NEWS BRIEFS
“It includes making maximum use
of available federal funding under
Phase 1 of the Investing in Canada
Fund and committing our full provin-
cial allocation under the established
Building Canada. And it enables our
ability to effectively leverage funding
support for shared provincial and mu-
nicipal priorities and for the protection
and development of vital provincial as-
sets,” Pallister said.

The speech has also reaffirmed the
province’s promise to support munici-
pal governments through the Fair Say
initiative. It highlighted that Manitoba’s
partnership with communities have re-
sulted in “historic infrastructure pro-
jects” such as Bus Rapid Transit in
Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba.

Pallister also announced that an “ex-
pert advisory commission of Manito-
bans” will be established to create
laws strengthening water conserva-
tion efforts, as well as establishing a
new licensing authority for water man-
agement. The commission will also
work with private landowners to con-
serve wetlands and natural habitats.

ONTARIO Toronto to see first
purpose-built affordable
homes after more than 10
years After more than 10 years of not hav-
ing any purpose-built residential devel-
opment, Toronto will finally see 22
affordable housing units, which are to
be developed by St. Clare’s Multifaith
Housing Society for Kensington’s
homeless population.

The charitable foundation an-
nounced on Dec. 6 that an excavator
has already broken ground on the site
beside St. Clare’s existing property on
Leonard Ave., east of Bathurst St.

Construction of the three-storey
building is slated to commence in the
spring of 2018. It is supported by
neighbours and funded by govern-
ment and corporate donors.

Companies who have pitched in to
finance the affordable homes are:
Aspen Ridge, Brown Group, Great Gulf
Homes, Greenpark Homes, Heavy
34 – Winter 2018 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report
CONSTRUCTION ACROSS CANADA
Construction Association of Toronto,
Laurier Homes, Liberty Development,
Lindvest, LiUNA Local 183, LiUNA On-
tario Provincial District Council, Mat-
tamy Homes, Menkes, Ontario
Formwork Association, Silvercore,
Tridel and Yorkwood. Together, these
companies and other construction
partners have raised $1 million.

“We chose to support this project
because we believe the construction
industry should give back,” said
RESCON chairman emeritus Phil Rubi-
noff. The project will also receive finan-
cial assistance from the city through
its Open Door Program. On top of
waived municipal fees and develop-
ment charges, the developer will be
given $500,000.

“I applaud the hard work and vision
of St. Clare’s to make this innovative
project a reality. St. Clare’s is a model
that works. Their partnership-based
approach has created new opportuni-
ties for those seeking a safe, clean, af-
fordable place to call home,” said Ana
Bailao, Toronto deputy mayor and
chair of the affordable housing com-
mittee. Developers propose 42-
storey addition for 415
Yonge office building
A rezoning application has been
submitted to the City of Toronto for
415 Yonge St. proposing a 42-storey
residential addition above the existing
19-storey office building, Urban-
toronto.ca reports. The site includes
409 through to 415 Yonge St,, as well
as 9 and 17 McGill St.

Winnipeg-based Marwest Group of
Companies owns the site and the pro-
ject has been designed by Kirkor Archi-
tects & Planners, the website reports.

If approved, the addition would rise to
a final height of 239.35 metres, in-
creasing residential density along the
Yonge subway line.

The architects have designed the
addition from the 20th floor to a final
height of 61 storeys, with a “pinch” de-
sign around mid height. “To create vi-
sual interest, translucent bands across
the north and south massing cut
through the glass facade and an angu-
lar vertical design is seen rising up the
east elevation,” Urbantoronto reports.

Two interstitial floors between the ex-
isting tower and addition would be in-
cluded for structural and mechanical
support. “High-rise additions to existing of-
fice towers is not common, but it is
not a new concept for the Toronto de-
velopment scene, with construction
continuing at 488 University Ave. right
now,” the site says. “The 1968-built 18-
storey office tower has been com-
pletely refaced with an energy-efficient
curtainwall cladding system over a
new support structure, while the con-
struction of 37 new residential floors,
reaching a height of 55-storeys, is un-
derway above.”
Trades start working on
$2.7 million renovation for
new OCA headquarters
Tradespeople have started work on
the $2.7 million renovation at the Ot-
tawa Construction Association’s (OCA)
new headquarters.