DEC 2018 - JAN 2019CONSTRUCTIONINFOCUS.COMA LEADER IN MODULAR UTILITY SOLUTIONSSystecon Inc.BUILDING FROM THE OWNER’S PERSPECTIVEStrategic BuildersA MILESTONE AND A STEPPING STONEH&K GroupEDITOR’S CORNERAs the year draws to a close and a new one begins, the future is on everyone’s minds. And it seems of late that making plans for the future entails a long, hard look at workforce devel-opment. Across numerous sectors – but especially the skilled trades – companies are struggling to find the necessary talent to round out their teams. They are taking it upon themselves to enact labour attraction and retention efforts, to encourage training and upskilling, and to build safe and supportive workplace cultures to draw the talent they need – but this alone isn’t always enough.“A collaborative approach to workforce development can yield the greatest results.”Jessica Ferlaino, in this issue, suggests that a collaborative approach to workforce development can yield the greatest results. With industry, educational institutions, communities and government entities at every level working together to tackle the problem, a robust, sustainable pipeline of skilled workers can be established to ensure that the workforce aligns with modern industry needs. In The Talent Shortage in North America – How Collaboration is the Key for Economic Growth, Jessica explores the story behind the numbers, and looks at issues including upskilling and reskilling, labour mobility, the role of automation, and the shift that must take place at the secondary and post-secondary levels. It is a story that Construction in Focus will continue to follow closely in 2019, as it is one that impacts us all. From everyone here at Focus Media Group, we wish you and yours a happy holiday season and all the best for a safe and prosperous New Year. Jaime McKee EditorEDITORJaime McKeeDEPUTY EDITORTim Hocken COPY EDITORThora SmithCONTRIBUTING WRITERSJosh Carmody | Jessica Ferlaino | Robert HoshowskySamita Sarkar | Ryan Cartner | Jen Hocken | William YoungPauline Müller | Mark Golombek | Margaret EatonDavid O’Neill | Charline Cormier-Pellerin | David CaldwellREGIONAL MANAGER OF RESEARCHNate Selig | Ciaran DunneSENIOR CONTENT MANAGERSBrad Mike | Tom England | Peter SwaleCONTENT MANAGERSMehul Jagawat | Melissa McIsaac | Ryan ShayEvan Broussard | Ciaran Dunne | Aaron ConwayDarragh Gilligan | Scott Forbes | Louis SusaraRodolfo del Aguila | Anthony BlazevicSALES & MARKETING MANAGERLuke SimmsSALES TEAMPamela Taylor | Dean Lucas | Kayla Brown | Shawn ClarkeEarle Fergusson | Joshuwa Amero | Sam DesjardinsPRODUCTION COORDINATORClaire ChambersGRAPHIC DESIGNERSEbic Tristary | Yoana Ilcheva | Gavin Billings Lindsay Bailey | Sarah Leeson | Nicole GalatisDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTRobert ChambersPROJECT MANAGERJaimie FoxDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONSColin O’NeillREGIONAL DIRECTOR, NORTH AMERICAAdam CameronOPERATIONS MANAGERJonathan FisherCONTROLLERJen HamiltonPUBLISHERJeff HockenSuite 300, 7071 Bayers Rd. | Halifax, NS | B3L 2C2 | CanadaP: 1-647-479-2163 | E: info@fmgpublishing.com3DEC 2018 - JAN 2019FOCUS ON: THE NATIONAL DEMOLITION ASSOCIATIONCONTINUING FOCUS: FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION BUILDERS’ ASSOCIATION GENERAL CONSTRUCTION & CONTRACTING HEAVY CIVIL & INDUSTRIAL MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, HVAC & PLUMBING 4 How Collaboration is the Key for Economic GrowthWorkforce development is an issue that has been at the fore-front of economic strategies and community discussions across North America, as the needs of the workforce continue to be misaligned with the conditions of reality.SUSTAINABLE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION SERVICES EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 5CONSTRUCTION IN FOCUS Are you planning an event relating to North America’s growing Construction Industry?To get your event listed in Construction in Focus, please contact us at least six to eight weeks before the event takes place at or call 1-647-479-2163CONTRACT AND RISK MANAGEMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CAPITAL PROJECTS8 – 10 January, Houston, TXThis year’s event, the 7th annual, is themed, ‘Revamping Change Management and Negotiation Processes to Maximize Collaboration of Stakeholders and Enhance Project Outcomes.’ Attendees will enjoy two comprehensive workshops, ‘Administering Strong Contract Negotiation Tactics to Maximize Success’ and ‘Dealing with Concurrent Delay Claims on Large-Scale Projects,’ as well as explore topics such as dispute resolu-tion, change orders, procurement of major equipment, and more.For more information INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW 17 – 20 January, Toronto, ONDuring one four-day weekend each January, the Interior Design Show shapes the industry for the year to come – in North America and beyond. IDS Toronto celebrates and promotes design in Canada and around the world. Experiential and transformative, this event brings together com-pelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so that you can be inspired by the best of the future. IDS Contract is a curated B2B trade-only exposition focused on the most innovative products and services that will focus on all verticals of design including workplace, healthcare, hospitality, retail, education, public space and government, while IDS Conference is a comprehensive two-day symposium with a focus on four specific verticals: Future Cities, Experience, Technology and Diversity & Talent.For more information WORLD OF CONCRETE21 – 25 January, Las Vegas, NVIf you’re looking for better ways to get the job done, World of Concrete has been working all year to bring you the newest equipment, products, training and expertise you need to work smarter, faster and more profitably. From heavy-duty machinery and high-efficiency products to skill-building workshops and management seminars, you’ll find everything related to improving your business at the world’s largest annual interna-tional commercial concrete construction and masonry event.For more information THE INTERNATIONAL SURFACE EVENT23 – 25 January, Las Vegas, NVComprising three world-class tradeshows – SURFACES, StonExpo/Marmomac, and TileExpo – The International Surface Event (TISE) is the largest North American floor covering, stone, and tile industry event and is the industry marketplace for buyers, specifiers, and influencers to source products, gain design inspiration, and develop their businesses. For more information CORPORATE CULTURE 2019: PEOPLE, PURPOSE, PERFORMANCE28 – 29 January, Toronto, ONStrong corporate cultures and a clear sense of purpose have become major forces behind creating competitive advantage. At this highly inter-active event, attendees will have the opportunity to explore different corporate cultures – cultures that support innovation, create exceptional customer experiences, help navigate change and transformation, and drive engagement and unleash discretionary efforts. You’ll also learn about values and behaviours, about transparency, collaboration, and authentic leadership.For more information INDUSTRY EVENTS6INDUSTRY NEWSLOWE’S CLOSING UNDERPERFORMING STORES ACROSS NORTH AMERICALowe’s Companies, Inc. have announced plans to close 31 stores in Canada and 20 more in the U.S. that are deemed to be underperforming. Part of the company’s strategic reassess-ment, the closures are expected to be completed by February 2019 and will enable the company to focus on more profitable stores and improve the health of its overall store portfolio. PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS BILL AUTHORIZING REPLACEMENT OF POE LOCKThe United States’ government has committed $922 million for the replacement of the Poe Lock in the Soo Locks, a set of parallel locks located in Sault Ste. Marie that serve as a major shipping channel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. The Soo Locks are operated and maintained by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, Detroit District. The Poe Lock was originally built in 1896 and plays an impor-tant role for the movement of goods and for regional industries, such as steel-making. The 1200-foot lock was rebuilt in 1968 to accommodate 1000-foot freighters. The funding to replace the 50-year old lock was included in the bipartisan America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. The bill authorizes $6.1 billion in new Army Corps of Engineers water projects. The bill also modifies three existing initiatives. 7INDUSTRY NEWSIMPERIAL OIL GETS GO-AHEAD FOR ASPEN OIL SANDS PROJECTImperial Oil Ltd. has been granted the go-ahead and will move forward with construction on its $2.6 billion Aspen oil sands project in Northern Alberta. The application for the project was made in 2013 and it has finally received provincial approval. The project will create 700 jobs during peak construction and will result in 200 jobs once operational. The announcement comes at a time when cuts are being made to production in the region, but by utilizing new technology, Imperial Oil will add 75 000 barrels per day of bitumen produc-tion to its current output of 300 000 barrels per day. According to Imperial Oil CEO Rich Kruger, the company will continue to focus on in situ bitumen projects. The extraction method draws bitumen from wells rather than from open pit mines and offers more advantages than greenfield mining developments would for the company. The new technology being employed combines solvent addi-tives and steam that are pumped into horizontal wells during the extraction process to melt the heavy and extremely sticky bitumen for easier extraction. The technology has been used and tested in a seven-year pilot project. Imperial Oil stands to save approximately 25 percent in capital costs per barrel and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use by the same percentage. The company also hopes to save money on labour and components by moving forward with construction when the market is slow. The project is expected to be complete with startup taking place by 2022.TORONTO MAKES SELECTION IN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITIONToronto has announced the winners of an international design competition that was held to select innovative designs for two parks along the city’s waterfront. The competition drew pro-posals from over forty design teams from around the world. The public was given 21 days to look at the proposals and comment and the final decision was made by a jury of design experts. The two winners strictly followed the competition criteria, designing spaces that are accessible and appealing to every demographic. They also incorporated market spaces, water features and designated space for public art. ‘Love Park’ by Claude Cormier et Associés out of Montreal, the same firm responsible for Sugar Beach and Berczy Park in the city, was the design selection for what is currently York Street Park which is located where the former Spadina off-ramp from the Gardiner Expressway used to be. The design includes a heart-shaped water feature that will be visible from the sky from both neighboring buildings as well as flights that are taking off and landing at nearby Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island. The park will also feature green spaces, and construction is set to begin in 2019. The second winning design was a joint effort between New York’s Why Architecture and Toronto’s Brook McIlroy. ‘Rees Ridge’ will transform Rees Street Park located at the corner of Rees and Queens Quay, south of the Rogers Centre in the city’s downtown. The project design intends to create a park that can be looked both at and from. It will offer unimpeded views of Lake Ontario, inspired by the Scarborough Bluffs, as well as an immersive botanical experience. Construction is set to begin in 2020. 8INDUSTRY NEWSHIGH SPEED TUNNEL TO LA SET TO OPEN Boring Company’s Founder and CEO Elon Musk announced recently that the first test tunnel of the high-speed transportation project in Los Angeles will open for public rides on December 11, leaving from near the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Unlike other failed timelines, Musk insists this one is set to go.The primary function of the tunnel that runs from SpaceX’s parking lot located east of Crenshaw Boulevard and south of 120th Street is to transport pedestrians and cyclists into Los Angeles. The tunnel remains underground along 120th Street for two miles. Top speeds in the tunnel will be 155 miles per hour or 250 kilometers per hour. CALGARY TINY HOME VILLAGE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS SOON TO BE A REALITYA village of tiny homes designed for homeless veterans could be set to open in Calgary by the spring of next year and many hope it will inspire other municipalities across the country to follow their lead, pending city council approval. There is a similar project in Kansas City, Missouri, the Veterans Community Project that is home to eleven men and women. The estimated cost of the Calgary village, which will be complete with 18 homes and a communal building and located on a parcel of land in the community of Forest Lawn, is $2.5 million and will be funded by an initial endowment from McCann Family Foundation and Canadian Legacy Project, which will take the project to completion. Building resources and funding have been provided by ATCO and social services programs by The Mustard Seed. The homes were designed with a great deal of consultation with veterans to ensure their housing needs were being met. There are an estimated 5000 to 7000 homeless veterans in Canada. From the feedback, the village was designed to have a communal space where they could look out for each other and feel supported by people who understand them. The development is a barrack-style design and will include a memorial garden for fallen soldiers. Each home will be a 270-square-foot fully furnished home that includes a living area, Murphy bed, full bathroom, front porch and kitchen. The site will also include a family suite for visitors of the residents to stay short-term. 9Next >