Category: People

As we approach the final stretch of 2023, Canada’s construction industry shows no signs of slowing down. From coast to coast, exciting projects are underway, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to learn, network, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends. In this roundup, we’ll highlight some of the most anticipated construction events happening in the coming months across the country. Let’s dive in.

Construction Leaders Forum

Dates: Sept. 25, 2024

Location: Fairmont Royal York in Toronto

Description: The Construction Leaders Forum aims to celebrate five years of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction forum by gathering past winners in one play to discuss the industry’s most pressing issues. The event will have representatives from some of the biggest, most sophisticated construction firms in Canada, as well as entrepreneurs, engineers, legal experts, executives, risk management professionals, technology gurus and more.

The Buildings Show

Dates: Dec. 4-6, 2024

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto

Description: The Buildings Show encompasses several events and offers expert-led seminars, informative panels, and networking opportunities. It covers every aspect of the Canadian building industry under one roof. It includes Construct Canada, PM Expo, Homebuilder & Renovator Expo, and the World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion. 

WoodWorks Summit

Date: Oct. 21-25, 2024

Location: George Brown College – Waterfront Campus, Toronto

Description: The WoodWorks Summit is a premier event focused on the latest advancements and applications in wood design and construction, with a particular emphasis on sustainable city building and market transformation. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge ideas, network with international experts, and explore innovative solutions that address key issues like affordable housing. This year’s summit will feature case studies, best practices, and discussions on regulatory innovations, along with new micro-credential programs aimed at furthering education in wood construction and sustainability

ICBA Construction Innovation Summit

Date: Oct. 3-4, 2024

Location: Parq Vancouver Casino Resort, Vancouver, B.C.

Description: The Construction Innovation summit will bring together more than 500 leaders for high-level presentations on innovation. The summit focuses on the latest trends and advancements in the construction sector, offering networking opportunities and insights into cutting-edge technologies and practices shaping the industry’s future. This event is organized by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) and serves as a platform for construction professionals to learn about innovative solutions, share experiences, and explore new ideas to address challenges in the field.

ConEx The Builders Expo 2024

Date: Sept. 26, 2024

Location: Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, Sask.

Description: ConEx is Saskatchewan’s only non-residential construction trade show and conference. Now in its second year, this event brings together construction-related professionals for education, relationship-building, and access to new technology. The expo features vendor booths, a main stage agenda, and networking opportunities for attendees to connect with industry leaders and explore the latest products and services in the construction sector.

Canadian Concrete Expo

Date: Feb. 14-15, 2024

Location: The International Centre, Toronto, Ont.

Description: The Canadian Concrete Expo is Canada’s largest trade show dedicated to the concrete, aggregates, and construction industries. This event will feature over 350 exhibitors, offering a comprehensive look at the latest products, technologies, and services. Attendees can benefit from educational sessions on industry advancements, live demonstrations of large equipment, and exclusive networking opportunities. The expo also includes a keynote address by General Andrew Leslie on strategic forecasting and supply chain resilience, as well as re-certification programs for Telehandler & Forklift operators. This event is essential for professionals looking to stay ahead in the industry.

BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association Fall Conference

Date: Sept. 15-17, 2024

Location: Westin Resort and Spa, Whistler, B.C.

Description: The BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association Fall Conference is a premier event bringing together industry professionals from across British Columbia. This annual conference features insightful presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at addressing current challenges and innovations in the road building and heavy construction sectors. The event also includes social activities, providing a balanced mix of professional development and community engagement for attendees.

‘Meet the GC’ Networking Event

Date: Sept. 17, 2024

Location: OCA Offices, Antares Drive, Ottawa, Ont.

Description: The Ottawa Construction Association’s “Meet the GC” event provides a unique opportunity for trade contractors, suppliers, and service providers to connect directly with general contractors. This event features presentations where each general contractor briefly introduces their firm, current projects, and business expectations, followed by a networking session. Held multiple times annually, “Meet the GC” fosters valuable connections and collaboration within the construction industry. The event is exclusive to OCA members, with a registration fee required for participation.

Building For Sustainability

Date: October 27-28, 2024

Location: The Malcolm Hotel, 321 Spring Creek Dr, Canmore, Alta.

Description: The Building for Sustainability Symposium event focuses on sustainable construction, urban planning, and environmental conservation. This symposium, hosted by the Bow Valley Builders & Developers Association and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, offers a platform for professionals to discuss innovative strategies and best practices. Over two days, attendees will engage in presentations, networking, and discussions designed to foster sustainability in the building and infrastructure sectors.

Toronto Construction and Development Summit

Date: September 24, 2024

Location: 37 King St E, Toronto, Ont.

Description: The Toronto Construction and Development Summit gathers industry leaders to explore the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in Toronto’s construction and development sectors. Attendees will delve into topics such as major development hotspots, the impact of high construction costs, and strategies to overcome market constraints. The summit also covers how innovative design can be balanced with practical realities like budget and timelines. Hosted by BISNOW, this event offers valuable insights and networking opportunities for professionals looking to stay ahead in the competitive Toronto market.

Strand

This week Strand had a major milestone, hitting the bottom of the hole and marking the start of upward construction for three of its upcoming rental communities in Vancouver.

Graham / Graham Dalman

Very early Wednesday morning, a Graham superintendent captured these amazing shots of the northern lights, from East Selkirk, Manitoba.

ATCO

ATCO crews are in Jasper helping restore power following a devastating wildfire.

Emil Anderson Group / Colton Taphorn

Emil Anderson Group’s mobile asphalt plant when it was stationed in Smithers, B.C.

Sideros Ironworks

Sideros workers balance on beams above a project.

Jacob Bros

After 40 years of fixing everything from bulldozers to bobcats, Jacob Bros’ legendary Head Mechanical Superintendent Rick Weir, centre, is finally hanging up his wrench to enjoy retirement.

MGI Construction Group

MGI’s team installs a storm water tank.

NuFrame Group

NuFrame’s team, in collaboration with Omicron, is making progress on its Telus Living Project in Sechelt.

LMS Reinforcing Steel Group

A worker with LMS Reinforcing Steel Group shows how to place rebar tie wire. With fully galvanized and PVC coating on the surface, it offers excellent flexibility and corrosion resistance mainly used for tying and bundling reinforcing steel bar.

Finning

On a recent site, Finning helped install 40’L x 16’W x 20’H GroundWorks Safety Systems trench boxes with an end wall and high arches for maximum clearance.

Faber Construction

Faber crews haul lumber at a site under sunny skies.

Key Takeaways:

• B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad discussed his administration’s views on the construction industry shortly after a major political shift where B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon suspended his campaign to endorse Rustad’s Conservatives.
• The BC Construction Association (BCCA) highlighted prompt payment legislation as the industry’s top priority, urging Rustad to commit to enacting such legislation if elected. Although Rustad expressed interest in ensuring prompt payment, he did not make a firm commitment during the discussion.
• Rustad emphasized the need to address B.C.’s housing and infrastructure challenges by streamlining project permits, upgrading municipal water infrastructure, and focusing on building rental apartments. He also noted the importance of managing the province’s construction capacity and addressing labor shortages through immigration and retaining young talent.

The Whole Story:

Just hours after a massive political shakeup in B.C. was announced, Conservative Party Leader John Rustad joined the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA) to chat about what his administration would do to support the province’s builders. 

Earlier that day, B.C. United Leader Kevin Falcon announced that he would suspend the Official Opposition’s campaign and endorse Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives, completely shaking up the race. 

“The political landscape is changing a fair bit so it’s hard to know exactly how this will play out, but obviously removing one of the opponents off the ballot, that is going to be helpful,” said Rustad. 

While introducing Rustad, BCCA President Chris Atchison stressed that ensuring the flow of payment remains the number one issue the industry faces and urged Rustad to enact prompt payment legislation if elected in October. 

“It’s important to us that all parties seeking election in October understand what matters to our industry. We are after all about 250,000 strong in the province of British Columbia and the number one goods sector employer,” said Atchison. “That’s a lot of voters for a party looking to bridge a narrowing gap.”

He added that B.C.’s construction industry has diligently met with officials time and time again to advocate for the issue, even producing a cross-jurisdictional analysis of prompt payment, but little movement has happened. 

“Our industry has been patient, but the time to act is long overdue, and our province faces considerable housing and infrastructure challenges, and it needs a healthy and confident construction industry now, more than ever,” said Atchison. “We need the will of the political party to make prompt payment happen.”

During the conversation, Rustad did not make a firm commitment to advance prompt payment legislation but did note that he is very interested in making sure that there is a process that goes forward that ensures people are getting paid for work. 

“We need to de-risk projects and part of that is a commitment that people get paid,” said Rustad. “We got to make sure that we don’t end up, you know, passing the problem down the line in terms of how that works, I want it to flow all the way through.”

Our industry is suffering because of government inaction on issues like the enactment of Prompt Payment Legislation, Lien Reform and Adjudication. We are looking for firm commitments from candidates of all parties. These issues must be dealt with in the next legislative cycle.

Chris Atchison, President, BC Construction Association

He added that another part of de-risking major projects is ensuring there is a full scope so that contractors know exactly what they are bidding on. 

“Then the contractor has the opportunity to get it done in a timely way because everyone knows if you get it done fast, you can make money,” he said.

Rustad recognized that to address many of the province’s needs, an immense amount of construction must be undertaken. When it comes to speeding the process up, he plans to consolidate things into a single project permit process. On the municipal side, he intends to use support for water infrastructure upgrades to motivate cities to do pre-zoning as part of their official community plan. 

Rustad also noted that he believes government is building too many things at once, stretching its resources thin. 

“There are so many projects going on right now. We don’t have the capacity to build all at the same time,” said Rustad. “That means the cookie jar is not only empty but tomorrow’s money is gone too. And so we’ve got to figure out how we structure that in a way that is manageable.”

On housing, Rustad intends to focus on building apartment rentals.

“We will work with the federal government on a program that allows for the rapid appreciation of capital so that projects can get built much faster,” he said. “It worked then. Most of our rental stock was built back in the 60s and 70s.”

He believes the biggest barrier to achieving more housing and building out the province’s infrastructure is labour. 

“We are actually seeing housing starts decline in British Columbia at a time when they need to expand.” 

He intends to take control of immigration in B.C. and adopt a strategy similar to Quebec. 

“That will allow us to work with foreign colleges and universities to make sure that the people coming have the same kind of credentials and skill sets that we expect them to have,” said Rustad.

In addition to immigration, Rustad wants to try to keep young people from leaving the province. He noted that one in two young people in B.C. are considering leaving. This means bringing down the cost of living, increasing safety and improving services. 

“Everybody that came to this province, whether it’s our generation with this five generations or seven generations, but whatever it may be, we all came here because we believed that British Columbia was a place we could build a future,” said Rustad. “That’s being lost. And we have all the resources we could want. We have all of the opportunities you could ever want. We have a well-trained, well-educated population, but we are hopelessly mismanaged at all levels.”

VRCA President Jeannine Martin noted that Rustad’s party platform seems to have consistent and significant support for forestry, mining and B.C.’s resource Industries. She stated that construction has a similar economic impact on GDP, $27 billion which is 10% of GDP, and asked if he would consider creating a Minister of Construction position to ensure that the sector is getting the attention it deserves. 

Rustad did not make any commitment on the issue, saying that it would be something safer to explore after the election. 

“We have a lot of work to do to get there but if we have the honour of framing government. I will be looking at realigning ministries,” he said.

The province’s construction associations thanked Rustad for taking time to meet with construction leaders and expressed how important these conversations are. 

“It is essential that all political leaders and candidates understand the issues that affect our members and the broader construction community,” said Martin. “This conversation was an opportunity to ensure that the Conservative Party leader is well-informed about our sector’s priorities and that our members’ voices are heard during this election period.”

“That Mr. Rustad kept his engagement given the events of yesterday is admirable,” said Atchison. “He rightfully described the construction industry as resilient and adaptable, but make no mistake: our industry is suffering because of government inaction on issues like the enactment of Prompt Payment Legislation, Lien Reform and Adjudication. We are looking for firm commitments from candidates of all parties. These issues must be dealt with in the next legislative cycle.”

Key Takeaways:

• Toronto is exploring innovative solutions to address its homelessness crisis, such as converting underutilized office spaces into shelters. This approach not only meets immediate housing needs but also repurposes vacant urban areas.
• Converting office buildings into shelters offers several advantages, including faster project timelines and potentially lower costs due to existing infrastructure.
• However, challenges such as insufficient natural lighting and unforeseen structural or mechanical issues can complicate these conversions.
• Projects led by RJC Engineers have significantly increased Toronto’s shelter capacity, adding hundreds of beds. These conversions are crucial as the city’s shelter system is near or at full capacity every night, highlighting the urgent need for expanded infrastructure.

The Whole Story:

As Toronto is facing a worsening homelessness crisis, officials are looking for innovative solutions to house some of the city’s most vulnerable people.

According to the city’s Shelter System Flow Data, an estimated 10,627 individuals were “actively homeless” over the past three months. Meanwhile, as per Daily Shelter and Overnight Service Usage, 9,718 people utilized the city’s shelter system just this past Sunday and the numbers are trending up.

One solution that has gained traction is transforming empty office spaces into shelters. Experts say this approach offers a pragmatic solution for addressing immediate housing needs while repurposing underutilized urban areas, serving a dual purpose for the community.

RJC Engineers has led several adaptive re-use projects as part of the City of Toronto’s initiative to expand the number of permanent shelter beds across the city. These include the 4117 Lawrence Avenue East Shelter Renovation and the 101 Placer Court Shelter Renovation.

4117 Lawrence Avenue East involved the significant redevelopment of an existing 16,000 sq. ft., two-storey commercial office into a 90-bed homeless shelter. Work included a total building interior renovation and space layout, commercial kitchen, complete overcladding and re-roofing, seismic upgrades and structural reinforcing, a new elevator shaft, upgraded ventilation, heat recovery, plumbing, power, and lightings systems, and new outdoor amenity space and asphalt paved parking lot.

The 101 Placer Court project involved retrofitting an existing 18,000 sq. ft., two-storey commercial office building for use as a shelter. RJC was the prime consultant, contract administrator, and structural, building envelope, and civil engineer for the new 87-bed facility.

These conversions have been part of the city’s overall strategy to rapidly increase shelter space for years.

RJC Principal Paul Fritze explained that in 2018 there was an initiative from Toronto City Council to create 1,000 new homeless shelter beds in three years and expand the homeless shelter infrastructure.

“At the time there was an acknowledgement that there was a growing need as homelessness is becoming more prevalent and present in day to day life,” said Fritze. “And it was acknowledged that the infrastructure required expansion.” 

Fritze noted that the infrastructure that existed was also getting run down and needed investment to fit those spaces out and increase the available capacity to offset buildings receiving repairs.

The city committed money and had a timeline to deliver new shelter buildings. Conversions were part of the solution from the city side to expedite the construction process and reduce the schedule of when these spaces could open. 

You need nimble, solutions-driven people to think on their feet who are not intimidated by a site condition coming up.

RJC Principal Paul Fritze

“Schedule is the primary driver,” said Fritze. “You are able to accelerate the delivery of a functional building by virtue of already having the building envelope in place, already having the structure in place. You are not dealing with unforeseen planning, site approval applications and you are mitigating risks when it comes to shoring and excavation.”

If all things go well, the price point can be reduced if you get a solid building. Fritze explained that with a good building you can retain a lot its existing infrastructure including mechanical, HVAC and elevator systems. This was extremely useful during the pandemic when many mechanical system parts were challenging to source and often had long lead times.

But that in essence is the risk: what kind of building are you going to get? Sometimes when stripping a building down to its bones, surprises can emerge, require an agile team that excels in solving problems. One of the primary constraints is lighting as the building code requires living areas have ample lighting while offices layouts allow for windowless rooms.

Unforeseen issues with a building’s systems which surface after it’s stripped down. Fritze said these projects often take the building right down to their structure which can reveal fires separations, deficiencies with mechanical or electrical systems, or even structural conditions concealed by finishes.

“You can’t put it back together without complying with the local building code so planning for some unplanned items to come up is a necessity,” said Fritze. “The main way to mitigate these issues is to have a team of consultants and contractors familiar with these projects. You need nimble, solutions-driven people to think on their feet who are not intimidated by a site condition coming up.”

Another major consideration is how the building has been laid out.

“That’s the biggest challenge—to fit the project into that floor plate as it is conflicting in terms of their ideal shapes and where windows are,” said Fritze. “That’s the primary constraint that makes these conversions difficult, if the building is not well laid out with windows.”

Typically, for a shelter, the city is looking for a four to five-storey building with around 25,000 square feet that could create 75 to 100 shelter beds. They are generally class B or C office buildings which often have floor plates more favourable for shelter spaces.

“Our team has been responsible for directly creating 404 beds in the Toronto Shelter system and that system is near or at 100% every night,” said Fritze. “We probably wouldn’t have been able to turnaround these projects if it wasn’t for a conversions approach.”

Fritze noted that Toronto Shelter & Support Services has been an excellent client to work with and is fighting hard for unhoused people in the region.

“As a structural engineers, we don’t necessarily get to do such socially impact work every day, so this is near and dear to us as it creates a tangible difference,” said Fritze.

Key Takeaways:

• The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA) are advocating for the creation of a new provincial cabinet role, the Minister of Construction, to provide a dedicated voice for the construction industry in B.C.’s legislature.
• The associations argue that the sector’s significant impact on the economy justifies the need for its own ministerial representation.
• The proposed Minister of Construction would address critical issues such as Prompt Payment legislation, permit complexities, and the skilled labor shortage. This role is supported by multiple regional construction associations, who see it as essential for the industry’s future growth and efficiency in B.C.

The Whole Story:

With only two months left before B.C. voters hit the polls, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and the BC Construction Association (BCCA) are aiming to turn the campaign spotlight on the construction industry by proposing a bold new provincial cabinet role: the Minister of Construction.

With B.C.’s construction industry contributing $27 billion to the province’s GDP and the total current value of construction projects sitting at $160+ billion, the associations argue it’s high time the sector had its own dedicated voice at the legislature in Victoria.

“The BC Construction Association has been calling upon the Government to create a Ministry of Construction since 2019,” said BCCA President Chris Atchison. “Given the importance of BC’s construction industry, not to mention its size, complexity, and impact on communities across the province, we remain steadfast in asking for this commitment.”

“Construction isn’t just about buildings,” said VRCA President Jeannine Martin. “It’s about communities, infrastructure, and the future of this province. We need a minister who will ensure our industry gets the voice and attention it deserves. It’s time we had someone in charge of this vital, economy driving, entrepreneurial industry.”

We’re not just building buildings here. We’re building the future. And we think it’s time the government had someone in charge who gets that.

Jeannine Martin, VRCA President

The associations envision this new minister as the ultimate project manager who can cut through the red tape and lay the groundwork for a smoother, more efficient construction process in B.C. From introducing Prompt Payment legislation to navigating the complexities of permits to addressing the skilled labour shortage, the Minister of Construction would be the go-to for everything construction-related in B.C.

With the provincial election on the horizon, the associations call on all parties to consider this forward-thinking proposal.

“We’re not just building buildings here,” Martin said. “We’re building the future. And we think it’s time the government had someone in charge who gets that.”

The Northern Regional Construction Association (NRCA) and the Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) also offered their support for the Minister of Construction proposal.

This month of People Moves is brought to you the Construction Leaders Forum. Use promo code PEOPLEMOVES to get 25% off tickets to attend the event on Sept. 25 in Toronto. Act now as this offer expires Sept. 6.

Sameer Hasham has been named a Top 10 Under 40 Canadian Consulting Engineer. An associate and group leader, Hasham has been with RJC Engineers for almost 15 years ever since his co-op placement back in 2010.

Michelle Ajibola is QM Environmental’s new chief operating officer. She brings nearly 20 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry to QM and has a track record of strategic initiatives that drive growth and strengthen stakeholder relationships.  

Luke Forrest is now vice president of sales at Bridgit. Forrest brings extensive experience in construction technology and the SaaS startup space. 

I am ecstatic to join Bridgit and lead our future go-to-market sales efforts. I believe one of the biggest changes coming to construction is how companies globally will manage and allocate their most valuable resource: their people.

Luke Forrest, VP of Sales, Bridgit

Amanda Jarl has started a new position as Transportation Investment Corporation’s senior communications and engagement manager for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Project. Previously, Jarl worked as senior communications and engagement manager for marketing firm SitePartners.

Brittany Robertson and Jurgen Koehler have been named partners at land development and building industry consulting firm Crozier. Robertson oversees large-scale residential development projects in some of Ontario’s fastest growing municipalities in Simcoe County.  Koehler led the opening of Crozier’s latest office location in Guelph, Ontario in 2023, and manages a growing team that provides land development engineering services in Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and the surrounding areas. 

Greg Weimholt has been named PCL’s national director of data centres and mission critical. With over 30 years of design and construction experience spanning all phases of project development, including colocation, hyperscale campuses, enterprise and telecom facilities, Weimholt brings a wealth of expertise to the role.

Past Canadian Construction Association President Don Chutter recently celebrated his 100th birthday. The association stated that Chutter’s visionary leadership and 22 years (1950 to 1973) of dedicated service have significantly shaped the industry and paved the way for future generations.

Scot Paterson has joined Pretium Construction West as its new vice president, operations and project execution. Paterson brings 15 years of extensive experience in the construction industry having held senior leadership positions as both a general contractor and owner advocate consultant.

Megan Richardson has joined Faber Technologies as an account manager to help fix the labour and trade shortage in the Calgary market.

Damien Stoneham is now managing principal of RJC Engineers’ Vancouver office. Over the past five years, he has been mentored by Jeff Corbett, the former managing principal, who held the position for 22 years.

Ryan Anderson recently began a new role as talent acquisition manager for Axiom Builders.

Elia Edwards is now vice president of integrated water solutions for Associated Engineering. Most recently, Edwards was the division manager, water in the Toronto office and has been with the company for over 27 years.

Nigel Tai, a principal at Diamond Schmitt, has been appointed to Ottawa’s Urban Review Design Panel. He will help promote design excellence with a focus on community enhancement.

Tim Murphy has been welcomed by Aecon as its new executive vice president and chief strategic affairs officer. Most recently serving as managing partner and CEO of McMillan LLP, as well as managing director of McMillan Vantage Public Affairs, Murphy joins Aecon with over three decades of experience.

Rob McKinney has joined SALUS as its new construction safety evangelist. He brings more than 20 years of experience to the role. McKinney first began as a site safety manager at J.M. Wilkerson, advanced to safety director, and later ventured into the construction software space with companies like JBKnowledge, Rhumbix, and Safesite.

Sabine Just is leaving the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association after 13 years to pursue a career in real estate with O’Brien Group.

Ed Mocnik has been named vice president of construction at Yellowridge Construction. Starting from the ground, Mocnik has accumulated more than 30 years of hands-on experience in the construction industry.

Chris Moran, general counsel for Maple Reinders, has been appointed chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Construction and Infrastructure committee.

Peter Davoren and Javier Sevilla will helm Flatiron Dragados as chairman and CEO, respectively. The new company is the result of a merger between Flatiron Construction and Dragados in North America.

Bill Tucker, CEO of Omicron, has been appointed the bridge CEO to oversee the restructuring and expansion of green building technology company NEXII (formerly Nexii).

Earle Henderson is GRP Construction’s new vice president of construction.

Megan O’Flaherty has been appointed chief financial officer at Emil Anderson Group. She joined the team in February 2023. Her background includes ten years in public practice accounting at MNP and two years as CFO at Ntityix Development Corporation.

Dante Gamboa has officially joined the business development team at 505-Junk. Gamboa has been with the company for more than two years, starting as a sales coordinator.

His transition into this new role is a testament to his hard work and commitment to our mission. We’re excited to see Dante continue to drive our growth and create even more opportunities for 505-Junk.

505-Junk

Robert Buchmann is now president at Ideal Welders Ltd. Buchmann started his career at IWL 19 years ago where he learned about their business and operations, embraced their culture and witnessed the high value they bring to clients.

Marc DiMarco has joined Ledcor as HS&E manager in the infrastructure group, supporting the Surrey/Langley skytrain, SkyLinkGP project.

Rhianon Chow, strategic partnership manager at Turner Construction, has joined the board of directors for the International Facility Management Association’s BC Chapter as program and event director. In her new role, Chow will be leading the planning and execution of key events for the association, fostering connections between the construction and facility management communities.

Pier-Luc Napert is now manager of project management at Canam. He has been with the company for more than two years.

Ziad Boustany is stepping into a new role as CEO of BDI. He will focus entirely on building its team, sourcing and assessing prospective partnerships, and driving growth and new initiatives at the affiliate level.  He will be transitioning out of his role at RAM and will now serve solely as a director on its board.

Words cannot fully express my gratitude to the directors, managers, and every single employee at RAM who has contributed to building this incredible company and supported my transition. I am eager to see how RAM continues to expand and excel under Joe’s vision and the most capable leadership team I have ever seen.

Ziad Boustany, CEO, BDI

SiteNews is gathering with construction’s top leaders in September and we want you to join us. That’s why we are giving away two tickets to the Construction Leaders Forum, a $2,000 value.

Here’s how to enter:

• Subscribe to SiteNews’ bi-weekly newsletter using this link
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For 2x bonus entries, share the post or leave a comment.

The Construction Leaders Forum, set for Sept. 5 at the Royal York in Toronto, will be a gathering of award-winning construction leaders. After five years of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction program, we are calling on past and current winners for an unforgettable time of high-level discussions and network.

This group includes CEOs, vice presidents, top lawyers, directors and many others who are helping get billions of dollars worth of construction projects across the finish line for some of the nation’s largest, most sophisticated companies.

The one-day event will feature the following speakers and more:

• Énska Advisors Co-Founder Tim Coldwell
• RSG International President Lisa Laronde
• Cooper Equipment Rentals President Darryl Cooper
• Turner Construction Vice President and General Manager Amit Patel
• Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast Host Daniel Foch
• Procore’s Industry Culture Strategist Yasmeen Tonnos
• PCL Special Projects Manager Cheyanne Hammell
• SitePartners Founder and CEO Andrew Hansen

Key Takeaways:

• Procore has partnered with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA) and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) to promote diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the Canadian construction industry.
• Procore will offer training programs, access to their construction management platform, and discounted buying programs to eligible members of ACCA and CAWIC.
• In addition to providing access to technology and training, Procore, ACCA, and CAWIC will collaborate on thought leadership initiatives, including webinars, articles, and industry insights.

The Whole Story:

Procore has announced a deepened expansion into Canada through strategic partnerships with the Afro Canadian Contractors Association (ACCA) and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC).

The technology company stated that the partnerships mark a significant milestone in its commitment to support diversity, inclusion, and innovation within the construction industry. By joining forces with ACCA and CAWIC, Procore aims to empower Canadian contractors and construction professionals with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in today’s dynamic market. 

“We are excited to partner with ACCA and CAWIC to empower minority contractors and diverse firms in Canada with the technical tools and skills they need to thrive in the construction industry,” said Dr. Irish Horsey, Procore’s director of industry advancement. “By providing access to Procore’s innovative construction management solutions and training resources, we aim to break down barriers and foster a more inclusive ecosystem.”

Through the partnerships, Procore will provide training, technology solutions, and support to minority contractors, diverse-owned firms, and women in construction across the country. Procore will offer comprehensive training programs, access to their construction management platform, and discounted buying programs to eligible members.

These initiatives aim to equip contractors and construction professionals with the skills and resources they need to succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

“As the President of the Afro Canadian Contractors Association, I am proud to partner with Procore in this significant initiative,” said Stephen Callender. “This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. By providing minority contractors with cutting-edge technology and comprehensive training, we are equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive market. Together, we are paving the way for a more equitable and innovative future in construction.”

In addition to providing access to technology and training, Procore, ACCA, and CAWIC will collaborate on thought leadership initiatives, including webinars, articles, and industry insights. These efforts will provide insights and best practices to support the growth and success of our partners and their members. By sharing knowledge and expertise, we can collectively drive innovation and excellence within the Canadian construction industry. 

“I am thrilled to see Procore’s commitment to diversity and inclusion within the construction industry. This partnership with Procore represents a powerful step towards providing women in Canada with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Lisa Laronde, President, Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC). “Together, we can break down barriers and foster a more inclusive and innovative construction industry.”

Procore invited contractors, construction professionals, and industry stakeholders across Canada to join them in building a better future for the construction industry.

“Together with ACCA, CAWIC, and our valued partners, we can drive innovation, diversity, and inclusion within the Canadian construction industry. To learn more about Procore’s commitment to empowering diversity and inclusion, visit procore.org,” said Procore officials.  

Key Takeaways:

• SiteNews is calling on award-winning construction leaders to gather in Toronto this fall for the first ever Construction Leaders Forum.
• The one-day event, on Sept. 25 will feature panel discussions, fireside chats and networking opportunities at the Royal York Hotel. 
• Tickets are available right now at constructionleadersforum.com.

The Whole Story:

SiteNews and its team are planning a historic meeting of construction leaders this fall.

We are organizing the first ever Construction Leaders Forum, a gathering of award-winning construction leaders under one roof to discuss the industry’s biggest issues. After five years of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction program, we are calling on past and current winners for an unforgettable time in Toronto. 

This group includes CEOs, vice presidents, top lawyers, directors and many others who are helping get billions of dollars worth of construction projects across the finish line for some of the nation’s largest, most sophisticated companies.

The one-day event will feature multiple panels, fireside chats and a keynote address from Énska Advisors Co-Founder Tim Coldwell. Discussion topics will include technology, workforce developing, balancing risk with growth, and CEO insights. Attendees will also hear from past 40 Under 40 winners.

SiteNews Editor Russell Hixson, who has been a 40 Under 40 judge multiple times and helps organize the program, explained that the Top 40 Under 40 winners network includes some of the smartest, most innovative minds in the industry. He believes that bringing these exceptional individuals together in-person is a no-brainer. 

“40 Under 40 has been running for five years and there are hundreds of winners making their mark in all corners of the construction sector,” said Hixson. “With construction entering a major period of challenge as well as opportunity, why not bring these people together to share their ideas. Who knows what kind of valuable connections might happen.”

The Construction Leaders Forum venue itself is a testament to what the industry can achieve. The Royal York recently completed the largest heritage hotel retrofit in North America – achieving a Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard certification by the Canada Green Building Council. The project is expected to reduce the hotel’s carbon emissions by over 7,000 tonnes every year, the equivalent of taking 1,558 cars off the road. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the retrofit project and get a behind-the-scenes look at the work that was done.

Hixson added that it is the third in-person event SiteNews has organized and is part of its strategy to provide high-quality opportunities for construction professionals to connect. 

To get tickets to the event, visit constructionleadersforum.com before they sell out. 

The Construction Leaders Forum would not be possible without the generous support from our sponsors, including our presenting sponsor Procore Technologies. We would like to also thank our other event supporters: PCL Construction, Cooper Equipment Rentals Limited, Aon, Flynn Group of Companies, HammerTech , Bird Mechanical Ltd. NuFrame Group, Northbridge Insurance, Stormtec Water Management, Maxan Interior Systems, SiteMax, Hillcore Group, SitePartners and SiteTechnology.

We will see you in Toronto this fall. 

Caliber Projects

Caliber’s team is hard at work building Hayer Town Centre in Langley, B.C.

QM Environmental

QM Environmental chomps on some concrete.

The Quorum Group

Crews get it done at PURE W49th in Vancouver.⁣

MGI Construction Corp.

Toronto-based MGI’s machines dig under a cloudy sky.

CANA Group of Companies

Crews break ground on Scotia Place, Calgary’s new event centre project.

Axiom Builders

Central Park House by Bosa Properties is a 41-storey tower and two 2-storey freestanding townhome blocks under construction in Burnaby, B.C. Last month, the entire project team gathered on site to celebrate completing the tower’s structure.

Kiewit

Families of Kiewit employees enjoyed bounce houses, ice cream and rides in some cool equipment for the company’s Family Day event in Western Canada. Each child was also given a Kiewit lunch box and a stuffed animal.

Lafarge and Geocycle have renewed their partnership with Calgary Aggregate Recycling Inc.

Jakes Construction

Jakes Construction crews carry out flood mediation work in Chilliwack.

Kalesnikoff Mass Timber

Construction of Kalesnikoff’s new facility Castlegar, B.C. is well underway. The expansion will enhance the company’s current production capabilities with a focus on prefabrication and offsite/modular construction.

Sideros Ironworks

Sideros crews lift and weld steel pieces into place.

Renewal Development

Wesgroup Properties has been working closely with Renewal Development and Nickel Bros House Moving Ltd to relocate ten single-family homes from their Port Moody development site to the shishalh Nation community on the Sunshine Coast.

The shot of the month goes to …

VINCI Construction GeoInfrastructure

Crews move earth for the Springbank Offstream Reservoir (SR1), just west of Calgary, Alta.

Jason Kuiack has started a new role as director of business development at Thompson Construction Group. Previously, Kuiack spent two years at Bothar Inc. as manager of crane and logistics.

Ray Licari has taken on the role of president at Buttcon East. Prior to this position, Licari worked in Ottawa as a director for Turner Townsend. He has more than 30 years of experience in global consulting, large-scale real estate and business operations, utilizing a leadership expertise and collaboration.

We are excited to see the growth and success he will bring to our Ottawa team. With Ray at the helm, we are confident that Buttcon East will continue to thrive and exceed expectations in the construction industry. We are honoured to have Ray Licari as the new President of Buttcon East, leading us towards a future of growth, quality, and sustainability.

Buttcon

Marlon Bray is Clark Construction Management’s new executive vice president. Bray has more than 20 years of experience, including roles at Faithful & Gould, A.W. Hooker and Associates and Altus Group.

Steven MacKinnon is Canada’s newest minister of labour. In his previous role as leader of the government in the House of Commons, MacKinnon accumulated experience building consensus and working with partners to pass legislation.

Allen Moon has began a new role as project coordinator for Scott Construction Group.

Michael Tymko is starting a new position as vice president, operations, at Inline Group. Since he joined the company more than three years ago, it has expanded across nine territories and provinces and grown to more than 250 employees. 

Aaron Yohnke is returning to Canada to assume the role of vice president, corporate and integrated construction services at PCL’s North American headquarters. This comes after Yohnke spent five years as president, California buildings in the U.S. for PCL.  

Dianne L. Watts has joined EllisDon’s board of directors. As a former Mayor of Surrey, B.C., and a seasoned executive, Watts brings a wealth of experience in innovation, economic stability, and community advocacy.

I am honoured to join EllisDon’s board of directors at an exciting time in the company’s growth and evolution. The future is bright with EllisDon, and I look forward to working with a great team supporting the entrepreneurial spirit.

Dianne Watts

Joel Weerdenburg is QM Environmental’s new vice president, operations Eastern Canada. He has been at the company for four years, previously serving as director and vice president, demolition and hazardous materials. 

Octavio Flores has joined Kiewit as an infrastructure sponsor. Over the years, Flores has collected numerous awards, including being named Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction and one of Construction’s Most Influential People.

Christian Nielsen has joined Low Tide Properties as its new head of property technology and innovation. He is a business technologist with over 15 years of hands-on experience helping clients achieve their goals through the strategic use of technology.

Ryan Hall is Calgary’s newest senior planner. Previously, Hall served as housing manager for Siksika Nation. Hall has extensive experience in policy development, housing initiatives, and Indigenous community engagement.

Landon Aldridge has announced a new role as chief operating officer at SkyFire Energy.

Stan Hussey and Mark Bemister are the latest inductees into the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia’s Hall of Fame.

Rob Caldwell is now general manager for Anthem Properties. Part of his duties will be overseeing the operations of Ottawa’s Carlingwood Shopping Centre.

Brett Armstrong has joined Avison Young as a new principal in Vancouver. Armstrong has spent 12 years at the company, excelling in office leasing and advisory services while serving as its practice leader for the downtown Toronto team. 

Chad Fournier has accepted a new role as director, major projects, for Allnorth’s project delivery group. He brings 20 years of experience in project portfolio delivery, engineering and operations across the energy, natural resource, manufacturing and industrial infrastructure sectors. Centre.

Kirby Putnam is Avondale Construction’s new director of business development. Putnam, a civil engineer, operated as a private construction and business development consultant for the past five years, prior to which he served as an owner and vice president of Lindsay Construction.

Chad has the necessary ability to lead with energy, flexibility, and integrity. His drive to succeed, coupled with his practice of business process improvement, will deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Nick Stoneberger, director, project delivery group, Allnorth Consultants

Maksym Hil is SiteMax Systems’ newest senior full-stack developer. Before SiteMax, Hil worked as the head of the production and technical department at one of Europe’s most influential railway companies. During his tenure, Maksym not only excelled in operational leadership but also discovered his love for coding. 

Matt Beedling is SureLine Projects’ new director of marketing and sales. Beedling has experience in marketing in the oil and gas sector. He will work to expand SureLine’s client roster. 

Matt Roberts has been on both ends of the construction labour shortage and is using his real life experiences both, good and bad, to build a unique platform for workers and companies in the temporary labour space in Canada. 

After leaving the UK construction industry to settle in Vancouver, the experienced carpenter struggled to find connections and make a living wage. And after starting his own contracting company, he had to build out his own international network to source quality workers. 

With the Canadian industry facing a critical shortage of workers, Roberts felt his approach could solve two problems at once: support overseas workers looking for a better life and providing high quality and legal labour for construction. 

The result was A Few Good Lads, a labour service that specializes in construction and related sectors, and adopts a long-term approach to reinforcing the industry’s ranks. 

Raised in Sheffield, a historic steel-producing city in South Yorkshire, Roberts was immediately drawn to the trades. His family has a rich history of carpentry, furniture making and steel production, so he decided to also work with his hands.

“I went down the non-academic path and I love it,” said Roberts. “I really took a shine to it, and I was lucky enough to get trained by a master carpenter in the UK. I learned good, standard carpentry and was fortunate to work on some beautiful properties. I fell in love with it straight away and I never thought about doing anything else. I’ve always loved construction and have an interest in architecture. It’s being able to put your stamp on something.”

Coming to Canada

At 23, Roberts was at a crossroads. He could play it safe and put a downpayment on a house in his hometown or try something new. Coming from a poor background, he’d never been able to travel. So, he decided to pack his bags and explore the world. It was a years-long journey that transformed his thinking and eventually landed him in the Canadian industry. 

He saw Israel, India, parts of Asia and even lived in Australia for several years. All along the way he made friends and learned about other cultures. 

“I met some Canadians and Irish people who’d settled in Vancouver, so I decided to come see them for a few months and here I am 13 years later,” said Roberts, who also recently became a Canadian citizen.

But early on it wasn’t easy. Despite his extensive trades experience, Roberts struggled to have his credentials and experience recognized in Canada and be compensated accordingly.  

Eventually he was able to familiarize himself with the local industry, earned more and started his own contracting company. He then ran into the same problem construction companies across the country are familiar with finding quality labour. 

“I used the general labour companies that existed then and it wasn’t cutting it,” said Roberts. “The quality wasn’t there, and the guys weren’t working out.”

He began tapping into his global network that was built up from years of traveling and sourced labour from the expat community. 

“I won a project in Shaughnessy doing a big house and used my lads and all the subtrades were saying asking where I found such good workers and that’s kind of how A Few Good Lads was created.”

A home away from home

Unlike other labour services, Roberts wanted to create the kind of community and support that wasn’t there when he was starting out in Canada. 

“I wanted to give us immigrants a fair landing pad and a fair wage,” said Roberts, whose team helps workers by providing insights into moving to Canada, securing a job and finding housing. They also provide social events, meetups and support for whatever may arise. 

The process starts even before workers get on a plane. Lads has strategic partners in several countries that help vet candidates and prep them for Canadian life and the local industry. 

“We’re a home away from home and offer support all the way through, so I don’t think other competitors in our field have the same retention that we do,” said Roberts.

He noted that this feeds into long-term upskilling, which means higher wages for their workers and more experienced people for clients. 

“That’s our ethos. We want to develop people who are going to stay in Canada, be a part of the Canadian lifestyle and want to work in the industry,” said Roberts. 

Lads has been able to take people with little or no construction experience, provide relevant training and help them build careers as a foreman or site superintendent. Roberts believes that Lads is a social enterprise as much as it is a business and can be a force for good.

“It’s the same feeling I get when I have built or renovated a house for a family. This is my replacement for swinging a hammer, it’s helping these guys make a go of it,” said Roberts. 

“It’s also about giving back to Canada and being a part of the Canadian experience,” he said. “I’m a really proud recent citizen here, and it’s great knowing that some of our lads will become citizens and contribute back into the Canadian way of life.” 

Lads has its eye on expansion. They’ve seen remarkable success in Vancouver and Toronto and currently have their eye on setting up shop in Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver Island. The big picture isn’t just helping construction. It’s about helping Canada solve a real problem that is driving up construction costs and housing prices.  

Demographic cliff

With massive parts of the construction sector forecast to retire, Roberts really believes a more refined immigration strategy could be key to maintaining the workforce. 

A recent report by BuildForce Canada found that Canada’s immigration system heavily favors university-educated applicants and overlooks individuals with trade certificates or competencies needed in the construction sector. A small percentage of applicants admitted to Canada have apprenticeable or non-apprenticeable trade certificates (4%), while a large chunk have university education (69%).

“I think focused immigration is the key solution to mitigating the current labour issues. We need to target immigration more specifically towards the industry then offer pathways to continuing training and certification in the Canadian system’” said Roberts. .” We are really proud that a Few Good Lads is able to play such a key role in connecting aspiring workers with good quality local companies” 

If you are looking for labour or recruitment services, contact the team at A Few Good Lads.

More often than not, people are visiting a hospital during a challenging time in their life.

The doctors, nurses and other staff have a critical role to play in ensuring patients get the care that they need, but the building itself can also assist in healing. Architecture firms like Parkin Architects, which specializes in designing medical facilities, are experts in creating spaces that provide privacy, efficiency, dignity and comfort.

They have worked on some of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated healthcare projects, including South Niagara Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital (Critical Care Tower), Royal Inland Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital and more.

One of their recent projects, the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital in N.L. recently opened. It features a top floor designed specifically for mental health care.

The mental health care floor includes an adult unit, medical unit, a small child and adolescent unit, two observation rooms, a day program area and separate and secure outdoor terraces that have views of the mountains and harbour to promote mental healing.

SiteNews spoke with Parkin Principal May Chow, an expert in sustainable and healthcare design, about what goes into creating a modern healthcare facility.

SiteNews: What prompted you to specialize in the healthcare sector as an architect and what sort of training and knowledge does it take to get into this niche?

Chow: As an architect, I have a passion for creating built environments that focus on improving people’s quality of life. This is especially true by specializing in the healthcare sector as the spaces we design will be experienced by almost everyone at one stage or another, and most often, in the case of patients, it is during their most vulnerable time.

As part of our role as healthcare planners, we have the opportunity to work collaboratively with clinicians, hospital staff and key stakeholders through many rounds of user group meetings. One of the most invaluable skill sets is problem solving; finding design solutions through listening, understanding and prioritizing the clients’ requirements. Experience through internship training and knowledge gained through working in the healthcare facilities are keys to successfully navigate the design process in this niche. In recent years, studies in healthcare architecture as a specialization are also available at various schools of design and architecture across the country.

I understand your team recently wrapped up work on the Western Memorial Regional Hospital Project in Corner Brook. Can you tell me about how Parkin got involved in the project and what its role was?

Parkin is an award-winning architectural firm and a leader in healthcare design. In 2018, in response to the RFP issued by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to design and build a replacement facility to the aging Western Memorial Regional Hospital at a new site in Corner Brook, Parkin was invited by Corner Brook Healthcare Partnership to be the project architect in joint venture with B+H Architects and John Hearn Architect. As the lead healthcare architect, Parkin designed and planned most of the clinical departments. Our objective was to create a healing environment that reflects Western Memorial Regional Hospital’s vision to offer the best patient experience and to provide excellence in care.

My understanding from learning about the role general contractors play in hospital projects is that they are often extremely challenging. From a design perspective, what are some of the unique challenges that come with working on a medical facility?

Today, in the field of architecture, the fundamental design principles such as sustainability requirements to combat climate change, universal and accessible design are constantly evolving. In the specialization of healthcare design, there are additional specific standards that require our knowledge for implementation. Being cognizant of the best practices of evidence-based design and the latest breakthroughs in medical technologies and equipment are keys to a successful healthcare project. Another unique challenge involves the understanding of the principles and protocols of Infection Prevention & Control which affects all aspects of design including room layouts, material selection, locations of sinks and other mechanical systems.

How did the idea of including a mental health care floor come about? 

The requirement of a 24-bed adult inpatient mental health unit and a 2-bed pediatric and adolescent inpatient unit were the contractual programmatic requirements of the Project Agreement. At the start of the design process, after many iterations of departmental configurations, we concluded that the mental health program should be a department by itself on the top floor. For safety reasons, no other patient, visitor nor staff will need to come to this floor without reason. This top floor offers the patient rooms with the best panoramic views of Corner Brook, while at the same time offers the most privacy as other portions of the hospital cannot overlook the rooms, nor overlook the dedicated outdoor terraces on this floor.

What sort of research, expertise or inspiration did the team draw on when designing this portion of the hospital?

The objective of our design is to create healing environments that provide a sense of safety and promote positive behaviours. Our team draws on experience from similar projects, best practice knowledge, mental health guidelines and evidence-based design (EBD) research to develop the
design of this unit.

What are some of the features included in the mental health floor that can support a person who is experiencing a mental health issue?

Safety and security are key principles that are embedded in every aspect of the design on this floor. When a patient is experiencing a mental health issue, physical safety, mitigating the risk of self-harm and harm to others are crucial. The program provides for a safe room and two high observation rooms for patients who need a sense of refuge away from other patients. To access these rooms, on-floor discreet routes that preserve patient privacy and dignity are provided for the adult patients and are completely separate and distinct from the route for the child and adolescent patients. Once the patient is ready, they can go back to their own room, back to their community on the floor.

Is mental health becoming more of a consideration when it comes to designing hospitals and other buildings?

Mental Health affects all of us and yes, mental health programs and departments have become an integral part of hospitals. It is not enough to just address medical conditions as studies have shown that patients with medical issues are more likely to have mental health issues. It is important to design an environment that promotes both physical health and psychological well- being.

What does it mean to you and the rest of the design team to be able to support mental health patients and others for years to come?

I, and the design team at Parkin, feel very privileged to work on this important project, the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital. This hospital will be providing important services such as mental health support to the communities in western Newfoundland and Corner Brook. Every project we work on, we are cognizant of the patients and staff for whom we are designing. And every mental health project such as this one has its unique challenges. Resolving them will add to our learned experience to contribute, improve upon, and inform other future mental health design projects.

Key Takeaways:

• More and more companies and municipalities are realizing the benefits of social procurement.
• David LePage, who passed away this summer, was a key figure in promoting social procurement in Canada. His work helped to develop the concept and encourage companies to adopt social procurement practices.
• By opening up opportunities for underrepresented groups, social procurement can help to bring more talent into the industry.

The Whole Story:

Advocates for social procurement have had a bittersweet year. 

The movement to utilize construction spending to benefit local communities has gained traction among some of the nation’s largest construction companies and on some of its largest projects. Buy Social Canada, one of the main forces behind the movement, celebrated its tenth year and was preparing to reflect on its growth. 

But then Buy Social Canada’s founder and a champion for ethical and impactful construction spending, David LePage, suddenly passed away after a brief illness. 

“It’s almost impossible to say in words the impact that David had,” said Elizabeth Chick, Buy Social Canada CEO. “He was really instrumental in driving forward both the social enterprise ecosystem and the work that’s been achieved there in the last decade and the social procurement movement in Canada.”

Chick stated that his legacy will be as someone who was able to make progress in these efforts while understanding what these concepts should look like in practice. 

“The fruits of that labor are the social outcomes that we are seeing across the country,” said Chick. “And there are folks not just across Canada, but globally who want to thank David for the work that he’s done to drive social enterprise forward.”

Part of that legacy is helping companies like Delnor Construction Managers, which implemented social procurement policies on the kihcihkaw askî (Sacred Land) project in Edmonton. The city partnered with various Indigenous organizations for the project and there were requirements to ensure Indigenous people and businesses could participate in the work. 

“That was the beginning of our journey,” said Delnor Construction corporate project development manager Jason Deboski. “We worked with Buy Social to develop a social procurement framework.” 

Delnor did internal surveys with their vendors, trained employees and explored the concept of social procurement in construction. 

“I feel that construction can bee a tool to have a social impact in our communities,” said Deboski. “Barriers to entry are fairly low. You can start as a labourer and build a great career for yourself.” 

Deboski added that learning about the impact Delnor can have on the Edmonton community, especially with underrepresented groups like Indigenous people, has been a game changer. 

“It’s super important to me to be able to build a career for myself and the people that I work with,” he said. “But to be able to have a positive social impact in this community and see others getting to follow in the path I’ve been fortunate to walk down, it’s incredibly exciting and rewarding. Construction has given me so much. I am halfway through my career. I’ve learned a lot. To be able to give to others what has been given to me is the biggest draw in all this.”

LePage’s efforts have also reached some of the nation’s biggest, most sophisticated contractors. Early on, it was just Chandos, led by longtime social procurement advocate Tim Coldwell, who has since left Chandos to continue social procurement advocacy at Énska, Canada’s first Indigenous real estate advisory and project governance practice.

“I’ve known David for nearly a decade and worked closely with him advocating for social procurement across Canada,” said Coldwell. “David’s vision for a more inclusive society lives on through the work that Elizabeth Chick and her team at Buy Social Canada do every day. Through his work, David impacted the lives of thousands and thousands of people across Canada and he will be remembered for that.”

During the last decade the list of companies looking integrate social procurement into the business has steadily grown. 

“When I started at Buy Social Canada, we were just working with Chandos. Now we are working with Chandos, Delnor, PCL, Bird Construction, Clark Builders and a lot of these general contractors,” said Chick. 

She noted that many builders are starting to realize that social procurement isn’t just good for communities. It’s good for business. 

“We are having conversations with these contractors and they are saying that it used to be, and still is, a value add, but now they are starting to realize and quantify the work they are losing by not doing this because it is becoming a requirement,” said Chick. “Municipalities across the country—Edmonton, Calgary, Wood Buffalo, Peterborough, Brampton, Toronto—All them them are starting to ask in bids what are you doing for inclusive employment, if you practice social procurement.” 

With the nation facing a critical shortage of skilled construction workers, Chick believes that social procurement could be a great way to unlock talent from underrepresented groups. 

“We’re talking about opening up a pipeline of people and businesses that you may not have encountered before and so really this is an opportunity as the industry is facing a skill shortage, as we’re experiencing these supply chain issues,” she said. “These are people and businesses that are ready to serve you and work with you on that project to ensure that you are both successful and we are really seeing that.”

Chick explained that Buy Social Canada offers education and training on what social procurement is and provides the tools that are needed to put it into practice. They also do consulting and partnerships with the public and private sector and then help put that into practice on the ground.

One of the key tools Buy Social Canada has produced to aid these efforts has been a guide to community benefits and construction. The group also plans to release an updated guide to social enterprise this September. 

Those looking for a way to remember LePage and his legacy have been asked to consider donating to the Social Enterprise Policy Fund which he established.

Rain City Industrial’s strategy for Western Canada is anything but generic. They have built a team of specialists.

The west coast-based industrial design-build firm has managed to carve out their own place in warehousing/logistics, cold storage, agritech & food processing, manufacturing, and life science markets. We caught up with Brett Jeffrey, president, CEO & partner, Rain City Industrial, to chat about how they zeroed in on their niches, what it takes to be a successful industrial builder and how their team is overcoming workforce shortages, high costs and other challenges the industry faces.

SiteNews: Tell me a bit about Rain City, its team and the regions that you build in.

Brett Jeffrey: Rain City Industrial is Canada’s premier design-build firm specializing in industrial workspaces and specialty construction. At Rain City Industrial, we specialize in the integrated design and construction of industrial workspaces including distribution, manufacturing, cold storage and food processing facilities. Our team of experts in workspace planning, design, project management, construction, and real estate delivers tailored solutions for our industrial clients. We operate primarily in the Lower Mainland, Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and Alberta, leveraging our regional expertise to drive successful projects and provide innovative industrial spaces.

What are some of the niches that Rain City caters to and what sort of clients do you serve?

Rain City Industrial specializes in a variety of unique industrial projects tailored to specific market needs. We focus on high-density storage facilities, including logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing, as well as specialized facilities requiring precise environmental controls, including food processing, cold storage, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, agritech, and data centres. Our clients range from large corporations seeking expansive warehousing and distribution centres to smaller enterprises needing customized manufacturing and storage solutions. Our in-house, all-inclusive, design-build approach allows us to meet the unique demands of each project, delivering tailored, high-quality industrial workspaces. This method ensures seamless integration of all components, facilitating smooth and efficient operations for our clients.

What sort of trends are you seeing in industrial space requirements?

In the industrial real estate sector, there’s a growing preference for properties strategically located in core markets close to essential logistics, skilled workforces, and amenities. This choice not only optimizes operations and attracts top talent but also focuses on designing facilities with future expansions in mind. By prioritizing scalability and adaptability, businesses ensure their spaces can evolve to meet changing demands, making location a crucial factor for long-term competitiveness and growth. With space at a premium, companies are also maximizing their industrial workspaces vertically. Vertical storage solutions like multi-level racking and automated systems are becoming increasingly popular, allowing businesses to efficiently use every cubic foot of their facilities. This shift enhances storage capacity and operational efficiency, which is crucial for managing inventory in constrained spaces.

What are some of the unique challenges that emerge when trying to create temperature-controlled environments?

Creating temperature-controlled environments presents several unique challenges. These include ensuring precise temperature regulation, managing humidity levels, and integrating specialized insulation and heated floors. Additionally, the need for temperature-controlled fire suppression systems and customized racking designs can complicate the process. At Rain City Industrial, our all-inclusive approach is pivotal to our success in addressing these challenges. We ensure seamless coordination of all project components by integrating specialized design and construction expertise in-house, along with company-owned vertically integrated trades such as refrigeration and racking. This integration facilitates a streamlined workflow, enhancing the efficiency and coherence of every project. Our comprehensive design-build process tackles the unique challenges and risks of misaligned project designs and fragmented schedules. By streamlining the entire process from design and permitting to construction, we ensure a unified and efficient execution, promoting efficiency on the construction site and overcoming the complexities associated with temperature-controlled environments.

What sort of projects or clients require these kinds of facilities?

These facilities are required for various projects and clients, including cold storage warehouses, refrigerated distribution centres, food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical storage facilities, data centres, laboratories and research facilities, food processing plants, cleanrooms for manufacturing, and medical storage rooms (used to store vaccines and biological samples).

How were you and your team able to develop the skills needed to specialize in this area?

We have developed the skills needed to specialize in this area by hiring experts in industrial workspaces, temperature-controlled environments, racking and storage, and specialty construction. Our in-house specialists actively manage our industrial designs, ensuring projects are built on practical and sound construction methodologies. Our senior leadership team trains our new generation of professionals through active participation in all aspects of the industrial design-build process. This mentorship and hands-on experience ensure continuity of expertise, ultimately maintaining our high standards in creating efficient, high-quality industrial spaces.

I understand that Rain City is the only design-build contractor in Canada with a warehouse racking and storage dealership. What prompted Rain City to develop this capability and what benefits does it provide?

Racking is a critical component in most industrial workspaces, essential for maximizing space utilization and enhancing operational efficiency. At Rain City Industrial, our unique capability to manage racking design and construction in-house as part of our warehouse racking and storage dealership allows for the seamless integration of storage solutions within the overall project design. This coordination extends through all phases of the project, including design, permitting, and construction. By incorporating racking systems directly into the workspace design, alongside considerations for lighting and fire suppression, we create a cohesive and safe environment that significantly boosts efficiency and aligns with our clients’ broader project goals.

Where do you see the major areas (geographically) of growth and opportunity in the industry project sector?

The Lower Mainland is a key area for industrial growth, particularly in e-commerce logistics, port-related infrastructure, and high-tech industries. Constrained land supply and rising demand are driving the need for large, well-located industrial spaces near major transportation hubs. Okanagan’s focus on agriculture and agritech, as well as Vancouver Island’s renewable energy and marine industries, also present significant opportunities for industrial development. In Alberta, diversification beyond oil and gas is leading to growth in advanced manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy sectors. Cities like Calgary and Edmonton are becoming hubs for these industries, driving demand for new industrial spaces to support this evolution.

What sort of kinds of builds are you seeing in high demand right now and where do you see that demand going in the future?

Currently, the highest demand for industrial builds is centred around core markets with strong workforce pools, excellent transportation links, and comprehensive amenities. These areas are highly desired by businesses focusing on industrial manufacturing and logistics due to their strategic locations. Due to rising property costs, there is also a high demand for industrial builds that maximize warehouse cubic square footage. Owners and occupiers seek efficient workspace designs that utilize vertical storage through advanced racking systems and compact automation solutions. This trend is driven by the need to optimize space and enhance operational efficiency. Looking forward, the emphasis on smart technologies and scalable designs will grow as businesses aim to future-proof their facilities and improve productivity.

The construction industry is facing high costs, labour shortages and many other challenges. What sort of approach to construction have you found to be most successful in mitigating project risks?

In today’s construction industry, marked by rising costs and labour shortages, having a strong workforce and strategic industry alliances is key to mitigating project risks. Aligning with expert trades and consultants enhances project execution, maintaining timelines and budgets by leveraging specialized knowledge. Additionally, owning critical design-build trades like refrigeration and racking allows for tighter integration and control in the construction process. This not only streamlines operations but also minimizes delays and cost overruns, enabling efficient adaptation to the dynamic construction landscape and significantly reducing project risks.

Blackline Site Works

Crews with Blackline Site Works, a civil construction company based in Surrey, prep a site.

Surerus Murphy Joint Venture

Surerus Murphy crews work on a steep slope.

Graham

Graham hosts a group lunch to celebrate the significant milestone of completing the Arena structure at the Southeast Event Centre in Manitoba.

Wildstone Construction Group

A Wildstone superintendent snapped a shot of an arctic fox, taken on Banks Island in Canada’s Inuvik Region.

Clark Builders

Clark Builders crews support Little Warriors Be Brave Ranch by building therapy sand tables. The six tables will play a vital role in play therapy, helping children express their emotions and heal through creative play.

Jacob Wiens / North Star Contracting

North Star Contracting’s team does paving in Calgary.

Ventana Construction

Ventana’s team takes a break to smile for the camera at its Sohkeya site in Surrey.

Sideros Ironworks

The Sideros team is in process of crowning the Icon Tower at Southgate in Burnaby.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

Alberta officials celebrate the opening of the expanded BMO Centre. The project required over two million construction hours and contributions from nearly 5,000 tradespeople, including demolition crews, steelworkers, drywall installers, and electrical and mechanical teams.

Priestly Demolition

Priestley crews burn the midnight oil on a demolition project.

Gerry Ens Contracting

A worker lays down a weld on a four-storey Hocking Avenue Business Centre in Chilliwack.

Trans Mountain

Trans Mountain crews work in front of a snowy mountain backdrop.

Victoria Mancinelli – LiUNA

LiUNA Members and workers mark a historic morning as ironworkers and operating engineers in Canada and the U.S. completed the installation of the final two edge girders for the Gordie Howe Bridge deck.

Norland Limited

Kids experience construction up close at IUOE Local 115’s 25th Annual Heavy Equipment Rodeo in Maple Ridge. The event welcomes everyone from children to young adults beginning their careers in the trades to get hands-on experience with operating heavy equipment.

Zach Melezr / Benedict Pipeline

Benedict Pipeline in Alberta lines up their machinery for maintenance and cleaning.

Miguel Hernandez Arrese / Votorantim Cimentos

Crews are hard at work on the Parliament Centre Block revitalization project in Ottawa. It is the largest, most complex rehabilitation of a heritage asset in the nation’s history. PCL Construction and EllisDon are working together on the project. CBM (Canada Building Materials) is supplying ready mix concrete.

The Shot of the Month goes to:

Matea Herauf / Stormtec Water Management

Stormtec’s team assists with repairing a broken water main in Calgary. The damaged main caused widespread water restrictions in the city which are now in the process of being lifted.

Hasan Youssef has joined Infrastructure BC as a senior associate. Youssef brings experience in project management and engineering, having recently served as an assistant project manager at Pomerleau.

Diamond Schmitt has announced the appointment of two new principals, five new senior Associates, seven new associates, and one new director, along with two administrative promotions, strengthening the firm’s leadership team. See all the changes here. 

Nadine Fullarton has started a new position as CEO at Housing Hub of New Brunswick. Fullarton previously served as CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton and as a director on the Canadian Construction Association’s board. 

Cavin Green has been promoted to chief operating officer at Cedar Coast. Green says he looks forward to providing continued support to the Cedar Coast team, its investors as well as other business partners.  

Javier Sevilla Roca has been promoted to CEO of Flatiron Construction. Roca will continue guiding the company as it focuses on emerging growth markets while continuing to strengthen its broad leadership in heavy civil construction. Prior to joining Flatiron in 2013 as chief operating officer, Javier was CEO of Pulice Construction.

Mike Lamontagne has been promoted to director of construction at Westridge Construction. He has been with the company for nearly 20 years. Westridge officials stated that he has been a cornerstone of the company’s success. Beyond his professional achievements, Lamontagne recently received the Volunteer of the Year (South) Award for Hockey Saskatchewan, highlighting his commitment to giving back to the community.

Lisa Prime is Diamond Schmitt’s new director of sustainability. Prime brings over 30 years of experience in community planning, progressive green building design, and developing performance-based solutions at an urban scale, including master plans for Toronto’s waterfront, the City of Markham, and Halton Hills; and has developed sustainable strategies and climate policies for municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area and Winnipeg Region. Lisa will guide Diamond Schmitt’s sustainability approach, driving strategy, education, and analysis of benefit on projects across all sectors.

Loraleigh Kovacik has started a new position as RAM’s vice president of business development. Kovacik brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight from her extensive career in building and
transforming businesses and leading high-performance teams in the energy, telecommunications, and IT industries. She has previously held leadership positions for ATCO Infrastructure Services, Rogers
Communications and Sprint Canada.

Kirk Fisher, CEO of Lark Group, is celebrating 35 years with the company. Officials say Fisher has been instrumental in shaping the company’s trajectory for decades. His journey began at the King George Mobile Home Park and continued as he played a pivotal role in establishing the Health and Technology District and the HealthTech Connex group of companies.

Multiple Canadian construction professionals have been shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Pacific Region). They include:

• ETRO Construction president Mike Maierle
• Orion Construction president Josh Gaglardi 
• Michael Green Architecture founder Michael Green 
• Michael Green Architecture principal Natalie Telewiak
• Concert Properties CEO Christine Bergeron
• First Nations Major Projects Coalition CEO Niilo Edwards
• Musqueam Capital Corp. CEO Stephen Lee.

Jennifer Price is McElhanney’s new president and CEO. She is taking over for Allan Russell, who served in the role since 2013. Her previous roles include CEO, US of Buro Happold, and executive and senior leadership positions at AECOM, CH2M, and GHD.

Jennifer’s strategic mindset and leadership skills have consistently yielded success in her previous endeavors. She will empower her strong management team while mirroring the personal attributes that reflect McElhanney’s valued culture.

Catherine Roome, PEng, McElhanney Ltd. board chair

Charlton Mosdier has started a new position as senior project manager, civil & infrastructure, at Pomerleau. 

Stephanie Bellotto has been named manager of government relations and communications for the Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association as well as the Greater Toronto Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association. 

We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie to our team. Her extensive knowledge of the provincial political landscape and communications expertise will be instrumental in advancing the interests of our members, particularly during this pivotal moment within the construction industry as we grapple with issues around investments, growth, and workforce development.

Patrick McManus, executive director of OSWCA and GTSWCA

Carly Guilcher has joined Trico Homes as its new director of construction management. She previously spent seven years serving in various roles at Clark Builders, including director of preconstruction solutions and director of project development.  

Michael Lines, area manager for Emil Anderson Construction, has received the company’s Frank Jacobs Operational Excellence Award. The award is in honour of Frank Jacobs, who served as vice president and director of operations. The company says Jabobs was an exceptional leader whose contributions were immeasurable.

Dave Cassidy, the former president of Unifor Local 444, has been appointed as skilled trades special advisor to Ontario’s minister of labour. He will assess the workforce needs in Ontario’s skilled trades, focusing on the manufacturing and automotive industries, including electric vehicles (EV).

Dave Filipchuk, PCL president and CEO, has been elected a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. The honour celebrates Filipchuk’s distinguished achievements and career-long service in engineering.

Jesse Percy is starting a new role as vice president, special projects, at Flatiron Construction.

Brian Shelton, a current independent board member of Graham Income Trust (GIT), has been appointed GIT chair of the board. In addition to 21 years of construction and engineering experience, he brings extensive knowledge in capital transactions in mergers and acquisitions in the global marketplace.

Sean Ennis will join Allnorth Consultants as the new operations leader in Vancouver and vice president of metals & minerals. Ennis has more than 30 years of mining experience spanning North and South America, Eastern Europe and Austral-Asia. 

Nathan Carter has joined Hillcore Group as senior VP portfolio operations.

Lisa Grago has joined Cooper Equipment Rentals as its chief people officer. brings over 25 years of experience in human resources and Cooper says she is dedicated to fostering a culture of growth and inclusivity.

Curtis Scott is starting a new position as director development planning at City of Surrey. Before this role, Scott spent six years working for the City of Coquitlam as manager of land development and director of city lands & real estate.

Ben Temple, has joined the Wales McLelland team as its new business development manager. Temple is a former commercial real estate broker and acquisition manager with over 14 years of experience in a variety of real estate sectors. He will help Wales identify opportunities for new partnerships and continued growth, manage the development and execution of market plans, and work to successfully advance projects for clients.

Onne Van der Weijde is CarbonCure‘s newest board member. He is a veteran cement executive with 30 years of experience solving complex problems for construction materials companies. He currently serves as senior adviser to the CEO of CRH, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated materials and construction companies.

Onne’s extensive experience in the global construction materials industry — particularly cement manufacturing — combined with his proven ability to drive growth and operational excellence, will greatly enhance our mission to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that empower concrete producers worldwide.

Robert Niven, CEO, CarbonCure

Geoff Ruytenbeek has been promoted to manager of infrastructure engineering (acting) at Ontario Power Generation.

Argon Robinson has joined the Fort Modular team as its new construction manager. It is a new role at the company intended to expand Fort’s capabilities and services. Working in tandem with Fort’s current team, Robinson will focus on site execution.

Mike McFarlane has started a new role at Avison Young as principal and director of its Toronto valuation and advisory team. Avison Young stated that McFarlane’s extensive experience in commercial property valuation and his leadership skills will be instrumental in expanding its capabilities and mentoring the next generation of appraisers.

Sean Lal is starting a new position as vice president – project commercial implementation – CPG Rapid Transit at Metrolinx. He will oversee all commercial elements of the LRT and Subway Extension projects under construction.

Burnaby-based ETRO Construction is embarking on a long-term partnership on Vancouver Island through a strategic joint venture alliance with Victoria-based Durwest Construction Management. This alliance aims to leverage the strengths of both firms to offer enhanced construction services on the island.

ETRO Construction views this partnership as a natural fit due to shared values and construction approaches, in addition to a true focus on building impact in their communities.

Mike Maierle, President of ETRO, highlighted the synergy between the two companies, explaining that his team’s innovative approach to construction coupled with Durwest’s decades of experience and established relationships in the region will provide significant value to their clients.

The joint venture will focus on mixed-use master-planned communities and institutional work. Additionally, ETRO plans to offer its Revive brand, targeting retrofits, heritage upgrades, building rehabilitations and more. 

“We’re excited about working with a great company who have 40 years of history, deep roots and a fantastic reputation,” said Maierle. 

Zoe Mitchell, President of Durwest, said she was excited to work with an innovative and technologically sophisticated builder like ETRO as opportunities in the region grow. 

“There is so much development of affordable housing projects and ancillary developments like schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure. There is an influx of population growth because it’s a great place to live,” said Mitchell. “We are set up for the future and it looks bright here.”

Founded in 2015, ETRO Construction is one of Vancouver’s fastest growing construction management and general contracting firms. Built on a foundation of quality and rooted in a commitment to creating exceptional projects and experiences, we add value to lives and communities through our people, our expertise, and our passion for doing things differently.

Metrolinx

Renny, a tunnel boring machine, breaks through the final wall after two years of digging for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project.

Turner Construction

High school carpentry apprentices wrap up their time with at Canadian Turner Construction Company‘s Self Perform Operations’ warehouse.

Ventana Construction Corporation

Ventana crews document their historic work on the creating the world’s most seismically advanced mass timber building, The Hive, in Vancouver.

WDBA-APWD

The Gordie Howe Bridge Project is inching closer to meeting in the middle. While more steel and concrete needs to be placed, the gap to connect the deck is only 11 metres.

CGC Inc.

Construction is officially under way on CGC’s newest and most sustainable manufacturing plant in Wheatland County, Alberta.

Mike Garrod / True Mechanical

While True Mechanical superintendent Mike Garrod utilizes BIM and AutoCAD to design and fabricate mechanical rooms and systems, he still can dust off his pencil and plan things the old-fashioned way. These drawings were for Anthem Properties’ JINJU project in Coquitlam, B.C.

Bird Mechanical

A welder with Ontario-based Bird Mechanical goes about their work.

SiteNews

We can’t help but toot our horn a little bit. Here is a shot from our recent event to celebrate Construction’s Most Influential People in Calgary. In this shot, SiteNews co-founder Andrew Hansen (left), Orion Construction president Josh Gaglardi (middle) and SkilledTradesBC CEO Shelley Gray (right) participate in a panel.

SHD Aerial Services / Lafarge Concrete

Crews work on Concert Properties‘ Myriad project in Coquitlam. The project team includes Bosa Construction and Lafarge Concrete.

Raymond McDonald / ATCO

Raymond McDonald, supervisor of work coordination for ATCO‘s electricity division – Drumheller operations, captures an out-of-this-world shot of the Northern Lights.

The Shot of the Month goes to:

Carlos Planelles / Acciona

It’s safe to say this team has all the camera angles covered. Crews celebrate tunnel boring machine Elsie breaking through to Arbutus station for the Broadway Subway project in Vancouver.