❎ West coast votes

Together with

Good morning! 👁️ B.C. is looking to create Google Street View, but for the skies. Spexi, founded in 2017, uses a vast network of amateur drone operators to create high-resolution visual databases. The approach has proven effective in emergencies, such as wildfires and landslides, delivering near-instant data to aid disaster management.

⏰ Today’s read: 5 minutes

MARKETS

Economy:  Recent labor actions at major ports in the United States and Canada have sent shockwaves through North American supply chains and economies. In the U.S., a strike involving about 45,000 dockworkers at East and Gulf Coast ports began on Oc. 1, potentially costing the U.S. economy $540 million to $1 billion per day. Simultaneously, workers at two terminals in the Port of Montreal, handling 41% of the port's container traffic, initiated a strike, putting $90.7 million of daily economic activity at risk in Canada. These actions threaten to disrupt the flow of crucial goods, from raw materials to finished products, potentially leading to shortages and price increases.

THE BIG STORY

B.C. parties court the construction sector

As B.C. gears up for its Oct. 19 election, the province's construction sector, which contributes up to 10% to the provincial GDP, finds itself at a critical juncture. More work than ever needs to get built and the challenges these projects face are many.  

How we got here: The incumbent BC NDP, led by Premier David Eby, has held power since 2017, first in a coalition with the Greens and then winning a majority in 2020. The race has shifted dramatically recently, with the BC United (formerly the BC Liberals) experiencing a leadership crisis. This turmoil led to the ascendancy of the BC Conservatives under John Rustad. 

Construction issues are key: Each party is vying to present the most compelling vision for addressing these challenges, with proposals ranging from streamlined regulations to major public investments, making this election a potential turning point for the future of construction in BC.

Home sweet home: To highlight each party’s approach, let’s zoom in on housing. 

• Eby, is taking a multi-pronged approach that combines government intervention with private sector incentives. Their flagship proposal is to fast-track the factory-built home construction sector, promising to streamline regulations and create a province-wide framework for municipalities.

• The BC Conservatives are advocating for a more market-oriented approach. They're proposing to drastically reduce regulations, including repealing the Step Code policy and Net-Zero mandate, which they argue inflates construction costs by 30-40%.

• The BC Green Party, while less detailed in their specific construction proposals, emphasizes affordable rentals and sustainable development. They're promising to build 26,000 affordable rental units annually and invest $1.5 billion in affordable housing initiatives.

Be informed: That’s just one of many issues impacting our sector. Our team has put together a robust guide for B.C. readers highlighting each party’s plan for various construction-related issues. Check it out and be sure to vote on Oct. 19.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

♻️ The Building Material Exchange (BMEx) program on Vancouver Island aims to reduce construction waste by diverting surplus materials from landfills and promoting their reuse. BMEx fosters a "circular economy" by connecting companies with leftover materials to those who can repurpose them. The free program covers materials like concrete, metal, and wood and has registered over 100 companies. BMEx is developing both a physical hub and an online exchange. 

🚆 The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed a challenge to the construction of a $250-million rail-and-truck hub in Milton, Ont., allowing the project to move forward. The three-judge panel ruled that the federal government’s decision to approve the Canadian National Railway’s project, despite environmental concerns, was reasonable. The project had faced objections over air quality due to 800 daily diesel truck trips. 

🛢️ Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) has agreed to purchase Chevron Canada Ltd.'s oil and gas assets in Alberta for $6.5 billion. The acquisition includes Chevron’s 20% stake in the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, bringing CNRL’s total interest in the project to 90%. This deal will boost CNRL's production by 9% by 2025 and add approximately 1.448 billion barrels to its reserves. 

🚧 Ontario has officially begun construction across all sections of the Ontario Line subway. The project includes building two major bridges, the Don Valley Crossing and West Don Crossing, which will carry trains over the Don Valley toward downtown Toronto. The 15-station line will connect areas from Exhibition Place to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Once completed, the Ontario Line is expected to cut daily car trips by at least 28,000. 

COMPETITION

25 Innovators competition now open for submissions

Back for its second year, the 25 Innovators in Construction award is returning to recognize the groundbreaking companies shaping Canada's construction industry. Nominations are now open to celebrate the trailblazers driving advancements in robotics, AI, sustainability, workforce development and beyond. Join us in honouring those who are redefining the industry. Winners will be celebrated at an exclusive event and join the ranks of last year's top 25 innovators. Nominations close October 18th, 2024.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

wək̓ʷan̓s tə syaqʷəmin

The redesign of Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary School (now called wək̓ʷan̓əs tə syaqʷəmin) Vancouver’s Hastings-Sunrise neighborhood is a prime example of blending heritage with innovation. The century-old school, originally built in 1922, was replaced by a modern, state-of-the-art facility designed by local firm hcma. As part of a pilot project for mass timber construction, the school became Vancouver’s first to use prefabricated CLT panels.

PROJECT UPDATES

Hamilton signs $400 million deal for airport expansion

Construction in Headingley to be completed for winter driving

New Simmons sports centre nearing the finish line

Fraser River LNG terminal steers toward construction in 2025

Ontario Science Centre to open up temporary satellite locations

Want more? Check out the latest full edition of Project Pulse in the link below.

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

LIST: 📈 Canada’s 31 fastest growing construction companies

WATCH: ⏳ Calgary LRT delays could push workers elsewhere

READ: 🔑 B.C. developers turn their attention to hotels

READ: 🎨 Building materials used for art installation on housing 

WATCH: 💪 Bodybuilders or construction workers—who is stronger?

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!

Disclaimer: SiteNews is an independently-operated news website. Views expressed are that of the editorial team and are based on publicly available information unless otherwise noted through sponsored content.