⛏️ Going deep

Together with

Good morning! 🦌 During subway construction in Toronto’s west end in 1976, a worker unearthed an unusual set of antlers embedded in a fragment of skull—an ancient discovery now known as Torontoceros, or the “subway deer.” New DNA testing confirmed the fossil belonged to an extinct deer species that lived over 11,000 years ago.

⏰ Today’s read: 5 minutes

MARKETS

Economy: A new BMO report warns that the ongoing U.S. trade war is already dampening Canada’s economy, with potential outcomes ranging from slower growth to a moderate recession depending on future tariff levels. Even if current tariffs—around 7%—persist, Canada’s long-term GDP could fall 1.5%, while a 35% tariff scenario could trigger a short-term recession and a 5% long-term decline. BMO’s chief economist Douglas Porter expects a “muddle through” path, with current tariffs largely maintained but sector-specific changes likely.

TOGETHER WITH FIRST ONSITE AND LLSC

More supports needed for cancer patients

Since he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022,Todd Yuen, the Business Operations Manager at First Onsite Property Restoration, has been in a battle. He knew the blood transfusions, chemotherapy, medications, bone marrow tests, stem cell transplants and more, would be tough, he didn’t realize that Canadian families don’t always have the support they need to fight. Learn more about how blood cancers are impacting your industry peers in our latest feature story and support the FIRST ONSITE as its team raises funds to help families like the Yuens.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

🏗️ Captured: Montreal-based Deep Sky has announced plans to build a large-scale carbon removal facility in southwestern Manitoba capable of capturing 500,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually at full capacity. The $200-million first phase, set to begin construction in 2026, will use direct air capture technology powered by Manitoba’s renewable hydroelectric grid to store CO₂ underground. 

⛴️ Port expansion: A consortium led by Pomerleau and Aecon has reached financial close on a $609-million contract for the in-water works of the Port of Montreal’s Contrecoeur container terminal expansion—a multibillion-dollar project set to boost Canada’s trade capacity and supply chain resilience. Operating under a collaborative design-build model with the Montreal Port Authority, the partnership will deliver two berths capable of handling up to 1.15 million containers annually.

📂 Industrial era: Innovation Minister Mélanie Joly is unveiling a three-point strategy to launch a “new industrial era” for Canada in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war. Her plan aims to protect and transform key sectors such as auto, steel, aluminum, copper, and lumber through targeted investments, fast-tracked project approvals, and a “Buy Canadian” procurement policy.

🛢️ New strategy: Premier Danielle Smith has directed Alberta Energy Minister Brian Jean to dramatically expand the province’s oil output—targeting six million barrels per day by 2030 and eight million by 2035—and to secure federal approval for a new bitumen pipeline to British Columbia’s northwest coast. Jean is also tasked with advancing export routes to the U.S., Ontario, Hudson Bay, and the Arctic. The plan faces challenges, including environmental opposition, interprovincial cooperation hurdles, and federal regulatory barriers such as Bills C-69 and C-48.

THE BIG STORY

No exceptions: Prompt payment in B.C.

Prompt payment legislation has been introduced in B.C. That’s a sentence many industry leaders in the province have been dreaming about for years. But the fight is far from over. 

What it says: Bill 20, the Construction Prompt Payment Act, sets clear payment timelines for construction projects with 28 days for owners to pay general contractors and seven days for contractors to pay subcontractors, including an adjudication system for disputes. If an issue arises, the adjudicator would be able to create binding obligations. This is very similar to what is already in place in Ontario and Alberta.

Expected outcome: Let’s look at how Ontario is faring. During the last fiscal year 277 adjudications were commenced with $171.8M claimed; 151 determinations were issued ordering $30.37M paid, and 63% of determinations met the statutory timeline, with many files settling mid-process (88 terminations, most due to settlement). The data suggests the system is doing what it’s meant to do—forcing conversations and payments earlier, without spending years in court.

Caution ahead: Just a few years ago when Alberta was hashing out its prompt payment rules, the legislation started out by excluding some public sector projects before an uproar from industry forced them to remove that exception. B.C. is warning officials not to go down that same path. 

“Whether you’re private sector, public sector, whether you’re a Crown corp., or whether you’re a homebuilder, we want all of the construction industry to fall under this payment certainty,” - Chris Atchison, president of the B.C. Construction Association

A long road: While it’s not yet set in stone and challenges are on the horizon, the B.C. industry should be applauded. Countless meetings, long campaigns, relentless questions for public officials and more helped accomplish this. The BC Construction Association, Vancouver Regional Construction Association, Electrical Contractors Association and many others’ teams worked tirelessly to get to this point.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Interior beauty

The Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project in Duncan, B.C. is one of Canada’s first large-scale hospitals built with mass timber. Spanning over 600,000 sq. ft. and seven storeys, the facility uses exposed wood and natural light to create healing space. Inspired by the Coast Salish Big House style, the hospital’s two-storey community hall symbolizes connection and respect for local Indigenous traditions, reinforced by multilingual acknowledgment walls. Key partners include Island Health, EllisDon, Kinsol Timber Systems, Kalesnikoff, and Parkin and ZGF Architects.

PROJECT UPDATES

Libby and Corkie prepare to carve Ontario Line tunnel

Metrolinx begins final Eglinton LRT test

LNG Canada prepares to start second processing unit

Design contract awarded for Little Current bridge 

Carbon 1 Mississauga team completes civil works

$1.65B Mackenzie Valley Highway work to start in 2-3 years

Howard corridor reconstruction project nearing completion

Work starts on Docksteader Paramedic Reporting Station

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

🏆WATCH: Why you should nominate someone for the Site Service Awards

🏠 READ: Can Canada replicate Sweden’s modular boom?

WATCH: Winnipeg construction avoid knife attack

READ: It’s alive? Keystone XL is in the news again

WATCH: Rebuilding Cologne Cathedral’s pinnacles

LISTEN: We dive into prompt payment + more in our latest Digging In Podcast episode

ADVERTISE WITH SITENEWS

Get your message and brand in front of Canada’s construction leaders and decision-makers by advertising in our newsletter. Learn how to partner with us here.

Here’s to a great rest of the week!

Disclaimer: SiteNews is an independently-operated news website. Views expressed are that of the editorial team and are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted through sponsored content.