🚀 Talent Thursdays: Competitive edge

Together with

Good morning! 🛹 One Philadelphia skateboarder turned his city's potholes and construction zones into his personal skatepark. Myquel says he doesn’t just get to execute some jaw-dropping tricks, he is drawing attention to critical infrastructure repairs.

What’s in the newsletter:

• ✍️ New procurement policy

• ☀️ Solar training

• 🎟️ Almost sold out

📈 LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

A new report from Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) highlights Ontario's ongoing manufacturing workforce crisis, with skilled workers retiring and few replacements available. While Southern Ontario faces job losses exacerbated by U.S. trade tensions, Northern Ontario—particularly Sudbury—shows strong growth potential due to global demand for critical minerals. However, the region struggles with workforce development challenges tied to geography and demographics.

TOGETHER WITH THE CANADIAN CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

Strengthening the Canadian construction industry together

Local Construction Associations (LCAs) are a pillar of Canada's construction industry, which underpins essential infrastructure like homes, roads, and hospitals. As the sector faces growing challenges such as labour shortages, rising costs, and shifting regulations, LCAs provide businesses with crucial tools, guidance, training, and advocacy. Find out how to become part of a network of more than 18,000 member firms using the link below.

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Ashley Allers has joined Wajax as Vice President of Industrial Projects after 23 years with Tundra Process Solutions. 

Travis Gilson is now Senior VP of Operations at Fillmore Construction. 

Stephen Watson has retired after spending 35 years with BC Hydro doing stakeholder engagement. 

Lisa Campanella has been promoted to Manager of Project Communications at EllisDon. 

Tim Smith, Senior Technical Director - Infrastructure & Specifications at the Cement Association of Canada, has received the Transportation Association of Canada’s prestigious Distinguished Service Award.

Steven Mahaney is now Senior Digital Project Delivery Regional Manager at EllisDon. 

Chris Carroll has started a new position as Project Manager at PML Professional Mechanical. 

🗞 HEADLINES

🤝 Procurement policy: The Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) government plans to implement an Indigenous procurement policy by the end of 2025, aiming to give Indigenous-owned businesses a competitive edge in securing government contracts. This follows years of consultation and mirrors a similar policy introduced in Yukon in 2021. While the territory already prioritizes N.W.T.-owned businesses, the new policy would specifically support Indigenous enterprises, with community consultations nearly complete.

🚨 Deadly collapse: A construction site in Blainville, Quebec, suffered a deadly collapse Tuesday morning when two underground retaining walls gave way, killing one worker and injuring two others. One injured worker was hospitalized with a leg injury, another was treated on site, and a fourth person trapped in a mobile office was rescued and treated for shock. Quebec’s Labour Minister expressed condolences while confirming that workplace safety and construction code authorities will investigate the incident.

☀️ Solar training: To address the growing demand for skilled clean-tech workers, George Brown College has launched two fully online, self-paced certificate programs for solar energy technicians and solar panel installers. These courses, which use 3D simulation technology to replicate hands-on training, aim to make solar installation education more accessible, especially for adult learners facing barriers to traditional schooling.

🦺 Global safety: Safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation has launched the Global Safety Evidence Centre with a $26 million investment over 10 years to improve global safety by providing high-quality, actionable evidence on what works to prevent harm, particularly in high-risk industries like construction.

📆 EVENTS

Only 4 days until SiteSummit

By the time you’re reading this, if you haven’t already secured your tickets to SiteSummit, it’s probably too late. Last time we checked we were just several tickets away from being totally sold out. If you were thinking of going but put off getting tickets, there still might be a ray of hope. Click on the link below to see if you can still secure your spot. If you’re going but haven’t added-on the Sunday brewery crawl or hike tickets, now’s the time to up your SiteSummit experience.

🧠 LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• Estimator to VP: A Bird Construction success story

• Are your projects not generating profit? 

• An entrepreneur’s guide to choosing an AI

• A Harvard career coach’s guide to getting promoted

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Craftsmanship names an enduring, basic human impulse, the desire to do a job well for its own sake.” - Sociologist Richard Sennett

🔥HOT JOBS

Senior Building Inspector - Toronto, Ont. - City of Toronto

Construction Superintendent - Lynn Lake, Man. - Alamos Gold

Construction Manager, Major Projects - Delson, Que. - PNR Railworks

Senior Project Coordinator - Ottawa, Ont. - C&M Electric

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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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!

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