📈 Procured

Good morning!  🌐 Las Vegas’ Sphere is expanding. The $2.3-billion entertainment facility could soon spawn more spheres, as its developer plans to create smaller sphere venues in other markets. Currently, there are no details on where these baby spheres would be built, but watch out, Science World. You have some competition.

⏰ Today’s read: 5 minutes

MARKETS

*Stock data as of last market close; currency, oil and crypto data as of 7:30 PM ET March 17, 2025.

Economy: In January 2025, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by $425.8 million (-3.2%) from the previous month to $12.8 billion. Ontario (-$771.1 million) led the decline, while New Brunswick (+$356.8 million) tempered it the most. On a constant dollar basis, the total value of permits declined 2.5% from the previous month, while it was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

Big budget: 💵 Alberta’s Budget 2025 allocates over $8.5 billion to transportation and infrastructure projects over three years, aiming to support growth, economic development, and quality of life. Key investments include $4 billion for rural transportation infrastructure, $2.1 billion for Calgary projects, and $2 billion for Edmonton. It also funds major highway upgrades, municipal capital grants, LRT expansions, and water management infrastructure.

Condo trouble: 🧰 The escalating trade war between Canada and the U.S. is hitting condo renovators hard, with tariffs on U.S. goods such as carpet and wallpaper driving up costs and complicating supply chains. Canadian importers face challenges absorbing or passing on these added expenses, with some seeking alternative suppliers overseas, though high shipping costs and logistics present further hurdles. 

Dead battery: 🪫 Northvolt AB, the European electric-vehicle battery maker, has filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, casting doubt on its $7-billion Quebec megafactory project and putting 5,000 jobs at risk. The collapse is attributed to poor leadership, flawed battery design, and scaling challenges, with Northvolt failing to secure necessary financing.

New venture: 🚀 Turner Construction Company has launched Turner Ventures, a program supporting early-stage startups focused on decarbonization and digitalization in the construction industry. The initiative targets ClimateTech and PropTech innovations, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and digitalize workflows.

EVENTS

Industry Icebreaker is completely sold out but …

Skate too slow and you will miss the puck. Our Industry Icebreaker event with Trevor Muir of Surepoint in Edmonton has completely sold out! However, you can still catch the afterparty. Network with top construction leaders while watching the Oilers take on the Kings from the private Sky Lounge loft. Click the link below to secure your spot and keep reading SiteNews for details about our next event.

THE BIG STORY

Procurement power: Canada says ‘no’ to U.S.

Tariffs aren’t the only weapon being used in the trade war. All levels of government are looking to use their procurement dollars differently to support Canadian businesses and pressure the U.S. 

What’s being done: 

• Ontario has banned U.S.-based companies from participating in government procurements as long as U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports are in place.

• Alberta has altered its procurement policies to only purchase goods and services from Canadian companies or countries with honored free trade agreements with Canada.

• B.C. and  its Crown corporations say they will buy goods and services from Canada and other countries first.

• Industry Canada has been directed to prioritize the funding of projects that use predominantly Canadian steel and aluminum.

It has its limits: Not all are cut and dry and some of these procurement changes have a dollar ceiling. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is looking to amend its procurement bylaw to make construction work exclusive to Canadian companies, but only for work under $8.8 million. 

Real Canadian: Some businesses work all over North America or even the world, and have headquarters in dozens of cities. So what makes a company “Canadian”? Nebraska-based Kiewit is one of the largest builders in Canada, generating billions through Kiewit Canada. This is an issue many provinces and municipalities are grappling with.   

Friendly fire: What many industry experts agree on is that using public procurement to support Canadian companies and send a message to America is far better than retaliatory tariffs, which will drive up costs for construction products as the U.S. is our top source of imports. 

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Big Bruce

Crews have marked the halfway point in a massive project to upgrade Bruce Power, the world’s largest operating nuclear facility. The $13-billion refurbishment plan aims to extend the facility’s lifespan by more than 30 years and increase its output by replacing major components. Check out our video on the project and subscribe to our Youtube page here. 

PROJECT UPDATES

• Victoria ferry terminal project reaches milestone

• Projects set to begin this week along Glenmore Road

• Ottawa to provide $156.8 million for eight BC Hydro projects

• Mine developer close to Marathon construction decision

• University Avenue West construction starts monday

Get our full breakdown of the week’s project updates in the link below

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

READ: 🪵 Canada touts superior lumber quality during trade war

READ: 🏒 Tariffs drive up costs for American hockey rink projects

WATCH: 🏠 Why pressure treated woods fail or last

READ: ⚓ PEI lighthouses receive heritage status

PHOTOS: 🔨 Mid-century modern gem demolished in Calgary

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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.