Category: People

• Business Development Manager – Toronto, Ont. – Scott Construction Group
• Director, Pre-Construction & Contracts – Calgary, Alta. – NRB Modular Solutions
• Senior Pre-Construction & Estimating Manager – Windsor, Ont. – Fortis Group
• Senior Project Manager – Nova Scotia (remote) – Avondale Construction
• Senior Estimator – Surrey, B.C. – Peak Construction Group
• Senior Project Manager – Halifax, N.S. – Marco Group
• Senior Project Manager – Toronto, Ont. – Scott Construction Group
• Director of Development, Finance – Ottawa, Ont. – Taggart Group
• Senior Estimator, Building – Ottawa, Ont. – EBC

If you are looking to build your all-star team, try posting your role on the job board or connect with our specialized recruitment experts to find industry-leading talent for your business.

And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.

Key Takeaways:

• The parties announced that a deal was in sight after 13 days of striking, but it was voted down.
• Federal officials stated that they believe the strike is not legal and are exploring all options to end it.
• The union explained that they voted the deal down as they felt it would not protect their jobs now or into the future.

The Whole Story:

*Editors Note: This story has been updated as of 8 a.m., July 20, 2023 as the union’s strike notice has been rescinded.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan Jr. and Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra say they are “looking at all options” and to resolve a reignited port strike on Canada’s west coast.

Just when it seemed that a deal was in sight, collective bargaining negotiations between the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada collapsed. 

“Last week, after 13 days of work stoppage, Minister O’Regan asked federal mediators to provide recommendations on the terms of a settlement between the BCMEA and the ILWU Canada,” said government officials in a statement. “Both parties tentatively agreed to this settlement to bring an end to the strike.”

Ottawa received formal notice from the BCMEA that their membership had accepted this deal in full. However, they were also informed that, despite initially agreeing to recommend the Terms of Settlement, the ILWU Canada’s leadership had decided not to recommend ratification of the terms to their members.

The ministers stated that workers and employers across Canada cannot face further disruption and they are looking at all options. They added that there would be further announcements this week. 

“We should not be here,” said the ministers. “The deal presented to the parties was the result of a constructive and substantive collective bargaining process. It represented a fair and balanced deal. It was informed by weeks of collective bargaining and drafted by third-party mediators in the interest of both the union and the employer. We have been patient. We have respected the collective bargaining process. But we need our ports operating.”

O’Regan Jr. also noted that the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) – an independent body created to keep industrial peace – ruled that the ILWU Canada cease and desist from participating in any strike action because the union did not provide 72 hours notice.

The ILWU Canada Longshore Caucus explained that it voted down the mediators Recommended Terms of Settlement because it does not believe the recommendations had the ability to protect their jobs now or into the future.

“Our position since day one has been to protect our jurisdiction and this position has not changed,” said the group. “With the record profits that the BCMEA’s member companies have earned over the last few years the employers have not addressed the cost of living issues that our workers have faced over the last couple of years as all workers have. The term of the collective agreement that was given with today’s uncertain times, is far too long. We must be able to readdress the uncertainty in the world’s financial markets for our members.”

Ontario Labour Minister Monte McNaughton doesn’t quite remember when he first got a taste of construction and the trades because he was probably too young to remember.

He grew up in a small, southwest Ontario town where his family owned and ran a hardware store for decades. 

“At a young age I was sweeping the floors, stocking shelves and loading trucks for contractors. And at a young age I saw families in our community make a damn good living in the trades,” said McNaughton. “Our family owned a home hardware store and I can’t remember what age I started loading drywall and two-by-fours. I really gained an insight into the trades and I had respect for the men and women in the trades.”

“It became clear on day one that it all had to do with stigma. We have spent years sending a message to parents, guidance counsellors, young people and others that careers in the skilled trades are meaningful and lucrative.”

Monte McNaughton – Ontario Minister of Labour

Decades later, McNaughton is now presiding over an unprecedented boom in apprenticeships in the province. This June, the province reported apprenticeship registrations have increased 24% in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319. Officials stated that in order to help deliver Ontario’s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade.

The increase comes after years of challenges. According to Statistics Canada, the largest drop in recent memory happened in 2020. New apprenticeship registrations declined almost 29% across the country. In Ontario, they were down 37%.

How has McNaughton pulled off this burst in apprenticeship registration? The story goes back to 2019 when he was appointed minister of labour by premier Doug Ford. His first task was hitting the road with his ears open. 

“I met with apprentices, employers, union leaders, visited training centres, colleges and really got an understanding of the challenges with our apprenticeship system in Ontario,” he said. “It became clear on day one that it all had to do with stigma. We have spent years sending a message to parents, guidance counsellors, young people and others that careers in the skilled trades are meaningful and lucrative. These are careers you can build a family around and you can be damn proud of these careers.” 

These trips haven’t stopped. When he spoke with SiteNews, McNaughton was was on the road to meet with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario.

After conducting their research, McNaughton and his team devised a three pillar plan:

• End trades stigma
• Simplify the training system 
• Encourage employers to take on apprentices

McNaughton noted that ending stigma has been one of the biggest focuses of his strategy. 

To attack some of the cultural attitudes directed towards the trades, McNaughton sought to take his message straight to young people. 

“Around stigma, we had to be clear in saying that we don’t need every young person going to university,” said McNaughton. “I have been critical of the government in the past when they told every young person that the only way to be successful was to go to university. In the trades you can start your own business, travel Canada – the possibilities are endless.” 

He explained that the education system has been built around sending every young person to university. He made it his mission to make sure all students were presented with the option of trying a career in the trades. 

“When I think of how we got to the point this year with the nearly 25% increase, it’s because we’ve promoted the skilled trades, and invested heavily making sure, starting in grade one, that every student is learning about the skilled trades,” he said.  

The ministry sent dozens of trades recruiters into every high school in the province to compete with university recruiters. And the conversation went both ways. 

“Before we rolled out our $1.5-billion skilled trades strategy, we had the ministry do research and we interviewed hundreds of millennials and did focus groups,” said McNaughton. “Unprompted and unscripted, they said they would rather work for less if they were safe at their job. This highlighted the importance of health and safety. We have invested more in health and safety in Ontario than at any point in its history. We’re hiring a lot of health and safety inspectors.”

The province also embarked on a widespread crackdown on job site bathrooms. In 2022 ministry inspectors visited 14,000 construction projects and issued nearly 2,000 orders to upgrade facilities. McNaughton also passed new laws that require better sanitation and  at least one women’s-only washroom where the size of the site warrants it. The legislature also requires women in construction and workers with diverse body types to be outfitted in properly fitting gear, including uniforms, boots and safety harnesses.

To simplify the apprenticeship process, McNaughton launched Skilled Trades Ontario, a new Crown agency tasked with to promoting and marketing the trades, developing the latest training and curriculum standards, and providing a streamlined experience. One of the agency’s early actions was to digitize apprentice log books to make things easier for workers. 

To entice employers, McNaughton is offering $17,000 for them to train apprentices. He’s also led a blitz of job fairs highlighting careers in the trades.

Looking ahead, McNaughton said he plans to double down on his strategy and that he believes some of his tactics are set to bear even more fruit in the future. As students enter high school and graduate, he believes that the new curriculum and recruitment efforts will have produced even more apprentices. 

He also is leaving no stone unturned. McNaughton has struck deals or is creating new policy to help skilled immigrants, residents with criminal records and underrepresented groups get careers in the trades. 

“For far too long, people have looked down on people in the trades,” he said. “It’s an injustice and we’ve turned that conversation around in Ontario. I believe that has led to our success. We have a long way to go but it’s a good start. It will take years to fill labour shortages.

• Environmental Project Manager – Ottawa, Ont. – SLR Consulting
• Cost Controller – Vancouver, B.C. – Bird Construction
• Operations Manager – Saint John’s, Nfld. – Oceaneering
• Director, Process Technology – Pickering Ont. – Koch Industries
• Environmental Project Manager – Mississauga, Ont. – Hatch
• Project Engineer – Toronto, Ont. – DRA Global
• Project Director, Field Services – Cambridge, Ont. – BWXT Technologies Inc.
• Project Manager – Halifax, N.S. – Modern Niagara
• Director Low Carbon Strategy & Development Execution – Toronto, Ont. – Enbridge
• Manager, Strategy and Operational Excellence – Montréal-Ouest, Que. – Pomerleau

If you are looking to build your all-star team, try posting your role on the job board or connect with our specialized recruitment experts to find industry-leading talent for your business.

And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.

A good deal is within reach to end the strike at B.C.’s ports, says Canada’s minister of labour.

Seamus O’Regan Jr., minister of labour, says the differences between the positions of the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Canada are not sufficient to justify a continued work stoppage.

“As a result of the hard work by the parties at the bargaining table, there is a good deal within reach – one that would work for both the employer and the union,” said the minister in a statement.

O’Regan Jr. has asked that the senior federal mediator send a written recommendation of the terms of settlement to him within 24 hours. Once he has received the terms of settlement, he plans to forward them to the parties and they will have 24 hours to decide whether or not to recommend ratification of the terms to their principals.

“Our nation’s economy depends on the relationship between industry and labour,” he added. “The scale of this disruption shows how important the relationship between the BCMEA and the ILWU is to our national interest. We cannot allow this work stoppage to persist and risk further damage to the relationship between these parties.”

Key Takeaways:

• The funds will go towards groups that support the province’s goals of recruiting young people, Indigenous people and women into the trades and guiding them along their apprenticeship journey.
• It will also support the development of more workers to get into home construction.
• Over the next decade, there are expected to be 83,000 job openings for tradespeople. On average, approximately 6,400 apprentices complete their training each year. 

The Whole Story

The government of B.C. is investing $5 million to support individuals entering the trades and help them complete their apprenticeships. 

“This $5 million will do two things: help get people through apprenticeships by targeting organizations that provide apprentices with support, but it’s also to raise the profile and prestige of the trades,” said Andrew Mercier, B.C.’s minister of state for workforce development.

Over the next decade, there are expected to be 83,000 job openings for tradespeople. On average, approximately 6,400 apprentices complete their training each year. 

The funds are specifically targeting underrepresented groups like women, young people and Indigenous people. They also will go towards developing workers for critical parts of the industry, like homebuilding. 

The province’s strategy is to boost existing groups that are already accomplishing these goals. The $5-million investment will be allocated to six organizations specializing in attracting individuals to the skilled trades and providing support throughout their pre-apprenticeship training and apprenticeships. 

“This is about making sure we are supporting the communities and the organizations in the industry that are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly those who work with the vulnerable, at-risk and underrepresented apprentices,” said Mercier.

The organizations that will benefit from this funding are:

•  The Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), 
• The BC Centre for Women in the Trades (BCCWITT), 
• The Canadian Home Builders Association of BC (CHBA BC) 
• The Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC), SkillPlan, and Skills Canada BC.

“This is about making sure we are supporting the communities and the organizations in the industry that are doing a lot of the heavy lifting, particularly those who work with the vulnerable, at-risk and underrepresented apprentices,” said Mercier.

In addition to expanding access to trades training and apprenticeships, the provincial investment aims to remove barriers for underrepresented groups, including women and Indigenous Peoples. 

The funding will support the development of new and improved programming, as well as resources for equity-serving groups. Anti-racism initiatives, inclusivity-based workplace training programs, and student bursaries will also be enhanced, further promoting diversity and inclusion in the trades.

While women comprise 50.6% of the population between 15 and 65 in B.C., they currently represent only 10.1% of all apprentices in the province. 

“Every time I speak with tradeswomen I always ask about their journey and experiences in the industry and listen to their stories,” said Mercier. “The one thing that keeps coming back is the role of mentorship. We want to make sure we are supporting groups that provide that.”

He noted that BCCWITT has built up an informal support network of mentors that the group is looking at formalizing. 

Indigenous people account for 13.3% of the population between 15 and 65 in B.C. Currently, 8.5% of all apprentices in the province are Indigenous, with Indigenous women making up 1.5% of the total apprenticeship population.

Mathew Sheena, an apprentice at the Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC), shared his personal experience: “I was at a point in my life where I felt lost and down, struggling with no sense of direction. But then, I crossed paths with ACCESS and joined the entry-level trades training program at the EJTC. These programs turned my life around, giving me back control over my future, as well as a solid career and big dreams.”

Mercier noted that in addition to supporting underrepresented groups, the funding will try to bolster the homebuilding sector. 

“We want to build a lot of homes and we need to make sure we are supporting the skilled workforce that can do that,” he said. “Residential construction is a unique market and sometimes supports are aimed more broadly at the ICI sector and others.” 

The investment in trades training aligns with the StrongerBC: Future Ready Action Plan, which focuses on increasing accessibility, affordability, responsiveness, and relevance of education and training. The plan seeks to prepare individuals for both current and future job opportunities. The province has committed $480 million over three years to support the implementation of this action plan.

Key Takeaways:

• The 450 workers include housekeepers, kitchen staff, janitors, lounge servers, guest service agents and maintenance.
• Some Lodge workers are making $5 per hour less than they earned in the same positions at the Kitimat Modernization Project 8 years ago.
• The project is close to 85% complete and  remains on track to ship its first cargo by mid-decade.

The Whole Story:

Hospitality workers at Canada’s largest construction project have voted to go on strike. 

Last week, Sodexo hospitality workers at LNG Canada’s Cedar Valley Lodge in Kitimat., B.C. voted 97% in favour of strike action. 

Union officials stated that workers are frustrated with little movement by management in bargaining to address cost of living concerns. 

“Cedar Valley Lodge is the only accommodation facility in Kitimat large enough to house workers for the LNG Canada project,” said officials with UNITE HERE Local 40 in a press release. “Usually accommodating up to 5,000 camp workers, a strike at the worksite could cause significant disruption to pipeline work.”

The union added that Sodexo Cedar Valley Lodge hospitality workers are the lowest compensated workers at the LNG Canada construction site. The poly-party vote was conducted by UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW Local 993. The workers are asking for “significant economic improvements” that will allow them to keep up with the rising cost of living.

The 450 workers – including housekeepers, kitchen staff, janitors, lounge servers, guest service agents, and maintenance – unionized with UNITE HERE Local 40 and IBEW on April 12.

According to UNITE HERE, BC Building Trades workers at the LNG Canada camp received a 12.5% wage increase in 2022, and by the end of October 2023 will receive an additional 10% increase. 

Sodexo hospitality workers at Cedar Valley Lodge were not included in these increases. Some Lodge workers are making $5 per hour less than they earned in the same positions at the Kitimat Modernization Project 8 years ago.

“Cedar Valley Lodge workers are being treated unfairly. We deserve fair pay for the work we do – not to be the lowest paid people at the LNG Canada camp,” said Mike Lightheart, a first cook who has worked at Cedar Valley Lodge for 3 years. “With families to support, we need to be able to keep up with our bills. We will not be disrespected anymore, and we are ready to strike if we do not receive a fair proposal.” 

Mediation between the Union and the employer began Monday at the BC Labour Board.

The massive LNG terminal facility is being built on the former Methanex facility site. It will include a gas liquefaction plant, storage tanks, a marine terminal and a rail yard. 

Water treatment facility and flare stacks will also be constructed on the site. JGC Corp and Flour Corp have been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contract. 

The project has been approved under the Environmental Assessment Act, and by the National Energy Board (NEB) for a 40-year export license to replace the current 25-year license. A final investment decision was approved in October 2018 to go ahead with the project. 

Earlier this month, LNG Canada officials announced the project is close to 85% complete overall and  remains on track to ship its first cargo by mid-decade.

Buckle up. We have big news for tool and workwear aficionados.

SiteNews is excited to join forces with Akribis Leather for an exclusive, summer giveaway. We’re offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to win a premium leather toolbelt, handcrafted with care in Summerland, B.C.

Due to overwhelming demand, Akribis Leather’s inventory is currently sold out, making our giveaway a rare golden ticket to snag one of these sought-after tool belts. It’s the perfect addition to any construction professional’s gear, or a unique gift for the industry enthusiast in your life.

The winner of this exclusive giveaway will be announced on July 19th, so make sure you’ve registered by then! Enter here for your chance to win.

Most of the time, construction work and the professionals that contribute to it go unnoticed. But sometimes, they get their day in the sun. Over the years, a variety of awards have sprung up to celebrate companies and professionals that are doing exceptional things. Some have been around for decades and others are just emerging. The following is a list of just some of the many annual competitions that seek to bring attention to achievements in Canadian construction.

25 Innovators in Construction

Construction is often seen as an industry that lags behind others. SiteNews wants to change this perception and push the sector forward. The 25 Innovators Awards aims to be a yearly award with the goal of celebrating and shining a spotlight on those companies driving progress in our industry. Winners will be chosen by a diverse panel of judges that are experienced in various construction-related fields across the country. Learn more and submit a nomination here. Applications close July 14.

Canadian Construction Association National Awards

The association’s National Awards recognize individuals, organizations and projects that promote and enhance the Canadian construction industry in nine different categories. The awards program is open to all relevant association member organizations and individuals who meet the requirements of each award, regardless of organization size or project scope. The winners are then announced at the association’s annual conference. The next one will take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, March 12 – 15, 2024. Here is where you can nominate.

Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction

Now in its fourth year, these awards celebrate up and coming construction leaders and innovators under the age of 40. The program was created three years ago by SitePartners, a marketing firm that specializes in industrial clients and On-Site Magazine, a construction publication. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges based on professional achievements, innovation, leadership & community involvement. The deadline for nominations is July 28. Nominate yourself or others here. 

The Canadian Council National Awards for Public-Private Partnerships

These awards are all about working together. The awards were established in 1998 to honour governments, public institutions and their private sector partners who have demonstrated excellence and innovation in public-private partnerships. The awards are presented annually to showcase Canadian excellence and innovation in project financing, service delivery, infrastructure investment and/or generation of economic benefit, which result in enhanced quality of public services and facilities. Details of the 2023 program have not yet been released.

Tunnelling Association of Canada Awards

You might really dig this one. The Tunnelling Association of Canada presents annual achievement awards each fall to recognize individuals and projects in the Canadian and worldwide tunnelling sectors. This year’s awards included Tunneller of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Photo of the Year, Project of the Year and many more. Nominations closed in May, but check out all last year’s winners here.

Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards

While applications for this year’s awards have already closed, it isn’t to late to make the awards gala on Oct. 19 in Ottawa. These awards are organized jointly by ACEC and Canadian Consulting Engineer magazine. They recognized the most remarkable engineering feats featured in projects by Canadian firms. he winners are publicized nationwide in press releases, they are showcased on ACEC-Canada’s website, and project details are published in a special issue of Canadian Consulting Engineer.

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Awards of Excellence

While many architecture industry awards focus on projects, the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada‘s have a much broader scope. This year they include The RAIC Gold Medal, the Architectural Practice Award and the Emerging Architectural Practice award. These categories will be joined by three revamped awards previously under the biannual Awards of Excellence banner – the RAIC Advocate for Architecture Award, the RAIC Journalism and Media Award and the RAIC Innovation in Architecture Award. These awards will also be joined by a call for nominations for Honorary Member. Nominations for this year have closed.

CISC Awards of Excellence

Have no fear. The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction’s (CISC) has an awards program that covers all of Canada. The Awards of Excellence series has individual awards shows for these regions: Quebec, B.C., Alberta, Atlantic, Ontario and Manitoba/NW Ontario. The awards highlight projects that showcase complexity, innovation, beauty, uniqueness, originality and other attributes. Finalists are picked by a jury of renown architects, engineers and “steel Industry connoisseurs”. Check out all the individual awards show deadlines and details here.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies

While it’s not an specifically for the construction industry, construction and construction-related companies have been dominating this list for years. The list recognizes excellence in private Canadian-owned companies. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies undergo a rigorous application process, but only the best are awarded with this prestigious designation. This may, the program’s organizer, Deloitte, celebrated the 30th year of doing the list. While this year’s winners have been announced, pre-registration for next year is already open.

Canada’s Safest Employers

On the job site there is nothing more important than making sure everyone returns home in good health. What could be more prestigious than honouring that? For 13 years, the annual Canada’s Safest Employers Awards have recognized the outstanding health and safety professionals and companies for their achievements, leadership and innovation. The awards feature a category just for the construction sector. Nominations for this year’s awards closed in April and winners are usually announced in October. Be sure to check out last year’s winners here.

Wood Design & Building Awards

With technologies like mass timber and prefabrication, there’s lots to celebrate about wood construction in Canada. The Wood Design & Building Awards, presented by the Canadian Wood Council, recognizes and celebrates the outstanding work of architectural professionals around the world who achieve excellence in wood design and construction. This past year saw a record of 181 nominations from 25 countries.

CHBA National Awards for Housing Excellence

Presented by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), these awards recognize excellence in new homes, renovations, community development, and residential marketing. The 2023 winners were honoured earlier this year in Banff, Alta. at an awards gala that was the concluding event of CHBA’s Home Building Week in Canada. This year, nearly 800 entries were submitted into 48 categories. Finalists and winners were selected by a group of judges made up of almost 150 industry professionals from all over Canada.

Canada Green Building Council Awards

The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) Awards are intended to shine a light on those advancing green construction. Categories include awards of excellence for buildings, leadership awards for individuals and the Andy Kesteloo Memorial award that highlights inspiring student projects. Check out this year’s winners here.

For the uninitiated, the concept of SiteViews is simple. Leveraging both the remarkable submissions from our readers and our team’s diligent internet sleuthing, we curate a monthly showcase of some of the industry’s finest photos. Have a submission? Those can be sent to hello@readsitenews.com.

This month we’re excited to introduce a new feature – the SiteViews’ Shot of the Month. Hand-picked by our seasoned staff, this photo stands tall amongst a great lineup of industry shots. Read to the bottom to find out which photo takes the cake.

Jacob Bros Construction

A plane flies above Jacob Bros Construction crews as they work on the South Airfield Pavement Rehabilitation Project at Vancouver International Airport.

Justin McConnell / Toronto Beyond Media

A welder lays down a bead at a Toronto work site. Justin McConnell is a photographer and videographer who is passionate about capturing the lives of blue collar workers in Ontario. Check out our interview with him here.

Wales McLelland Construction

Wales McLelland is working on IntraUrban Gateway, a state-of-the-art 82,000-square-foot industrial facility in South Vancouver.

Dream

Frank Gehry (first row, fourth from the left) celebrates breaking ground on Forma, a two tower project in Toronto, the city where he was born.

Wildstone Construction Group

Wildstone Construction Group ponders where the nearest car wash might be near the Arctic Ocean on Banks Island.

Orion Construction

Orion Construction’s team captures a sunset to celebrate the Coastal Heights Distribution Centre handover, now home to the Skechers’ first Distribution Centre in Canada. The 428,000 square foot building in Surrey has clear heights of 36 feet in the warehouse and design features that promote sustainability.

Emil Anderson Construction / Ballina Contracting

Emil Anderson Group and Ballina Contracting team up for work on B.C.’s Hemlock Valley Road.

Samuel Livingston / Livingstone Drone

A drone offers a top-down view of the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project in Metro Vancouver.

Lafarge Canada

Ottawa Police and Lafarge officials teach local cyclists about how to safely share the road with cement trucks.

Mosaic Homes

Attendees line up for Mosaic’s block party celebrating the launch of its Woodward Townhome community project.

Marc DiMarco

Louie, a two-year-old bluetick coonhound demonstrates how to wear high-visibility gear in B.C.

Axiom Builders

RC at CF Richmond Centre has topped-off its first tower of seven. The affordable housing tower’s structure has 8830 square metres of concrete total.

3D Electrical Services

Some curious critters lend a helping hoof to electricians working in Duncan, B.C.

Anthem Properties

Crews enjoy an on-site feast to celebrate the topping off of SOCO One. The building is part of a 1.8 million-square-foot, master planned, mixed use community in South Coquitlam.

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Crews pour controlled low strength material at the site of the Advanced Nuclear Materials Research Centre in Chalk River, Ont.

The Shot of the Month goes to:

Broadway Subway Project Corporation

Workers walk along a tunnel dug for Vancouver’s Broadway Subway project. It is a 5.7 km extension of the Millennium Line, from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus.

Key Takeaways:

• Individuals can be nominated by their peers or they can nominate themselves.
• Nominations will close July 28.
• Winners will be chosen based on their professional achievements, innovative approaches, leadership qualities, and involvement in the community.

The Whole Story:

It’s time to celebrate Canada’s up and coming construction leaders.

On-Site Magazine and SitePartners have announced the return of the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction awards. Nominations are now officially open for construction industry professionals from diverse backgrounds and sectors.

Now in its fourth year, the program celebrates outstanding young leaders who are driving innovation and progress in the construction industry across Canada.

Last year’s event honoured 40 construction professionals under 40 years old who have made significant contributions to their communities, cities, provinces, and the nation as a whole. These individuals, both on-site and off-site, played pivotal roles in advancing complex infrastructure projects, implementing cutting-edge technology tools for jobsites, and fostering thriving communities for families.

Who is eligible

In previous years, honorees have represented a wide range of professions, including architects, contractors, designers, engineers, equipment operators, estimators, executives, occupational health and safety managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, site supervisors, superintendents, tradespersons, as well as professionals from the consulting, law, finance, and technology fields, all of whom contribute to the advancement of Canadian construction.

Organizers encouraged the construction industry to nominate exceptional individuals under the age of 40, as of December 31, 2023, who are shaping Canada’s construction sector.

The winners will be chosen based on their professional achievements, innovative approaches, leadership qualities, and involvement in the community. The honorees will be showcased in the October 2023 issue of On-Site Magazine.

How it’s judged

A panel of judges will evaluate each candidate using a weighted system. Professional achievement will account for 50% of the evaluation, considering significant business or project accomplishments, outstanding work in their respective roles, professional designations, memberships, licenses, as well as educational development and qualifications. Innovation, leadership, and influence will contribute 40%, examining professional innovation, industry disruption, team leadership, and involvement in key decision-making processes. The remaining 10% will be allocated to business and community involvement, acknowledging participation in professional mentorship programs, as well as charitable or volunteer initiatives.

To be eligible, nominees must be respected leaders or rising stars in the construction community, residents of Canada, and currently working in the country. They should also be 39 years old or younger by the end of this year.

All eligible nominations must be submitted through the official Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction form, available on the organization’s website. The form must be completed in full, which may require up to 15 minutes or more to fill out. While you can preview the list of nomination questions, only nominations submitted through the official online form will be considered.

Here are some key points to note:

• Nominees may either self-nominate or be nominated by someone else.
• If self-nominating, a Letter of Support from a current or former supervisor, colleague, client, or vendor must be attached.
• Individuals or companies are welcome to submit nominations for more than one person, but those submitting on behalf of companies or organizations are encouraged to limit their nominations to five individuals.
• Only nominations submitted through the official online form will be accepted.
• Individuals who were nominated but did not win in previous years are welcome to reapply.
• The deadline for nominations is 11:59pm PST on Friday, July 28th, 2023. For any inquiries, please contact awards@sitepartners.ca.

Nominate someone today.

Kieran Hawe has been appointed EllisDon’s new CEO. Hawe has spent 23 years at the company. Officials noted that from his role as chief operating officer and executive vice president of construction, he has successfully overseen high-profile projects and played a pivotal role in the company’s construction operation.

Liza Tsimbal, director of SCM and land at TransAlta, was named Leader of the Month by the Construction Owners Association of Alberta. Tsimbal has extensive experience in the Oil and Gas and Renewable energy industries with a focus on project procurement, category management and operations procurement.

Brian Priestly, Priestly Demolition’s executive VP of North American operations has been appointed president of the Ontario Association of Demolition Contractors. He brings more than 25 years of demolition industry experience to the role.

Greg Wooster, Amir Askari and Bill Driffield have joined Aura Office. Wooster will serve as the VP of workplace strategy and design. Askari has been hired as a project coordinator. Driffield has joined the team as a site superintendent.

Stephanie See has begun a new role as marketing and communications coordinator for Clark Builders. See is also also a co-owner of Storyline Studio Inc., an Edmonton-based communications agency.

Professor Janusz Koziński, dean of engineering at Lakehead University, has received the prestigious Gold Medal Award from Engineers Canada. The Gold Medal Award, the highest distinction for professional engineers in Canada, recognizes the exceptional achievements of engineers whose work has improved the lives of Canadians and others across the world.

Taylor Hogg has joined Scott Builders as a project manager. She has experience in AutoCAD, Revit, construction drawings, contracts and project management. Hogg also serves as a director for the Red Deer Construction Association.

Paul Demeule has resigned as general manager for Trotter & Morton Group of Companies in Vancouver. Demeule stated that he is moving on to an “exciting new opportunity in a few weeks” and will soon be providing more details. He thanked the team at Trotter, adding that he was proud of all the improvements that had made together.

Danna Ibrasheva has started a new job as business analyst at Clark Builders. Prior to the role, Ibrasheva worked as a data analyst for TC Energy.

Dustin Isaacs is Aecon’s new executive vice president and chief legal officer. Isaacs brings over 20 years of legal executive, business and leadership experience and will oversee all legal affairs at Aecon as a key member of its executive committee.

Diana Demmers was named U40 Person of the Year by the Vancouver Island Construction Association. Demmers is a project manager at EllisDon.

Felipe Albuquerque, a civil engineer and BIM specialist, has been hired as a Revit technician at Houle Electric. Prior to this role, Albuquerque worked as a BIM modeler and plumbing designer in Brazil.

Kiyomi Le has been promoted to to manager of engineering at RAM Consulting. Le said that she will continue to develop RAM’s engineering team and grow its engineering capabilities. She will be managing RAM’s engineering resources, including permits to practice, and internal documents.

Dan Lefebvre will lead the civil design team at J.L. Richards & Associates Limited (JLR) as civil discipline chief. Lefebvre brings 29 years of civil design experience to the role, including 21 with JLR.

Martin Jacques and Daniel Lessard‘s roles at Pomerleau have expanded to support Canada-wide growth. Martin Jacques is now chief operating Officer, buildings, for the entire country. Daniel Lessard is now chief operating officer, civil and infrastructure. He will be leading the company’s civil teams from coast to coast. In addition, he will support Pomerleau’s Borea subsidiary.

Derek Goring has been named CEO of Northcrest Developments. Goring, who assumed the position effective immediately, had served as executive vice-president of development at Northcrest since October 2019. Prior to that, Goring worked as the senior vice president of development for First Gulf Corporation.

David LeMay has joined the Centron Group of Companies as construction group president. LeMay will succeed Wayne Benz who is retiring after 37 years in the industry. Previously, LeMay served as president and CEO of Stuart Olson.

Jesse Reynolds has been promoted to project director at Chandos Construction. Reynolds stated that he looks forward to continuing his journey as a leader at the organization. He noted that his promotion would not have been possible without his team.

Ryan Beedie, Beedie president, has been named Business Leader of the Year by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canada). The award aims to recognize exemplary corporate leadership and impactful community contributions.

*Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know had a major career move recently, let us know! Shoot an email to hello@readsitenews.com or tag SiteNews below the social media post. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to never miss an edition of People Moves.

It is National Indigenous People’s Day in Canada, a time to reflect on the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of the nation’s Indigenous population.

While efforts in the construction sector are underway to engage with Indigenous People and their communities, they remain highly underrepresented in the industry.

In 2021, Indigenous People accounted for 5.1% of Canada’s construction labour force, which is a slight decline from the share of 5.2% observed in 2016, but is notably higher than the share of Indigenous workers represented in the overall labour force (4.1%). As the Indigenous population is the fastest growing in Canada and Indigenous workers seem predisposed to the pursuit of careers within the sector, there may be scope to further increase the recruitment of Indigenous People into the construction workforce.

Below is a list of Indigenous-owned companies in the industry that show some of the opportunities the sector offers.

Backwoods Energy Services

Alberta-based Backwoods Energy Services is 100% owned by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and provides construction services to the oil, gas, utility and forestry industries in Western Canada. The company works with industry to create partnerships and economic opportunities for the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation community. The company recently helped combat forest fires near Edson and Drayton Valley. 

Infracon

B.C.-based Infracon is a fully-integrated industrial services and construction group with over 40 years of experience in the western and northern Canadian markets. They won the B.C. Indigenous Business Award in 2016, 2017 and 2019 and stated that they are committed to long-term growth and sustainability with North America’s First Nations. Lower Nicola Site Services (LNSS) was formed in 2018 as a limited partnership between Infracon and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC). LNIBDC owns 51 percent of the company.

Kihew Fabco

It doesn’t get much more high tech than Saskatchewan’s Kihew Fabco. The wholly owned and operated Indigenous company uses robotics, laser scanning, CAD and automation at its advanced prefabrication facility to deliver custom industrial, commercial and agricultural building structures.

Swamp Cats

Swamp Cats is a 100% Aboriginally owned and operated company based in Lac La Biche, Alta. Started in 1996 by Vern McDonald, Swamp Cats specializes in environmental remediation, clearing, grubbing, heavy civil earthworks, oilfield construction, facility construction, underground utilities, decommissioning, demolition and more. The company noted that it is a strong believer that Aboriginal peoples have the moral right to develop an economy within their own culture and their communities, utilizing the inherent land and resources that is rightfully theirs. The company utilizes Aboriginal-owned businesses whenever possible.

Tahltan Nation Development Corporation

Located in B.C., Tahltan Nation Development Corporation (TNDC) is the business arm of the Tahltan Nation. TNDC pursues sustainable and responsible business and economic development opportunities in the region that lead to employment, training and business opportunities for Tahltan members. It provides heavy construction, earthworks, camp services, air support, aviation, energy, forestry, transportation and fibre optic communications services.

Smoke Architecture

Founded in 2014, Smoke Architecture is Anishinaabeg owned and operated. The Hamilton, Ont.-based firm provides complete architectural with a focus on First Nation and Indigenous projects. The firm says that its clients, guided by Elders and community leaders, hold hundreds of years of expertise on how and what to build in traditional Indigenous territories. See more of their work here.

Shxw’ōwhámél Ventures

Shxw’ōwhámél Ventures was established in June 2015 as a labour workforce and in a few short years, has become one of the most diversified nation-owned construction companies in B.C. Its goal is to actively pursue and participate on major projects within and around its traditional territory in Hope, B.C.

Steel River Construction Group

Steel River Group is an Indigenous-owned diversified management and development entity based in Calgary, Alta. The company says its mission to partner with Indigenous Nations and Peoples to maximize employment, education, ownership and entrepreneurial experience. The company’s noted that its governing principles are deeply rooted in Indigenous values, beliefs and culture. Steel River’s operating approach is centered around the company’s inclusive “ecosystem model”, which brings Steel River owned companies, Indigenous Nations and strategic alliance partners together over a shared vision and set of values.

Almiq

Almiq Contracting Ltd. is the eldest sister company of Quebec-based LFL Group. Its name comes from the names of the cities of Iqaluit, in Nunavut, and Alma, home communities of its partners. The company has a long history with architectural, mining, and industrial projects ranging in size from $30 million to $60 million. Quebec-based LFL Group is a family of general contractors specializing in projects of all sizes requiring high-level logistics. Some of the group’s recent work includes the construction of the naval facilities in Nanisivik, the hamlet office in Sanikiluak and a prefabrication plant in Arviat.

Points Athabasca

Founded in 1999, Points Athabasca is an Indigenous-owned civil, earthworks and industrial contracting company company known in the industry as an expert professional labour resource. The company says that building capacity is one of its key themes as they look for ways to go beyond job creation and make a positive long-term impact.

Kalmar

Kalmar Construction Ltd. is a registered Indigenous company and was incorporated in 1987, making Kalmar the longest operating, privately-owned construction company operating out of Fort St. John. It offes project management, general contracting services, design build services, and specialization in all aspects of concrete construction and building.

Cree-Con Construction

Cree-Con was founded in April 2012 by Dennis and Karma Hunter. It remains a family run, Indigenous-owned company in Edmonton that focuses on concrete placing and finishing. Their team has worked on Fox Tower, the Royal Alberta Museum and edmonton’s JW Marriot Tower.

Caribou Mountain Construction

Caribou Mountain Construction (CMC) is a division of The Little Red River Group of Companies LP (LRRG) based in High Level, Alta. Little Red River Group of Companies is 100% First Nation owned and has the goals of sustained growth and socio-economic freedom for the Little Red River Cree Nation. The company focuses on civil construction.

RAW Group

RAW Group, is a Certified First Nations Corporation operating out of Greater Sudbury Area with its headquarters located in Atikameksheng Anishinabek. The general contractor specializes in electrical work, pre-engineered buildings, HVAC maintenance, concrete, and civil works. RAW Group is a medium to large scope contractor competing primarily in the Industrial, commercial & Institutional sectors, with an operating range that spans Northern Ontario and beyond.

Double M Construction

Alberta-based Double M Construction Group is a 100% Indigenous owned company specializing in directional drilling services for Western Canada. Their focus is on directional drilling, hydrovac, excavating and pipeline trenching, project management, inspection and consulting services.

Makhos

Makhos is an Indigenous owned and operated business providing specialized staffing, training, consulting and construction services, with headquarters in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario. Makhos provides guidance to companies looking to advance their progressive aboriginal relations (PAR) journey. Primarily serving the power and construction services sectors, its objective is to support meaningful employment and create sustainable partnerships within the industries that it supports. The company recently formed a joint venture with Aecon to provide an Indigenous-led solution for high voltage transmission, distribution and substation work, and related maintenance on utilities and nuclear projects in Ontario.

Warrior Plumbing

Warrior Plumbing is a 100% Indigenous owned and operated mechanical contracting company located in North Vancouver, B.C. providing residential developers, builders and Indigenous landowners with comprehensive plumbing, gas fitting and HVAC solutions since 2010. Warrior Plumbing says it is the only fully owned and operated Indigenous mechanical services company in the lower mainland with Indigenous values woven throughout each stage of the mechanical systems process.

Akwesasne Earth Movers Construction Company

Akwesasne Earth Movers Construction Company is situated on the Saint Regis Mohawk Territory which straddles the U.S and Canada Border on the St. Lawrence River. This creates a unique situation for cross- border opportunities. It is an Akwesasne family-owned and operated company providing commercial construction, residential construction, excavation services, water and sewer services and marine capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

• 18 workers were sent to the hospital after a bus transporting them to a Coastal GasLink work camp flipped over.
• A union noted that its members, housekeepers for the Parsnip Lodge, were the ones injured. 30 members were aboard the bus.
• The union added that its members had raised concerns earlier this year about the four-hour roundtrip commute to site after they were told they could no longer be housed at the camp.

The Whole Story:

A group of workers involved in the Coastal GasLink project north of Prince George B.C. were injured when a bus transporting them to site flipped over.

All those injured are reported to be in good to fair condition after being hospitalized.  

The Friday crash prompted University Hospital of Northern BC to issue a Code Orange. The code is typically reserved for natural disasters and mass casualty events and is implemented to allow staff to focus on triaging treatment. Additional staff and managers can also be brought in as needed. In total, the hospital received 18 patients. Later that day, all were considered to be in good to fair condition, stated hospital officials. 

“We would like to thank our dedicated physicians, nurses and staff at UHNBC for their calm and coordinated response, and the excellent care provided to the individuals involved in this incident,” said Northern Health officials. “Thanks as well to our partners at BC Emergency Health Services who dispatched seven ambulances and support crews, and cared for and transported 15 people to hospital. Finally, thanks to Prince George and area residents for your patience, understanding, and support for our local health care providers.”

Officials with UNITE HERE Local 40 stated that the crash highlights concerns they raised with project officials earlier this year. 30 members of the union were aboard a bus that flipped over while traveling from Prince George to the project’s camp. The crash injured 18 people on the bus. The affected workers are housekeepers at Coastal GasLink’s Parsnip Lodge, the large majority of whom are immigrant women.

The union stated that its members had raised concerns about having to bus up to four hours to and from site each day. 

“Our first concern is with our members and their families who have gone through a terrifying experience,” said Zailda Chan, president of UNITE HERE Local 40. “This never should have happened. Workers told management that this was not safe. We expect Horizon North to work with the Union to ensure workers’ health and safety is prioritized and not put at risk.” 

Earlier this year, the union filed a grievance against Horizon North, which manages the project’s lodge, after management unilaterally moved all the housekeepers out of the camp and began bussing them to and from the site. The union stated that these workers are expected to travel up to four hours each day to and from camp, and along a forest service road, because they are no longer provided housing at the camp.

The union is calling on management to house lodge workers onsite, as they are required to do in the collective agreement. The union and management are currently in arbitration, which is expected to conclude this week.

*Editors Note: Horizon North has not yet responded to a request for comment from SiteNews

The spouse of a man killed by a crane collapse in Kelowna has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence caused her husband’s death. 

According to a notice of claim filed in the Supreme Court of B.C., Helen Furuya is suing Stemmer Construction and other unnamed companies and individuals for the death of her husband, Brad Zawislak. 

On July 12, 2021, Zawislak, a senior technologist at a civil engineering firm, was working in a Kelowna office building when catastrophic failure caused a construction crane to fall. The crane was being dismantled at the Brooklyn tower portion of the Bernard Block development. 

The 43-year-old died at the scene from his injuries. Four workers on site were also killed in the incident. 

According to the lawsuit, the collapsed was caused “in whole or in part by the negligence of the defendants, the particulars of which are yet to be known pending the results of both the Work Safe BC and Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigations”.

Last month, WorkSafeBC announced that it had completed its investigation into the incident but would not be releasing its findings as the RCMP’s criminal investigation was still underway. They have turned over their findings to officers. 

“Over the last 22 months, WorkSafeBC has worked with subject-matter experts and engineers to examine the crane components, sequence of events, and work procedures that took place during the crane dismantling process,” stated WorkSafeBC officials. “WorkSafeBC investigators also examined all relevant documentation and other evidence, in addition to conducting witness interviews.”

They added that the primary purpose of WorkSafeBC’s investigation has been to identify the cause of the incident, and any contributing factors, so that similar incidents can be prevented from happening in the future.

“A decision has been made, in consultation with the RCMP, to not release the WorkSafeBC investigation report publicly, at this time, to ensure it does not jeopardize the ongoing and concurrent criminal investigation,” said the group.

Gas up the car, back your bags or book those plane tickets. Dozens of construction events are taking place all over the country. There are opportunities to network, level up your skills and showcase what you or your company is doing in Canadian construction. Check out some of the events below.

*Editor’s Note: know of an event you think Canada’s builders should attend? Send an email to hello@readsitenews.com so we can add it to this list.

Emerging Leaders Group Mentorship Mixer / June 21 / Vancouver, B.C.

The inaugural Emerging Leaders Group (ELG) Mentorship Mixer will take place June 21st from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event, organized by the BC Construction Roundtable, will host some of Vancouver’s most influential leaders in the construction industry to discuss topics such as empathy and emotional intelligence, accountability and ownership, and empowerment and delegation. Based on the interests attendees provide in a pre-session questionnaire, they will be paired with three mentors throughout the night, with discussions occurring in small group settings.

Housing Supply Summit / Oct. 12 / Ontario

The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) plans to hold its third Housing Supply Summit on Oct. 12. The group is Ontario’s leading association of residential builders. The group stated more details about the event will be shared soon.

BC Construction Health & Safety Conference / Oct. 19-20 / Vancouver, B.C.

The BC Construction Safety Alliance has finalized the 2023 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference speaker roster. The conference will take place Oct. 19-20 at the Pinnacle Harbourfront Hotel in Vancouver. Presented by the Offsite Construction Network, the Offsite Construction Expo will be live in Toronto, Ontario, in June to offer all attendees a focused presentation of the abilities of offsite construction across all markets.

Offsite Construction Expo / June 21 / Toronto, Ont.

The Expo will be a one-day event on June 21 at Toronto’s Westin Harbour Castle. It will feature presentations and exhibits from offsite construction manufacturers and contractors, traditional contractors that have integrated offsite methods, offsite factories, transportation companies, architects, engineers, BIM suppliers, materials suppliers, and consultants of all types of offsite construction processes.

ConEX The Builders Expo / Sept. 28 / Saskatoon, Sask.

ConEX is the first-ever Saskatchewan construction trade show and conference. It will feature more than 100 booths to showcase the newest and most innovative products and services. It also includes networking opportunities, and presentations from public and private sector owners about their upcoming projects.

Canada PropTech Show / Aug. 22-23 / Toronto, Ont.

The Canada PropTech Show aims to bring together the country’s leading real estate owners, operators, developers and tech companies to facilitate technology adoption & innovation. PropTech companies, real estate owners, investors, service providers, startups and other players in the real estate ecosystem will converge in Toronto for two full days of conference, exhibition, networking and awards.

Buildex Alberta / Oct. 18-19 / Calgary, Alta.

Join industry peers from Architecture, Interior Design, Construction, Engineering, Property Management and Homebuilding & Renovation professions at the Calgary Telus Convention Centre for two days of networking, learning and finding new solutions. Buildex Alberta is a major opportunity for architecture, design, construction, and property management professionals to do business-to-business networking.

Trades Expo / Oct. 18-19 / Surrey, B.C.

The largest interactive trades even in the B.C., Trades Expo is for anyone interested in the trades. Youth, Women, Men, newcomers, and career changers, Trades Expo aims to provide a path to a sustainable career.

The Canadian Steel Conference / Sept. 26-27 / Toronto, Ont.

Modelling the best practices of the steel construction industry, the Canadian Steel Conference offers the opportunity for all participants to meet, exchange, collaborate and network with industry leaders and stakeholders. This CISC Conference also offers a comprehensive program of multiple business development, educational, and networking activities.

The Canadian Leadership Institute / Oct. 2-5 / Kananaskis, Alta.

The Canadian Leadership Institute features three intensive days of simulations, instructional time, assessments, and one-on-one coaching. For more than 20 years, FMI Corporation has been presenting Leadership Institutes to the American construction market. Now that training is available in Alberta thanks to a partnership with the Edmonton Construction Association.

The Buildings Show / Nov. 29-Dec. 1 / Toronto, Ont.

For 35 years, The Buildings Show features seminars, informative panels and thought-provoking roundtables. This year’s show will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Nov. 29 – Dec. 1. Last year’s show saw more than 13,000 visitors, 270 speakers and 478 exhibitors.

Road Builders Fall Business Conference / Sept. 17-18 / Kelowna, B.C.

Hit the road to mix and mingle with BC Road builders and Heavy Construction Association members at the association’s annual Fall Business Conference taking place Sept. 17-19 at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, B.C.

Better Buildings Boot Camp / June 19-23 / Virtual

The Sustainable Buildings Institute created the Better Buildings Boot Camp to bring together graduate and diploma students to learn how they can take responsibility for better buildings in the future. The program was created with input from sustainable building subject matter experts and faculty from George Brown College, Seneca College, University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University and York University.  

Meet the GC / Sept 13. / Ottawa, Ont.

Meet the GC is a new event designed to support meaningful connections between the Ottawa Construction Association’s general contractor members and its trade contractors, manufacturer and suppliers, and Industry service providers. This event will be part of a series that focuses on networking and connections. Each general contractor will be invited to the stage to give a brief summary of their firm, current and upcoming projects, and expectations for business in the year ahead. This will be followed by a networking opportunities. These events will be hosted multiple times across the calendar year.

Manitoba Building Expo / Oct. 17 / Winnipeg, Man.

Officials are getting ready for the ninth annual Manitoba Building Conference & Expo – a full day event dedicated entirely to designing, building, and managing commercial and institutional buildings. This Expo combines a tradeshow/product expo, educational seminars and a keynote luncheon. The event is a joint effort of the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) and the Building Owners and Managers Association of Manitoba (BOMA).

Ontario Association of Architects Conference / June 21-23 / Sudbury Ont.

The OAA 2023 Conference takes place in Sudbury from June 21 to 23. In addition to special events, award celebrations (including the SHIFT 2023 Health & Architecture Challenge), and networking opportunities. The event offers the opportunity for delegates to earn Structured ConEd hours in award-winning buildings, university campuses, and rugged settings in an experiential learning approach, with rich sessions covering a range of topics from long-term care and livability to cultural integrity and design in a post-COVID environment.

Justin McConnell has combined two of his passions, construction and photography, into a project that aims to put Toronto’s blue collar workers in the spotlight. McConnell’s company, Toronto Beyond Media, uses cameras, drones and his years of job site experience to capture the complex and dizzying work being done high above the city. To see more of McConnell’s work, check out his Instagram account.

SiteNews: How did you get your start in the construction sector?

Justin McConnell: Got my start in the tower crane / construction sector about five years ago after deciding to make some big changes with my life. Moved into the city from Peterborough, Ont. after a little help from a good friend of mine who was a safety supervisor within one of the tower crane companies.

Was fear of heights something that you had to overcome or did this kind of work come naturally to you?

I’d be a liar if I said heights didn’t bother me at the start. But with a lot of experience and day to day work involving working at extreme heights, you just learn to focus on the task in hand, and heights just become an everyday thing to deal with.

What sort of skills does it require to do crane erecting/mechanical work?

Skills involved with everything to do with tower cranes can range from being physically fit, problem solving, mechanically inclined but with that said, it’s very task-specific with cranes. These machines are changing every year and getting more and more computerized then ever. We all learn new things everyday which makes it more rewarding going into work everyday. Working within a team is extremely important as well. I could sit here until my fingers hurt trying to explain how tower cranes get erected, dismantled, climbed and jumped which is terms used to basically raise the crane up within the buildings. Some tower cranes climb on the external side of buildings which is a whole other world of raising the cranes up higher.

Has this sort of work given you a different perspective on the city of Toronto?

This line of work has given me a massive change in my view of the city. Literally. But just learning the process from the engineering, working with all the different trades that it takes to build these massive buildings is honestly more of an honour to be a part of.

How did you get interested in photography?

My story on the interest of photography is kinda funny actually. I was literally just laying there on a Saturday night not being able to sleep. Looking for another change. Something more. A hobby basically. I always knew I liked photography but there was just something sitting in the back of my mind with it all. So the next day I woke up bright and early and went to Henry’s downtown Toronto and purchased my first camera which is a Canon R6 mark 2. Working in the industry I do, there was this lightbulb that went off. I could give people a different look as to what these hard working men and women went through. Getting to know the right people I was able to go out alongside these men and women on my free weekend and take action shots. First the photos started. I made a social media account and wanted to stay blue collar specific. Unions started to see them, other companies started to see them along with just the general public. More and more people started to see what I was able to have access to with these amazing heights and Job locations. My first photos were published within the local 793 Operating Engineers Union Magazine and I couldn’t believe what was happening. But once again wanted to show more. I wanted to be “ that guy” that when I show up to a job site, everyone knew who I was and what I was showcasing to the world. So then came along the drone which the skills and knowledge involved with these amazing toys if you will, all just came as a natural talent for me. I was obsessed and in love with this passion that I had no idea was inside of me. I showcased to the world my first video of tower crane erectors prepping a tower crane downtown Toronto that no one in my mind in the GTA has seen before. The views and likes, comments and shares of this video blew up. And this is how Toronto Beyond Media came about. A hidden passion within myself that has lead me to meeting some amazing people and new friends. Where this is going to lead me, who knows. But I know it’s going to be somewhere I’ll never forget.

Why did you decide to start Toronto Beyond Media?

Toronto Beyond Media is Candid photos and action shots within the blue collar industry. It has started out with tower crane erectors, welders, iron workers and so on. I want to showcase anything and everything involved. It also involves video being captured with a DJI drone, and that to me has really given the people an amazing view and perspective on these extreme workers.

Did your experience in the construction industry help your videography/photography career?

I think my experience within my industry gives me a huge advantage with the general person that wants to film. I say this because when I film a dismantle or a tower being erected, I know all the different timelines and steps that are involved. So knowing when to fly at specific times and knowing what exactly to shoot, gives people the idea of how all this goes down.

What has been your most difficult/complex shoot so far?

I can’t say there’s really been a difficult shoot. I say this because wind, rain, and bad lighting all come into effect. If I know its going to be bad with any of these, the shoot just won’t happen. I am able to be alongside these men and women at their extreme heights to fly and capture images so obstacles that may come into effect, I am always aware of. I am honestly proud of every video and photo I take. And that’s because of the love I get from the fans of my work.

What do you find most visually interesting in construction as a photographer/videographer?

I think the most interesting part of all this is just how much the general population doesn’t know how much work, or what kind of work goes on within these industries.

What do you want to show about blue collar life through your images?

And once again, I wanna be the person who provides the utmost amazing, realistic, up close and personal views of these industries. I wanna “wow” people and really bring a new respect for these hard working men and women.

When it was started by drywall taper Garth Robertson in a B.C. shed, Robertson Wall & Ceilings did one residential job at a time.

45 years later it has grown into so much more.

The contracting company has gone on to work on some of the largest, most complex projects in the country: Mills Memorial Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital, The Stack in Vancouver, Amazon’s Vancouver headquarters, LNG Canada, Oakridge Centre and the list goes on. 

Garth’s sons, Rod and Larry, joined the wall and ceiling business in the early 2000s and have had a front row seat to the company’s growth. When the two came on board, Rod was an apprentice framer and Larry was an apprentice taper and finisher. 

“We did the hard yards and whatever we had to do to make the company run,” said Larry. 

When the olympics were announced for Vancouver, the Robertsons saw a major opportunity to go for the gold. 

“We decided, all three of us, that we were going to do as much as we can and take on as much Olympic work as we could,” said Rod. “We got a lot of random requests and we didn’t say ‘no’ to any of them.” 

This strategy brought in large projects, and the size and scope of the work the company could take on grew. 

“It’s been perseverance, hard work, but also not saying ‘no’ to opportunities,” said Larry. “To this day, if a customer has an out-of-the-box request, we look at it, analyze it, and if it makes sense, we do it.” 

Rod explained that the company has kept the same attitude and continues to push for work outside what they are used to.

“We had some opportunities come up in Kitimat, big opportunities, and we looked at it, weighed the risk, analyzed it and went for it. Now we’ve opened up a whole new revenue stream outside of Metro Vancouver. It’s pushing the comfort zone,” he said.

During the past 45 years, construction itself has changed. Projects have increased in complexity and digital tools are required by sophisticated general contractors. Rather than resist, the company has risen to the challenge. In 2015 a general contractor on Nordstrom’s Vancouver location pushed the company to use tablets.

“Nordstroms was a complex project, and what really impressed us was how they forced tech on us but we’ve never looked back,” said Larry.

Rod explained that the company now employs full-time BIM experts, has gone paperless for many of their processes, prefabricates difficult gypsum work and even uses GPS-assisted digital tools for layout. 

“Vancouver has become a real world class city in the past 15 years and the things designers are making are quite unique,” said Larry. “Sometimes they don’t make sense and it adds a layer of complexity that we have embraced as a company. Somebody has to build these buildings and customers are expecting you to step up to the plate.”

The brothers noted that the company has grown from a small family business into a large modern contractor with an experienced team. To represent this shift, the company recently launched a new name and new brand: RWC Systems.

“The company is a lot bigger than it used to be,” said Larry. “The Robertson name helped propel us to where we are but the company, but there are a lot of names in the business that aren’t Robertson. It brings fresh energy into the business and it’s a great, modern logo that represents quality and strength.”

Rod emphasized the immense value of RWC’s team. The company is careful about who they pick to join, are willing to promote from within and have no problem hiring from outside RWC’s  niche of walls and ceilings. He noted that one foreman has been with the company for 17 years and now his two children also work for the company – one in the office as a coordinator and one in the field as a lead hand foreman.

“When it comes to our longevity, a huge part of it is our staff,” said Rod. “Some of them have been with us for 25 years. “We do a lot of promoting from within. We train people up, promote them, and they often stay with us. This has helped us build a formidable force in the industry.”

The pair believe in their team so much that the eventual plan for RWC will be to transfer the reins over to them. But in the meantime, RWC is full speed ahead building.

“Looking ahead, we really want to be even more of a leader in the market we serve,” said Larry. “And also, potentially spreading to other parts of B.C. and Western Canada.”

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers found no shortage of job seekers for positions requiring a bachelor’s degree or more.
• Instead, these job shortages were attributed to a a mismatch between the skills required for the job or the wages offered.
• The evidence showed that national and local shortages of job seekers with appropriate education levels have been observed only for job vacancies requiring a high school diploma or less.

The Whole Story:

Not all labour shortages are created equal.

New research from Statistics Canada shows that the national labour shortage is more complex than one might think, particularly when it comes to jobs that require higher levels of education. 

Labour shortages are growing

According to researchers, In 2022, the number of job vacancies in Canada averaged 942,000, two and a half times the average of 377,000 observed in 2016. 

“The substantial growth in the number of job vacancies observed during this period has brought to the forefront the concept of labour shortages, the notion that, in some sectors of the economy, there might be an insufficient number of workers available to fill vacant positions,” wrote researchers.

The report explained that assessing whether there are enough workers to fill specific job vacancies is challenging because vacant positions have different skill requirements—minimum education, amount of experience, occupational and language skills—while workers may be competent in several occupations and have different skills, some of which are not captured in surveys.

To tackle this, researchers asked several questions:

• In recent years, has the national number of job vacancies requiring a given education level exceeded the number of job seekers with such an education?
• If so, in which regions has this greater number of job vacancies been observed?
• If so, for which education levels has this greater number of job vacancies been observed?

Educated job seekers exceed positions 

Statistics Canada answered these questions using data from the Job Vacancy and Wage Survey (JVWS) and the Labour Force Survey from 2016 to 2022. 

They found that during every quarter from 2016 to 2022, the number of unemployed individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher education exceeded the number of vacant positions requiring such an education. 

For example, 113,000 vacant positions required a bachelor’s degree or higher education during the fourth quarter of 2022, about half the number of unemployed individuals who had such an education and were either born in Canada or were landed immigrants (227,000). The total number of vacant positions requiring such an education (113,000) was even lower than the number of unemployed immigrants (123,000) with a bachelor’s degree or higher education.

Likewise, from 2016 to 2022, the number of unemployed individuals with a partial or complete postsecondary education always exceeded the number of job vacancies requiring such an education.

In contrast, the number of vacant positions requiring a high school diploma or less education exceeded the number of unemployed Canadians with such an education only since the third quarter of 2021. For example, during the fourth quarter of 2022, 497,000 vacant positions required a high school diploma or less education while 296,000 unemployed Canadian-born individuals and 70,000 unemployed immigrants had such an education.

Trend consistent across the country

Statistics Canada found the trend to not be isolated. During the third quarter of 2022—which recorded close to 1 million job vacancies nationwide—the number of vacant positions requiring a high school diploma or less education surpassed the number of unemployed individuals with such an education in all the economic regions. For example, Montréal had about 35,000 such job vacancies during this quarter while the number of unemployed individuals with a high school diploma or less education averaged about 18,000. During the third quarter of 2022, hourly wages offered in these vacant positions averaged at most $20.35 per hour nationwide.

Mismatch of skills and wages

The study found no evidence that the recruitment difficulties experienced by Canadian employers seeking to fill positions requiring some postsecondary or higher education can be attributed to a lack of job seekers with such education levels. Instead, they suggest that the source of these recruitment difficulties likely reflects several things: a mismatch between the skills required for the job or the wages offered and the skills possessed (or recognized by employers) by highly educated unemployed individuals or their reservation wages.

“A lack of concordance between the field of expertise required for the job and the field of study of job seekers or between the working conditions that prevail in some occupations and those desired by job seekers, the non-recognition of foreign credentials or foreign work experience, insufficient work experience, and inadequate language skills are examples of such mismatch,” write the researchers. 

Their conclusion was that not all job vacancies are equal. Some require relatively little education and offer relatively low wages while others require highly educated employees and offer relatively high wages.

“This article shows that employers’ difficulties to fill job vacancies requiring high levels of education cannot, in general, be attributed to a national shortage of highly educated job seekers or to local shortages of such job seekers,” they said.

A problem with nuance  

They concluded that for these jobs, there is potentially a large enough pool of highly educated workers at the national and local levels. But since these jobs are not homogenous, vacancies may arise because of a lack of concordance between the skills required for the job and the skills possessed by highly educated job seekers. A lack of individuals trained in specific areas, a lack of concordance between job seekers’ reservation wages and the wages offered in some vacant positions, and job seekers’ potentially imperfect knowledge about the existence of these vacancies may also be contributing factors.

The authors noted that the evidence shows national and local shortages of job seekers with appropriate education levels have been observed only for job vacancies requiring a high school diploma or less education. Furthermore, these shortages have been observed only recently, since the third quarter of 2021. 

“The degree to which these job vacancies can be attributed to labour shortages in specific low-skilled occupations instead of relatively low-wage offers and fringe benefits or other factors remains an open question,” they said.