Pearson Airport CEO Defends Current Ownership Model as Multibillion-Dollar Upgrade Begins
Toronto Pearson Airport’s CEO Deborah Flint defended the existing public‑not‑for‑profit ownership model while acknowledging the federal government’s interest in private‑sector enhancements. She highlighted the airport’s growth from 24.7 million passengers in 2003 to 47.3 million in 2025 and outlined a $3 billion (≈$2.2 billion USD) upgrade aimed at reaching 65 million travelers by the early 2030s. The project, funded partly by $142 million (≈$105 million USD) in federal infrastructure money, includes runway repaving, EV charging and a complete baggage‑system overhaul. Flint said the current model already incorporates private‑sector elements and could be refined rather than overhauled.
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: Canada’s Energy Blind Spot – The Infrastructure Gap Behind Our Energy Ambitions
Canada’s energy debate is dominated by generation choices, yet the op‑ed warns that inadequate civil infrastructure—roads, water, sewer, transmission corridors—threatens the delivery of power to homes, factories and data centres. Rapid electricity demand from population growth, electrification and advanced manufacturing...
Humber Polytechnic Honoured with National Awards for Sustainable Building
Humber Polytechnic received three gold and one bronze Colleges and Institutes Canada Awards of Excellence, highlighting its leadership in sustainable construction. Director of facilities management Spencer Wood was honored for spearheading more than 50 campus sustainability initiatives, including the NX...
Proposed Changes to 2025 National Model Codes Now Open for Review
The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes (CBHCC) has opened a public review of proposed amendments to the 2025 National Model Codes, encompassing the Building, Energy, and Plumbing codes. Stakeholders can comment on technical changes such as accessibility, automatic sprinkler...
Contentious Plan Moves Ahead to Process Leftover Ore at Idled Nova Scotia Gold Mine
Atlantic Mining Nova Scotia, a St Barbara subsidiary, secured $56 million (≈$41 million USD) in contracts to process three million tonnes of stockpiled ore at the idle Touquoy gold mine starting in November. The 14‑month operation will generate about 200 temporary jobs and extract...
Solomon Says Delayed Federal AI Strategy Coming Soon, Will Address Impact on Jobs
Canada’s federal AI strategy, promised for end‑2023, has been delayed but is slated for release “very soon,” Minister Evan Solomon announced. The six‑pillar plan will now explicitly address AI’s impact on the labour market, incorporating worker protections and reskilling initiatives....
Atlantic Canada’s First Tall Mass Timber Tower? Dartmouth Study Compares Mass Timber Vs. Concrete
A feasibility study for a 12‑storey residential tower in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia compared concrete and mass‑timber construction. The timber option was 8.39% more expensive but could be completed two months faster, with a potential four‑to‑six‑month lead time. Savings stem from...
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: Where Are the Provinces in Carney’s ‘Team Canada Strong’ Initiative?
Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled the “Team Canada Strong” plan to train 100,000 new trades workers over the next five years. The federal package allocates roughly $1.5 billion USD for paid apprenticeship placements, $245 million USD to modernise training, and $2.5 billion USD...
Haslam Breaks Ground on Browns’ $2.4B Domed Stadium Set to Open in 2029
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam broke ground on a $2.4 billion, 67,500‑seat domed stadium slated to open for the 2029 season. The project sits on former Ford plant land near the airport, with a folded‑plate transparent roof and fan‑centric seating that...
Montreal’s Airport REM Station Will Have Signature ‘Iceberg’ Motif
Montreal’s new REM station at Trudeau International Airport, a $600 million (≈ $438 M USD) deep‑rock project, is slated to open in November 2027. The 40‑metre‑deep platform will feature a striking iceberg motif that rises 30 metres and is illuminated by skylights. Construction, overseen by Aéroports...
Canada Soccer Receiving $9.8M From Ottawa for National Training Centre Project
Canada Soccer received a federal grant of CAD 9.8 million (≈US 7.2 million) from the Build Communities Strong Fund to fund planning, design and pre‑construction of a national training centre. The money is part of a CAD 51 billion (≈US 37 billion) infrastructure tranche and a CAD 250 million (≈US 182 million)...
DEWALT Study Reveals ‘an Emerging Disconnect’ in AI Adoption by Skilled Trades
A DEWALT‑commissioned study of 3,400 construction professionals across six countries finds strong enthusiasm for AI—over 85 % expect it to become a baseline tool—but only 16 % actually use it daily. Early adopters report productivity, cost and quality gains, while 90 % view...
Top 10 Pre-Bid Office Projects in Canada – May 2026
Canada’s pre‑bid pipeline features three massive mixed‑use projects that together promise over 2 million square feet of new office space and billions of dollars in investment. The Agincourt Mall redevelopment in Scarborough tops the list with a $112.5 bn CAD (≈$83 bn USD)...
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: CANS Calls on HRM Council to Stop Advancing Construction Policy without Consultation
The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) is urging Halifax Regional Council to stop advancing construction policies without industry consultation. CANS points to recent motions—such as changes to active‑transport routes—that were introduced without engaging the sector, creating delays, higher costs,...
Stakeholders Offer Qualified Support for Canada Strong Fund
Canada’s Spring Economic Update introduced the Canada Strong Fund, a $25 million CAD (~$18.5 million USD) sovereign‑wealth vehicle linked to the Major Projects Office’s $125 billion CAD (~$92.5 billion USD) pipeline of nation‑building projects. Construction and engineering groups welcomed the broader package, including a...
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: A New Model for Building on Indigenous Land
The Woodfibre LNG project on Squamish Nation territory is being built under a consent‑based Environmental Assessment Agreement that gives the Nation binding regulatory authority alongside British Columbia. This framework replaces the traditional consult‑after‑decide approach with a partnership that embeds Indigenous...
‘Clear Gap’ Between Words and Action on New Brunswick Prompt Payment: CANB
New Brunswick’s Prompt Payment Act, passed in June 2023, remains unenforced, with the government targeting a 2027 rollout despite draft regulations still pending. The Construction Association of New Brunswick (CAN B) reports that 80% of its members still endure late payments,...
Feds Formalize Enhanced Oil Recovery Tax Credit Flip-Flop in Spring Economic Update
Canada’s spring economic update officially reinstated a tax credit for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects, reversing a 2025 budget promise that excluded them. The credit, applicable in provinces with permanent CO₂ storage regulations, is expected to generate roughly $292 million USD...
$10B Meta Indiana Data Center Campus to Create 4,000 Construction Jobs
Meta and Turner Construction have broken ground on a $10 billion, one‑gigawatt data‑center campus in Lebanon, Indiana. Spanning 1,500 acres and four million square feet, the project will eventually house 13 buildings and deliver 1 GW of capacity. At peak construction it...
A Thirst for Water Poses Challenges for New Data Centres
Canada is courting hyper‑scale AI data centres with cheap power and a cool climate, but water demand for cooling is sparking scrutiny. Microsoft’s Ontario sites have been cleared to withdraw 1.2 billion litres and 730 million litres annually, while new proposals in...
A Major Housing Development Is in the Works for Pickering, but some Are Crying Foul
The City of Pickering will vote on a secondary housing plan that would convert 17 sq km of farmland into a community for more than 70,000 people, part of a broader effort to accommodate a projected rise to 150,000 residents by 2036....
Cenovus Says Oilfield Extension Off Newfoundland Will Hike Emissions by 21 per Cent
Cenovus received provincial approval to add the West White Rose platform to its Newfoundland offshore oilfield, extending the field’s life by roughly 14 years and creating hundreds of construction jobs. The expansion will boost the field’s greenhouse‑gas output by about...
Liberals Target Affordability to Meet Era of Uncertainty in Spring Fiscal Update
The Liberal government unveiled its spring fiscal update, "Canada Strong For All," adding $54.5 bn of new costs and delivering $37.5 bn of net new spending. Improved revenues cut the 2023 deficit to $66.9 bn, $11.4 bn better than the $78.3 bn forecast, while the...
Negotiation Methods in the Private and Public Sectors
The article argues that public‑sector procurement relies heavily on tenders and RFPs, which prioritize openness over cost efficiency. It contends that private‑sector firms, driven by profit, achieve lower prices through competitive negotiation rather than formal bidding. The author suggests public...
Supreme Court Rules for Michigan in Its Fight to Shut Down an Aging Energy Pipeline
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Michigan’s lawsuit to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 segment under the Straits of Mackinac will remain in state court, rejecting the company’s attempt to move the case to federal jurisdiction. Justice Sotomayor wrote that Enbridge...
Beach Drive Overhaul Lays Groundwork for Year-Round Wasaga Destination
Wasaga Beach has begun a five‑foot elevation and complete rebuild of Beach Drive, replacing asphalt, curbs and outdated storm‑water infrastructure. The project adds a new retaining wall and modern sewer system to address decades of flooding that have hampered businesses...
Sudbury’s $200M Downtown Event Centre Moves From Concept to Construction
Sudbury is breaking ground on a $200 million, 200,000‑square‑foot downtown event centre, with foundation work now underway. Marathon Underground Constructors is installing up to 500 steel‑cased micropiles that reach 57 metres deep to anchor the three‑level arena. The venue, slated to open...
Five Things to Know About Nova Scotia’s Plans to Develop Onshore Natural Gas
Nova Scotia has launched a public‑consultation process to revive on‑shore natural‑gas exploration, overturning a decade‑long fracking ban. The province allocated a $30 million CAD (≈$22 million USD) research program, administered by Dalhousie University, to study an estimated 198 billion cubic metres of gas...
Industry Special: ConstructConnect Announces Takeoff Boost, Built on Google Cloud, to Bring AI-Powered Efficiency to the Construction Industry
ConstructConnect unveiled Takeoff Boost, an AI‑driven, computer‑vision takeoff service built natively on Google Cloud. The platform automatically classifies, measures and quantifies materials from digital plans, delivering results in seconds. Early adopters in interior trades and general contracting report faster plan...
Commercial Real Estate Market at Turning Point as Vacancies Drop: Report
Canada’s commercial real‑estate market shows its first simultaneous drop in office and industrial vacancy rates since the pandemic, according to Colliers International. Office vacancy fell to 13.6% in Q1 2026, a one‑point year‑over‑year improvement, while industrial vacancy slipped to 3.5%, the...
Massive Flamborough Interchange Project Nearing Start Date
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation is poised to break ground on the long‑delayed Flamborough interchange, linking Highway 5 and Highway 6 near Hamilton, with work expected to start in late summer 2026. The $1 billion CAD (≈$740 million USD) project will feature a new overpass,...
Data Centre Grid Demands and the BYOP (Bring-Your-Own-Power) Solution
Canada hosts just over 300 data centres, with eight hyperscale projects under construction and dozens more planned, while the U.S. dominates global capacity. New Canadian facilities face immediate grid‑capacity constraints, prompting provincial selection processes and higher rates for loads above...
Wave-Roofed Ādisōke Library Advances with Indigenous Design, Net-Zero Features
The $334 million CAD (≈ $244 million USD) Ādisōke central library in Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats is under construction, featuring Indigenous‑inspired design and net‑zero carbon performance. The five‑storey, 216,000‑sq‑ft building will replace the 1970s main branch and house both the Ottawa Public Library’s central...
Carney Names Members of New Advisory Committee on Canada-U.S. Economic Relations
Prime Minister Mark Carney has overhauled the advisory body on Canada‑U.S. economic relations, replacing the Trudeau‑era Council on Canada‑U.S. Relations with a newly named Advisory Committee. The roster now features former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, ex‑Liberal cabinet minister Ralph Goodale,...
Port of Galveston Master Plan Suggests Strong Future Cruise and Cargo Growth
The Port of Galveston unveiled its 2045 Master Plan, outlining up to $2.4 billion in capital projects to expand both cruise and cargo operations. The blueprint projects annual port revenue of roughly $345 million by 2045 and passenger traffic climbing to 11 million...
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt Talks Energy with Carney, Business Leaders
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt met with Prime Minister Mark Carney and business leaders in Ottawa, positioning the province’s natural resources—especially a fast‑track tungsten mine in Sisson Brook—as vital to Canada’s energy ambitions. She secured reaffirmed federal backing for the...
Quality of Supply Is an Important Aspect of the Procurement Process
The article emphasizes that supply quality in municipal procurement extends beyond product specs to include reliable, financially stable vendors and timely delivery. It advises municipalities to assess a supplier’s financial health, past performance, and ability to integrate new technology with...
Federal Agency Approves Concept for Trump’s Plan for a Triumphal Arch in Washington
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts gave its first approval to President Donald Trump’s concept for a 250‑foot Triumphal Arch on Columbia Island, alongside a proposed paint job for the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and an underground visitor‑screening center. The...
New Atlantic Construction Alliance Seeks Immigration Reform to Address Labour Shortage
The Atlantic Construction Alliance (ACA), a coalition of eight construction and road‑building associations across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, is lobbying for immigration reform to address a deep labour shortfall. Immigrants account for only about 3%...
MCAC Survey Reveals Non-Harmonized Safety Certifications Increasing Costs, Delaying Projects
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) released a February survey showing that non‑harmonized safety certifications across provinces are inflating costs and delaying project starts. Contractors report spending 10‑100+ hours each month on duplicate paperwork, with direct expenses ranging from...
Good Roads Conference Spotlights Asphalt Paving Innovations
The Good Roads conference in Toronto highlighted cutting‑edge asphalt innovations, including an eight‑kilometre high reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) trial on Leslie Street led by York Region and the National Research Council. The trial uses a solar‑powered instrumentation system to monitor...
Warehouse Leasing Jumps After Global Shippers Seek Tariff Workarounds
Canadian warehouse leasing jumped dramatically in 2025 as shippers scrambled for flexibility amid shifting U.S. tariffs. Leasing activity in the Toronto market rose 43% to 26.9 million square feet, the third‑highest level on record, while national volumes outpaced the previous three...
Conservatives Say Champagne Is Avoiding Committee Study Into Alto Rail Connection
Conservatives claim the Liberal government is preventing a House committee from questioning Finance Minister François‑Philippe Champagne about his personal link to the $90 billion (≈ $66 billion USD) Alto high‑speed rail project. Champagne’s partner, Anne‑Marie Gaudet, was hired as a vice‑president of environment...
The Magic Formula: Ontario Should Follow Alberta’s Lead on Housing
Ontario’s housing starts dropped 12% to 65,376 units in 2025, while Alberta posted a record 54,858 starts, a 15% increase. The article blames high development charges, a 36% tax burden on new homes and slow approval processes for Ontario’s slowdown....
LA Needs 100,000 Construction Workers. Community Colleges Are Racing to Train Them
Los Angeles faces a shortage of over 100,000 construction workers after the Palisades and Eaton fires, prompting a state analysis that estimates median pay just under $30 an hour. The state awarded $5 million to five local community colleges to expand training,...
Industrial Carbon Price Eroding Canada’s Competitiveness: CAPP Boss
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers warned that Canada’s industrial carbon tax, set to rise to $130 CAD per tonne (about $95 USD), is eroding the sector’s cost advantage. The increase could add roughly $0.6‑$2.7 USD per barrel to operating costs at major...
Rogers Centre Renos Memorable for Mechanical, Electrical PMs
The Rogers Centre underwent a $300 million (≈ US$220 million) renovation to convert the 33‑year‑old venue from a multipurpose arena to a baseball‑only stadium, completed just in time for the 2026 opening day. Mechanical contractor VR Mechanical and electrical subcontractor Symtech Innovations, led...
CMHC Study Finds Housing Construction Productivity Falling as Crisis Deepens
A Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) study reveals residential construction labour productivity has slipped 2.1% per year over the past two decades, eroding 37.3% of output between 2001 and 2023. The decline is driven largely by small firms, with...
What Canada Might Learn From U.K.’s Response to Energy Price Volatility
The United Kingdom is rolling out a sweeping clean‑energy housing agenda, mandating electric heat pumps and photovoltaic panels covering 40% of floor space for all new homes starting March 2027. Plug‑in solar panels will be sold in retail stores within months,...
Delivering Major Capital Projects in a Common-Sense Approach
The article outlines a common‑sense framework for delivering major municipal capital projects, emphasizing two core best practices: selecting the right project and managing it with disciplined, business‑like processes. It stresses the need for formal reality‑checking standards to align projects with...