🏆 Talent Thursdays: Influential

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Good morning! 🌋 Iceland’s latest volcanic eruptions have destroyed homes and displaced thousands—but one mother-son architect team sees opportunity in the chaos. Their project, Lavaforming, envisions a 2150 Iceland where lava is harnessed as a building material, with 3D-printing robots shaping entire cities from volcanic terrain.

What’s in the newsletter:

🏆The ‘Most Influential’ winners are….

👷‍♀️ PEI unemployment

💰 $60,000 bursary

🏆 AWARDS

Winners announced: Construction’s Most Influential

SiteNews is proud to unveil its 2025 list of Construction’s Most Influential People—a celebration of the individuals shaping the future of Canada’s built environment. Now in its second year, the Most Influential awards program honours people across the construction sector who are driving meaningful impact—whether through leadership, advocacy, innovation, education, or boots-on-the-ground execution. Nominees came from all corners of the industry and included CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, public officials, elite networkers, engineers, educators, and more.

📈 LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

Windsor continues to have the highest unemployment rate in Canada at 11.2% as of June, driven largely by declining orders in the region's tool, die, and mold industry—an effect local leaders attribute to renewed U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty under Donald Trump's second term. Mayor Drew Dilkens warns that conditions may worsen before improving but remains hopeful about long-term recovery.

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Simon Trott has been named as the next Chief Executive for Rio Tinto, with current CEO Jakob Stausholm stepping down after seven years of leadership.

Tyler Kautz has been named Vice President, Data Centers, at PCL where he will lead the company's Mission Critical Center of Excellence.

Ryan Long, President at A.W. Leil Cranes & Equipment Ltd., has been appointed chair of the Canadian Crane Rental Association. Mike Lavoie, Operations Manager, Myshak Crane & Rigging Ltd., will serve as Vice Chair. 

Kathy Kadziela has been appointed as Director, Development at Crozier. She studied architecture at the University of Toronto and brings experience in development consulting, urban design, real estate law, community engagement and Indigenous consulting 

Davie Johnston has joined Aura as Senior Project Manager, bringing 35 years of global experience in delivering complex, high-performance environments.

Rob Poystila has joined RWC Systems as Business Development Manager. 

Kieran McConnell has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer at Creative Energy.

Ron Raj has been promoted to District Manager for Fraser Valley in British Columbia at Gescan.

Angela Sharman has joined RR Power Consulting Inc. as Director of Marketing, bringing over a decade of experience in marketing and business development within the energy and utility sector.

Grant Grenier has started a new position as Construction and Asphalt Manager at Amrize.

🗞 HEADLINES

👷‍♀️ Growing pains: Prince Edward Island led Canada in economic growth in 2024 with a 3.6% GDP increase—more than double the national average—fueled largely by a construction boom in homes, schools, clinics, and commercial buildings. But surging demand and rapid population growth have intensified housing shortages and strained the construction workforce. Industry leaders warn that without more skilled tradespeople and supportive immigration policies, labour shortages will worsen. 

⚡ Energy education: The University of Calgary is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Energy Science program this September, designed to offer a multidisciplinary approach to the evolving global energy landscape. Replacing the traditional, siloed oil and gas degrees, the program integrates science with courses in economics, policy, communication, and Indigenous relations to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing sector that spans renewables, fossil fuels, and emerging technologies.

💰 Safe money: The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) has launched a new bursary program offering up to $60,000 in financial support for B.C. residents pursuing post-secondary education in construction safety or related fields. Open to students and industry workers, the bursaries range from $1,000 to $2,500 and aim to reduce financial barriers while promoting leadership and innovation in safety.

🧠 LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• Think like a CEO (not just a contractor)

• How to leverage being an introvert

• Don’t trust AI with high-stakes decisions

• 20-year contracting veteran shares their best advice

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Rushing headlong into major projects without knowing the costs, means the governments are playing a dangerous game with our lands and futures.” - Chief Sylvia Koostachin-Metatawabin of Attawapiskat First Nation

🔥HOT JOBS

Special Projects Manager - Vancouver, B.C. - EllisDon

Senior Construction Lead - Toronto, Ont. - Bechtel

Special Projects Superintendent - Calgary, Alta. - Buttcon

Senior Superintendent - Calgary, Alta. - Wright Construction

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.

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!

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