Ontario Issues RFQ for Jail Capacity Expansion Projects
Ontario has issued a Request for Qualifications to build the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, adding 295 beds as part of a broader plan to create 1,436 new correctional beds by 2032. The province is investing $500 million CAD (about $365 million USD) over five years to expand adult jail capacity, including modular units at Niagara, Sudbury and Milton. Projects use a design‑bid‑build model and range from new construction to renovations that will collectively add hundreds of beds across the province. Construction is slated to begin this year, with several facilities expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Challenges Facing the New Head of the Federal Reserve
Kevin Warsh is set to replace Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair pending Senate confirmation, inheriting a mixed economic backdrop. Initial jobless claims sit at a historic low of 202,000 and unemployment is 4.3%, yet total employment fell 0.4% year‑over‑year...
What’s in Store for Canada’s 2026 Wildfire Season?
Canada’s 2026 wildfire season begins quietly, but lingering drought, a warm summer and an El Niño onset raise concerns of another severe year. Experts note historic dry conditions in British Columbia, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, while a deep snowpack in...
Feel the Thunder? Oklahoma City’s $900M Continental Coliseum Begins to Form
Oklahoma City broke ground on the $900 million Continental Coliseum, a 750,000‑sq‑ft arena slated to open in late summer 2028 as the new home of the NBA’s Thunder. The project, the city’s most ambitious public construction effort, is financed by a voter‑approved...
BOMA Canada Report: Commercial Building Owners Slow to Adopt AI Despite Interest
A BOMA Canada survey of 35 commercial‑building owners reveals a stark gap between AI awareness and actual deployment, with only 10% piloting or operating AI systems. Most respondents cite uncertain ROI, aging infrastructure, and a lack of in‑house expertise as...
Smooth Sailing: Toronto’s Ship Channel Bridge Open for Business After Winter Work
Toronto Port Authority announced the Ship Channel Bridge is back in service after completing winter construction. The 1931 bascule bridge, 123 m long, underwent roadway rehabilitation in 2024 and steel repair in 2026, with the final mechanical upgrades scheduled for 2028....
Could This Be the End of Green Building Standards in Ontario — Again?
Premier Doug Ford’s government is moving to eliminate mandatory municipal green‑building standards in Ontario, turning them into voluntary guidelines and stripping municipalities of the power to require features such as EV‑ready parking, expanded tree canopy, and bird‑friendly windows. The province...
$691M Howard A. Hanson Dam Overhaul to Expand Water Storage, Aid Salmon
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $691 million contract to a Flatiron‑Dragados‑Aecon joint venture to modernize Washington’s Howard A. Hanson Dam. The project will add a fish‑passage facility with vertically stacked ports, enabling juvenile salmon to bypass the...
Building Canada, with Canada: Why ‘Product of Canada’ Matters More than Ever
Amrize has introduced the “Product of Canada” cement label, certifying that its cement is manufactured domestically under verified conditions. The launch aligns with Canada’s federal “Buy Canadian” procurement policy, which prioritizes locally produced materials for public infrastructure. Amrize is expanding...
Energy-Hungry Nova Scotia Companies Nearly Doubled Their Solar Power Capacity in 2025
Nova Scotia’s commercial solar capacity surged 82% in 2025, nearly doubling the sector’s output. New net‑metering rules now permit installations up to one megawatt, and a federal tax credit covering 30% of capital costs has spurred larger projects. The province...
Adjudication Becomes More Popular – but Cases Last Longer, Are More Complex
Ontario’s construction adjudication system, launched in 2019 to speed payment disputes, is gaining traction but becoming more intricate. The number of cases rose from 91 in the first year to 324 this year, and timelines have stretched to six months...
3DCP Predicted to Be a Multibillion-Dollar Player in Construction by 2030
The global 3D‑printed concrete (3DCP) market is set to explode, rising from an estimated $53.9 million in 2024 to $4.18 billion by 2030—a compound annual growth rate of 111.3%. Corporate giants such as Walmart are already planning to use the technology for...
UPDATE: Carney Breaks Down Plans to Spend $51B on Local Infrastructure
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a $51 billion Canadian (≈$37 billion USD) Build Communities Strong Fund to close infrastructure gaps over the next decade. The plan splits $27.8 billion CAD for roads, bridges, water and sewer, $6 billion for retrofits and community centres, and...
Boomtown in Brownsville as Energy and High-Tech Bulk up Texas Investments
Brownsville is undergoing an industrial surge as major energy and high‑tech projects converge at its deep‑water port. Reliance Industries revived the America First Refining Project, a 240‑acre, 100‑percent shale oil refinery slated for construction by 2027, promising roughly 500 high‑pay...
Relationship Development a Critical Aspect of the Procurement Process
Relationship development is essential in municipal procurement, influencing service quality and bid success. Purchasing managers serve as the primary interface, helping suppliers navigate complex tender processes and avoid disqualifying errors. Municipalities should actively support prospective bidders with clear RFPs and...
Modest Growth Projected for 2026 as Uncertainty From Iran War, Trade Linger: Deloitte
Deloitte’s spring outlook projects Canada’s GDP expanding by just 1.2% in 2026, a slowdown from 1.7% the prior year, as the Iran‑related war and lingering trade uncertainty weigh on the economy. Energy price volatility and a softening labour market keep...
Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: Is Canada Prepared for a Global Energy Shock?
Canada faces a looming energy shock as the Strait of Hormuz closure curtails roughly one‑fifth of global oil flow, prompting the United States to draw down 172 million barrels from its strategic reserve at a $20 billion cost. The op‑ed warns that...