⚛️ Heavy water

Together with

Good morning! 💓Ontario plans to mandate automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) on certain construction sites as part of a forthcoming omnibus labour bill, marking the latest in a series of legislative efforts by Premier Doug Ford’s government to enhance workplace safety.

⏰ Today’s read: 4 minutes

MARKETS

Economy:  New federal energy minister Tim Hodgson emphasized Canada's potential as a global energy leader, drawing on his oilpatch and finance experience to rally support for accelerating energy projects. Hodgson pledged faster approvals, support for both clean and traditional energy, and collaboration with Alberta.

TOGETHER WITH COOPER EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Q&A: Cooper CEO says ‘buy Canadian’ strategy is critical

In a time of tariffs, trade uncertainty, and rising costs, Cooper Equipment Rentals CEO Doug Dougherty has a compelling case for doubling down on Canadian roots. In this Q&A, Dougherty shares why investing in local suppliers, shortening supply chains, and supporting Canadian construction is the smartest path forward for resilience and growth. From infrastructure booms to labour shortages, discover why Cooper’s “build here, stay here” mindset matters now more than ever.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

⚛️ Heavy water: AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. has secured a supply of heavy water—a crucial component for its Candu nuclear reactors—by partnering with Argentina’s National Atomic Energy Commission to restart the mothballed PIAP facility, which can produce 200 tonnes annually. With Canada no longer producing heavy water since the 1990s, this agreement addresses a key hurdle in AtkinsRéalis’s ambitions to build new Candu reactors in Ontario and globally.

🏠 New directives: After West Vancouver and Oak Bay significantly missed their provincially mandated housing targets, the BC government announced it will issue directives requiring both municipalities to make planning and zoning changes aimed at increasing housing supply. West Vancouver, which achieved only 58 of its 220-unit target, must update its community and zoning plans to allow greater density in key areas, while Oak Bay, which built just 16 of its 56-unit target, must streamline approvals and ease parking requirements.

🤝 Additional partners: A proposed $10–$12 billion pipeline project jointly owned by the Nisga’a Nation and Houston-based Western LNG is seeking additional Indigenous equity partners as it awaits a decision from the B.C. government on whether construction has “substantially started.” The 750-kilometre Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline would supply the planned Ksi Lisims LNG facility, targeting exports to Asia by 2029.

🏗️ Building on a budget: Burnaby’s era of billion-dollar surpluses is ending as soaring construction costs and new provincial rules limit its ability to raise funds. The city has spent over $1.2B on projects, but key developments are over budget, and a once-lucrative developer fee system has been replaced by a restrictive provincial model. Major projects are now delayed or cancelled, and Burnaby introduced a new homeowner levy while resisting debt, aiming to stick to its "pay-as-you-go" philosophy.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Super structure

This summer, a 78-unit affordable housing complex in Toronto’s Kensington Market will rise with a novel cross-laminated timber (CLT) superstructure—floors, walls, roof, and elevator core—enabling faster, more sustainable construction. Designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects, the energy-efficient U-shaped building maximizes units on a small lot, reduces carbon emissions, and offers deeply affordable rents with support services, showcasing the future of green, efficient mass timber housing.

PROJECT UPDATES

Weyburn General Hospital Reaches 75% completion

Ontario pledges $50M for All Nations hospital project

Halifax bike network will be nearly complete in 2028

Ontario building new hospital in Orillia

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

READ: 🚨 Oil sands CEOs advocate for massive carbon capture project

READ: 🏠 First Indigenous-led housing project in Toronto

Watch: 😡 Why China hated this skyscraper

READ: ⚛️ First Nation signs nuclear deal with Westinghouse

TOP CONSTRUCTION JOBS

🔥 Check out all roles up for grabs right now at SiteNews Jobs or put your job post in front of tens of thousands of construction professionals here. Hurry up before our free trial ends!

Struggling to fill a role? send us an email at [email protected] to connect with one of our specialized recruitment experts.

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.