Articles from On-site

The article discusses the launch of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency in Canada focused on building affordable housing across the country. Headed by Ana Bailão, the agency aims to increase the housing supply by partnering with private developers, leveraging public lands, and offering financial incentives to build more homes sustainably and at scale. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced an initial $13 billion capitalization for the agency, which aims to double housing construction and reduce homelessness. Emphasis will be placed on using modern, eco-friendly construction methods and materials.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the first set of projects to be fast-tracked by Canada’s new Major Projects Office (MPO). These projects, valued at over $60 billion, include the LNG Canada Phase 2, the Darlington New Nuclear Project, the Contrecœur Terminal Container expansion, and the McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine. The MPO aims to streamline assessments and approvals for these nation-building initiatives and enhance Canada's economic growth. Additional sectors for development include critical minerals and wind energy in Atlantic Canada.

The CMHC reports that housing starts across Canada's principal cities have remained stable but show significant regional variation in 2025. While cities like Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal experienced high construction rates, Toronto and Vancouver saw declines, primarily due to slow condominium starts. Rental housing construction surged, driven by government incentives, but the overall slowdown in the homeownership market poses future risks. Development charges and approval times are major hurdles for increased construction in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.

Power Curbers Companies has acquired Miller Formless Systems, a mid-sized slipform machine producer based in Illinois. This acquisition aims to leverage synergies between the two firms to enhance product offerings and customer support while maintaining Miller Formless' legacy. Miller Formless will operate under its brand name and continue producing machines for contractors worldwide. Founded in 1953, Power Curbers is known for manufacturing concrete slipform machines for various applications.

Bluebeam, a leading developer for AEC professionals, has acquired Firmus AI to enhance its project review platform with AI capabilities. This acquisition integrates Firmus' AI technology into Bluebeam's workflows, allowing for early risk identification and efficient cross-discipline analysis. The integration aims to improve efficiency and mitigate risks in the preconstruction phase through detailed document analysis. Firmus' technology will be incorporated into Bluebeam's products starting in early 2026.

The Common Ground Alliance's 2024 DIRT Report indicates an increase in damages to buried utilities, despite some improvements within specific sectors and organizations. The report reviews nearly 197,000 damage cases and shows challenges like improper marking and failure to notify 'Call Before You Dig'. The CGA calls for comprehensive enforcement and accountability measures, highlighting that current damage rates match construction activity rather than preventive practices. Significant improvements are needed to meet the ambitious goal of reducing damages by 50% over five years.

In June, Canada's construction sector significantly impacted overall employment figures, continuing a decline that started in December. The sector saw a reduction of 5,200 positions, contributing to a total payroll employment drop of 32,900. Job vacancies in construction rose by 4,600, partly offsetting a prior decline but were still down compared to last year and from their peak in 2022.

Recent research by Dodge Construction Network and CMiC shows that ERP systems provide measurable benefits to construction companies. General and trade contractors using ERP software report better data-driven decision-making and project controls. These systems are now mainstream, with most users integrating external data to enhance their performance significantly. Despite these advantages, many firms still rely on outdated methods, highlighting the need for comprehensive integration and commitment to obtaining maximum value from ERP systems.

Procore Technologies has entered a strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to boost innovation in construction technology. This partnership focuses on enhancing AI, data operability, and analytics in Procore’s platform to aid efficient project management and data-driven decision making. The agreement also facilitates Procore’s availability on AWS Marketplace, providing benefits like consolidated billing and flexible AI solutions. This collaboration aims to empower construction companies with improved productivity and scale.

The 2025 40 Under 40 Virtual Symposium is an online event presented by On-Site Magazine and sponsored by Link-Belt. It features ten-minute sessions led by Canadian construction leaders who discuss their experiences and insights. Notable speakers include Dan Bockstael, Vincent Davenport, and Gabe Guetta. The event aims to inspire attendees by sharing valuable industry knowledge and is free to attend.

Employment in Canada's construction sector decreased by 1.3% in July, shedding approximately 22,000 workers, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey. Despite the decline, the number of construction jobs remained relatively stable compared to the same time last year. Many construction workers remain confident about their job prospects despite the economic uncertainties, particularly those within the 25 to 64 age range. The report also highlights broader concerns in the labor market, including a persistent issue with long-term unemployment.

The Ontario government, in partnership with Alberta and Saskatchewan, has initiated a feasibility study to explore an energy corridor from Alberta to Ontario. The proposed corridor aims to enhance energy security by transporting Canadian oil and gas via new pipelines, reducing reliance on the U.S., and creating jobs. The project also considers building a new deep-sea port on James Bay and evaluating increased refinery capacities. This initiative, driven by a memorandum between the provinces, also includes discussions on Indigenous equity participation and potentially establishing a Canadian Strategic Petroleum Reserve.