Articles from Construct Connect Canada

In the current era of widespread disinformation, the residential construction industry experiences a notable gap between perception and reality concerning the costs associated with housing. A survey by Liaison Strategies highlights misconceptions about how fees and taxes contribute to home prices. This disparity exemplifies the challenge of discerning true costs amid prevalent misinformation. The article seeks to demystify these costs to provide clearer understanding for stakeholders.

A report from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada highlights the significant contribution of mechanical contractors to the Canadian economy, injecting over $30 billion into the GDP while employing more than 205,000 workers. The report, titled 'Building Canada Now: The Economic Impact of Mechanical Contracting in Canada,' was commissioned by the association to showcase the sector's economic importance.

The report from Cushman & Wakefield highlights that the average vacancy for commercial office space in Canada was 17.2% in the second quarter of 2025. This figure, although slightly better than the previous year, still surpasses pre-COVID levels, despite the increasing momentum of the return-to-office movement. The article explores the feasibility of converting these vacant offices into residential spaces as a potential solution.

The article discusses the appropriate procedures for using the tender and RFP process in construction. It emphasizes the importance of clearly understanding the contracting authority's needs before selecting a tender. If needs are not clear, alternatives that allow for a more complete comparison of goods and services should be considered. The content originates from constructconnect.com, a source focused on the construction industry.

New York City has introduced new 'landmark legislation' for construction workers and supervisors. This legislation mandates additional Site Safety Training (SST) to include modules on mental health and wellness, specifically targeting suicide risk and prevention, as well as education on alcohol and substance misuse. This move aims to enhance the overall safety and well-being of construction site personnel.

As Canada prepares to establish a new agency aimed at accelerating home construction, internal documents from the government highlight the severe housing crisis in the country. These briefing materials, specifically intended for the new Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, highlight how expensive housing is detrimentally impacting the economy. The documents underscore the urgency of addressing the housing situation to mitigate its economic repercussions.

In July, the total value of building permits in Canada slightly decreased by 0.1% to $11.9 billion, according to Statistics Canada. The decline was primarily due to a significant drop in the non-residential sector, which fell by 5.8%. However, this was nearly offset by a rise in the residential sector. Despite the overall decrease, the residential market showed positive growth.

ConstructConnect has reported a significant increase in data center construction spending, which reached $14 billion in July 2025. This marks a strong year-over-year rise from July 2024, when the spending was $682 million, and it sets a new record after doubling the previous high of $7.4 billion. Future projections anticipate the spending could exceed $46 billion by 2025. This surge indicates a substantial growth trend in the data center construction industry.

The August jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed weak economic growth with non-farm employment rising by just 22,000 and a revision of June figures revealing a net loss. Over the past four months, job gains have totaled only 100,000, which falls short of the historically higher 200,000-plus monthly increases. The article highlights ongoing pressures in the construction sector amidst this slow job growth.

The federal government of Canada plans to fast-track five major projects, including an expansion of the Port of Montreal and the doubling of liquefied natural gas production in British Columbia. Prime Minister Mark Carney will discuss these initiatives in Edmonton, emphasizing projects that also encompass nuclear power and mining. These projects are part of a broader legislative effort to accelerate major developments across the country.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre urges Prime Minister Mark Carney to implement Conservative proposals to address Canada's housing crisis. Poilievre suggests eliminating federal sales tax on homes priced at $1.3 million or less and motivating municipalities to expedite permits and reduce development charges. The proposal seeks to make housing more affordable and increase construction efficiency. The initiative highlights ongoing political debates over housing policies.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports that housing starts remained stagnant in the first half of 2025 compared to 2024, with noted regional differences. Cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, Montréal, Ottawa, and Halifax achieved construction rates that approached or broke records. While the overall growth was flat, specific regions showed significant building activity. The decline in condominium projects contributed to the overall flat growth.