The facility would produce 135 million batteries annually.
It is being jointly funded by Ottawa, B.C. and Taiwan-based E-One Moli.
With the creation of 450 jobs, E-One Moli would become the largest private-sector employer in Maple Ridge.
E-One Moli says the ‘gigafactory’ will be the world’s first ultra-high power battery plant powered 100% green energy.
The Whole Story:
Plans are underway to build a $1.05-billion lithium-ion battery cell production facility in Maple Ridge, B.C.
The project is a partnership between E-One Moli and the governments of B.C. and Canada. The facility would produce 135 million batteries annually and would be the world’s first ultra-high power battery plant powered 100% by green energy.
“As our province builds a stronger, cleaner economy, we open the door to immense opportunities in the private sector that value B.C. as a centre for innovation, investment and cutting-edge technology,” said Premier David Eby. “The new E-One Moli advanced manufacturing plant will create hundreds of good, local jobs and continue to establish B.C. as a leader in building a clean-energy future.”
With the creation of 450 jobs, E-One Moli would become the largest private-sector employer in Maple Ridge.
The province is contributing as much as $80 million to E-One Moli’s new facility in Maple Ridge, which will anchor the company’s North American production. The production facility will be Western Canada’s first high-performance lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facility, creating a new hub in the global battery component supply chain.
The province’s investment leverages $970 million from the federal government, E-One Moli and private sources. The plant will produce the latest generation of high-performance lithium-ion battery cells found in a wide range of products, including consumer electronics, such as vacuums, power tools, garden trimmers and medical devices.
E-One Moli produces the MOLICEL brand of batteries. – E-One Moli
“British Columbians have long been known for their innovation in the clean-technology space. Today, as we secure a major clean battery manufacturing project in Maple Ridge, we build on that expertise to secure hundreds of middle-class jobs, while fighting climate change,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who was in Maple Ridge for the annoucement. “The world is looking to Canada. When we support projects like E-One Moli’s new facility in Maple Ridge, we bolster Canada’s role as a global clean-tech leader, create good jobs and help keep our air clean.”
François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of innovation, science and industry, said the new facility will help expand the electrification of consumer products and offer new energy alternatives in sectors such as construction and health care.
“E-One Moli believes in total climate commitment as well as total care commitment and looks forward to producing a pure green battery to support the world’s energy transition,” said Nelson Chang, chairman, E-One Moli Energy (Canada) Limited and E-One Moli Quantum Energy.
As part of BC Hydro’s electrification plan, E-One Moli will be switching some of its plant from natural gas to electricity, as well as participating in the Load Attraction Program aimed at diversifying industries in B.C. wanting to connect to BC Hydro.
According to the province, the project will support the ecosystem development of a domestic critical-minerals supply chain providing a local alternative to the battery products that are predominantly manufactured in Asia.
Key Takeaways:
The Corner Brook Health Partnership team has completed work on new $750M Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Newfoundland and Labrador now has used public-private partnerships for four major infrastructure projects, including Western Memorial.
The Whole Story:
PCL announced that construction has been completed on time and on budget for the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The builder called it the latest public-private partnership (P3) success for the region’s healthcare projects.
“Reaching this important construction milestone at the new Western Memorial Regional Hospital is a testament to the collaborative efforts and commitment from everyone involved,” said Marc Pascoli, senior vice president and district manager at PCL. “From recording more than two million worker hours without a lost-time injury, to building one of the largest geothermal heating and cooling systems in a Canadian healthcare project to date, the Corner Brook Health Partnership team put our shared passion to work to bring the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and NL Health Services’ vision to life.
Pascoli called the hospital an important civic landmark and the next step in advanced healthcare for the province.
This month, the new hospital in Corner Brook was officially handed over by the Corner Brook Health Partnership (CBHP) to Dr. Andrew Furey, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. NL Health Services is now in operational control of the facility and will begin the process of moving equipment and staff to the new facility, with the goal of opening the new hospital to the public in spring 2024.
The seven-storey, 600,000 square foot facility has 164 beds, with the same services currently provided at the existing Western Memorial Regional Hospital. The new facility will also host an expanded cancer care program, including radiation services. The new hospital is connected to the 145 bed long-term care home opened in 2020, which was also constructed as a P3 project, combining to form a health care campus in the region.
The new hospital will maintain the same name as its predecessor, Western Memorial Regional Hospital. Earlier this fall, NL Health Services conducted a survey and consulted with community partners to consider options for the name of the new facility and found strong support for the existing name.
PCL noted that in addition to provide modern healthcare amenities, the new facility was designed to be environmentally-friendly infrastructure. The geothermal system in the facility will translate into electricity savings of approximately 4,600,000 kWh annually, which is enough to heat 500 homes for a year.
Key Takeaways:
$1.8 billion in federal and provincial funds combined will go towards creating new housing in Quebec.
The contribution corresponds to nearly 23% of $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund initiative that was launched this summer.
The funds are expected to directly create 8,000 social and affordable housing units.
Quebec has also committed to legislative amendments aimed at speeding up the development process.
The Whole Story:
Quebec and the federal government are joining forces to combat the housing crisis.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an agreement through the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), to finance residential projects in the province. Quebec will receive $900 million from Ottawa to get shovels in the ground to create new units.
The contribution corresponds to nearly 23% of the total HAF funding, the aim of which is to add at least 100,000 residential units over and above historical averages across Canada, over four years.
In its November 7 economic and financial update, the Quebec government announced that it will also invest $900 million, bringing the combined total of the two governments’ contribution to $1.8 billion in new funding for housing construction. This investment is expected to directly create 8,000 social and affordable housing units, 500 of which will be earmarked for clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Officials say the agreement will result in the creation of tens of thousands of additional housing units over the next few years in Quebec and will encourage regulatory reforms.
“Quebec is resolutely committed to pursuing its efforts to accelerate the construction of residential units in the province, based on the Act respecting land use planning and development and other provisions,” stated a release from the Government of Canada.
Officials explained that the Quebec government plans to set up an interdepartmental project acceleration unit in co-operation with Quebec municipalities, and will adopt new government policies for land use planning, with housing construction indicators on which municipalities will have to base their targets.
The province intends to propose legislative amendments – these are currently in the drafting phase and will be subject to adoption by the National Assembly – to improve urban densification and facilitate the authorization of residential building construction.
“We’ve heard Canadians and we’re working hard to build more housing, faster,” said Trudeau. “The agreement announced today is historic and supports Quebec’s efforts to ensure that all Quebecers have a safe and affordable place to live. Together with our provincial and municipal partners, we will continue to cut red tape and build the safe, affordable communities that Canadians need and deserve, from coast to coast to coast.”
Key Takeaways:
New proposed legislation would require municipalities to designate Transit Oriented Development Areas (TOD Areas) near transit hubs.
It is expected that approximately 100 TOD Areas will be designated in approximately 30 municipalities throughout B.C. within the first year of the new legislation coming into effect.
Preliminary analysis indicates B.C. could see approximately 100,000 new units in TOD Areas during the next 10 years.
The Whole Story:
B.C. wants to give transit-oriented development a major boost with new legislation.
“Building more homes near transit is good for people, communities, and helps make the most of transit, infrastructure and services,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “But layers of regulations and outdated rules are stopping this kind of development from becoming a reality in too many municipalities. That’s why we are taking action to remove barriers and deliver more transit-oriented communities, faster.”
The proposed legislation would require municipalities to designate Transit Oriented Development Areas (TOD Areas) near transit hubs. These TOD Areas are defined as land within 800 metres of a rapid transit station (e.g., SkyTrain station) and within 400 metres of a bus exchange where passengers transfer from one route to another (e.g., Newton Bus Exchange in Surrey).
The legislation would build on other work underway to facilitate more transit-oriented development. Earlier this year as part of Budget 2023, the province committed approximately $400 million to deliver thousands of units at or near transit over the next 10 to 15 years by accessing land that is suitable to be acquired near transit hubs and developing it.
“We’re working to leverage public lands to build more affordable housing in connected, livable communities,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “This legislation is the next step forward to help remove roadblocks and fast-track more transit-oriented development that works for people in their communities.”
Government officials explained that in some cases in B.C., higher-density neighbourhoods have been established around transit hubs, but in other cases, restrictive zoning bylaws and parking requirements, along with delayed development approvals, continue to slow down the delivery of homes and services near transit hubs.
In these designated TOD Areas, municipalities will be required to:
Permit housing developments that meet provincial standards for allowable height and density. The minimum allowable height and density is based on tiers – at its highest in the centre of the TOD Area – and will differ based on the type of transit hub (SkyTrain stop/bus exchange) and a municipality’s size, population and location.
Remove restrictive parking minimums and allow for parking to be determined by need and demand on a project-by-project basis.
Utilize standards and details in the provincial policy manual to provide consistency in the approach to developing TOD Areas.
Municipalities will still be able to require builders and developers to add parking to accommodate people living with disabilities. Commercial parking requirements will not be affected within TOD Areas. Builders and developers will be able to build as much parking as desired for a project but will not be required to meet a minimum standard of parking units.
Officials noted that modeling future scenarios cannot account for unforeseen circumstances, the changing nature of housing, real-estate markets and other factors, but preliminary analysis indicates B.C. could see approximately 100,000 new units in TOD Areas during the next 10 years.
To support the legislation, the province plans to create a provincial policy manual to support municipalities with setting their site standards and moving forward with proposed housing projects.
Following the release of regulations and the policy manual in December 2023, the lands that local governments have designated for transit-oriented growth in their official community plans will be immediately captured under the new minimum allowable density requirements included in the legislation.
For the remaining TOD Areas that require local government designation, municipalities will have until June 30, 2024, to designate these areas (pending regulation). It is expected that approximately 100 TOD Areas will be designated in approximately 30 municipalities throughout B.C. within the first year of the new legislation coming into effect.
Where a local government’s current zoning allows for less density than the new provincial minimum, the new increased minimum density must be allowed by the local government. However, local governments can approve higher density at their discretion.
The proposed legislation will advance alongside the proposed small-scale, multi-unit housing legislation (SSMU). Officials noted that while SSMU will add increased density near transit stops, TOD Areas that have higher density will take precedence over SSMU zoning should they overlap.
Key Takeaways:
The developments will be delivered by Canada Lands Company.
More than half the new homes will be in Ottawa.
Canada Lands Company is also announcing a new minimum affordable housing target of 20% across projects in its pipeline.
The Whole Story:
Federal properties will soon find a new purpose as homes.
Ottawa announced that six surplus federal properties will be developed into more than 2,800 new homes in Calgary, Edmonton, and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador and Ottawa.
By March 2024, Canada Lands Company will help deliver the following surplus federal properties to build more homes for Canadians:
Calgary: 516 homes at Currie
Edmonton: 711 homes, at the Village at Griesbach, including 93 affordable homes
St. John’s: 34 homes at Pleasantville
Ottawa: 307 homes at Wateridge Village, 600 homes at Carling Avenue, and 710 homes on Booth Street, including 221 affordable homes
With today’s announcement, Canada Lands Company is now on track to support the construction of more than 29,200 new homes over the next six years.
Canada Lands Company is also announcing a new minimum affordable housing target of 20% across projects in its pipeline. The new affordability requirement would apply where a municipal minimum requirement for affordable housing is lower or does not already exist.
As work continues to identify further assets that can be repurposed for housing, the federal government intends to introduce further measures to speed up this process and to identify more opportunities to build more housing.
“Our government is redoubling our efforts in the face of Canada’s housing crisis on several fronts,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of public services and procurement. “We are accelerating and streamlining the process of converting surplus federal properties into housing, and we are continuing to work with Canada Lands Company to enable the construction of additional housing units. Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to helping all Canadians have a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Key Takeaways:
Calgary is seeing significant year-over-year increases in housing projects values.
Multi-residential building went up 30% and and secondary suite work increased 80%
From July to September of 2023, Calgary builders and developers submitted 1,565 single/semi-detached residential, 281 multi-family residential and 543 commercial building permit applications.
The largest increase in applications for multi-residential building permit applications was seen in the townhouse and rowhouse categories
The Whole Story:
Calgary is seeing massive investment in a variety of residential construction types.
City officials reported that Q3 saw a continued increase year-over-year compared to 2022. Much of this value was driven by an increase in multi-residential buildings and secondary suites with an increase of 30% and 80%, respectively.
“Providing Calgarians with housing options is very important. On Sept. 16, Council approved Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy, to address the housing crisis. The upward trend in values for multi-residential building and secondary suite construction demonstrates the demand for different housing options,” said Ulrik Seward, manager of business and building safety approvals with development, building and business services. “We will continue to work with the development industry to enable them to provide more affordable homes for everyone.”
From July to September of 2023, Calgary builders and developers submitted 1,565 single/semi-detached residential, 281 multi-family residential and 543 commercial building permit applications. Proposals to redesignate land increased by 80% over the same period last year, with 119 applications submitted. Also, 128 applications to subdivide land were submitted, an increase of 45% during that time.
In new communities, applications for secondary suites are up by 114% over the same period last year, with 762 building permits applied for. In established communities 351 secondary suite building permit applications were received, an increase of 33% compared to Q3 2022.
“The growth in applications for secondary suites across Calgary are for both new builds and existing homes. This has helped us reach over 11,000 safe, registered secondary suites,” said Seward. “This will help us continue to increase the number of available safe and affordable housing options for renters and owners.”
The largest increase in applications for multi-residential building permit applications was seen in the townhouse and rowhouse categories. There has been a year-over-year increase of 35 % for townhouse applications and a 58% increase in rowhouse applications.
The city of Calgary received an overall 5,219 residential building permit applications (which includes, single/semi-detached, multi-family residential, residential improvements and renovation projects) from July to September of 2023, and 1,027 non-residential building permit applications. Year over year, building permit applications were 25 % higher than last year. During that same period construction values increased by 4% from $1.41 billion to $1.46 billion.
“The increase in building permit applications is a testament to our commitment to partnering with the development industry to build a great City,” said Seward. “Over the past several years we have been continuously improving our processes and offering new ways to make it easier for development to take place in Calgary.”
During the third quarter of 2023, the top 10 construction projects listed below were completed. These projects demonstrate a $797.6M investment.
YYC4 Project Maverick, a 2.6 million square foot Amazon warehouse in East Shepard Industrial, valued at $400M.
Arris Towers, a 42 storey, multi-residential building providing 500 units in East Village, valued at $131.1M.
Shawnessy Station, a six storey multi-residential building located in Shawnessy, valued at $38.9M.
Alt Hotel at University District is a 15-storey hotel with 155 units in University District, valued at $33.2M.
Saddletowne Circle Multi-Family is a four-storey building with 175 units located in Saddle Ridge, valued at $30.6M.
Northland Residential Village – South Building and Parkade, which is six-storeys with 113 units, is in Brentwood and valued at $27.1M.
West District – Block 3 is a five-storey residential building with 78 units in West Springs, valued at $17.9M.
Nolan Hill Apartments Phase Two Building Four, which is four-storeys with 86 units in Nolan Hill and valued at $16M.
Key Takeaways:
The new legislation would allow one secondary suite or one laneway home (accessory dwelling unit) in all communities throughout B.C.
Municipalities will also be required to allow up to six units on lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use, depending on size.
The legislation would shift local planning and zoning processes to happen up front and require municipalities throughout B.C. to expedite and streamline permitting by updating community plans and zoning bylaws on a regular basis.
The legislation would also phase out one-off public hearings for rezonings for housing projects that are consistent and aligned with the official community plans.
The Whole Story:
B.C. is opening up home development with sweeping zoning changes.
The province is introducing new legislation that would mandate that municipalities allow a minimum level of housing density and streamline the development process.
Officials say the changes will result in more small-scale, multi-unit housing, including townhomes, triplexes and laneway homes.
“Anyone looking for a place to live in a community they love knows how hard it is – and outdated zoning rules are making that even harder,” said Premier David Eby. “Constructing mostly high-rise condo towers or single-family homes means B.C. isn’t building enough small-scale multi-unit homes that fit into existing neighbourhoods and give people more housing options that are within reach. That’s why we’re taking action to fix zoning problems and deliver more homes for people, faster.”
Officials explained that historical zoning rules in many B.C. communities have led most new housing to be built mostly in the form of condos, or single-family homes that are out of reach for many people, leaving a shortage of options for the types of housing in between. They added that zoning barriers and layers of regulations have also slowed down the delivery of housing, making people go through long, complicated processes to build much-needed housing.
“The housing crisis has made it harder for growing families looking for more space, seniors looking to downsize, and first-time homebuyers who can’t find a home that meets their needs and budget,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing. “This legislation strengthens the vibrancy of our communities, while building the type of housing that will help us address the housing crisis.”
The proposed legislation and forthcoming regulations will permit one secondary suite or one laneway home (accessory dwelling unit) in all communities throughout B.C.
In most areas within municipalities of more than 5,000 people, these changes will also require bylaws to allow for:
three to four units permitted on lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use, depending on lot size;
six units permitted on larger lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use and close to transit stops with frequent service.
Municipalities covered by the legislation may permit additional density if desired, but cannot have bylaws that allow for fewer permitted units than the provincial legislation.
The province also plans to speed up local housing development approvals by shifting local planning and zoning processes to happen up front. It will require municipalities throughout B.C. to expedite and streamline permitting by updating community plans and zoning bylaws on a regular basis.
New proposed changes will also phase out one-off public hearings for rezonings for housing projects that are consistent and aligned with the official community plans. Instead, there will be more frequent opportunities for people to be involved in shaping their communities earlier in the process when official community plans are updated.
“Modelling future scenarios cannot account for unforeseen circumstances, the changing nature of housing, real estate markets and other factors, but preliminary analysis indicates the province could see more than 130,000 new small-scale multi-unit homes in B.C. during the next 10 years,” said officials.
To support implementation, the province said it will continue to provide local governments with resources to speed up approval processes, including the recently announced $51 million to support local governments in meeting the new density zoning requirements, and $10 million for the Local Government Development Approvals Program.
The province added that additional legislation to support housing, transit-oriented development and infrastructure will be introduced in the coming weeks.
The finalists have been named for this year’s Canadian Centre for Public-Private Partnerships’ (CCPPP) 2023 National P3 Awards.
Since 1998, the awards have celebrated and recognized Canada’s cutting-edge infrastructure projects involving public sector entities like governments and educational institutions partnering with the private sector. Individual leaders in the sector are also celebrated in the Champion Awards, which will be announced at the P3 2023 gala luncheon.
This year, the Council has retooled its project award categories to better reflect the changing dynamics of Canada’s P3 infrastructure pipeline and to highlight the need to create better, more resilient and longer lasting infrastructure for our communities.
“The awards committee is pleased to recognize a broad range of successful P3 partnerships in this year’s awards shortlist,” said Brad Nicpon, partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and chair of the national awards committee. “We congratulate the partners of each shortlisted project for demonstrating the efficiency and flexibility of the P3 model and look forward to formally announcing award-winning projects and individuals at P3 2023 next month.”
Here’s who is in the running:
P3 Transaction
Ontario Line – Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations & Maintenance Contract
Partners: Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario and Connect 6ix General Partnership (Plenary Americas, Hitachi Rail, Webuild Group, Transdev Canada, IBI Professional Services (Canada) Inc., NGE Contracting Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation)
Ontario Line – South Civil, Stations and Tunnel Contract
Partners: Metrolinx, Infrastructure Ontario and Ontario Transit Group (Ferrovial Construction Canada Inc., VINCI Construction Grands Projets, AECOM Canada Ltd., COWI North America Ltd., GHD Limited, SENER Group, Janin Atlas Inc., and Agentis Capital)
South Niagara Hospital
Partners: Niagara Health, Infrastructure Ontario and EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EllisDon Corporation, EllisDon Capital Inc., EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare, EllisDon Facilities Services Inc., and Parkin Architects Limited)
Thunder Bay Correctional Complex
Partners: Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General and EllisDon Infrastructure Justice (EllisDon Capital Inc., EllisDon Corporation, Zeidler Architecture Inc., DLR Group, and EllisDon Facilities Services Inc.)
P3 Design & Construction
Highway 104 Sutherlands River to Antigonish Twinning Project
Partners: Nova Scotia Department of Public Works and Dexter Nova Alliance GP (Municipal Enterprises Limited, Nova Construction Co. Ltd., BBGI SICAV S.A., DNA Design Build Limited, a joint venture between Dexter Construction Company Limited and Nova Construction Co.; and DNA Operations Limited, a joint venture between Municipal Enterprises Limited and Nova Construction Co. Ltd.)
Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto
Partners: Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General and EllisDon Infrastructure (EllisDon Capital Inc., EllisDon Design Build Inc., Renzo Piano Building Workshop, NORR Limited, EllisDon Facilities Services Inc. and SNC-Lavalin O&M Inc.)
Environmental, Social and Governance
Forensic Services and Coroners Complex
Partners: Infrastructure Ontario, Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General and CSS (FSCC) Partnership (Concert Infrastructure Ltd., Concert Infrastructure Fund and Dexterra Group)
Gordie Howe International Bridge
Partners: Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America General Partnership (ACS Infrastructure Canada Inc., Fluor Canada Ltd. and Aecon Concessions)
Library and Archives Canada’s Gatineau 2 Project
Partners: Library and Archives Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Plenary Properties Gatineau (Plenary Americas, PCL Investments Canada Inc., PCL Constructors Eastern Inc., B+H Architects, and EQUANS)
South Niagara Hospital
Partners: Niagara Health, Infrastructure Ontario and EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare (EllisDon Corporation, EllisDon Capital Inc., EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare, EllisDon Facilities Services Inc., and Parkin Architects Limited)
Key Takeaways:
Surrey’s Illegal Construction Enforcement Team was formed in 2022.
It’s mission is to enforce its bylaws and target residential construction that is done without permits, inspections, or compliance with safety standards.
Six demolitions were ordered after a recent enforcement blitz.
The Whole Story:
Surrey’s Illegal Construction Enforcement Team has been cracking down on unlawful construction work.
The city recently launched successful legal actions against six property owners who have illegally constructed buildings without permits, and in many cases have occupied the structures without permits and violated the BC Building Code. In all court cases, the building structures were ordered demolished.
“Building without proper permits is not only illegal but extremely reckless as it endangers the builders, occupants and neighbours,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The Illegal Construction Enforcement Team was put into place in 2022 to ensure construction projects comply with BC building safety codes and zoning regulations. The City of Surrey will continue to enforce its bylaws to the full extent whenever necessary. Property owners who engage in illegal construction should be aware that they may face legal action, demolition costs, and insurance problems.”
Here are the six cases:
Case 6 – Two property owners built an extension and laneway house that violated lot coverage, density, and setback restrictions. The structures were constructed without any building permits or requisite inspections and despite a stop work notice posted by the City. A court decision was made on Oct. 24, 2023 ordering the structures be demolished within 60 days of the city issuing a permit for demolition.
Case 5 – The property owners built an addition to their home and added a secondary suite without permits. The court order prohibited occupancy or use of the addition and secondary suite. The owners subsequently breached the court order and found them in contempt and ordered the owners to pay a fine totalling $6,000, plus a contingent fine of $13,000, and pay the City’s legal costs. A new hearing was set and heard on October 18, 2023 and the owners were ordered to demolish the home additions built without permits.
Case 4 – The property owners built an addition to their existing home without a permit. The property owner agreed to a consent order that required them to demolish the addition by December 16, 2022.
Case 3 – A property owner-built structures without permits, dumped fill on their land, and damaged trees. The court ordered them to vacate all the structures, demolish them within 90 days, remove the fill, and plant 16 new trees. The court order was issued on June 24, 2022.
Case 2 – A property owner added a second storey to their existing home without a permit and occupied the addition. The court ordered them to stop the occupancy, apply for a demolition permit within 30 days, and demolish the addition within 60 days after getting the permit. The court decision was made on July 18, 2023.
Case 1 – A number of property owners built a detached building on their land without permits and allowed someone to live in the building. The court ordered them to stop the occupancy, apply for a demolition permit within 15 days, and demolish the structures within 60 days after getting the permit. The court decision was made on July 11, 2023.
In 2022, the Illegal Construction Enforcement Team was put into place to enforce its bylaws and target residential construction that is done without permits, inspections, or compliance with safety standards. Beyond seeking compliance in court, the City of Surrey has also increased fines for illegal building activities.
Key Takeaways:
The final weld was done near Kitimat, B.C.
The milestone was achieved after five years of construction.
The work is the last step before mechanical completion which the team says is well on track for their year-end target.
The Whole Story:
After five years of construction, the Coastal GasLink project has achieved 100% pipe installation across the entire project route, connecting northeastern B.C. to LNG Canada’s facility on the west coast.
The final “golden weld” took place at the base of Cable Crane Hill in Section 8 West near Kitimat, B.C. earlier this month.
With that weld, all 670km of pipe has been welded, coated, lowered into the trench, tested, and backfilled. From the Wilde Lake Compressor Station near Dawson Creek to the Metering Station in Kitimat, physical construction on the project is now complete.
The work is the last step before mechanical completion which the team says is well on track for their year-end target.
While completion activities advance, the Coastal GasLink said its team continues to work on clean-up and reclamation along the route, including time sensitive work that must take place prior to the onset of winter.
Cable Crane Hill in Section 8 require specialized equipment to install pipe in difficult terrain. – TC Energy
This work will continue post mechanical completion and commissioning and also factors in erosion and sediment control (ESC) measures as required to protect the environment and meet commitments. Following mechanical completion, the team will be planning the introduction of gas.
The pipeline is designed to deliver 2.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of natural gas with the potential to deliver up to 5 bcf/d, through additional compression along the route.
The project runs from northeastern B.C. to the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, B.C. From there, LNG Canada will prepare the gas for export to global markets by converting the gas to a liquefied state (LNG).
Graham
Graham’s Daly Overpass team admires a prairie sunrise in Brandon, Manitoba. The project will include a new four-lane bridge with a separate pedestrian and active transportation bridge.
Ontario Line
Crews excavated 15 metres of a new sewer tunnel as part of the Ontario Line project. The 15.6-km subway line in Toronto will run from Exhibition Place, through downtown, all the way to the Ontario Science Centre.
Diamond Schmitt
Crews have officially topped off the Ottawa Public Library – Library and Archives Canada joint facility. The project team can now begin working on the building’s curved roof.
Clark Builders
Indigenous leaders help break ground on the Kainai Peacemaking Centre for the Blood Tribe near Cardston, Alta. According to Clark, new centre will serve a beacon of restoration, preserving communal bonds through traditional Blackfoot practices.
Wales McLelland shows off construction progress on its TransCold Distribution project. The 79,200 sq. ft. building will contain a state-of-the-art 51,000 sq. ft. freezer and cold dock. It also includes 10,500 sq. ft. of office and 10,100 sq. ft. of dry warehouse.
Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems
A helicopter delivers a Viessmann boiler to the Royal Inland Hospital Phase 2 project roof. According to Pitt Meadows Plumbing, Viessmann boilers are renowned for their energy efficiency, reliability and sustainability. EllisDon, Coldstream Helicopters Ltd, and EagleWest Cranes worked with Pitt Meadows Plumbing to achieve a successful delivery.
JEN COL Construction finishes the last few details on the new Theresa C. Wildcat Early Learning Centre in Maskwacîs, Alta.
Fraser Crossing Partners
A group of students from the UBC Steel Bridge engineering design team visit the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project.
The shot of the month goes to…
Aecon
Aecon announced that the NouvLR team on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) project has completed the central wall of the REM tunnel under Mount Royal – revealing the two distinct tracks.
It’s a childhood memory almost everyone shares. Taking a shovel somewhere in the woods and seeing how deep you can dig.
These teams are digging on a whole other level with their massive tunneling projects. When you can’t go over or around, sometimes your best option is to go underground. Tunnels are critical for a wide range of infrastructure, including roads, water treatment, power generation, transit and much more.
The George Massey Tunnel Replacement
Originally planned to be a bridge, this replacement for the aging George Massey Tunnel has been a long time coming. After spending years of studies and political disagreements, the $4.15B project now has three short-listed bid teams. The project involves building a new toll-free, eight-lane tunnel along Highway 99 between Richmond and Delta. The winning team is expected to be chosen next spring.
Broadway Subway
Broadway Subway
Big things are happening underneath the streets of Vancouver. The Broadway Subway Project is a 5.7 km extension of the Millennium Line, from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway and Arbutus. 700 metres will be elevated, extending from VCC-Clark Station to a tunnel portal near Great Northern Way. Five kilometres will be tunneled below the Broadway Corridor. The tunneling is being done by two boring machines, named Phyllis and Elsie. Just this month, Phyllis broke through to the fourth of six underground stations planned. But don’t fret. Phyllis won’t be lonely long. Elsie is expected to reach the same point later this fall. The new line is scheduled to open in 2026.
Burnaby Mountain Tunnel
Trans Mountain
What’s the quickest way to get past a mountain? You go right through it. As part of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, crews will use a tunnel to connect Burnaby Terminal and Westridge Marine Terminal. The team says this avoids impacts on residents and existing infrastructure. Trans Mountain’s contractor, Kiewit Ledcor TMEP Partnership (KLTP) will used a tunnel-boring machine to construct the 2.6-km tunnel through Burnaby Mountain. Drilling wrapped up last September after 225 mining days with 20 hours of mining per day.
Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine Tunnel repairs
Quebec Transport Ministry Archives
Sometimes an old tunnel just needs a bit of sprucing up. Quebec officials are hoping $2.5 billion in repairs will keep the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel, which connects the island of Montreal to the South Shore, in service for the next 40 years. The main interventions in the tunnel consist of major structural rehabilitation, upgrading operating equipment, redesign of service corridors and adding fire protection. Crews are currently repair the tunnel’s tube structure and carrying out the reconstruction of concrete slabs on Autoroute 25. Work is expected to wrap in 2026. The tunnel opened to traffic in 1967.
Hydro One Tunnel
This year Hydro One, Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution service provider, launched construction on a new tunnel that will run 85ft below ground in downtown Toronto, from the Esplanade to Bay and Dundas. The tunnel will be 12ft in diameter, approximately the size of three park benches, and will house new transmission cables, replacing cables that have served Toronto’s downtown core since the 1950s. Hydro One is investing approximately $120 million dollars in the infrastructure renewal project.
Twin SEM Tunnels Project
What’s cooler than digging one tunnel? Digging two tunnels, of course. But it wasn’t easy. Toronto’s Highway 401/409 Twin SEM Tunnels Project involved construction two rail tunnels under 21 active lanes of highway traffic, alongside the existing active rail corridor, and had to be completed with zero impacts to either active transportation system. The complex project, expanding the Kitchener GO corridor as part of Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail program, was developed by Toronto Transit Partners, a consortium consisting of EllisDon, STRABAG, WSP, Dr. G. Sauer & Partners, and Jensen Hughes. Their efforts did not go unnoticed. The team was awarded the the 2022 Project of the Year over $100 million by the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC).
Ashbridges Bay Treatment Plant Outfall
Hatch
The largest subaqueous (a fancy way of saying “underwater”) tunnel to be built in Toronto, the Ashbridges Bay project is already turning heads. It won Tunneling Project of the Year from the TAC, the 2021 and 2023 TAC Canadian Innovation Initiative Award, and Bentley’s Year in Infrastructure 2020 Awards for digital delivery advancements. The new outfall is expected meet peak design flows under highest recorded lake water level conditions while achieving regulatory standards. It will be one of the largest outfalls constructed in North America and is designed to significantly improve water quality along Toronto shorelines and contribute to improve the overall environment of the region.
AECOM has been appointed technical advisor for the Hamilton LRT project by Metrolinx.
The project is a 14-kilometre transit line will be the Hamilton, Ont.’s first light rail transit system and will be designed to accommodate expected future growth and development, improve connectivity and attract economic development in the rapidly growing area.
“As Ontario advances its record investment in public transit, we look forward to working with Metrolinx and our partners to support a more connected and economically vibrant Hamilton through accessible and sustainable transportation,” said Richard Barrett, chief executive of AECOM’s Canada region. “AECOM has played a critical role in light rail projects across Ontario and Canada, and our teams are excited to deploy their depth of experience and local expertise to deliver this transformative project.”
AECOM says its integrated team will be supporting Metrolinx on the delivery of the full breadth of infrastructure for the Hamilton LRT.
“World-class transit is critical to urban development, especially as we seek to design more sustainable cities,” said Mark Southwell, chief executive of AECOM’s global transportation business. “This project will set Hamilton apart as a leader in public transportation, preparing it for a more livable, low-carbon future. As we deliver major transit projects across the globe, the Hamilton LRT is the latest example of how our Sustainable Legacies strategy continues to improve social and environmental outcomes for communities.”
Infrastructure improvements will span the entire project corridor, and include:
Replaced sewer
All new watermains
New gas mains
New hydro lines
New telecommunications lines
Restored sidewalks and roads
One of Alberta’s largest public infrastructure projects ever is nearing completion.
Officials anticipate that all work for the Calgary Ring Road will be done early next year. The Calgary Ring Road project, also known as the Stoney Trail project, began construction in the early 2000s.
Earlier this year, construction of the new West Bow River bridge and new interchanges at Old Banff Coach Road and Bow Trail opened for traffic.
The province stated that these openings have cut travel times for drivers by up to 20 minutes and have vastly improved travel times for commercial carriers. When fully completed, the Calgary Ring Road will provide 101 kilometres of free-flow travel.
“I’m excited to announce the Calgary Ring Road is one step closer to being finished,” said Devin Dreeshen, minister of transportation and economic corridors “We are delivering on making life better for Albertans through the completion of this section for this major project, which means faster commutes, less panic getting kids to school or practice, quicker trips for groceries and a whole lot less stress.”
Construction of the West Calgary Ring Road is the final piece of the entire ring project, and the focus is now shifting to the final phase between Bow Trail and Highway 8, which is on track to be complete in 2024. Government documents show it has an estimated cost of $1.2 billion.
The West Calgary Ring Road includes:
More than nine kilometres of new road.
Five kilometres of upgrades to the Trans-Canada Highway.
Six interchanges and 29 bridges.
Three sections: South Project between Highway 8 and Old Banff Coach Road, North Project between Old Banff Coach Road and the Trans-Canada Highway, West Bow River Bridge.
The West Bow River Bridge is located north of the Trans Canada Highway/16 Avenue NW.
A map shows the various sections of the Calgary Ring Road. – Government of Alberta
Key Takeaways:
Three teams have been shortlisted to submit proposals for the competitive selection process to enter into a Design Early Works Agreement for the project.
The province expects to have a team chosen by spring 2024.
The $4.15-billion project is being procured through a Progressive Design-Build with Target Price model. Officials say this approach allows design to progress concurrently with the environmental assessment.
The Whole Story:
The Massey Tunnel Replacement is one step closer to getting shovels in the ground.
Three bid teams have been invited to participate in the next phase of procurement for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel with a new toll-free, eight-lane tunnel along Highway 99 between Richmond and Delta.
“We are moving ahead on delivering improvements for the thousands of people who rely on this crossing each day and for better goods movement across the region,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Advancing the new tunnel will also increase trade to the United States and support a vital link to Vancouver International Airport.”
The teams invited to submit proposals for the competitive selection process to enter into a Design Early Works Agreement with the province are:
Following the evaluation of submissions to the request for proposals, the province will choose the project’s design-build team. It is anticipated the team will be on board in spring 2024.
Concurrent with procurement, the Fraser River Tunnel Project continues to work its way through the B.C.’s environmental assessment process. The project received its readiness decision in September 2023.
The new crossing will be an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel with three general-purpose travel lanes and a dedicated transit lane in each direction. The new tunnel will also feature a separate multi-use path to support pedestrians, cyclists and other active transportation options.
The project also includes replacing the existing Deas Slough Bridge and the addition of a southbound general-purpose lane on Highway 99 between Westminster Highway and Steveston Highway in Richmond.
Last year crews broke ground on the five-lane Steveston interchange in Richmond as part of the project that will see the George Massey Tunnel replaced with a new crossing. – Province of B.C.
With the new tunnel and approaches in place, travel is expected to flow at 80 kilometres per hour, unlike the current average of 30 km/h.
Construction of a new five-lane Steveston Interchange is underway and on track for completion in 2025. Cycling and transit improvements along the corridor, including an extension of bus-on-shoulder lanes south of the existing tunnel, are nearing completion.
The Fraser River Tunnel Project is being procured through a Progressive Design-Build with Target Price model. Officials say this approach allows design to progress concurrently with the environmental assessment. The estimated cost of the project is $4.15 billion.
Key Takeaways:
Umicore is proceeding with the first phase of the project, which is worth $2.1 billion.
The facility will manufacture cathode active materials (CAM) and precursor cathode active materials (pCAM), critical components for producing electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Together, the federal government and Ontario are contributing $975 million for the project.
Work is expected to begin later this year and commissioning is expected to occur in 2025.
The Whole Story:
Umicore is proceeding with the construction of a $2.1 billion battery materials production plant in Ontario.
The full $2.7 billion project will be executed in multiple stages. Umicore announced it will proceed with the first $2.1 billion stage, of which $1.8 billion is capital expenditures. It will create a battery materials production capacity of 35 GWh annually.
Umicore stated that combining the production of precursor (pCAM) and CAM, the most critical components for a rechargeable battery’s performance, the production facility will complete the missing link in North America’s EV battery value chain, from natural resources to EVs. The plant will be fully equipped to produce advanced high-nickel technologies and is prepared for future battery chemistries, including manganese-rich HLM and solid-state batteries.
The engineering and permitting process is ongoing and Umicore expects to begin construction on the 350-acre plot of land later this year. The plant is expected to be commissioned at the end of 2025.
The project will receive substantial support from the government. Based on the full scope of the envisioned project, the Government of Canada is contributing up to $551.3 million, while Ontario is supporting the project with up to $424.6 million.
“Umicore is proud and delighted with the unwavering support and financial backing of Canada and Ontario. Their readiness to co-fund our investment coupled with the announcement of our first customer contract for the Loyalist plant mean we can forge ahead with the construction,” said Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore. “We are committed to being a reliable transformation partner for the automotive and battery industry and a trustworthy neighbor for the communities in Ontario.”
The project site is located at about 25 km from Kingston in Loyalist . Umicore says this puts it at the heart of Canada’s automotive technology cluster. They added that Its location offers critical advantages such as customer proximity, access to a highly skilled workforce, key infrastructure and renewable energy.
A rendering shows the preliminary design for Umicore’s battery materials facility in Ontario. – Umicore
The company stated that the plant’s production will be carbon neutral from the start using renewable energy only. During the construction phase, the plant is expected to generate approximately 1,000 employment opportunities, while several hundred highly skilled positions will be created in operations.
“Umicore’s investment represents another strong vote of confidence in our rapidly growing electric vehicle and battery supply chain,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. “Together, with our government, industry and labour partners, we’re putting our auto sector back on the map, attracting billions of dollars in new investments, creating thousands of new good-paying jobs and ensuring the cars of the future will be made in Ontario, from start to finish.”
Key Takeaways:
The plan will fast track 2,600 housing units over the next three years.
Halifax will make sweeping changes that relax zoning requirements, speed up permitting and encourage pre-approved building plans.
The plan is expected to generate 8,866 new homes over the next decade.
The Whole Story:
The Government of Canada and the Halifax Regional Municipality announced that they have reached an agreement to fast track 2,600 housing units over the next three years. This work is expected to help spur the construction of over 8,866 homes over the next decade.
The agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will provide over $79.3 million to eliminate barriers to building housing. Through its Action Plan, Halifax aims to improve permitting processes, reduce upfront costs for permitting and incentivize the use of pre-approved building plans.
It will also develop an incentive program for conversions from commercial to residential and create incentives for small scale residential. Halifax will also encourage development along transit corridors, expand the current Affordable Housing Grant program, update its heritage preservation policy and resource a program to identify surplus land for affordable housing.
Through the agreement, Halifax will also allow for the construction of four residential units on one lot, increase density and student rentals within walking distance of post-secondary institutions, and create an affordable housing strategy, including a non-market component, with staff dedicated to it.
Additionally, Halifax has committed to zoning changes that will increase density via greater height, reduced parking requirements and increased as-of-right development approvals.
The goal of the Housing Accelerator Fund is to cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000 new homes for people across the country. To receive funding, local governments must submit innovative action plans that include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density and encouraging affordable housing units.
“Today’s announcement will help fast track over 2,600 permitted units in the next three years and 8,866 homes over the next decade,” said Sean Fraser, minister of housing. “By working with cities, mayors and all levels of government we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”
Ontario’s Greenbelt scandal is unfolding at a rapid pace. But it’s not the only major drama that has emerged from the construction sector and it certainly isn’t the largest. Although, take that with a grain of salt as the criminal investigation has only just begun. In the meantime, check out some the other recent scandals that grabbed headlines across the country.
Winnipeg Police Headquarters
The city of Winnipeg won a civil case against its former chief administrative officer after accusing him of conspiring with builders to manipulate procurement, drive up costs and get rid of undesirable contractors for the city’s downtown police headquarters project. The court found that Phil Sheegl worked to extend deadlines, lower bonding requirements, leak confidential information and sever a design contract to benefit Caspian Construction. The civil case came following a five-year RCMP investigation into Caspian Construction that resulted in no criminal charges. Despite the long investigation, officials felt there was not enough evidence. Sheegl lost his appeal of the civil case was ordered to pay $1.1 million. Other defendants related to the scandal agreed to settle lawsuits for no less than $21.5 million.
The SNC-Lavalin corruption case
The scandal involved allegations of corruption, fraud, and bribery related to SNC-Lavalin’s business dealings in Libya. The massive Quebec-based construction and engineering firm was rebranded as AtkinsRéalis this year. It was revealed that the company had allegedly paid bribes to secure contracts in Libya, violating Canadian law. In 2015, the RCMP charged SNC-Lavalin with corruption and fraud in connection with over $48 million in payments to Libyan officials between 2001 and 2011. The Trudeau government faced criticism for attempting to pass legislation that would allow SNC-Lavalin to avoid a criminal trial and instead enter into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA). The scandal resulted in multiple high-level goverment resignations. The company was found guilty of fraud and corruption after a criminal trial in 2019.
The Charbonneau Commission
The Charbonneau Commission was a Quebec public inquiry established in 2011 to investigate the province’s construction industry after growing concerns of corruption, bid rigging and collusion. The commission found that organized crime groups had infiltrated the construction sector, exerting influence and seeking to profit from corrupt practices. It also highlighted connections between corrupt practices and political financing, suggesting that construction companies made contributions to political parties in exchange for favorable treatment in the awarding of contracts. The commission called for enhanced transparency in public contract awarding, improved regulation and oversight, and establishing measures to prevent corruption and collusion. It’s hard to overstate the impact of the commission. The resulting crackdown was massive, resulting in many arrests and convictions of construction leaders as well as government officials.
Investors Group Field
Back in 2011, The NDP approved $160 million in loans to build a new stadium for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The resulting project has led to lawsuits, allegations of poor construction and millions of dollars in repairs that have taken years. The various parties have argued in court over who is responsible for water damage caused by insufficient drainage in the building, as well as inadequate insulation, widespread cracking in the concrete and dozens of other issues. Following the completion of the project one year later than expected, the province approved $35 million in loans for fixes.
The McGill University Health Centre
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) bribery scandal revolved around the construction of the MUHC, a large healthcare facility in Quebec. The project was estimated to cost over $1 billion and aimed to centralize several hospital facilities into a single state-of-the-art medical complex. SNC-Lavalin (now known as AtkinsRéalis) faced allegations of offering bribes to secure the contract. Arthur Porter, a Montreal doctor and the hospital’s CEO, received more than $22 million in consulting fees from the firm before awarding them the contract. He died of Cancer in a Panama prison while awaiting extradition back to Canada. In total, nine were charged.
Tony Accurso case
A Quebec judge called it one of the worst examples of municipal corruption to ever come before a Canadian court. The case centered on allegations of corruption and collusion in the awarding of public contracts. Construction mogul Tony Accurso was accused of being part of a network of businesspeople who engaged in fraudulent practices, including bid-rigging and bribery, to secure public contracts in the construction sector. The kickback and fraud scheme lasted between 1996 and 2010 and involved former Laval, Que. Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt, who eventually pleaded guilty to fraud-related charges and received a six-year sentence. In 2018, Tony Accurso was found guilty on several charges related to corruption and fraud. He was sentenced to four years in prison. Just this year, his appeal in the case was denied. This is just one of several major cases that stemmed from the Charbonneau Commission crackdown.
Ontario’s Greenbelt
Ontario’s Greenbelt is a special zone that was created to protect farmland, communities, forests, wetlands and watersheds. It also preserves cultural heritage and supports recreation and tourism in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe. In an effort to address the province’s growing housing issues, officials decided to open up part of the Greenbelt to development. However, when the dust settled, the auditor general found that the deals were rushed, did not follow proper protocols, heavily favoured a small group of developers and did not consider environmental impacts. The scandal resulted in the resignation of several cabinet members, the deals being reversed and the launch of an investigation by the RCMP. Get a timeline of scandal here.
Alberta is getting its court infrastructure in order with a series of construction projects.
Red Deer is getting a new building with additional courtrooms while Brooks, Hinton and Peace River will see renovations to the existing courthouses to make them more user-friendly and to provide updated security, privacy and accessibility features.
Red Deer Justice Centre
With an investment of more than $200 million, construction of the new Red Deer Justice Centre is nearing completion. Once finished, it will have 12 courtrooms ready for use, an increase from eight at the current facility. This will allow more cases to be heard at one time so matters can proceed faster. A $200,000 investment in Budget 2023 will support a planning study to build out four additional courtrooms, which, when complete, will bring the total number of courtrooms to 16.
The justice centre will also have spaces for people taking alternative approaches to the traditional courtroom trial process, with three new suites for judicial dispute resolution services, a new Indigenous courtroom with dedicated venting for smudging purposes, and a dedicated suite for alternative dispute resolution services such as family mediation and civil mediation.
Albertans continue to access court services at the existing Red Deer courthouse while the new centre is being built.
“Upgrading our province’s courthouses gives Albertans a more secure and comfortable experience when they need to visit court. By building a new justice centre in Red Deer, we are taking steps to increase capacity in the justice system to keep up with demand,” said Mickey Amery, minister of justice and attorney general
Brooks courthouse
The upgraded Brooks courthouse is fully operational, as renovations were completed in August.
A $4.6-million investment by Alberta’s government enabled many improvements to the courthouse, including a new public waiting area, vulnerable witness room, holding cells, prisoner dock and other updates. Alberta’s government is also investing in upgrades to courtroom audiovisual equipment at the Brooks courthouse.
Hinton courthouse
Alberta is contributing $2.7 million for accessibility improvements to the Hinton courthouse. Improvements include wider entrances and more accessible handicap buttons at the main entrance and public washrooms, and more space at security screening areas. Renovations began in July and are expected to be complete by the end of the year. In the meantime, Albertans are accessing court services at the nearby Pembina Place building.
Peace River courthouse
To increase accessibility, Alberta is providing $250,000 for a barrier-free access project at the courthouse in Peace River. Operations are expected to continue without disruption during renovations, which will begin next month.
“The Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch has long been calling for upgrades to Alberta’s court infrastructure through our Agenda for Justice, including improving courtroom technology to make virtual appearances more widely available, improving physical accessibility to ensure that all Albertans can safely access court facilities, and improving capacity to address our province’s growing population,” said Kyle Kawanami, president, Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch. “We are pleased to see these improvements underway, and look forward to continued investments in Alberta’s court infrastructure and modernization.”
The Government of Canada and the city of Hamilton announced that they have reached an agreement to fast track over 2,600 housing units over the next three years. Officials say the work will help spur the construction of over 9,000 homes over the next decade.
The agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will provide over $93.5 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. It is the largest agreement so far made with the fund. It will allow for high-density development near rapid transit, including the future Hamilton LRT stations and make city-owned lands and brownfields available for development.
Hamilton has also committed to expanding as-of-right zoning permission for housing, including amending a zoning by-law to allow for the construction of four residential units on one lot.
The Housing Accelerator Fund asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.
“Today’s announcement will help fast track over 2,600 permitted units in the next three years and 9,000 units over the next decade,” said Sean Fraser, minister of housing. “By working with cities, mayors and all levels of government we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.”
