🚘 Road trip

Good morning!  Bagworm moths should be the official bug of construction. They build little log cabin cocoons out of sand, leaves and sticks. And because they use nearby materials, the moths have even developed localized and distinct styles of architecture.

⏰ Today's reading time is 5 ½ minutes.

MARKETS

*Stock data as of last market close; currency, oil and crypto data as of 11:15 PM ET July 31st, 2023.

Economy: Crude production in Alberta hit a seven year low last month. Experts explained this was due to maintenance at oil-sands mines and because Suncor Energy Inc.’s output was partially excluded. Suncor has been dealing with the fallout from a cyber incident that began in late June and impacted the processing of debit and credit transactions at PetroCanada filling stations.

THE BIG STORY

Trades training is coming to you

Not everybody lives in a big city near major educational infrastructure, posing a challenge for the construction sector as it seeks to offer trades training and exposure to a wider range of Canadians. Not only that, experts say that beyond geography, traveling to trades events or classes can be cost prohibitive for many.

To combat this, the industry is hitting the road to take those services right to the people.

What’s happening:

• Ontario’s Trade & Tech Trucks are expected to reach nearly 500,000 people in the coming years as the province’s pilot project expands.

• Road builders in B.C. are embarking on a $3.9-million journey to use custom mobile simulators to give remote communities a taste of careers in the industry.

• Last month New Brunswick Community College launched a 53-foot mobile learning trailer to bring trades training to all areas of the province.

Under the hood: Some of these efforts are possible thanks to major advancements in virtual reality, computer simulation and other technology. Canadian tech companies like CM Labs and Serious Labs have been pushing this innovation forward for the industrial sector.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

🚃 The southern branch of Montreal’s new light rail network, Réseau express métropolitain (REM), is up and running. It was built using highly unusual methods. It is a for-profit project and Quebec passed a law restricting lawsuits linked to land expropriations.

⛽ Just like your favourite TV shows, TC Energy is getting a spinoff. The company announced it will be splitting into two entities. The spinoff business will focus exclusively on pipelines. TC Energy will focus on natural gas infrastructure and expand its power and energy solutions business.

🏠 Vancouver officials are looking at altering its bylaws to allow more “missing middle” housing to be built. The proposal would alter zoning and development bylaws to promote more construction of multiple dwellings on residential lots. The changes will now go to a public hearing.

🔥 Extreme wildfire smoke is prompting officials and engineering experts to consider how the built environment can improve public health. Some are calling on the government to mandate higher air quality standards for construction.

🚢 The roller coaster ride of B.C.’s port dispute might be coming to an end. Over the weekend, both parties recommended late Sunday that their members accept the negotiated settlement. Major sticking points have been port automation, contracting out and cost of living increases.

PEOPLE MOVES

This month’s People Moves featured new CEOs, retiring industry veterans, company milestones and another big accomplishments. We highlighted companies like Pomerleau, Maven Consulting, Wildstone Construction Group, Lafarge Canada, ETRO, Aecom, NorLand Limited and many more. Read the full feature below.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Manitou a bi Bii daziigae

Changing seasons: This project at Manitoba’s Red River College Polytechnic a chameleon. The Manitou a bi Bii daziigae building emits little to no net carbon emissions in Winnipeg’s extreme prairie climate thanks to its special skin. The skin of the new building addition consists of photovoltaic glass that generates energy and changes colour according to weather and the angle in which it is viewed. The project’s design team, Diamond Schmitt Architects and Number TEN Architectural Group, were recently honoured by the Canada Green Building Council’s Awards for their innovation.

PROJECT UPDATES

Stantec will design the Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation

A major housing development is planned for new Cowichan hospital area

Port Moody’s Westport Village project is back on the table after 18-year delay

The Coastal GasLink Pipeline is scheduled to wrap up this year

Acciona is set to begin work on a major Alberta wind farm project

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

LIST: 📷 These are the most jaw-dropping construction shots from July

VIDEO: 🚧 Canada’s BIGGEST excavator takes down a 10-storey building

READ: 🌋 Geothermal energy researchers just had a huge breakthrough 

VIDEO: 🏠 Fort Modular delivers temp homes to fire-devastated Lytton, B.C.

PHOTOS: 🏗️ This construction-themed conference table is unbelievable

HOT JOBS

🔥 Check out the best roles up for grabs in construction right now:

• Senior Vice President, Roads – Toronto, Ont. – Infrastructure Ontario

• Civil Construction Inspector – Prince George, B.C. – Maven Consulting

• Engineering Manager – Halifax, N.S. – Bird Construction

• Project Manager, Transportation Planning – Vaughn, Ont. – TYlin Group

• Lead Structural Engineer – Calgary, Alta. – Kiewit

• Vice President, Indigenous Relations – Toronto, Ont. – Aecon

• Partner, Mine Closure Planning & Remediation – Vancouver, B.C. – ERM Group

• Senior Municipal Engineer – Winnipeg, Man. – KGS Group

• Senior Bridge Engineer – Toronto, Ont. – IBI Group

• Senior Project Manager – Windsor, Ont. – Rosati Group

Check out all roles 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.

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!pin’