www.cadcr.com VOLUME 10, ISSUE 3, SUMMER/FALL 2019 New construction software for iPhones puts 3D models in builders’ hands SPECIAL FEATURES: Saskatchewan’s Top 10 economic development community industry leaders Roofing industry focuses on gaining new recruits by emphasizing benefits of the job © Can Stock Photo / mheim3011 Editor's viewpoint These are exciting times, when Canada’s relatively healthy construction industry is adapting to new tech- nologies, processes and rules. These include the intro- duction of mandated prompt payment legislation in Ontario, spreading to federal projects and other provinces. Project management software tools are inte- grating with mobile phones and devices, speeding up job site reviews and processes. Modular building con- cepts, formerly considered a limited niche, have started spreading to job sites where construction speed chal- lenges combine with labour shortages. Meanwhile, the Construction News and Report Group, which publishes Canadian Design and Construc- tion Report, has launched its most ambitious project in its 30 years of delivering construction industry news. I couldn’t have imagined (though I dreamed of) starting a daily construction newspaper in previous years. How- ever, regulations in the new Ontario Construction Act (which also mandated prompt payment) redefined “newspaper” to allow digital publications – meaning that we could, indeed, take the risk of launching the daily cycle publication at ontarioconstructionnews.com. The newspaper has proven to sustainable, although I needed to remember how to handle an incredible vol- ume of material every day, like I did when I was much younger and worked as a reporter and then sub-editor on the Medicine Hat News. We’re always looking for story ideas and suggestions and welcome your feedback. You can reach us at buck- shon@cadcr.com. SUMMER/FALL 2019 Table of Contents CBTU concerned federal government move to outsource construction for BC LNG project will damage skills training and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ontario Construction News succeeds in first months of daily publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Massive market beckons for contractors, developers building all-suites hotels, say Hilton executives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 New construction software for iPhones puts 3D models in builders’ hands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Demonstration project aims to position Canada as a world leader in tall wood construction and the low-carbon economy 12 Federal government unlocks $400 million in capital financing to regenerate, redevelop and build affordable housing, opens investments to leverage up to $121 billion in the next 10 years . 13 SPECIAL FEATURES Saskatchewan’s Top 10 economic development community industry leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Battleford’s upcoming development plans rooted in storytelling and preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Roofing industry focuses on gaining new recruits by emphasizing benefits of the job . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ceilings and Walls: BC's Top 10 industry leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 CCI achieves success as trusted partner for drywall, steel stud framing and waterproofing projects . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 News Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Certificate of Substantial Performance ads You now have a CHOICE . AND FOR ONLY $ 249 ONTARIO Construction NEWS For more information, visit www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/certificates or phone (888) 627-8717 ext 212. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 3 About The Canadian Design and Construction Report is published bi-monthly by 26505420 Ontario Ltd., a member of the Construction News and Report Group of Companies. The magazine is distributed to thousands of design and construc- tion industry leaders across Canada. It is also available for review and downloading at the Canadian Design and Construction Report website (www.cadcr.com) or you can sign up for the electronic edition newsletter by emailing buckshon@cadcr.com. You can receive the online magazine free. If you wish printed copies, you can request a single issue for $15.99 or an annual subscription for $90.00, which also provides you a free basic directory listing. Here’s how we can provide positive publicity for your business or organization: • You can become a Canadian Design and Construction Report sponsor. Sponsorship packages start at $345 per issue. Spon- sorships can provide you promotional recognition with targeted advertising messages, a free one-page business profile and op- tions to provide industry expert/guest columns. As a sponsor you will also receive enhanced publicity in the online edition with ban- ner ad placement as well as embedded videos into your ads. • Qualifying organizations can receive a free editorial profile in the Canadian Design and Construction Report, based on supplier- support advertising. This method of marketing is highly cost- effective and enhances and encourages the development of healthy business relationships. For more information about either marketing option, please email Chase at chase@cadcr.com or phone 888-627-8717 ext 212. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS You can contact the editor, Mark Buckshon, at buckshon@cadcr.com or phone 888-627-8717 ext 224. Submissions which provide relevant information on topics of relevance to the design and construction network community are invited. Business and self- promotional profiles are encouraged to consider the editorial profile or sponsorship options outlined above. Publisher and interim editor Mark Buckshon, buckshon@cadcr.com Writer: Robin MacLellan, Rmacellan@ontarioconstructionnews.com Business development and marketing: Chase, chase@cadcr.com 905-228-1151 Production: Raymond Leveille, memoproductions.ca Subscription and print copy requests: Katherine Jeffrey, kjeffrey@cnrgp.com Phone 888-627-8717 ext 114 Mailing address 1554 Carling Avenue, Suite 57, Ottawa, Ontario K1Z 7M4 Copyright, 2019, 26505420 Ontario Ltd. For permission to reprint, please contact Mark Buckshon at buckshon@cadcr.com the Construction News and Report Group of Companies . . . The Construction News and Report Group of Companies (CNRGP) focuses on news and information for the con- struction industry in regional and national markets both in Canada and the U.S. Services include: Regional (and local) publications The company publishes regional construction industry newspapers and websites serving Ontario, Canada and the Carolinas, Chicago and Florida, in the U.S. Additional information is available at the respective publications’ websites. Titles include: Ottawa Construction News http://www.linkedin.com/groupInvitation?gid=926 The 787 GTA Construction Report Northern Ontario Construction News Ontario Construction Report Ontario Construction News North Carolina Construction News South Carolina Construction News Chicago Construction News Florida Construction News New York Construction News National publications The Canadian Design and Construction Report and The Design and Construction Report (U.S.) are maga- zines serving a cross section of the architectural, engineering and construction industry in both the U.S. and Canada. Distribution of the online edition is free to qualified readers, with video and embedded web links enhancing the reading experience. You can purchase a subscription to the printed edition by emailing buckshon@cadcr.com. Association Publications and Directories CNRGP serves as contract publisher for associations wish- ing to produce high quality newsletters and directories. For more details, contact Chase at Chase@cadcr.com. Book publishing Asset Beam Publishing Ltd., a division of the Construction News and Report Group, publishes in print and electronic format, high quality books for distribution to the AEC com- munity and beyond. Using print-on-demand technologies, specialized markets can be served with low production costs and appealing revenue sharing options for authors, accepted for publication. For more information, contact Mark Buckshon at buckshon@cadcr.com. The Construction Marketing Ideas blog and website Constructionmarketingideas.com is the first independent website/blog dedicated to news and developments for mar- keting in the architectural, engineering and construction communities. Updated frequently, it provides links to dozens of resources and services related to AEC marketing. CBTU concerned federal government move to outsource construction for BC LNG project will damage skills training and development Canadian Design and Construction News staff writer The organization representing Canadian skilled construction trades workers has expressed concerns about the federal government’s deci- sion to provide full duty remissions for steel from China to supply two natural gas projects in British Columbia Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) says in a statement that the two plants will be modularized, a rela- tively new business model that allows for a project to be built in smaller, shippable pieces with all of the equip- ment and components preinstalled and then connected on site. “Our workers build Canada, and with changes in the way we do busi- ness, we need to work closely with industry and government on how to balance progress while protecting Canadian jobs,” CBTU director Arlene Dunn said in a statement. “The use of modules at the LNG plant may very well address a lack of domestic supply but these are not the last modules to be used in Canada. Government must sit with industry and labour, as equal partners and dis- cuss how to develop a plan on how our domestic industry and subse- quently Canadian workers, can meet the needs of these projects in the years to come.” LNG Canada and Woodfibre LNG are projected to create 10,000 jobs in Canada, and the modules brought in from China account for approximately one third of the total steel required for an LNG plant. The projects will re- quire a range of steel products in ad- dition to the modules that will create more good jobs and opportunities for Canada’s steel producers and work- ers, the labour organization says. “We appreciate the measures the government has taken to protect the Canadian steel industry, and while the use of these modules may be a nec- essary step to ensure these two pro- jects move forward, it also sheds light on the lack of capacity that currently exists in Canada. In order for our train- ing of skilled workers to be success- ful, we need the job opportunities that create a pathway to apprentice- ship and completion,” Dunn said. “This will allow Canadians to ad- dress the skills trades shortage di- rectly. We want to continue to work with industry and government to make that happen, but we need the government to sit down with us as serious partners. This will be the only way to ensure Canadian workers come first and we do not address the skills shortage with temporary foreign workers. We need a Canadian made solution.” CBTU says in its statement that its members “proudly recruit, train and support over half a million skilled trades workers across Canada. We in- vest over $500 million to ensure our members obtain consistent skills up- grading and that we develop modern training to meet the ever-changing needs of industry.” “Canada is facing a growing skills trade shortage and it is paramount that to address this problem, Canadi- ans must be given work opportunities – including the fabrication of modules for LNG plants – and these opportuni- ties be kept in Canada.” The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 5 Ontario Construction News succeeds in first months of daily publication Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer A new daily newspaper serving Ontario’s construction industry has achieved economic success just months after its launch on May 1, de- fying trends in the publishing industry in the digital era. Ontario Construction News, pub- lished by the parent company which also publishes Canadian Design and Construction Report (CADCR) is the nation’s first daily digital construction newspaper. ONTARIO Construction ONTARIO CONSTRUCTION NEWS – VOLUME ONE – ISSUE 88 – TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 NEWS www.ogca.ca London heritage home scheduled for renovation to house youths in need By Kristen Frisa Ontario Construction News Plans are in the works to revamp a heritage building, built in 1885, to pro- vide affordable rental units to young adults leaving the care of the Chil- dren’s Aid Society of London and Mid- dlesex (CAS). The building, located at 340 Rich- mond Street, will be split into five apartments, which will be provided along with “a wide range of wrap- around supports,” including on-the- job-training programs, housing stability support, community belong- ing and social inclusion programs, and health and wellness support. “Youth Opportunities Unlimited and Children’s Aid Society of London and Middlesex will be working together at 340 Richmond to help young adults exiting the care of CAS,” said Steve Cordes, executive director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. “This building will be home to 5 young adults and a housing advisor; offering them affordable housing and access to supports that will include education, employment and the car- ing and support we all need; espe- cially as we move into adulthood. Together, we will help these vulnera- ble young adults thrive,” Cordes said. The project will move forward thanks to $559,463 in funding from the federal government, which Adam Vaughan, parliamentary secretary to the minister of families, children, and social development, announced in London on August 23. The funds will come from the Na- tional Housing Co-Investment Fund (NHCF), a pillar of the National Hous- ing Strategy (NHS). Partners on the project include Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), the City of London, and the residents of 340 Richmond Street in London. “Through investments in like this, our Government is providing assis- tance to those who need it most here in London and in all corners of the country,” Vaughan said. “We are com- mitted to making communities stronger through projects like these. These investments help create new jobs and stimulate the local economy, while providing access to safe, afford- able homes for Canadians.” According to Kristian Wilson, senior director of service at London and Mid- dlesex Children’s Aid Society, the 2017 Child and Youth Family Services Act makes room for 16 and 17-year- olds to receive protective service within the community. “We are proud of our collaborative relationship with Youth Opportunities Unlimited and grateful for the wide range of wrap around supports this in- vestment will afford,” Wilson said. The house, which currently houses a commercial unit on the main floor, with two units housed on the second and third floors, will be renovated to include five transitional housing units, and one unit for a live-in support worker. The main floor will house serv- ices dedicated to the tenants, includ- ing a computer lab, employment resource centre, and an interview room. Through the NHCF, the Govern- ment of Canada will work with part- ners to build up to 60,000 new affordable homes and repair up to 240,000 existing affordable and com- munity homes over the next 10 years. Ontario announces $75M to build Orléans Health Hub Ontario Construction News Staff Writer The Ontario government is investing $75 million in the Orléans Health Hub project. The new one-storey building will be about 96,000 square feet, located at the northeast corner of Mer-Bleue Road and Brian Coburn Boulevard in Ot- tawa. The project is part of the government’s commitment to invest $27 billion over the next 10 years in hospital infrastructure projects across Ontario. Ellis Don finally put shovels in the ground on the project in August, though the project has been in the works for several years. The company won the bid for the $59.7 million contract a few weeks ago. The Orléans Health Hub is a collaborative project among the following service providers: Hôpital Montfort, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Bruyère Continuing Care, Champlain Local Health Integration Network Home and Community Care, Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre, Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa, and Youth Services Bureau. Construction is underway and the project is expected to open in summer 2021, to provide rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging, mental health counselling, and other services, to the public. owned business.” The relatively new Ontario con- struction legislation allows the publi- cation to be in an electronic as well as printed format, but otherwise it must be a full-scale newspaper with solid independent editorial content, tender ads and bidding information. And it needs to be published daily, Monday to Friday, throughout the year (except on statutory holidays.) “We’ve covered many stories and saved our advertisers thousands of dollars,” Buckshon said. “We are maintaining editorial standards and provide construction leads informa- tion in co-operation with DataBid.com.” Unlike the other publication, virtu- ally all content on the daily digital publication (including the PDF file with the eight page tabloid) is acces- sible without cost. You can learn more by visiting www.ontariconstruction- news.com. WE INSURED OVER $1,000,000,000 WORTH OF PROJECTS FOR OUR CLIENTS IN THE PAST YEAR. 2 bedroom suites with kitchenette extended stay rates available It has been designed to comply with Ontario Construction Act regula- tions that require contractors to pub- lish Certificate of Substantial Performance (CSP) notices in an On- tario daily construction newspaper to protect their lien/holdback rights. “Until we launched OCN Daily, there was only one publication which could meet the specific legal designa- tions established by the Ontario Con- struction Act and its predecessor Construction Lien Act,” said publisher Mark Buckshon. “This effectively re- sulted in a truly exceptional business situation – a legally mandated monopoly benefiting a privately- 600 - 1000 Centre St. N Calgary, AB Main 403.296.2400 Toll Free 1.800.565.8132 rogersinsurance.ca The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 7 Massive market beckons for contractors, developers building all-suites hotels, say Hilton executives Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer There’s increasing demand and a largely untapped mar- ket for all suites hotels in Canada – and Hilton Hotels and local developers are creating an impressive pipeline of op- portunities for designers and builders who can combine speed, quality and cost-effectiveness in their construction processes. These achievements were reflected at the grand open- ing ceremonies for the Home2 Suites hotel in Brampton, the first in the Greater Toronto Area and one of the first in Canada, which shares a site with a Hilton Garden Inn. Both properties are owned by developer JM Hospitality, which is preparing to build even more hotels including a “triple branded” site at an as yet undisclosed location within the Greater Toronto Area. Hilton officials say the hotel currently has nine all-suites hotels in the pipeline in Ontario, with an additional six ho- tels in other provinces. The hotel organization is cautious about revealing specific details about upcoming projects to protect commercial confidentiality, but the numbers – and potential additional projects – indicate a multi-billion dollar opportunity for designers and contractors. “It’s been a very robust market and in Canada, we see a tremendous amount of growth on all levels, especially in the all suites category,” said Alan Roberts, global head of Embassy Suites by Hilton. “In the U.S., the all-suites category represents about 16 to 20 per cent of the marketplace in terms of inventory,” he said. “In Canada, it was 6 per cent five years ago – but that number is now closer to 4 per cent, as we’ve added more transient hotels and diluted that number. “So it creates a real opportunity in the all suites space,” he said. Hilton has developed three brands in the category. Em- bassy Suites serves the high-end market, with full hotel services coupled with the all-suites design. The next cate- gory is Homewood Suites, that takes a middle ground. Home2 Suites serves the budget end of the market – but the new Brampton hotel certainly does not convey an image of cheapness. The suites are spacious, bright, and have amenities and features designed to appeal to someone who will be mak- ing the hotel room into their home away from home, in many cases for a week or two. There’s even a cupboard on the wall where visitors are encouraged to set up their own personal artwork and displays. Hilton managers at a media round table in early July made clear that they don’t dictate to hotel developers CAPITALIZING ON CANADIAN OPPORTUNITY With tourism to Canada reaching record levels in 2018, ROI for hotel development is high. 21.1 MILLION 4.4%+ 3.2%+ VISITORS AVERAGE DAILY RATE REVENUE PER AVAILABLE ROOM SOLID ROOTS IN CANADA 135+ open hotels under Hilton brands OVER 20% 4,000+ 21 5 of open Hilton properties are an All Suites brand suites 4 THE ALL SUITES CATEGORY’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT IN CANADA 21% of the Hilton pipeline in Canada is comprised of All Suites properties 14 * Pending All Suites properties *Includes planned hotels and properties under construction. 8 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Source: Destination Canada https://www.destinationcanada.com/sites/default/files/archive/851-National%20Tourism%20Indicators%20-%20Q4%202018/National%20Tourism%20Indicators%20-%20Highlights%202018.pdf Source: Destination Canada https://www.destinationcanada.com/sites/default/files/archive/814-Tourism%20Infographic%20-%20November%202018/Nov2018-Infographic_EN.pdf Source: Travel Market Report https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/Canada-Tourism-Expected-to-Strengthen-in-2019 Source: Destination Canada https://www.destinationcanada.com/sites/default/files/archive/821-Tourism%20Snapshot%20-%20November%202018/TourismSnapshot-Nov2018_EN.pdf which designers, contractors and subtrades to use, though they will make recommenda- tions and warn owners of poten- tial problems if they’ve had bad experiences in the past. Hotel construction requires both speed and quality control; the longer it takes to build the hotel, the less revenue the oper- ator can earn, while increasing carrying costs. As well, since hotels are often built to tem- plates with standard room types and sizes, they can be among ideal candidates for efficient modular construction. In fact, a Home2Suites in San Francisco area is the first modular-built hotel in the area. The Home2 Suites in Bramp- ton was constructed with “total precast” technology and its completion was incredibly quick – about 30 days. While Hilton wouldn’t discuss the actual construction costs or project value, one manager said “we’re looking at about $200 a square foot in hard construction costs.” Of course, there are land costs and other ex- penses – and these will vary by location. Hotel management/brand companies and developers seek to develop symbiotic relationships; the hotel brand collects management fees and ongoing revenues, while the developer benefits from the hotel company’s brand recognition and operating systems. Since Hilton has sev- eral different brands serving different categories, devel- opers can (depending on the site), combine more than one brand on the site with common facilities and ameni- ties. merk@merx.com (The Home2 Suites and Hilton Garden Inn in Brampton for example share a common convention/meeting area. While the Home2 Suites offers a free breakfast for guests, if they want to eat a more substantial evening meal or have a drink, they only need to walk down the corridor to the restaurant at the Hilton Garden Inn.) Overall, Hilton says it has 65 Hilton properties under construction across the country, in the various categories, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Hampton Canopy and Tru. Internationally, the company would like to open 100 Home2 Suites properties every year, and could have 1,000 by 2025. www.merx.com www.merx.com/events The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 9 New construction software for iPhones puts 3D models in builders’ hands By Kristen Frisa Special to Canadian Design and Construction Report Construction management soft- ware company Procore Technologies Inc. introduced its newest product on August 14, that allows builders to ac- cess 3D models through their iOS de- vices, right on the job site. Procore BIM allows virtual design and construction (VDC) teams to pub- lish models into the iOS app and view them from any Apple device, allowing them to be accessed by installers and builders to validate and track their work. This links up VDC teams with builders, solving problems of process- ing requirements and file formats that prevented access to models on the fly. “We invest more than $2 million on coordinating a project, but there was no way to effectively deliver the model to the field, until now with Pro- core BIM,” said Howard Simble, se- nior mechanical-electrical superintendent for Robins & Morton, an Alabama-based construction firm. “If you have 2D drawings you usu- ally find problems when you’re trying to install the equipment, and that’s a little too late to find a problem. Pro- core BIM gives us a tool that we have never had before, and it’s extremely user friendly to a point where every- one picks it up almost immediately,” Simble said. The intuitive nature of the program is one of the software’s core compe- tencies, using touch-screen actions that are familiar to iPad and iPhone users, or Procore joysticks. Its also ca- pable of handling even big 3D mod- els, and is fully integrated with Procore’s 2D drawings tool, while mo- tion tracking allows you to see your movements on-screen as you travel about the worksite. 10 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report “3D models provide a central loca- tion for critical project information, and with many large construction pro- jects utilizing BIM, we want to ensure that everyone involved in the project has access to the information,” said Tooey Courtemanche, founder and CEO of Procore. “When 3D models are in the hands of the people actually installing and validating the work, the value derived from virtual design and construction to mitigate risk, reduce waste, and increase productivity is fi- nally attainable.” Procore BIM was slated to be avail- able in early September. Procore, a California-based com- pany, has offices around the globe, in- cluding on in Toronto. Its products are used to manage billions of dollars in annual construction volume, through products for project management, fi- nancials, quality and safety, and field productivity. Certificate of Substantial Performance ads You now have a choice. ONLY $ 249 If you’ve been advertising Certificate of Substantial Performance (CSP) or other Ontario Construction Act notices in another publication, Ontario Construction News has a special offer for you . . . We can publish virtually all CSP notices for $249, a savings in most cases of at least $130 or more from what you pay elsewhere. You can save hundreds of dollars – or even thousands, if you were required to publish a high volume of CSP and other notices. Ontario Construction News has been designed to qualify as a “daily construction newspaper” under Ontario Construction Act regulations for certificate and notice advertisements. For more information, visit www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/certificates or phone (888) 627-8717 ext 212. ONTARIO Construction NEWS *There’s just a bit of fine print. In a few exceptional circumstances, when the notice is exceptionally lengthy, there will be an additional fee. We will disclose this to you before you make any commitments, and it will be far lower than you would pay for a similar-sized no- tice at the competing publication. You should check with your own legal advisors to ensure your project and notice complies with the Ontario Construction Act requirements. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 11 Demonstration project aims to position Canada as a world leader in tall wood construction and the low-carbon economy By Donna Mayer Special to the Canadian Design and Construction Report A project that will set a bench- mark for sustainable design and con- struction in commercial building received another show of support with the recent announcement of a $2 million funding contribution. Toronto Region and Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) new carbon neu- tral administrative headquarters is one of the winning proposals under the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program. The 8,100 square metre, four- storey, mass timber office building is intended to be one of the most en- ergy efficient office buildings in North America. It will be constructed almost entirely of wood, approxi- mately 948 cubic metres. Model simulations are predicting the structure will net a CO2 benefit of approximately 1,142 metric tonnes. Currently under construction at 5 Shoreham Drive in Toronto at the site of TRCA’s previous permanent head office near York University and the Black Creek Ravine, the office build- ing will accommodate over 400 TRCA staff members The GCWood Program, adminis- tered by Natural Resources Canada, supports Canada’s transition to a more wood-inclusive construction in- dustry by funding projects that en- courage greater adoption and commercialization of wood-based products in the construction of inno- vative tall wood buildings, timber bridges, and low-rise wood build- ings. The funding is intended to offset the cost of being the “first mover” of wood-intensive projects, and to sup- port the development of knowledge and tools to support the success of future projects. The funding announcement was greeted enthusiastically by industry experts. “We are very excited about this announcement,” said Marianne Berube, executive director of Ontario Wood WORKS!, an industry-led initia- 12 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report tive of the Canadian Wood Council that promotes and supports the use of wood in all types of construction. “The design of the TRCA’s new head office is very innovative,” said Berube. “It demonstrates applica- tions for mass timber products and systems that are currently uncom- mon in the low-rise commercial sec- tor.” The structure will be built with glue-laminated timber, an engineered wood product that is bonded to- gether with durable, moisture-resis- tant structural adhesive. The glulam beams and columns, and upstand glulam beams will permit innovations such as bigger column grid and long spans floor assemblies. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) stairs and elevator core will be con- structed along with CLT as shear walls for Lateral Forces Resistance Systems (LFRS) against wind and earthquake forces. “The educational value of this building is significant, and the exam- ple it sets will help drive advance- ment in sustainable wood construction and open the door to the increased use of wood in low-rise commercial buildings across Canada,” said Berube. In addition to housing 400 office workers, TRCA’s new headquarters will be utilized as a learn- ing centre – a living laboratory for developers, re- searchers, professionals and students. “It’s fitting that this structurally advanced wood building will be a learning centre,” said Rick Jeffery, interim president at the Canadian Wood Council. “TRCA’s new administration office will show- case the environmental benefits of wood in con- struction while highlighting the structural diversity of mass timber products in column and floor as- sembly applications,” said Jeffery. TRCA’s new mass timber office building is also part of the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Pilot Program. The new building is intended to be one of the most energy-efficient office buildings in North America. Once completed in 2021, the office will be a net-zero energy-efficient building, producing at least as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis. Sustainable design features will include: • Solar thermal panels on the roof • Four solar chimneys • Waterwalls to reduce energy use • Electric vehicle charging stations • Rainwater harvesting to irrigate a green roof When complete, the building will achieve a low- carbon footprint through all lifecycle phases and achieve significant building certifications including Toronto Green Standard Tier II, Leadership in En- ergy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum, and WELL Silver. The team of ZAS Architects and Bucholz McEvoy Architects are overseeing the design of the TRCA’s new mass timber office building. Their model simulations are predicting over 50% reduc- tion in operating emissions and over 75% reduc- tion in embodied carbon compared to the average building in Toronto. “TRCA is committed to applying the best prac- tices in green building and sustainable design”, said John MacKenzie, chief executive officer of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The TRCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in Ontario that deliver a local resource manage- ment program at the watershed scale to ensure the conservation, restoration and responsible manage- ment of Ontario’s water, land and natural habitats. “Thanks to Natural Resources Canada’s gener- ous contribution, along with contributions from the Province of Ontario and TRCA’s participating munic- ipalities, our new administrative office building will be one of the most energy-efficient office buildings in North America.” Federal government unlocks $400 million in capital financing to regenerate, redevelop and build affordable housing, opens investments to leverage up to $121 billion in the next 10 years Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer A new sector-based lending institution received its first investment of $20 million from the federal government, cre- ating a $400 million pool of funding for affordable housing construction and redevelopment. The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fish- eries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, made the funding announcement on behalf of the federal government in Vancouver in late August. “This will undoubtedly open up new growth opportuni- ties in the housing sector, and facilitate the development of more affordable housing stock,” said Wilkinson. HPC Housing Investment Corporation (HI-C) creates and offers bonds in capital markets to investors at long-term fixed interest rates, generating funding for affordable hous- ing providers and their projects. Wilkinson said the funding contribution is a strategic in- vestment in affordable housing. It is intended to showcase how a relatively small invest- ment can be maximized to increase its impact on the hous- ing sector. It is expected the $400 million pool will finance the build- ing more than 2,000 residential units over the next two years in communities hit hardest by housing affordability. HI-C is the creation of Housing Partnership Canada (HPC), a peer exchange network of CEOs and executives of Canada’s larger social/affordable housing operators and de- velopers. Based on a 2015 feasibility study commissioned by HPC, the total capital requirement to create new affordable hous- ing and replace aging, existing social housing stock in Canada is expected to be from $77 billion to $121 billion over the next 10 years. HI-C aggregates the borrowing needs of eligible Cana- dian affordable housing providers, and provides access to capital through the Canadian debt capital market. The corpo- ration offers 30-to-40 year fixed-rate financing. “HPC Housing Investment Corporation’s innovative ap- proach offers more financing options for affordable housing providers,” said Shayne Ramsay, Chair and President, HPC Housing Investment Corporation and CEO, BC Housing. The feasibility study was undertaken by the investment bank Morrison Park Advisors. It confirmed that demand for capital is significant and outstrips government funding ca- pacity by billions each year. It recommended the creation of the HI-C to address the large and growing capital funding gap. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 13 SPECIAL FEATURE Saskatchewan’s Top 10 economic development community industry leaders vices like water, power, and energy. The town is currently working on im- proving its water infrastructure. The community is growing at a rapid rate with demand for tradespeople, hous- ing development, and retail develop- ment. Biggar’s access to multiple transport options makes it a great place for businesses to flourish. By Sarah Jean Maher Canadian Design and Construction Report spe- cial feature Below is a list of Saskatchewan’s Top 10 economic development com- munity industry leaders. While many of these communities share similar economic drivers, they each bring a unique milestone to the economic landscape and all have bright visions for the future. The listing is in no par- ticular ranking order. Battleford Battleford is combining infrastruc- ture improvements with initiatives to respect and recognize its history as it sets economic development plans rooted in storytelling and preserva- tion. There are plans for a new mu- seum at the historic Land Registry Title Office, downtown revitalization, and infrastructure improvements to facilitate growth and opportunities in conjunction with the nearby First Na- tions community. See story page 16. Biggar The Town of Biggar has recently expanded its highway commercial corridor, increasing access to ser- Estevan The City of Estevan boasts a di- verse economy featuring a range of different services including agricul- ture, oil and gas, power generation, and mining. In fact, its Southeast College offers specialized education for those interested in entering the energy industry. Its convenient location on the main import/export line provides key access to many different markets, as does its close proximity to Saskatchewan’s main highway. The Centrally located on the Yellowhead Highway (No. 16) between Lloydminster and Saskatoon, and nestled between the North Saskatchewan and Battle Rivers, Battleford has access to art, culture and recreation activities for all to enjoy. Working closely with First Nations communities, the Town is growing with new development while maintaining its history. TOWN OF BATTLEFORD 1.306.937.6200 • Box 40, Battleford, SK S0M 0E0 14 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report city has recently developed new sub- divisions both in the city and in its surrounding rural areas, and is home to SaskPower’s $1.4 billion Clean Coal Carbon Capture Enhanced Oil Recovery Project. Its ever-growing recreational facilities and education programs makes it an ideal family- friendly environment. Humboldt The City of Humboldt’s economic vision is entrepreneur-focused with a vision for increased collaboration ef- forts. The city has its eyes set on continuing to welcome en- trepreneurs and work with them to help their small business and start- ups thrive – something that isn’t al- ways easy in a rural community. The Humboldt Chamber of Com- merce provides a business and com- munity-centric voice for the city and its surrounding area. Its member- ship, which continues to grow, is made up of individuals from a range of different services and industries, and its activities are carried out with the help of volunteers. The chamber has arranged for speakers, seminars, hosted events, and many other activ- ities for the community over the years. Lloydminster Known as the “Heavy Oil Capital of the World”, the City of Lloydmin- ster’s prominent economic footprint is in large part due its heavy oil pro- duction over the last 20 years. The Husky Energy heavy oil refinery is lo- cated within the city, and most of its assets are located in the area. The petroleum and agricultural in- dustries have helped pushed Lloyd- minster into the economic powerhouse it is today. Its location between Edmonton and Saskatoon on the TransCanada Yellowhead Highway and accessible airline and railway access makes it a very well- connected spot. The agriculture industry – mainly wheat, barley, and canola – also makes Lloydminster a hot spot; the city is home to the country’s largest bio-diesel plant and one of its largest canola crushing facilities. Moose Jaw Moose Jaw prides itself in having grown exponentially in a number of vital categories over the past several years: job creation, population, and building permits; just to name a few. Potash and agriculture continues to drive the economy and, notably, companies like AgroCorp and CAE have played a large role in the indus- try’s stability. In fact, Moose Jaw re- lies heavily on the agricultural sector, rather than on oil and gas like many other cities in the province. As for in- dustrial investment, the local econ- omy is expected to continue to soar with the Canadian Protein Innovation providing even more economic po- tential. Prince Albert Located right in the middle of Saskatchewan, the City of Prince Al- bert is undertaking a number of eco- nomic initiatives to encourage new business, including plans for two businesses moving into the city from outside the province. There are also plans for local contractors and busi- nesses to work together to provide more incentives for existing busi- nesses within the city. The city’s approach to economic development within the region is represented by the Prince Albert Re- gional Economic Development Al- liances (PREDA), formed in partnership with the Rural Municipal- ity of Prince Albert, the Rural Munici- pality of Buckland, the Town of Shellbrook, Muskoday First Nation, and Peter Ballantyne Developments. Regina Regina’s thriving economy is driven by multiple sectors, including manufacturing, metal fabrication, agriculture, tourism, recreation, fi- nance, and oil and gas. The province’s capital city prides itself on being a leader in manufacturing inno- vation, and is also home to Western Canada’s largest steel producer; pro- ducing three million tonnes of steel annually. Producers and markets in the agricultural market are easily ac- cessible, paving the way for its lead- ership in this sector. With regards to its strong financial sector, Regina houses a number of major financial institutions, including Public Employees Benefits Agency (PEBA), Greystone Managed Invest- ments (GMI) and Saskatchewan Gov- ernment Insurance (SGI). Regina’s downtown core is now home to a wide range of different businesses, having recently experi- enced a boom in restaurants. Regina has also become a vibrant hub for events thanks to its popular Evraz Place – the largest interconnected event complex in Canada, which sees 3.5 million visitors annually. It is home to many parks arts centres and museums. Swift Current Agriculture, oil and gas, manufac- turing, and tourism are all large con- tributors to the City of Swift Current’s lively economy. According to the city’s most recent strategic plan, it expects its population to in- crease to 25,000 by 2025 from its current from 17,500. An increase in immigrants and new families has also stimulated their economy, with a boom in housing units, apartments, and condominiums recently built to meet these needs. The construction, manufacturing, and gas industries are seeing a lot of investment potential, bringing many opportunities for new service compa- nies to capitalize on this potential. Agriculture also continues to thrive, with its booming cattle prices and strong relationships to agricultural companies in southwest Saskatchewan. Its proximity to the TransCanada Highway also continues to boost the city’s hospitality indus- try. Oil and gas companies have their eyes set on drilling programs in the near future, with potential to bring even more business to the city. Warman The City of Warman’s “open for business” perspective is demon- strated by its dedication to welcom- ing and assisting all types of businesses, both new and growing. The city supports business develop- ment and emphasizes local employ- ment opportunities for its residents and existing businesses. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 15 SASKATCHEWAN’S TOP 10 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY INDUSTRY LEADERS Battleford’s upcoming development plans rooted in storytelling and preservation By Sarah Jean Maher Canadian Design and Construction Report special feature The Town of Battleford, Saskatchewan has many stories to tell. It was founded as a fur trading hub, was named the first capital of the North-West Territories in 1876, and was an important location during the North-West Rebellion in 1885. How does the town plan on telling these stories? The answer to this question is something that Battle- ford’s Chief Administrative Officer, John Enns-Wind, hopes lies within some of the city’s upcoming eco- nomic development plans. Those plans include a new mu- seum going up near the Land Title Registry Office, one of the many his- toric buildings and landmarks scat- tered throughout the town. Battleford was named capital of the North-West Territories after Canada purchased Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s Bay Company. The Land Title Registry office, which is the oldest standing brick building in Saskatchewan, housed all records of purchased property in the North- west Territories. The new museum will showcase the role that land surveyors have played in developing Western Canada as we know it today. The Saskatchewan Land Surveyors Asso- ciation hopes it will open up this summer. “There has been a lot of history here, so what we’re trying to do with the number of historic sites that we have – buildings, graves, and other sites – is we’re trying to figure out how we can tell these stories,” said Enns-Wind. Of course, not all of these stories are good ones. The Old Government House, for example, was turned into an Industrial School for First Nations people. Nearby is a cemetery for the number of children who died from tuberculosis and other fatal diseases. “We know the consequences of this, and we’re still dealing with that today,” said Enn-Wind. Enns-Wind explained that the town is working on forming partner- ships with the Heritage Conservation Branch, as well as their Indigenous neighbours, to come up with ways to represent Battleford’s rich history. “Without telling these stories, will it be possible to have truth and rec- onciliation? What we’re trying to do is figure out how we can tell these stories that can honour the past but also build our future.” What else does building the fu- ture look like for Battleford? It means boosting tourism. The town has plans to revitalize the town’s downtown core and is currently working with its downtown 16 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report businesses on ideas that will help drive tourism and the local economy. This summer, the town will be in talks with these businesses to dis- cuss zoning bylaws and tax policies. “Right now we’re kind of at the be- ginning stages of doing a lot of this stuff,” Enns-Wind said. “We’re hop- ing to get everything done in the next three to four years.” Building the future also means preservation. The Battleford town council just approved the first phase of a storm sewer system that will drain water from Industrial Park into a ravine. The water is currently flow- ing off the land surface, eroding the road and river bank and nearing the town’s waste water pipes. “We really can’t have that because that pipe takes water for the Indus- trial Park and also for our new subdi- vision and highway commercial area north of the Park,” said Enns-Wind. “It also will be carrying waste water from our new highway commercial area being developed by our neigh- bours, Thunderchild.” Thunderchild First Nation, located 113 km northwest of Battleford, is currently working with the town on developing a large highway commer- cial area, as well as a 130,000 sq. ft. cannabis growth facility expected to employ anywhere from 110 to 130 employees. CDCR HOTEL DIRECTORY Reach key decision makers in the CDCR HOTEL DIRECTORY to attract construction crews, executives and extended stay guests with your hotel listing! Basic listings start at $195 and comprehensive listings are $495 which gives you at least 6 issues a year. Register your properties by January 31st and get a bonus online banner ad for one month! For more details on directory listings or general advertising contact Chase 905-228-1151 or email chase@cnrgp.com stay with us SUMMER HOTEL ALTERNATIVE 2 Bedroom Suites with Kitchenettes EXTENDED STAY RATES AVAILABLE BARRIE BRAMPTON HAMILTON KING CITY KITCHENER-WATERLOO LONDON (AFFILIATE PROPERTY) NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE NORTH BAY OAKVILLE OSHAWA OTTAWA DOWNTOWN OTTAWA WEST SUDBURY NORTH SUDBURY WEST THUNDER BAY (AFFILIATE PROPERTY) TORONTO TORONTO DOWNTOWN WELLAND WINDSOR CALGARY, AB KAMLOOPS, BC 101 Georgian Dr. 7897 McLaughlin Rd. 245 Fennell Ave. W 13980 Dufferin St. 99 Conestoga College Blvd. 1480 Richmond St. 137 Taylor Rd. 15 College Dr. 1410 Trafalgar Rd. 32 Commencement Dr. 201 Main St. 1385 Woodroffe Ave. 1390 Barrydowne Rd. 21 Lasalle Blvd. 960 William St. 1760 Finch Ave. E 80 Cooperage St. 555 First Ave. 3995 Geraedts Dr. 151 Dr. Carpenter Circle NW 1025 University Dr. 705-730-5600 905-874-4393 905-385-3200 905-833-1650 519-895-2272 519-641-8100 905-641-4435 705-980-1301 x7000 905-815-4150 905-728-8700 613-236-3131 613-727-7698 705-566-8101 x7583 705-560-6673 x15000 807-475-6381 416-491-8811 416-761-8000 905-732-9700 519-966-1601 1-855-782-9722 250-828-8999 Residence & Conference Centre 19 locations across Ontario, 1 in Alberta & 1 in British Columbia info@stayrcc.com stayrcc.com The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 17 SPECIAL FEATURE Roofing industry focuses on gaining new recruits by emphasizing benefits of the job By Kristen Frisa Special to Canadian Design and Construction Report When asked what the biggest challenge is for Canada’s roofing in- dustry, executive director of Cana- dian Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) Bob Brunet says without hes- itation: it’s a labour shortage. Lack of workers in skilled trades is not news in Canada. In fact, statis- tics say there will be a need for over 100,000 new skilled workers in On- tario alone over the next decade, as workers retire and the construction industry continues to grow. This is especially true in Southwestern On- tario, where transit projects and housing developments are driving growth in construction. Like most trades in Canada, roof- ing is facing a challenge of getting new recruits to the job. “The num- ber-one issue that every roofing con- tractor is struggling with is the shortage of workers,” says Jacques Beaulieu, president of CRCA. “We need to get to attract people to the trade and better explain the benefits of working in it.” Many strategies are being used to draw workers to the skilled trades: the Ontario Construction Consortium held an event called Future Building in May to get school-aged children excited in the trades, while the On- tario government recently an- nounced it was signing an agreement with Alberta to increase educational opportunities within STEM and skilled trades subjects and ensure the skilled trades are rec- ognized as a career of choice. Canada’s roofing industry, too, is focusing efforts on marketing to young graduates - emphasizing the appeal of working without an office, in a job with a view. “We’re working to increase aware- ness of the trades amongst the younger crowd, people coming out of high school that don’t know what they want to do yet,” Brunet says. “Roofing can be a great trade to be in. They don’t go to an office, they go on top of the building,” Brunet says. “Their view is phenomenal.” He says roofers also tend to make a re- ally decent wage and have opportu- nities for advancement. 18 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report Canada’s first National Roofing Week in June aimed at creating aware- ness and excitement about the work roofers do. For the inaugural year, CRCA worked with regional roofers’ associations to generate excitement in their individual membership groups. The Roofing Contractors Associa- tion of Manitoba (RCAM) and the Quebec Master Roofers Association (QMRA) saw resounding success in this year’s endeavour. “Quebec had 40 per cent of members participating,” says Bob Brunet, executive director of CRCA. “They received almost 350 photos from members, mostly posted on social media,” he says. QMRA came up with a slogan for 2019 Roofing Week, which they intend to carry forward. The slogan reads “T’as pas vu ma vue” which in En- glish translates to “Have you seen my view?” All the activity from members helps to advance awareness of what roofers do, as evidenced by the estimated 66,000 unique page views QMRA’s website garnered. Beaulieu says he hopes this ini- tial success will get other regions of the country on board. “The re- sults and the provincial support have been more than we ex- pected,” Beaulieu says. “It’s a great opportunity to educate people about the roofing trade,” he says. Brunet says another key initia- tive for the CRCA is explaining the benefits of hiring member contrac- tors on a job, one of which is the quality screening that goes into businesses before they’re admitted for membership. Member busi- nesses are screened for quality work and business viability. “We’re very different from other trade as- sociations,” Brunet says. “Mem- bers have to prequalify in order to join CRCA.” He says requirements vary from province to province, and getting in is tough. “In Ontario, for instance, they go audit your past jobs and current jobs before you’re accepted as a member. They also review in- surance, health and safety record, and financials.” He says that means building owners can be assured that CRCA members can do the job well. “By hiring a CRCA member all the prequalification has already been done for them,” Brunet says. The CRCA promotes collabora- tion within the industry and repre- sents member interests, to support them to excel professionally and technically. Canadian National Roof- ing Week is to take place the first week of June, annually. Fully Insured for Hot Asphalt & Torch Industrial Commercial Institutional 1325 Fewster Dr., Mississauga, ON L4W 1A2 Tel: 905-602-0760 Fax: 905-602-4667 www.toplineroofing.ca The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 19 SPECIAL FEATURE Ceilings and Walls: BC's Top 10 industry leaders It is always a challenge to deter- mine the Top 10 industry leaders in any field, but especially among the BC’s ceilings and walls community. We took into account designers, con- tractors, service and supply busi- nesses, and assessed them on their reputation, longevity, community and association leadership. Note this isn’t a ranking order – the companies are listed alphabeti- cally. BC Drywall Installations Ltd. BC Drywall began in Vancouver in 2001 and expanded into Calgary five years later, ultimately reaching as far as Saskatchewan. With $15 million in bonding capacity, the company works on large projects including ho- tels, offices, commercial buildings, schools, municipal buildings, and re- tailers. BC Drywall’s installation ser- vices include: interior light and heavy gauge framing of wall and ceilings; exterior steel stud framing of wind and load bearing walls, parapets, sof- fits and fascia; interior drywalling, finishing and texture spraying; exte- rior gypsum sheathing; and all types of acoustical, thermal and vapour barrier installation. It also offers de- molition services. Benton & Overbury Ltd. With a head office in Surrey and a history stretching back to 1965, Ben- ton & Overbury offers commercial, municipal, retail, office and public in- frastructure clients a full range of de- sign consulting, complete wall and ceiling installation, engineering and building maintenance services. The company has expertise in interior, ex- terior and structural steel stud fram- ing, all aspects of dry installation and finishing, commercial ceiling installa- tion, soundproofing and fireproofing, and commercial renovations and ten- ant improvement. The company prides itself in the accuracy of its professional estimating and project management services. Centura Building Systems (2013) Ltd. Located in Delta, Centura has been in business for over 35 years. It has worked on commercial, multi- residential, and industrial projects, in- cluding shopping centres, 20 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report multi-residential high-rises, schools, hospitals, churches, government buildings, and conference centres. Centura installs interior steel stud framing, insulation, gypsum wall- board, acoustic ceilings, specialty metal ceilings and roofs, structural steel framing, load-bearing wall pan- els, light-gauge roof trusses, roof and floor metal decks, and a wide va- riety of panels (architectural, EIFS, GFRC, thin shell concrete and Rain- Screen exterior systems). The com- pany also offers exterior wall panel design, structural steel design and steel detailing of pre-fab buildings. Crystal Consulting Group of Companies Working on projects in both B.C. and Alberta, Crystal Consulting is based in Surrey. The company has three main areas of expertise: dry- wall, structures, and waterproofing. Its drywall services include installa- tion, taping and finishing, ceilings, stucco soffits, steel studs, and insu- lation). On the framing side, Crystal does light-gauge work, on walls, ceilings, bulkheads and soffits. It also of- fers structural and load-bearing framing created on-site services or prefabricated off-site. Additionally, the com- pany does exterior framing, and specialty framing, and produces fire-rated shafts. See special feature page 22. Langley Drywall Langley Drywall works in the lower mainland serving residential, commercial and industrial clients. In business since 2010, the full-service drywall company performs general labour and demolition, drywall installation, drywall taping and finishing, steel stud framing, acoustical sus- pended ceiling installation, texture ceiling installation and repairs, water damage restoration, hauling and dumping services, insulation installation, and new construction final cleaning services. Maclean Bros Drywalling Ltd. Maple Ridge-based Maclean Bros Drywalling works on commercial tenant improvements, concrete tilt-ups, and large-scale commercial and industrial buildings, as well as spec and custom homes. The company offers a range of services including: steel stud framing; glass material, rigid, and spray foam insulation; interior and exterior sheathing; wall and ceiling application and finishing; tex- tured ceilings; T-bar, acoustical and specialty ceilings ap- plications; acoustical wall panelling; fire caulking and fire stopping; general contracting for renovations and new builds; restoration and insurance claim repairs, and Fry Reglet and reveal bead specialty applications. Ron’s Drywall Based in Nanaimo, Ron’s Drywall specializes in com- mercial, residential and multi-residential projects. It has also worked on First Nation projects, including the Nadleh Whut’en First Nation Administration and Cultural Building. In business since 1974, the company offers commercial drywall, residential drywall, taping and texturing, steel stud framing, T-Bar ceiling installation (including engineer- approved seismic upgrading), thermal insulation, spray foam insulation and blown-in fiberglass-cellulose insula- tion services. Ron’s Drywall is also the parent company of a separate division, TLC Insulation Ltd., that offers insula- tion, fireproofing and soundproofing services. Wescor Contracting Ltd. Wescor has been in operation since 1986. The Victoria- based contractor has worked on large-scale commercial builds, to tenant improvements and custom homes. The company specializes in acoustic ceiling systems and a wide variety of finished wall and ceiling systems such as demountable wall systems, acoustic wall panels, cloud ceiling panels, linear wood ceilings and metal soffit ceil- ing systems, but it also offers other services including steel stud framing, the application of thermal insulation, exterior gypsum sheathing, and suspended ceiling design and construction. Nova Drywall Ltd. Coquitlam-based Nova Drywall has been offering dry- wall services to commercial and residential customers for 15 years. The company is involved in the entire life of a project starting from the budgeting/estimating/cost-mod- elling process, working through to the preconstruction services (including virtual design, shop drawing, procure- ment, budget development, submittals, schedule devel- opment and project kick off) and building information modelling (BIM). Nova installs steel stud framing, and firestopping, soundproofing and insulation systems. The company also does full-service drywall installation and finishing. Nova is COR Certified. Robertson Walls & Ceilings A 40-year-old Surrey-based company, Robertson Walls & Ceilings offers a design assist program that engages with the project’s architects and engineers. The company performs taping and plastering, and installs a variety of ceiling types including T-Bar, acoustical and wood panel, and metal. It also performs custom ceiling work. Addi- tionally, Robertson does exterior steel stud framing and light gauge steel stud assemblies. Its clients include car dealerships, offices, retailers, commercial buildings, hos- pitality venues, and public transit facilities. Drywall Waterproofing Roofing Formwork Phone: 778-294-4425 Ext. 102 #101 – 19162 22nd Ave., Surrey BC V3S 3S6 www.ccigroup.ca The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 21 BC TOP CEILINGS AND WALLS INDUSTRY LEADERS CCI achieves success as trusted partner for drywall, steel stud framing and waterproofing projects Canadian Design and & Construction Report special feature With over 1,000 employees and a 15-year track record of successful projects in British Columbia, Crystal Consulting Group of Companies (CCI) is a trusted partner for large complex projects within British and Alberta and has established a reputation for building excellence. Specializing in high-rise and multi- unit residential and commercial pro- jects, the privately held family company offers drywall, steel stud framing and waterproofing services, and it just finished putting the final touches on the Telus Sky Building in Calgary, a 761,235 sq. ft. 59-storey of- fice and mixed-use tower. Crystal is also working on The Concord tower. Big projects aren’t anything new to Crystal. Currently it is in the finishing stages of work on Vancouver House, the fourth-tallest building in Vancou- ver. When completed, Vancouver House will be a nine-storey podium, widening into the prominent 515 foot residential tower. “Vancouver House itself has been a very unique job because of the way the building is designed and struc- tured. It has posed a lot of chal- lenges, for sure, but as the project nears completion, CCI has been working very closely with all the trades and the developer to ensure the project has the highest quality labour and materials available within the timelines that were specified. There are some very unique features within the building that will stand out for a long time” says Crystal execu- tive vice-president Harj Dhaliwal. Other well-known B.C. projects Crystal has been a part of include The Met, the Rogers Arena Tower, Con- cord Gardens, and The Peak at SFU. CCI has become a top choice for developers because the company offers great quality, very competitive pricing, fast speeds and solid reliability. “Once we commit to doing a job in a timeline, we come in on budget and on time” says Dhaliwal. The company’s growth is organic, and has mainly occurred through word of mouth from satisfied clients. According to Dhaliwal, in a few months the company could even be 22 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report bigger, with a larger workforce. Crystal is proud of its employees, and the employees have shown a great deal of trust and loyalty by stay- ing with the company for the long term.“People who come to work for us typically don’t leave. They stay with us. A number of people who started with us 15 years ago are still with us, as evidenced by the 15-year plaques we gave out at the last Christmas party.” Transform Build Innovate Build New Relationships. Book Your Exhibit Space Today! December 4 - 6, 2019 Metro Toronto Convention Centre thebuildingsshow.com NEWS BRIEFS BRITISH COLUMBIA Social housing project requires repairs A Vancouver social housing project requires $4.5 million in repairs less than a decade after a local contractor was paid $8.5 million to construct the structure. The Vancouver Sun reports that it isn’t clear about who is responsible for the deficiencies at the four-storey Dunbar Apartments, owned by B.C. Housing. The building has 51 studio apartments with support services for people who were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The provincial agency says said it had identified “deficiencies with some of the materials and construc- tion methods utilized on the exterior of the building.” “The scope of work includes a complete replacement of the brick veneer and replacement of the metal cladding panels in some locations due to inadequate strength of mate- rial and installation methods,” said a statement from B.C. Housing spokeswoman Laura Mathews. “Crews will also be removing and re- installing all windows to ensure proper waterproofing.” Mechanical upgrades are also un- derway in the basement parking level and the balcony drains are being re- placed, because “water is accumulat- ing up to the emergency balcony overflow drains,” Matthews said. The problems were not caused by damage by any of the residents, said Susan Hancock, a spokeswoman for Coast Mental Health, the charity that operates the building. No tenants have been moved during the work, she said. Aquila Construction Inc. was awarded a $8.54 million contract to build the apartments in 2010, the Sun reports. Davidson Yuen Simpson Ar- chitecture was the architect. Dane Jansen, a partner at the ar- chitecture firm now known as DYS Architecture, said B.C. Housing had not contacted his company about any deficiencies or repairs as far as he 24 – Spring 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report CONSTRUCTION ACROSS CANADA was aware. Aquila president Derek Bosa said the first he heard about the Dunbar’s deficiencies was when The Sun phoned the company’s offices this week to inquire. After the Sun pro- vided B.C. Housing’s description of the Dunbar Apartments’ deficiencies to Bosa, he replied by email to say: “All I can offer is that this issue is pending further information and dis- cussions with B.C. Housing.” ALBERTA Fort Saskatchewan condo- minium evacuation relates to disbarred engineer The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Al- berta (APEGA) says structural prob- lems with a condominium in Fort Saskatchewan, northeast of Edmon- ton, relate to the work of a former professional engineer whose permit had been cancelled in 2004. APEGA cancelled the engineering permit for Jacobsen Hage Engineer- ing,” the organization reported. “This means the company was no longer allowed to do any engineering work in Alberta. In February 2005, Sven Hage resigned his APEGA licence to practise, meaning he was no longer allowed to do any engineering work in Alberta. These were both due to unrelated disciplinary findings of un- skilled practice and unprofessional conduct involving structural engineer- ing.” “Due to provisions in the Engineer- ing and Geoscience Professions Act, APEGA can take no further action against Hage. The current legislation limits investigating complaints to two years following the cancellation or resignation of a person’s licence. As part of APEGA’s legislative review, we are working with the Government of Alberta on more than 160 APEGA-rec- ommended changes to modernize and strengthen our legislation, includ- ing the limitation on investigations.” SASKATCHEWAN Developer seeks property tax break Residents of a building in the Riverview Estates condominiums were evacuated on Aug. 2 after an engineering assessment that the structure is unsafe. “Upon learning about the evacua- tion, APEGA contacted the City of Fort Saskatchewan’s safety codes of- ficer and its director of protective ser- vices,” the association said in a statement. “APEGA confirmed with the city that the structural engineer- ing firm and professional engineer on record for the structural design of the building were Jacobsen Hage Engi- neering and Sven Hage. In addition, APEGA provided the city with the cur- rent status of the firm and engineer. “In December 2004, one year after the condominiums were constructed, The developer behind a 10-storey apartment building under construc- tion in Saskatoon’s Broadway busi- ness district is seeking a property tax break worth $788,535. A City of Saskatoon report esti- mates the developer’s investment in the residential-commercial property, including the land, is $23.5 million, the Star-Phoenix reports. The devel- oper plans to build eight stories of apartments (with 68 units), along with two storeys of commercial space and two underground parking levels. The former Royal Bank site has been va- cant since the building was demol- ished in 2016. A company called 880 Broadway Holdings Ltd. is listed in the report as the applicant for a five-year tax abate- ment, but the project is listed on the website of Saskatoon-based Baydo Development Corporation Ltd., the newspaper reported. City administration recommends the tax break be approved under a program intended to encourage de- velopment of vacant lots. The project is expected to be com- pleted in the spring of 2021 and any tax abatement would start the follow- ing year, the report says. MANITOBA WCA seeks action to reduce trade barriers The Winnipeg Construction Asso- ciation (WCA) says there is a need to increase efforts in by the next Mani- toba government to reduce trade bar- riers. In its newsletter the associations says: “Specifically, we’d like to see the next provincial government: Update to the 2015 version of the National Building Code. Manitoba is currently five years behind the rest of the country; and Reduce the Limitations of Actions Act, which is currently twice as long as the rest of the country.” WCA vice-chair John Enns outlines in a video why breaking down trade barriers is important for the construc- tion industry. ONTARIO Bidding process for City of Toronto construction projects goes digital on September 1 On Sept. 1, bidding for projects for the City of Toronto transitioned to e- bidding solution SAP Ariba Sourcing. The city has conducted training courses for suppliers to become fa- miliar with the SAP Ariba system in advance of the change. Additionally, the city has created training systems online, for suppliers to attempt a mock request for pro- posal, request for tender, and request for quotation, to make sure they un- derstand the online process. Suppliers also need to register on the SAP Ariba network in advance of bidding. Transitioning to e-bidding is in- tended to make the procurement pro- cess faster and more efficient, reducing the amount of time it takes to award a contract. Notification func- tions within the system allow bidders to comply with addendums as they arise, or be made aware of updates or cancellations of the competitive process. While bids can be downloaded and printed through the system, all bids and proposals must be com- pleted online. SAP Ariba is a cloud-based busi- ness-to-business marketplace. Its functions allow suppliers to search opportunities across the network, and be notified of upcoming opportu- nities. As proposals transition to the new online platform, there will undoubt- edly be some growing pains. For in- stance, for all bids submitted during August for solicitations posted on the existing online call document system, responses need to completed and delivered to the physical location at city hall. The change to SAP Ariba has been ongoing since November of 2018. During the rollout, some opportuni- ties were posted on the existing sys- tem, and some on the new. While all bids and request for proposals sub- mitted after September 1 will have to be completed through the SAP Ariba system, the opportunities document will still show up on the City of Toronto Online Call Document page. Questions regarding solicitations will also need to be posed through SAP Ariba. City of Toronto staff that handle the bidding process will remain con- stant throughout the transition. QUEBEC Quebec tribunal rules against regional hiring priority clauses Quebec’s administrative labour tri- bunal has declared regional hiring pri- ority clauses in the construction industry invalid and inoperative, say- ing they impeded on rights to free- dom and privacy, the Montreal Gazette reports. In a judgement released on Aug. 9, The tribunal sided with l’Associa- tion de la construction du Québec, which was supported by l’Associa- tion des constructeurs de routes et grands travaux du Québec. Though the tribunal is invalidating two articles of the regulation relating to the hiring and mobility of construc- tion employees in the province, it’s suspending its decision until collec- tive agreements in the construction industry can be renegotiated, the Gazette reported. Current collective agreements are set to expire on April 30, 2021. The decision is therefore suspended until their renewal. Issues surrounding regional hiring priority in the construction industry stem from the demands of regional workers. They want to be able to work at construction sites in their own areas, rather than having a con- tractor who wins a contract come with his own workers from another region. This situation has caused friction between regional and outside em- ployees. Judge Raymond Gagnon said in his decision that employees’ right to privacy and their freedom to establish their homes in a place that is conve- nient to them is being infringed upon. He also ruled that there’s a restriction for employers to hire employees they need based on where they live. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 25 NEWS BRIEFS Gagnon said he sees a “force of inertia” and a system that has “be- come difficult to justify in the current economic and social context. It is therefore not possible to justify the current rules of regional hiring prior- ity,” the newspaper reported. NOVA SCOTIA Feds and province to invest $394.2 million in social housing projects The federal and provincial govern- ments have recently signed an agree- ment to provide long-term funding for community housing in Nova Scotia. Federal Minister of Rural Eco- nomic Development Bernadette Jor- dan and Nova Scotia Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Chuck Porter said in Windsor, N.S., that they had reached a bilateral agreement to prioritize affordable housing that will be cost-shared by the two govern- ments. The federal government says he 10-year agreement will invest almost $394.2 million to protect, renew and expand social and community hous- ing in addition to supporting Nova Scotia’s priorities related to housing repair, construction and affordability. The investment includes almost $197.1 million each from the govern- ment of Canada and the government of Nova Scotia. The two governments will also work together on the design and im- plementation of a new Canada Hous- ing Benefit for the province to provide affordability support directly to families and individuals in housing need. “We will now work with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to finalize the first three-year action plan that will advance our provincial housing priorities, providing more af- fordable and accessible housing op- tions to those who depend on it, especially for our most vulnerable cit- izens,” Porter said. The government of Nova Scotia will develop and publish three-year action plans, beginning in 2019-20, CONSTRUCTION ACROSS CANADA setting targets and outlining how it will use federal and cost-matched funding to achieve the desired out- come. NEW BRUNSWICK Moncton city manager suggested treating major landowner ‘different,’ report says A major Moncton landowner sought special recognition as city council directed staff to have a patio removed from a city nightclub which was built without proper building per- mits, CBC reports. Coun. Bryan Butler said city coun- cil twice directed municipal staff to have the property owner remove what had started as a patio in 2007 but had become a year-round en- closed addition to a Robinson Court nightclub by 2017, the broadcaster reported. “I am very upset, and the buck stops with the city manager, that twice city council has given direction … and it’s never been done,” Butler said at a council meeting. The report relates to Rouge Pre- miere Lounge, a nightclub that opened in 2006 in a building owned by Galco Atlantic Investments Net- work Ltd. on Robinson Court. Galco president Stephen Gallant declined an interview with CBC. Rouge’s owners, who lease the space from Galco, also declined an on-the-record interview. The report says city manager Marc Landry told council during a spring 2019 private meeting that councillors should remember the property owner has millions worth of downtown holdings. 26 – Summer/Fall 2019 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report The report says Landry said “maybe we should treat him differ- ent.” It says Mayor Dawn Arnold said she did not want to take on the landowner. Private meeting minutes reviewed by CBC do not reflect the statements. “The context of my comment re- garding the landowner was to pro- vide information to elected officials on whether or not they wished to allow the individual an opportunity to speak to them,” Landry said in an email to CBC. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Governments announce $14.4 million investment for eastern PEI infrastructure projects The federal and provincial govern- ments and local municipalities have announced $14.4 million in infrastruc- ture investments in 16 eastern Prince Edward Island projects. The work includes construction and renovation of cultural, recre- ational, water and wastewater pro- jects, government officials said in a news release. The federal government is con- tributing about $5.3 million at the pro- jects through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan and the province will spend about $6.2 million. Some of the projects also have municipali- ties and non-profits adding cash. The most expensive project is $3 million to be spent on new trails in Stratford to connect to the existing Confederation Trail network. NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR Federal government to fund more than $1 million for women’s carpentry apprenticeship training The federal government will pro- vide more than $1 million funding to the Office to Advance Women Ap- prentices of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 579, for its En- gaging and Enhancing Women in Apprentice- able Skilled Trades pro- ject, the government says in a statement. Through this project, more than women from Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick will get sup- port in a number of areas such as exposure to the skilled trades as a first- choice career option, leadership and safety skills training, welding certification in partner- ship with the Canadian Welding Bureau and em- ployment supports, as well as networking op- portunities to further pur- sue their certification. This project is funded through the Women in Construction Fund, which supports projects build- ing on existing models that have proven to be ef- fective in attracting women to the construc- tion trades. These in- clude mentoring, coaching and tailored supports that help women to progress through their training and find jobs. Approximately 2,800 women are expected to benefit from the Women in Construction Fund, which is receiving fund- ing of $10 million over three years, starting in 2018-19. The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer/Fall 2019 – 27 Certificate of Substantial Performance ads You now have a choice. ONLY $ 249 If you’ve been advertising Certificate of Substantial Performance (CSP) or other Ontario Construction Act notices in another publication, Ontario Construction News has a special offer for you . . . We can publish virtually all CSP notices for $249, a savings in most cases of at least $130 or more from what you pay elsewhere. You can save hundreds of dollars – or even thousands, if you were required to publish a high volume of CSP and other notices. Ontario Construction News has been designed to qualify as a “daily construction newspaper” under Ontario Construction Act regulations for certificate and notice advertisements. For more information, visit www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/certificates or phone (888) 627-8717 ext 212. ONTARIO Construction NEWS *There’s just a bit of fine print. In a few exceptional circumstances, when the notice is exceptionally lengthy, there will be an additional fee. We will disclose this to you before you make any commitments, and it will be far lower than you would pay for a similar-sized no- tice at the competing publication. You should check with your own legal advisors to ensure your project and notice complies with the Ontario Construction Act requirements.