🌊 Talent Thursdays: Afloat

Good morning! 🎓 AI is growing up fast and graduating early. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says the technology can already handle tasks typically suited for PhD holders. The remarks come as experts worry over how AI could disrupt the labour landscape beyond entry-level roles.

What’s in the newsletter:

📈 Unemployment rises

🌊 Floatel court case

🚧 Heavy equipment switch

📈 LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

Canada’s construction industry saw its unemployment rate rise to 6.5% in May 2025, slightly above last year but consistent with pre-pandemic levels, as labour force growth outpaced employment gains. Nationally, employment was buoyed by rising multi-family housing starts, despite an overall 12% decline in building permit volumes—particularly in Ontario, which saw steep drops in residential and industrial permits.

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Cliff LaPrairie, P.Eng., has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of LaPrairie Group of Companies, succeeding his father Scott LaPrairie who passed away earlier this year.

Darrin De Stephanis has been appointed as Senior Vice President, Capital Solutions and Commercial Surety Growth Leader at NFP, an Aon company.

Bradley Hansen has been appointed VP of Operations, Prairies, at BBA Consultants.

Silvia Koteva has started a new position as Manager Capital Planning Education Infrastructure at the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Christopher Ng has started a new position as Strategic Partnership Manager at Turner Construction Canada.

Michael Jackson of WSP has been elected president of Consulting Engineers of Alberta.

Alan McNee has been promoted to Vice President Operations at EBC Inc.

Michael Low has joined MLT Aikins as an associate lawyer in the firm's Calgary office, bringing expertise in commercial and construction litigation.

Stephen Speers, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship at Okanagan College, is retiring after serving in the role for four years. 

Jonathan Westeinde, CEO and founder of Windmill Development Group, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canada Green Building Council.

🗞 HEADLINES

🚢 Hot water: Canada’s Federal Court has dismissed two legal challenges against the federal approval of a repurposed cruise ship, or “floatel,” to house workers for the Woodfibre LNG project near Squamish, B.C. Opponents argued the approval lacked proper public consultation and raised concerns about gender-based violence from an influx of male workers. However, the court found the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada acted fairly and reasonably.

🧠 High-tech investments: A new report reveals that 98% of construction leaders plan to boost investments in workforce planning in 2025, with nearly all adopting AI, automation, and advanced analytics to address growing labor shortages, rising costs, and project limitations. The report highlights a shift toward data-driven solutions to improve forecasting, retention, and project outcomes, with over 75% of firms budgeting more than $100,000 for upgrades. 

🚧 Backhoes to Banks: Scotiabank has appointed Greg Palaschuk, currently CFO at Finning International, as executive vice-president and chief operating officer of Canadian banking, effective September. Palaschuk, who brings extensive experience from roles at Finning, Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Deutsche Bank, will oversee Canadian banking operations and automotive finance. 

🧠 LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• Get employees to adopt cybersecurity as a culture

• This carpentry secret makes everything you build stronger

• Tips for preventing falls from heights

• Let go: How to be a better delegator

• Reducing burnout among your millennial workers

• The critical pivot that saved this Maritime construction business

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“If Canada is serious about building a stronger, more secure and more prosperous future, let’s start with fast-tracking the construction of new homes, modern schools and clean water systems in First Nation communities. Let’s fast-track internet access, all-season roads and community infrastructure that has long been neglected. Let’s work in true partnership, through full consultation, shared legislative development, and recognition that Canada’s future is tied to the success of its First Peoples.” - Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations

🔥HOT JOBS

Senior Project Manager, Alternative Project Delivery - Edmonton, Alta. - WSP

Safety Coordinator, Energy Construction - Calgary, Alta. - Kiewit

Senior Project Manager - Vancouver, B.C. - Urban One Builders

Development Manager, Residential - Toronto, Ont. - Broccolini

Senior Project Manager - Edmonton, Alta. - Ledcor

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.

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!

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