Published: October 17, 2019

Construction of the country’s largest single-phase wind facility and the largest on-reserve wind installation is officially complete.

Officials from the Pattern Energy Group LP and Nigig Power Corporation announced completion of the 300-megawatt (MW) Henvey Inlet Wind power facility in Pickerel, Ontario on the northeast shore of the Georgian Bay on October 15. Pattern Development and Nigig Power Corporation are joint-venture partners in the facility.

"This landmark project is a first on many fronts: largest single-phase wind facility in Canada, largest on-reserve wind installation in the country, and the first to develop a First Nation Environmental Stewardship Regime under the First Nations Lands Management Act," said Mike Garland, CEO of Pattern Development. "It's an honour to partner with Henvey Inlet First Nation on this historic project that created hundreds of local jobs and is now providing a strong new source of revenue for the First Nation.

Henvey Inlet Wind uses 87 Vestas 3.45 MW turbines with a 136-meter rotor diameter and 132-metre hub height. A 104-kilometer transmission line delivers electricity generated by the facility to the Ontario electricity grid. Henvey Inlet Wind has a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with the Independent Electricity System Operator for 100 percent of its production. The facility will create clean, home-grown energy for 100,000 homes each year.

At the peak of construction, there were approximately 1,000 workers on site. Nearly one-third of the construction workers were First Nations citizens. Now operational, Henvey Inlet Wind employs up to 20 permanent full-time staff and is expected to create demand for more than 100 ongoing indirect workers, including maintenance contractors. 

The construction process generated approximately $25 million in direct economic activity for local First Nations businesses. The facility is expected to generate more than $10 million in income annually for Henvey Inlet First Nation.  

"Now that construction is complete, we can begin to look forward to economic independence as a community," said Greg Newton, CEO of Nigig Power Corporation. "Our youth will see an even brighter future from expanding health and education services along with increased infrastructure."

"The wind farm's completion marks a historic moment for Henvey Inlet First Nation," added Chief Wayne McQuabbie of Henvey Inlet First Nation. "New infrastructure is under way in the First Nation as a result of this new facility and we see better days ahead. We've already increased our administrative staff and employees in the community and we look forward to ensuring a positive future for our upcoming generations, including economic spin offs and job security. As Anishinabek, we are proud to contribute to a green economy and are proactively moving forward in a time of climate change."

Henvey Inlet Wind has made separate commitments to four key regions along the project's 104 km transmission line through the establishment of a Community Benefits Program that will contribute $1 million to the following four municipalities over the first 20 years of facility operations: The Municipality of McDougall, Township of Seguin, Township of Carling, and Township of the Archipelago.

The Community Benefits Program enables municipalities to fund projects that benefit residents, including: advancing community initiatives; enhancing ecological preservation, restoration or education; fostering individual and community health and wellness; and promoting the needs of youth development through education or recreation.

Published: October 16,2019

The Ontario government announced a $400,000 investment in a new conference centre in Killarney on October 9. The funding was announced by parliamentary assistant Dave Smith on behalf of Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.

The project was completed earlier this year, and the lodge is now open. The conference centre, built with locally sourced logs and stone, can accommodate 400 people with two large conference rooms, 10 breakout rooms, a fitness facility and two kitchens. It is considered to be the largest log-built conference facility in the world.

"Our government is committed to creating good jobs and helping local economies grow," said Smith. "This investment will drive growth and tourism in the region."

"We most definitely appreciate the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation in their commitment to assist in our vision of job creation and building a Canada House in one of Canada's crown jewels," said Holden Rhodes, owner of Killarney Mountain Lodge. "This will go a long way in establishing Killarney as one of the best tourism destinations in Canada."

Published: October 16, 2019

The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) announced on October 7 that Karen Renkema will assume the role of vice-president, Ontario.

“I’m delighted to take on a leading role with an organization that walks the talk, and truly is progressive and forward thinking,” said Renkema. “I am inspired by PCA’s mandate to ensure fairness and transparency for all contractors and workers, regardless of union affiliation. Industry, buyers, governments and the public have everything to gain by a progressive and diverse construction industry that includes PCA contractors.”

Renkema has played an active role in Ontario’s construction industry for more than twelve years, starting at the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) followed by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association as Director of Government Relations, and as the lead in Advocacy and Government Relations at PCA. Her vision is to build on Sean Reid’s legacy in Ontario and across the country by showing that there is a better and different way for contractors and employees to work together.

Reid will leave PCA effective January 1 to launch his own small business coaching and consulting company.

“On behalf of PCA, I’d like to welcome Karen into her new role, and thank Sean for his ten years of service,” said Paul de Jong, President of PCA. “Sean is to be congratulated for his tremendous successes in expanding fair and open tendering and improving skills training in Ontario. Thanks to both Karen and Sean’s hard work and diligence, PCA is a strong voice that has earned the respect of government and industry.”

Published: October 15, 2019

Canada’s labour force added 54,000 jobs (or 0.3 percent) in September. Of that total, nearly 10,000 jobs were created in the construction industry.

The findings come from the latest edition of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey. In it, the national agency shows that the national employment rate dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 5.5 percent. Employment was particularly strong in Ontario, where jobs creation rose by 41,000, mostly among full-time workers.

Ontario’s unemployment rate dropped by 0.3 percentage points to 5.3 percent. On a year-over-year basis, employment in Ontario grew by 253,000 or a gain of (3.5 percent).

Construction employment added 9,800 workers across the country, for a monthly gain of 0.7 percent. National employment levels in our industry now stand at 1.48 million, or a gain of 35,500 (or 2.5 percent) from a year before.

Ontario’s construction industry was by far the strongest gainer in September. It added 12,000 jobs (or 0.7 percent). Alberta’s construction industry lost 5,600 jobs.

Posted October 15, 2019

The City of Brampton announced earlier this year that it will expand the project threshold under which contractors will be required to be certified under the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program.

Brampton’s COR requirement has been in place since January 2019 on construction projects valued at over $25 million. Beginning January 2020, that requirement will be expanded to include projects valued at more than $10 million.

In a release, the city called the expanded scope “a reaffirmation of its ongoing commitment to health and safety for contractors, employees and residents.”