning, will focus on building relationships with local stakeholders and prototyping potential future uses of the building.
“We’re thrilled to be opening the doors on the next chapter of Old City Hall,” said Zahra Ebrahim, co-CEO of Monumental. “We’re committed to an engagement process that acknowledges the building’s colonial past and stimulates our collective creativity in imagining its future.”
CreateTO CEO Vic Gupta called the initiative a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to transform the space into a vibrant public asset.
Old City Hall, located at Queen and Bay Streets, was completed in 1899 and functioned as a courthouse from 1972 until this year, when operations moved to a new facility at 10 Armoury Street. The building is currently vacant, and no long-term use has been designated.
The revitalization effort will be shaped by four guiding principles: increasing public access, conserving the heritage site, fostering local economic development, and achieving financial sustainability. A strategic report is expected to be presented to City Council by the second quarter of 2026.
Mass timber is reshaping Canada’s construction landscape, and several innovative companies are leading this sustainable charge. Our recent video highlights seven prominent firms making significant contributions to the sector.
These companies are not just constructing buildings; they’re shaping the future of sustainable architecture in Canada.
Mass timber offers a range of advantages that are transforming the way we design and construct buildings. Engineered for strength and precision, products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), glulam, and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) provide structural performance comparable to steel and concrete, while being significantly lighter.
This can reduce foundation requirements, lower transportation costs, and speed up construction through prefabrication and on-site assembly. Mass timber is also a sustainable building material—renewable, carbon-storing, and often sourced from responsibly managed forests—making it an attractive option for reducing a project’s embodied carbon footprint.
SiteNews Editor Russell Hixson breaks down the nation’s top mass timber firms.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario is investing $10 million to replace the 52-year-old Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena with a new NHL-sized rink, expanded seating, changerooms, and a community hub featuring a library and year-round programming.
The province is also providing $420,000 to retrofit the YMCA of Niagara for energy efficiency and $698,000 to refurbish the Niagara Olympic Club’s track and field infrastructure.
These investments are part of Ontario’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, tied to a broader $200 billion plan to strengthen communities and promote economic growth across the province.
The whole Story:
The Ontario government is investing more than $11.1 million in sport and recreation infrastructure across the Niagara Region, including a major upgrade to the aging Chippawa Willoughby Memorial Arena in Niagara Falls.
The funding is part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, which aims to revitalize community facilities and promote active living across Ontario.
The centrepiece of the announcement is a $10 million commitment to overhaul the 52-year-old Chippawa Willoughby Arena. Plans include constructing a new NHL-sized ice pad, seven changerooms, expanded spectator seating and a new community hub with an accessible library and space for multi-generational programming.
“This major investment will change lives for generations in Niagara Falls,” said Mayor Jim Diodati in a statement. “It will support our growing community… and be a cornerstone for recreation, learning and community connection.”
The provincial funding also includes $420,000 for energy-efficiency upgrades at the YMCA of Niagara — including new LED lighting and HVAC replacements — and $698,000 to refurbish the Niagara Olympic Club’s track and field infrastructure.
Sport Minister Neil Lumsden said the investments will help lower costs, boost local economies and expand access to healthy activities.
“With investments in infrastructure like this, we are protecting Ontario jobs, strengthening our communities and building a more resilient and self-reliant economy,” Lumsden said.
The CSRIF initiative is part of Ontario’s broader infrastructure strategy, which includes a $200 billion commitment to projects such as highways, hospitals, schools and transit.
Key Takeaways:
Starting in 2026, qualified developers will be allowed to defer more development-related fees and use more flexible financial guarantees to help speed up housing construction. These changes aim to lower upfront costs and address housing affordability challenges.
While the changes are welcomed, developers like Rob Blackwell argue that the root problem is the high cost of fees and infrastructure charges, which have been layered over time. These costs ultimately get mostly passed on to homebuyers, making housing unaffordable.
Blackwell stresses the need for more stable policies, better federal support for municipal infrastructure, and immigration strategies that support the construction workforce. He warns that frequent rule changes and lack of investor certainty are deterring capital and driving up prices.
The Whole Story:
B.C. is looking to speed up home construction by accelerating timelines and lowering costs for builders. Some developers say that while they support the changes, the issues that make home prices high go much deeper.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, qualified developers will be allowed to defer a larger portion of development-related fees and use more flexible financial guarantees to begin projects sooner. The changes are part of amendments to the Development Cost Charge and Amenity Cost Charge (Instalments) Regulation, which has remained largely unchanged since 1984.
Rob Blackwell, Executive Vice President of Development at Anthem Properties, explained that builders have been urging the province to address these issues for years, but only when home affordability reached a critical level did they act.
“I think as a real estate development company and as an industry, some of the things announced with regards to deferrals have been things we have asked the government to do for a long time,” said Blackwell. “What has been most alarming was the increase in costs. The affordability ceiling was hit. People aren’t prepared to pay anything more for rent or to buy housing and what makes that housing so expensive are the costs that go into it.”
Blackwell says B.C. has reached a tipping point where the costs have become so high for housing that the market can’t bear it. While deferring development cost charges (DCCs) helps save developers from having to pay interest on loans used to pay those costs upfront, the real issue is much bigger.
“The real problem is the fees are too high,” said Blackwell. “The $10 million paid on a project in DCCs should be $5 million. This definitely helps but doesn’t get to the core issue.”
He added that over time, well-meaning policies, costs or fees kept getting added. On their own they aren’t much but when stacked together they create a complex problem that can’t be fixed with any silver bullet.
One of the biggest issues is how to pay for infrastructure. Blackwell explained that cities are limited in how they can fund the necessary upgrades needed for roads, water treatment, transit and more. Either raise property taxes or add DCCs. He believes that many cities have opted to avoid the political cost of raising taxes by dumping this burden on to new development, and essentially, onto new homebuyers.
“If you aren’t in the housing system, like an immigrant, a young person, a first-time homebuyer, you are being penalized,” said Blackwell.
He believes that those costs should be more spread out among everyone and that the federal government needs to do a better job of helping municipalities access funding. They should give them the ability to borrow more, and allow for creative financing models, like issuing municipal bonds.
“There’s a major infrastructure deficit all through Canada,” said Blackwell. “But all the things that support growth have to be paid for by more than people buying condos, that’s part of the reason why housing prices are out of control.”
Another major issue Blackwell believes needs to be addressed is constantly changing policies. He argues that the government should freeze policies for a while to give developers some certainty while they progress projects or even allow them to progress projects under the rules in place when the project started.
“Once a business makes a decision they should be grandfathered in under the rules in place when that decision was made,” said Blackwell. “They shouldn’t be able to change things halfway through. The uncertainty this creates has scared away capital.”
He also noted that caps on rent increases but no caps on property taxes or operating costs disincentivizes people from investing. He also noted that GST should be nixed on housing as it hits buyers with a major price increase right at the end of the sale.
Blackwell also argued that while the government has lowered immigration levels, it should be utilizing immigration to bring in the skilled workers that builders need.
“The goal here is to reduce costs and reduce the barriers for people to enter the market if they want to rent or buy,” said Blackwell. “The things we do from a provincial point of view should be geared towards that. We want to have a business that makes sense and people want to be able to buy or rent a house without it being such a stressful part of their life, that means we need to reduce those barriers and get some flex financing options into the market.”
Key Takeaways:
The provinces signed two MOUs to develop new pipelines and rail lines aimed at connecting Alberta’s oil and gas with Ontario refineries and exporting Ontario’s critical minerals via new routes, including a proposed deep-sea port in James Bay.
Premier Doug Ford and Premier Danielle Smith framed the infrastructure push as a way to diversify Canada’s trade partners, strengthen domestic supply chains, and reduce reliance on U.S. markets amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
Ontario and Alberta pledged to advocate for a more favourable federal regulatory environment, explore financing options, and commit to Indigenous consultation as part of advancing “nation-building” energy and trade projects.
The Whole Story:
Ontario and Alberta have signed two new agreements aimed at strengthening energy and trade infrastructure, part of a broader push to diversify Canada’s export markets and reduce economic reliance on the United States.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced the memorandums of understanding (MOUs) Monday, pledging to build new pipelines, rail lines and related infrastructure connecting Western Canada’s oil and gas to Ontario refineries, while expanding market access for critical minerals through northern ports.
“By building pipelines, rail lines and the energy and trade infrastructure that connects our country, we will build a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy,” said Ford. “Let’s build Canada.”
The agreements propose new rail connections between Ontario’s Ring of Fire region and western Canadian ports, using Ontario steel. Plans also include a feasibility study to map optimal routes and financing options, as well as commitments to consult Indigenous communities and leverage domestic supply chains.
Premier Smith said the agreements mark a shift toward industry-led development.
“These MOUs are about building pipelines and boosting trade that connect Canadian energy and products to the world,” she said. “Government must get out of the way, partner with industry and support the projects this country needs to grow.”
The provinces also agreed to advocate for a more favourable federal regulatory environment to support private investment in infrastructure, while deepening cooperation on nuclear energy development — including small modular and large-scale reactor technology.
In a nod to interprovincial trade, Ontario committed to prioritizing made-in-Canada vehicles for Alberta’s fleet and increasing the availability of Alberta alcoholic beverages on Ontario store shelves.
The new MOUs build on a trade agreement signed by the provinces in Saskatoon in June. Since April, Ontario has inked trade deals with six provinces and passed legislation eliminating all province-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement — a first in Canada.
Ontario’s interprovincial trade totalled over $326 billion in 2023, with Alberta alone accounting for $62.4 billion in 2021, the most recent year of available data.
The Ford government says the latest agreements will help build a more integrated and resilient Canadian economy by cutting red tape, boosting supply chains and encouraging labour mobility across provinces.
“By tearing down interprovincial trade barriers and investing in strategic infrastructure, we are strengthening vital industries and ensuring a prosperous future for workers and businesses,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development.
Ontario officials framed the announcements as part of a broader strategy to counter U.S. protectionism and strengthen Canada’s internal economy, with Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce calling the move “a message to President Trump” that Canadians are ready to act decisively to protect their sovereignty.
Key Takeaways:
Ottawa is investing over $21.5 million in five Alberta-based carbon capture and storage projects to accelerate clean energy innovation and reduce emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like diesel engines and industrial processing.
Key recipients include Bow Valley Carbon, Enbridge, Enhance Energy, OptiSeis Solutions, and OCCAM’s Technologies, with projects focusing on CO₂ storage, monitoring technologies, and diesel emissions reduction — several of which include Indigenous partnerships.
The funding supports Canada’s broader clean energy strategy, aligning with $93 billion in clean investment tax credits and contributing to the 2050 net-zero target while aiming to position the country as a global energy leader.
The Whole Story:
The federal government is investing more than $21.5-million in five Alberta-based carbon capture and storage projects as part of its push to reduce emissions while bolstering Canada’s energy sector.
Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson made the announcement Thursday in Calgary, saying the funding will support the development of technologies that permanently store carbon, improve monitoring of underground storage sites, and reduce emissions from hard-to-decarbonize sectors like diesel engines.
“We are taking action to make Canada a conventional and clean energy superpower,” Hodgson said. “Today’s announcement highlights how Canada is showing the world that we are not just talking about clean energy — we are building it.”
The projects are funded through the federal Energy Innovation Program’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) stream, which was established following a $319-million commitment in Budget 2021. Ottawa says the goal is to drive down the cost and increase the viability of next-generation carbon capture technologies.
Among the recipients is Bow Valley Carbon, a partnership between Inter Pipeline and Entropy Inc., which will capture emissions from the Cochrane Extraction Plant and explore long-term carbon storage in western Alberta.
“Bow Valley Carbon will help ensure society can count on these products for decades to come,” said Paul Hawksworth, CEO of Inter Pipeline. “It will also create a path for long-term emissions reduction across the region.”
Enbridge is receiving support to advance its Wabamun Hub, a large-scale CO₂ transportation and storage network near Edmonton. The company says the project is being developed with plans for co-ownership opportunities for five nearby Indigenous communities.
Other funded projects include Enhance Energy’s Origins CCS Hub, designed to permanently store carbon from a range of industrial sources, and OptiSeis Solutions, which is validating subsurface geophysical technologies for monitoring underground carbon storage.
OCCAM’s Technologies will also receive support to demonstrate its emissions-reducing system for diesel engines at a commercial scale — part of an effort to target emissions from smaller but widespread emitters.
The funding announcement aligns with the federal government’s broader push to create jobs and reduce emissions through clean energy development. Ottawa has pledged $93 billion in clean investment tax credits through 2034–35, including incentives specifically targeting carbon capture technologies.
Officials say the projects will help meet Canada’s 2050 net-zero target while securing the country’s role as a global leader in both conventional and low-carbon energy.
“These investments are examples of how innovation can help Canada strengthen and modernize our energy industry, support good local jobs, reduce pollution and grow a cleaner economy,” the government said in a statement.
Key Takeaways:
Toronto is introducing pre-approved building plans for garden and laneway suites to help homeowners and builders save time and money during the design and permitting process.
Online building permit services are being expanded, allowing digital submissions for various residential projects, including new homes, secondary suites, and multiplex conversions.
The City is widening its reliance on professional engineers’ seals, a move expected to cut permit-to-occupancy timelines by nearly a month for some housing types.
The Whole Story:
Toronto is rolling out a slate of new measures aimed at accelerating home construction, including standardized building plans and expanded online permit services, as the city works to address housing supply and affordability challenges.
Mayor Olivia Chow announced the initiatives Thursday, saying they are designed to cut red tape and help builders and homeowners get shovels in the ground faster.
“We need to build more affordable homes faster that people can afford,” Chow said. “Today’s announcement will simplify approvals at city hall by enabling online applications, supporting faster approvals and providing pre-approved designs to accelerate building.”
The new actions include:
Pre-approved building plans for garden and laneway suites that comply with the Ontario Building Code and are freely available to the public. The standardized designs will reduce time and costs during the early design phase, although applicants must still undergo site-specific reviews.
Expanded online services for building permit applications, allowing digital submissions for new homes, secondary suites, multiplex conversions and accessory dwellings. Automation features are expected to reduce manual processing and allow reviews to begin sooner.
An expanded reliance on professional engineers’ seals, allowing qualified engineers to take responsibility for compliance with building code requirements. The program, launching July 14, will now include laneway and garden suites, mechanical systems and fire protection upgrades. A pilot of the program found it shortened permitting timelines by about 28 days.
The city is also publishing demonstration models to help residents visualize how so-called “missing middle” housing can fit into existing neighbourhoods, including pre-approved designs for multiplexes and secondary units.
The moves come as Toronto continues to grapple with a historic surge in housing proposals. Between 2020 and 2024, the city recorded its largest-ever residential development pipeline, with over 850,000 homes proposed.
City officials say the new tools will support both homebuilders and skilled trades, while helping Toronto meet the growing demand for diverse housing options.
Key Takeaways:
Net Zero Now is building a 320-acre energy campus in Alberta to support data centres with 400MW of base load power, aiming to ease constraints in Canada’s fastest-growing data centre market.
The project offers a workaround to Alberta’s grid limitations, allowing hyperscale operators to connect directly or virtually to on-site generation, bypassing AESO’s interim cap on large load connections.
Alberta is being positioned as a rising data centre hub, with Net Zero citing low electricity costs, a favourable tax environment, and fully permitted, construction-ready sites as key advantages.
The Whole Story:
A Calgary-based infrastructure company says it has completed environmental studies for a new “energy campus” aimed at solving one of the biggest bottlenecks facing Canada’s growing data centre industry: access to reliable power.
Net Zero Now Ltd. plans to build the campus on a 320-acre site in Alberta, which it says was strategically chosen to align with the infrastructure needs of electricity generation and data centre operations. The development will include 400 megawatts of base load generation, power quality services, backup supply, and a co-located data centre campus.
“With the AESO’s large-load interconnection queue growing exponentially, we recognized the need for a fundamentally different approach to powering these large loads,” said Scott Martin, Head of Energy at Net Zero, in a statement. “We’re giving hyperscale operators the ability to directly connect through a co-located energy campus or contract virtually through the grid to bring their own generation online.”
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has placed a temporary cap on large load connections at 1,200 megawatts, even as applications from data centre operators have ballooned to over 16,000 megawatts. Net Zero’s approach—providing pre-permitted, construction-ready sites with embedded power infrastructure—is designed to bypass those constraints.
“While Alberta is not currently ranked as a top-tier global data centre market, we expect that will change in the near future,” said Logan Downing, Head of Carbon Strategy at Net Zero. “We provide fully permitted, construction-ready campuses that enable speed-to-market, low-cost electricity, and best-in-class carbon intensity.”
The company said it will also deploy net zero building techniques, such as advanced insulation and sustainable materials, to reduce both embodied and operational carbon from the data centre structures.
Net Zero’s campus model is pitched as a win for both the tech industry and the province. The company says the project will create jobs, add tax revenue, and contribute more supply to Alberta’s electricity system at a time of rising demand.
The province has recently seen increased interest from global data centre operators due to its low electricity prices, favourable tax climate, and relatively stable political environment. Net Zero says it is evaluating additional sites across Alberta to support future demand.
Key Takeaways:
Finlayson says it’s not just tariffs hurting Canada—it’s the uncertainty. It’s freezing investment, stalling exports, and could tip the economy into recession.
He warns that Canada’s counter-tariffs are raising the cost of construction and urges a smarter response that doesn’t make building even more expensive.
Trump-era tensions have jolted Canadian leaders into prioritizing nation-building, speeding up project approvals, and focusing on infrastructure investment.
The Whole Story:
In the debut episode of Digging In, a new SiteNews podcast, ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson joined editor Russell Hixson to break down how economic uncertainty—fueled by trade tensions and shifting geopolitical winds—is impacting Canada’s construction sector.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube here:
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During the discussion, Finlayson explained that the biggest challenge isn’t tariffs themselves, but the lingering fog they create.
“The uncertainty is really hurting investment, and even consumer confidence,” he noted.
While Canada has avoided blanket tariffs so far, key sectors like steel and autos are already feeling the pinch—particularly in Ontario. But when it comes to how we fight back, Finlayson was critical of Canada’s retaliatory tariffs, especially those affecting construction inputs.
“We shouldn’t be retaliating in ways that raise the cost of building things,” he said, urging policymakers to avoid moves that would worsen affordability challenges.
He also pointed to an unexpected upside: renewed interest in nation-building projects.
“Trump has kind of shocked Canada out of its complacency,” Finlayson said, adding that Ottawa and the provinces are now showing more urgency around infrastructure, housing, and trade-enabling projects.
But the long-term economic dependency on the U.S. remains. “We don’t really have an alternative,” he warned. “We’re not going to transform the Canadian economy into something no longer heavily dependent on the U.S.”
Finlayson flagged two emerging headwinds for construction: a planned reduction in immigration, which could cool demand, and climate policy uncertainty—especially if the U.S. under a second Trump administration abandons its emissions agenda. Canada, he said, risks losing investment unless it reassesses how far ahead of the U.S. it wants to be on climate targets.
His advice for construction leaders? Stay engaged, speak up, and push for smarter policy.
“Now is the time to step up on big projects and cut the time it takes to get things built,” he said.
Key Takeaways:
Starting in 2026, qualified homebuilders can defer 75% of their development-related charges until occupancy or within four years, instead of paying most costs upfront.
B.C. will expand the use of on-demand surety bonds, giving builders an alternative to traditional letters of credit and improving access to capital during early project stages.
By lowering financial barriers and streamlining payments, the province hopes to unlock stalled housing projects and accelerate the delivery of new homes amid high costs and interest rates.
The Whole Story:
The B.C. government is introducing changes aimed at lowering upfront costs for homebuilders and speeding up construction timelines, in an effort to unlock more housing amid the province’s affordability crisis.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, qualified developers will be allowed to defer a larger portion of development-related fees and use more flexible financial guarantees to begin projects sooner. The changes are part of amendments to the Development Cost Charge and Amenity Cost Charge (Instalments) Regulation, which has remained largely unchanged since 1984.
“We are committed to finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to build housing, so everyone has a fair chance to live in communities where they work and belong,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes are about supporting housing development and easing the financial burden on builders and developers so they can get shovels in the ground faster.”
Under the new rules, eligible homebuilders will be able to pay 25% of development and amenity charges when a permit is approved, with the remaining 75% due at occupancy or within four years—whichever comes first. The current regulation requires a minimum one-third payment upfront and full payment within two years.
The province is also expanding the use of on-demand surety bonds as an alternative to traditional letters of credit, allowing developers greater access to capital. On-demand bonds are preferred by builders because they do not tie up credit capacity and can be converted to cash within 15 days if needed, without court involvement.
These financial tools are already in use in cities such as Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby and Mission, but will now be available provincewide.
The changes follow consultations with local governments and industry organizations, including the Urban Development Institute and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC.
“The ability to defer a portion of development charges and use on-demand surety bonds is a practical measure to address the current economic realities of building housing across British Columbia,” said Neil Moody, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of BC. “This announcement reflects significant collaboration that will help unlock capital, ease cost pressures and support the delivery of more homes.”
Anne McMullin, president and CEO of the Urban Development Institute, said shifting payments closer to project completion will reduce early-stage financing pressure. “This policy lowers early-stage financing costs, frees up capital for construction and helps builders reinvest in new housing,” she said.
The province says the reforms will improve the financial viability of housing projects at a time when interest rates and construction costs remain high.
Local officials welcomed the move, calling it a smart balance between housing demand and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
“This smart, balanced policy shift will support both growth and sustainability,” said Delta Mayor George V. Harvie.
Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal noted that his city has already been piloting the use of on-demand bonds. “It is exciting to see this being rolled out provincewide,” he said.
Municipalities will have 18 months to prepare for the changes, including time for system upgrades and staff training.
The B.C. government has made increasing housing supply a central pillar of its response to affordability challenges. These latest reforms build on previous measures such as zoning changes, expedited permitting, and investments in public housing.
According to the province, a qualified developer is one that has been approved by a surety provider and has more than $50,000 in development-related charges payable to a local government.
More information on the regulatory changes can be found on the B.C. government’s website.
Key Takeaways:
Truman and Marriott International will develop a W Calgary, JW Marriott Calgary, and an Autograph Collection Hotel in the Culture + Entertainment District, with openings slated between 2028 and 2030.
The $1.47-billion development is projected to create over 9,100 construction jobs and more than 2,000 permanent positions, with an estimated annual GDP contribution of over $230 million and $76 million in government revenues.
The luxury hotels will support venues like the expanded BMO Centre and forthcoming Scotiabank Place, strengthening Calgary’s position as a competitive host city for conventions, tourism, and major events.
The Whole Story:
A trio of high-profile hotel projects is set to reshape Calgary’s skyline and hospitality sector as local developer Truman and Marriott International unveiled plans to bring three new hotel brands to the city’s emerging Culture + Entertainment District.
The $1.47-billion development includes Western Canada’s first W Hotel, a JW Marriott, and a new Autograph Collection Hotel located within Stampede Park. The three properties are scheduled to open between 2028 and 2030 and will collectively add more than 700 high-end hotel rooms and nearly 360 branded residences to Calgary’s core.
The project is being led by Calgary-based partners Truman and Louson and is expected to create more than 9,100 jobs during construction, with over 2,000 permanent positions once the hotels open.
“We believe this project will be a significant catalyst for the local economy,” said Tony Trutina, Chief Operating Officer of Truman. “Beyond creating numerous construction jobs, these hotels are expected to boost tourism and support local businesses through increased visitor spending.”
The W Calgary and JW Marriott Calgary will be located at 15 Avenue and Macleod Trail S.E., in what is planned to be two of the tallest residential towers in Western Canada. The 69-storey W Calgary will include 157 hotel rooms and 239 residences, while the 62-storey JW Marriott will offer 248 hotel rooms and 120 residences.
The third property, a 320-room hotel at Stampede Park, will operate under Marriott’s Autograph Collection brand. It will feature 15,000 square feet of meeting space, multiple restaurants, rooftop amenities, and leisure terraces, including an outdoor bar and pool area overlooking downtown Calgary.
“As Marriott continues to expand our hospitality options in Canada, these three properties will bring an unparalleled level of hospitality to this high-energy city,” said Paul Cahill, Chief Operating Officer for Marriott International in Canada.
The announcement marks a major step in the evolution of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District, a publicly backed redevelopment project led by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC). The district is home to the newly expanded BMO Centre and the planned Scotiabank Place event centre.
“Our public investment is now attracting significant private interest and investment,” said Kate Thompson, President and CEO of CMLC. “These hotels will support the growing demand for meetings, conventions and major events in the district.”
According to a preliminary economic assessment, the project is expected to contribute more than $120 million annually to GDP from hotel operations and $111 million in visitor spending, generating approximately $76 million in government revenues each year.
Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede, said the new hotels would enhance the city’s global appeal as a destination for major events. “These three hotel offerings dramatically elevate our competitive advantage as a host city and complement the Calgary Stampede’s world-renowned hospitality,” he said.
Key Takeaways:
One Bloor West is now officially the tallest residential building in the country at 308.6 metres, making it Canada’s first building to surpass the 300-metre “supertall” threshold.
Designed by Foster + Partners and CORE Architects, the tower showcases complex design features, including a champagne bronze structural frame and the integration of 19th-century heritage buildings at its base.
Located at Bloor and Yonge, the tower will house 476 condos, retail space, and a five-star hotel, reflecting both Toronto’s vertical growth and its increasing emphasis on high-end, mixed-use development.
The Whole Story:
Canada’s first supertall building has officially topped out in downtown Toronto, marking a major milestone for the country’s high-rise development industry.
One Bloor West, a 308.6-metre, 85-storey tower at the intersection of Bloor and Yonge Streets, is now the tallest residential building in the country and the second tallest man-made structure in Canada, after the CN Tower. The term “supertall” is reserved for buildings exceeding 300 metres in height.
The tower — developed by North America’s largest residential builder, Tridel — is being hailed as a landmark moment in Canadian urban development, both for its engineering scale and its visual impact on the city skyline.
“As the first supertall in the country, One Bloor West marks a pivotal moment not just for Toronto, but all of Canada,” said Jim Ritchie, President and CEO of Tridel. “We are moving into a new era of development, marked by a level of ambition and engineering excellence not previously seen before.”
Construction on the tower continues, with structural work largely complete and interior fit-outs advancing across multiple floors.
Designed by global architecture firm Foster + Partners in collaboration with Toronto-based CORE Architects, the tower combines commercial uses at its base with residential units above. The upper structural frame is clad in champagne bronze and features a pattern of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal elements that emphasize the building’s height and rhythm. The development also integrates heritage structures from the site, preserving the 1883-era William Luke Buildings at street level.
“Foster + Partners is delighted that One Bloor West has now reached its highest floor and has already become a reference point for Toronto’s unique and distinctive skyline,” said Giles Robinson, Senior Partner with Foster + Partners. “The building is a remarkable feat of design and engineering and is a testament to the ingenuity and creative collaboration of the design team and contractors.”
The tower will include 476 condominium suites, world-class retail, and a five-star hotel. Its location straddles the bustling downtown core and the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood, reinforcing its place as a new centrepiece of the city.
“This project offered us a defining opportunity to demonstrate our ability to execute visionary architecture at the highest level of complexity and urban impact,” said Babak Eslahjou, Principal of CORE Architects Inc.
The tower is scheduled for full completion in the coming months.
Key Takeaways:
If new home sales in the GTA don’t rebound, up to 41,000 jobs across the construction sector and related industries could disappear over the next five years, according to Altus Group.
The value of residential construction could shrink by more than $10 billion, with single-family and apartment construction both seeing major declines by 2029 if current trends persist.
The report warns that high prices, excessive taxation, and an ill-suited housing mix are stalling sales and threatening the construction pipeline — and calls on governments to address these barriers before the economic fallout deepens.
The Whole Story:
A prolonged slowdown in new home sales could put nearly 41,000 jobs and $10 billion in construction activity at risk across the Greater Toronto Area, according to a new report by Altus Group.
The economic modeling exercise, released this month, warns that if current sales trends continue, the region’s residential construction pipeline could dry up over the next five years — gutting what has long been a key employment engine.
“New housing construction is an important generator of jobs in Toronto,” the report stated. “However, the sharply lower volumes of construction activity that could come about from a prolonged weak sales period… could mean that this trusted and important jobs engine will stall.”
The GTA has already seen new home sales drop to historic lows in early 2025. Sales of single-family homes are down more than 50% compared to last year, while condo apartment sales have plunged nearly 65% — declines that Altus Group says are threatening to choke the entire housing production pipeline.
If sales fail to recover, Altus projects that annual construction starts could fall by tens of thousands of units by 2029. Investment in single-family housing construction would shrink from $6.7 billion in 2024 to just $1.9 billion, while apartment construction spending — including purpose-built rentals — would drop from $7.5 billion to $2.6 billion.
The jobs impact would be severe. The report estimates the loss of 18,500 direct construction jobs and another 22,500 indirect and induced positions — a combined decline of nearly 47% from recent employment levels.
That drop would come on top of already worsening labour conditions. Construction employment in Toronto has fallen by 34,600 jobs since late 2023, and Ontario’s construction unemployment rate hit 10% in April — the highest since the depths of the pandemic.
“The number of vacant construction jobs in Ontario, which had been as high as 8% of all jobs in 2022, has fallen to a low of 2.6; a sign of slackness in the market not seen for many years,” the report noted.
Altus emphasized that the scenario is not a forecast but rather a “what-if” exercise designed to highlight the risks if policy action is not taken. The firm cited high prices, excessive taxes, and an ill-fitting mix of housing types in the approvals pipeline as barriers to recovery.
“The message from this analysis is to raise the urgency of addressing barriers now, before these longer-term implications on the pipeline of construction and ultimately on jobs and the broader economy set in,” the report concluded.
The findings add further urgency to calls from developers and housing advocates to streamline approvals and improve affordability in one of Canada’s most economically important regions.
Key Takeaways:
Jonathan Westeinde received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work advancing sustainable development and green financing models
The Fairmont Royal York retrofit was recognized as North America’s largest heritage hotel decarbonization project, cutting emissions by over 80%
The City of Kingston earned dual honours for municipal leadership in sustainability and energy-efficient asset management
The Whole Story:
The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) announced the winners of its 2025 CAGBC Awards during its annual Building Lasting Change conference in Vancouver, highlighting leadership and innovation in sustainable building practices across the country.
The awards recognize achievements in two categories: Green Building Excellence, for standout projects, and Green Building Leadership, for individuals and organizations advancing sustainability in the built environment. A Lifetime Achievement Award was also presented, and CAGBC President and CEO Thomas Mueller was recognized for 20 years of leadership.
Lifetime Achievement: Jonathan Westeinde, Windmill Development Group
Jonathan Westeinde, founder and CEO of Windmill Development Group, was recognized for his long-standing contributions to sustainable real estate. His work has included over $5 billion in high-performance projects and the development of financing models that support low-carbon infrastructure, including geothermal contracts and zero-carbon district energy systems.
Zero Carbon Design: NS Native Women’s Association Resiliency Centre, Millbrook First Nation, NS
Designed by Solterre Design with input from Indigenous leaders and artists, this facility incorporates Mi’kmaq knowledge and high-efficiency building systems. It meets Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard certification with features like a super-insulated envelope, rooftop solar, and efficient ventilation. The building exceeds energy performance codes by 65%.
Deep Carbon Retrofit: Fairmont Royal York, Toronto
KingSett Capital led the transformation of this 1.2 million sq. ft., 96-year-old hotel. The retrofit replaced the steam system with electric heat pumps and connected to Toronto’s Deep Lake Water Cooling system, cutting emissions by over 80% and reducing utility costs by 35%. The project was completed while the hotel remained operational.
Carttera’s retrofit of a 1960s apartment building cut energy use by 50% and operational carbon to near-zero, using ground-source heat pumps and envelope upgrades.
New Construction: Ronald D. Schmeichel Building, Western University, London, Ont.
This campus facility, designed by Perkins&Will, is targeting LEED Gold certification. It includes geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop solar, and all-electric systems, with flexible and accessible interior spaces aimed at collaboration and sustainability.
Inspiring Home: L’Albédo & CPE La Petite Cour de Mistigri, Québec City, Que.
A 12-storey mixed-use development with 128 energy-efficient housing units and an integrated daycare. The project uses geothermal energy, recovers waste heat from a nearby ice rink, and features green infrastructure and inclusive design.
Green Building Champion: Russell Horne, City of Kingston
Horne has led sustainable upgrades across more than 100 city-owned buildings. His work includes energy audits, retrofits, and the development of a Facilities Net Zero Transition Plan, positioning Kingston as a leader in municipal climate action.
Green Building Visionary: UWCRC 2.0 Inc., Winnipeg, Man.
This non-profit developer has built more than 570 residential units—nearly half of them affordable—while achieving net-zero goals on projects like 308 Colony and Market Lands. The organization integrates climate and social equity priorities across its portfolio.
Emerging Green Leader: Della Wang, Fengate Asset Management
Wang has led the development of Fengate’s Responsible Investment strategy, including physical climate risk assessments and internal sustainability standards. She also contributes to national climate finance and disclosure initiatives.
Government Leadership: City of Kingston – Facilities Management & Construction Services
The city’s FMCS team manages over 160 buildings and has achieved a 21% reduction in GHG emissions per square foot since 2018. The team has implemented solar, EV, and energy-efficiency upgrades while supporting the city’s Net Zero Transition Plan.
Ed Lim Technical Volunteer Award: Steve Kemp, RDH Building Science
A LEED Fellow and longtime technical contributor, Kemp has volunteered more than 1,000 hours with CAGBC and national codes committees. His work has influenced building performance standards and Canada’s net-zero transition.
Leadership Recognition: Thomas Mueller, CAGBC
CAGBC President and CEO Thomas Mueller was recognized for two decades of leadership. Under his direction, Canada became the third-largest LEED territory in the world and launched the first Zero Carbon Building Standards in 2017.
Submissions for the 2026 CAGBC Awards open in January.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario’s new Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan aims to accelerate homebuilding and grow the forestry sector by promoting locally manufactured modular and prefabricated wood products.
The plan includes $13 million in provincial investments to support advanced wood construction research, training, and manufacturing.
Prefabricated wood construction can cut building timelines by up to 50% and reduce costs by up to 20%, helping address the province’s housing shortage.
The Whole Story:
The Ontario government has released a new action plan to promote the use of locally made wood products in modular and prefabricated construction, a move it says will help build more homes faster and strengthen the province’s forest sector.
The Advanced Wood Construction Action Plan sets out a roadmap to boost awareness, remove regulatory barriers, support innovation, and showcase real-world applications of advanced wood construction—including the use of mass timber and other engineered wood materials in mid- and high-rise buildings.
“As our government delivers on its plan to protect and build Ontario, this action plan will help promote and prioritize wood-based building with made-in-Ontario wood construction products,” said Mike Harris, Minister of Natural Resources. “Advanced wood construction is a new opportunity that can help get more homes built faster and build a stronger, more competitive forest sector.”
Advanced wood construction refers to modern building systems that use cross-laminated timber and other prefabricated wood products. These systems can shorten construction timelines by up to 50 per cent and cut costs by as much as 20 per cent, according to the province. The method is seen as a key strategy in reaching Ontario’s ambitious housing goals while supporting sustainability and job growth.
To date, the province has committed more than $13 million to support the sector, including:
Over $8 million to establish and expand production at Element5, Ontario’s first automated cross-laminated timber manufacturer;
Nearly $3 million for education and research through organizations such as the Canadian Wood Council and the Canadian Wood Construction Research Network;
Funding for mass timber buildings at George Brown College and the University of Toronto;
Support for FPInnovations and the Mass Timber Institute to advance technical expertise and innovation.
“We’re harnessing forest sector innovation to enhance how we build our homes, businesses and communities,” said Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products. “Our government recognizes the potential of advanced wood construction—and our action plan is bringing its benefits to Ontario.”
Industry groups and municipal leaders welcomed the plan. Ian Dunn, president of the Ontario Forest Industries Association, called it a “blueprint for economic growth,” while Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said the initiative supports housing targets and protects local jobs.
“Effectively meeting the challenge of housing affordability and supply requires investment in all forms of housing options, including cross-laminated timber,” said Richard Lyall, president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario.
The action plan is part of the province’s broader Forest Sector Strategy, which aims to increase the use of Ontario wood, create new markets, and encourage sustainable resource development. The forest sector generated $21.6 billion in revenue in 2023 and supports over 128,000 jobs across the province.
A draft version of the action plan was posted for public comment in July 2024. The finalized strategy now moves ahead with implementation alongside ongoing changes to building codes, regulatory engagement, and funding support.
Key Takeaways:
The Canada Infrastructure Bank is investing $50 million to help Creative Energy implement low-carbon district energy systems in B.C. and Ontario, beginning with a major project at Thompson Rivers University.
The university will retrofit 12 buildings and add low-carbon heating to a new facility, replacing natural gas systems with electric heat pumps to move toward net-zero carbon by 2030.
With buildings accounting for 18% of Canada’s emissions, the partnership aims to accelerate energy efficiency upgrades and reduce emissions across the country through long-term, flexible financing.
The Whole Story:
The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) has finalized a $50-million loan agreement with Creative Energy to support deep energy retrofits at buildings in British Columbia and Ontario, starting with a major decarbonization project at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops.
The project will see 12 existing campus buildings upgraded and a new Indigenous Education Centre connected to a centralized low-carbon heating system. The upgrades are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions from campus heating by 95 per cent, bringing the university close to its target of achieving zero carbon by 2030.
Creative Energy, which operates one of North America’s largest district energy systems, will implement the retrofits using air-source and water-source heat pumps to replace traditional natural gas-based heating systems.
The partnership aims to help building owners across both provinces transition to electrified, high-efficiency district energy systems, with anticipated emissions reductions exceeding 90%.
“This investment is part of the CIB’s $1.2-billion Building Retrofits Initiative,” said Ehren Cory, CEO of the CIB. “It enables building owners to cut emissions, lower energy costs and modernize their assets through flexible, long-term financing.”
Federal Infrastructure and Housing Minister Gregor Robertson said the initiative will support cleaner, more affordable energy while creating jobs and making communities more resilient.
TRU President Brett Fairbairn said the project aligns with the university’s sustainability goals and will double as a learning tool, turning the campus into a “living lab” to showcase clean energy technologies.
Creative Energy President Kieran McConnell called the project a “landmark step” in accelerating large-scale building decarbonization across Canada.
Key Takeaways:
Municipalities can now borrow up to 10% of their annual revenue, and up to $150 per capita for short-term debt, without requiring a public vote, easing access to capital for infrastructure projects.
The Province says the updates respond to municipal concerns about outdated borrowing thresholds that slowed down the delivery of essential infrastructure like roads, utilities, and community amenities.
The new borrowing flexibility complements other provincial initiatives, including the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund and grant programs to help municipalities plan and develop housing more efficiently.
The Whole Story:
British Columbia municipalities will now have greater flexibility to finance infrastructure projects after the province amended borrowing regulations to speed up capital project delivery and reduce administrative delays.
The changes, which took effect June 9, 2025, allow municipalities to borrow more money without requiring approval from voters — a move the province says responds to long-standing concerns over outdated borrowing thresholds that slowed down project timelines and increased costs.
“Municipalities told us that outdated borrowing thresholds were slowing down their ability to deliver the infrastructure people count on,” said Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon. “We have responded by expanding the borrowing powers for municipalities so they can act faster, reduce costs and deliver the services that support growing communities.”
Under the revised rules, municipalities can now borrow up to 10% of their annual revenue — double the previous limit — without holding a public vote. For short-term borrowing of less than five years, the per-capita cap has been raised from $50 to $150. The changes apply to all 161 municipalities in the province, with the exception of Vancouver, which is governed under separate legislation.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities welcomed the move, calling it a practical response to inflation and infrastructure demands. “The amendments will help some local governments manage essential infrastructure more efficiently, ensuring public assets continue to meet the needs of communities facing climate change and population growth,” said UBCM president Trish Mandewo.
Local leaders echoed that sentiment, saying the new rules will enable them to respond more quickly to growth pressures.
“These changes will make it easier for all growing communities in B.C. to move forward on major projects more efficiently,” said Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley called the updated framework “an important step” in tackling housing and infrastructure needs, while Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog described the amendments as “a timely and practical response to the challenges fast-growing communities… are facing.”
The regulatory update follows recommendations made by a provincial-local government working group that reviewed borrowing limits in 2024. The changes complement other provincial efforts to support municipalities, including the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund, $51 million in grants for planning activities, and $25 million through the Local Government Development Approvals Program.
The Province said the updates reflect current economic conditions and will better equip municipalities to build infrastructure that supports housing development and population growth.
