News
EllisDon completes 10-hour concrete pour for new utilities building at Vancouver airport [WATCH]
November 14, 2019 by On-Site StaffIt took 10 hours of work and just short 300 loads of concrete, but EllisDon smoothly wrapped up a massive concrete pour at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) last month. Their booms crisscrossing the job site, four separate concrete pump…
New head of Quebec anti-corruption police admits to ‘failure,’ vows to do better
November 14, 2019 by The Canadian PressQUEBEC—The new head of Quebec’s anti-corruption squad is seeking to assure the public he can restore trust in his embattled institution following years of criticism and problems that have marred the reputation of the once-respected police unit. Frederick Gaudreau, recently…
43-year-old worker killed by falling material on Welland, Ont. construction site
November 13, 2019 by On-Site StaffAn investigation is underway after a worker on a Welland, Ont. construction site was killed by falling material Nov. 12. Police, as well as Welland Fire and emergency medical services teams, responded to an “industrial accident” Tuesday afternoon at a…
Southern Alberta village council burns proposed biowaste incinerator
November 13, 2019 by The Canadian PressBEISEKER, Alta.—A proposal to build a biomedical waste incinerator near a southern Alberta village has been rejected after area residents raised concerns about emissions from the plant. There was loud applause from about 100 people on hand Nov. 12 when…
Alberta to widen 29-kilometre stretch of main southern highway in $76.5M project
November 13, 2019 by The Canadian PressKANANASKIS, Alta.—The Alberta government will be widening 29 kilometres of Highway 1A in the southern part of the province. The $76.5 million project is to double the width of the section between Cochrane and Canmore, which has not had significant…
Ontario fines construction firm for incident involving overhead wires in Port Perry, Ont.
November 12, 2019 by On-Site StaffCoco Paving Inc. has been fined $50,000 for a workplace incident involving an excavator and energized wires, though no workers were injured. The company had been hired by Durham region to install an underground waste pipe in Port Perry, Ont.…
What construction stakeholders need to know to navigate Ontario’s new adjudication regime
November 11, 2019 by Catherine DiMarcoAdjudication is intended to be a “swift justice” process for parties to resolve payment disputes
Provinces step up with new funds to boost trades during National Skilled Trades and Technology Week
November 8, 2019 by On-Site StaffAcross the country, skilled tradespersons are expected to be increasingly short supply in the coming years, in both construction and beyond
Construction industry loses 21,300 jobs in October, led by declines in Quebec, Ontario
November 8, 2019 by On-Site StaffA loss of 21,300 construction jobs in October pushed overall employment in the industry down to about 1.46 million, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada — translating to a construction labour market that’s only marginally ahead of where…
Amazon plans new warehouse in Montreal area, its first fulfillment centre in Quebec
November 8, 2019 by On-Site StaffAmazon Canada has announced plans to open what will be its first fulfillment centre in Quebec. The U.S. online retail giant revealed few details about the new facility, but said it will be located in Lachine — a borough at…
Nova Scotia ditches P3 model for Cape Breton health centres
November 8, 2019 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX—The Nova Scotia government has quietly reversed its funding plans for two new health centres to be built in Cape Breton. Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Lloyd Hines says the government will now foot the bill, instead of participating in…
Stuart Olson suspends dividend as tough environment in Alberta, oilsands continues
November 7, 2019 by On-Site StaffStuart Olson Inc. reported its third quarter 2019 earnings after markets closed Nov. 6. The Calgary-based contractor said it recorded $243.1 million in revenue for the three-month period ending Sept. 30, up from $223.7 million a year ago. Net earnings…
GFL Environmental cancels IPO after investors seek price below range
November 6, 2019 by Armina Ligaya, The Canadian PressExisting shareholders in the company, which has a hand in the construction industry through its infrastructure unit, did not feel the IPO price reflected the firm’s value
Bird Construction revenue slips, but gross profits rise in third quarter
November 6, 2019 by On-Site StaffBird Construction Inc. saw its revenue decline slightly during the third quarter of 2019, but posted net income gains across all sectors, resulting in an improved gross profit percentage. The company recorded $378.6 million in revenue, versus $381.4 million in…
Alberta to spend $397M to build 25 schools, looking at P3 method for five of them
November 6, 2019 by Dean Bennett, The Canadian PressEDMONTON—Alberta is back in the business of partnering with the private sector to build schools. Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda says five of 25 new school projects being built over the next five years may be constructed using the so-called P3…
Construction of 11-tower project led by Squamish Nation scheduled to start in Vancouver in 2021
November 6, 2019 by Hina Alam, The Canadian PressVANCOUVER—One of the largest Indigenous-led urban development projects in Canada that proponents hope will rise in the heart of Vancouver is set to double in size with 6,000 units planned. Khelsilem, a Squamish Nation councillor, said the proximity of the…
SickKids breaks ground on multibillion-dollar three-part redevelopment
November 5, 2019 by Megan HoeglerConstruction is underway on the first of three planned redevelopment projects at the Hospital for Sick Children, better known as SickKids, in downtown Toronto. An official groundbreaking ceremony held on Oct. 22 commemorated the first step in building a new…
Valard to start work on $1.9B Wataynikaneyap Power project that will connect 17 Ontario First Nations to grid
November 4, 2019 by David KennedyMore than a dozen remote First Nations communities across Northern Ontario are poised to shut down their diesel generators for good over the next four years as work gets underway on the $1.9 billion Wataynikaneyap Power project. Utility contractor Valard…
Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto reach deal on reduced scope for contentious Quayside project
November 2, 2019 by Ian Bickis, The Canadian PressThe proposed Toronto building project will cover a 4.8-hectare site called Quayside, though it still faces numerous hurdles before shovels can get in the ground
EllisDon teams up with Build a Dream to boost construction industry diversification
November 1, 2019 by Megan HoeglerEllisDon and non-profit Build a Dream have partnered up to tackle diversification in the construction industry. The contractor and Windsor-based non-profit organization will work together to attract young women to careers in construction, where only 3.8 per cent of job site…