Ontario's top five contractors Innovation, experience, diversity define the best in the business TOP 5 Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer In some respects, it is easy to select the best in any business. You almost instinctively know the leaders and often can measure rankings through tangible characteristics such as sales volume, em- ployee count or longevity. Yet there are other qualities that come into the picture; and this listing compiled by Canadian De- sign and Construction Report's editors takes on the challenge with a more subjective approach based on our 25 years’ experience in the construction community. This allows us to appreciate both com- panies with staying power and newer businesses with a distinct marketplace edge. If you seek minimum qualifications, you'll find four out of five of the leading contractors belong to the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA). Dancor, the one exception, is also a prop- erty owner and developer, with a strong southwest- ern Ontario and Greater Toronto/Hamilton focus. Several contractors have built years of regional success, including Charter Building in the Niagara/St. Catharines area, Mike Moore in Sault St. Marie and Aquicon in Brampton/GTA. PCL, on the other hand, is an international company, but its em- ployee ownership model has resulted in a sustain- able, passionate and enduring industry success. We ranked our Top Five contractors on their safety track record, community service initiatives, and creativity in adapting to changing market con- ditions. These contractors will build what they know – with reliability and competence – and can often handle the more challenging jobs while re- maining competitive in price and delivery on more standard projects. Congratulations to this year's winners. Do you know a business you think may be wor- thy of recognition in the 2016 Top Five awards. You can submit your nomination here: http://tinyurl.com/ol42hek The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Winter 2015 – 29