Articles from Electrical Business

In April 2025, Canada's total investment in building construction dropped by $741.9 million to $22.3 billion, with significant declines in both the residential and non-residential sectors. The residential sector experienced a 4.5% decrease, notably in the multi-unit and single-family components. Ontario and Alberta led the national downturn in single-family home construction. The non-residential sector saw a slight decline, despite an increase in institutional investments, led by Alberta.

The Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) recognized top member companies with the R. Hugh Carroll Award for exemplary safety commitment in 2025. Multiple firms, including Rogol Electric and Symtech Innovations, were honored for their outstanding safety achievements. Additionally, certain members were given the new Recognition of Safety Achievement award for maintaining injury statistics below the industry average. Larry J. MacDonald of Black & McDonald Ltd. received the D.J.B. Wright Award for his leadership contributions to Ontario's electrical contracting industry.

The Ontario government will enhance workplace safety for construction workers by mandating automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) at construction sites expected to last three or more months with at least 20 workers. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development is considering financial assistance for small businesses to acquire AEDs. The WSIB is proposing a program to reimburse the cost of AEDs, which can range from $1,800 to $3,700. This measure responds to data indicating that over 15% of cardiac-related workplace incidents occur in the construction sector.

Ontario has approved Ontario Power Generation to begin constructing its first new nuclear project in over 30 years, comprising four small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Darlington New Nuclear Project site. A partnership between Aecon Group and Kiewit Nuclear Canada will handle the construction, scheduled for completion in 2030. The project will use Integrated Project Delivery and will collaborate with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and AtkinsRéalis to deliver North America's first grid-scale SMR. The Darlington units will generate a total of 1200 MW using commercially available uranium.

The Oneida Energy Storage Project, the largest battery energy storage facility in Canada, has commenced operations in Haldimand County, Ontario. This project was developed through a partnership with Northland Power and various Indigenous and corporate stakeholders, highlighting the importance of collaboration and Indigenous partnership. Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, the facility will enhance Ontario's grid capacity and stability while contributing to emissions reduction. The project, supported by significant funding, also generated over 180 jobs during its construction phase.

Susanna Zagar, CEO of the Ontario Energy Board, has received the Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) 2025 Agent of Change Award. Zagar is recognized for her leadership and efforts in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the organization’s ethos and influencing the broader electricity sector. Through initiatives such as OEB’s DEI Statement and engagement in programs like The Prosperity Project’s Rosie Initiative, she has significantly impacted workplace standards. The award will be presented during a celebration event in Toronto on May 14.

The article discusses a series of questions that test knowledge of the Canadian Electrical Code, specific to its Part I. The questions cover topics such as permissible use locations for enclosures, IEC equivalents of conductors, and installation rules for heater control devices. Answers to a previous set of questions from February 2025 are also provided, along with a scoring system to assess expertise. The content is published under Electrical Business Magazine, with links provided for digital archives.