News
Nova Scotia assumes liability for removal of crane toppled by Hurricane Dorian
September 19, 2019 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX—The Nova Scotia government has declared a localized state of emergency in part of downtown Halifax in order to speed up removal of a construction crane blown down during post-tropical storm Dorian. Labour Minister Labi Kousoulis said Sept. 18 the…
Molson Coors cuts the ribbon at new $300M Chilliwack, B.C. plant after three years of work
September 19, 2019 by On-Site StaffCHILLIWACK, B.C.—Construction is complete on a major new brewery in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley after three years of work. Top officials from Molson Coors Canada were on hand to cut the ribbon at the new plant that will serve Western…
Ottawa’s opens new $2.1B light rail line after six years of construction
September 18, 2019 by David KennedyOTTAWA—After half a dozen years of construction and several substantial delays to the original timeline, service launched last weekend on Ottawa’s new Confederation Line. “Today really is the result of years of planning and extremely hard work,” the city’s Mayor…
B.C. won’t use court ruling as tactic in pipeline battle: environment minister
September 18, 2019 by Amy Smart, The Canadian PressVANCOUVER—Environment Minister George Heyman says British Columbia can’t stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project but will use a court-ordered review of its environmental assessment certificates to protect the environment and coastal economies. In a decision released Sept. 17, the…
Crews top out world’s tallest residential tower at 1,550 feet
September 18, 2019 by On-Site StaffNEW YORK—After five years of construction, crews in New York City have extended a new tower a block south of Central Park to its full height of 472 metres (1,550 feet) — laying claim to the label of world’s tallest…
‘They really hate us’: New prompt payment rules may help mend relationship between GCs, subtrades
September 16, 2019 by David KennedyTension between separate levels of the construction industry is part of the business. Legal changes may relieve one major source of strain
SNC-Lavalin’s exit from fixed-price construction jobs shakes up shortlists for two big-ticket B.C. projects
September 13, 2019 by David KennedyThe shortlists for Metro Vancouver’s Broadway Subway project and the Pattullo Bridge Replacement project are both now missing a prominent name
QMD starts construction on new 44-storey Montreal tower
September 13, 2019 by On-Site StaffMONTREAL—Work is underway on a new 44-storey residential tower across the street from the Bell Centre in downtown Montreal. Known as Soltice Montreal, the upscale 339-unit development on Rue de la Montagne is being built by Les Entreprises QMD Inc.…
Feds backing construction of new cargo warehouse at Winnipeg airport with $30.4M in funding
September 13, 2019 by On-Site StaffWINNIPEG—Construction of a new cargo warehouse at Winnipeg’s James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is poised to get off the ground with tens of millions in backing from the federal government. Ottawa late last week it plans to spend $30.4 million…
Buildings Group at Stuart Olson lands $130M in new contracts
September 12, 2019 by On-Site StaffCALGARY—Stuart Olson Inc. said Sept. 11 that its Building Group has secured several new contracts that total $130 million. Though it released few details of the new agreements, it said they include a contract for the construction of a new…
2,300 pigeons killed, 635,000 kilograms of bird poop cleared in Saskatoon bridge fix
September 12, 2019 by David KennedySASKATOON—The City of Saskatoon says about 2,300 pigeons have been killed as part of a project to rehabilitate a major bridge. The city says the dead birds have been removed from the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge along with 635,000 kilograms…
Cities urge federal leaders to wade into wastewater debate
September 11, 2019 by Mia Rabson, The Canadian PressOTTAWA—In Canada’s largest city, raw sewage flows into Lake Ontario so often, Toronto tells people they should never swim off the city’s beaches for least two days after it rains. Across the country in Mission, B.C., a three-decade-old pipe that…
Construction of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion still faces hurdles
September 11, 2019 by Laura Kane, The Canadian PressVANCOUVER—Barbara Gard calls her three-hectare property, nestled below the forested peak of Sumas Mountain, a “miniature Stanley Park.” Its lush trees and flowing creek reminded her of Vancouver’s majestic park, and she immediately knew she wanted to call it home.…
Alberta asks court whether environmental assessment process for major construction projects is constitutional
September 11, 2019 by Rob Drinkwater, The Canadian PressEDMONTON—The Alberta government has asked the province’s Appeal Court to rule on whether Ottawa’s new way of handling environmental assessments for major construction projects such as pipelines is constitutional. The government filed its challenge with the court Sept. 10. It…
B.C. begins procurement process for final stage of costly Kicking Horse Canyon highway project
September 11, 2019 by David KennedyThe final 4.8-kilometre segment of the Kicking Horse Canyon project is expected to cost a whopping $601 million
Feds spending $153.7M on new bridge, rail infrastructure and port facilities in Prince Rupert, B.C.
September 10, 2019 by On-Site StaffPRINCE RUPERT, B.C.—Three infrastructure projects on Canada’s West Coast, worth a combined $311 million, are getting a significant boost from Ottawa’s National Trade Corridors Fund. The federal government said Sept. 5 it has approved $153.7 million in funding for work…
Construction industry loses 2,100 jobs in August after major July gain
September 10, 2019 by On-Site StaffOTTAWA—The construction industry’s labour market gave up some of its earlier gains last month with employment declining 0.1 per cent on the month, Statistics Canada said in its latest assessment. The 2,100 jobs, seasonally adjusted, lost in August follow a…
Ontario proposes deal to build $126M French language university
September 9, 2019 by Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian PressTORONTO—Ontario has secured half of the funding for a proposed French-language university, the Progressive Conservative government said last week as it invited Ottawa to come up with the other half. The project would cost $126 million and take eight years…
Cleanup begins after Dorion slams Maritimes, topples Halifax construction crane
September 9, 2019 by Michael MacDonald and Michael Tutton, The Canadian PressHALIFAX—A storm with hurricane-force winds that hit the Maritimes left more than 400,000 homes and businesses without electricity, as repairs began Sept. 8 to downed power lines and buildings damaged by splintered trees. Joseph Elias, 85, stood in the hallway…
Brandt to buy Nortrax, creating coast-to-coast John Deere dealer
September 9, 2019 by On-Site StaffREGINA—The Brandt Group of Companies has struck an agreement to buy the Canadian operations of John Deere dealer Nortrax. More than two dozen dealerships owned by Nortrax Canada Inc. and Nortrax Quebec Inc. will change hands as part of the…