News
Federal law at heart of western anger up for debate as Liberals begin outreach
November 23, 2019 by 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…
Trimble, Hilti and robot maker Boston Dynamics join forces to build autonomous construction robot
November 22, 2019 by On-Site StaffThree companies with relatively distinct specialties are teaming up to build an autonomous construction robot. Trimble Inc., Hilti Corp. and Boston Dynamics said Nov. 19 they’ve agreed to work together to develop a proof-of-concept machine capable of taking on simple…
Work progressing on second tower at new Greystone Village development in Ottawa East
November 22, 2019 by David KennedyAfter 11 straight hours placing approximately 1,900 cubic metres of concrete earlier this month, crews in Old Ottawa East completed the foundation for the second of two condo towers at a new development that will eventually include nearly 1,000 units.…
Contractor fined $125K for worker killed in truck rollover near Sudbury, Ont.
November 21, 2019 by On-Site StaffThe province has fined Teranorth Construction & Engineering Ltd. $125,000 for an unusual incident involving a malfunctioning braking system that left one worker dead. The Sudbury-based contractor had completed a culvert and bridge rehabilitation project near Elliot Lake on Highway…
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…
Lowe’s says it will close 34 ‘underperforming’ stores across six provinces
November 20, 2019 by Chris Reynolds, The Canadian PressLowe’s Companies Inc. said Nov. 20 it will close 34 “underperforming” stores across six provinces as part of a restructuring of its Canadian business. The stores include 26 Ronas, six Lowe’s and two Reno-Depots spread across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan,…
Geothermal technology on the rise in residential developments
November 20, 2019 by Megan HoeglerHigh upfront costs have traditionally led developers to shy away from geothermal technology to heat and cool residential developments. But advancements in technology and a demand for sustainable building methods is recalibrating this way of thinking. “Technology is advancing,” said…
Doug Ford’s cancellation of green energy deals costs Ontario taxpayers $231M
November 20, 2019 by Shawn Jeffords, The Canadian PressTORONTO—Premier Doug Ford’s decision to tear up 750 renewable energy contracts shortly after winning the election last year is costing Ontario taxpayers more than $230 million. The Progressive Conservative government said the final figure, which includes the cost of decommissioning…
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
Workers, contractors gather at B.C. legislature to protest ‘unfair’ construction deals
November 20, 2019 by The Canadian PressVICTORIA—The New Democrat government’s approach to building major public projects should not involve choosing between friends and enemies, Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said. More than 100 construction workers and independent contractors were at the British Columbia legislature Tuesday demanding…
Bockstael Construction turns to Procore for new management software
November 19, 2019 by On-Site StaffFourth-generation Manitoba contractor Bockstael Construction is looking to Procore Technologies Inc. to streamline its business and take better advantage of data. After evaluating several options, the 107-year-old company plans to implement Procore’s construction management software enterprise-wide. “We’ve been eager to…
Group aiming to build new stadium, bring CFL team to Halifax submits revised plan
November 16, 2019 by The Canadian PressHALIFAX—A proposal to build a 24,000-seat stadium for a potential Halifax CFL franchise has been updated by the business group fronting the idea after it was nearly quashed by municipal politicians. Schooner Sports and Entertainment (SSE) said in a news…
Aurora Cannabis halts construction of nearly finished production facility in Medicine Hat, Alta. to cut costs
November 15, 2019 by The Canadian PressEDMONTON—Aurora Cannabis Inc. is halting construction of two production facilities to save over $190 million as part of a plan to strengthen its balance sheet. The Edmonton-based cannabis producer said it will indefinitely defer completion of construction and commissioning at…
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