Digging In

Here's what we covered this week:  Tumbler Ridge Modular Campus: Specialized modular units from ATCO and Fort Modular are being rapidly deployed to provide a trauma-informed interim school solution following the tragedy at the original secondary school site. CMHC Financing Overhaul: The new "Prefab Plus" program and modernized draw schedules aim to accelerate housing supply by finally aligning mor...

Here are the stories we tackled this week: B.C. cancels healthcare infrastructure contracts after saying they would be "repaced". Trump OKs new pipeline that could revive part of the Keystone XL route. Hamilton celebrates LRT milestone. Canada is poised to become a leader in modular nuclear construction. The Canadian Construction Association releases its latest economic data.

Here's what we covered this week: How the federal government's $6 billion plan could add 80,000 to 100,000 skilled trades workers by 2030. Ontario's $1.6B boost to school infrastructure. The design of a new memorial to honour construction workers killed, injured or made ill on the job. The new sovereign wealth fund for building major infrastructure projects. Huge thanks to this week's sponsor, Pro...

Here's what host Russell Hixson covers in this week's episode: The strategic alliance of Canada's largest GCs analyzing data from 600+ projects to cut emissions, the five key steps involved, and what that means for your projects and future costs. What the Lafarge case reveals about industry ethics and compliance risks in a geopolitically tense world. The contentious debate around BC's community be...

In this episode, we chat with SiteMedia's Chief Content Officer Corinne Lynds and award-winning Leadership & Burnout Prevention Specialist Shauna Moran. They detailed how women in the construction sector can overcome systemic biases and professional hurdles by leveraging innate strengths like systems thinking, empathy, and intuition. The pair have partnered up to develop Calibrated, an innovative...

The Digging in podcast was in-studio for this week for a special chat with Stéphan Lacombe, Vice-President Buildings West, for Pomerleau. Lacombe spoke about the company's distinct corporate culture, his advice for those new to the industry, and the strategy behind Pomerleau's push for work in Western Canada.

In this week's episode: Ontario and the federal government have reached an $8.8B collaboration deal on housing and transit projects. Nova Scotia is the latest province to work out a "one project, one review" environmental framework with Ottawa. BC Hydro finds a home for Site C's empty work camp. The White House is getting a major security upgrade with plans for an underground bunker.

Here are all the headlines we broke down this week for Digging In: Ontario's plan to expropriate Toronto's stake in Billy Bishop Airport for runway expansion. Alberta and the federal government's cooperation agreement to streamline infrastructure project approvals. Federal initiative to improve construction labor market data with a $94.5 million investment. Calgary's water restrictions due to urge...

In this episode, we explore Canada's construction landscape, uncovering how shifts like daylight savings, geopolitical port deals, and a nuclear supply boom are reshaping the industry. From Saskatchewan's uranium surge to Ontario's Science Centre controversy and a 37% drop in residential productivity, we reveal the impacts on projects, safety, and the bottom line.

This week's episode covers major political and infrastructure developments in the U.S. and Canada. Here's what we will get you all caught up on: A major U.S. Supreme Court decision that could reshape tariff policy — and President Donald Trump's response. B.C. Premier David Eby's move to "re-pace" major infrastructure projects as the province's deficit grows. Canada's sweeping plans to realign its...

In this episode of Digging In, host Russell Hixson unpacks the political and economic forces threatening a $6.4 billion international bridge project between Canada and the U.S. He also delves into the 15-year effort to deliver Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Ottawa's major funding cuts for projects. Finally, some feathery Ontario residents have received justice after their homes were destroye...

This week we highlight the successful refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, which finished ahead of schedule and under budget. We then chat about the newly approved $3-billion Steensby Project on Baffin Island. Listeners will also get an essential briefing on the sector's surprising GDP growth in late 2026 and a deep dive into Calgary's Bearspaw water main failure with Water...

In this episode, host Russell Hixson is joined by John Tenpenny, editor of Renew Canada, to discuss the Top 100 Projects report. They delve into the intricacies of Canada's largest public infrastructure projects, highlighting the significant increase in overall project value - now totalling  $343 billion - due to new nuclear initiatives in Ontario. The conversation explores the challenges and tren...

This episode highlights: • Eglinton Cross Town LRT Reaches Substantial Completion: After more than a decade of work beginning in 2011, and following years of detours and delays, Ontario's Eglinton Cross Town LRT has finally reached substantial completion. Control of the line is now transferring from Metrolinx to the TTC, which will handle operations, staff training, and setting an opening date, cu...

Major nuclear news  Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has received government approval for a $26.8 billion refurbishment of four candu reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This project intends to extend the facility's operations by up to 38 years, creating approximately 30,500 jobs during construction. Once completed in the mid-2030s, the refurbished station will provide up to 2200 m...

This episode highlights: • BC has launched "Dash," a first-in-Canada digital platform designed to streamline design, zoning, review, and prefabricated construction. This tool allows developers to input land parcel details and building specifications to generate compliant 3D building plans within minutes. Dash is optimized for local zoning regulations and available BC manufactured materials. Develo...

There are only days left to nominate someone exceptional for a Site Service Award. Do so today at www.siteserviceawards.com   This episode highlights: • Canada's Expanded Nation Building Pipeline: Ottawa has added a second wave of projects worth over $56 billion to its major projects office, bringing the total investment pipeline referred to more than $116 billion. This is part of a broader push t...

Nominate someone incredible in the construction industry today at: ⁠ ⁠ siteserviceawards.com This episode highlights: • Land Rights on Shaky Ground in BC: A landmark ruling in BC concluded that the Kawichin have Aboriginal title to about 800 acres in Richmond, establishing this as a prior and senior right over fee simple title for private landownerWhile the BC Premier David Eby has appealed the de...

Support the Construction Challenge and help fund the fight against blood cancers. Donate to team FIRST ONSITE  ⁠ ⁠here⁠ ⁠  or Team Beckett  ⁠ ⁠here⁠ ⁠ . Nominate someone incredible today at: ⁠ ⁠ siteserviceawards.com ⁠ ⁠   This episode highlights: • Lumber Production Cuts and Tariffs:  Interfor, one of the world's largest lumber producers, plans to cut timber production in Q4 by approximately 250...

Nominate someone incredible today at: ⁠ siteserviceawards.com ⁠   This episode highlights: • Prompt Payment Legislation is advancing in BC with the introduction of Bill 20, the Construction Prompt Payment Act. If passed, the legislation will set clear payment timelines, requiring owners to pay general contractors within 28 days and contractors to pay subcontractors within 7 days, while also includ...

Nominate someone incredible from the construction industry today at ⁠ siteserviceawards.com ⁠   This episode highlights: The federal government's announcement to move to a fall budget cycle (delivered in November instead of spring), which officials say provides construction organizations and businesses with better lead time to plan projects ahead of the spring construction season. Finance Minister...

This episode highlights: A new study on skilled trades: interest is strong, but white-collar preference and perceptions of physical demand are leading deterrents, emphasizing the crucial need to educate people about high-tech like drone piloting A major robotic partnership between Promise Robotics and Madame Homes Alberta integrates AI and a "factory as a service platform" into large-scale residen...

This week we break down the lifting of reciprocal tariffs with the U.S., major contracts awarded for Volkswagen's $7-billion EV battery plant in Ontario, and Ontario's $75-million investment in training thousands of new tradespeople and urban planners. We also cover two massive business moves shaking up the industry—ITC's acquisition of Farmer Construction and Lowe's $8.8-billion deal for Foundati...