Articles from Nenew Canada

Nak’azdli Development Corp. and Deadwood Innovations have created a new prefabricated home model in Canada that uses mass timber panels made from local lumber, aiming to address housing shortages in remote and rural communities. The Timber House project leverages local resources and involves collaborations with academic institutions to enhance affordable and sustainable housing solutions. The expedited construction process involves producing panels in controlled environments during winter to speed up assembly in summer. The initiative also revitalizes local sawmills by transforming low-quality timber into high-quality components.

The Government of Ontario is investing over $6.3 million in a new multi-season arena at Curve Lake First Nation and $10 million for the South Bowmanville Recreation Centre. These projects, part of the $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, aim to enhance local facilities and promote active living. The new arena in Curve Lake will offer year-round activities including hockey and lacrosse, while the South Bowmanville centre will include amenities like a gymnasium, swimming pool, and skating trail. These investments are expected to boost community wellness and economic growth by attracting major sporting events.

The Canadian government has launched Build Canada Homes, a federal agency focused on rapidly increasing the supply of affordable housing across the nation. The initiative aims to address homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing, leveraging public lands, and using modern construction methods like factory-built homes and mass timber. With an initial $13 billion investment, the agency will collaborate with provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities to build at scale, utilizing Canadian materials to support domestic industries. Key projects are set to launch in multiple cities, prioritizing innovative, sustainable construction and the preservation of existing affordable rental housing.

The Ontario government has completed the North Bay Rail Bypass, a crucial development in the return of the Northlander passenger rail service to northern Ontario. The 982-meter track, funded with $5.7 million, connects CN and ONTC lines, bypassing the busy North Bay Rail Yard to improve safety and efficiency. This project is part of a broader effort to reinstate the Northlander service, which will run from Toronto to Timmins with multiple stops, enhancing connectivity and economic growth in the region. Ongoing investments include the construction of new stations and the installation of pre-manufactured shelters at various stops along the route.

The Canadian government has announced a series of major infrastructure projects to be reviewed by the new Major Projects Office (MPO). These projects include LNG expansion in British Columbia, a new nuclear project in Ontario, and a terminal expansion in Québec, among others. The aim is to streamline project approval processes and attract significant investment while strengthening Canada's position in global energy and trade. The MPO's efforts are expected to close regulatory gaps and coordinate with various stakeholders to expedite project completion.

The Canada Infrastructure Bank has closed a $100 million financial deal with Cando Rail & Terminals to expand the Sturgeon Terminal in Alberta's Industrial Heartland. This expansion will double the terminal's capacity, providing additional railcar storage and staging spaces to support the transportation of goods for both domestic and global markets. The project is expected to create 50 new full-time jobs and contribute $22.3 million annually to the region's GDP. Construction has begun with operations slated to start in late 2026.

Hydro One Inc., in collaboration with First Nation partners and government officials, has begun construction of the St. Clair Transmission Line in Ontario. This $471.9 million infrastructure project aims to boost economic growth and energy reliability by connecting the County of Lambton and Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The project involves upgrading existing transformer stations and offers First Nations a 50% equity stake in the transmission line component. It is expected to create approximately 70 new jobs during construction.

Toronto has commenced construction on a new 90,000 square foot, state-of-the-art paramedic station at 300 Progress Ave. The facility will house ambulances, emergency vehicles, and the Education and Development team, and is designed with innovative sustainable features to meet net-zero energy standards. The project highlights the city's commitment to enhancing emergency services and environmental responsibility, with completion expected in 2029.

Veterans’ House Canada is launching a new supportive housing project in Edmonton's Athlone neighborhood, which will provide 40 permanent homes for homeless veterans. This is the organization's second project, following a successful initiative in Ottawa, and it is backed by various government levels, private, and corporate donors. The project aims to offer affordable permanent housing coupled with necessary support services to address challenges like mental health, and community reintegration. The project signifies collective efforts in creating affordable housing solutions for veterans in need.

The Port of Montreal and DP World Canada have signed a Joint Development Agreement for the design of land-based works as part of the Contrecœur expansion project. This project strengthens the strategic role of the Port of Montreal in Canadian economic trade and is expected to generate approximately 8,000 jobs, increasing trade capacity and providing long-term economic benefits. DP World will lead the construction and operation of the new container terminal, enhancing sustainability and innovation. The terminal, anticipated to be fully operational by 2030, will support the handling of 1.15 million TEUs annually.

Bird Construction Inc. is set to acquire Fraser River Pile & Dredge (FRPD) for approximately $82.3 million, with the transaction expected to finalize in early 2025. FRPD, a leading marine construction and dredging company based in New Westminster, B.C., has a strong reputation for quality work across Canada. This acquisition aims to integrate FRPD's expertise into Bird's operations, enhancing its capacity to undertake large-scale projects in Canada. The merger underscores both companies' historic roles in significant Canadian infrastructure projects.

The Ontario government has initiated construction on the Scarborough Centre Station as part of the Scarborough Subway Extension, expected to bring transit access to 38,000 people. This station will accommodate over 10,000 passengers and facilitate 7,000 transfers during rush hours, integrating local bus services with the subway line. The extension will improve connections across the Greater Toronto Area and reduce travel times for students and staff at nearby campuses, while supporting broader economic opportunities. The project is a key development in enhancing public transit infrastructure in Ontario.