Topic
Infrastructure
Tories seek auditor general review of Liberal infrastructure plan
January 29, 2020 Jordan Press, The Canadian PressThe Conservatives have harshly criticized the government’s plan for roads, bridges, transit and water systems slated to cost more than $180 billion over a decade
Infrastructure Ontario chief Ehren Cory returning to private sector
January 25, 2020 by Megan HoeglerCory will stay on until the end of April to give IO ample time to find a replacement.
Supreme Court dismisses B.C.’s appeal in Trans Mountain pipeline case
January 16, 2020 Mia Rabson, The Canadian PressThe decision puts another of the pipeline’s hurdles behind it. Construction is underway, though some barriers remain
Waterloo, Ont. start-up SiteVue looks to bring job site record keeping into modern era with AI, photo mapping
January 13, 2020 David KennedyKeeping project stakeholders dialled into day-to-day construction progress and preserving detailed records for months or years is no easy task
Ontario auditor general to probe Hamilton light rail costs as questions about cancellation linger
December 27, 2019 Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian PressTORONTO—Ontario’s auditor general will investigate the “reasonableness” of government cost estimates for Hamilton’s now cancelled light-rail line, as questions remain about the figures used to justify scrapping the transit project. Bonnie Lysyk said Dec. 20 she will probe the estimates…
Bird subcontracted to build seven new stations for next phase of Ottawa’s light rail transit expansion
December 24, 2019 by David KennedyConstruction had yet to wrap up on Ottawa’s new Confederation Line when the city green-lit an expansion of the light rail network earlier this year. After a number of delays and a troublesome launch, the line entered regular service this…
Rail service firm Cando starts construction of new terminal outside Edmonton
December 18, 2019 On-Site StaffConstruction is underway on a new rail terminal on the outskirts of Edmonton. Cando Rail Services said Dec. 17 it has started work on the Cando Sturgeon Terminal in an area known the province’s Industrial Heartland. The new rail hub…
2020 Construction Forecast: Positive momentum to continue, but industry needs to embrace change
December 18, 2019 David KennedyA steady stream of building projects in most regions of Canada, and particularly within its big urban centres, have kept the construction industry busy through the second half of 2019. Though concerns about how long growth can continue persist, much…
Trudeau releases mandate letter to new Minister of Infrastructure
December 17, 2019 by Megan HoeglerPrime Minister Justin Trudeau has released the mandate letter addressed to Canada’s new Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna. The letters, which are released by the Prime Minister to Cabinet ministers at the start of a new term, highlight…
Ontario cancels Hamilton light rail project in what mayor calls a ‘betrayal’
December 17, 2019 Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian PressThe province said the cost of the transit project had ballooned to five times its original price tag and abruptly pulled the plug ahead of a planned press conference
Boring starts on Toronto’s Coxwell Bypass Tunnel, first phase of $3B water infrastructure project
December 16, 2019 by David KennedyComponents of a tunnel boring machine known as “Donnie” have been lowered and assembled at the bottom of a 50-metre shaft at a wastewater treatment plant on the east end of Toronto. The 1,000-tonne machine will begin moving material shortly…
From the editor… Megaprojects test industry’s capacity to deliver
December 14, 2019 by David KennedyFew and far between just a few years ago, multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects have become the norm in Ontario. With planning now underway for four new or extended transit lines in the Toronto area, Canada’s most populous province will be measuring…
Methods to avoid fraud, mismanagement needed in Nova Scotia hospital project: auditor
December 13, 2019 Michael Tutton, The Canadian PressHALIFAX—Nova Scotia’s auditor general is raising concerns about inadequate safeguards to prevent fraud and mistakes in the largest capital project in the province’s history. In a report released Dec. 10, Michael Pickup delved into the management of the $2-billion health-care…
Infrastructure bank backs new Port of Montreal container terminal with $300M in financing
December 5, 2019 The Canadian PressMONTREAL—The Canadian Infrastructure Bank is pledging up to $300 million in financing for a new container terminal project at the Port of Montreal, though regulatory approval is still pending. The project’s total cost estimate runs between $750 million and $950…
Cities ask for gas-tax fund boost in 100-day wish list for Trudeau government
December 2, 2019 Jordan Press, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—Canada’s cities say the federal Liberals are willing to find creative ways to remove political roadblocks from provinces to fund billions in municipal projects, a sign of hope that comes as they ask Ottawa for more money and new ways…
Donning hard hat, new infrastructure minister McKenna, vows to pick up pace on projects
November 28, 2019 Joan Bryden, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—Catherine McKenna says her top priority as the country’s new infrastructure minister is to get projects built quickly. The Liberal government has committed more than $180 billion over 12 years to improving roads, bridges, public transit and other needed infrastructure…
Building trust is key to successful infrastructure projects
November 25, 2019 RICSHigh performing infrastructure is an enabler for growth, prosperity and the well-being of citizens but lack of transparency can cause distrust among key stakeholders in the infrastructure delivery value chain. Project owners can better ensure value for money is being…
Federal law at heart of western anger up for debate as Liberals begin outreach
November 23, 2019 Stephanie Levitz, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau quickly backed up his pledge for more dialogue with the West, opening his Nov. 21 meeting with Calgary’s mayor up to the two members of his government now entrusted with being ambassadors to the region. Manitoba…
McKenna to take over infrastructure file after four contentious years on environment
November 20, 2019 by David KennedyAfter four years on a portfolio rife with conflict, Ottawa Centre MP Catherine McKenna will be taking over the infrastructure file from Francois-Philippe Champagne. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid out his new cabinet Nov. 20 at Rideau Hall in a…
Construction capacity among major concerns for Ontario as it plans four-line $28.5B transit expansion
November 20, 2019 by David KennedyThe huge new transit program will be competing for labour with health care initiatives, nuclear refurbishments and the seemingly endless list of private developments cropping up across the city