Editor's
viewpoint This Canadian Design and Construction Report issue re-
ports on a diversity of topics, ranging from extensive cov-
erage of the fenestration (windows and doors) industry to
coverage about the progress towards prompt payment
legislation in Canada and the industry results after signifi-
cant anti-dumping duties were imposed on U.S. gypsum
board (drywall) sold in western Canada last year.

The story that touches closest to my heart, however,
may seem to be one that is highly specialized – a discus-
sion of the lack of uptake of specialized Building Industry
Modelling (BIM) software by specifications writers in both
Canada and the U.S.

This investigation results from my long-term participa-
tion in the local Construction Specifications Canada (CSC)
chapter, which I first joined in the earliest years of the busi-
ness more than 25 years ago. Then, in starting a regional
construction publication, Ottawa Construction News, I
knew almost nothing about construction but plenty about
journalism. I quickly discovered stories and themes that
were truly important to the industry, which needed to be
reported on from the industry’s perspective.

My CSC participation has led me to appreciate the ar-
chitectural, engineering and construction community’s in-
terdisciplinary characteristics and, most importantly, to
understand that while various trades and professions work
together, they don’t always see the world through the
same set of eyes. This can sometimes cause conflict, and
in other situations results in unexpected alliances and be-
haviour. So why won’t specifications writers embrace technol-
ogy that would facilitate the integration of their work with
BIM processes? It turns out there is a combination of eco-
nomic practicalities, cultural differences and functional re-
quirements in the working environment disconnected
from the products several software developers have de-
veloped. The strongest BIM users – contractors seeking
out inefficiencies before they dig, and integrated
design/build practices – either don’t prepare the initial de-
signs/specifications or, if they do, have discovered that
there can be too much data overload at the beginning cre-
ative stages if all the BIM modelling details are integrated
in the initial designs.

Spring 2017
Table of Contents
PROMPT PAYMENT:
Associations report progress to new processes,
legislation both federally and in Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
New Ontario Construction Act takes shape:
Prompt payment, adjudication and lien reform among
98 recommendations accepted by provicial government,
says Bruce Reynolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Government-Industry Working Group on Prompt Payment:
Interim Status report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SPECIAL FEATURES:
CertainTeed Gypsum Canada reinvests in domestic
manufacturing as contractors file remission claims
for anti-dumping tariffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Work on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project
progresses with millions of dollars in contract awards . . . . . . . 12
BIM and specification writing:
The great disconnect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
CDCR Hotel Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Evolve Builders Group builds its reputation for value,
healthy building and environmental responsibility
one straw bale at a time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Jensen Hughes:
The best way to mitigate construction claims risk is to
seek advice before getting into trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
FENESTRATION CANADA
A look at Canadian window and door innovations as
industry prepares for annual conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Dundas Woodwindows and Specialties Inc. builds success
in the Toronto area with solid family business values . . . . . . . . 24
Douglas Window & Door Inc. achieves success with
exceptional product, unparalleled installation service . . . . . . . . 26
Urban Windows & Doors provides Canadian made
products for northern Ontario markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
All Weather Windows grows with production capacity,
product choices and residential and commercial client service . 30
Hi-Tech Energy Windows Ltd. designs and manufactures
energy efficient windows and doors for harsh climates . . . . . . 32
Magazine and Newsletter Design
Online or Print – Big or Small
It can always be simple
www.memoproductions.ca 819-827-3802
info@memoproductions.com Strassburger Windows and Doors innovates with new ideas
and products, while maintaining family business relationship
building and customer service values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
News Briefs across Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Dodge upcoming project reports . . . . . . . . . . . ONLINE ONLY - 43
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — June 2017 – 3