Articles from Building.ca

A study from the Sustainable Construction Barometer reveals Canada is lagging in sustainable construction compared to global trends. Although 71% of Canadian construction stakeholders understand sustainable construction, only 22% of the general population does. The study highlights the need for increased awareness, education, and competitive sustainable materials to advance sustainable practices in Canadian construction. Stakeholders, especially those in design, are crucial for driving this transition but must address local specificities to be effective.

Investment in Ontario's ICI building construction sector increased by 17% year-over-year in Q1, according to OCS. The institutional sector showed the highest growth, with medical facilities, transportation, and educational buildings leading the way. Notable projects include the Windsor Acute Care Hospital and expansions in Thunder Bay and Barrie. Infrastructure investment also rose sharply in the transportation and utilities sector, particularly in Oshawa, London, and Ottawa.

The British Columbia government has given a preview of the ongoing Broadway subway tunnel construction in Vancouver, part of a $2.95 billion extension of the SkyTrain Millennium Line. The project, which includes six underground stations and is slated to open in 2027, is expected to triple the passenger capacity compared to the current rapid bus service. Although there are slight cost overruns common to underground construction, it remains largely under control. The project is expected to expand the overall SkyTrain capacity by over 27% by also extending the Expo Line to Langley.

Construction workers in Quebec's residential sector have gone on strike after negotiations with the employer failed. The strike could affect the construction of thousands of homes, and the workers are demanding higher salary increases than offered. Quebec's Labour Minister has expressed concern about the impact on housing availability but is currently not considering back-to-work legislation. The dispute remains unresolved as both parties have not agreed to arbitration.

The Ontario government is proposing changes to accelerate the construction of Skills Development Fund training centres to help workers affected by economic challenges such as U.S. tariffs. The initiative aims to cut red tape and facilitate quicker development of these facilities by exempting them from certain permit requirements. Additional measures include improving job posting transparency and reducing barriers for implementing health and safety systems. These efforts are part of Ontario's strategy to protect workers and boost the province's competitiveness.

Quebec police have launched a criminal negligence investigation following a collapse at a construction site in Blainville, where a retaining wall failure led to the death of one worker and injuries to two others. The deceased, Alexandre Paris, was an employee of Preco-MSE, a subcontractor at the site. The incident prompted Syscomax, one of the leading firms on the project, to shut down all operations and offer psychological support to affected workers. Investigations are also underway by Quebec's workplace health and safety board to uncover the cause of the accident.

Ontario will require certain construction sites to have automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of new legislative amendments. This requirement will apply to sites expected to last over three months with at least 20 workers. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board will reimburse companies for the AED cost, anticipated to be around $2,300. Industry stakeholders, like RESCON, support this move, asserting it will save lives.

Amid tariff tensions between the United States and Canada that are exacerbating the housing crisis by increasing construction costs, Canada sees an opportunity to revamp its housing strategy through modular and prefabricated construction. Factory-built housing is not only faster and less expensive but also environmentally friendly, suggesting a sustainable way to meet urgent housing needs. Canadian initiatives like the Rapid Housing Initiative have shown success in scaling modular housing, and future plans include expanded funding and support from both federal and provincial levels. A global alliance on modular housing could emerge as a result, addressing both domestic needs and supporting international collaboration.

The BC Construction Association (BCCA) has launched the Past Chair Legacy Fund to support development in the construction industry. This initiative aims to enhance the construction workforce by funding eligible trade and professional career paths. Up to four beneficiaries will be chosen annually, one from each designated region in British Columbia. Applications are open until June 15, 2025, and the fund aims to maintain industry competitiveness and innovation.

Capital Power Corp. is focused on integrating two newly acquired U.S. natural gas power plants after purchasing the Hummel power station in Pennsylvania and the Rolling Hills station in Ohio for $3 billion. The acquisition allows the company to enter the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection market, a significant U.S. power market. CEO Avik Dey emphasized the importance of natural gas power generation, particularly with the rising demand from AI data centers. Although Capital Power's profits fell in Q1 2025, it sees long-term growth in the natural gas sector.