Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
For more than 35 years, The Buildings Show has been the gathering place for Canada’s building industry, bringing together leaders, innovators and practitioners for three days of learning, networking and discovery. This year’s event — running December 3–5 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre — is shaping up to be the most dynamic yet.
From Construct Canada and PM Expo to the Homebuilder & Renovator Expo and the World of Concrete Toronto Pavilion, every corner of the Canadian construction and design industry comes together under one roof. With expanded trade show space, double the networking receptions, and more than 120 sessions and workshops, The Buildings Show offers an unmatched opportunity to gain knowledge, explore solutions, and make the connections that drive projects forward.
New for 2025, the Canadian Wood Council joins forces with The Buildings Show to introduce WoodWorks, integrating technical expertise and sustainable material innovation directly into the event. With new Friday programming and offsite WoodWorks education, the conference line-up is stronger than ever.
To mark the countdown to The Buildings Show, Ontario Construction News is launching a video series featuring expert voices from across the industry. These leaders will share insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping Canada’s built environment — from labour and materials to design innovation and sustainability.
In this first video, Clive Thurston, President of Thurston Consulting Services, talks about what makes Canada’s construction industry unique compared to its global counterparts.
Clive brings more than 40 years of experience to the table, having worked as a superintendent, estimator, project manager and owner/operator of a Toronto-based construction company. As the former president of the Ontario General Contractors Association, he spent two decades promoting the industry, strengthening safety culture, and advocating on behalf of contractors at provincial and national levels.
He will be a featured presenter at The Buildings Show. His session, “Navigating Project Risk: From Tendering to Closeout” (Wednesday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), will examine the key risk factors that shape project success, from pre-construction planning and contract selection to resource management and dispute resolution. Attendees will gain valuable strategies for minimizing claims, improving communication among stakeholders, and keeping projects on track from start to finish.
Stay tuned as Ontario Construction News brings you more expert perspectives in the weeks ahead, leading up to Canada’s biggest construction and design event of the year.
