Articles from On-site

The British Columbia Construction Association's latest report highlights a 4% increase in construction material costs within the province, surpassing the national inflation target. Despite higher costs, industrial, commercial, and institutional permit values, as well as multi-unit residential permits, have risen significantly. The sector contributes 9.2% of B.C.'s GDP and employs over 267,000 people. The BCCA supports new Prompt Payment legislation to help mitigate the financial pressures on the industry.

On-Site magazine is inviting submissions for its 2025 Canadian Construction Photo Contest, open to both amateur and professional photographers. Participants are encouraged to submit high-resolution photos taken on Canadian construction sites during 2025. The contest aims to showcase the construction industry's work across Canada, with winning entries featured in both print and online versions of the magazine. Submissions are accepted until January 9, 2026, and winners will be announced in February 2026.

A recent report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors indicates that while there is strong optimism about AI in the construction industry, its implementation remains low, with only 45% of organizations using it and just 1% having scaled it across projects. The report highlights significant barriers to AI adoption, such as a lack of skilled personnel and integration challenges, despite 70% of professionals believing AI can add value. Investment plans are inconsistent across the industry, with some firms planning to increase spending and others not. The report calls for collaboration in the industry to overcome these challenges and ensure responsible AI use.

BUILD IT, a construction firm based in Calgary, has completed an $8.9 million expansion project at Camp Kindle, a retreat for families affected by cancer. The project enhances the camp's capacity and accessibility, including new facilities for arts, teaching, and wellness, as well as upgrades for mobility. The initiative highlights community collaboration and aims to create a joyful space for children facing cancer. Future projects will further enhance accessibility with a wheelchair-accessible treehouse village.

Nine of Canada's largest general contractors have formed the Canadian Construction Sustainability Alliance to tackle carbon emissions in the construction industry. Partnering with The Transition Accelerator, they released a report recommending five actions to reduce emissions at job sites by up to 75% by 2040. These actions include transitioning to electric vehicles, optimizing heating, using renewable diesel, and connecting sites to grid power. Early adoption could see significant emission reductions by 2030, signaling a strong industry move towards sustainability.

Procore’s Groundbreak 2025 in Houston, Texas, highlighted the integration of AI into the company's platform and announced a leadership transition. Tooey Courtemanche introduced Ajei Gopal as Procore's next CEO. The conference showcased Procore Helix, an intelligence layer that includes AI tools such as Procore Assist and Agent Builder. Discussions emphasized the future of AI in construction and the need for standardization of data.

In September 2025, employment in Canada's construction industry decreased by 8,200 jobs, translating to a 0.5% drop compared to August. Despite this decline, employment was still up by 18,900 jobs or 1.2% from the same month in 2024. The overall employment rate in Canada rose by 0.1 percentage points, while the unemployment rate remained at 7.1%. The construction sector experienced the second-largest decline among industries tracked by Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey.

In August, investment in building construction in Canada increased by 0.1% to $22.8 billion. The non-residential sector grew by $22.9 million, while the residential sector increased by $10.5 million compared to July, reflecting an 8.7% year-over-year rise. The commercial and institutional sectors saw gains, with Ontario and Alberta contributing significantly, while the industrial component experienced a decline. The residential investment was buoyed by single-family homes, while multi-unit construction decreased, primarily due to downturns in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reported a strong increase in housing starts in September, with the six-month trend rising more than 4% and actual starts up by 19% year-over-year in centers with populations over 10,000. The monthly seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) also rose by 14% from August figures. Montreal and Toronto saw significant gains in housing starts, primarily driven by multi-unit buildings, while Vancouver experienced a slight decrease. Overall, Ontario, Quebec, and the Prairie provinces contributed to the boost in overall starts, particularly in rental apartments.

The Consortium of Pomerleau and Aecon has initiated preparatory work for the Montreal Port Authority's terminal expansion project in Contrecœur. This $609 million project includes constructing berths and dock infrastructure to enhance Canada's supply chain. Completion is scheduled for 2030, with the terminal expected to handle up to 1.15 million TEUs annually. The development includes significant job creation and aims to boost the local and national economy.

Rogers Real Estate Development, Urban Capital, and EllisDon have celebrated the topping off of M City's third tower, M3, in Mississauga, Ontario. Standing 81 stories tall, M3 is now the tallest building in Mississauga and the tallest tower in Canada west of Toronto. This milestone marks a significant development in the M City project, which aims to deliver over 6,000 new homes across eight towers. The building features unique designs and amenities, including Canada's largest tuned mass damper for stability.

The Canadian Cancer Society is funding four research projects to study work-related cancers in the construction sector. With nearly $800,000 in funding, the initiative aims to improve awareness and prevention of cancers like lung and skin cancer caused by workplace exposures. The research, conducted in collaboration with labor unions and compensation boards, will cover topics like asbestos exposure and the occupational risks of handling anti-cancer drugs. The effort is expected to lead to better prevention strategies and improvements in worker safety.