Nearly 30,000 single-family homes have been demolished in Metro Vancouver since 2012, with projections showing another 15,000 will be torn down in the next five years due to upzoning. This translates to about 300 million pounds of lumber headed to landfills.
Erick Serpas Ventura, founder of VEMA Deconstruction, advocates for dismantling homes to salvage and repurpose high-quality lumber, particularly Douglas fir, for new builds.
VEMA is collaborating with academic institutions and industry partners to grade reclaimed wood and manufacture prefabricated wall panels from 70% salvaged lumber. These panels are already being used in new builds and retrofits.
The Whole Story:
Mountains of lumber from crushed and ripped-up B.C. homes sit in a Delta landfill, with birds circling above. For some, it’s a sign of progress as demolition is making way for new housing, but for deconstruction experts like Erick Serpas Ventura, it’s a massive missed opportunity that he is working to unlock.
“It’s brutal,” said Ventura, who recently visited the landfill to truly take in how much construction material is being dumped. “I don’t want to leave this for my kids. This is our legacy; we’re only here once, and this is what we leave them? It’s not great. I feel like people don’t know in this picture that it’s their house. They think it’s gone, and then who cares?”
New research found that nearly 30,000 single-family homes were demolished in Metro Vancouver between 2012 and 2023 to make way for higher-density developments, with demolitions expected to increase by 35% over the next decade due to upzoning policies.
“We’re looking at about 15,000 homes that will be demolished in the next five years,” said Ventura. “We calculated that is about 300 million pounds of lumber that will go to the landfill. And that’s a lost opportunity.”
Through his company, VEMA Deconstruction, Ventura is working to not only salvage material. He wants to come full circle, championing efforts to use historic lumber harvested from aging homes to build new structures. For him, Vancouver’s character homes are part of his own story. His family moved to the region when he was just 3 and a half years old, and he grew up in a three-storey character home in the Riley Park neighbourhood in Vancouver, which helped him feel connected to the Canadian experience.
“You were able to weave yourself into the fabric of Canada, which was great as an immigrant,” he said, remembering the smell of the lumber and getting his first Nintendo under the Christmas tree. “A drunk driver went right through the basement of that house when I was six or seven years old. Because of that strong Douglas fir, it didn’t collapse.”
After spending a decade in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Ventura sought a new way to give back to his community. He began preparing for a career in passive house construction, but after learning about deconstruction, he was hooked.
“I felt I could have a better environmental impact, and I always looked to give back to my city, which has accepted me and my family,” he said.
He believes the deconstruction sector has massive potential to divert material from landfills and build new affordable homes. While reclaimed wood has been chiefly used to create architectural elements and furniture, Ventura envisions remixing these old materials to build entire structures.
“We are one of the few provinces with a different type of lumber used to build homes in the past: Douglas fir,” explained Ventura. “95% of Canada used SPF to build homes in the past, so what we have is very special. It’s old growth forest material that is 2,000 years old, but it’s gone and unavailable to use anymore.”
First, these woods have to be categorized and tested. 1920s and older is called first growth era material. From 1920 to 1945 is Antique and 1945 to 1990 is Vintage lumber containing Douglas fir lumber. Anything from 1990 onwards is Modern lumber SPF.
“The first-growth era lumber is great for architectural elements, hobbies, crafts, furniture,” said Ventura. “Then the vintage is the right dimension for building homes for their characterisation that its 1.5×3.5 dimensions and a lot of the lumber comes with a grade stamp suited, especially well for prefab and modular builds.”
Not only is VEMA working with the National Lumber Grading Association and university researchers from UBC and the University of Alberta to officially grade reclaimed lumber. They have partnered with Kiwi Innovation and Footprint Design to create prefabricated wall panels made from 70% deconstructed lumber.
Ventura explained that this reduces construction costs, speeds up builds, and keeps these storied materials in the built environment rather than tossing them aside.
“We’re changing an industry, disrupting it and professionalizing it,” said Ventura. “It’ll come to the point one day where it will just be deconstruction doing tendering on bids. And only if it cannot be deconstructed will demolition be allowed to bid.”
It’s not just theoretical. VEMA and its partners are using the prefab panels to build a 3,700-square-foot, net-zero energy-ready, carbon performance EL-4 home in North Burnaby. They are also working with Best Builders to retrofit a 1908 character home and infill the rear of the property to build a new home out of reclaimed material panels.
“There’s a lot of support from the community,” said Ventura. “I just think right now what’s lacking is education. People don’t know that after their home is crushed, it goes to the landfill. And deconstruction doesn’t cost more, and it doesn’t take longer.”
For this week’s big list, we stacked up some of the coolest modular builders in Canada who are pushing this innovative approach forward. Check out the video below, and make sure to subscribe for more SiteNews weekly videos!
Key Takeaways:
WZMH and sparkbird are looking to transform Toronto’s underused parking lots and library spaces into mixed-use community hubs. These development concepts, HUBS and ELEVATE, integrate housing, innovation, and sustainability to meet the growing demand for affordable housing in the city.
One of the innovative components of these projects is the integration of AI-powered micro data centers. These data centers, placed in strategic locations such as libraries and schools, could create interconnected hubs that support local businesses, education, and generate revenue, making the projects financially viable for the private sector.
Both HUBS and ELEVATE would leverage public-private partnerships to ensure the projects are self-sustaining, reduce operational costs, and create new revenue streams.
The Whole Story:
Toronto architecture firm WZMH and its research lab, sparkbird, are reimagining the city’s parking lots and libraries in an innovative way to fund affordable housing and take advantage of underutilized space.
Relief can’t come soon enough. With the city’s population expected to surpass 4.2 million by 2051, the demand for affordable housing continues to grow, while aging public infrastructure struggles to keep pace.
Zenon Radewych, a principal at the firm, explained that his team began looking at Toronto’s 100 public libraries and nearly 600 schools for opportunities. Many sit on underutilized land, including single-story buildings and vast asphalt parking lots.
Their result was two forward-thinking initiatives, HUBS (Housing, Urban Bibliotheca, Servers) and ELEVATE, which transform underutilized spaces into mixed-use community hubs that integrate housing, innovation, and sustainability:
HUBS modernizes Toronto’s aging library branches by revitalizing outdated single-story buildings into vibrant, multi-functional developments featuring new libraries, housing, and AI-powered micro data centers.
ELEVATE converts underused school parking lots into much-needed housing while integrating citywide AI server hubs that support education and local businesses.
Both models leverage Public-Private Partnerships, ensuring these transformations are self-sustaining, reduce operational costs, and generate new revenue streams, while supporting the City’s housing and smart city goals.
“When you look at HUBS, and this applies to other cities too, many libraries are on great public transit routes in densely populated areas and are vintage buildings in need of repair on sites that could be a lot smaller,” said Radewych. “Modern libraries don’t require the same footprint. Why not add density?”
Similarly, Radewych and his team looked at schools and found many have large parking lots that are empty most of the time. They propose partnering with developers to build residential units above these schools and maintain parking just for staff.
The AI data centre component is where things get really interesting. WZMH and sparkbird are proposing integrating AI-powered micro data centres into these projects, interconnecting them to create a larger server.
“We were looking at how to help solve this housing issue but in a way that makes it more exciting and financially viable for the private sector,” said Radewych. “It’s a way to generate revenue.”
He noted that data centre work has become a key part of WZMH and demand is only growing.
“I think there will eventually be small hubs deployed at facilities in dense neighbourhoods, close to fibre routes and keeping them small, even one server rack, means you don’t need lots of power or cooling so it simplifies this solution,” he said.
He added that for cities with aging library and school infrastructure, it’s a win-win. Communities can get new facilities as well as added housing above.
“It’s a new idea that’s starting to become more popular,” said Radewych. “We have looked at it carefully, picked the right sites and the data centre component is icing on the cake. But how do we further reduce the cost of these buildings? Out of this, other ideas have come up through brainstorming, like modularizing the mechanical and electrical room. We want to take the next steps to really reduce the costs for construction and not impact the usable area.”
Check out these renderings of WZMH’s ELEVATE and HUBS concepts:
Robots and humans are starting to work side by side. But how far can robotics go on the jobsite, and what does it take to develop robotic solutions for the construction industry?
The challenge of construction robotics
“Construction robotics is hard to do right,” explained Tessa Lau, founder and CEO of Dusty Robotics. She would know better than anyone. Her company’s flagship product, the FieldPrinter, uses Building Information Modeling (BIM) to print precise layout plans directly onto job sites — a task that once relied on a team’s most experienced workers.
Before founding Dusty Robotics, Lau co-founded Savioke (now Relay Robotics), where she deployed over 75 delivery robots in the hospitality industry. She also worked as a research scientist at Willow Garage and IBM Research, making her a seasoned innovator in the robotics space.
Navigating a dynamic jobsite
According to Lau, the dynamic nature of construction sites makes automation particularly challenging.
“Mostly, robots are good when doing the same thing over and over. But construction sites change on an hourly basis. It is completely different the next day, so it’s very hard to identify a use case that robots can solve and is easy to automate,” she said.
This is why robots have been adopted much quicker in manufacturing, where environments are controlled, and processes are repetitive. On construction sites, however, successful automation requires narrowing the problem down to tasks that are predictable enough for robots to handle — like layout printing.
Enhancing, not replacing, jobs
As for concerns about robots replacing jobs, Lau sees Dusty Robotics creating new roles and enhancing existing ones.
“The job of layout typically is done by the most experienced person on site, and they have a ton of responsibilities. They’re very happy to have a tool that allows them to focus on higher-value things like training workers, managing material deliveries, and ensuring the work gets done correctly,” said Lau.
In fact, she believes Dusty Robotics has created a whole new class of jobs: dedicated layout operators. These roles offer new opportunities for job seekers and showcase innovation in an industry that often carries a reputation for technological stagnation.
“It gets young people engaged, and people who are willing to learn get the chance to have a great life,” she added.
The road ahead
So, where is this all going? Despite its challenges, construction still a lot of room for robotic growth. When Lau and her co-founder began Dusty Robotics, they identified roughly a dozen tasks ripe for automation, such as jobsite cleanup and materials movement.
“Maybe 20% of construction workers’ time is spent looking for equipment, parts, and tools,” said Lau. “If we can automate that, we could supercharge productivity.”
But before that vision becomes reality, Lau stressed the importance of builders investing in virtual design and construction (VDC). Without it, the benefits of robotics can’t be fully realized.
“If you don’t have the model, you don’t know what to tell the robots to do,” she said. “Once you have it, it enables lots of things. In our case, it’s the layout. It all has to start with that model. Not all companies are BIM-enabled, and that’s really the gating factor.”
Ultimately, Lau believes robotics will become as commonplace as electricity.
“You don’t think about using it. It’s just become part of the fabric of our lives, and I think that will be robotics eventually,” she said.
Key Takeaways:
The Canadian government is investing over $156.8 million in eight electrical infrastructure projects across British Columbia to support electrification and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Projects include increasing transmission capacity from Prince George to Terrace, electrifying new hospitals in Surrey and Duncan, and connecting industrial facilities in the Peace River region to the provincial power grid.
The funding will help lower electrification costs for major facilities, support growing electricity demands, and ensure access to clean, renewable energy while keeping BC Hydro customer rates affordable.
The Whole Story:
The federal government is investing more than $156.8 million in eight electrical infrastructure projects across the province to electrify key infrastructure and support a future with more energy efficient and sustainable communities. This funding is provided through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, which supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of clean energy.
“Electrification remains the most accessible route for our customers to decarbonize,” said Chris O’Riley, President and CEO, BC Hydro. “That’s why we are committed to expanding the supply of clean electricity throughout British Columbia in the coming years and ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to deliver power to the homes, businesses, essential services and industries that depend on it. We appreciate the Government of Canada’s support in funding these crucial projects.”
BC Hydro‘s North Coast Electrification initiative will include increasing the transfer capacity of the existing 500 kilovolt (kV) transmission line from Prince George to Terrace by constructing three new capacitor stations along the line. The additional capacity is needed to help meet the growing demand in the region for clean, reliable electricity.
In Surrey and Duncan, BC Hydro will design and construct infrastructure to enable the full electrification of the Surrey Hospital and BC Cancer Centre, and the Cowichan District Hospital. These projects will support the construction of two new hospitals in British Columbia, and will provide both with clean, renewable energy.
In the Peace River region, eight kilometres of new 230-kilvolt transmission line and a new substation will be constructed. This will electrify Westcoast Energy’s CS16 facility. Additionally, BC Hydro will electrify the NorthRiver Midstream’s Dawson processing facility by connecting them to the province’s electricity grid with 10 kilometres of new transmission line that extends from the point of interconnection on the existing line to the processing facility.
Funding will also go towards transmission infrastructure in Hudson’s Hope, Dawson Creek, and Fort St. John. These projects will support the growing demands of BC Hydro transmission networks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As the cost of infrastructure upgrades are shared between BC Hydro and project proponents, the funding will also reduce the costs of electrification for major facilities while helping to keep BC Hydro customer rates affordable.
UTILE, a finalist in this year’s CMHC Housing Supply Challenge, questioned why, despite offering significant advantages, multi-residential modular construction only accounts for a very small share of the residential market in Canada. So in 2024, the Montreal-based non-profit kicked off its first modular construction project, a 155-unit midrise complex in Rimouski, Que., to see how modular construction could work more effectively. What UTILE learned might surprise you, but thankfully its key findings can be successfully replicated for any type of modular housing development in Canada.
“In the past seven years, construction costs in Canada have increased by more than 50%. It is simply impossible to overcome the affordability crisis without tackling the rising costs of construction. In that regard, modular construction has enormous potential,” says Gabriel Fournier Filion, UTILE’s CEO.
Modular construction enables project owners to shorten development cycles by approximately half and therefore build twice as many housing units per year, yet remains significantly underexploited. While faster than traditional construction methods, UTILE found that it can be costlier than traditional projects and is perceived as riskier by construction stakeholders. So, the question that begs an answer is why isn’t modular construction cheaper?
Three factors making modular construction expensive
UTILE identified three reasons why modular costs more than traditional construction. The first reason is that subsequent projects rarely proceed because modular-building manufacturers currently focus on single-family housing which has higher margins but lower volumes. From UTILE’s experience, this creates two new issues.
Modular-building manufacturers won’t invest in their production capacity and efficiency if there is no pipeline of guaranteed deals.
The experience acquired throughout the production chain during a modular project is not taken advantage of, so opportunities to reduce the costs of subsequent projects are lost.
The second reason is that standard construction contracts are poorly adapted to modular construction since there are multiple parties involved, including those doing part of the assembly work in the factory and those working on site. UTILE found that as a result, manufacturers, general contractors, and subcontractors will increase their bids to cover their risks in case of warranty claims.
Canada’s construction industry’s lack of experience with modular presents the third challenge and increases costs. Here’s why. The assembly details of a prefabricated project are different from a conventional project and are unknown to professionals, general contractors, and subcontractors, leaving them to guess. Also, the scope of work on-site is not fully understood by the stakeholders involved. This leads to them substantially increasing the safety margins in their bids because they cannot accurately estimate the time and materials required.
Success found with consortium model
Based on its findings, UTILE has brought together a consortium of stakeholders – including a prefabricator, general contractor, architects, and engineers – to collaborate on and repeat several consecutive projects. This new consortium model from UTILE focuses on building industry partnerships as a way to create more market certainty and improve efficiency with every project completed.
UTILE has also committed to producing at least one large-scale, multi-residential project (70 to 310 housing units) per year for the next five years. By committing to building several hundred modular housing units, UTILE is encouraging the prefabricator to invest in its plant to increase its efficiency and production capacity, which the non-profit sees as a benefit for the broader industry.
UTILE is also developing new contracts specifically for modular construction to clarify the legal responsibilities of each stakeholder involved – from the factory to the construction site. Stakeholders will then better understand their legal requirements so they do not needlessly inflate their bid to compensate for risks that, in reality, are either mitigatable or assumed by another stakeholder.
UTILE is also aiming to cut the costs of modular construction by 10 to 15 percent compared to traditional means. The non-profit will carefully document the costs of all stakeholders in the value chain to target measures and reduce prefabrication costs. Very importantly, this documentation implies that all of the involved players will be transparent about their costs.
Educating subcontractors who are bidding on modular projects so they can understand the exact scope of work to be done is another UTILE priority. The non-profit is developing plans and specifications – including an explanatory video via BIM modelling – so it can predict the cost of each subcontractor to the nearest dollar.
“As a non-profit with a high development volume, UTILE is uniquely positioned to finetune a model that makes modular construction highly scalable and to disseminate it among the industry,” adds Fournier Filion.
UTILE to open source its key learnings
To help other developers in Canada more effectively adopt modular construction, UTILE’s modular pilot project will be the subject of a white paper that will be written by an external firm (MNP). It will be available in Fall 2025 and be widely distributed.
To ensure you don’t miss out, you can signup to receive a free copy of UTILE’s white paper featuring its key findings on modular construction, by contacting: modular@utile.org
Key Takeaways:
Promise Robotics is launching a 60,000-square-foot factory in Calgary to produce up to 1,000,000 square feet of housing annually, using AI and robotic automation to address housing shortages in Canada and the U.S.
The company’s “Homebuilding Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS)” platform allows homebuilders to scale production with fewer resources, eliminating complex processes and reducing labor shortages by leveraging local materials, supply chains, and labor.
With future expansion plans targeting major U.S. cities, Promise Robotics aims to make factory-based home construction more accessible by removing financial and technical barriers, helping builders adopt automation at scale.
The Whole Story:
Promise Robotics, The AI company turning off-the-shelf industrial robots into autonomous production systems for home construction, announced its plans to expand deployment of its production lines at a new 60,000-square-foot existing warehouse located in Calgary.
The facility will be able to produce up to 1,000,000 square feet of housing annually. Promise stated that the expansion represents the latest advancements in automation and robotics in the homebuilding industry, harnessing Promise Robotics’ AI brain and robotic tooling to address housing shortages in Canada and the United States.
With a future eye on cities like Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, Charlotte, Austin, and Nashville, the launch represents another step in the company’s plans to expand its homebuilding partnerships with home builders and suppliers across the U.S. and Canada.
Promise Robotics says it is enabling the homebuilding industry with its “Homebuilding Factory-as-a-Service (FaaS)” platform to boost production capacity and deliver homes faster with significantly fewer resources.
The new state-of-the-art robotics factory in Calgary builds on the success of Promise Robotics’ Factory-as-a-Service facility in Edmonton with a unique approach to offsite construction. They argued that the factory solution eliminates complex processes for home builders. Promise Robotics stressed that its factories are built in the regions they are used – using local materials, supply chains, and labor- to ensure communities are supported at the point of construction, with the added benefit of reducing skilled labor shortages.
“This new factory marks a major technological and business milestone, strengthening our ability to support our expanding network of homebuilding partners across Canada and the U.S.,” said Ramtin Attar, CEO and co-founder of Promise Robotics. “The high cost and complexity of automation have long kept homebuilders from investing in factories, but Promise Robotics changes that. Our solution removes capital and expertise barriers, enabling builders to adopt automation and scale production confidently.”
The new facility in Calgary will officially start production in Summer 2025.
By expanding production capabilities and adopting new equipment, these manufacturers are improving productivity to create innovative solutions to build more homes for Canadians.
“Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home,” said Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “By investing nearly $19 million to build more homes faster across southern Ontario, we are creating good jobs, boosting the economy, and increasing affordable housing.”
Assembly Corp.
Assembly Corp. specializes in providing prefabricated wood housing solutions, contributing to efficient and sustainable construction practices. The Toronto company will expand and enhance its manufacturing capabilities for sustainable housing solutions to meet urban housing market demand.
CABN
Located in Brockville, CABN supplies net-zero prefabricated home kits designed for various applications, including individual residences, larger housing developments, rentals, and hospitality spaces across North America. The funds will be used to adopt advanced manufacturing equipment as it scales-up its operations to meet national demand in the housing sector.
Diamond Manufacturing
Operating out of Markham, Diamond Manufacturing is a shop specializing in the design, manufacturing, and installation of steel fire doors and steel frames for both commercial and residential buildings. The funding will help them automate production and bring manufacturing capabilities in-house, which will reduce lead times, making their products more readily available to customers.
Innovatools Inc.
Based in Vars, Innovatools Inc. focuses on designing and manufacturing tools tailored for the construction industry, such as a modular, portable bending brake that enables customized sheet metal bending directly at construction sites. The funding will enhance its operational efficiency and overall throughput of its cutting-edge tools for the construction industry with the adoption of new equipment.
Inter Build Limited
Headquartered in Bolton, Inter Build Limited is a structural contractor offering engineering services with a specialization in prefabricated cold-formed steel structures, enhancing the efficiency of modern construction projects. The fedearl money will aide them in adopting automated manufacturing equipment to improve productivity and efficiency in the production of prefabricated cold-formed steel framing products that are used in the Midrise construction industry, in addition to the manufacturing of new lightweight steel framing products that are used in the highrise construction industry.
MetaLigna Modular Inc.
Located in Arnprior, MetaLigna Modular Inc. is a design-for-manufacture assembly company that designs and fabricates cold-formed, light gauge steel prefabricated building products, supporting innovative construction solutions. They plan to use the funding to enhance thier prefabricated manufacturing capabilities through the adoption of advanced manufacturing equipment.
New Earth Solutions Inc.
Operating from Guelph, New Earth Solutions Inc. specializes in designing and constructing green infrastructure within the construction sector, promoting environmentally sustainable building practices. The funds will help them develop a digital platform showcasing the benefits of green infrastructure on building performance.
Northland Paving
Based in Scarborough, Northland Paving Ltd. is a trade contracting business specializing in site servicing, excavation, and poured concrete services for residential and commercial clients, ensuring quality groundwork for various projects. The money will help them expand to manufacture precast foundation wall systems in a new facility being built in Shelburne, reducing reliance on wood forms that require replacement.
Trusscore Inc.
Headquartered in Palmerston, Trusscore Inc. is a material science company aiming to revolutionize residential and commercial construction with products that combine sustainable materials with nanotechnology, offering advanced building solutions. The funding will allow Trusscore to automate its extrusion processes and commercialize a new digital paint product for their PVC wall and ceiling boards alternatives to drywall.
UCEL Inc.
Located in Uxbridge, the family-operated UCEL Inc. provides building hoist solutions for projects across North America, facilitating the safe and efficient vertical transportation of materials and personnel on construction sites. The funds will enhance its capabilities to design, commercialize and manufacture vertical access solutions, including construction hoists and industrial elevators, reducing lead and manufacturing times and enhancing service offerings.
Key Takeaways:
WSP Global and Microsoft have entered a seven-year strategic partnership worth over $1 billion to accelerate digital and AI transformation in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
WSP will expand Microsoft 365 Copilot globally, while Microsoft will leverage WSP’s engineering and science expertise to scale mission-critical facilities like data centers and develop AI-powered solutions for the industry.
The partnership focuses on using WSP’s engineering data, enhancing AI-driven decision-making, and accelerating project delivery timelines to modernize how AEC firms design, build, and manage assets.
The Whole Story:
WSP Global Inc., a Quebec-based engineering and science-based professional services firm, and Microsoft Corp. have announced a multi-year, global strategic partnership to accelerate the digitalization of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
This 7-year partnership represents a potential combined financial commitment and investment exceeding $1 billion.
As part of this partnership, WSP is designating Microsoft as a preferred partner for digital and AI transformation services, including an expansion of Microsoft 365 Copilot globally.
Microsoft will continue to look to WSP as a preferred partner for engineering and science consultancy to meet the demand of customers worldwide.
“We are immensely proud of this partnership with Microsoft as it sets an innovation milestone for WSP and our entire industry,” said Alexandre L’Heureux, President and Chief Executive Officer of WSP. “This collaboration will allow us to push the boundaries of what’s possible, ensuring we stay at the forefront of technological advancements and consistently provide exceptional value to our people and clients. By combining our deep engineering and scientific expertise with Microsoft’s best-in-class digital and AI technologies, we can drive value-focused innovation and achieve exceptional results for our clients, our communities, and our business worldwide.”
As part of this partnership, Microsoft and WSP will embark on addressing three key initiatives:
Leveraging the valuable engineering data and knowledge WSP has as one of the world’s largest engineering and science-based services firms;
Increasing the speed and scale at which Microsoft can responsibly deliver mission-critical facilities, such as data centres;
Combining WSP’s deep engineering and science knowledge with Microsoft’s best-in- class technologies to bring new digital solutions to market and help solve their shared clients’ most pressing challenges.
Examples of this could include:
AI-powered virtual experts that catalyze and contribute to the advancement and modernization of the engineering and science-based industry;
Unlocking clients’ vast knowledge assets to drive informed investment and risk mitigation strategies;
Creating new design paradigms that drive at scale acceleration of time-to-deliver in the asset lifecycle.
“As our customers accelerate their AI transformation efforts, the demand for advanced AI and digital capabilities continues to grow,” said Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Microsoft. “With its leadership in engineering, advisory, and science- based services, WSP is uniquely positioned to help us scale the mission-critical facilities required to support our customers efficiently, effectively, and sustainably. By combining our world-class technologies and innovative solutions with WSP’s expertise, we will also co-develop comprehensive solutions to drive transformative business gains across the AEC industry.”
WSP will share additional details about this exciting initiative with Microsoft at its Investor Day, which will be accessible virtually. At this event, the Corporation will present its 2025-2027 Global Strategic Action Plan.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario Power Generation has authorized contracts worth over $1 billion with BWXT Canada to manufacture 48 steam generators for the refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and the reactor pressure vessel for the Darlington small modular reactor (SMR), the first on-grid SMR in the G7.
The projects will create 350 jobs, including 250 skilled trades and engineering roles for the Pickering refurbishment and 100 additional jobs for the Darlington SMR.
Over 80% of the spending will occur in Ontario, leveraging BWXT’s $80 million expansion of its Cambridge facility, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
“Ontario needs steady leadership to build out a clean and affordable energy future, by leveraging our province’s nuclear advantage,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “As we expand and refurbish our nuclear fleet, we are announcing a major contract that creates 350 jobs with materials and components proudly stamped with ‘Made-in-Ontario.’ As Premier Ford continues to lead the fight against U.S. tariffs, our government will continue to build in Ontario and promote our technology and resources to the world.”
To support the refurbishment of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station, BWXT will manufacture 48 new steam generators, which convert heat from the reactor into steam that drive turbines to generate electricity. This work, valued at $960 million over seven years, will create more than 250 highly skilled trades jobs, in addition to engineers and supporting staff.
BWXT will also procure all materials and manufacture the reactor pressure vessel for the Darlington New Nuclear Project, as part of the first on-grid SMR in the G7, supporting 100 additional jobs. BWXT is the first manufacturer in North America to begin this type of work for an SMR technology, furthering Ontario’s position as a global leader in nuclear innovation and production.
“The BWXT team stands ready to help our customers and Ontario create a future that provides abundant, emissions-free electricity, while increasing sustainable, good-paying jobs for Canada,” said John MacQuarrie, President, BWXT Commercial Operations. “We’ve been taking strategic steps to further meet the current and anticipated demand for nuclear power. These significant projects leverage BWXT’s extensive capabilities and specialized expertise in the delivery of large components for the domestic and global nuclear industry.”
This investment in Ontario nuclear manufacturing, with 80% of spending happening in the province, will leverage BWXT’s recent investment of $80 million to expand their Cambridge facility that began in 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2026. The facility is already one of the largest commercial manufacturing facilities in North America, currently employing 1,200 people.
“Premier Ford and Minister Lecce are leading the largest expansion of nuclear energy on the continent to help meet soaring energy demand, creating new jobs in Cambridge and across the province,” said Brian Riddell, MPP, for Cambridge. “I couldn’t be more pleased that 350 workers in Cambridge will help manufacture the key components we need to power our growing province and cement Ontario’s position as a global leader in nuclear innovation.”
Key Takeaways:
SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX are launching The Stargate Project, a $500 billion initiative over four years to build advanced AI infrastructure in the U.S., with $100 billion being deployed immediately.
The project aims to secure U.S. leadership in AI, support re-industrialization, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and enhance national security, while promising significant global economic benefits.
The initiative involves major technology players like Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and OpenAI. It leverages existing collaborations—such as OpenAI’s partnerships with NVIDIA and Microsoft—and plans to use Azure for advancing AI model development and deployment.
The Whole Story:
SoftBank, OpenAI, Oracle, and MGX have announced plans to partner on The Stargate Project, a new company which intends to invest $500 billion over the next four years building new AI infrastructure for OpenAI in the United States.
The group says it will begin deploying $100 billion immediately. They stated that the infrastructure will secure American leadership in AI, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and generate massive economic benefit for the entire world. They added that the project will not only support the re-industrialization of the United States but also provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies.
Arm, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Oracle, and OpenAI are the key initial technology partners. The buildout is currently underway, starting in Texas, and Stargate is evaluating potential sites across the country for more campuses as definitive agreements are finalized.
As part of Stargate, Oracle, NVIDIA, and OpenAI will closely collaborate to build and operate this computing system. This builds on a deep collaboration between OpenAI and NVIDIA going back to 2016 and a newer partnership between OpenAI and Oracle.
This also builds on the existing OpenAI partnership with Microsoft. OpenAI will continue to increase its consumption of Azure as OpenAI continues its work with Microsoft with this additional compute to train leading models and deliver great products and services.
“All of us look forward to continuing to build and develop AI—and in particular AGI—for the benefit of all of humanity,” said the group. “We believe that this new step is critical on the path, and will enable creative people to figure out how to use AI to elevate humanity.”
Are you looking to learn from Canada’s top construction companies?
This February, we are hosting some of the most progressive businesses in the country at our SiteHQ to toast the latest winners of our 25 Innovators in Construction competition. It will be a night of drinks, food, networking, learning opportunties, hands-on tech demos and more.
Go to 25innovators.com right now and use the code INNOVATOR2025 to get 25% off tickets. Check out what we have in store for attendees:
Hear from expert panels
The evening’s festivities will feature two panels stacked with winners from our winning companies.
The first, Small Giants: Subtrades disrupting the industry, will explore how subtrades are leading the way when it comes to modernizing construction work and cultivating a skilled workforce. It will feature Fettback and Heesterman Principal Andrew Fettback, NuFrame CEO and Founder Lorne Derksen, and Maxan Interiors’ Vice President of Construction Doug Villeneuve.
The second, Big Ideas: Implementing Enterprise-Level Innovation, will have Kinetic Chief Operating Officer Mike Walz, Fast + Epp Partner Tobias Fast and RCJ Engineers Associate Mohammad Fakoor. They will explore ways larger operations implement and maintain innovation across their teams.
Test drive technology
A digital, immersive road building experience will be parked in the middle of the venue. The BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association’s RoadShow trailer features simulators and virtual reality technology that is being used to introduce British Columbians across the province to heavy equipment careers. It allows for realistic and safe training environments on five different simulators that replicate different models of heavy equipment and attachments.
The venue
We couldn’t think of a better place to host than SiteHQ—our new, 10,000-square-foot office and Canada’s first specialized industrial studio. In addition to SiteNews, SiteHQ is home to the Site group of companies, including SitePartners, SiteTechnology and SiteTalent.
This unique space is changing the game for industrial clients who want to tell compelling stories. Featuring a 36’ wide, corner-to-corner infinity wall with a full lighting grid rigged above, SiteStudio gives our friends at SitePartners complete control over lighting and sound.
About the competition
Now in its second year, the 25 Innovators in Construction award has become a coveted SiteNews honor, recognizing the industry’s most forward-thinking companies. This prestigious award celebrates organizations that are pushing the boundaries of construction through risk-taking and innovation.
This year’s winners exemplify groundbreaking advancements that are transforming the industry. From CarbonCure Technologies’ carbon-saving concrete innovations to Pomerleau’s integration of robotics on job sites, these organizations showcase a commitment to sustainability, technology, and efficiency.
Here are the event details at a glance:
Where: Site HQ – 2393 W Railway St, Abbotsford, B.C.
When: 6:00 p.m., February 6, 2025
What: High tech demos, expert panels, elite networking opportunities
To join us, visit 25innovators.com and use the code INNOVATOR2025 to get 25% off tickets.
Key Takeaways:
Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Houle Electric are co-hosting the Future of Work 2025 event on April 24–25, focusing on innovation, collaboration, and workforce development in the construction industry. The event features a mix of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and hands-on sessions.
The event will highlight cutting-edge advancements such as 3D modeling, collaborative construction technology, and Industrialized Construction, aiming to inspire new benchmarks in the industry.
Supported by prominent sponsors like Procore, Olympic International, and Victaulic, the event showcases a wide array of industry partnerships, offering networking opportunities for attendees. Ticket sales begin January 15, with options for individual days or a combination pass.
The Whole Story:
Pitt Meadows Plumbing (PMP) is partnering with Houle Electric for the Future of Work 2025 event, taking place on April 24th and 25th. The contractor stated that the collaboration unites two industry leaders in their shared mission to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and address the most pressing challenges facing the construction sector.
Future of Work 2025 will bring together experts, innovators, and leaders from across the industry to explore groundbreaking technologies, advanced methodologies, and strategies for building a resilient and skilled workforce
Taking place at PMP’s Shop XL in Maple Ridge, B.C., Future of Work is one of the only events held in a working fabrication shop.
The event kicks off on Thursday evening with an Industry Mixer, featuring a keynote presentation by Amy Marks, joined by special guests Nick Masci & Melissa McEwen from ICG Build. Organizers say the mixer will be an opportunity to connect with top industry professionals.
Friday’s schedule transitions into a conference-style format, focusing on a series of dynamic panel discussions and collaborative sessions. Attendees will explore topics such as innovation in construction, workforce solutions, and successful collaborative delivery models.
“Our partnership with Houle underscores a shared commitment to advancing our industry and shaping its future,” said Steve Robinson, President of Pitt Meadows Plumbing. “With the support of our sponsors and collaborators, we are creating a space to inspire new ideas, celebrate achievements, and tackle construction challenges head-on.”
Matthew Bewsey, VP, Major Projects & Field Operations, Houle Electric added:
“Future of Work 2025 represents the strength of collaboration. By bringing together leaders from across the construction ecosystem, we aim to set a new benchmark for what is possible when innovation meets partnership.
This year’s event is supported by Platinum Sponsors: Procore, Olympic International, Victaulic, and KMS Tools. In addition to these key partners, the event has attracted significant sponsorship interest, with a substantial number of partnership opportunities already filled.
The event will spotlight advancements like 3D modeling, collaborative construction technology and other aspects of Industrialized Construction.
Tickets for Future of Work 2025 will be available starting Wednesday, January 15th, at 9:00 AM PST. Ticket options include $99 for Thursday’s Industry Mixer, $149 for Friday’s Conference, or $199 for a combination pass covering both days. Visit www.futureofwork.me for details.
PMP is also partnering many others for the event, including:
Silver Sponsors: Milwaukee, BC Construction Association, Novarc Technologies
Bronze Sponsors: Wesco, United Rentals, Stratus, QMC Metering, Wolseley Canada Inc., ABB Electrification Canada, ICG Build and Sterling Fleet Outfitters
Lanyard Sponsor: EMCO Langley
Patio Bar Sponsor: Noble
Washroom Sponsor: JNJ Site Services
As 2024 comes to a close, the construction industry deserves recognition for its strides in understanding artificial intelligence (AI) and reigniting innovation. This year, I had the privilege of engaging with over 250 professionals, dozens of businesses, leaders from national and local construction associations, academia, government, and more than 100 emerging technology firms globally and domestically. This collective curiosity earns the industry a gold star. Yet, when it comes to meaningful action, results, and application, the industry still holds the purple participation ribbon despite the urgency around workforce capacity, costs, and sustainability.
A common theme across these conversations emerged: “I’m curious about AI, but hesitant due to a lack of case studies and evidence of value.” Over 80% of firms shared this view, directly impeding adoption. While local technology ecosystems—particularly in Western Canada—have incredible innovation, this hesitation discourages emerging firms from prioritizing Canadian markets, despite the urgent need to tackle productivity, cashflow, and cost constraints.
The barriers? It’s not a lack of tools or ideas but a repetition of past behaviors: fragmented efforts, fatigue from overpromised technologies, and skepticism. Beneath this hesitation lies a deeper issue—insufficient budgets, resources, and time to implement technologies where it matters most: field operations.
Yet, 2024 also revealed a turning point. A growing number of mid-market firms are stepping up as the next leaders in industry transformation. They are no longer asking, “What is AI?” but rather, “How can AI change the way we build?” More importantly, they recognize: “There must be a better way [to adopt].” This mindset shift marks a critical moment—not about AI itself, but transforming how and why we adopt technology.
A statement on adoption: Challenges and momentum
Technology adoption in construction is no longer a question—it’s an expectation. Over the past two decades, $30 billion has been invested in construction technology, with approximately three-quarters of firms using digital tools. Technologies like 3D modeling, Building Information Management (BIM), dashboards, and project information systems are now standard.
However, the next wave—tools supporting field operations like mixed reality, prefabrication, and robotics—is translating into double-digit productivity gains and becoming the fastest-growing category of adoption. Regarding AI, there are already over 1000 applications, and it is now the fastest growing area of investment with over 30% annual growth projected through to 2030. In 2024, my engagements revealed both challenges and opportunities:
AI-Curiosity Is Growing, but Confidence Is Low While over 40% of firms are now exploring AI, 80% remain hesitant to invest without clear evidence of value. Fewer than 4% of firms are leveraging data and AI for meaningful results. This skepticism stems from past technologies that promised transformation but delivered little measurable impact.
Technology Fatigue Is Real More than 70% of professionals expressed dissatisfaction with previous initiatives. Fragmented solutions often failed to address the daily challenges of field teams—the direct drivers of productivity and profitability.
Budget and Resource Constraints Cashflow remains a barrier, with 50% of firms citing financial constraints. Fewer than 15% of businesses maintain dedicated innovation budgets, while limited resources and time further hinder progress.
Focusing on Executives Over the Field Technology initiatives continue to prioritize executive and management functions, overlooking field operations where the greatest value can be achieved. Operational teams are increasingly identifying this misalignment, seeing executive buy-in as the bottleneck to initiatives that can directly improve daily workflows and translate into tangible benefits.
Western Canada: A Hub of Opportunity Western Canada has emerged as a supercluster of construction technology resources, with over 60 technology firms and leading institutions like Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), ISAIC, University of Alberta Construction Innovation Center, and the Prairies Proptech Association. Yet, many firms default to global providers with the largest marketing budgets, paying higher prices for misaligned solutions. Conversely, those collaborating with local firms report higher satisfaction, cost savings, and entirely new business opportunities.
Mid-Market Firms Are Leading Mid-market firms—those with revenues between $10M and $500M—are emerging as leaders in AI adoption. Their agility and ability to make faster decisions allow them to outpace larger competitors. These firms are: Addressing security concerns with clarity, not fear. Prioritizing improvements to workflows, cashflow, and profitability. Empowering project-level teams to focus on value recognition over price. Partnering with emerging technology firms to share risks and unlock opportunities. Reducing risks by leveraging funding opportunities, consortiums, and tax incentives.
Moving forward: Aligning AI with industry’s pressing needs
AI offers thousands of use cases, but success depends on where and how it is applied. Firms realizing the greatest benefits align their “AI-Why” with industry’s core challenges:
Workforce Productivity and Capacity Underpinning industries workforce crisis is that over 40% of field leaders’ time is spent on administrative tasks or searching for information. Tools like ActiveIQ, PursuitZen, DocumentCrunch, Nialli, and Flowlly are enabling teams to do more with less, streamlining workflows, and providing actionable insights for more efficient and effective business development, risk mitigation, planning, mentoring, and quality control.
Cashflow and Cost Control Margins remain tight at 3-5%, with cashflow constraints preventing firms from taking on new work. Tools like Quickly Technologies and QuoteToMe streamline procurement and payment processes, delivering cost savings and freeing up capital.
Sustainability As regulatory demands intensify, solutions like Arbor (alternative materials) and Exact (low-carbon concrete) deliver measurable environmental and financial benefits.
Incremental improvements in any of these areas translate into the greatest business results with the least amount of investment. However, results require action.
2025: Proving value through action
What became clear in 2024 is that most firms are talking about AI but not adopting it meaningfully, with lack of case-studies, budget, and resources as the missing links. To bridge this gap, the AI Adoption Proof of Value Initiative—led by the Prairies Proptech Association—is offering firms an actionable path forward.
This initiative will:
Support 30 construction companies in exploring AI and emerging technologies with less risk, time, and cost.
Publish 150+ case studies to prove tangible results, showing that if these firms can do it, so can anyone.
A call to action
The ball is in our court. 2025 must be the year of action. Build partnerships with local technology providers, leverage public and private funding, and focus on workforce productivity, cashflow stability, and sustainability.
The AI Adoption Proof of Value Initiative offers a clear roadmap for firms ready to lead the next chapter of transformation. Enrollment is now open, with five spots remaining for the Q1 cohort starting in January 2025. To learn more or get involved, visit www.prairiesproptech.com.
If 2024 was the year of talk, let’s make 2025 the year of action. The opportunity is here—let’s get to work.
About ConstructIQ Advisory: While most talk the talk, we’ve walked the walk. Founded by one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in Construction, Shawn Gray, ConstructIQ’s mission is to drive meaningful change by helping firms overcome barriers to technology adoption. Our proven approach enables businesses to achieve results faster, with significantly less risk, time, and cost. Learn more at www.constructiqadvisory.ca.
About Prairies Proptech Association: The Prairies Proptech Association is a not-for-profit organization comprised of leaders from technology, construction, real-estate, academia, and government. We are dedicated to accelerating technology adoption through education, advocacy, and gap bridging events and initiatives. To learn more or get involved, visit www.prairiesproptech.com.
Key Takeaways:
The partnership between the Municipal District of Greenview and O’Leary Ventures aims to develop Wonder Valley, an off-grid natural gas and geothermal-powered industrial park for AI data centers. This $70 billion project is set to create substantial economic growth, long-term job opportunities, and a new industry sector in Alberta and Canada.
The Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG) leverages Alberta’s natural gas resources, existing infrastructure, cold climate, and pro-business environment to provide 7.5 GW of low-cost power to AI and hyperscale operations.
Positioned as a model for global investment in emerging industries, the project aims to establish Canada as a leader in AI infrastructure.
The Whole Story:
The Municipal District of Greenview has announced a partnership with O’Leary Ventures, led by Kevin O’Leary of Dragons’ Den fame, to build an off-grid natural gas and geothermal power infrastructure to support the largest AI data centre industrial park in the world.
The GIG has signed a Letter of Intent with O’Leary Ventures for the purchase and development of thousands of acres of land within the Greenview Industrial Gateway and to the south of the GIG.
Wonder Valley, which will be rolled out in multiple phases, marks the creation of an entirely new industry sector for the region and country. Officials say the scope and scale of this development will provide a massive influx of job opportunities during construction and beyond, bringing long-term employment and driving economic growth.
“This is fantastic news for Alberta. Our efforts to attract investment, grow our technology and innovation sector, and leverage our natural and human resources are being noticed. I’m excited to watch this project unfold in the months and years to come,” said Alberta Premier, Danielle Smith.
“The GIG project is proof that Alberta is a destination of choice for data centres and their corresponding power generation infrastructure. This exciting announcement from O’Leary Ventures demonstrates that the work our government has done over the last nine months to promote Alberta to data centre operators and investors is paying off. Alberta is open for business, and we’re just getting started,” states Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish.
“This is more than just an investment in land; it’s an investment in the future of innovation and economic expansion for Canada,” said Tyler Olsen, Reeve of the MD of Greenview. “We’re excited to take this step forward, creating lasting benefits not only for our Municipality but for the surrounding communities, and the country as a whole.”
My joint venture team led by Paul Palandjian, CEO O’Leary Ventures and Carl Agren, CEO, HPC and AI Data Centres, has sourced what we believe is the most compelling site in all North America to generate and offer 7.5 GW of low-cost power to hyperscalers over the next 5-10 years. Given existing permits, proximity to stranded sources of natural gas, pipeline infrastructure, water and a fiber optic network within just a few kilometers of the Greenview Industrial Gateway, we will be in the ground and up and running sooner than any scale project of its kind.
Kevin O’Leary, Chairman, O’Leary Ventures
“We will engineer and build a redundant power solution that meets the modern AI compute reliability standards. The first phase of 1.4 GW will be approximately US$ 2 billion with subsequent annual roll out of redundant power in 1 GW increments. The total investment over the lifetime of the project will be over $70 billion when considering the infrastructure, power, data centres and ancillary structures.”
Kevin O’Leary added that the GIG’s ideal cold-weather climate, a highly skilled labor force, Alberta’s pro-business policies and attractive tax regime make the GIG the perfect site for this project. He noted the team wants to deliver transformative economic impact and the lowest possible carbon emissions afforded to us by the quality of gas in the area, our efficient design and the potential to add Geothermal power as well.
“Together, these factors create a blueprint for sustainability and success that can be recognized worldwide. This is the Greenview Model,” said O’Leary.
“One of our core values for the project is to engage with First Nations Indigenous communities to create a mutually beneficial relationship and one that honors the people and the lands for many years to come,” said Paul Palandjian CEO – O’Leary Ventures.
The project is expected to attract attention from global investors and industry leaders. Beyond jobs and financial benefits, this venture aims to establish Alberta and Canada as world leaders and as a center of excellence in this emerging industry.
There’s no need to hold your applause any longer.
After sifting through hundreds of submissions and combing through our past year of coverage, the SiteNews team has released this year’s list of winners for the 25 Innovators in Construction program.
Now in its second year, the 25 Innovators in Construction award has become a coveted SiteNews honor, recognizing the industry’s most forward-thinking companies. This prestigious award celebrates organizations that are pushing the boundaries of construction through risk-taking and innovation.
This year’s winners exemplify groundbreaking advancements that are transforming the industry. From CarbonCure Technologies’ carbon-saving concrete innovations to Pomerleau’s integration of robotics on job sites, these organizations showcase a commitment to sustainability, technology, and efficiency.
Companies like RJC Engineers and Multiplex Canada lead in reducing carbon footprints, while HammerTech and Hoylu are redefining safety and collaboration through software. Meanwhile, innovators like Fettback & Heesterman and Vestacon are streamlining operations with proprietary tools and digital solutions. These pioneers are not only addressing critical challenges such as labor shortages, emissions, and project efficiency but are also reshaping the future of construction with visionary solutions and lasting impacts.
We are so proud to highlight this list of innovative companies. Some of them are large organizations you have heard of, but others are small businesses that only recently burst onto the scene. Our goal, as always is to elevate the construction sector. We hope this list plays a role in encouraging others to push the industry forward. Not only does innovation help the industry itself, it helps Canada solve some of its largest challenges.
SiteNews Editor Russell Hixson
The winners were chosen by SiteNews staff who assessed companies based on five criteria:
Technological innovation
Trailblazing
Workforce development
Sustainability and environmental impact
Collaboration and partnerships
In addition to now having the honour of being named one of Canada’s most innovative companies in construction, this year’s 25 Innovators are also invited to attend an exclusive winners event. If you want to rub shoulders with the companies on this list, grab your tickets here.
Key Takeaways:
Alberta is committing up to $50 million from the TIER program to establish Canada’s first open-access, technology-agnostic drilling test site. This initiative aims to leverage Alberta’s advanced drilling expertise to accelerate the development of innovative energy technologies.
Initial studies have demonstrated the economic and environmental viability of the Alberta Drilling Accelerator, which could fast-track advancements in geothermal, helium, critical minerals, and carbon capture technologies. Industry interest is strong, with companies like Eavor Technologies, Tourmaline Oil Corp, and Halliburton expressing interest as anchor tenants.
The accelerator is a key part of Alberta’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. By fostering innovation in energy technologies and creating jobs, it sets the stage for sustainable development in industries critical to reducing emissions and diversifying Alberta’s economy.
The Whole Story:
Alberta plans to invest up to $50 million from the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) program to support Canada’s first test site to advance energy technologies.
Alberta officials explained that the province has some of the most advanced and skilled drilling expertise in the world. Yet, unlike the United States, Japan and other countries, Canada does not currently have an open-access test site, which is critical for spurring innovation and leading-edge drilling technologies, such as geothermal, lithium, oil and natural gas.
To help fill this gap, Alberta’s government says it will invest up to $50 million from the industry-funded TIER program to support the Alberta Drilling Accelerator through a public-private partnership model. Funding will help create Canada’s first open-access, technology-agnostic, industry-led hub, leveraging Alberta’s drilling expertise to develop the technologies needed to reduce emissions, create jobs and deliver energy to the world.
“What we’re doing here today is setting the stage for innovation and prosperity far into the future,” said Premier Danielle Smith. “The Alberta Drilling Accelerator means big things for oil and gas exploration in our province, but also for industries that will be vital for achieving our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. We are setting the stage for innovation and prosperity, pushing Alberta’s drilling expertise to places it’s never been before.”
In April, Alberta’s government invested $750,000 to help kick-start this project, supporting a feasibility study facilitated by Calgary-based Eavor Technologies in partnership with the Canadian Association of Energy Contractors and Canadian Geothermal Energy Association.
The initial findings suggest that creating an industry-led Alberta Drilling Accelerator is both economically and environmentally viable. The accelerator would allow companies to test and develop drilling techniques and technologies, accelerating geothermal, helium, critical minerals, carbon capture and other industries relying on the drilling sector.
Notably, several industry leaders have already expressed strong interest in serving as anchor tenants, including Calgary-based Eavor Technologies, Tourmaline Oil Corp and international oilfield service supermajor Halliburton. While no binding contracts have been signed, the province says tens of millions of dollars in private sector capital investment could potentially be secured.
The Alberta Drilling Accelerator could potentially start drilling in 2026, or sooner. Once operational, the Alberta Drilling Accelerator could help speed up the development of geothermal, helium, critical minerals, carbon capture, utilization and storage and other technologies and commodities that rely on Alberta’s drilling expertise.
Key Takeaways:
EllisDon and Impulse Partners have successfully completed the second round of their ConTech Accelerator program, selecting 30 top contenders from over 165 submissions. Eight finalists pitched their innovative ideas at EllisDon’s office in Mississauga, with significant participation from EllisDon’s senior leadership.
The program emphasizes collaboration between startups and construction industry experts. Finalists like SALUS, EHAB, and Specter Automation were recognized for developing solutions that address critical industry needs, such as safety management, climate change adaptation, and project planning efficiency.
Following the accelerator, EllisDon and Impulse Partners will continue working with the winning startups to refine their products and integrate them into the construction field, leveraging their industry expertise to help these technologies.
The Whole Story:
EllisDon Corporation and Impulse Partners have announced a successful second round of its ConTech Accelerator program. From over 165 submissions, 30 were selected as the top contenders. Following a series of interviews, representatives from the eight finalist startups traveled to EllisDon’s Mississauga office to pitch their innovative ideas in person.
“Building on the success of our inaugural accelerator, we’re thrilled to see even greater reception in this second year,” said Brandon Milner, CIO, Senior Vice President of Digital & Data Engineering, EllisDon.
During the three-day event, EllisDon provided a guided project tour as well as access to field teams, operations managers, and executives from the C-Suite who were present for the pitches and offered candid feedback on what they saw.
“The overwhelming response we’ve received this year—from our partners at Impulse to the startups who joined us in Mississauga—confirms we’re on the right track,” said Hammad Chaudhry, Vice President of Innovation & Construction Technology, EllisDon. “Our combined tech and domain expertise, allows us to drive innovation with a focus to benefit those in the field.”
EllisDon and Impulse Partners congratulated all eight finalists for making the decision a difficult one. The winners of the 2024 ConTech Accelerator are:
SALUS: A safety management software that integrates company safety programs into a comprehensive system to manage health and safety. By gathering data and information from the field, SALUS bridges the gap between the office and field operations, transforming how clients run their businesses.
EHAB: Helping the construction industry better understand the impacts of climate change on projects and plan accordingly. EHAB’s products assist construction companies, general contractors, designers, and clients in adapting to the climate crisis.
specter automation: The first and only 3D model look-ahead planning tool that helps teams build six-week look-ahead plans by visualizing data to better communicate to the field. Specter offers the most natural way to plan, document, and communicate on-site processes.
With the completion of this phase, EllisDon and Impulse Partners will now work with the winners to help develop their products, collaborate with them in the field, and deploy industry expertise where it is needed most—in helping the latest technologies find a place in one of the world’s oldest industries.
Canada’s electrical contractors are one of the unsung heroes powering the nation’s infrastructure, from towering skyscrapers to sprawling transit systems. These companies don’t just wire buildings; they energize innovation, ensuring cities run seamlessly and industries thrive.
From legacy firms with nearly a century of expertise to bold upstarts redefining sustainable practices, the stories of these contractors showcase ingenuity, resilience, and a dedication to excellence. Let’s dive into a list of Canada’s top electrical contractors who are lighting the way in construction and development.
Houle Electric
Houle Electric, established in 1944 and based in B.C., is a leading electrical contractor offering comprehensive services in electrical construction, building controls, and data networks. With a reputation for excellence in commercial, institutional, and industrial markets, Houle has been involved in significant projects such as the Vancouver Convention Centre expansion, the University of British Columbia’s Aquatic Centre, and the Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower. There were recently named a finalist in Procore’s Groundbreaker Awards in the Culture & Workforce Development Category.
Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd.
In 1973, friends Dieter Fettback and Ernie Moore mortgaged their homes to start an electrical contracting company. It’s a gamble that paid off big. Western Pacific Enterprises Ltd. is one of Western Canada’s largest electrical contractors, specializing in large-scale industrial, commercial, and institutional projects. Headquartered in British Columbia, the company has played a critical role in complex projects like the expansion of the Vancouver International Airport and the Port Mann Bridge electrical systems. Their expertise extends to power distribution, communications, and transit infrastructure, including work on the SkyTrain rapid transit system. The were recently presented with a Gold Award of Excellence from the Vancouver Regional Construction Association for their work on The Post South Tower, a $13.8-million project.
Black & McDonald Limited
Black & McDonald Limited, founded in 1921 as an electrical wiring contractor, is a multifaceted electrical contractor operating across Canada and the United States with more than 6,500 employees. Offering a wide range of services including electrical construction, facilities management, and energy solutions, the company has been instrumental in projects like the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit in Toronto. They have also provided maintenance services for utility providers and contributed to large-scale industrial projects in the energy sector, showcasing their versatility and commitment to quality.
Ozz Electric Inc.
Headquartered in Concord, Ont., Ozz Electric Inc. is renowned for its work in commercial, industrial, and residential electrical contracting. Since its inception in 1991, the company has participated in landmark projects such as the Aura Tower in Toronto—the tallest residential building in Canada—and the Bay Adelaide Centre. Ozz Electric is recognized for its innovative approaches and commitment to sustainable building practices, integrating cutting-edge technology into their electrical solutions.
Plan Group
Plan Group is one of Canada’s largest technical services providers, delivering integrated solutions in electrical, mechanical, and communications contracting. With over 60 years of industry experience, Plan Group has contributed to significant projects like the Humber River Hospital in Toronto, Canada’s first fully digital hospital, and the Bay Adelaide Centre. Their work spans healthcare, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors, emphasizing innovation and collaborative project delivery methods to meet complex project demands.
Guild Electric Limited
Based in Toronto, Guild Electric Limited has been providing electrical contracting services since 1954. Specializing in transportation infrastructure, utilities, and commercial projects, they have been pivotal in the maintenance and installation of traffic signal systems throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Guild Electric has also worked on large-scale endeavors like the Toronto Transit Commission’s Line 1 subway extension and various high-rise commercial buildings, showcasing their expertise in both public and private sectors.
Smith and Long Limited
Established in 1930, Smith and Long Limited is a full-service electrical contractor operating primarily in Ontario. Offering services across industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors, the company has undertaken notable projects including electrical installations for the Toronto Pearson International Airport and multiple healthcare facilities. Their comprehensive services encompass design-build, maintenance, and emergency response, reflecting a longstanding commitment to excellence and reliability in electrical solutions.
Ainsworth Inc.
Ainsworth Inc. is a leading provider of integrated facility solutions, including electrical, mechanical, and technical services across Canada. With a history spanning over 75 years, Ainsworth has been involved in major industrial and commercial projects such as maintenance services for large retail chains like Walmart and energy management solutions for various enterprises. They have also provided critical infrastructure support for data centers and telecommunications facilities, emphasizing their role in advancing technological integration.
Canem Systems Ltd.
Founded in 1960, Canem Systems Ltd. specializes in electrical and data communication construction, operating across Western Canada. The company has delivered services for sectors including healthcare, commercial, and institutional projects. Notable endeavors include the electrical systems for the Calgary South Health Campus, the TELUS Spark Science Centre, and contributions to the development of educational institutions like the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus, highlighting their versatility and commitment to quality.
E.S. Fox Limited
E.S. Fox Limited, based in Ontario and established in 1934, is a multi-trade industrial contractor offering electrical, mechanical, and civil/structural services. With a strong presence in the industrial sector, they have been integral to projects in energy, mining, and manufacturing. Significant projects include work on nuclear power plants such as the Bruce Power facility, automotive manufacturing plants for companies like General Motors, and involvement in large-scale infrastructure projects, underlining their expertise in complex industrial environments.
Alltrade Industrial Contractors Inc.
Alltrade Industrial Contractors Inc., headquartered in Ontario, provides electrical and mechanical contracting services with a focus on industrial, energy, and infrastructure sectors. The company has been involved in significant projects like the Waterloo Light Rail Transit system and renewable energy installations including wind and solar farms. Their work on various industrial plant projects requiring specialized electrical expertise demonstrates their capacity to handle complex and technical assignments.
Pro Electric Inc.
Pro Electric Inc., established in 1973 and based in Ontario, offers electrical contracting services for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. The company has worked on significant endeavors such as electrical installations for educational facilities like Fanshawe College, healthcare institutions including London Health Sciences Centre, and various commercial developments. Pro Electric is known for emphasizing safety, quality workmanship, and client satisfaction, maintaining long-term relationships with clients through consistent performance.
Key Takeaways:
The refurbished Unit 1 at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station will provide 875 MW of clean energy for over 30 years, powering 875,000 homes and helping meet Ontario’s forecasted 75% electricity demand increase by 2050.
The $12.8 billion refurbishment project is expected to generate $90 billion in economic benefits and create 14,200 jobs annually over its lifespan, with 96% of costs spent within Ontario, significantly boosting the provincial GDP.
Completed five months early, Unit 1’s refurbishment showcases Ontario’s ability to deliver large-scale, complex nuclear projects safely, on time, and on budget, highlighting the expertise of a 6,000-member workforce, including skilled tradespeople and industry partners.
The Whole Story:
Ontario has completed the refurbishment of Unit 1 at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station five months ahead of schedule.
Refurbishing and returning Unit 1 to service provides 875 megawatts (MW) of power for the next 30-plus years, enough to power 875,000 homes.
“Ontario needs more electricity – 75% more by 2050 – to power new homes, historic new investments and an electrifying economy,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification. “Delivering this massive clean energy project five months ahead of schedule is a testament to the incredible knowledge and skill of Ontario workers and positions us for success as we build out our plan to meet the soaring energy demand over the next 25 years.”
The Darlington Refurbishment Project is one of Canada’s largest energy projects. The refurbishment of Unit 1 involved the successful removal and replacement of major components of the reactor and its associated equipment including pressure tubes, calandria tubes and feeder pipes, as well as inspection and upgrades of the Turbine Generator equipment.
According to an independent report by the Conference Board of Canada, the entire $12.8 billion project, and the subsequent 30 years of station operation, are expected to generate a total of $90 billion in economic benefits for Ontario and create 14,200 jobs per year. With 96% of project costs spent in the province, for every $1 spent on the project, Ontario’s GDP will increase by an average of $1.40.
“Unit 1 is the third unit we will have refurbished months ahead of schedule, safely and with quality,” said Ken Hartwick, OPG President and CEO. “Through the planning, dedication, skill and innovation of OPG and its project partner team, including hundreds of skilled tradespeople, we are now in year 9 of this 10-year refurbishment project execution phase, clearly demonstrating we can complete large, complex nuclear projects on schedule and on budget.”
According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the province’s demand for electricity is forecast to increase by 75% by 2050, the equivalent of adding four and a half cities the size of Toronto to the grid. Continued operation of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station during that period will help tackle the rising demand while reducing emissions, taking the equivalent of two million cars off Ontario’s roads per year.
The project involved the removal and replacement of major reactor components, including pressure tubes, calandria tubes, and feeder pipes, as well as inspection and upgrades of the turbine generator equipment. The work was carried out by a team of approximately 6,000 people from OPG and its vendor partners, including skilled tradespeople, project management professionals, and support services personnel.
The team comprised members from various unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and several others.
Since the project began in 2016, OPG has applied thousands of lessons learned on each subsequent unit to achieve major efficiencies and schedule savings. This includes an industry-first combined pressure tube and calandria tube removal process.
Unit 1 now joins Darlington’s Units 2 and 3, which were successfully refurbished in 2020 and 2023, respectively, as OPG’s latest nuclear success story.
Unit 4, the final unit undergoing refurbishment, is currently in the reactor rebuilding phase and progressing on schedule to be completed by the end of 2026 to wrap up the ambitious 10-year, $12.8-billion mega-project.
