The $96.5-million transaction creates one of the 10 largest firms in the country by revenue. The merged company will share 5,000 workers and counts a backlog of $3 billion worth of work.

The money, which is expected to be fully committed by the end of March 2021, will be used to fund construction of 3,000 affordable housing units across the country.

‘We will not stop until [those responsible] are found, charged and permanently evicted from our industry,’ said EllisDon president Geoff Smith.

The federal and provincial governments have announced investments of $42 million for 30 transit projects in communities across the province.

The addition will bring the number of inspectors on the ground to more than 500—at a cost of $11.6 million. Recruitment begins early next month.