Category: People

Key Takeaways:

• Ontario construction workers made up nearly 8 per cent of Ontario’s overdose deaths between 2018 and 2020.
• Researchers found that these workers often were young, male and using non-prescription drugs alone.
• The report also found that nearly 80 per cent of workers who died had recently had a pain-related injury.

The Whole Story:

Ontario construction workers are being disproportionately impacted by non-prescription drug overdoses, a new report shows. 

The report, which was released this summer, found that close to 1 in 13 opioid-related deaths in Ontario between 2018 and 2020 occurred among construction workers, and among construction workers who died over half were employed at time of death.

The research was conducted by experts from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN) at St. Michael’s Hospital, ICES, the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario and Public Health Ontario.

Unregulated drugs

The report shows deaths among construction workers are primarily being driven by the unregulated drug supply rather than pharmaceutical opioids prescribed for pain.

Researchers found that cocaine and alcohol were more commonly involved in opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers when compared to those not working in the construction industry.

“The disproportionate impact of Ontario’s overdose crisis among people working in the construction industry demands further attention,” said Dr. Tara Gomes, lead author of the report and a principal investigator for ODPRN. “Importantly, despite a high prevalence of pain among workers, prescription opioids are not driving the patterns seen in this industry, with most deaths involving a combination of opioids with other drugs and alcohol.”

Gomes suggested that this could reflect a reliance on non-prescription opioids to manage unresolved pain in a sector where workplace culture and lack of job security can lead to under-reporting of injuries and pressure to minimize recovery time.

428 workers lost

Researchers identified people who worked in the construction industry who died of an opioid toxicity in Ontario between July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2020. The researchers defined construction workers as individuals who were employed or previously employed in the construction industry prior to death, as determined by the investigating coroner. This includes work in a trade, equipment operation or general labour.

Over the study’s 30 month span, 428 Ontarians with employment history in the construction industry died of an opioid toxicity, accounting for nearly 8 per cent of opioid toxicity deaths during that time. 

In contrast, people working in the construction industry represented only 3.6 per cent of the entire Ontario population and 7.2 per cent of all employed people in Ontario in 2021. Researchers noted that previous reports have shown that one-third of people who died of opioid toxicity and were employed at time of death worked in the construction industry.

Using data from ICES and the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario, researchers dug into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and found:

They found that fentanyl and cocaine involvement were significantly higher among those with construction work backgrounds compared to those without. Alcohol also directly contributed to one in five opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers, which was significantly more common compared to those without a history of employment in construction

Using alone

Nearly 80 per cent of opioid toxicity deaths among construction workers occurred in private residences, most often the individual’s home, and rarely at construction sites or hotels used for work purposes.

Among cases where an individual was present to intervene in the overdose, naloxone administration decreased slightly over time among those who died of an opioid toxicity and had worked in the construction industry, suggesting the need for increased accessibility to naloxone in this population, including in people’s homes and not just on work sites.

Only one in six construction workers with an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis who died of an opioid toxicity had accessed treatment in the month before death, which is lower than what was observed among those with no history in construction.

Breaking down the demographics

The report also describes demographic characteristics of people who worked in the construction industry who died of opioid toxicity:

• Nearly 60 per cent of individuals in the construction industry were employed at the time of opioid toxicity death, compared to only 12 per cent of those with no employment history in the construction industry.

• Pain was highly prevalent among construction workers who died of opioid toxicity – almost 80 per cent experienced a pain-related condition or injury in the five years prior to opioid toxicity death, which was similar to those with no employment history in construction.

• Opioid toxicity deaths were more concentrated among those aged 25 to 44 years, with almost two-thirds of deaths among people who worked in the construction industry falling in this age group.

• Over 98 per cent of construction workers who died of an opioid toxicity were male, compared to 72 per cent among those without a history of employment in the construction industry. This is consistent with the sex distribution of the construction industry workforce in Ontario.

The reports authors called for industry-level response in the construction industry that recognizes the stigma around drug use, which may make people less likely to engage in treatment and harm reduction services offered through their employer.

The researchers added that the response should included a plan to naloxone access at home, raised awareness about drug use safety, and low-barrier access to evidence-based treatment. This includes removing the requirement to go to a pharmacy to consume a daily dose methadone or buprenorphine under medical supervision as well as pain management and mental health supports.

“The report shows that young men continue to die from preventable opioid-related deaths. Each death is a person who lost their life,” said Dr. Dirk Huyer, chief coroner for Ontario. “Their families have lost a loved one, their communities have suffered a loss, and coworkers have lost a colleague and friend. Developing policies to address the stigma and provide support and harm reduction services at the workplace will help prevent further opioid-related deaths.”

Key Takeaways:

• The B.C. Construction Association received $21 million in federal funding to assist smaller companies.
• The funds will support those who employ new workers.
• Companies can receive even more funding if new hires are diverse.
• The association also plans to begin a major construction recruitment campaign.

The Whole Story:

B.C. contractors just got a major financial incentive to hire new tradespeople. 

The BC Construction Association (BCCA) received more than $21 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service to encourage small and medium sized employers in BC’s construction industry to hire and register first-year apprentices.

A B.C. construction company with fewer than 500 employees can receive financial incentives for hiring new employees or registering existing ones as first-year apprentices in 39 Red Seal Trades.

Participating employers will receive $5,000 for hiring or registering any worker. However, an additional $5,000 will be received if the worker self-reports as a woman, new Canadian, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, a person with a disability, or a visible minority.

The BCCA stated that this is intended to encourage and promote diversity in the sector. Employers can receive payments for up to two first-year apprenticeship positions per year during the two years of the drive, for a maximum of $40,000 per employer.

“BC’s construction industry is in a vice grip right now, and it’s tightening,” said Chris Atchison, BCCA president. “Employers are dealing with rising costs, material shortages, increased taxes, mandatory sick pay, labour shortages, and late payments. It can be costly to hire and train new apprentices, and especially in this climate, $40,000 can go a good distance to alleviating some of that cost burden.”

The association explained that participating employers can spend the financial incentives at their discretion. For example: hiring bonuses, gear and work apparel, childcare costs, offsetting business taxes, offsetting costs of mandatory sick leave, training and mentoring, raises for field or office staff, safety equipment, or new technology. 

As part of the service to employers, BCCA will provide culture training via its Builders Code program, and mentorship support through its new Building Builders initiative.

According to the data from the association, B.C.’s construction industry is approximately 95 percent male and most employers are small, with 90 percent employing 20 workers or less.

“We need more skilled trades workers in British Columbia, and across Canada,” said Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment. “That’s why we’re working with employers to create tens of thousands of new apprenticeships. It’s why we’re doubling incentives for employers who hire women, persons with disabilities, and other traditionally marginalized groups – to make sure that everyone who wants to pursue a skilled trade, has the chance to.”

In addition to the financial incentives, the BCCA stated it will embark on a major promotional campaign to attract new talent to the industry.

“We know that construction employers are already doing their best to find and hire workers” said Atchison. “So, in addition to the financial incentives, we’re going to mount a compelling acquisition campaign to bring new talent to employers who list their jobs with us. We’ll be working with a digital recruitment agency, as well as a marketing and communications agency. We’re pulling out all the stops.”

Key Takeaways:

• Moshe Safdie’s donation to McGill University includes more than 100,000 pieces and his personal residence at the Habitat 67 building in Montreal.
• Officials at McGill called it one of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world.
• Safdie enrolled in the school’s six-year architectural degree program in 1955.

The Whole Story:

Safdie hopes his residence and archive can remain a resource for his Alma Mater and the public.

“I have always valued the great education I received at McGill that has guided me through my professional life. Moreover, Canada has embraced and supported me, making possible the realization of several seminal projects,” said Safdie. “It is therefore fitting that McGill, Quebec, and Canada will be the home of my life’s work.”

Safdie’s vast archive includes more than 100,000 pieces, including loose sketches, sketchbooks, models, drawings and correspondence related to unbuilt and built projects across the globe.

According to the university, Safdie’s collection represents one of the most extensive and thorough individual collections of architectural documentation in Canada. Included is the original model and master copy of his McGill undergraduate thesis, ‘A Case for City Living’, which inspired his design for the Habitat 67 residence.

The university stated that the residence was a major exhibition built for Expo 67 in Montreal and marked a turning point in modern architecture.

The centerpiece of the archive will be Safdie’s personal apartment at Habitat 67 housing complex. The school stated that the four-module duplex unit will serve as a resource for scholarly research, artist-in-residence programs, exhibitions and symposia. Fondation Habitat 67, a non-profit foundation, will collaborate with McGill on the preservation and maintenance of the apartment as part of its mandate to promote the property for public educational activities.

The complex was designated a National Heritage Building by the Quebec Ministry of Culture in 2009. Safdie’s 10th floor unit, which initially belonged to the commissioner of Expo 67, was fully restored to its original condition in 2017 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Habitat 67, and in conjunction with a major exhibition of Safdie Architects’ recent work at UQAM, entitled Habitat 67 vers l’avenir: The Shape of Things to Come.

“On behalf of the McGill community, I would like to express our gratitude to Moshe Safdie for his remarkable gift,” said Suzanne Fortier, McGill principal. “This is a historic moment for McGill. One of the most influential and important architectural archives in the world, from one of our most celebrated graduates, will forever be a part of our University.”

Key Takeaways:

• WorkSafeBC has amended the rules around refusing unsafe work.
• Employers must now disclose details of previous refusals.
• They must also explain why the task is not unsafe.

The Whole Story:

WorkSafeBC announced new amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) that are now in effect. The group stated that the changes are designed to strengthen worker protections on the right to refuse unsafe work.

Employers are now required to inform workers about a previous work refusal before reassigning the work.

Prior to the amendment, the regulation did not explicitly prohibit the reassignment of refused work, or require the disclosure that another worker had refused the task due to health or safety concerns.

All workers in B.C. have the right to refuse work where there is reasonable cause to believe it would create an undue hazard to their health or safety.

Under the new rules, employers are required to notify workers in writing of any unresolved work refusal due to safety concerns. It also requires employers to tell the subsequent worker the specific reasons the first worker felt the task was unsafe. The employer must also explain why the task would not create an undue hazard to their health and safety.

The change to the OHSR followed a public and stakeholder consultation process by WorkSafeBC.

“Worker safety is our top priority and this regulatory change strengthens worker protections,” said Dan Strand, director of prevention field services at WorkSafeBC. “This amendment makes the right to refuse process more transparent and allows workers to make informed decisions.”

The need for this change was identified in the 2019 report by lawyer Lisa Helps called, WorkSafeBC and Government Action Review: Crossing the Rubicon. 

During interviews for the report, Helps heard examples of workers expressing safety concerns to their supervisors and refusing to do the work, only to see the same task reassigned to another worker.

“Workers are your eyes and ears on the front line of workplace health and safety,” said Strand. “When workers refuse work, it’s because they believe it’s unsafe. Employers must listen to these concerns, assess the risk with the worker, document the decision, and ensure they take steps to correct the situation that could potentially cause harm.”

The company announced that Richard Hunter will take over the role. 

Hunter has 40 years of manufacturing leadership and experience with large manufacturing companies, including Forterra, Trinity Industries, Terex Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Delphi Corporation and General Motors Corporation. Most recently, Hunter provided consulting services focused on business transformation and growth.

“I’m excited to welcome Rich as our new COO. Together with his extensive manufacturing experience, Rich’s track record of engaging teams and building healthy, performance-driven culture makes him a valuable addition to DIRTT,” said Benjamin Urban, DIRTT CEO. “Rich will be a key part of DIRTT’s growth as we unlock manufacturing capacity. His collaborative and inclusive approach will drive improvements in efficiency as DIRTT continues to focus on our strengths, delivering an agile construction system to our clients.”

Hunter has an MBA in operations and strategic planning from Purdue University, a master of science degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University, and a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University.

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. is boosting efforts to upskill workers for mass timber projects with $250,000 in funding for additional educational programming.
• The province is also helping fund the school’s Tall Timber Student Housing Project which is being built at its Burnaby Campus.
• Crews broke ground on the housing project in 2020.
• The Province currently has spent $732 million to fund 10 projects that involve mass timber at post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

The Whole Story: 

“We are investing in new post-secondary training for students to become leaders in mass timber construction, which will help people succeed and be future ready in a sector that is setting the example of how to build a better British Columbia for all,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training. “We’re also investing in student housing and projects that involve mass timber at post-secondary institutions, including providing $108.8 million toward BCIT’s new Tall Timber Student Housing, which is currently under construction.”

Logging On 

Kang recently visited the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Applied Mass Timber Build open house, where she announced $250,000 in funding to support the development of additional programming. Officials noted the programming will build on the new construction of mass timber structures associate certificate.

“This program is a game changer for our construction industry and our growing mass timber sector here in B.C.,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation. “This investment will help ensure B.C. has enough workers with the right skills to build our buildings of the future – providing clean, inclusive, sustainable economic development in every corner of the province.”

The associate certificate was designed as a part-time, blended six-month program. The certificate is delivered online and then culminates in a two-week practicum at the BCIT Burnaby campus, where students get hands-on installation experience with mass timber structures. Officials say a cohort of 12 to 24 students will begin their studies in January 2023.

New Growth

The province estimates that the growing mass timber sector could be a boon for the economy, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across B.C. in manufacturing, technology, forestry, design and engineering. By 2035 the sector is projected to be with a projected worth of $403 million.

“As the largest provider of trades training in Western Canada, it’s critical that BCIT is delivering relevant, hands-on training to help learners master in-demand skills, while contributing toward an agile workforce with sustained and meaningful impact,” said Wayne Hand, dean, BCIT’s school of construction and the environment. “This investment from the Province of British Columbia allows more trades professionals in upskilling to advance mass timber innovation, clean-energy solutions, as well as the economic prosperity of B.C.”

Carrying the load

Mass timber products have been found to be useful as solid, structural load-bearing components, such as columns, beams and panels used to construct residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Recent years have seen landmark mass timber projects, like Brock Commons, an 18-storey mass timber structure used as housing for students at University of British Columbia. 

“The BCIT introductory studies in mass timber construction micro-credential provided me with practical, industry-focused competencies to drive innovation in the growing field of mass timber,” said Mike Metcalfe, foreman for Seagate Mass Timber. “An expansion-education program, such as the construction of mass timber structures associate certificate, which I’m completing, will increase accessibility for professionals across sectors to be job ready in supporting new opportunities and demands of the workforce.”