Ford said he did not secure an agreement to stop the steel and aluminum tariffs set to take effect Wednesday, but he is "pretty confident (Trump) will pull back."

The Mattagami, Matachewan and Flying Post First Nations will be given preferential access to bid on and negotiate contracts for the estimated US$2.5-billion development.

The 160-bed facility will be run by peopleCare Tillsonburg, and the project received funding through the province’s Construction Funding Subsidy top-up.

Experts say the real estate construction sector will need to be more innovative, including through increased adoption of robotics and other automation tools.

The department will reserve immigration spaces for up to 6,000 undocumented construction workers, and allow qualified temporary foreign workers to study in apprenticeship programs without a study permit.