SiteNews isn’t even a year old yet but we have been very busy.
To kick off the new year we wanted to give our readers a peek under the hood. We pored over the numbers to share our growth and highlight what stories captured the most attention.
Following our website and newsletter launch on Oct. 19, SiteNews staff wrote 220 articles, garnering 150,000+ page views. Our newsletter, which ships to subscribers for free every Tuesday, achieved an industry-leading open rate of 56.8 per cent.
But what exactly are people reading? Here are the top ten most-read articles of last year:
10. ‘Mechanical contractors merge to increase labour force’
In late October, Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems (PMP) announced it was acquiring WQC Mechanical in an effort to combine labour forces. The company told SiteNews that acquisition would be a growth strategy going forward.
9. ‘Montreal Holocaust Museum project reveals winning design’
It was announced in September that a design by KPMB Architects + Daoust Lestage Lizotte Stecker Architecture would be used for the $90-million museum. Their vision was guided by the pillars of memory, education and community. Work is expected to begin this year.
8. ‘7 shining Canadian solar companies to keep an eye on’
The future is looking bright for solar construction. Work was recently completed on Travers Solar, the country’s largest solar project. We put together this list after researching which companies were contributing the most to the sector through projects, technology or development.
7. ‘The 14 BIGGEST construction projects planned for B.C.’
With its minerals, timber, rivers and access to the Ocean, B.C. is a major epicenter for mega projects. SiteNews went through records of the largest projects in the pipeline, and found that the LNG Canada terminal facility is not only the largest project in B.C. – it’s the biggest project in Canada.
6. ‘13 HUGE Canadian projects underway from coast to coast’
It’s no secret that the construction industry loves reading about projects so once again a project list made the cut. This time we expanded our scope to the entire country with LNG Canada of course taking the top spot and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion as the runner up.
5. ‘Celebrating Canada’s female construction leaders’
With the release of the Top 40 Under 40 Construction Leaders winners, SiteNews decided to zero in on the incredible women who made up nearly one quarter of the list. The piece also featured some of their reactions to receiving the honour.
4. ‘6 massive construction projects planned for Alberta’
It’s the energy capital of Canada and while it has weathered some tough economic conditions in the past few years, major work remains on the horizon. This includes a possible high-speed rail project that would link Calgary and Edmonton.
3. ‘12 mass timber businesses shaking up Canadian Construction’
We couldn’t ignore the mass timber movement and decided to research some of the most innovative and important companies doing work in the sector. These included developers, manufacturers, installers and more.
2. ‘Fluor wins contract for Imperial diesel facility’
Who knew renewable diesel production was such a hot topic? In late October, Fluor 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 announcement earned the second spot on this list.
1. ‘40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction’
How fitting it is that the most read story is you. The 40 Under 40, organized by SitePartners and On-Site Magazine, highlighted the best and brightest young construction leaders. That was more than enough to cement its place as the most-viewed story of 2022. Will it hold the spot again next year?
*Editors note: Happy New Year! We can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring. Do you have a story or topic that you think needs more attention? Let me know at russell@readsitenews.com.
Key Takeaways:
Construction employment went up in 268 of 358 metro areas in the U.S.
Officials say the gains would have been higher but demand for new project is outpacing labour availability.
Contractors reported this is causing them to pass on projects.
The Whole Story:
A new report shows labour shortages are suppressing construction in the U.S.
Construction employment increased in 268 of 358 metro areas between November 2021 and November 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials said the job gains likely would have been higher but that many contractors report that demand for new projects is outpacing the availability of workers in many parts of the country.
“Contractors report they are passing on projects because they do not have enough people to do the work,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Labor shortages are suppressing job gains in the construction industry in many parts of the country.”
Where the gains are happening
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas added the most construction jobs (18,500 jobs or 9 per cent), followed by Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas (13,500 jobs, 9 per cent); Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash. (10,400 jobs, 10 per cent) and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. (9,400 jobs, 7 per cent).
The largest percentage gains were in Provo-Orem, Utah (23 percent, 6,400 jobs); Anchorage, Alaska (15 per cent, 1,400 jobs), Kankakee, Ill. (15 per cent, 200 jobs), Grants Pass, Ore. (15 percent, 200 jobs) and Providence-Warwick, R.I. (15 per cent, 4,000 jobs).
Construction jobs declined over the year in 45 metro areas and were unchanged in 45 areas. The largest loss occurred in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. (-8,500 jobs, -10 per cent), followed by Richmond, Va. (-3,300 jobs, -8 percent); Camden, N.J. (-1,700 jobs, -7 per cent) and Austin-Round Rock, Texas (-1,400 jobs, -2 per cent). The largest percentage declines occurred in Orlando, Richmond and Camden.
Contractors passing on work
Association officials said that demand for construction remained relatively strong in many parts of the country, buoyed by robust public construction and infrastructure investments and strength in certain types of private sector development. They cautioned, however, that contractors in parts of the country report they are not bidding on projects because they do not have enough personnel to perform the work.
The association explained that is taking steps to address labor shortages, including running targeted digital advertising campaigns to recruit new workers. Meanwhile, more than 800 firms have signed up for the association’s Culture of Care program to make workplaces more welcoming and inclusive to retain a higher percentage, and more diverse, workforce.
Immigration reform needed
Association officials urged Congress to pass immigration reform to allow more construction workers to enter the country. They also pushed for greater investments in construction-focused training and education programs.
“We are working hard to recruit and retain a new generation of construction professionals,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Public officials can help put more people into high-paying construction careers by making common sense immigration reforms and investing in domestic construction prep programs as well.”
EllisDon has appointed Michael Casey to the position of senior vice president and general counsel.
“We are very excited about Michael taking on this new role,” says Kieran Hawe, COO and executive vice president at EllisDon. “Michael and the Legal Services team will continue to be an integral part of the EllisDon family as the company continues to grow.”
Casey began his legal career at a private legal firm in Toronto as a member of the Financial Services Group focused on business restructuring and corporate finance. In 2011, Casey joined EllisDon Legal Services as legal counsel before being promoted to senior counsel in 2014, managing director in 2015, vice president and deputy general counsel in 2019, privacy officer in 2020, and currently, senior vice president and general counsel.
In the new role Casey will oversee EllisDon’s Legal Services department and all its functions, including all litigation, Public-Private-Partnerships (P3), corporate, labour relations, international, and insurance claims.
“I am very excited to lead a team of dynamic, intelligent, and like-minded people who do some of the best work in our industry,” said Casey.
Throughout his tenure at EllisDon, Casey has been involved in most aspects of the business, including construction contract negotiations, subcontractor-consultant contractual issues, corporate acquisitions and real estate transactions, corporate secretarial matters, litigation management and claims strategies, enterprise intelligence, and digital services.
As vice president and deputy general counsel, Michael was responsible for leading Legal Services’ litigation and claims functions, in addition to his involvement in various aspects of the legal services group. He was head legal counsel on some of Canada’s largest and most complex construction and infrastructure projects.
Casey will retain the position of corporate privacy officer and remain active on several internal EllisDon committees.
In 2020, Casey was the recipient of On-Site Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 award for the Canadian Construction industry. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School.
An arctic chill has settled over much of Canada, prompting many to install their snow tires, layer up and begrudgingly shovel the driveway.
But we can take comfort in one thing: it could be worse. A lot worse.
Let’s explore Yakutsk, the coldest city in the world. It sits near the Lena River, in East Siberia. The biggest economic driver in the region is mining as it is rich in coal, gold and diamonds. As such, many mining companies have set up their headquarters nearby.
But housing people and transporting goods isn’t easy when your average monthly temperatures range from 19.9 C in July to −37.0 C in December. The lowest temperature ever recorded there was −64.4 C. Want to drive your car? You better keep it in a heated garage or leave it running outside.
Permanently frozen
The city of Yakutsk has a mixture of modern tall buildings, Soviet time blocks of apartments and old wooden houses. Many of them are brightly coloured in an effort to combat depression and provide landmarks in low-visibility conditions.
According to the North-Eastern Federal University in Yakutsk, the warm air coming from homes and buildings also causes “habitation fog” because the air is so cold that it cannot rise.
Yakutsk is the largest city in the world built completely on top of permafrost, a layer of frozen soil hundreds of meters deep which never melts. This requires most structures to be built on top of stilts or piles so that their heat from the buildings does not melt the layers below and cause instability.
Experts at Siberia Federal University explained that there are many kinds of piles, like bored piles developed by the specialists from the city of Krasnoyarsk. Thanks to this technology, the special auguring drill cuts through the permafrost before reinforced cage is put inside and then filled with concrete.
Now the industry also uses modern concrete compounds, which do not get frosted during the pours. Previously the ground had to be thawed by steaming for months for the piles to be inserted. They noted that pile-supported buildings were first constructed by Michael Kim, a former labour camp prisoner who studied permafrost and was awarded the Lenin Prize, one of the most prestigious honours in Soviet Russia, for his innovations.
Colourful buildings line the streets of Yakutsk, the coldest city in the world. – Creative Commons License
Rethinking design
Solving the issues that the region’s extreme weather present for buildings was a passion for Siberian architect A. D. Kryachkov. When he designed and built structures in the 1910s-1930s, he wanted to use science to prevent damage and durability issues. He studied the behaviour of structural materials and structural elements in the cold climate conditions and incorporated the results into the design process. As a result his buildings have preserved their original image for many decades.
His research identified important laws of joint work of building structures and components in Siberian conditions. He also demonstrated it is the mid-season with sharp negative and positive temperature changes rather than winter that present a the biggest danger to structures. Since watering in such conditions leads to structure freezing, he argued that architects should consider protection of a building from accumulation of precipitants on its structures and elements.
Some of his techniques included using a special, semi-flattened plastic with dominating vertical structural elements for building faces. Balconies had a minimal overhang. Flat pilasters and belt courses, horizontal and vertical structural elements, shaped as dumb window sills and frames of windows and pillars, served as the main means of plastic expressiveness for the designer. The buildings had inclined roofing, ventilated attics to prevent rot and were devoid of blind ramparts.
Yakutsk’s utilities have to be built above ground due to permafrost. – Creative Commons License
Bridging the Lena
The extreme weather doesn’t stop major infrastructure projects from moving forward. In 2020, a concession agreement was signed for the design, construction and operation of a bridge across the river Lena in Yakutia between the government and OOO Eighth Concession Company, owned by the VIS Group. The project is structured as a private concession initiative.
The river slices through the Yakutia region cutting off more than 80 per cent of the region’s residents from travel for roughly 6 months each year.
In June, VIS Group announced early work on the project is well underway. This includes land preparation, and removal and reconstruction of utilities. Crews must now move a high-pressure gas pipeline that spans over 900 meters. They are also dismantling and moving high-voltage power lines. Design and construction is expected to take six years and the bridge’s lifespan will be around 19 years.
A rendering of the Lena River bridge project. – VIS Group
The past few years haven’t exactly been a golden age for in-person events. COVID-19 threw all major gatherings up in the air for years. However, we have gradually seen many major events make their return after delays and cancellations. Here are some major ones that are already planned for the coming year.
Canadian Construction Association Annual Conference
The annual event is organized by the Canadian Construction Association and it features speakers, webinars and networking events. One of this year’s keynotes will be done by Peace by Chocolate CEO and founder Tareq Hadhad who will tell his story of coming to Canada as a Syrian refugee. Session topics include procurement, workforce retention, trade-enabling infrastructure, green public procurement and more.
When: March 7-10
Where: The Hilton El Conquistador in Tucson, Arizona
It’s the largest trade show in North America and it only happens every three years. This year it’s set to break records with 1,800 exhibitors and 150 education sessions during its run. There will be more than 2.8 million square feet of exhibits to check out. Organizers say this year’s focus will be on the next level of sustainability in the construction sector.
When: March 14-18
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
This is a big one for all things concrete and it’s coming up quick. The event features original equipment manufacturers from around the world and exclusive U.S. distributors of equipment, tools, products and services for the commercial construction, concrete and masonry industries. The event attracts approximately 1,500 exhibiting companies and occupies more than 700,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor exhibit space.
When: Jan, 17-19
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
After concrete aficionados are done in Las Vegas, they can zip over to Toronto to check out this event. This coming year will feature mixed martial arts fighter and actor Georges St-Pierre, a full scale 3D construction printing demo and discussions around the path to net-zero.
When: Feb. 16-17
Where: The International Centre in Mississauga, Ont.
What: This even brings together U.S. and Canadian industry experts and government officials. More than 550 legislators, business leaders, academics and policymakers will come together to discuss issues that impact the region.
Organized by Good Roads, a municipal association concerned with the quality and design of roads in Ontario. The annual conference is three days of speakers and exhibits all centered around the cutting edge of roads.
Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association Conference
Pack your snorkel for the Hawaiian beaches if you plan on attending. Gary Mar, president & CEO of the Canada West Foundation will kick this event off by talking about the Role Western Canada should play in global trade. Other speakers include CCA president Mary Van Buren, former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Perrin Beatty, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
When: Feb. 5-9
Where: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Waikiki, Hawaii
It’s all about the built environment at Buildex. The series of shows features panels, seminars, workships, innovation showcases and more. The upcoming conference includes a greenbuild pavilion, the climate resiliency and retrofit learning lab and showcases of construction software.
When: Feb. 15-16
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West, Vancouver, B.C.
Who could forget B.C.’s neighbour to the east? Buildex is Alberta’s largest B2B construction event. It covers construction, architecture, engineering, design and property management professions with live demos, activations and installations. It will have more than 100 speakers and more than 1,400 participants.
When: Oct. 18-19
Where: Calgary Telus Convention Centre in Calgary, Alta.
Organizers state that the conference serves as a catalyst for women to expand their presence, influence and career success in an ever shifting industry. They added that It also has grown into the leading talent development and networking event for construction industry professionals. The 2023 event will be kicked off by Nancy Bray, an industrial engineer and 33-year NASA veteran.
When: May 11-12
Where: Hilton San Francisco Union Square in San Francisco, California
This conference promises education, professional development, networking, entertainment and fun. Topics include design considerations for current construction trends, smart buildings, mentorship, material transparency and more.
This massive show has been around for more than 30 years. It features industry experts sharing their knowledge about the built environment. Speakers and sessions are geared towards design, architecture, construction, renovation and property management professionals, experts and suppliers.
When: Nov. 29 to Dec. 1
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ont.
Eastern Canada’s largest heavy equipment industry trade show includes major industry OEMs and dealers, and tons of big iron. Attendees can check out educational seminars, plus the all-new Demo Zone to watch equipment live in action.
When: April 21-23
Where: Espace Saint-Hyacinthe in St-Hyacinthe, Que.
Roofing experts, this one is just for you. ROOFtech is dedicated to Canada’s roofing industry. It includes a trade show and educational sessions. The show features more than 150 exhibitors and live demonstrations. It is produced by the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Informa Connect, and the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association
Organized by the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba, the event aims to provide participants with education and practical hands-on training. Each year the conference issues 2500 training certificates and sees more than 1,500 registrants. Organizers say it is the largest construction safety conference in North America.
Camosun College just received a massive funding boost to help aspiring B.C. tradeswomen.
The college announced they have received a $1.285 million gift to help open the doors to more women pursuing a career in a range of Red Seal trades programs.
The donation comes from the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation. It is the second time the foundation has supported the Empowering Women in the Trades program and is a five-year commitment. It represents the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the college outside of estate gifts.
“The Empowering Woman in the Trades program has changed my life in such an incredible way, words can’t express the gratitude I have,” says Sarah Cooper, who completed the Women in Trades sampler in 2021 and who will soon be returning to the college for her next level apprenticeship. “I don’t know where my family and I would be there today without the ongoing mentorship and financial support that I’ve been given throughout my time at Camosun.”
In 2017, the Foundation made a $1,000,000 pledge to create program. Camosun officials said the second pledge will ensure the program will continue to grow and support women over the next five years.
“We saw the tremendous impact the first gift had on the lives of women over the last five year and how it encouraged more women to enter trades so it made sense to do it again,” says Gwynn Morgan. “It is important to ensure the Empowering Women in the Trades program can continue to raise the quality of life for tradespeople and their families, as well as ensure employers and industries have a workforce to draw upon.”
Trades students at Camosun College receive instruction for working with metal. – Camosun College
School officials explained that government programs often assist with tuition costs but Empowering Women in Trades breaks down additional financial barriers facing women in the trades and assists with areas such as transportation, child care, living expenses and the cost of protection equipment and tools. The goal is to allow more women complete their Red Seal certification. While financial assistance is one barrier, Empowering Women in Trades also offers one on one support, networking, and mentoring opportunities as well as employment support.
“Given the opportunity, a career in the trades can be life-altering for women, who unfortunately have historically faced obstacles,” says Patricia Trottier. “At a time when Canada is facing a skilled trades shortage impacting almost every industry and employer it is critical that women are given the chance to help close the skills gap and achieve their own personal and professional goals.”
As a result of the women-specific programs at Camosun, over 1,000 women have gone on to pursue a career in high-demand areas such as automotive, carpentry, professional cooking, sheet metal and welding. Some alumni have even come full circle by returning to Camosun to instruct the next generation of skilled trades people.
“Camosun is very proud of its work to improve access for students, particularly among underrepresented groups, and giving them the skills to thrive,” says Lane Trotter, president of Camosun. “The generous support of donors like the Gwyn Morgan and Patricia Trottier Foundation is making a life changing difference to women seeking to complete Red Seal apprenticeships. Thank you.”
Camosun offers apprenticeship training in 20 distinct trades, including 12 trades with the Interprovincial Red Seal Endorsement.
Key Takeaways:
Last year more than 2,800 people died in Ontario from opioid-related causes.
30 per cent of these deaths were construction workers.
The province will require naloxone kits for at-risk workplaces starting June 1, 2023.
The Whole Story:
Ontario wants to reduce drug overdose deaths by requiring naloxone kits at “high risk” workplaces.
The new government program will encourage compliance by first making naloxone kits and training available for free at workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose.
In 2021, 2,819 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario – the highest number on record and up from 366 in 2003. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, restore breathing within two to five minutes, and allow time for medical help to arrive.
Of the workers who died from opioid-related causes last year, 30 per cent were employed in construction – by far the most impacted industry. Bars and nightclubs have also seen increased opioid usage and accidental overdoses, often because of recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil.
“Ontario, like the rest of Canada, is in the middle of an opioid epidemic made worse by a toxic supply of recreational street drugs,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “That’s why our government is the first in North America to require naloxone kits be accessible in at-risk workplaces by June 1, 2023, to raise awareness for those struggling with addition, reduce stigma and save lives.”
For up to two years, Ontario will provide free nasal spray naloxone kits to businesses at risk of opioid overdoses through the Workplace Naloxone Program and free training needed to equip staff with the tools to respond to an opioid overdose.
Businesses can determine if they are eligible for the program and find additional information on accessing naloxone kits and training at Ontario.ca/workplacenaloxone. Once the requirement is in effect, government inspectors plan to take an education-first approach to enforcement.
According to Health Canada, these are some common symptoms of someone who is having an overdose:
Difficulty walking, talking, staying awake.
Blue or grey lips or nails.
Cold and clammy skin.
Dizziness and confusion.
Extreme drowsiness.
Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds.
Slow, weak or non-existent breathing.
Inability to wake up, despite being shaken or shouted at.
John Phillip wanted to work.
He was living in transitional housing and working construction through a temp agency. But his safety gear situation was precarious. Not only was the agency charging him a steel-toe boot rental fee, many pairs had holes in them.
For B.C. charity Working Gear, that wasn’t good enough.
They got him outfitted with free boots, pants, a vest and a rain jacket. He eventually was able to secure permanent, full time employment with the company and now volunteers helping others who are looking for construction careers.
He isn’t the only one who’s needed gear help. According to the charity’s latest annual report, it assisted more than 1,100 marginalized and low-income people as they re-entered the workforce during the past fiscal year.
Growing need for construction gear
Working Gear believes that clothing and equipment costs shouldn’t be a barrier to getting on a job site. And over the years their team has had to pivot its services as construction jobs have grown in popularity.
“We learned fast that the needs of our clients weren’t necessarily for the office,” said Sarah Beley, Working Gear executive director. “It was actually lots of people getting back to construction.”
Working Gear provides industry appropriate clothing free of charge to help individuals enter the workforce in the Lower Mainland – whether it’s a suit for an interview or construction clothing and steel-toed boots for a job in the trades. All its clients are sourced from a list of 71 referral agencies that serve Indigenous people, refugees, those struggling with mental health issues, those struggling with homelessness and more.
Located in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, Working Gear also runs a barbershop and provides hair services onsite for clients to assist them in their job searches.
Focusing on low income and marginalized people
The charity originally was focused on regular work clothes but found there was a major need for construction gear. They also found that that many women were looking to transition into construction roles.
“For women getting into construction it tends not to be their first career,” said Beley. “They have done hospitality or customer service but it wasn’t giving them stability. That’s more of the trend.”
Donations of water-resistant jackets sit on the racks at Working Gear in downtown Vancouver. – Working Gear
She noted that this was especially true during the pandemic, when many hospitality and service jobs were severely impacted.
“With men, it’s everything from newcomers, those with substance use challenges, those with mental health challenges, people who have been through the criminal justice system, people who have aged out of foster care and don’t have the supports that others have,” said Beley.
These men are often older and the 55+ demographic of clients has been growing, she added.
Creating community
Beley herself knows about some of the challenges life can throw at you. Her father died when she was nine, her mother suffered from mental illness and her uncle disappeared in Vancouver’s downtown eastside. Beley says her experiences have given her a unique lens into the trauma, pain and helplessness of marginalized people in society, and the negative impact this has on their mental health and economic prospects.
“I did not have the best childhood,” said Beley. “I was in foster care. I know the feeling of being helpless. People often just don’t know how to help. This is a simple solution. Once people see it for themselves, it is easy to understand.”
Beley noted that the charity has created a community where clients can feel safe to ask for help..
“It’s a safe space to be vulnerable,” she said. “The majority of clients are guys and we find they have a hard time asking for help. When they come in it’s embarrassing for them but after a bit they open up and are at ease.”
How to help
For construction, the charity accepts donations of steel-toed work boots, high-visibility vests, work overalls, rain gear, work gloves, tool belts, hard hats and goggles. But Beley stressed that boots and hardhats are the most in-demand items and they must be new as they are critical safety gear.
The charity also needs volunteers with construction experience who can give their clients advice on the gear. The charity is at 475 Main Street in Vancouver. They can be reached by email at info@workinggear.ca
Increasing female participation in construction has long been an industry goal. According to BuildForce Canada, only 11.6 per cent of the entire Canadian construction workforce are women. Site Partners and On-Site Magazine recently highlighted some of the industry’s best and brightest stars as part of the Top 40 under 40 in Canadian Construction. Here are all the women who made the list:
Cheyanne Hammell – Special projects manager for PCL Construction
Cheyanne Hammell, PCL Construction
Hammell first came to PCL years ago as a student but after climbing the ranks, she was recently promoted to special projects manager. She has worked on some of the company’s iconic projects, including renovating the CN Tower.
“Extremely honoured to be part of this amazing group of leaders and grateful for the opportunities and challenges PCL Construction has provided me throughout my career to get me where I am today.”
-Hammell
Katie Dempster – Vice president of industrial relations and development at Graham
Katie Dempster, Graham
Dempster’s focus at Graham is new business acquisition, customer retention and organic growth opportunities. Her efforts are working. she has helped her division build a backlog of business of over $2 billion while achieving $1.2 billion in annual revenues. Outside the office, Dempster is involved in the Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA), Canadian Heavy Oil Association (CHOA) and Calgary Women in Energy (CWIE).
Janice Chuang – Vice president of infrastructure investments at Ledcor
Janice Chuang, Ledcor
Chuang is a financial whiz. She first joined Ledcor as its treasury manager. Her financial strategies helped deliver a series of projects in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. By 2021 she was promoted to her current role where she guides the company’s financial strategy for infrastructure.
“What an honour and privilege this is!”
-Chuang
Alexis Barr-Gusa – Partner at Dentons Canada LLP
Barr-Gusa, Dentons Canada LLP
Barr-Gusa helps negotiate and draft project agreements, including complex multi- phased engineering, procurement and construction contracts and P3 transactions worth billions. Beyond her regular work, she is a coach and mentor, and a member of her firm’s WomenLEAD as well as its Indigenous Inclusion Working Group.
“I am so humbled to be included in this amazing group of people. Thank you On-Site Magazine & Site Partners for this recognition.”
-Barr-Gusa
Anya Barkan – Sustainability Manager at Multiplex Construction Canada Ltd.
Anya Barkan, Multiplex Construction Canada Ltd.
Barkan was instrumental in helping Multiplex achieve this year’s Green Building Pioneer Award. She joined Multiplex this January after eight years as a construction manager with Toronto Community Housing.
“It is an honour to be recognized among this inspiring group of Top 40 under 40 in Canadian Construction. Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you SitePartners and On-Site Magazine for the recognition. And special thank you to the Multiplex team for all the support in getting me here.
-Barkan
Agnes Wietrzynski – President and CEO of QM Environmental
Agnes Wietrzynski, QM Environmental
Wietrzynski first arrived in Canada as a refugee and immigrant. After more than a decade in the environmental sector, her sharp leadership abilities caught the attention of Wes Hall from CBC’s “Dragons’ Den”. Hall put her in charge of QM Environmental, an environmental and industrial services company with more than 600 employees. She also finds time to serve as a board member of the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA).
Briar Beers – Vice president at Cutting Edge Consulting Inc.
Briar Beers, Cutting Edge Consulting Inc.
Beers joined Cutting Edge after working as a senior project manager. She developed its safety program and helped it achieve COR certification. She also helped create the company’s project management and estimating programs and fostered its growth over a five-year period from a single employee to a company with more than 60.
“What an honour this has been for me. Thank you SitePartners and On-Site Magazine for this opportunity. Congratulations also to a partner/client of ours Rick Morrison from Quattro Constructors for also being selected.”
-Beers
Cayley Van Hemmen – Interiors and special projects division manager at Canadian Turner Construction Company
Cayley Van Hemmen, Canadian Turner Construction Company
Van Hemmen began her Turner career as a business unit intern in 2013 and worked her way up to being in charge of a whole division which she helped restructure. She also serves as the co-chair of the mentorship committee at the Urban Land Institute.
“I feel very honored to have been selected for the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction award this year. It’s been an incredible ten years working for Canadian Turner Construction Company and seeing this company grow from 7 people in Vancouver to the 145+ strong force we are today. Can’t wait to see what the next ten years looks like!”
-Van Hemmen
Mi Kim – Senior Commercial Manager at Jacob Bros Construction
Mi Kim, Jacob Bros Construction
Kim, who is also a professional engineer, is experienced in project controls including contract management, schedule analysis and cost control. Kim is passionate about mentoring young female engineers and is active with Women in Engineering at the University of British Columbia.
“Truly humbled and honoured to have been selected as part of this group of talented individuals in Canadian construction by On-Site Magazine and SitePartners. Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Top 40 Under 40. A big thank you to all of those who have guided and supported me along the way and let us all continue to strive for excellence in this beautiful industry.”
-Kim
Diamond Schmitt is expanding its leadership team across all of its offices.
The architecture firm has appointed one new principal, five new senior associates, eight new associates and one new director. The firm also named its chief financial officer.
Here are the personnel changes:
Cecily Eckhardt, OAA, CPHD, LEED Green Associate (Toronto) has been promoted to principal.
Cynthia Carbonneau, OAA, LEED AP (Toronto), Jessica Cheung, OAA, LEED AP (Toronto), Sarah Low, LEED AP (Toronto), Dale McDowell, OAA (Toronto), and Matthew Tsui, OAA, LEED AP (Toronto) have advanced to the position of senior associate.
Emily Baxter (Toronto), Martin Gauthier, CPHD (Toronto), Catherine Lin, OAA (Toronto), Louis Louw, AIBC (Vancouver), Jeff Mitchell, OAA, CPHD (Toronto), Tara Plett, CIQS, OACETT (Ottawa), Mike Taylor, OAA, CPHD (Toronto), and Elcin Unal, OAA, MRAIC (Toronto) have been elevated to associate.
Paul de Voe, AIA (New York) has been named technical director.
Narjis Shirazee (Toronto) has been designated chief financial officer.
“At Diamond Schmitt, we have long recognized that diversity fuels innovation and fosters creativity. The make-up of our teams brings together individuals with different areas of expertise, skill sets and experiences in a studio environment that encourages the free expression of opinions and the sharing of ideas,’ said Don Schmitt, principal and co-founder of the firm. “These appointments reflect Diamond Schmitt’s continued commitment to creating a workplace that is diverse, equitable and inclusive – not only supporting the evolution of our architectural ambitions, but acknowledging the growth of the individuals behind the buildings we design.”
One major project the firm is currently involved in is Therme Canada | Ontario Place, a planned expansion of public park space that will create a year-round landmark waterfront destination on Lake Ontario.
The firm stated that the design weaves together three themes, expressed through architecture: the scale and spirit of exhibition pavilions; the restorative qualities of natural forms; and the transparency of greenhouse architecture.
Photos: Therme Canada | Ontario Place design
Diamond SchmittDiamond Schmitt
The next generation of Canadian construction leaders building the nation are getting their due with this year’s Top 40 Under 40.
The annual list is a collaboration between On-Site Magazine, a publication that covers Canada’s construction sector and SitePartners, a marketing firm that specializes in industrial clients. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges based on professional achievements, innovation, leadership and community involvement.
Andrew Hansen, CEO and founder of SitePartners, believes that if young people can see other young talent succeeding in construction, they are more likely to consider a construction career.
“When I first envisioned this I saw it as a way to attract people to the industry. The best way to do that is to showcase all the young talent in construction,” said Hansen. “Before the 40 Under 40, there was nothing like it. Three years later we have highlighted the stories of 120 leaders that are shaping our industry.”
Hansen added that he believes this year’s pool of winners is as strong as it has ever been.
“On behalf of myself and the rest of the 40 Under 40 team, congratulations to all the winners past and present,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see the community that this has built and we are looking forward to celebrating even more young industry leaders.”
The list of winners featured female leaders like Mi Kim, a senior commercial manager for Jacob Bros. Construction. In addition to her regular work duties, Kim is helping other women enter the field by mentoring students through the Women in Engineering group at the University of British Columbia.
It also touched on entrepreneurs like Andrew Neill who began his construction career at 17. After rising up the ranks to become a project manager, he started his own company at 31, Andrew Neill Construction. He’s since branched out into modular construction and even has an international patent pending for one of his modular solutions.
The 2022 list didn’t forget innovators like Kevin Goldberg who worked with a fellow engineer to develop a better way to manage the movement of excess material across construction projects. He is now the president of SoilFLO, a software company that is expanding internationally.
But those are just a sample. SiteNews has the full list of winners and their stories.
EllisDon Community Builders (EDCB) is partnering with local Habitat for Humanity organizations to accelerate homeownership projects.
“There are several obstacles to homeownership in Canada today, including financial impacts from the pandemic and inflation,” said Nicholas Gefucia, vice president EllisDon Community Builders. “Because EllisDon and Habitat for Humanity Canada work on a national scale, we are collaborating to streamline the development process, so more individuals and families will be able to buy a Habitat home of their own.”
Under the partnership, EllisDon will provide advisory services over the next four years. The services will help local Habitat organizations evaluate how to best build for the most impact on specific pieces of land, with key information and advice on planning restrictions, permitted density, and potentially available financing.
EDCB, a division formed within the EllisDon group of companies, provides development management services for clients who wish to deliver affordable and supportive housing to their communities. According to the EDCB website, by combining decades of construction industry experience and development expertise, they provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to delivering high-quality affordable and sustainable community developments across Canada.
Construction is hard work and years of physical labour can take their toll on the body.
One of the most common complaints is lower back pain. Experts like Jack Liney, a physiotherapist at Westcoast SCI Physiotherapy in Vancouver, believe that workers can do a lot to address this kind of pain when it arises and prevent it from happening in the future.
Liney honed his skills working across a whole spectrum of hospital and rehabilitation settings, while also as a pitch side Physiotherapist in semi-professional rugby. Jack has worked with a wide variety of clients, including professional and olympic athletes, and construction workers.
Back pain causes and risk factors
“Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a major cause of work-related disability and lost-time illnesses in the construction industry,” said Liney. “Lower back pain is the most common reason for a construction worker to seek professional input from a physiotherapist. It’s also the number one cause of pain globally and number one cause of disability, affecting 80-90 percent of the world’s population.”
Despite being such a common problem the causes of lower back pain can be hard to determine. Liney explained that this is because the vast majority of time, lower back pain is what we class as non-specific, meaning there is not a single specific structure that we can reliably say for sure is what is causing the pain.
“When it comes to lower back pain, of course the biomechanical and physical factors are important to consider: limb shapes, intensity of the task, a person’s age and experience. However, because of the complexity of pain, this is only one piece of the puzzle,” said Liney. “There are so many other factors to consider other than biomechanical and physical factors, things like: the individual, psychology, tissue pathology, behavioural lifestyles, contextual factors, social and work environment factors. All of these things can increase or decrease someone’s chances of having lower back pain.”
According to Liney, despite the complexity around the causes and risks for back pain, work can often be done to address it.
He explained that lower back pain can be reduced through a gradual exposure to the imposed demands of the job, things like bending forwards and lifting heavy items.
“Injuries occur when the demand placed upon the tissues exceeds its current capacity,” said Liney. “Task specific strength and conditioning, lifestyle modifications and behavioural changes can increase one’s capacity and tolerance and this can reduce the risk of developing lower back pain.”
Back pain misconceptions
Not all back pain advice is created equal. Liney noted that modern research has shown that some common advice may not be that useful. Here are some misconceptions Liney says many have about lower back pain:
Back pain is not caused by poor posture.
There is no evidence that lifting with spinal flexion is associated with more risk of injury or pain.
There is no evidence that certain postures are causative of lower back pain, back pain affects all postures.
Pain with movement and exercise doesn’t mean you’re doing harm.
Pain flare ups don’t mean you’re damaging yourself.
Liney offered this advice for someone suffering from lower back pain:
Have the injury assessed by a professional. A physiotherapy needs to screen for serious circumstances that may require urgent medical intervention or referral to specialist.
Find a physio that you connect with and that you can trust to make these important calls.
Once cleared to start rehabilitation, begin with body weight functional movements, mobility and core exercises before trying resistance based exercises
Find an employer that values good working conditions, with decent pay and regular breaks.
Back stretch routine for construction workers
When it comes to doing regular movement and exercise to prevent lower back pain, Liney said it’s often a no one size fits all approach.
“Human movement is individual based on lots of factors: age, experience, limb morphology, we are all shaped differently and this will affect the way we move,” he said. “For me personally, I like to focus on joint mobility exercises. I like them because they are low intensity and can be done regularly throughout the day. This helps me to avoid sedentary behaviour, a factor that can reduce physical capacity.”
Liney said he thinks of the spine as a multidirectional bike chain, and he offered this set of stretches to cover all directions that the lumbar joints are designed to move in:
Lumbar rotation
Lie on your back. Bend your legs, keeping your knees and feet together. Keep your knees together while allowing your top foot to peel off of the floor as you roll your knees from side to side. Keep your shoulder stable on the floor and rotate at your spine.
Active repeated cobra
Lie on your stomach. Place your hands underneath your shoulders. Maintain your elbows near to your rib cage and keep your shoulders down throughout the movement. Rest the top of your feet down into the floor and relax your legs. Press through your hands and lift your head and upper body, opening your chest and allowing your spine to arch into the Cobra position. Breathe in while arching your spine and breathe out while returning in starting position.
Child’s pose
While on your hands and knees: Move backward, bringing your buttocks towards your heels, lower your forearms to the floor and let your back round. Hold the position for a moment while breathing smoothly. Return to the starting position.
Pelvic tilts
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Pull your belly-button towards your spine and clench your buttock muscles to roll the tail bone up off the floor. Slowly return to the starting position. Roll your tailbone on the ground until the tip of your tail bone touches the mat. The majority of the effort should come from your abdominal and buttock muscles. Relax and repeat.
Knee hugs
Lie on your back. Draw one foot up and then the other. Bring one knee in towards your chest and then the other, using your hands for assistance to curl yourself in to a ball.
*Editors note: Does your business or employer have a unique way they are addressing workplace injury prevention? Let us know at hello@readsitenews.com.
Key Takeaways:
Lafarge is donating $50,000 worth of low carbon concrete to Pic Mobert First Nation in Ontario.
It is being used to build an on-reserve recreation sports park.
The project will be used by more than 1,000 members of the local Indigenous community.
The Whole Story:
This holiday season, Lafarge Canada is giving the gift of concrete.
Lafarge announced it is donating $50,000 worth of ECOPact low-carbon concrete for the construction of Pic Mobert First Nation on-reserve recreational sports park.
The park will benefit a local Indigenous community of over 1,000 people in the long-term and it is part of the company’s commitment to support the development of local communities and the future generations.
“We acknowledged the historic challenges experienced by Indigenous Peoples when we developed our organization’s Human Rights action plan for Canada. We recognize the need to support First Nations & Métis Communities as a key focus group, especially when it comes to mental health support for youth. We feel honoured to be part of such an important youth sports initiative in Ontario”, commented David Redfern, president and CEO, Lafarge Canada (East).
ECOPact is sold at a range of low-carbon levels, from 30 per cent to 100 per cent less carbon emissions compared to standard concrete. Where regulatory conditions allow, ECOPact products integrate upcycled construction and demolition materials
“Our community is united in our resolve to provide hope, healing, and health to our People who continue to struggle in so many ways. Increasing opportunities for sports and recreation, especially for our children and youth, is a high priority that will be facilitated by the development of the new sports park. We could not have made this important project happen without the generous donation made by our friends and neighbours from Lafarge,” commented Chief Louis Kwissiwa, Pic Mobert First Nation.
Jared Paris, plant manager for Lafarge’s Hemlo ReadyMix Concrete Plant, noted that the facility has been operating and servicing the traditional lands of the Pic Mobert First Nation for more than 20 years, supplying concrete for new homes, a water treatment plant, and many other projects. The $750,000-project on the Pic Mobert First Nation reserve is being sponsored by a number of companies, including Lafarge Canada customers, showing their support for the Indigenous community.
Pic Mobert First Nation (Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg) is an Ojibwe community with two land bases, Pic Mobert South and Pic Mobert North, which lie off Highway 17 approximately 55 km east of Marathon, Ont. along the eastern shores of White Lake.
Key Takeaways:
The changes include empowering the province to set housing targets in key municipalities and changing strata rules to allow more renting.
The new housing targets could come into effect next year while the strata changes would go into effect immediately.
The province is also forming a standalone ministry to address housing issues.
The Whole Story:
B.C.’s new premier is looking to introduce law changes and establish a standalone ministry to address housing supply and affordability.
“B.C.’s housing crisis is stressing out and hurting people while it holds back our economy,” said Premier David Eby. “As a first step in my 100-day plan, we are making changes to deliver more homes for British Columbians, faster.”
Speeding up approvals
The first piece of legislation, the housing supply act, aims to help speed up housing development and increase supply by giving the province the power to set housing targets in municipalities with the greatest need and highest projected growth. Eby says targets will be based on information provided by and in consultation with municipalities. The new housing targets will encourage municipalities to address local barriers to construction so that housing can get built faster, including updating zoning bylaws and streamlining local development approval processes.
A recent study commissioned by the Canadian Homebuilders Association of B.C. recently analyzed 650 individual approvals from13 municipalities. The data showed that it takes on average 13-14 months to approve rezoning and development permits and over 20 months for a subdivision application.
The province plans to monitor progress and work with municipalities to help address barriers to meeting housing targets and to support the increased community needs associated with targeted growth. The act enables compliance options as a last resort, should municipalities with the highest need struggle to create the conditions that are necessary to ensure housing gets built.
If passed, the housing supply act is scheduled to be brought into force in mid-2023. To support implementation, the province will continue to help local governments speed up local approval processes through the continued implementation of the Development Approvals Process Review and work underway to accelerate provincial approvals.
Amending Strata laws
In addition, the province is making amendments to the Strata Property Act to end all strata rental-restriction bylaws and to limit age-restriction bylaws so that the only permitted age restriction is to preserve and promote seniors’ housing through the “55 and over” rule in strata housing. Some buildings have “19+ only” age restrictions that mean couples starting a family have to plan to move out as soon as they become pregnant. Stratas will be able to appear at the Residential Tenancy Branch to evict problem tenants and recover costs of those appearances.
“There’s a lot of things on your mind when you are getting ready to start a family. It can be a very stressful time,” said Sarah Arnold, an expectant mother and condo owner in Victoria. “The last thing you need to think about when you’re preparing to welcome a newborn is finding a new place to live. These unjust age restrictions have hurt a lot of families, and I am pleased to see the Province is taking action to make sure no more couples have to uproot their lives and leave their homes if they decide to start a family.”
In areas where government has data through the Speculation and Vacancy Tax, there are approximately 2,900 empty condos that cannot be rented out because strata rules prevent them from renting out their condo, and government expects there are more empty units in strata buildings in other parts of the province. This amendment will enable owners to rent out these badly needed homes immediately. Government also expects that some owners in strata buildings would choose to rent out a room in their condo if they were given the opportunity to do so.
“Rules that prevent families with children from living in a home or prevent people from renting the unit they own are no longer acceptable in our current housing market,” said Murray Rankin, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing. “These amendments will open up more rental and homeownership options for people at a time when they’re needed the most.”
If approved, the changes to the Strata Property Act would take effect immediately. Bylaws restricting short-term rentals, such as AirBnBs, will continue to be allowed.
New ministry for housing
Eby also announced a new housing ministry as part of his plan to address the province’s housing crisis.
“For too many British Columbians, owning or even renting a good home feels out of reach,” Eby said. “The housing crisis deserves the attention of a full ministry and the resources that come with it. As premier, I am committed to making meaningful progress to make sure everyone in B.C. can afford a good home.”
Premier Eby made the announcement on Tuesday, Nov. 22 during a speech to about 1,400 attendees at the Housing Central Conference at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver. The annual conference on affordable housing is held by the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association, and the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC.
The minister of housing will be named when Premier Eby announces his cabinet on Dec. 7.
Before being sworn in as premier, Eby was the attorney general and the minister responsible for housing. The current minister responsible for housing is Murray Rankin, MLA of Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
Key Takeaways:
B.C. will spend $7.1 million to support Métis citizens seeking jobs training.
The funds will support apprenticeships, trades, skills upgrades, certificates and recertifications, micro-credentials and other courses.
The province anticipates the funding will assist approximately 1,000 participants.
The Whole Story:
B.C. wants to provide more trades training opportunities to the Métis community.
The province announced changes that will allow more Métis citizens to access funding support to gain job-ready skills training.
Officials are contributing $7.1 million to the Métis Nation British Columbia’s (MNBC) Ministry of Skills Training, Employment, and Post-Secondary to support Métis learners. Anna Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training made the announcement during a reception commemorating the life of Louis Riel. Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba and a political leader of the Métis people.
“We honour Louis Riel’s sacrifice and courage. We honour the significant contributions of the Métis people to British Columbia, and we acknowledge the struggles that Métis people continue to face,” said Kang. “Our government is committed to working together to make life better for Métis people throughout B.C., including through critical investments in education and skills training.”
The funding will support Métis learners in occupational skills training programs, such as apprenticeships, trades, skills upgrades, certificates and recertifications, micro-credentials and other courses leading to employment. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to participate in the program. This program will support Métis citizens looking to advance their education and training, and equip them with job-ready skills.
“At a time when we see such a large investment in infrastructure from the Province, it is paramount that we can equip our citizens with the job-ready skills needed for these projects,” says Paulette Flamond, MNBC’s minister of skills training, employment, and post-secondary education. “This additional round of funding will pay dividends and benefit our Nation for generations to come.”
Ledcor is celebrating its 75th anniversary by focusing on others.
The Ledcor Group of Companies announced that in honour of the milestone, it will donate $3 million over four years – $750,000 a year – to support charities that focus on pediatric healthcare initiatives across their office locations in Canada and the U.S.
“We are very proud to be entering our 75th year in business,” said Dave Lede, chairman and CEO at Ledcor Group. “Giving back to the communities where we live, and work is part of our DNA – this contribution continues Ledcor’s legacy of donations over the years to various children’s charities across North America. For 75 years, Ledcor and our employees have assisted others in need by coming together to support organizations that have a special place in our hearts, helping to move our communities forward.”
Since 1947, The Ledcor Group of Companies has grown to become one of North America’s most diversified construction companies serving the civil and infrastructure, oil & gas, pipeline, building, mining, power, and telecommunications sectors. Ledcor also owns operations in property investment, forestry, aviation, and marine transportation services.
The company noted that over the last 75 years, it has sought to prioritize community giving through several employee-led initiatives and programs. As a part of the employee-led program Ledcor Cares, over the last decade Ledcor and its employees have invested over $24 million to more than 200 charities across North America, as well as supporting communities through various professional development, sustainability, research, and initiatives.
Ledcor stated that it will continue to celebrate its anniversary throughout the year with a variety of events and programming. More information will be available throughout the year on the company website.
Key Takeaways:
Movember campaigns highlight often overlooked men’s health issues.
Fort Modular is encouraging their customers to contribute to Movember causes through a new campaign.
The company noted that construction workers have been hit particularly hard by mental health and substance use issues.
The Whole Story:
You’d be hard pressed to find another building this handsome.
Fort Modular, a B.C.-based modular building supplier has started a new initiative to raise money for and to bring awareness to men’s health issues.
“The guys really wanted to lean into a charity that was relevant to the industry,” said Fort’s business development and indigenous relations manager. “We have done Movember in years past but we thought about how we could take it to the next level. The idea was to put a giant mustache on buildings to market it to different people in the industry, create some buzz for the foundation itself and get people excited about it.”
The team collaborated with men’s charity Movember to create Movember Modular Space Solution units with giant mustaches on the side. Clients who rent the handsome, groomed units commit to an annual donation of at least $1,000 to support the Fort Modular campaign while the buildings are on their job sites.
“The construction industry needs this more than anyone else,” said Brezden. “Lots of guys are stressed out, they don’t get to take breaks, they don’t talk about their personal life or how they are feeling. We want to create space in a funny way for guys to open up to other guys about struggles they might be dealing with.”
The modular units are also intended to educate. They display the following stats about men’s health in the construction sector:
30 per cent of opioid deaths are from the construction industry.
83 per cent of construction industry workers have experienced some form of moderate to severe mental health issue.
Suicide rates in the construction industry are up to 3 time higher than in other industries.
At least one in five construction workers suffer from mental illness.
Only 17 per cent of construction workers said they would discuss mental health issues with a supervisor.
Those looking to donate to Fort Modular’s campaign directly can do so here.
“Men are really struggling lin this industry and there isn’t a lot of support when it comes to health and wellness,” said Brezden. “They guys are really busy and people are starting to realize that in order to keep their guys healthy and working, they have to check in and make sure they are doing OK.”
Key Takeaways:
Construction safety tech company SkillSignal is working with Princeton University in New Jersey on addressing mental health struggles in the construction sector.
The company won a one-year fellowship with the school to launch the Construction Wellbeing Initiative.
They will study industry efforts to address mental health issues and evaluate their effectiveness.
The Whole Story:
Mental health struggles are impacting construction workers far beyond Canada’s borders.
A construction safety tech company was awarded a one-year fellowship with Princeton University to address the worsening mental health crisis in the sector. SkillSignal, a construction safety and compliance platform, is now asking the entire industry for its input.
Through Princeton’s Jay Sugarman Practitioner in Residence Program, SkillSignal is partnering with Princeton’s Kahneman-Treisman Center for Behavioral Science & Public Policy. The effort is called the Construction Wellbeing Initiative (CWI)
Princeton noted that studies from the Association of General Contractors (AGC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) show rapidly growing numbers of clinical depression, anxiety, and burn-out among construction workers.
Moreover, frequent physical injuries and strains as a result of the nature of the work often result in spiraling alcohol and opioid dependence. This creates a situation where distraction, accidents, safety hazards, stress, injury, violence and death are more likely to happen. According to the Centers for Disease Control, construction has one of the highest suicide rates of all industries, at 53.2 suicides per 100,000 workers (CIASP).
“We started to uncover this mental health crisis that we have been plagued with through conversations with clients and statistics we dug up,” said Vivian Burgnon, co-founder of SkillSignal and We realized we were going into some dark territory coming out of the pandemic.”
She noted that while other industries shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, construction continued and workers put in long hours.
“We decided to take this on as a passion project and see what we could do,” she said. “We are a safety and compliance company and we felt like this falls under safety and protecting workers.”
The team is currently working on bridging some sort of mental health component into its digital platform.
This fall, Burgnon and SkillSignal’s other co-founder Sebastien de Ghellinck convened over 50 construction professionals at the School of Public and International Affairs in a full day of learning and sharing sessions. The event marked the launch of the Construction Wellbeing Initiative (CWI), combining academic and policy-focused resources from Princeton University, cutting-edge technology from SkillSignal, and the collective intelligence from construction professionals from every field: C-suite, risk management, safety, insurance, operations, training, and technology.
Joining the launch event were representatives from the Structure Tone Building Group, Turner Construction, Skanska, Gallagher Basset, AXA XL, Holt, Zurich NA, EW Howell, Consigli, P Agnes, The New York City Department of Buildings, Prosafety, and others.
Through the initiative, Burgnon and de Ghellinck are looking to understand the sources of this crisis, to compile industry experience, and analyze field-tested solutions that will increase the physical and mental wellbeing of construction workers on job sites around the nation. The team plans to publish a comprehensive online repository of these interventions, which could be used as a public resource available to anyone desiring to increase the physical and mental wellbeing of construction workers on job sites.
Burgnon explained that investing in the mental health of construction workers is critical for the construction sector which has a workforce already getting spread thin and more labour shortages on the horizon.
“Why go into the trades and put yourself through this stressful, hard job?” said Burgnon. “We are really seeing that if we don’t change the culture we have now there is going to be a domino effect and we won’t be able to keep up with demand.”
The issue hits close to home for Burgnon, who’s father has been a carpenter for more than 40 years.
“I’ve seen my dad go through the highs and lows of being in construction and on the flip side, my mother works in mental health as a counselor with a substance abuse background. I have that bridge between the two,” she said. “When we first started the company we always had the worker in mind to make sure they go home to their families the same way they came. We wanted to create technology that could better facilitate that. So when we started to get into these mental health stats, it was a no-brainer.”
Some of the next steps for the initiative are to begin gathering info on what actions the industry has taken to improve mental health for workers and evaluate what the best solutions are. The group plans to also hold regular meetings with construction leaders and stakeholders to get updates and hear from speakers.
Burgnon encouraged construction leaders in Canada to reach out with their own advice and programs here.
Whether it’s to gain some knowledge or escape into another world, books can offer new ways to look at things. From sci-fi novels to gritty autobiographies, check out what page-turners construction leaders have tucked away on their bookshelves.
1. Yasir Ali, Self Perform Operations at Turner Construction Company
“A really good read from a business standpoint on when you need survival war time strategic leadership, and when a more long-term sustainable leadership and decision making is needed. Sometimes you need to pivot from one to the other depending on where your business is at, and having the self-awareness and cognizance on having those key folk in your team will help you ride those waves.”
– Ali
2. Shane McKernan, director of construction at Chard Development
“I read this book in high school and it has stuck with me since. My interest in construction was inspired by Follett’s descriptions of gothic architecture in the cathedral they built.”
– McKernan
3. Mary Van Buren, Canadian Construction Association president
“Incredible to hear about what creates belief in people and how dreams evolve and become realities and the grit it takes to be successful in business or in general life.”
– Scott
5. Sebastien de Ghellinck, SkillSignal founder and owner
“This autobiography covers the journey of Goggins (whose childhood was riddled with abuse, poverty, harassment, and racism) who believed he was worthless. He overcame all odds by pushing the limits of his body and mind. It resonates with me because I’ve utilized many of his anecdotes to carve my own path through areas of my life I felt could not be overcome.”
– Tountas
8. Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner for City of Edmonton
“This book is an extraordinary sweeping overview of the relationship between fossil fuels and political institutions and it was hugely epiphanic. It made me understand so much about the history of Britain, the U.S., the current status quo in the Middle East and just how horrifically unable we are to wean ourselves off fossil fuels.”
“An interesting meditation on the value of the working with your hands. While my tool of choice may now be a keyboard, I look back so fondly on all those summers doing physical labour as a student in Halifax. The author examines the long term trend of parents urging their children to become informational workers, and why a career in the trades deserves much more consideration than it gets. The book might be 12 years old – but with massive tech layoffs happening every day and a continuous shortage of labour in construction, many of his points are more relevant now than ever.”
– Rutledge
*Editors Note – Check out the first part of this series, which highlighted songs recommended by construction leaders .
