Ontario General Contractors host 15th Construction Symposium

The snow may have disappeared, but there it was still busy at the Blue Mountain Resort, which hosted the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) 15th Construction Symposium.

The two-day event feature numerous sessions and discussions covering wide-ranging topics of concern for OGCA members, including a panel on the uncertainty created by U.S. tariffs. Led by Jesse Gardner and Cheryl Labiris of Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, the session discussed how increased material costs and supply chain disruptions are delay projects and leading to increased disputes as parties seek to shift the risk of rising costs.

Another session, led by Daniel Meissner of EllisDon made the case for tech collaboration in construction and how it can be an advantage when we find opportunities for collaboration. “When everyone can’t connect, it’s not a technology problem, it’s a structural problem.”

Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario and MPP for Hamilton-Mountain Monica Ciriello delivered an address over lunch touting the government’s recent amendments to Ontario’s Construction Act. “It’s about having a legal framework that reflects modern construction and that when (the construction industry) is ready to build, government isn’t standing in your way.”

The title lived up to its name at “Top 10 Reasons Contractors Succeed.” The session, led by Devon Maltby, Joe Garvey, and Michael Crossley of Travelers Canada, laid out the keys to success for GCs, including safety as a core value, financial strength, effective leadership and having a culture of engagement.

The event concluded with the handing out of the OGCA’s annual Ontario Builder Awards.

Ontario Builder Award Winners

Project Value up to $5 Million – Buildings

Rutherford Contracting— Alpen Fury Station & Gift Shop

Project Value up to $5 Million – Industrial

Collaborative Structures Limited— AIM Recycling Kitchener

Project Value up to $5 Million – Renovation/Conversion

Collaborative Structures Limited— Conestoga College Indigenous Classrooms Renovation

Project Value up to $5 Million – Speciality/Niche

Collaborative Structures Limited— University of Waterloo Indigenous Gathering Circle

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Buildings

Collaborative Structures Limited—University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre 

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Environmental

JCB Construction Canada—Peterborough Fire Station #2 

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Industrial

Maple Reinders—Trent Severn Waterway – Northern Area Dams

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Innovation

Collaborative Structures Limited—University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre 

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Renovation/Conversion

BDA Inc.— TPL Bridlewood Library Renovation

Project Value from $5 Million to $25 Million – Speciality/Niche

Collaborative Structures Limited— University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Buildings

Percon Construction—Foyer Richelieu Welland 

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Environmental

Eastern Construction—Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Administrative Headquarters 

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Industrial

Maple Reinders—Siltech Manufacturing Plant

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Innovation

Eastern Construction—Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Administrative Headquarters  

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Renovation/Conversion

Percon Construction—Burnhamthrope Community Centre

Project Value from $25 Million to $75 Million – Speciality/Niche

The Dalton Company—King Animal Hospital

Project Value from $75 Million to $150 Million – Buildings

Gillam Group—8188 Yonge Street  

Project Value from $75 Million to $150 Million – Innovation

Buttcon—Toronto Research Chemicals Project Niagara

Project Value from $75 Million to $150 Million – Renovation/Conversion

PLC Constructors—Scotiabank Arena Venue Reimagination (VRI) Phase 2

Project Value from $150 Million to $300 Million – Buildings

PCL Constructors—Limberlost Place

Project Value from $150 Million to $300 Million – Renovation/Conversion

PLC Constructors—Rogers Centre Renovation Phase 2

Project Value over $300 Million – Buildings

EllisDon Corporation—Michael Garron Hospital

Project Value over $300 Million – Industrial

Alberici Constructors—NextStar Energy Battery Plant

Featured image: Ontario General Contractor’s Association president Giovanni Cautillo. (OGCA)