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Good morning! 🏠 Looking for a spacious, 665,443 square-foot,1,700-room pad? A massive work camp built for the Site C dam is trying to find a new owner as the megaproject winds down. The camp includes a movie theatre, gymnasium, fitness centre, cafeteria and 21 three-story dorms. BC Hydro says it is eager to prevent the facility from ending up in a landfill.

⏰ Today’s read: 5 minutes

MARKETS

*Stock data as of last market close; currency, oil and crypto data as of 11:00 PM ET April 7th, 2025.

Economy:  The U.S. plans to more than double its duty on Canadian softwood lumber imports, raising the rate from 14.54% to 34.45%, a move that could further harm B.C.'s struggling forestry sector, which has already experienced significant job losses. The increase, confirmed by the U.S. Lumber Coalition and B.C. Premier's office, stems from ongoing trade tensions and longstanding U.S. claims that Canada unfairly subsidizes its lumber industry through provincially set stumpage fees.

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NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

Too late: 📊 A new report from the BC Construction Association (BCCA) reveals deep concerns over payment delays in the province’s construction sector, with 91% of employers reporting late payments and 69% not being paid at least once in the past year. The BCCA attributes these issues to the B.C. government's failure to enact Prompt Payment Legislation, which the association says is increasing financial risk across the industry. 

Job losses: ⚒️ In March, Canada lost 33,000 jobs—the largest drop since 2022. Among the 1.5 million people who were unemployed in March, the largest share (44.1%) had lost their job due to a lay-off within the previous 12 months. Of these unemployed people, 18.4% last worked in construction, while 12.4% last worked in wholesale or retail trade.

In the tank: 🚢 The arrival of an LNG tanker in Kitimat, B.C. marks a historic milestone as the first liquefied natural gas carrier to reach the region, signaling that the $40-billion LNG Canada project is nearing operation. Backed by global energy giants like Shell and Petronas, the project is expected to export 14 million tonnes of LNG annually—potentially doubling in a proposed second phase—while generating $575 million in annual economic value.

Combination: 🤝 Matcon Group and Knappett Industries have merged to form a more diversified and strategically positioned construction entity serving Western Canada. While continuing to operate under their established names, the merger combines Matcon’s expertise in excavation, shoring, demolition, and environmental stabilization with Knappett’s strengths in civil infrastructure, road building, and utility installation. 

THE BIG STORY

Taking stock: Analyzing BC Builds one year later

B.C. officials celebrated the anniversary of one of its flagship housing programs this month, breaking ground on a 179-unit rental building in North Vancouver. But is it really working and could the approach spread?

How it works: BC Builds partners with government, First Nations, community, non-profit and private landowners, provides low-interest repayable loans and grants, and speeds up project timelines to reduce how long it takes to get a building from concept to construction.

How it’s going: 1,400 homes are under way since the $950-million program started with nearly 2,500 more in various stages of early development. Ravi Kahlon, housing minister, says it's just the beginning. 

Why it works: Analysis by Simon Fraser University’s Renewable Cities program found that public, First-Nations and non-project land cut costs and sped up projects. Project acceleration meetings cut through barriers and strong political support built early momentum. Grants and low interest financing were also enticing to developers. Early data shows that from concept to construction starting, it's taking months rather than years. 

How to spread it: SFU researchers stated that to replicate the program’s success, other jurisdictions need to tailor governance to their context, start with a land inventory, validate early, build staff/systems prior to launch and keep relationships at the centre. 

Thinking bigger: BC Builds wants to take it even further. Officials plan to acquire and develop land directly and forge public-private partnerships. SFU says that as a developer, BC Builds has the potential to create an independent revenue stream through development, allowing it to reinvest surplus profit from development into increasing housing supply and providing long-term financial stability.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Sound thinking

The Desautels Concert Hall at the University of Manitoba, designed by Teeple Architects with Cibinel Architecture, is a technically and acoustically ambitious project built on a highly constrained site within Taché Hall. The hall features custom acoustic woodwork, a passive ventilation system targeting LEED Silver, and supports various performance formats with seating for up to 475.

PROJECT UPDATES

DP World launches major expansion project at Duke Point

Kamloops cancer centre construction on track to start

Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture selected for Bloor-Yonge project

EllisDon Infrastructure reaches financial close on major Alberta P3 schools bundle

City committee approves new communities for Calgary's outskirts

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

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

WATCH: 🤝 Construction’s biggest business moves this month

READ: 🏠 Toronto pivots to purpose-built rentals

WATCH: 🚧 Calgary builders urge party leaders to get specific

READ: 🏗️ Intelligent City begins work on nine-storey mass timber housing project

READ: ❤️‍🩹 N.W.T plans healing lodge for grief and trauma treatment

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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.