Your daily Ontario Construction News podcast

Following their election win, Prime Minister Carney's government received congratulations from the Residential Construction Council of Ontario and the Canadian Construction Association. A serious accident has prompted Toronto city council to demand a heavy truck safety plan for a major transit project.

Construction on the new CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre in Ottawa is underway, a massive project bringing much-needed services to kids and youth. And, Toronto's city council made a big decision this week to help boost residential construction.

Gardiner Expressway construction is 15 months ahead of schedule! That’s great news for drivers. And speaking of great news, Guelph's boosting its housing supply with taller buildings, but with a focus on affordable housing

Today we remember those we've lost in workplace accidents, a somber day that also highlights the inspiring safety initiatives underway across the province.

his week's election is shaping up to be huge for the industry, with parties promising millions of new homes and major infrastructure investments. Plus, a recent workplace accident highlights the critical need for better safety training and supervision.

Big changes are coming to housing, with up to 370,000 new units planned in one area alone. Plus, the province is fast-tracking major projects to boost the economy and cut red tape.

Bird Construction just landed a huge $650 million in contracts, from major clean energy projects to much-needed housing for our Canadian Armed Forces. Plus, major changes are coming to the Construction Act, impacting payment rules and dispute resolution.

A major partnership is electrifying the construction industry with new battery technology for compact equipment. And, a city is collaborating with architecture students to address its housing shortage with innovative fourplex designs.

We're kicking things off with a look at the province's housing crunch – a new report shows a huge gap between population growth and new home construction. Then, we'll dive into the controversy surrounding the Ontario Place redevelopment, with a review now underway following some serious allegations.

Welcome to Ontario Construction News daily podcast, Thursday, April 17th, 2025. Today we'll hear about a massive new investment bringing hundreds of jobs to Brantford, and how the province plans to tackle the significant drop in housing starts. Let's get started.

We're kicking things off with a look at a massive twenty-two million dollar investment in a new stormwater pumping station, designed to protect hundreds of homes and businesses from flooding. Then, we'll shift gears and talk about the incredible winning projects in this year's Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Awards, celebrating some truly stunning feats of engineering.

We've got a major stormwater pumping station project underway, protecting hundreds of homes and businesses from flooding. Plus, Calgary's Olympic Plaza is getting a seventy-million-dollar facelift, adding green space and a stunning new water feature.

We're kicking things off with news of a major hydro project partnering with two First Nations, bringing much-needed clean energy to the north. And speaking of big numbers, Toronto saw a massive 1.3 billion dollars in building permits issued last month!

A major contractor might be banned from future projects following a massive cost overrun on a major expressway rehab. And, exciting progress on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, with tunnelling in its final phase, bringing tons of new jobs and faster commutes.

Bruce Power's gotten the go-ahead for another massive nuclear plant upgrade, keeping the lights on and creating thousands of jobs. Plus, we'll be looking at a significant construction project in the region that's setting a new standard for sustainable living.

We're kicking things off with a massive subway station upgrade in the works, a billion-dollar project set to transform commutes for millions. And speaking of big projects, construction on Canada's first small modular reactor is officially underway, a huge step forward for clean energy.

We'll be looking at a massive cost overrun on modular housing projects in Toronto, and then we'll cover the groundbreaking of a truly innovative, eco-friendly residential high-rise there, among other stories.

A devastating fire destroyed a major apartment building project, leaving investigators searching for answers. Meanwhile, a significant investment will transform a beloved theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, creating jobs and boosting tourism. Stay tuned, and much more in today's episode.

The US Senate just passed a bill to scrap new tariffs on Canada, a move that came just hours after President Trump announced a global tariff rollout. In Toronto, there is a major boost to affordable housing, with the city deferring development charges on thousands of condo units. And also, Algoma University's groundbreaking new centre for reconciliation and education is set to begin construction, a truly inspiring project.

Big repairs are coming to the Gardiner Expressway, impacting drivers for about a year. And in other news, Ottawa's booming construction sector is facing a debate over proposed zoning changes that could impact housing affordability.

Today, we're covering a major hospital expansion adding hundreds of beds and greatly expanding healthcare services. Plus, we've got an update on Vaughan’s Metropolitan Centre, which is blossoming into a vibrant hub with new homes, businesses, and green initiatives.

Fifty million dollars is being invested in a major park revitalization project, adding modern amenities while preserving its history. And speaking of big plans, a city is hosting a public meeting to discuss its 25-year growth management strategy.

The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada launched a new campaign, "Let's Get Building," pushing for faster approvals of major energy and infrastructure projects. They say these projects will create jobs, boost the economy, and strengthen Canada's global competitiveness. And Guelph's getting a significant boost for affordable housing with a new seed funding program launching next spring.

We're leading with the major impact of President Trump's new tariffs on the construction industry, and what local businesses are doing to adapt. Plus, Peterborough's celebrating a groundbreaking new long-term care home, bringing much-needed capacity to the area. Stay tuned, and much more in today's episode.

A brand new, twelve-and-a-half million dollar training center is opening to boost the local workforce, and a massive new YMCA facility in Barrie is breaking ground, featuring an aquatic centre, fitness area, and even an indoor playground!

New home sales in Ottawa cooled off in February, dropping almost 14 percent to 261 units. While that's down from January, year-to-date sales are still slightly up. Brampton’s getting a major transit boost with a new LRT extension, bringing thousands of new homes and jobs. Plus, Mississauga is building over 1400 new rental units, many of them affordable.

We begin today with news of a major investment in the Ring of Fire, potentially unlocking billions of dollars in mineral wealth and creating much-needed infrastructure for local communities. And, sticking with the positive, IKEA is making strides toward a greener future, breaking ground on a massive new distribution centre.

A massive $3.9 billion high-speed rail project is getting underway, promising to create thousands of jobs and boost the economy. Also, a major debate is brewing over plans to fast-track mining permits in the Ring of Fire, raising concerns about Indigenous consultation.

Thousands of new rental units are on the way in Toronto, thanks to a major federal loan program boosting affordable housing. Plus, a new council is implementing significant safety upgrades for construction workers across the country, impacting everything from helmets to fall protection.

Home construction in Canada took a major dive in early 2025. Nationally, housing starts are down seventeen percent, with big drops in major cities like Vancouver and Toronto – forty-eight and sixty-eight percent respectively. a major win for environmental advocates fighting a massive quarry near a provincial park. Then, Kitchener is celebrating a huge milestone in its ambitious plan to tackle its housing shortage; they've completed all planned actions.

Toronto is banning US firms from bidding on city construction contracts worth under $8.8 million, and goods and services under $353,000, A massive new recreation centre is coming to Rosedale, complete with a pool and gym – talk about a community upgrade! Plus, a major contract's been awarded for the new Eastern Bridge project between Ottawa and Gatineau, ensuring smoother commutes and economic growth.

Today, we're looking at a massive new community centre opening in Toronto, designed to be a real hub for the community. Plus, we'll be discussing major renovations to a historic school in Oshawa that will include a community hub and hundreds of new housing units.

Toronto saw a massive $1.56 billion in building permits issued last month – that's a huge boost for construction! And speaking of big moves, Guelph's giving away land and grant money to build affordable housing

A massive federal investment is bringing 767 new homes to one area, complete with a park and daycare. Plus, the focus on responsible operations is shining bright, with several companies receiving awards for their community engagement and land restoration efforts.

Three Ontario builder associations are pushing for standardized road-building specs and procurement practices across municipalities. A big win for affordable housing as a new apartment building gets the go-ahead. Plus, we'll hear about a call for changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program impacting construction jobs.

Today we're covering the massive expansion of the East Harbour Transit Hub, set to make commutes so much easier for tens of thousands of people. Plus, Mississauga's Living Arts Centre is getting a huge upgrade, transforming into a major hub for arts, culture, and business.

We've got some exciting news on sustainable building today, with millions being invested in innovative projects using wood and geothermal energy – creating hundreds of new homes and jobs in the process. Plus, we'll be talking about a major step towards a greener future, with a massive investment in carbon capture technology for the cement industry.

The United Steelworkers union is pushing the Canadian government to use Canadian-made materials in the new high-speed rail project between Toronto and Quebec City. Guelph is offering a huge grant and land to build affordable housing, a fantastic initiative! Also, Barrie's transit system is getting a major boost thanks to new federal funding, paving the way for a modernized and sustainable network.

A massive new lithium refinery is coming to Ontario, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting our role in the clean energy revolution. And Premier Ford is firing back at those US tariffs with some pretty drastic measures, including cancelling a major deal with SpaceX and banning American companies from bidding on huge provincial contracts.

BMO Field is getting a massive, 146-million-dollar upgrade before the World Cup, adding thousands of seats and tons of other improvements. And speaking of big projects, a new initiative is aiming to boost the use of Canadian-made products in construction, creating more local jobs.

We're leading with the impact of new US tariffs on the housing market, with builders facing drastically low sales and a potential prolonged slump. Plus, a major infrastructure project in the works, a twelve and a half million dollar investment to replace two bridges and improve flood resilience.

We're kicking things off with some big news on the impact of US tariffs and how it's affecting the housing market. Plus, we'll hear about a massive infrastructure budget approved in Windsor, designed to handle the city's explosive growth

RESCON is urging Premier Ford to tackle Ontario's housing crisis. They say sky-high taxes and lengthy approval processes are making homes unaffordable, A new team at ENERQUALITY is focusing on better training and certification programs for home builders. Plus, the government's big infrastructure plans are getting a boost from the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, as they aim to help Ontario build a strong economic future.

We'll be diving into some major developments today, starting with the unexpectedly halted work at the Brampton Assembly Plant leaving thousands of workers in uncertainty. Then, we'll look at the incredible growth in construction last year with a record-breaking number of new housing units and a huge jump in overall construction value.

Nineteen million dollars is flowing into the industry, boosting manufacturers and tackling the housing shortage. Also, a major contractor faces a five-year ban following an overbilling scandal.

We're leading with a warning from the Home Builders' Association about the impact of new tariffs on housing costs. Plus, a look at the Progressive Conservatives' forty billion dollar spending plan, including massive investments in construction and skilled trades. We also look at other parties' platforms and several construction unions' support of the Progressive Conservatives ahead of tomorrow's election.

A billion-dollar water and road project is underway to handle Brampton's massive growth spurt. Meanwhile, Hamilton's massive budget includes big investments in affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades, but expect a property tax hike.

Georgian College is expanding its Barrie campus skilled trades centre! Loblaws is investing ten billion dollars in expansion, adding eighty new stores and revamping hundreds more. And speaking of big projects, a new six-story building in Ottawa will include a community food bank and affordable housing.

An eighty billion dollar high speed rail line is planned to connect Toronto and Quebec City, creating tens of thousands of jobs. Plus, Ottawa's housing market is booming, with January sales up a massive 25 pe rcent..

Hamilton just boosted its affordable housing with a brand-new 55-unit building downtown. This development replaces older units and adds more, focusing on women and children needing safe housing. A construction company, Direct Underground Inc., has been hit with a $250,000 fine after a tunnel collapse in Ajax last year.