Articles from On-site

A new commercial carbon capture facility, Carbon1 Mississauga, is being developed in Ontario by Carbon Upcycling Technologies and Ash Grove. This facility will utilize patented technology to sequester carbon dioxide from cement production to create low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials. The project, slated to begin operations in 2026, is supported by Canadian government funding and marks a significant step in reducing the carbon footprint of the cement industry. It reflects a collaborative effort among various stakeholders to promote a sustainable future.

Saint-Gobain Group has acquired Interstar Materials Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of concrete pigments, to expand its construction chemicals sector in North America. This acquisition will add over $20 million annually to Saint-Gobain's revenues and integrate Interstar's 55 employees into its operations, maintaining the Interstar brand in Canada and the US. The acquisition aligns with Saint-Gobain’s commitment to innovation and sustainable construction. Interstar will continue its operations from its facilities in Sherbrooke, Calgary, and Junction City.

Building construction costs in Canada are rising, with residential costs up 1% and non-residential costs up 1.6% in the second quarter of 2025. This increase is partly attributed to American and Canadian tariffs, which have affected material prices and availability. Skilled labor shortages are another contributing factor, leading to higher labor rates and project delays. Quebec saw the highest rise in construction costs, driven by wage increases.

Lambton College in Sarnia, Ontario, has commenced construction on its largest capital project to date—a new student residence. The project, aimed at enhancing student life and community ties, is being undertaken by partners including Fengate, Tilbury Properties, Ball Construction, Teeple Architects, and Varsity Communities. Set to open in September 2027, the residence will mark the college's 60th anniversary and reflects a long-standing community legacy. The groundbreaking ceremony saw participation from college officials, partners, and local dignitaries.

A survey by Construction Safety Nova Scotia in conjunction with WorkInsights highlights significant mental health challenges within the Nova Scotia construction industry. High stress levels are linked to increased workplace incidents and higher turnover, with many workers considering leaving their jobs due to these pressures. The study identifies key issues such as poor manager relationships and substance use, yet it also points to positive factors like a strong sense of purpose and team cohesion. The report calls on employers to lead efforts in creating supportive environments to address these mental health challenges.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reports that while the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of housing starts in June was flat, there was growth in both the six-month trend and year-over-year actual starts. Housing starts increased by 14% year-over-year in cities with populations over 10,000. There is a varying pace of construction across Canada, with Quebec and the Prairie provinces seeing increases, while Toronto and Vancouver's weak condo markets are affecting their overall housing starts. Vancouver saw a significant increase in multi-unit starts, but Toronto and Montreal experienced declines in housing starts compared to the previous year.

Oxford Properties Group has started construction on a $750 million rental development named Alta in Scarborough, Ontario, marking the area's first major purpose-built rental project in decades. The development will include three residential towers providing 1,285 rental units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. A $650 million loan from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation supports this project, which aims to intensify land use around Scarborough Town Centre. Alta progresses as part of Oxford's broader master plan involving over 10,000 residential units in the area.

The construction sector in Canada experienced a notable increase in employment during June, with the workforce expanding by 7,600 workers from May, leading to a total of 1,640,800 employees. Over the past year, the sector added 55,600 jobs, marking a 3.5% rise compared to June 2024. Canada's overall employment grew by 83,000 jobs, with a significant contribution from part-time positions. The unemployment rate inched down to 6.9%, although the construction sector's unemployment slightly increased to 6.7% for the month.

The Spirit Garden in Toronto is among the ten projects honored in the 18th North American Copper in Architecture Awards by the Copper Development Association. This project, designed by Gow Hastings Architects and other collaborators, integrates cultural storytelling with architectural elements to commemorate Indigenous history. Winners were judged on criteria such as copper system design and integration, craftsmanship, and sustainability, and the awarded projects spanned both new constructions and restorations across North America. The Spirit Garden, built for the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, highlights the importance of copper’s use in modern architectural design projects.

EllisDon and PCL Constructors, under a joint venture named ED+PCL Healthcare Partners, have secured a $13.9 billion contract to construct the new Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children in Mississauga, Ontario. This project, a progressive public-private partnership, will involve creating a 22-storey, 2.8 million square-foot healthcare facility with advanced medical capabilities, replacing the existing hospital. It aims to meet the growing healthcare demands of the community with new diagnostic imaging, emergency department, and Ontario’s first women and children hospital. Construction is anticipated to complete by 2033.

Ontario and Alberta have signed Memorandums of Understanding to cooperate on the development of energy and trade infrastructure, including pipelines and rail lines, to diversify Canada's trading partners. The plans include new pipelines using Ontario steel and rail lines connecting critical mineral supply chains to ports in Western Canada. They also intend to advocate for favorable federal regulations and explore nuclear energy developments. A joint feasibility study will identify optimal routes for these projects.

The Canadian construction industry is increasingly adopting new technologies to enhance productivity amidst growing pressures to build faster. According to a KPMG survey, 90% of construction leaders acknowledge the need for digital tools, which are already showing benefits in productivity. Procurement processes are evolving to support innovation, although challenges like skilled labor shortages and regional regulatory differences remain. Key technologies being prioritized include modular construction, robotics, and AI, with a focus on improving supply chain efficiency.