Topic
Skills Development
New CCA mentorship program connects innovators with contractors looking to test novel solutions
July 9, 2019 David KennedyWithout the direct input of end users, innovations are often little more than solutions in search of problems
Getting ready to take off: New rules to consider when using drones on construction sites
June 11, 2019 Katherine Ayre and Adrienne HoDrones can be valuable, cost-effective tools on construction sites. Typically used to conduct aerial surveys or collect data, they can also carry bitumen printers and transport payloads across long distances. As of June 1, 2019, however, drones will be subject…
On-Site reveals Canada’s 2019 Top Contractors
June 10, 2019 by David KennedyOur annual report highlighting the 40 largest construction companies in the country
Canada’s Top 40 Contractors by revenue
June 5, 2019 by On-Site MagazineOn-Site’s 2019 Top Contractors by revenue. To see how this year’s list stacks up against previous top performers, click here. Or, to read through the entire 2019 Top Contractors issue, click here.
Younger generation gets chance to try out construction trades as industry stares down labour shortage
May 31, 2019 by David KennedyOTTAWA—For three days earlier this month, thousands of Ottawa-area students got to try their hands at everything from real-life glass cutting and soldering to welding in virtual reality. Future Building 2019 rolled through the EY Centre in the Canadian capital…
Ontario budget promises overhaul of apprenticeship, skilled trades system
April 13, 2019 by David KennedyTORONTO—The scarcity of skilled workers across Ontario is no secret. Construction employers, among others, often face a serious challenge finding tradespersons to fill roles, resulting in project delays and higher costs. The 2019 Ontario budget, the first released under Premier…
Under lock and key: Guarding job sites from thieves and thrill-seekers saves contractors down the line
March 13, 2019 Jillian MorganSprawling construction sites, swarming with workers during the day, but abundant in valuable tools and unguarded equipment once crews clock out, are ripe for pilfering. Unlike picking a lock or breaking a window, prowling a vacant construction site after-hours hoping…
Connecting the dots between technology and capital
March 12, 2019 David BowcottYou may have noticed that a number of articles I’ve penned in the last year have had a strong technology leaning. It isn’t a coincidence. There’s absolutely no doubt that over the last few years Silicon Valley has discovered the…
Bird’s eye view: The consequences of falls from heights demand a culture shift
February 19, 2019 Jillian MorganIt may be time to rethink working at heights from the ground up. Though some provinces have welcomed a marginal decline in accidents, falls remain a leading cause of injury for tradespeople of all stripes across the country. The most…
The impending shortage: Canadian construction industry has 300,000 jobs to fill over next decade
February 11, 2019 by David KennedyWith hundreds of thousands of industry veterans set to hang up their hard hats, construction firms need to step up their recruitment efforts
Understanding the impact of engine idling
January 2, 2019 Brian Humphrey, OEM Technical Liaison, Petro-Canada LubricantsDowntime for a construction operation can cause significant disruption and have a real impact on a company’s bottom line. It’s therefore essential to ensure that equipment is running smoothly — even in the most difficult and extreme conditions. There are…
Lean Construction: Getting past the silos
December 5, 2018 Jacob StollerToronto’s Humber River Hospital, completed in 2015, is an award-winning facility featuring fully integrated digital infrastructure, compliance with LEED, a natural people-friendly environment and floor layouts that support Lean workflows. What’s not immediately obvious is the project’s diverse input from…
Stringent use of written change orders risking construction delays, cost overruns
October 30, 2018 Aaron Stavne and Alan RegelThe Canadian engineering and construction industries often insist on using only written change orders when agreeing to alterations to a project’s scope. Other means of communication, such as verbal direction, are often seen as inadequate and non-binding. But this nearly…
Quebec crane operators continue strike despite order to return to work
June 22, 2018 The Canadian PressMany of the province’s nearly 2,000 crane operators walked off the job earlier this week, disrupting work at job sites across Quebec
Construction innovation: Shedding the old paradigms
June 11, 2018 Jacob StollerThe term “innovation” conjures up images of drones, virtual reality, state-of-the-art sensing technology and leading-edge building materials. These products, however, are only enablers—the real innovation is in the changes companies have to make to adopt them. Unlike manufacturers, contractors don’t…
Crane operators protest in front of Couillard’s Montreal office
May 9, 2018 The Canadian PressMONTREAL—Crane operators drove their rigs through the streets of Montreal over the weekend to protest new regulations that govern how workers are trained. About 10 cranes and several hundred union members joined the march and protest that ended in front…
CCDC launches coast-to-coast seminars on project delivery, IPD and procurement
April 10, 2018 by Jillian MorganThe Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) is launching a series of cross-country seminars between April and May 2018. The seminars will introduce new and updated documents, with a focus on project delivery methods as well as procurement and contracting requirements.…
Alberta policy supports apprenticeship training on public projects
February 16, 2018 by Jillian MorganAlberta has introduced a new bidding policy for contractors to utilize apprentices in construction-related trades on large-scale, public infrastructure projects. The policy requires apprentices in the 11 trades to participate on major public projects valued over $15 million, or those…
250,000 construction workers to retire this decade
February 5, 2018 by Jillian MorganOver 250,000 construction workers are expected to retire this decade, according to the latest labour market forecast from BuildForce Canada. Those workers account for 21 per cent of Canada’s construction workforce. To meet labour requirements, 277,000 construction workers will need…
Toboggan race for engineering students sponsored by PCL
February 2, 2018 by Jillian MorganFor the fifth consecutive year, PCL Construction was the title sponsor of the 44th Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race (GNCTR) in support of young engineers. Hosted by the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ont., the race took place from Jan.…