News
Devimco Immobilier to start work this year on redevelopment of CBC tower in Montreal
February 21, 2020 by On-Site StaffA team of Montreal developers is moving ahead with plans to redevelop the Maison de Radio-Canada tower and surrounding parking lots into a mixed-use neighbourhood. Mach, which is spearheading the project at Wolfe Street and René-Lévesque Boulevard, said Feb. 20…
Montreal-based contractor JCB Construction Canada opens Toronto office
February 21, 2020 by On-Site StaffJCB Construction Canada has put down roots in Toronto. The contractor based in Brossard. Que. — across the Champlain Bridge from Montreal — officially announced the new office on King Street in the east end downtown Toronto Feb. 18, though…
‘Leaning Tower of Dallas’ becomes online star after partially surviving implosion
February 19, 2020 by The Associated PressDALLAS—A social media sensation dubbed the “ Leaning Tower of Dallas” was born when a portion of a building survived an implosion in Dallas. After the implosion Feb. 16 failed to bring down the core of the 11-story former Affiliated…
Quebec, Cree leaders sign major development deal as other Indigenous groups protest across Canada
February 19, 2020 by Lia Levesque, The Canadian PressMONTREAL—As Indigenous-led, anti-pipeline protests have shut down rail service across much of the country, Quebec and Cree leaders announced Feb. 17 the first steps of a wide-ranging 30-year plan to further develop the province’s northern territory together. Premier Francois Legault…
Aiming to disrupt construction, building products start-up Nexii to open new production plant in Squamish, B.C.
February 19, 2020 by David KennedyA British Columbia building products start-up looking to upend the construction industry’s conventional building process is scaling up its operations with a new 90,000 sq. ft. production facility. Nexii Building Solutions Inc. announced plans to invest in the new commercial-scale…
PCL starts demolition work at Edmonton hospital, making way for $85M expansion
February 19, 2020 by On-Site StaffA significant expansion project expected to take about three years is underway at Misericordia Hospital at the west end of Edmonton. Sledge hammers in hand, government and hospital officials kicked off the demolition phase of the job late last week.…
Waterfront Toronto committee weighs in on 160 Sidewalk Labs ideas
February 19, 2020 by Tara Deschamps, The Canadian PressTORONTO—A committee tasked with advising Waterfront Toronto about Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs’s proposal to build a smart city says the agency should support most — but not all — of the company’s ideas for the high-tech neighbourhood. Of the 160…
Ontario introduces bill to speed up Toronto area transit project construction
February 19, 2020 by Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian PressTORONTO—Premier Doug Ford’s government is changing development rules to speed up work on four key transit projects for the Greater Toronto Area, but opposition critics say the new legislation could trample on the environment and homeowners’ rights. Transportation Minister Caroline…
Nova Scotia tables largest single-year capital plan at just over $1B; supports road twinning, hospital work
February 19, 2020 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX—Nova Scotia’s Liberal government has announced the largest single-year capital plan in the province’s history at just over $1 billion for 2020-21. The $1.042-billion figure released Feb. 18 is a 51 per cent year-over-year increase in capital spending, which saw…
Think before you sue: Lawsuits can disqualify bidders on new projects
February 18, 2020 by Laura Brazil and Christina Kim, McMillan LLPCritics say the court decision against a B.C. contractor could have a chilling effect on construction companies’ use of the courts
Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown delayed until ‘well into’ 2022; Metrolinx blames construction team
February 18, 2020 by David KennedyThe new light rail transit line crews are currently building along and under Toronto’s Eglinton Avenue will not open on schedule. Blaming the construction team for the delay, Metrolinx president and CEO, Phil Verster, said the Eglinton Crosstown won’t be…
Auditor general to put Trudeau’s $187B infrastructure program under the microscope
February 15, 2020 by The Canadian PressOTTAWA—The Trudeau government’s massive $187-billion infrastructure program will be scrutinized by the office of the auditor general of Canada. Interim auditor general Sylvain Ricard says his office will endeavour to complete its investigation and report to Parliament no later than…
Ontario construction firm fined for fatal fall during project at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport
February 13, 2020 by On-Site StaffA siding contractor based in Rockwood, Ont. has been fined $125,000 and faces 18 months probation after a worker suffered a fatal fall on a project at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport in early 2018. Vixman Construction Ltd. was sentenced last…
Developer plots construction of Canada’s tallest condo tower in downtown Toronto
February 12, 2020 by On-Site StaffA new building project planned for downtown Toronto is poised to see the tallest residential tower in the country rise at the foot of Yonge Street. Pinnacle International officially launched the 95-storey waterfront project Feb. 12. At 313 metres, so-called…
Mind the labour gap: Construction industry needs to recruit 307,000 workers over next decade
February 12, 2020 by David KennedyThe latest forecast from BuildForce Canada projects continued growth in construction through the mid-2020s. Combined with retirements, the added labour required to keep up with demand will create a substantial gap
Pipeline protests impact B.C. legislature and Canada’s rail network
February 12, 2020 by Laura Kane, The Canadian PressProtests in support of Indigenous hereditary chiefs who oppose a major pipeline project flared across Canada for a fifth day on Tuesday, disrupting British Columbia’s legislature and forcing the cancellation of dozens of commuter and freight trains. Hundreds blocked the entrances…
Ford Super Duty shows its capability in the desert
February 12, 2020 by Mario CywinskiAround 10 years ago, one of my first truck events as an automotive journalist was for the 2011 Ford Super Duty. The event took place in Arizona, starting in Prescott, going through Yarnell, and eventually finishing in Glendale, a suburb…
Acciona, Aecon finalize contract to build new $1.4B Pattullo Bridge in Vancouver area
February 11, 2020 by David KennedyConstruction firms Acciona and Aecon Group Inc. have firmed up a $967.5 million contract to build a new four-lane bridge to replace the aging Pattullo Bridge between New Westminster and Surrey, B.C. The province’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure singled…
Province to spend $103.4M to replace road south of Prince George, B.C. heavily damaged in 2018 flood
February 10, 2020 by On-Site StaffA major construction project to replace a three-kilometre segment of the West Fraser Road in central British Columbia washed away by heavy flooding in 2018 is moving toward shovel-ready. The province’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said Feb. 5 it…
Infrastructure bank takes on advisory role on proposed $1.6B power, fibre link between Manitoba and Nunavut
February 10, 2020 by On-Site StaffThe Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) will be taking on an advisory role on a proposed project that would connect five remote communities in Nunavut with Manitoba’s power grid. The federal institution said Feb. 5 it will engage with stakeholders and…