⚔️ Talent Thursdays: Melting point

Good morning! ✉️ Emailing your Gen Z coworkers? It’s likely you are talking with AI. A recent global study found that 73% of young workers are using AI tools to manage their work inboxes. Why? Researchers say Gen Zers are often uncertain about how formal their tone should be, how to sign off, and whether to use abbreviations.

What’s in the newsletter:

• 🛠️ Tariffs on steel are doubled

• 🤝 Ontario signs interprovincial trade agreements

• 🎣 Skills every GC needs to master

📈 LABOUR BY THE NUMBERS

A survey by the Canadian Federation for Independent Business found that 71% of small business owners believe payroll taxes are hindering their growth, with 64% citing taxes and 56% citing labour policies—like expanded sick days and EI—as top concerns. Over half (59%) said they would boost employee compensation if taxes were lower.

👷‍♀️ PEOPLE MOVES

Kristal Kaye has been appointed Interim CEO at CarbonCure Technologies. The change  comes after the company’s founder, Robert Niven, steps away from the position. 

Dan Tobin has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Energy & Petrochemical, at Ledcor. He joined Ledcor in 2004 as a Project Controls Manager and quickly advanced through key leadership roles.

Ryan Beedie, President of Beedie, has been inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. 

Steffen Waite has joined Mann Group as its Director of Construction. 

Stephen Trollip is now Director of Field Operators at North America Construction. 

Tommy Chiu is now Vice President of Engineering at Omicron. He brings more than 15 years of experience to the role. 

Mathew Raso has started a new role as Vice President at Powell Foundations. 

Ryan Watson has been appointed Manager of Electrical Engineering at RAM Consulting. He has over 17 years of experience leading engineering, procurement, and construction management projects.

Jennifer Erickson has joined Pure Industrial as its new Vice President of Human

🏆 AWARDS

Most Influential deadline extended

With a flood of applications pouring in during the final hours and a huge wave of extension requests, we have decided to give everyone one more week to submit their nominations for Most Influential in Canadian Construction. We are looking for leaders making real impact—driving innovation, setting examples, and pushing boundaries. From all positions and sectors, they're committed to elevating Canadian construction. Click on the link below to get your nomination in, and make sure to nominate before June 11th, 2025.

🗞 HEADLINES

⚔️ Melting point: The doubling of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% under President Trump has sparked alarm across Canada's steel industry, with leaders warning of severe job losses, halted exports to the U.S., and crippled supply chains. The hike compounds existing challenges, including long-standing concerns over foreign steel dumping

👷‍♀️ Open borders: Alberta and Saskatchewan signed agreements with Ontario to eliminate trade barriers and improve the movement of goods, services, and skilled workers across provincial borders. The deals, announced ahead of a first ministers meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, aim to strengthen economic ties and streamline professional regulations. 

✈️ Liftoff: Toronto Pearson is investing $1.57 million through its Uplift Fund to support workforce development and expand the construction skilled trades in communities near the airport, benefiting over 2,000 residents with job placements, training, and coaching. The funding is split between breaking down employment barriers and growing the construction workforce, with 11 organizations receiving support.

🧠 LEADERSHIP

Resources for professional development

• 10 skills every GC needs to master

• Why being quiet at work can be a problem

• Are you wasting time on self improvement? 

• Employee stress is a business risk

• Vision isn’t enough to be effective

💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The door handle is the handshake of the building.” – Juhani Pallasmaa, Finnish architect

🔥HOT JOBS

Senior Design-Build Manager - Vancouver, B.C. - Parsons

Senior Project Manager - Ottawa, Ont. - Reliance

Director of Finance - Edmonton, Alta. - Fillmore Construction

Senior Project Manager - Vancouver, B.C. - STO Building Group

Environmental Director - Markham, Ont. - FlatironDragados

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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