A NEW DAY A NEW DAY - Toronto Construction Association

Builders’ Digest 

Toronto Construction Association’s Quarterly Perspective 

A NEW DAY 

TCA’s Construction Day 2010 

A Hand Up 

Bid Competition 

Members’ Day 

New Model 

Green Centre 

Vol.5 No.1 Quarter 3 2010 

PM# 40787580

Building made easy 

MAPEI products now integrated into 

ARCAT’s BIM systems 

BIM: Advantages to the construction industry 

• Allows a consistent method for multiple architect, construction and design professional 

users to develop, amend and interchange drawings without having to reformat them as 

with individual software programs. 

• Provides accurate, consistent and identical information that creates a level playing field 

for contractors preparing bids. 

• Enables all information used to prepare bid packages to be embedded into BIM images 

and easily accessible to bidders. 

• Reduces subcontractor interpretation by ensuring that product specifications are based 

on performance requirements for each specific application within an installation. 

• Separates out applications so that only specific products are embedded with specific 

drawings for each application. For example, an interior floor method cannot be used on 

exterior applications. 

• Promotes fast and accurate review of submittals and product substitutions, reducing 

liability for architects. 

• Provides the owner with a final drawing that contains references to specific products, 

assemblies and guidelines. 

• Provides the owner with product information for repairs or expansions. 

Product related data embedded into BIM 

Technical Data Sheets 

Warranty information 

Architect prepares working 

documents and conceptual 

drawings. 

Engineer prepares 

documentation directly from 

architect’s BIM model. 

MSDS information 

Links to Web-based 

information 

LEED data and 

compliance letters 

Manufacturer and/ 

or distributor contact 

information 

Product installation 

recommendations 

Customer service 

contact information 

Contractor prepares bid package 

based on real information – 

easily transported to architect. 

Owner/Developer receives final 

drawing with products and 

assemblies. Can manage progress 

and project outcome more easily. 

About ARCAT 

ARCAT provides thousands of CAD details, specifications, BIM families, 

Spec Wizards, links to Websites and plenty more information from more 

than 10,500 manufacturers to architects, spec writers, engineers and 

contractors. This data greatly assists professionals in making informed 

product selections. See www.arcat.com.

AdvertoriAl 

C.W. SMITH Crane ServICe 2009 LIMITed 

C.W. SMITH CRANE SERVICE 2009 

LIMITED was established in 1965 by 

Harold D. Smith in the same neighbourhood 

in Toronto where it is located 

today. The company was named after 

his father whose distinguished service 

in World War 1 and longtime employment 

to J.N. Pitts (Winnipeg) and C.A. 

Pitts (Toronto) linked the company to 

the growing construction industry in 

Southern Ontario. We are proud that 

customers from our first year are still 

active today. 

Harold had a passion for the industry 

and was always available to help a 

friend in the industry. Many of today’s 

crane owners and managers started 

their work life at Smith. 

Today, the company is owned by Jean 

(Bobi) and ably run by Jeffrey and 

Kevin Robertson, who are second 

generation to the crane industry having 

grown up and apprenticed at Superior 

Cranes back in the day when the 

company had cranes. 

Smith Cranes re-organized in 2009 and 

now is poised to move ahead to serve 

their customers who demand “a lift 

with excellence at a right price with 

safety and time factored in.” There 

will be changes - and all will be for the 

better of the industry, the employees 

and the many customers served and to 

be served in the years to come. 

We are pleased with the new 90 

ton machine in our fleet: a Grove 

TMS9000E. We feel that this efficient 

unit will serve our customers well and 

be an excellent addition that meets the 

needs of a diversity of lifts for all sectors 

of the user industries.

AdvertoriAl 

A DV E RTO R I A L 

Bringing Winners of the the TCA “Trade past Contractors back to Award” life 

The Onyx Mechanical team provides have to build the foundation for our company Onyx Mechanical’s recent projects in the 

mechanical construction services for the - a commitment that proves to our clients commercial sector include: 

Death and taxes - those we all know are ties and demonstrate the value of building times in significant leaps and some of the 

ICI sector of Southern Ontario and has 

the universal constants, but there is a 

that Onyx Mechanical is prepared to stand 

mock ups. What can look acceptable on paper 

out will from change the pack,” considerably says Chris. when “If you built want in With the Food fall Court fast approaching, the rush is 

most • significant Toronto Eaton’s changes Centre are North still to come. 

third over - aging. 68 years We of can’t combined escape experience the effects in 

of the time plumbing and neither and can HVAC the industry. buildings Partners we the to real make world. a difference Sometimes you have you really to be have willing on to enclose the building and complete 

construct. Chris Nielsen, They John eventually E. McKinnon fail, just and like Bryon to to “stand contribute, there” to for be the a part answer of something to come. and the • mechanical Milton Arts elements & Entertainment required Centre to 

us. Backus There is, have however, built a one first-rate major difference 

in the - we industry can rescue and those have structures Now with the major issues resolved, the 

reputation 

provide 

leave your mark for those who follow to see the heat Bradford finishing. Library The finish may 

worked with 

still be months away, but Lister Block will 

before it’s too late. 

pace what of you construction could achieve,” has increased state the significantly. 

partners. Lister “Onyx Block is changes our achievement, daily, some-our 

times ahead for us all. 

three undoubtedly 

industry leaders such as GovenBrown, PCL 

• Square still One have CRU some interesting 

One Constructors, such building and in Century Hamilton, Group. Ontario, 

pride and our future.” 

• Lester Block Hamilton 

has escaped the wrecking ball. A historical 

“Our building biggest in asset downtown is our Hamilton reputation,” called Chris 

Lister says, Block “but will it takes live to a see significant many more effort by 

decades everyone of use. in the company to maintain and 

Breathing grow that new reputation.” life into a building that’s 

already had two lives is a significant 

That reputation is due, in no small part, 

challenge, one that owner LIUNA and 

developer to the company’s The Hi-Rise mission Group willingly to exceed its 

accepted. clients’ expectations. Originally built Onyx in 1886, Mechanical Lister 

Block does burned this by to the building ground and in 1923 maintaining and 

was long-term rebuilt in relationships 1924. 2009 saw with the its beginning 

ensuring of the satisfaction latest rebuild, through with the unparalleled old 

clients, 

structure having already been stripped and 

communications and teamwork. 

key elements preserved for reuse. Installing 

“When modern we HVAC commit and to plumbing something, into we a work 

building on schedule, never designed on budget, for such and services we don’t 

is a considerable challenge, but Onyx 

‘nickel-and-dime’ everything that comes 

Mechanical was up to the task. 

up,” says Chris. 

Joining Greenferd Construction’s team 

in One October example 2009, of Onyx Mechanical’s began installing serious 

the commitment mechanical to infrastructure its work is the that company’s would 

service support the of completed LEED construction. building. As with 

all heritage buildings, certain architectural 

elements “We fully had been support kept LEED in place construction which 

complicated and enjoy the participating build and in forced these the types of 

relocation projects,” of says various Chris. services “We believe from their that we 

planned have a responsibility routes. Always to mindful future generations of the to 

historical significance of the old interior 

participate in and encourage environmentally 

wood corridor partitions, Onyx would find 

alternative 

sustainable 

routes 

projects.” 

for those 

John 

services. 

admits that the 

value and effectiveness required by a LEED 

Another 

project 

complication 

comes at a premium, 

would prove 

but 

to 

says 

be 

that 

the old structure itself. The usually simple 

“Onyx is there to assist the entire project 

task of keeping vertical elements in line from 

floor team to in floor finding required the finding balance a between structural fiscal element 

and that social was responsibility.” 

perfectly vertical. In modern 

construction, the structure provides this 

The company has also devoted a 

reference but in a building thought to be 

one considerable of the first concrete amount framed of time buildings and money in 

Canada, in the this administrative accuracy was area lacking. of its business. 

With state-of-the-art computers, IT servers, 

In fact the structure would further complicate 

in-house the build plotting as the floor machines, to floor specialized heights 

became estimating, restrictive. and Most accounting of us usually and project 

take management no notice of software, ceiling height, Onyx but has when solidly Onyx Mechanical Ltd. Phone: 905-866-6699 

installing invested mechanical in the office elements, infrastructure. maintaining 

that height is critical. The reduced ceiling 214 Wilkinson Road Fax: 905-866-6690 

heights “There found are companies in the Lister many Block times building our size Brampton ON L6T 4M4 Website: www.onyxmech.com 

would that have challenge not invested the entire a fraction team’s of abili- what we

Page 9 

contents 

FEATURES 

6 The Way Forward 

New board chair Glenn Ackerley believes that the TCA’s strengths will be essential 

in responding to new challenges 

By Andrew Brooks 

9 A New Day 

TCA partnered with Junior Achievement for Construction Day 2010 – a new way 

to bring the good word about the industry to tomorrow’s leaders 

By Liz Katynski 

13 Hands-On Habitat 

How the TCA and Habitat for Humanity Toronto teamed up to make home 

ownership a reality for more city residents 

By Roma Ihnatowycz 

16 Future Positive 

The TCIC Bid Competition is a taste of real-life competition for soon-to-be 

construction professionals 


20 Deeper into the Future 

TCA Members’ Day is always a major event: this year, attendees were given a thoughtful look at future 

opportunities 


26 Green Smarts 

OSCAR promises much-needed support and information on sustainable building products and practices 


29 A New Kind of Model 

BIM nips project problems in the bud, supports LEED, and is even changing the legal landscape 

By Kelly Parker 

36 View from the Top 

A willingness to face new challenges has brought Chris Gower a long way in a short time 


38 Industry Think-Tank 

A new committee geared to SMEs helps TCA members learn and share business best practices 


Page 20 

Page 29 

DEPARTMENTS 

34 Advertisers Index 

41 Upcoming Events 

Builders' Digest Quarter 3 2010 | 5

Chairman’s Message 

The Way 

Forward 

New board chair Glenn Ackerley 

believes that the TCA’s strengths 

will be essential in crafting new 

responses to new challenges 

Glenn Ackerley, Chair 

Weirfoulds Llp 


FOR GLENN ACKERLEY, A CONSTRUCTION LAWYER WITH WEIRFOULDS LLP AND 

the new chair of the TCA board of directors, challenges 

come with the territory, and they can be opportunities 

too. That kind of mixed bag is an accurate reflection of 

the state of the industry in 2010 as he sees it. 

As the first lawyer to be named to the position, Ackerley 

sees divergent viewpoints as one of the most important 

advantages the TCA has in working to advance the industry. “I’ve always felt that one of 

the TCA’s biggest strengths is its character as a mixed-trade association,” he says. “Anyone 

in the ICI sector can be a member, whether you’re a lawyer, architect, accountant, a 

mechanical contractor, an electrical contractor, a supplier... the list is huge.” 

That diversity also poses a challenge. “The association has to offer value to all the 

different types of members,” Ackerley says. “We have to focus on being relevant to all of 

the members in those various disciplines.” 

One way to remain relevant, Ackerley believes, is to focus on education — both in 

the usual, institutional sense, and in terms of the ongoing learning that should take 

place throughout a career. Remaining adaptable is an essential survival skill, especially 

in uncertain times. 

“BIM [building information modelling] is one example,” Ackerley says. “We already 

have a program to educate members about what BIM can do and how to get the most 

from the technology. And I think firms that don’t take the time to learn about technology 

tools like BIM now will be left behind over the long run.” 

BIM has benefits beyond its obvious advantages in articulating the stages and processes 

that go into project scoping. “Everyone has to work together, because the technology 

draws in all the different roles and shows how they interact,” Ackerley says. “It shortcircuits 

a lot of the potential conflict that can arise.” By clearly delineating the roles 

played by different disciplines, BIM helps to ensure that any ‘conflict’ that does arise 

will be over specific problems and challenges that would have had to be addressed in 

any case. 

In another way, education touches on the future health of the industry itself. The 

industry is aging, and the need for fresh, young talent to fill the ranks is only going to 

get more acute as the years go by. “There’s a real shortage of skilled trades and skilled 

management,” Ackerley says. “So we as an industry have to strive to attract people, to 

show them the kinds of opportunities they can have in this field.” 

Builders’ 

Digest 



TCA Builders’ Digest is published for the 

Toronto Construction Association 

70 Leek Crescent, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1H1 

Tel: (416) 499-4000 • Fax: (416) 499-8752 

www.tcaconnect.com 

Publisher 

Editor 

Associate Editor 

Sales Manager 

Sales Executives 

Contributing Writers 

Production Team Leader 

Published by: 

5255 Yonge Street, Suite 1000 

Toronto, Ontario M2N 6P4 

Toll Free: (866) 216-0860 ext. 229 

robertt@mediaedge.ca 

531 Marion Street 

Winnipeg, MB R2J 0J9 

Toll Free: (866) 201-3096 

Fax: (204) 480-4420 

www.mediaedgepublishing.com 

President 

Senior Vice-President 

Branch Manager 

Since 1867 

Toronto 

Construction 

Association 

Kevin Brown 

Robert Thompson 

Jeanne Fronda 

Andrew Brooks 

Joe Strazzullo 

Nolan Ackman 

Marlene Moshenko 

Carol Simpson 

Jim Signatovich 

John Pashko 

Andrew Brooks 

Kelly Parker 

Roma Ihnatowycz 

Liz Katynski 

Adrienne N. Wilson 

Robert Thompson 

Nancie Privé 

All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be 

reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior 

written consent of the association. Published November 2010. 

Publication Mail Agreement #40787580 

Return undeliverable copies to: 


70 Leek Crescent, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1H1 

Phone: (416) 499-4000 • Fax: (416) 499-8752 

6 | Builders' Digest Quarter 3 2010

YOUR 

ONTARIO 

CONSTRUCTION 

SECRETARIAT 

We Gather and Distribute 

Construction Related Data 

We Improve Labour and 

Management Relations 

We Promote the Organized 

Construction Industry 

Serving the Organized ICI Construction Sector 

in Ontario Since 1993 

Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) 

940 The East Mall, Suite 120, Etobicoke, ON, Canada M9B 6J7 

T 416.620.5210 F 416.620.5310 Toll Free 1.888.878.8868 

www.iciconstruction.com 

DESIGN: RYAN ISOJIMA 2010 

PHOTOS: RON DE VRIES

Chairman’s Message 

Initiatives such as the TCA’s Construction 

Day partnership with Junior 

Achievement present construction as a 

promising career choice to high school 

students long before they have to make 

their decision. If they’re won over, then 

it’s up to the higher education system to 

make sure that they can follow through. In 

that context, the development of first-class 

higher-education programs in construction, 

such as the School of Construction 

Management and Trades at George 

Brown College, is one of the reasons 

Ackerley is optimistic about the future. 

STEPPING UP 

Public-sector initiatives have loomed large 

in the last couple of years with the introduction 

of public-sector infrastructure 

spending as a form of economic stimulus. 

Investment in areas like transit has a 

long-term benefit, Ackerley believes, 

because the infrastructure is large-scale 

and takes time to build. However, along 

with a growing number of construction 

industry observers, he is keeping an eye 

on the private sector, which will inevitably 

be expected to play a greater role as 

public-sector funding for infrastructure 

projects is stepped back. 

“I’d say the spirit in the industry is one 

of cautious optimism,” Ackerley says. 

“Overall the industry has come through 

the recession better than some others, but 

if new opportunities don’t materialize, or 

if we do hit a second dip as some people 

are saying, there could be problems.” 

Private-sector building, notably 

office-tower construction, has always made 

up a large proportion of construction 

work in Toronto. There’s a longer-term 

payoff here too, Ackerley believes. After 

a building is constructed, there’s a lot of 

ongoing work to be had not just in building 

operations and management, but also 

in work like interior design, renovation 

and equipping suites in advance of new 

tenants. Ackerley has legal clients in this 

kind of work, so he understands the 

benefits to be had. 

“I don’t know if those who are warning 

about a double-dip recession are right,” he 

says. “But whether or not it turns out to be 

true, as long as there’s some uncertainty 

the people in the private sector with money 

to invest will tend to hold off, and they’re 

the ones we need in the long term.” |BD 


Cover Story 

A NEW DAY 

TCA partnered with Junior Achievement for Construction Day 2010 – 

a new way to bring the good word about the industry to tomorrow’s leaders 

By Liz Katynski 

THE POPULATION IS AGING, AND THE CONSTRUCTION 

industry ages with it. Despite the excellent 

career opportunities the field can offer, 

more can be done to let young people 

know about the benefits — personal and 

financial — that a career in construction 

can bring. This simple statement of fact 

lies at the heart of the TCA’s ongoing 

strategy to develop education and outreach 

programs that build the profile of 

construction among the general public, 

among young people entering the 

workforce — and more importantly, long 

before they enter the workforce. 

Encouraging signs already abound that 

people who opt for a career in construction 

will have all the resources they need 

to make that dream a reality, perhaps 

most notably the continuing development 

of first-class higher education 

programs such as the construction school 

at Toronto’s George Brown College. 

But practical steps must be taken now 

to persuade young hearts and minds 

that construction has something to offer 

them, and that their talents and energies 

will be in real demand by the time they 

enter the workforce. One new and promising 

response to that challenge was the 

recent partnership between the TCA and 

Junior Achievement of Central Ontario 

(JACO) to deliver a new program called 

“Construction Day” to Grade 8 students 

in Central Ontario schools. 

The first-ever Construction Day was 

held on April 14 with over 100 TCA 

volunteers visiting 50 classrooms to 

share their enthusiasm for careers in 

Katherine Lee of Bilfinger Berger Project Investments and Adriana Mema, Adriatica Safety Consulting, TCA 

volunteers at Windfields Junior High School, North York 

the construction industry. It was such a 

success that there are plans to make it 

an annual event. Junior Achievement’s 

“Economics for Success” program was 

a good fit with the TCA’s message that 

the construction industry has something 

to offer individuals of a wide range of 

interests and talents — and with the information 

that TCA delivered about the steps 

required to launch a construction career. 

“It starts with the message that students 

have to stay in school if they want to have 


Cover Story 

(l to r) John Paterson of Technical Project Solutions, Maureen O’Leary, Junior Achievement and Natalie Wood, Grade 8 teacher, Harry Bowes School, Stouffville 

the broadest range of career options,” 

says TCA president John Mollenhauer. 

“In that sense, we’re not even there to get 

them to opt for construction, necessarily: 

we just want the kids to know that there 

are terrific opportunities ahead, and that 

they can take the first steps today, here 

and now.” 

Blending financial and career education 

was a good fit for both JACO and 

TCA, says Jennifer James, program 

manager, Junior Achievement of Central 

Ontario. “We teach financial literacy and 

life skills and they provide the career 

options. It’s all about how to achieve 

success in their lifetime. At Construction 

Day, students learned about options they 

didn’t know about — they tend to know 

about only traditional jobs.” 

This was also the first time that JACO 

worked with an industry-specific organization 

to hold a day of training. “Most of our 

projects are financial-literacy-based so we 

often team up with economic partners,” 

James says. “This was a unique experience, 

and it could open the door to other 

opportunities.” 

JACO’s “Economics for Success” program 

serves as a reality check for young 

students by introducing them to the 

basics of lifetime financial planning, 

and to the notion that how they manage 

“ ” 

This was a unique experience, and it could open 

the door to other opportunities 

— Jennifer James, program manager, Junior Achievement of Central Ontario 

their activities has a direct impact on the 

kind of lifestyle they will be able to enjoy 

once they start working. “That reality 

check meshes very nicely with what we 

want to tell the kids about the breadth 

of our industry — about the fact that 

construction has a place for both creative 

and analytical minds,” Mollenhauer says. 

But the best advertisement for construction 

was probably the quality of the 

volunteers who came into the classrooms, 

and they did a great job, says Erin Cimino, 

manager of special projects, TCA. Cimino 

notes that one volunteer who is fluent in 

Spanish took it upon herself to translate 

for a student from Mexico to help 

him follow the discussions. “That’s the 

nature of the construction business,” 

she says. “People are very grounded and 

straightforward.” 

Going into the classroom is a great 

experience for volunteers of all ages, 

from recent university grads who may 


Cover Story 

feel they don’t yet have much to offer, to 

employees and entrepreneurs of every 

level working in the construction industry. 

In that sense Construction Day can be 

enriching for TCA members of all kinds. 

At least that’s the view of Blair Davies, vice 

president and general manager of Engineered 

Assemblies — and a Construction 

Day volunteer. “This experience makes 

you realize how much you do know and 

how far you’ve come,” he says. “It’s a real 

benchmark of where you’re at.” 

Career enthusiasm is infectious — and 

of course it’s the ideal attribute for a 

volunteer who will be talking to people 

outside the industry. “I love to see 

the results of my work,” Davies says. 

“I drive by buildings I did every day. 

From condos to hospital projects, I 

never know what might be around the 

corner. Creating buildings is solving real 

problems, improving our landscape, and 

I love doing that.” He encourages all 

TCA members who took part this year 

to bring a friend next year and make 

“ 

This experience makes you realize how much you 

do know and how far you’ve come. It’s a real benchmark 

of where you’re at 

the day bigger and better than ever. 

In order to prepare for Construction 

Day, volunteers completed two hours’ 

training and then spent a school day 

alone or with a partner in the classroom 

with Grade 8 students. They delivered 

JA’s “Economics of Success” program in 

their own ways, and promoted career 

options in the construction industry 

at the same time. As it was signing up 

volunteers for Construction Day, the TCA 

also recruited speakers for its speakers’ 

bureau. The association is always on the 

lookout for industry professionals who 

are willing to give their time to spread 

the word about the career potential in 

” 

this industry, Cimino says. Those who are 

willing to donate their time and energy to 

promote construction careers are a logical 

choice to speak about construction to 

other audiences. And Construction Day 

is an opportunity to refine speaking and 

presentation skills. 

Cimino notes that although speaking 

to a Grade 8 classroom for a full day 

isn’t an easy task, the TCA volunteers 

exceeded expectations. “Feedback 

from the school boards and volunteers 

confirms that the day was a huge success,” 

Cimino says. “We were pleased 

with student and teacher feedback 

and volunteers were delighted by the 

— Blair Davies, vice president , Engineered Assemblies 

Reduce paper by 85% on your next 

project with Bluebeam PDF Revu 

Built for the design and construction 

industry, Bluebeam PDF Revu is a 

powerful PDF creation, markup and 

editing solution for digital project 

communication and collaboration. 

Whether you are working from the 

office or at the jobsite on a tablet PC, 

Bluebeam includes all the features you 

need to take your project paperless. 

Achieve amazing time and cost savings 

by creating submittals, answering RFIs, 

taking measurements and completing 

punchlists digitally in PDF. 

Start saving at 

bluebeam.com/results 

Or visit us at 

Construct Canada booth #1032 

85% reduction 

in paper usage 

65% increase 

in productivity 

© 2010 Bluebeam Software, Inc. 


Cover Story 

TCA volunteer Richard Brightling from Albion Architectural 

experience. The JA curriculum teaches 

students to be financially responsible and 

how to plan for their career and life goals 

– and we complement that program.” 

TEAMING UP 

JACO and the TCA first came together last 

year to discuss the possibility of this kind 

of program. As the volunteers taught the 

course, it was expected that they would 

naturally highlight career opportunities 

in construction, says Cimino. “Our association’s 

mission was to highlight the 

professional job opportunities in construction, 

and generate greater awareness of 

them. As we know, opportunities in the construction 

industry are often overlooked.” 

The construction industry employs 

over 1.2 million people in Canada in a 

variety of careers. In terms of growth, 

the industry is outpacing the economy, 

which should make it a natural area of 

interest for anyone who wants a financially 

rewarding career. 

To drive that message home, TCA 

volunteers had the help of a slick new 

TCA promotional video called “Careers in 

Construction.” The concise, contemporary 

presentation covers the full scope of 

career options in construction for men 

12 | Builders' Digest Quarter 3 2010 

and women with a wide range of interests 

and talents. The video shows people in 

construction talking about what they do, 

the training they have and what they like 

most about their work. 

The speakers in the video relate their 

jobs to school subjects and areas of interest 

that kids can relate to, enabling them 

to see themselves in the same roles in the 

future. But instead of becoming overly 

specialized in its treatment of the industry, 

the video focuses on the broad vision that 

goes into putting together the right team 

to get a construction project completed. 

The unique blending of creative and 

analytical talents that construction offers 

is underlined by examining the roles 

architects and interior designers play 

alongside engineers, contractors, skilled 

tradespeople, skilled labourers and 

others. 

The video also points out the opportunities 

for entrepreneurs, and adds a 

reminder that a successful career is not 

all about gain to oneself. It’s important to 

give back to the community too. 

REALITY CHECK 

“Economics for Success” challenges students 

to think in realistic, practical terms, 

and to relate the achievement of lifetime 

goals to decisions that they will have to 

make soon — and are even making right 

now. Above all, the main message is that 

staying in school is the most important 

thing they can do if they want the broadest 

range of options later. The program 

has a practical way of emphasizing that 

point, says JACO’s Jennifer James. 

“Kids start with a budget including 

their necessities and luxuries,” she says. 

“Of course they want nice cars, vacations, 

fancy clothing and the latest technology. 

Then we give them a mock job at minimum 

wage, and 99 per cent say they can’t 

support themselves. We talk about debt, 

but it’s not an option in the program — 

they have to cover their expenses with 

their income. This is a reality lesson for 

most of them.” 

Having volunteers on hand who could 

talk about their own careers in construction 

was a perfect fit. “We encourage 

volunteers to add their life experience,” 

James says. ”That’s what really resonates 

with students — real stories. For the most 

part, these kids have not had part-time 

jobs. They don’t realize that an hourly 

wage is not the same as net earnings and 

how their expenses will add up. It makes 

them appreciate home — at least for a 

little while!” 

The students were eager to learn 

about construction, and they had a lot of 

interesting questions that got volunteers 

thinking. For example, one asked ‘are 

you rich’ “So we had to consider for a 

moment what wealth means and how you 

measure that,” Davies says. 

“We had a chance to help kids to follow 

their dreams and get an education,” he 

adds. “We also shared how the construction 

industry is a cool place to be. I’m sure 

we touched a few minds and hearts at a 

perfect time for kids to get going towards 

their careers.” 

His last word on Construction Day 

“Boy, it was fun!” |BD

HOUSING 

The June 8 groundbreaking ceremony for the townhome complex on Kingston Road 

Hands-On Habitat 

TCA and Habitat Toronto team up to make home 

By ROMA IHNATOWYCZ 

ownership a reality for more city residents 

IT’S BEEN 22 YEARS SINCE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SET UP 

shop in Toronto, building housing for 

needy families across the city. Now, thanks 

to a new partnership with the Toronto 

Construction Association (TCA), things 

have been turned up a notch. With this 

new alliance, Habitat Toronto expects 

to dramatically increase the number 

of houses it constructs in the Greater 

Toronto Area (GTA), making home 

ownership a reality for far more lowincome 

families as a result. 

“In Toronto we’re now building about 

50 houses a year, and with the TCA’s 

help we expect to build 100 a year,” says 

Neil Hetherington, CEO of Habitat for 

Humanity Toronto. “We’re going to make 

that leap. There is a real need out there 

for hard-working families to have safe, 

decent, affordable homes.” 

While Habitat for Humanity regularly 

partners with various organizations — not 

to mention the individual families it 

helps — the collaboration with the TCA 

is unique. It involves TCA members 

donating products and services toward 

the construction of the homes, beginning 

with a 29-townhome complex in 

Scarborough. The association’s Young 

Construction Executive Club (YCEC) has 

already committed to a goal of $500,000 

worth of gifts-in-kind to the residential 

construction project, which was in the 

excavation phase at press time. 

“The difference with this partnership is 

that the TCA is really working to engage 

its members not only to donate money, 

but to donate the products they manufacture 

and the services they deliver,” says 

Hetherington. 

WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP 

The TCA’s president John Mollenhauer 

is equally pleased with the arrangement, 

and the opportunity it provides to TCA 

members to help those in need of 

decent housing. “We like that Habitat 

for Humanity creates opportunities 

for families to help themselves,” says 

Mollenhauer. “That is our kind of charity. 

It’s not just about handing out money, but 

helping families with home ownership.” 

Unlike many other charities, Habitat 

for Humanity works on a model that 

allows individuals and families to help 

themselves by enlisting them to donate 

500 volunteer hours in the construction 

of their new home. Habitat also extends 

interest-free loans for the properties, 

which means that homeowners can pay 

them off without the heavy burden of 

fluctuating interest rates or demanding 

qualification requirements. 

A number of TCA members have 

already stepped up to the plate with 

support, including PCL, EllisDon, and 

Dufferin Concrete, which will be providing 

all the concrete for the project. 

Mollenhauer stresses that the beauty of 

the arrangement between the two organizations 

lies in the fact that smaller TCA 

business members can make meaningful 

contributions through their goods or 

services, without having to pony up large 

sums of money not necessarily readily 

available to them. 

“It struck us when we first started 

talking to Habitat that there was a more 

meaningful way that we could help 

than just delivering cash contributions,” 

explains Mollenhauer. “Instead of our 

members putting up money so that 

Habitat will have the wherewithal to 

build the project, we are looking to help 


HOUSING 

At a Glance: 

the 4572 Kingston 

Road project 

• 29 townhomes 

• GreenHouse certified 

• Architects and landscape 

consultants: HOK 

• Total lot area: 4,235 square metres 

• Gross floor area: 3,240 square 

metres 

• Parking spaces: 34 cars 

• Mix of two- and three-storey 

townhouses in four blocks 

• Two- to five-bedroom units 

• Civil engineer: The Municipal 

Infrastructure Group 

• Forced air gas heat 

them build homes for considerably less 

by encouraging our members to supply 

material and, in some cases, labour that 

Habitat would otherwise have to pay for.” 

These materials include just about 

everything required in the construction 

of a new home, from drywall to light 

fixtures, and all the way to doorknobs. 

The Scarborough project, which happens 

to be the second-largest Habitat 

housing development in the history of 

Toronto, is currently on the lookout for 

lumber, windows and asphalt shingles. 

But what is important to note, says 

Hetherington, is that the timeline for 

making donations is not critical, and 

they can be made at any point during the 

construction process. In fact, the not-forprofit 

group is opening a new warehouse 

in the city for storing all supplies. 

So far the response from TCA members 

has been strong, and they’ve been “thrilled 

to get involved,” notes Mollenhauer. 

“ ” 

In Toronto we’re now building about 50 houses a year, 

and with the TCA’s help we expect to build 100 a year 

Their contributions, combined with 

other partnerships Habitat for Humanity 

is involved in, are expected to dramatically 

drive down the construction costs 

for the Scarborough housing complex: 

from the $110 to $125 per square foot 

range to about $65 per square foot. “This 

means that we can develop an affordable 

home, and with any additional money 

we receive we can buy land and building 

materials for more homes,” says Habitat’s 

Hetherington. 

CUTTING-EDGE CONSTRUCTION 

The groundbreaking ceremony for the 

Scarborough development, which was 

designed by HOK, one of the country’s 

premier architectural firms, took place 

June 8, and construction is expected to 

be completed in December 2011, right in 

time for the holidays. “A special dedication 

service will be held the Sunday before 

Christmas, and some families will be able 

to move in and start the New Year in their 

new homes,” says Hetherington. 

The housing development will be 

GreenHouse-certified, and its location 

at Kingston Road and Morningside 

Avenue is smack in the middle of 

a neighbourhood undergoing some 

notable improvements. “It is in a wonderful 

community where there is this 

incredible revitalization taking place,” 

says Hetherington. “What you are seeing 

is a community really thriving with new 

shops, the Morningside Mall that just got 

— Neil Hetherington, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Toronto 

revamped [and] great schools; and we are 

part of the community being built.” 

The planning and high-level management 

of the project will be led by a 

steering committee made up of Wayne 

Dempsey, vice president of construction 

at Habitat for Humanity; Matt Stainton of 

PCL; Mike Kern of Vanbots; and Joe Perry 

of EllisDon. Day-to-day management of 

donations is being handled by TCA staffers 

Erin Cimino, manager, special projects; 

and Evelyn Kilcullen, executive assistant. 

While many may see Habitat for 

Humanity as an organization that builds 

houses, the reality is that by making home 

ownership possible, it does much more 

than that. It helps people build, or in 

some cases rebuild, their lives, a point not 

lost on the TCA’s John Mollenhauer when 

he first signed on for the partnership. It is 

this ability to make a significant difference 

in people’s lives and the future lives 

of their children that really makes the 

project worthwhile for everyone involved. 

“The statistics are extraordinary,” notes 

Mollenhauer. “These families all have 

kids, and a number of them have gone 

on to colleges and universities and so on. 

So it has paid enormous dividends. It has 

changed the lives of these families.” 

For TCA members interested in 

making a donation, or learning more 

about the Habitat for Humanity Kingston 

Road Project, please contact Erin 

Cimino at erincimino@tcaconnect.com, 

416-499-4000 ext. 149. |BD 

• Fire Sprinkler Systems 

• Fire Pumps 

• Fire Hose Systems 

• Residential Sprinkler Systems 

• CO2, FM 200, and Water Mist Suppression System 

• Fire Alarm and Security Systems 

• Design and Consulting 

• Systems Maintenance and Testing 

FOR ALL YOUR 

FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS 

24 HOUR SERVICE 

Phone: 905.564.7060 

Fax: 905.564.7070 

www.vipond.ca 

6380 Vipond Drive 

Mississauga, ON 


Funny. This bell 

sounds a lot 

like the one in 

Schindler elevators. 

It says we’re at your service. For new elevators and 

escalators, upgrades, emergency repairs, scheduled maintenance. 

Ring us – what can we do for you today 

Performance on every level. 

Schindler Elevator Corporation 

40 Cowdray Court 

Scarborough, ON M1S 1A1 

Phone: 416-332-8280 

Fax: 416-332-8276 

www.ca.schindler.com

BID Competition 

Future 

The 

Positive 

TCIC Bid Competition is an 

instructive, energizing taste of 

real-life conditions for soon-to-be 

construction professionals 


THE BEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS ONE THAT IS AS CLOSE 

as possible to real life. That’s the philosophy 

behind the Construction Institute 

of Canada (TCIC) Bid Competition, an 

event that invites teams of construction 

students to assemble and submit a bid 

on a construction project in real-life 

conditions. The TCIC hosts the event, 

and construction companies also play 

an active role, contributing prize money 

– and contributing experienced industry 

veterans to mentor the student teams 


through the process. After a successful 

inaugural run in 2009, the competition 

was held again this year, and the future 

looks very bright. 

“The idea is to have students submit 

complete bids based on a set of contract 

documents,” says Roxanne Drisdelle, 

TCIC Professional Development 

Coordinator. The bids have to contain 

quantity take-offs for own-forces work, a 

sub-trade analysis and selection, as well as 

an overhead and pricing summary. The 

bids are judged to three criteria: most 

outstanding professional conduct; most 

accurate and complete bid package; and 

coming closest to the targeted price. 

The bids are based on actual projects. 

This year the assigned project was over 

$2 million in upgrades to Camp Oochigeas, 

a resort for children with cancer 

in Muskoka, Ontario. Project drawings 

were donated by Duncan Ross Architect 

of Huntsville, Ontario. The assignment 

went out at the end of January, and


First place, Most Accurate and Complete Bid: Apex Contracting Inc. (David Petrozza, 

Joseph Lisi, Mark Farano, Anthony Zambri) Apex also won third place in the Most 

Professional Bid category 

Second place, Most Accurate and Complete Bid: DJEC Construction Manager 

(David Champion, Jeff Jackson, Eric Rautanen, Cameron Hester) 

teams had two months to assemble bids 

before the submission deadline, which 

was handled exactly the way a real one 

would be, with a precise deadline down 

to the hour, minute and second, and a 

site – the TCIC head office in Richmond 

Hill – where teams had to present their 

completed packages. “It’s just like a 

real-life bid submission,” Drisdelle says. 

The competition was launched on 

February 26 and the bids were due to 

be handed in by 3 p.m. sharp on April 6 

at the TCIC offices. On April 6, with the 

bids submitted and the teams on hand, 

the TCIC hosted a social and networking 

event for the team members and sponsors, 

and the winners were announced. 

The formal award presentations were 

made later, at Members Day on May 12. 

Winners received cash prizes and 

plaques. All participants received certificates 

– and their participation in the 

competition was factored into their class 

marks, Drisdelle says. This year more 

than 100 students entered in 41 teams, 

which was about double the number 

that took part in 2009. 

A unique feature of the event is that 

it’s educational for the judges as well 

as the entrants. The entrants this time 

around were students in the third year 

of the four-year degree program in construction 

at George Brown College – but 

the “owners/developers” who judged 

the bids were students, too, and from the 

fourth year of the same program. 



First place, Most Professional Bid: Tangent Construction Inc. (Gianluca Caligiuri, Albert 

Melchior) 

Second Place, Most Professional Bid: JAKS Consulting Inc. (Kayleigh Dobbin, 

Scott Chant, Andrew Dingemans, Jordan Spergel) 

The fact that entrants doubled in one year demonstrates 

that the Bid Competition is an idea whose time has come. The 

TCIC has heard from schools across Canada that are interested 

in participating. At press time, the TCIC was just ramping up its 

outreach efforts to these and other schools to make the 2011 

competition an even bigger success. “The exponential growth 

of this competition will be enormous,” says John Mollenhauer, 

TCIC Vice Chancellor and President. “Everyone involved in 

the construction industry in any way, shape or form is better for 

having had some estimating experience.” 

The companies that contributed prize money and provided 

mentors for competitors take the same view. “We have a real 

shortage of people in the industry who can do estimates,” 

says Deborah Fillippe, HR Director of Kenaidan Contracting. 

“When a student applies and we see that they’ve been in the 

competition, we see that as a strong plus for that candidate.” 

This is the kind of hands-on education that construction 

students can really use: it furthers their education but it also 

lets them get their feet wet in the real world of bidding and 

estimating, which is the heart and soul of the industry. “The 

competition is good hands-on experience,” Mollenhauer says. 

“When these students go into workforce they’ll have a true 

feeling for what it’s really like.” 

Most importantly they’ll experience up-close the apparent 

paradox that makes construction such a uniquely attractive 

career: the fact that competition and a spirit of camaraderie 

can co-exist so well. That spirit shows clearly in the faces of the 

winning teams. 

Craig Lesurf, Senior Vice President of Construction Operations, 

Vanbots, probably sums it up best: “This competition is 

extremely valuable in shaping our future leaders.” 

NOTE: A video of the Bid Competition can be viewed at 

the TCIC website (www.tcic.ca) or at the TCIC’s Student Bid 

Competition website at www.tcicbidcomp.com. |BD 

First place, Closest to Budgeted Price: RockSolid (Jonathan Graf, Pascal Uwajeneza, 

Nick Walden, Kegan Buchanan) 


Second Place, Closest to Budgeted Price: JAKS Consulting Inc. (Scott Chant, 

Andrew Dingemans, Kayleigh Dobbin, Jordan Spergel)

Widest Selection of Construction Equipment in Ontario 

• Largest inventory of telescope and 

articulating booms, scissor lifts, forklifts, 

Power & HVAC and dirt equipment 

• 24/7 Customer Care Center and 

Emergency Service 

• Safety Training & MTO Compliant 

• Delivery to Job Site 

• New & Used Equipment Sales 

Consider it done. TM 

Visit one of our 28 Ontario locations today. 

General Rental 

Aerial 

Barrie 

705-722-8181 

Guelph 

519-824-6760 

Mississauga 

905-814-8533 

Sarnia 

519-344-2475 

Walkerton 

519-881-2921 

Brampton 

905-456-2820 

Belleville 

613-968-9595 

Kenora 

807-548-1234 

North Bay 

705-472-4080 

Scarborough 

416-289-1010 

Waterloo 

519-885-5000 

Dryden 

807-937-3325 

Brantford 

519-756-0700 

Kingston 

613-389-5211 

Oshawa 

905-576-7200 

Stoney Creek 

905-643-6701 

Windsor 

519-966-2772 

London 

519-685-5438 

Cambridge 

519-623-3720 

Kitchener 

519-576-6000 

Ottawa 

613-745-3060 

Stratford 

519-271-1952 

Oshawa 

905-439-2304 

Collingwood 

705-445-7811 

London 

519-453-3660 

St. Catharines 

905-685-4269 

Toronto 

416-461-9887 

Stoney Creek 

905-643-0999 

Rentals • Sales • Service • Supplies 

800-UR-RENTS 

unitedrentals.com

Members' Day 

Deeper into the Future 

TCA Members’ Day is a major event: this year, attendees were given a thoughtful 

appraisal of opportunities in the “Post-Stimulus Age” 


Keynote speaker George Smitherman lays out his vision for 

the city 

TCA president John Mollenhauer (left) and TCA board chair Glenn Ackerley with George Smitherman after the 

keynote 

TCA MEMBERS’ DAY AND OPEN HOUSE IS ALWAYS A 

standout professional/social event on 

Toronto’s construction calendar. This year 

marked the 16th Members’ Day, which 

was held at the TCA Construction Centre 

in Richmond Hill on Wednesday, May 12. 

Attendance was strong and the takeaways 

were excellent as always. Attendees were 

treated to an animated keynote by prominent 

provincial and municipal politician 

George Smitherman; they heard from 

a panel of industry experts about what 

kinds of opportunities they can anticipate 

once infrastructure stimulus funding 

has ended; they got a hands-on look at 

industry products and services; they met 


some of the future stars of the construction 

business from across the country; 

they were treated to a fantastic barbecue 

lunch; and most important of all, they 

had fun — and an opportunity to get to 

know some of their peers in the industry. 

A CANDIDATE’S KEYNOTE 

As a current Toronto mayoralty candidate 

and former Ontario Deputy Premier and 

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, 

Smitherman has a unique perspective on 

the city and how it fits into the broader 

infrastructure picture. Always a compelling 

speaker, he delivered an off-the-cuff 

keynote talk about his vision for the city’s 

future, and told attendees that he believes 

more infrastructure work is required to 

bring the kind of renewal the city needs. 

Smitherman’s mayoralty campaign 

platform features a two-phase “Integrated 

Transportation Plan” that promises to 

bring together public and private transportation 

modes. A major element of the 

plan is expansion of the TTC. The first 

phase extends to 2015, in time for the 

Pan Am Games, and promises to focus 

on expansion of existing transit routes 

as well as the opening of a rail link from 

Union Station to Pearson International 

Airport. The second phase extends to 

2020 and will feature further transit

MFM BUILDING 

PRODUCTS 

MFM Building Products – Excellence in Weather 

Barrier Products 

MFM Building Products offers the construction industry more than 

50 years experience in providing waterproofing and weather barrier 

products. The company has continued to grow and foster new 

product development, improve product performance and reduce 

overall costs with a value-based philosophy. 

All MFM products are tested and retested to ensure that they exceed 

customer expectations for performance and reliability. An in-house 

testing facility and strict manufacturing practices are focused on 

providing a consistent product, pallet after pallet, box after box. 

Peel & Seal® Self-Stick Roofing Solution 

Peel & Seal® is the original self-stick roll roofing membrane 

designed for low-slope/low-pitch residential and commercial roofing 

applications. Available in various color options, Peel & Seal® selfadheres 

for fast installation and reduces labor and material costs. By 

lowering internal temperatures, Peel & Seal® is the economical and 

environmentally friendly solution! 

MFM Underlayment Products 

Regardless of the conditions outside, MFM Underlayment 

solutions deliver top-of-the-line protection for any roof. The 

MFM family of smooth or mineral-surfaced underlayments are 

self-adhesive, self-sealing membranes designed to perform in 

extreme weather conditions including high temperature and metal 

roofing applications. 

Peel & Seal ® is the professional, fast and 

profitable low-slope roofing system 

IB-3 StormStopper is the ultimate underlayment 

membrane waterproofing solution 

MFM – A Solutions Provider 

MFM offers a skilled technical sales force that is knowledgeable and 

experienced in the construction industry and can recommend the 

right MFM product for a specific application. Contact an MFM 

Building Products professional today for the right solution to your 

waterproofing or weather barrier needs at 800-882-7663 or visit 

www.solutions.mfmbp.com. 

MFM Building Products – A Pioneer in the Construction 

Industry for More Than 50 Years 

Peel & Seal ® is ideal for commercial or 

residential waterproofing applications 

MFM Building Products 

P.O. Box 340 

Coshocton, Ohio 43812 

800-882-7663 

www.mfmbp.com 

MFM Sales Contact: 

Tony Reis 

Email: treis@mfmbp.com

Members' Day 

Industry forum members (l to r): John O’Toole, 

Executive Vice President and Executive Managing 

Director from CB Richard Ellis; Brad Lambert, Regional 

Vice President, Real Estate Markets-Ontario, RBC; 

Leslie Woo, Vice President of Policy and Planning 

at Metrolinx; and Bill Hutchinson, Council Chair, 

i-Waterfront Advisory Council Executive Director, 

Intelligent Communities Waterfront Toronto 

CAREERS YOU 

CAN BUILD ON. 

extensions to integrate suburban areas, 

especially the city’s northwest. The end 

result, Smitherman says, will be that GTA 

residents will be able to travel anywhere 

across the GTA conveniently by transit — 

a far cry from the situation today. 

Other planks in Smitherman’s 

campaign platform of interest to builders 

include investments in the revitalization 

of city parks, improved and new sports 

and recreation facilities (part and parcel 

of the work being done for the Pan Am 

Games), and increasing the number of 

indoor playgrounds. 

POST-STIMULUS PERSPECTIVES 

The industry forum brought together four 

industry insiders for a longer-term look at 

construction in Toronto. John O’Toole 

TRAINING TODAY TO MEET 

THE DEMANDS OF TOMORROW 

UNITED ASSOCIATION LOCAL 46 

PLUMBERS, STEAMFITTERS AND WELDERS 


WWW.UALOCAL46.ORG 

Leslie Woo reminded attendees of the transit investment 

deficit Toronto still suffers from. That and the fact that 

the GTA continues to grow at a rapid pace means that 

projects like the Metrolinx “Big Move” transit plan – $50 

billion to be invested over 25 years – will be delivering 

construction opportunities long into the future

1 2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

A national practice 

solving local problems 

8 

7 10 

Strategic Advice 

Representation 

Consultation 

12 

O N T A R I O L A W Y E R S 

T O R O N T O 

1. Geza Banfai 

416 643.6968 

gbanfai@heenan.ca 

2. Joel Watson 

416 643.6955 

jwatson@heenan.ca 

3. Howard Krupat 

416 643.6969 

hkrupat@heenan.ca 

4. Steven Sokalsky 

416 643.6941 

ssokalsky@heenan.ca 

5. Matthew Benson 

416 643.6956 

mbenson@heenan.ca 

6. Samantha Ambrozy 

416 360.3546 

sambrozy@heenan.ca 

O T T A W A 

7. Louis-Pierre Grégoire 

613 236.1751 

lpgregoire@heenan.ca 

8. Alyssa Tomkins 

613 236.6942 

atomkins@heenan.ca 


R e c o g n i z e d , R e s p e c t e d , E x p e r i e n c e d . 

Heenan Blaikie LLP • Lawyers I Patent and Trade-mark Agents • Toronto Montreal Vancouver Québec Calgary Sherbrooke Ottawa Trois-Rivières Victoria Paris Singapore • heenanblaikie.com

Members' Day 

Construction is one of the most ‘hands-on’ industries there is, so it was appropriate to give Members’ Day attendees a chance to interact with industry products and talk to the 

people who deliver them. Booths were set up inside the Construction Centre and also outside on the grounds 

of CB Richard Ellis, Brad Lambert from 

RBC, Leslie Woo of Metrolinx and Bill 

Hutchinson, Intelligent Communities 

Waterfront Toronto, looked at the future 

of construction in Toronto after the largescale 

infrastructure funding programs 

end in 2011. If construction in Toronto 

experiences any kind of slump, O’Toole 

said, it will be a slump from an elevated 

starting point. The city’s market for office 

space ranks sixth in the world, and it’s a 

very active environment. New construction 

adds hundreds of millions of dollars’ 

worth of work, and the drive to bring 

Some of the industry professionals who helped make 

the day a success 


older inventory up to competitive standards 

adds some $400 million more. 

The signs are also good as far as Leslie 

Woo of Metrolinx is concerned. Woo 

laid out the demographic developments 

that are transforming Toronto, pointing 

out that another 2.62 million people 

will move into the Greater Toronto and 

Hamilton Area (GTHA) in the next 20 

years. That’s in the context of what she 

calls the “Lost Generation of Investment” 

in transportation infrastructure. No 

one who commutes to work in Toronto 

needs to be told that traffic congestion 

is a serious problem, but many attendees 

were probably surprised to hear how 

serious the economic cost is now, and how 

quickly it’s going to get much worse. 

“Today, congestion in the GTHA costs 

commuters $3.3 billion, and drains $2.2 

billion out of the region’s economy,” she 

said. “By 2031, those figures will be $7.8 

billion for commuters and $7.2 billion 

out of the economy.” To put this in 

context, that’s significantly more than the 

comparable current figures for New York 

and Chicago. 

Brad Lambert of RBC noted that, 

financially at least, Toronto seems to have 

weathered the recession fairly well. “We 

haven’t seen a big increase in the number 

of stressed loans,” he said. “In fact, that 

number has been fairly steady over the 

last 10 years.” Lambert countered some 

conventional wisdom by suggesting that 

while 2009 and 2010 have seen a bit of 

a slowdown in terms of volume of work, 

the private sector remains active and 

involved, and ready to contribute to 

construction investment as the market 

begins to pick up. 

“I think generally it’s not all doom and 

gloom,” he said, “especially compared 

with the year before, when there was the 

expectation of a real decline.” 

Bill Hutchinson backed up that viewpoint 

in his presentation, pointing to 

the combination of public and private 

interests that are actively engaged in 

major projects along Toronto’s waterfront. 

These are largely in preparation for 

the 2015 Pan Am Games, which require 

major investment in housing and event 

venues. But the work extends beyond 

that time frame: the buildout for the East 

Bayfront revitalization extends 10 to 15 

years and offers private sector investors 

lots of low-risk development space. 

Hutchinson also gave attendees an 

intriguing glimpse of the planned hightech 

backbone for Toronto’s waterfront 

community, which will support stateof-the-art 

services for residents and 

businesses. 

In addition to the panel and keynote, 

a highlight of the event was the handing

out of awards to the winning entrants in 

the Construction Institute of Canada’s 

Simulated Student Bid Competition. The 

competition is held annually, and challenges 

third-year construction students 

from across Canada to submit complete 

bids on an actual project in a true-to-life 

simulation of competitive conditions. 

The competition took place in April and 

was based on $2.2 million in upgrades to 

Camp Oochigeas in Muskoka. The contest 

is judged by fourth-year students. Firstplace 

winners in the three awards 

categories were: 

Most Accurate and Complete Bid: 

1st Place ($2,000 prize) – Team Apex 

Contracting: David Petrozza, Joseph Lisi, 

Mark Farano and Anthony Zambri 

Most Professional Bid: 1st Place ($1,000 

prize) – Team Tangent Construction: 

Gianluca Caligiuri and Albert Melchior 

Closest to Budgeted Price: 1st Place 

($1,000 prize) – RockSolid: Kegan 

Buchanan, Nick Walden, Jonathan Graf 

and Pascal Uwajeneza 

Members’ Day includes the TCA’s 

annual Open House, offering attendees 

a chance to check out the Construction 

Centre facilities, including the Physical 

Members' Day 

Plans Room and Electronic Plans Room. It 

also features a trade show, which showcases 

products and services for the construction 

industry at staffed supplier booths. |BD 

Some of the winners of the Construction Institute of Canada’s 2010 Simulated Student Bid Competition: Team 

Tangent Construction Inc.’s Gianluca Caligiuri (l) and Albert Melchior accept the $1,000 first place award for Most 

Professional Bid 

Cause 

Effect 

Programs 

designed by 

industry 

Job-ready 

graduates 

George Brown College programs are 

designed in partnership with industry to 

produce job-ready graduates for industry. 

Partner with us now to connect with your 

future construction professionals. 

Want to know more Contact us today. 

416-415-5000 Ext. 3817 

georgebrown.ca/build 

GBC_10009_Builder'sDigest_v1.indd 1 

Builders' Digest 1/25/10 Quarter 3:13:47 3 2010 PM | 25

SUSTAINABILITY 

GREEN IS GOOD, AS THEY SAY, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A 

tangled jungle for those trying to make 

their way through the myriad of products 

and services that are out there. While 

everyone is pushing for more sustainable 

building practices, those charged with 

getting the job done still face some tough 

challenges in understanding the market, 

its supplies and its practices. 

Fortunately in Ontario, help is on the 

way. A special centre showcasing and 

explaining sustainable construction technologies 

is set to open in Vaughan, in the 

southern part of the province, this fall. 

The Ontario Sustainable Construction 

and Resource Centre (OSCAR) promises 

to offer green building support and 

to lessen the knowledge gap that exists 

between suppliers, building professionals 

and the government sector on the topic 

of sustainable building practices. 

“Our goal is to increase the economic 

prosperity of Ontario’s green building 

products industry by offering services 

and programs that help drive innovation 

in our six ‘Ps’: product, practices, 

projects, policy, performance and service 

providers,” explains Julie Scarcella, the 

centre’s executive director, and the 

person who has spearheaded the project 

from the very beginning. 

A longtime sustainable building 

consultant and project manager through 

her own company, Blue Wilderness 

Management Group Inc., Scarcella has 

experienced the aforementioned ‘knowledge 

gap’ firsthand. She can easily cite 

stories reflecting the dire consequences 

of this information shortfall — from 

cutting-edge supplies gone bad due 

to improper storage, to projects held 

up for months because of government 

inspectors who lack knowledge on a new 

practice being employed. 

By way of example, Scarcella relates 

a recent experience in her own family. 

“My mother just built a cottage utilizing a 

Green Smarts 

A new Ontario resource centre promises muchneeded 

support and information on sustainable 

building products and practices 

wastewater system that was off the grid. It 

took two years to get approval through the 

municipality to get the system installed. 

The inspector had not [seen] that system 

before and the builder did not want to 

make reference to it. They didn’t know 

how to make it to code. It cost twice as 

much as my mother had budgeted for, 

and took twice as much time.” 

LOSSES ACROSS THE BOARD 

On a larger scale, building contractors 

face similar scenarios across the country 

every day, even with those supplies being 

manufactured right on their home turf 

in Canada. Like Scarcella’s mother, businesses 

are losing time and money in 

BY Roma Ihnatowycz 

the process, and this is where the new 

resource centre should be able to help. “If 

we are looking at time management and 

cost management, that is where OSCAR is 

going to assist,” notes Scarcella. 

Part of the problem is that the green 

manufacturing industry is so advanced 

that building professionals are having a 

hard time keeping up. As a result there 

is a certain disconnect, and reconnecting 

the dots is imperative in order to both 

optimize the technology and move the 

province forward as a leader in environmentally 

friendly construction. 

While OSCAR is a first for Ontario, 

many other countries, particularly in 

Western Europe, already have similar 


SUSTAINABILITY 

“ ” 

There is a lot of fine-tuning. There is a lot that we want to do, and it’s about honing 

in on the key services that OSCAR needs to provide and that the industry needs 

— Julie Scarcella, Executive Director, Ontario Sustainable Construction and Resource Centre 

sustainable resource centres in place, as does British Columbia 

here in Canada. Ontario is now playing catch-up — a strange 

scenario given that more than half of the country’s construction 

activity takes place in the province. 

Ontario also ranks high in terms of LEED buildings going up. 

Blue Wilderness reports that it has the greatest number of registered 

and certified LEED projects for all building types. That’s 

about 36 per cent of the market, compared to British Columbia 

with 24 per cent and Alberta with 16 per cent. 

With the help of the new centre, Scarcella hopes to position 

the province as a true leader in the green building sector in 

Canada. “It’s going to be one of OSCAR’s mandates,” she says. 

“There are many not-for-profit organizations with their own 

mandates in the province, but there hasn’t been leadership 

from a province-wide standpoint to look at the green building 

sector and what it represents.” 

OSCAR will act as a go-to information point for a wide range 

of interested parties, be they architects, construction professionals, 

tradespeople, students or the general public. If it’s tied 

to green building, OSCAR will have the answers people are 

looking for — information that is currently not readily available 

through traditional channels, and certainly not all in one location. 

“Take a water cistern,” notes Scarcella. “When it comes to 

finding a manufacturer, knowing how to install it properly, the 

correct specifications, critical documentation — this information 

is nowhere to be found. It’s difficult to find the information 

that you need to install the cistern and to utilize it. The second 

problem in Canada is that we don’t have product standards to 

help manufacturers reduce their carbon footprints.” 

The centre will also be a place where various professionals 

— from LEED consultants to manufacturers — can meet on 

common ground to learn and develop new ideas and technology. 

One of its goals is to combine the talents of the industry 

by working together to advance new partnerships, and to establish 

a physical ‘campus’ to foster education, sharing of ideas, 

demonstrations and innovation in the green building industry. 

needed to turn OSCAR into a fully operational resource centre. 

To date, there has been no financial support from the government; 

however, Scarcella and her staff of three are still working 

on this. 

The Centre will start operation slowly, opening for limited 

hours and offering select services to start, while it works on 

building and developing others. “There is a lot of fine-tuning,” 

says Scarcella. “There is a lot that we want to do, and it’s about 

honing in on the key services that OSCAR needs to provide and 

that the industry needs.” 

In the long term, training will be a key component of the 

service offerings, both on site and off. Plans are in place to 

introduce a ‘Training on Wheels’ program to bring OSCAR’s 

educational component to different regions across the province. 

“OSCAR can help all of Ontario. This is not a City of 

Vaughan project or a City of Toronto project. We want to get to 

the other regions,” says Scarcella. 

“‘Training on Wheels’ means that if we’re looking at specific 

construction materials or renewables, we can take that training 

to a satellite area. We can bring the training and the knowledge 

to a specific remote area. This probably won’t be realized until 

year three, but ‘Training on Wheels’ is an important component 

of our business plan.” 

OSCAR has already been embraced by 10 key industry associations, 

including the Toronto Construction Association, the 

Toronto Green Building Council and the Ontario Society of 

Professional Engineers. They view the resource centre as a valuable 

addition to the province’s green building playing field. As 

the project gains momentum, and opens its doors for business 

in the fall, everyone will be able to benefit from its services. |BD 

GRADUAL START 

OSCAR will operate as a not-for-profit corporation, and is 

expected to open in a limited capacity this fall, while continuing 

to seek necessary funding. Scarcella has invested more than 

$200,000 to get things off the ground; however, more funding is 


Walters Group

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING 

A New Kind 

of Model 

BIM fosters teamwork, nips 

project problems in the bud, 

supports LEED design – and is 

even changing construction’s 

legal landscape 


All images courtesy of Autodesk 

THE NEXT WAVE IS HERE. 

Maybe the term “tide” is more appropriate, as the use of Building Information Modelling 

— a term coined by design software vendor Autodesk, but which has since become 

a generic term for the process known as BIM — relentlessly advances as arguably the 

most significant evolution ever in construction technology. 

Properly defined, BIM is a process that delivers construction projects using parametric 

modelling of the building in virtual space, prior to construction. The model 

is then shared between and passed from discipline to discipline along the project 

delivery chain, with content being added and extracted as needed by the consulting 

and construction teams. 



“[BIM is] kind of a 

scary concept in the world 

of construction, but the 

idea should be that any 

discipline can look into this 

thing; it’s transparent and 

it brings the team together 

big-time — it’s all about 

collaboration 

” 

Al Prowse, President, 

H. Griffiths Co. Ltd. 

The living virtual model ultimately contains all pertinent 

information including building materials and specifications, 

constructability details, environmental design and building 

lifecycle data. BIM software provides all constituents of the 

construction process an end-to-end look at all elements of a 

building’s construction phases and overall lifecycle, and in the 

process enables closer and more effective co-operation between 

all of them. 

The resulting efficiencies are nothing short of startling, with 

anecdotal reports by some users of ROIs of 1000 per cent. 

McGraw Hill published a 2008 Smart Market Report on BIM 

that indicated the increasing adoption of BIM use even then. 

Co-sponsored by the buildingSMART Alliance, the Smart 

Market Report identified that experienced users (in the United 

States, at least) were realizing greater productivity, improved 

communications and a competitive edge when bidding work.* 

Al Prowse is President of H. Griffiths Co. Ltd., and the 

MCA Canada rep on the Canada BIM Council — the recently 

formed advocacy, resource and standards council for the 

process. Prowse explains that whereas before, everything 

was just put on paper and everybody worked it all out on 

site — which is quite costly — the concept behind BIM is that 

everybody shares in the development of the model. “Every 

time someone touches and handles this thing,” he says, 

“the model should be enriched — it should become more 

defined with more information. It’s kind of a scary concept 

in the world of construction, but the idea should be that any 

discipline can look into this thing; it’s transparent and it brings 

the team together big-time — it’s all about collaboration.” 

The fact that these constituents all get into the same room at 

the same time so early is itself a major shift from the old norm, 

according to Scott Burke, Solutions Consultant and Team 

Manager with AEC Solutions. “It simply didn’t happen. They 

would talk to each other when required and might be brought 



in later in the process. Now,” he says, 

“when a project starts, everybody who is 

going to be involved gets together in a 

room and talks about coordination, who 

is going to be responsible for what, and 

when the model should be ready to be 

delivered to an MEP engineer.” Burke 

notes that BIM causes more communication 

than previously possible “because we 

have this model with which to share the 

information in a much more dynamic, 

graphic and accurate way.” 

That information is the real power 

of BIM. “I always say that the ‘i’ in BIM 

should be capitalized,” emphasises Burke, 

“because that is the most important part 

of the process. As an engineer draws a 

structural component, the information 

about that component is embedded in 

the object, including engineering properties 

— the type of steel used, the weight of 

that steel and its dimensional properties.” 

INFORMATION EXCHANGE 

That all of this information can be so 

easily shared is part of what makes BIM 

so important to the industry. “If an 

MEP engineer changes the size of an 

air-handling unit — which changes its 

electrical properties — that information 

is automatically updated on the electrical 

engineer’s drawing so that he knows that 

the circuit might [need changing]. Once 

that change is made,” he explains, “the 

architect also sees that perhaps there 

is more room in the space because the 

air-handling unit is now smaller, so it’s 

the information sharing that is the key 

to BIM.” 

The other advantage to BIM is that 

it allows for the virtual testing of what 

Prowse calls the “what-if scenarios.” “Let’s 

say that you have a huge piece of equipment 

that has to come into a building 

throughout a construction cycle,” he 

explains. “When you know the exact 

physical requirements to get it through, 

you can hold off on putting this wall 

in, or on putting that piece of concrete 

there until that other task is done. All of 

a sudden, maybe you don’t need to bring 

in that crane and your costing can be 

controlled, your scheduling can be better 

planned — any time that you’re not taking 

steps backwards, you’re realizing savings.” 

One of the greatest advantages of 

BIM is in the area of design for LEED 

credits. “Previously,” notes Burke, “energy 

testing and analysis couldn’t be done 

until the building was built. Now, the 

HVAC engineer can take the Revit model 

from the architect and do his heat and 

energy load calculations on it to find out 

how much energy he is going to need to 

heat and cool the building. He can even 

make suggestions to the architect — ‘If 

you just rotate the building on the site 

by 15 degrees, we can save $5,000 a 

year in heating or cooling costs, or if we 

change the roof to this or the orientation 

of something,’ so BIM really is a huge 

advantage there.” 

This wholesale change in the process 

has also modified contractual arrangements. 

“The AIA [American Institute of 

Architects] here in the States,” says Burke, 

“has written whole new contracts for BIM 

because clarity is essential around issues 

like who owns the model, and who is 



responsible for what, so there is a whole 

new legal practice that is evolving out of 

BIM. In many respects HVAC engineers 

are becoming more responsible for things; 

overall, I think, there is still the same level 

of responsibility on everyone’s part, but 

it’s being shifted around a little bit.” 

Of all of the constituents realizing the 

advantages of BIM, Burke feels it’s the 

construction industry that is outpacing all 

in adopting the process, “because they’re 

all about bottom line and money and how 

to keep things from getting screwed up 

because they’re the ones who have to eat 

that, so the construction industry really 

seems to be latching onto BIM, either by 

requiring BIM models, or making their 

own from 2-D plans.” 

To that end, in fact, Autodesk has 

another product called Navisworks, 

a reading-only program designed to 

extract and co-ordinate information 


Canada’s Leading “SPECIALTY” 

Insurance Company 

Contract Surety 

Our experience in Contract Surety 

Bonding continues to build solid and 

long-term relationships between 

brokers and contractors. 

OTHER PRODUCTS: 

• Contract Surety • Directors’ and Officers’ Liability 

• Fidelity Bonds • Credit Insurance 

• Commercial/Miscellaneous Surety 

• ® (Executive Home and Automobile Insurance) 

 

SINCE 1872 

gcna.com


from BIM models from any company, not just Autodesk. “The 

construction industry is latching onto Navisworks,” explains 

Burke, “because it’s enabling them to take models from Bentley, 

ArchiCAD, Autodesk and any other company, combine it into 

one structure and then do their own interference reports, 

construction scheduling and so on. Navisworks is becoming the 

main tool of the construction industry.” 

Ultimately, BIM’s benefit is in eliminating the grey areas. “It 

takes you past the discussion along the lines of ‘it should work,’” 

emphasises Prowse, “because you can see right in the modelling 

that it will work. BIM is a huge advantage in planning and 

executing what we do.” 

*Download the free report: http://construction.ecnext. 

com/coms2/summary_0249-296182_ITM_analytics |BD 

ADVERTISERS INDEX 

Vol. 5 No.1 Quarter 3 2010 

Builders’ Digest 

BEC Equipment................................................42 

www.becequipment.ca 

BlueBeam Software Inc...................................11 

www.bluebeam.com 

C.W. Smith Crane 

Service Ltd....................................................... 3 

www.cwsmithcraneservice.com 

Continental Cabinet Company Inc..................39 

www.continentalcabinet.com 

Geninfo Solutions Inc......................................31 

www.geninfosolutions.com 

Heenan Blaikie Management Ltd...................23 

www.heenanblaikie.com 

George Brown College....................................25 

www.georgebrown.ca 

The Graff Company ULC..................................32 

www.graffconcrete.com 

The Graham Group..........................................30 

www.graham.ca 

The Guarantee Company of North America...33 

www.gcna.com 

Imaginit Technologies............................ 40 & 42 

www.rand.com 


KIB Restoration...............................................32 

www.kibrestoration.com 

CANet Ontario.................................................37 

www.canetontario.cc 

MAPEI Inc...................... Inside Front Cover & 42 

www.mapei.com 

Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP......................42 

www.mathewsdinsdale.com 

MFM Building Products Corp..........................21 

www.solutions.mfmbp.com 

Oakridge Kitchen & Bath/a Division of 

Oakridge Millwork Ltd...........Inside Back Cover 

www.oakridgekitchens.ca 

Ontario Construction Secretariat..................... 7 

www.iciconstruction.com 

Onyx Mechanical Ltd................................ 4 & 42 

www.onyxmech.com 

Permacon Group..............................................42 

www.permacon.ca 

Peterbilt of Canada.........................................42 

www.peterbilt.com 

RBC Financial Group........................................35 

www.rbc.com 

Schindler Elevator Corporation......................15 

www.ca.schindler.com 

Sobotec Ltd......................................................42 

www.sobotec.com 

Synstone..........................................................17 

www.synstone.com 

The TRH Group.................................................42 

www.trh-group.com 

Tractel Group..................................................... 8 

www.tractel.com 

Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company...........27 

www.trisura.com 

United Association Local 46............................22 

www.ualocal46.org 

United Rentals of Canada...................... 19 & 42 

www.ur.com 

Vipond Inc........................................................14 

www.vipond.ca 

Walters Group Inc............................................28 

www.waltersinc.com 

WeirFoulds LLP....................Outside Back Cover 

www.weirfoulds.com 

Zone Electric Inc..............................................42 

www.zonelectric.ca

To Lease 

or not 

to Lease 

Acquiring new equipment 

can be an effective way 

to boost productivity and 

increase capacity. Financing 

this investment in your 

business, however, can be 

one of the greatest challenges 

for many businesses. 

Business growth 

starts with a 

conversation. 

To take your construction business to the next level, 

RBC ® has dedicated teams of industry specialized 

account managers who have a deep understanding 

of what drives your market and business model. 

Leasing can be an efficient and 

effective financing alternative 

for managing growth and planning 

for the replacement of existing 

equipment and technology, while 

preserving cash flow. Paying for 

equipment outright may restrict 

cash which could be better deployed 

to finance sales (i.e. receivables 

and inventory) or distribute to 

shareholders. Avoiding the heavy 

up-front cash costs of purchasing 

equipment and reducing monthly 

finance payments are two of the key 

reasons why many companies prefer 

to lease. 

Is leasing right for your company 

First consider how long you will 

actually use the equipment in 

question. If you only need it for 

a limited time, if the equipment 

will soon become obsolete, or if 

you prefer to upgrade every couple 

of years, then leasing may be a 

better option. 

If you plan to keep the equipment 

for its entire useful life, it may or may 

not be better to buy it, depending on 

your cash flow requirements and tax 

situation. Some leases are structured for 

To start a conversation today, visit 

rbcroyalbank.com/commercial 

specialized purposes such as allowing 

your company to accelerate claims for tax 

credits; they can be advantageous even 

if you plan to keep the asset for its entire 

productive life. It is important to consider 

fully the financial implications before 

deciding between a lease, a loan or a 

cash purchase. 

It is generally not wise to pay for 

long-term assets with working capital. 

If you do, you may hinder your future 

ability to pay recurring obligations 

like rent, utilities or payroll if business 

conditions get tougher. 

Before deciding to lease, compare the 

total leasing cost with the total cost of 

financing the purchase price by way of 

a loan. Remember to include the costs 

of any loan interest, insurance and 

taxes that you can expect to pay if 

you own the asset. 

Bottom line 

Leasing can be an ideal form of financing 

for both income-producing equipment 

as well as leasehold improvements, 

computers, office furniture and many 

other equipment requirements. 

For more information about how 

RBC can help you and your business, 

speak with an RBC Construction 

Specialist today by calling 

1-800 ROYAL ® 2-0. Or visit 

www.rbcroyalbank.com/commercial 

to learn more. 

TM 

These materials are provided by Royal Bank of Canada for general information purposes only. 

® 

Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada.

profile 

View from 

THE TOP 

A willingness to face new challenges has brought 

Chris Gower a long way in a short time 


THERE IS A COMMON THREAD TO BE FOUND IN 

the successful and still growing career 

of Chris Gower, PCL Constructors’ 

regional vice president for Central and 

Eastern Canada: people. Gower was 

recently named to the “Top 40 Under 

40,” an annual listing and awards event 

organized by executive search firm 

The Caldwell Partners International 

to honour Canadians under 40 for 

outstanding achievement. 

Over his 15-year PCL career, Gower has 

managed multimillion-dollar construction 

projects, including the $396-million 

Infield Development project at the 

Lester B. Pearson International Airport 

in Toronto, and has been responsible for 

more than $1.3 billion of work in Ontario 

and the Atlantic provinces. 

All of this can be traced back to 

his London high school years when 

Gower was given a chance to work some 

construction with his older brother, one 

of several mentoring figures he credits for 

this recent accolade. 

Gower found intrigue in the idea that 

in constructing something, he was able to 

leave a little bit of himself behind. Soon 

he was enrolled in a Fanshawe College 

course in construction engineering, technology 

and management. “It’s funny,” he 

says, “because you start off framing houses 

and not really thinking in broader terms 

about what the industry has to offer. I 

just loved what I was doing; reading blueprints, 

building buildings and just being 

part of all of that. From there, college 

broadened my curiosity about other 

aspects of the business — the engineering, 

legal and people side of the business.” 

A stint with Altus Helyar as a quantity 

surveyor and cost consultant after college 

gave Gower a foundation for the business 

— a sense of how projects were 

financed and the economics behind 

the business. Eventually, he felt the pull 

of the building aspect of the business 

that first attracted him and he took 

a junior estimator position at PCL 


profile 

“ 

There have been lots of people who have helped along the way, from old-time 

superintendents who helped you get through that first job, to that district manager who 

pushed you into a job that you didn’t think you could do 

” 

— Chris Gower, regional vice president, PCL Constructors 

before getting into project management. Following a stint 

as PCL district manager in Saskatchewan, he was called 

back to Toronto to take on the series of positions that led 

him to his current office just over a year and a half ago. 

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES 

It’s been a relatively swift trip, which Gower attributes to a 

willingness to step out of his comfort zone. “I think some 

people are debilitated by fear or an inability to take on the 

next role,” he explains, “where we really don’t know all of 

the answers, but you figure it out as you go. For me, I’ve 

been somewhat fearless in taking on new challenges, and 

I haven’t been afraid to fail. The other thing is; when you 

do fail — and everybody does to varying degrees — I always 

thought it was really important to learn from those things.” 

Gower is also quick to credit the people who were there to 

support him as he made his mistakes. “I’ve had tons of great 

mentors and I share this accolade in a large part with PCL. 

There have been lots of people who have helped along the way, 

from old-time superintendents who helped you get through 

that first job, to that district manager who pushed you into a 

job that you didn’t think you could do, or the president of an 

organization who enabled you to take on an opportunity out of 

province to try new things that way. Our company is really big 

on mentoring, and I didn’t get here by myself, that’s for sure.” 

Now that he is here, Gower has his eyes on two major industry 

issues: government funding and foreign rules of competition. 

He is supportive of industry efforts to persuade the government 

to continue injecting money into the system amid 

rumours that it is going to begin tightening those purse strings. 

“Certainly, they have to do that in a timely manner because they 

can’t continue to spend forever, but construction is such a huge 

factor in the GDP that if it’s sustained by itself, it’s going to help 

the overall economic picture. If the government turns off the 

tap, the whole industry is going to get real quiet because the 

private sector hasn’t yet kicked in following the economic crash 

to any great degree — it’s coming, but it’s not nearly at a volume 

that will replace the funding provided by the government.” 

Gower would also like to see more focus on the evaluation 

criteria relating to foreign competition. “There is nothing 

wrong with bringing international competition into the 

marketplace,” he emphasizes, “but there has to be some 

fairness around how they’re assessed and evaluated against 

local competition. We need a level playing field, because if it’s 

not, the government thinks that it’s buying smarter and better, 

and maybe it’s not and the money is just leaving the country.” 

THE HOME FRONT 

Despite a demanding work schedule that has recently expanded 

to include responsibility for a new PCL office in Australia, 

Gower is actively involved in the community, loaning his efforts 

to associations such as The Darling Home for Kids (formally 

the Rose Cherry Home). Very occasionally, he can be found on 

a golf course, or out for a rare dinner with his wife of 16 years. 

More likely, though, he’s at his 11-year-old son’s games, or at his 

8-year-old daughter’s dance performances. 

Travel is also an integral part of their family life, as the Gowers 

try to instill a love of learning about other places and people in 

their kids. Having explored France last year, plans are underway 

for a trek to Italy this year. 

You get the sense that part of the reason Gower wants to take 

his kids outside of their suburban geographical box is to show 

them the wonders the world can hold for them if they only have 

the courage to get out there. That, and the fact that everywhere 

they go in life, to whatever place on the planet, there will be 

people to teach them life’s most valuable lessons. 

Fearlessness and an appreciation for what people can teach 

an open mind, after all, have taken Gower himself this far along 

his own journey. |BD 


BUSINESS PRACTICES & CHALLENGES 

BRINGING TOGETHER A GROUP OF LIKE-MINDED 

professionals to share solutions to their 

problems has recently gained ground on 

Internet blogs and with various special 

interest groups across the country. The 

reasoning behind it is simple: individuals 

who have devised solutions to unique 

industry obstacles are best positioned to 

help others facing similar challenges. 

This was top of mind when the Toronto 

Construction Association decided to step 

into the fray with its newly established 

Small Business Best Practices Committee. 

The committee aims to assist TCA 

members by providing them with a valuable 

forum to learn from their peers. This 

type of in-house ‘brain trust’ represents a 

first for the organization. 

“The concept is to create an opportunity 

for business owners of small-and mediumsized 

enterprises to brainstorm on best 

practices for building a better business in 

the construction industry,” explains TCA 

volunteer and Chartered Accountant 

Joel Baker, who spearheaded the concept 

and chairs the committee. “It’s about 

giving members something of value.” 

How exactly will best practices be 

determined The beauty of such a forum, 

notes Baker, is that it will be ‘organic’ in 

nature and that solutions will be established 

in the course of discussion. “It’s an 

exchange of ideas, recommendations and 

solutions that have proven to be effective 

for our constituents. We’ve all learned 

lessons along the way about running our 

businesses more effectively — why not 

share them” asks Baker, a partner with 

SBLR LLP Chartered Accountants, a 

Toronto-based firm that specializes in the 

construction sector. 

“It’s about working on your business 

rather than just working in your business,” 

Industry 

Think-Tank 

“We’ve all learned lessons along the way about 

running our businesses more effectively — why not 

share them” – Joel Baker 




benefit from the open exchange of 

information. “We will take minutes of 

the meetings and then write up everything 

in the newsletters that the TCA 

puts out,” says Baker. “As a result, we 

can let members at large know the best 

practices of other business owners.” 

FOCUS ON SMEs 

Committee members will be small and 

medium-sized business owners, owing to 

the fact that they represent by far the association’s 

largest constituency — upwards 

of 90 per cent of the TCA membership. 

“We want to appeal to the majority of the 

constituency. Talking about problems 

that relate to a large public contractor 

wouldn’t relate to 95 per cent of the 

constituency. Similarly, the committee is 

not intended to deal with individuals that 

contract business,” Baker says. 

Baker likens the setup to a think-tank 

for construction professionals, and says 

continues Baker. “A lot of business owners 

are busy hammering the nails and not 

paying attention to details like contracts, 

recruitment and cost controls. Those are 

the types of issues that these people have 

to discuss.” 

Baker, who also sits on the TCA’s Strategic 

Planning Committee and its Allied 

Professionals Committee, will chair the 

meetings, which will take place four to 

six times annually. While limited to a 

workable group of about 25 members, a 

complete overview of the discussion — 

and any valuable information gleaned 

from it — will be shared with the entire 

TCA membership via the association’s 

monthly newsletter. 

This way, all TCA members can 

Continental Cabinet Company Inc 

547 Clarke Road, London ON N5V 2E1 

Phone: 519-455-3830 • Fax: 519-455-9993 

Email: Email: reception@continentalcabinet.com 

pvolk@continentalcabinet.com 

Website: continentalcabinet.com 



Joel Baker: the new committee combines cooperation with confidentiality 

(BIM) 

Is there a REAL benefit to BIM 

for General Contractors 

BIM helps general contractors 

and builders gain a competitive 

advantage with: 

• Better insight into 

constructability and 

materials costs, before a 

project begins 

• Improved coordination and 

clash detection, leading to 

fewer errors and change 

orders 

• Enhanced 4D construction 

scheduling, linking 

timelines to 3D building 

model geometry to keep 

projects on track 

Contact us TODAY! 

Brian Gauthier 

Senior Account Representative 

bgauthier@rand.com 

T: 905-625-2000 Ext. 5230 

www.rand.com/imaginit 

he was inspired by organizations such as the Young Presidents’ 

Organization (YPO), an online global networking forum of 

young CEOs for the exchange of ideas. “What happens is that 

you get a group of like-minded business owners in an industry 

together and they feel free to share issues that they are experiencing. 

The true value, however, is realized by sharing solutions 

that have worked for them,” says Baker. 

Tackling small business challenges head-on will strengthen 

the value proposition delivered to TCA members, which in turn 

will help grow the association’s membership base. It will boost 

the TCA’s capacity to help members cope with the many hurdles 

they face by allowing them to apply the very tangible skills and 

knowledge provided by the broad range of construction professionals 

that will sit on the committee. 

Also, and perhaps most importantly, this tangible business 

benefit will be delivered at no cost. For smaller companies 

trying to shepherd their organizations through a rocky market, 

this represents a much-appreciated complimentary resource. 

Topics for the meetings will vary in scope and subject matter, 

based first and foremost on relevance. Ideas already being 

floated include business improvement and growth concepts, 

strategic business planning, performance indicators, business 

transition planning, accounting and cost-control systems, to 

name a few. 

For those concerned about confidentiality and competition, 

Baker stresses this shouldn’t pose a concern. In many cases businesses 

are not direct competitors, and if they are, their owners 

can be guarded in the knowledge they share. “One business 

may be in the not-for-profit sector, and the other in the housing 

industry, so there is not a conflict of interest or a competitive 

issue,” points out Baker. “And if there is, they may choose not 

to share certain things. But what’s wrong with sharing best 

practices in human resources or employee benefits Or insurance 

tips, accounting systems, or remuneration to the CEO 

Everyone can benefit from that type of exchange.” 

Clearly, challenges specific and unique to the construction 

industry are best suited for discussion in a forum of like-minded 

professionals. By bringing together builders, contractors and 

suppliers actively working in construction, industry-specific challenges 

can be fully assessed, dissected and resolved — whether 

it’s looking at how to attract young people to the profession, 

or dealing with the bonding industry, or putting together the 

best construction contract. Only a group of skilled construction 

professionals can explore these and other industry-specific 

topics to their full extent. 

On a final note, aside from the educational benefit of joining 

the committee, its volunteers will also be doing something for 

the good of the TCA and its members. This represents an added 

incentive to get on board and help out. “As a member of an 

association, you want to take part in it,” says Baker. “That is why 

members join an association . . . to help make it strong, and to 

help it benefit the industry. You get what you give.” |BD 

The TCA is currently looking for volunteers to sit on its 

Small Business Best Practices Committee. Those interested in 

joining can contact Lenore Villeneuve, committee coordinator, at 

lvilleneuve@tcaconnect.com, 416-499-4000, ext. 113. 



Upcoming Events 

Collaborative Web-Based Process: 

The Next Technology Step in Construction 

Construct Canada 2010 

The Close Out – Best Practices for 

Closing out a Construction Project 

ADR: Why Litigation May Be Like Working Without a Hard- 

Hat: Learn More about ADR – the Cost-Effective Alternative 

TCA Christmas Lunch 

Export Ready – Diversifying your Business 

beyond North America 

TCA Annual General Meeting 

TCA Ski Day 

Annual Golf Classic 

007 Diamond Casino Gala 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 

Location: TCA 

Wednesday, December 1 to Friday, December 3, 2010 

Location: Metro Convention Centre 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 

At Construct Canada 

Thursday, December 2, 2010 


Friday, December 3, 2010 

Location: Metro Convention Centre 

2011, date to be confirmed 

Airport Hotel, Toronto 

Thursday, January 27, 2011 

Woodbine Entertainment Centre 

Friday, February 25, 2011 

Alpine Ski Club, Collingwood 

Tickets go on sale January 3, 2011 

Thursday, May 19, 2011 

Copper Creek & Eagles Nest Golf Clubs 

Tickets go on sale April 2, 2011 

Saturday, February 11, 2012 

Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex 

For further information please contact Mary McBride, Special Events Coordinator • Email mmcbride@tcaconnect.com 

Toronto Construction Association, 70 Leek Crescent, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 1H1 • www.tcic.ca 

Young Construction Executives Club 

Thursday, November 11, 2010 

YCEC Annual Pub Night 

Madison Avenue Pub 

14 Madison Avenue, near Spadina and Bloor, Toronto 

YCEC Family Skate/Hockey 

Saturday, January 29, 2011 

Brampton Powerade Centre 

Poker Night March 2011 

YCEC Toronto Harbour Boat Cruise June 2011 

YCEC Board of Directors Golf Invitational September 2011 

Working Weekend – Leadership for Young Executives October 2011 

Pub Night November 2011 

For further information please contact Erin Cimino, Manager, Special Projects • Email ecimino@tcaconnect.com 

The Construction Institute of Canada 

Seminar: Construction Liens and Trusts Thursday, November 18, 2010 

Course: Help with Green Building Rating Systems Tuesday, November 23, 2010 to Tuesday, January 11, 2011 

Workshop: The Close-Out Project 

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 


Construction Management Essentials Part 1 

Monday, January 10, 2011 

Ten weeks 

Blueprint Reading and Estimating Level 1 

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 

Ten weeks 

Construction Management Essentials Part 2 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 

Ten weeks 

Planning and Scheduling 

Thursday, January 13, 2011 

Ten weeks 

The Leadership Challenge Wednesday, March 2 to Friday, March 4, 2011 

For further information please contact Roxanne Drisdelle, Professional Development Co-ordinator at 

(416) 499-4000 ext. 116 • Email rdrisdelle@tcaconnect.com • www.tcic.ca 

The 


Institute of 

Canada 


BUYERS' & SOURCE GUIDE 

Aluminium Building Panels 

Backhoe Equipment 

Concrete Masonry Products 

SOBOTEC LTD. 

67 BURFORD ROAD 

HAMILTON, ON L8E 3C6 

Vladimir Sobot 

vdsobot@sobotec.com 

Tel.: 905-578-1278 / Fax: 905-578-1446 

Website: www.sobotec.com 

BEC EQUIPMENT 

1780 BONHILL ROAD 

MISSISSAUGA ON L5T 1C8 

George Conley 

Tel.: 905-670-7678 / Fax: 905-670-7260 

Website: www.becequipment.ca 

PERMACON GROUP 

8375 5TH SIDE ROAD 

MILTON, ON L9T 2X7 

Marcus Poirier 

cs.milton@permacon.ca 

Tel.: 1-800-265-0692 / Fax: 905-875-4216 

Website: www.permaconpro.ca 

Electrical Contractor 

Equipment Rentals 

Insurance 

® 

electric inc. 

ZONE ELECTRIC INC. 

37 SEWELLS LANE 

BRAMPTON, ON L7A 2Z9 

Henry Medley 

info@zonelectric.ca 

Tel.: 416-628-9681 / Fax: 905-495-1532 

Website: www.zonelectric.ca 

Lawyers 

MATHEWS DINSDALE & CLARK LLP 

1 QUEEN ST EAST, 25th Floor 

TORONTO, ON M5C 2Z1 

Theresia Skoberne 

tskoberne@mathewsdinsdale.com 

Tel.: 416-869-8556 / Fax: 416-862-8247 

Website: www.mathewsdinsdale.com 

UNITED RENTALS 

2790 ARGENTIA ROAD 

MISSISSAUGA, ON L5N 8L2 

C. Freeborn 

cfreeborn@ur.com 

Tel.: 416-433-9644 / Fax: 647-723-0364 

Website: www.ur.com 

(BIM) 

Is there a REAL benefit to BIM 

for General Contractors 

BIM helps general contractors 

and builders gain a competitive 

advantage with: 

• Better insight into 

Manufactured Tile & Stone Installation constructability and 

& Concrete Restoration Systems materials costs, before a Mechanical 

project begins 

• Improved coordination and 

clash detection, leading to 

fewer errors and change 

orders 

• Enhanced 4D construction 

MAPEI INC. 

scheduling, linking ONYX MECHANICAL LTD. 

2130 WILLIAMS PARKWAY 

timelines to 3D building 214 WILKINSON RD 

BRAMPTON, ON L6S 5X7 

model geometry BRAMPTON, to keep ON L6T 4M4 

John Wm. Sommers 

projects on trackKaren Backus 

jsommers@mapei.com 

Contact us TODAY! 

karen@onyxmech.com 

Tel.: 905-799-2663 / Fax: 905-799-2436 

Tel.: 905-866-6699 / Fax: 905-866-6690 

Website: www.mapei.com Brian Gauthier Website: www.onyxmech.com 

Senior Account Representative 

bgauthier@rand.com 

T: 905-625-2000 Ext. 5230 

www.rand.com/imaginit 

TRISURA GUARANTEE INSURANCE COMPANY 

70 YORK STREET, SUITE 1100 

TORONTO, ONTARIO M5J 1S9 

Sarah Mainella 

sarah.mainella@trisura.com 

Tel.: 416-214-2555 / Fax: 416-214-9597 

Website : www.trisura.com 

Safety, Environmental 

Training & Education 

Technologies 

Truck Manufacturers 

THE TRH GROUP 

261 MILWAY AVENUE, UNIT #1 

CONCORD, ON L4K 3K9 

Al Aiello 

sales@trh-group.com 

Tel: 905-669-9517 / Fax: 905-669-9496 

Toll Free: 800-806-8444 

Website: www.trh-group.com 


IMAGINIT TECHNOLOGIES 

905 BEACH AVENUE 

VANCOUVER, BC V6Z 1E1 

Nathania MacGregor 

nmacgregor@rand.com 

Tel.: 604-270-7660 / Fax: 604-270-7630 

Website: www.rand.com 

PETERBILT OF CANADA 

6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD, SUITE 501 

MISSISSAUGA, ON L5N 4J8 

Greg Grabinsky 

greg.grabinsky@paccar.com 

Tel.: 905-858-7097 / Fax: 905-858-7091 

Website: www.peterbilt.com

Oakridge Kitchens - Affordable Elegance 

At Oakridge Kitchens we build kitchens, vanities, media centres, wall units, and bars. 

We deliver quality workmanship and functional designs, customized to suit your needs, at a reasonable price. 

Multi-unit Kitchens: OAKRIDGE KITCHENS line of multi-unit 

kitchens is designed and manufactured with the condo, apartment 

units and rental market in mind. 

Custom Kitchens: Our expertise in kitchen cabinets covers the 

entire gamut, from multi-unit kitchens all the way to beautifully 

designed and custom made kitchens. 

Bathroom Vanities: Let Oakridge Kitchens custom design your 

bathroom vanity and turn your bathroom into an oasis of comfort. 

Wall Units: Your custom built wall unit or media centre will look 

good, keep you organized, hide equipment, wires and connectors 

and be the focal point of your room. 

Bars: A room with an ambience of fun and enjoyment that can add 

an entirely new dimension to your home. 

Architectural Millwork: Your place of business needs to be 

efficient and functional and it needs to tell your employees, 

colleagues and customers something about your company. Unique, 

custom designed architectural millwork can help set your place of 

business, and your company, apart from the rest. 

Our company: Our family owned and operated business is proud 

of our innovative designs, quality workmanship and exceptional 

service. The Oakridge team consists of Paul DiGirolamo, 

responsible for design and custom millwork; Lorenzo DiGirolamo, 

responsible for production and field installations; and Michael 

DiGirolamo, in charge of sales, marketing and customer service. 

Protecting your environment: We are Environmentally Friendly 

Certified. Oakridge Kitchens now offers the choice of utilizing urea 

formaldehyde free plywood and particle core materials. 

Quality Statement Oakridge products are guaranteed to give 

100% satisfaction in every way. If our product or service proves 

otherwise, we promise to correct the problem to the complete 

satisfaction of our customers. All of our products and installations 

are warranted against materials defect and workmanship. This has 

been our family tradition since 1992. 

9 Bradwick Dr., Concord, Ontario L4K 2T4 

Ph: (905) 761-2815 Fax: (905) 761-5984 

ouzi@oakridgemillwork.ca

“WeirFoulds has serviced our 

corporate, real estate, leasing, 

design-build, construction, 

consulting and other legal needs 

for more than 35 years, as we 

expanded from a single location to a 

multi-faceted complex of companies 

with offices throughout the world.” 

Victor Smith, CEO, Ingenium Group Inc., 

An Integrated Consulting and Design-Build Company 

grew up with WeirFoulds. 

To find out more, call Glenn Ackerley 

at 416.947.5008 or email him at 

ackerley@weirfoulds.com. 

Protect your future. Gain a competitive advantage. WeirFoulds LLP. 

416.365.1110 

www.weirfoulds.com

A NEW DAY A NEW DAY - Toronto Construction Association

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?