September/October 2020 Addressing Market Capacity Securing Social License The Evolution of P3s SAFETY FIRST KEEPING WORKERS HEALTHY DURING THE PANDEMIC

CELEBRATES 15 YEARS

Contents

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

PROCUREMENT 30 The Evolution of P3s Public-private partnerships 8 Accelerated Construction continue to adapt to the ReNew Canada sits down needs of the Canadian with Infrastructure Ontario’s infrastructure market. Michael Lindsay to discuss By Mark Romoff the Government of Ontario’s Accelerated Build Pilot Program. By Andrew Macklin TRANSPORTATION 34 Traversing the Fraser GOVERNANCE One of Canada’s most controversial 10 Struggling for Funding megaproject replacements may Canada’s urban centres look finally have a resolution. for ways to fund infrastructure By Carroll McCormick as revenues plummet due to COVID-19. RESILIENCE By Andrew Macklin 18 38 Investing in Buildings Why targeted investments in public HEALTH AND SAFETY buildings could be the best bet 14 Keeping Everyone Safe for a resilient economic recovery. How the industry has come By Elliott Cappell and Ryan Ness together to share resources and best practices to keep everyone LEADERSHIP safe during the pandemic. By Andrew Macklin 42 Securing Social License How companies can take a LABOUR proactive approach to working with Indigenous communities. 18 Addressing By Ross Holden Market Capacity Understanding how labour TOP100 PROJECTS 30 trends in Canada could impact our ability to build infrastructure 46 Top100 in the years to come. Projects Update By Andrew Macklin Broadway Subway contract award, Grande Prairie 15th ANNIVERSARY Regional Hospital completion 22 The Evolution DEPARTMENTS of an Industry In celebration of our fifteenth 4 Editor’s Note anniversary, we look back Andrew Macklin on why at the biggest projects, policies, traditional rail may be making and priorities in the past a comeback in Canada. 15 years of Canadian public 5 Front sector infrastructure. Bird Construction acquisition, 14 38 By Andrew Macklin St. John’s hospital consortium 26 Cover Review 48 People & Events A celebration of all 90 issues. Appointments, announcements, 28 Fifteen Years Later company news, and event reports. Industry leaders share their 50 Closing Shot perspectives on the biggest Todd Latham reflects on changes in Canadian infrastructure 15 years of ranting and raving in the past 15 years. about Canadian infrastructure.

View this year’s See photos of the Key Players Top100 report at and Owners Dinner at 22 top100projects.ca top100projects.ca/celebrate renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 3 Editor’s Note THE REBIRTH

OF RAIL? September/October 2020 Volume 18 Number 5 By Andrew Macklin MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Macklin t looks like traditional rail could more efficient access to the economic be making a significant comeback centres in downtown Toronto and GROUP PUBLISHER Todd Latham in Canada. the Pearson business area, while also I PUBLISHER Nick Krukowski It started with the announcement allowing regional economic hub growth ART DIRECTOR AND Donna Endacott that tens of billions of dollars would in cities like Kitchener-Waterloo and SENIOR DESIGNER be invested in the expansion and London. This is a similar scenario to ASSOCIATE EDITOR Simran Chattha modernization of the GO Rail Corridor the opportunity that presents itself with DIGITAL MARKETING serving residents of the Greater Toronto the project in the Pacific Northwest, Becky Umweni COORDINATOR area and beyond. Since then, three key improving transportation access to rail links have been discussed that could major centres while promoting economic EVENT MANAGER Natasha Mawji

change the transit landscape in Canada: growth in additional stops along the CONTRIBUTORS Elliott Cappell, Ontario’s proposed high-speed rail link way. But the Toronto-Windsor project Ross Holden, Todd Latham, Carroll McCormick, from Toronto to Windsor, the new ultra- also presents an opportunity to improve Ryan Ness, Mark Romoff

high-speed corridor from Vancouver housing affordability, giving people who Nick Krukowski ADVERTISING to Seattle, and the recently-announced work in Toronto the chance to potentially [email protected] Calgary-Banff rail project. buy housing in a less expensive market ADVISORS Nick Reid, James Sbrolla In addition, we’ve also heard from and commute to the office. VIA Rail during that time about the The Calgary-Banff project also has a potential for high-frequency service housing hook, as Banff is unable to add along the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal- additional accommodations, making it Quebec City corridor, and the rail near impossible for service workers to ReNew Canada is published six times a year by Actual Media Inc. service leading to Churchill, Manitoba live there, but also makes a case from has been repaired. the tourism perspective. Instead of High-speed rail is already established having to rent a car to get to Banff, the 150 Eglinton Ave. E, #806, Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 Phone: 416-444-5842 in other global jurisdictions, like Europe train would allow for easier day trip Subscription/customer services: 416-444-5842 ext. 7 and Asia, but Canada has been slow to access to the community. join the party. The established links are And we have already seen the benefits providing rapid service from city centres of expedited rail access from city centre to airports, outlying communities, and to the airport with the opening of the business hubs. The business model has Union-Pearson Express a few years been established thanks to existing buy- ago. Cities with airports well away from in to rail use in many of those countries. the city centre can use rail to avoid And that’s the likely reason why automobile congestion and provide Canada, and our neighbours to the faster travel times, similar to what is south, have been slow to develop high already in use in cities like Stockholm. speed and high frequency rail assets. The economic cases for new rail ReNew Canada subscriptions are Where rail travel has been a constant lines are beginning to grow in Canada, available for $39.95/year or $64.95/two years over decades, and even centuries, and that’s without even factoring in and include the annual Top100 Projects report. in the aforementioned regions, the the dollar value of the environmental ©2020 Actual Media Inc. All rights reserved. automobile-based transportation system benefits of the service. The contents of this publication may not be in Canada has made rail travel a low We could be seeing a new reproduced by any means in whole or in part, without consideration for many people. transportation renaissance playing out prior written consent from the publisher. What’s interesting about what is going across this country. Printed in Canada on in Canada is that the growth in rail "ReNew Canada" and "ReThink. ReBuild. ReNew" are Trademarks of Actual Media Inc. isn’t serving a singular purpose across all proposed projects. The case for the Andrew Macklin is the managing Toronto to Windsor project in Ontario editor of ReNew Canada. centres around business, providing [email protected]

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4 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ABOUT THE COVER Front Implementing new safety measures on jobsites is crucial in order to keep construction going during the pandemic. Learn more on page 14.

N.S. BREAKS GROUND ON TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY PROJECT

The Quebec Ministry of Transportation has selected a consortium to rehabilitate the 1.5-kilometre Louis-Hippolyte- Lafontaine tunnel in Montreal. The $1.143 billion design-build-finance contract has been ACCELERATED awarded to Renouveau La Fontaine, which consists of three companies: a 50-50 joint venture between France-based Vinci subsidiaries Eurovia and Dodin Campenon Bernard and Quebec- BUILDS COMING based Pomerleau. The rehabilitation work aims to improve tunnel safety, optimize TO ONTARIO traffic, and promote car-sharing and public transport. The work he Ontario government announced that a new long- will be carried out between early 2021 and July 2025 and will term care home will be built at Lakeridge Health’s include the following: Ajax Pickering Hospital site. The project is part Tunnel: Repairing the structure; installing new fire protection T of the province’s Accelerated Build Pilot Program, which facings; landscaping and architectural finishes; modernizing all will work to build new facilities like this one in months electrical, electromechanical, and supervisory infrastructure; and, rather than years. By working with Lakeridge Health and deploying new technologies to increase operator and user safety. Infrastructure Ontario, the province intends to build up to Access roads: Widening the A20 motorway with the addition of 320 new long-term care beds by 2021 at this site. a new bus and car-sharing lane, as well as rehabilitating 25 km of The pilot program is part of the government’s plan to create pavement (on the A25 and A20), and an interchange. new long-term care beds across the province that include The financing package includes a bank loan from a syndicate of features such as air conditioning and private or semi-private five Canadian banks and a Japanese bank. The federal government rooms, beginning immediately. will contribute $427 million to the project while the cities of Details about the new project were provided today by Montreal and Boucherville are contributing $3 million and $1.1 Premier Doug Ford who was joined by Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, million, respectively. Minister of Long-Term Care, Sharon Cochran, chair of the The tunnel was opened in 1967 and is the longest underwater Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees, John Henry, regional structure in Canada, covering a distance of 1.5 km beneath the chair and CEO for the Regional Municipality of Durham, and Saint-Lawrence River. It is a critical transport corridor for the Shaun Collier, Mayor of Ajax. Montreal area, linking the eastern part of the Island of Montreal “With our new modernized funding model and this to the city of Longueuil. Approximately 120,000 vehicles travel innovative pilot program, we will get shovels in the ground through the tunnel on a daily basis. faster on these critical projects and ensure more seniors get the quality care they deserve,” said Premier Doug Ford. NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Through the use of hospital lands, and a range of accelerating measures such as modular construction and THE PARTNERSHIPS ISSUE rapid procurement, the government and its partners are targeting completion of the project in 2021, years faster than Disruptive Breaking into Shifting the traditional timeline. Lakeridge Health will work with Design the Market Investment Infrastructure Ontario to manage the day-to-day construction Building Working in Quebec health oversight, monitor commissioning, and provide timely status infrastructure infrastructure investments focus reporting on progress. to support throughout on secondary “This project is a key step towards repairing the cracks in disasters. Canada. markets. our long-term care system, addressing our growing waitlist, building healthier communities, and ending hallway health care,” said Minister of Long-Term Care Dr. Merrilee Fullerton. Advertising Deadline: September 18, 2020 “Our government will continue to implement innovative ideas To reach our influential readers in print and modern solutions to provide our vulnerable seniors with a and online, contact [email protected] place to call home and the care they need.”

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 5 Front Credit: of Newfoundand and Labrador Government Consortium Named for New Mental Health and Addictions Hospital

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier beginning next spring. and the public to move this project forward,” Dwight Ball announced that Avalon During the construction phase, Avalon said John Haggie, Minister of Health and Healthcare Partnership has been selected to Healthcare Partnership will: Community Services. design, build, finance, and maintain a new • Host a job fair for skilled labourers The Avalon Healthcare Partnership includes: adult mental health and addictions hospital looking to work on the construction. Respondent Team Lead, Equity Provider: in St. John’s. • Develop an apprenticeship training Plenary Americas LP The project includes: program for local apprentices. Design-Builder: Marco Group Limited • 240,000 square foot, six-storey, Develop a plan to assist with hiring • Service Provider & Design Builder: 102-bed hospital. tradeswomen to work on the G.J. Cahill (1979) Limited • A parking garage with space for construction site. Design Lead: B+H Architects Inc. 1,000 vehicles. “We look forward to continuing • A new 60-bed hostel to replace discussions with Eastern Health, health Construction on the parking garage will the Agnes Cowan Hostel. care providers, persons with lived start this fall and will be completed in late Early site work and demolition of the experience and their families, community- 2021. Construction of the hospital will be Agnes Cowan Hostel will start in the coming based agencies and organizations, members completed in late 2024. weeks and continue throughout the fall to on the Recovery Council and the Mental The estimated net present value of the new make way for construction of the hospital Health and Addictions Advisory Council, hospital contract is $330 million. Credit: Bird Construction Bird Construction Acquires Stuart Olson

Bird Construction Inc. has acquired • Combined workforce of 5,000 people, and go forward balance sheet and leverage Stuart Olson Inc. for $96.5 million pending with an established presence in a number metrics challenges facing Stuart Olson,” required approvals. of Canadian markets. said David LeMay, president and CEO of “The combination of our two businesses Stuart Olson. Aggregate backlog of greater than will create a company with substantially • The aggregate consideration of $3.0 billion plus more than $1.0 billion increased breadth and scale, diversified across $96.5 million will consist of $30.0 million of pending backlog. services, end-markets, and geographies,” cash and $66.5 million of the common said Terrance L. McKibbon, president and • Increased diversification across services, shares of Bird, based on the five-day volume CEO of Bird. “In addition to combining two end-markets and geographies. weighted average trading price of the strong, experienced workforces, customers “After a period of extensive review and common shares of Bird ending July 17, 2020, will benefit from a dynamic, integrated suite consideration of the strategic and financial of $6.32 per share. of construction services. alternatives reasonably available to Stuart The cash consideration will be funded The acquisition of Stuart Olson provides Olson, the Board determined that this through available capacity under Bird’s Bird with a more robust business in the Transaction is in the best interests of Stuart existing revolving credit facility with the Canadian market, including: Olson and its shareholders given the current Bank of Montreal.

6 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Procurement

ACCELERATED CONSTRUCTION

Understanding how the Government of Ontario’s

new pilot program will function. By Andrew Macklin

n July, the Government of Ontario to create built-for-purpose, reasonably-sized was push us more into the space of thinking announced the launch of the LTC facilities. about what are the methods and means and I Accelerated Build pilot program. At the The Accelerated Build Pilot Program is mechanisms that we could use to accelerate time of the announcement, details of the just the realization of that impulse, having the delivery of some of these facilities. program were sketchy, except for the fact identified a couple of hospital partners with And that meant some of our continual that the program would, to start, involve available land where test fits have been done market research about what can modular the rapid construction of two long-term care for facilities of at least 320 beds. approaches to construction ultimately (LTC) facilities in the province. give you in terms of time savings. And In an effort to better understand just what I think a lot of people would see at first by modular construction I mean genuine this new pilot program hopes to accomplish, glance and think ‘this is a reaction to volumetric modular construction: the ReNew Canada sat down with Infrastructure COVID-19’. But based on the timeline assembly off-site of a set room. But equally I Ontario’s (IO) President of Project Delivery you are suggesting, this has been in the think we’re talking about prefab approaches Michael Lindsay. works for months before the pandemic? to construction as well. It’s longer than a year that we have been What exactly is the Accelerated working with (the Ministry of) Long-Term How does procurement of a project in Build pilot program? Care to think about, not only strategies like this program differ from a typical AFP IO has been happy and honoured to work this one, […] but also helping them with or design-build project procurement? with the Ministry of Long-Term Care over the support of feedback from the industry, This process is a new process, but it’s one the last year on what is a huge, pressing thinking about the existing funding formula that draws heavily on established norms. public policy question: how do we ultimately associated with getting these facilities built. It’s an open, competitive pre-qualification inset the creation of thousands of new LTC Obviously, the pandemic amplified the process, followed by a competitive process beds in the province of Ontario? One of the importance of this particular public policy with a shortlist which involves confidential ways we had always thought about doing that objective. It has been a decade or more that meetings and negotiations leading to in a multi-faceted strategy is making use of we have had a real lack of supply in respect contract award. surplus lands or available lands at hospitals to LTC beds. And so, what it probably did do That pre-qualification process actually

8 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Procurement

procurement has been active, been learning site selection. And we might spend another quite a bit about just how many market players year on diligence and approvals and the of various sizes have made investments in this procurement process itself, and getting to type of capability. I think it gives us a great, a reference concept design that we could competitive pool to ultimately select from for ultimately work with our counterparties individual projects like this one. in procurement. There would then be an assumed portion of design within the P3 At this point, are we only talking process as bid design became detailed design, about LTC projects, or are there other where here we are presuming a set design. types of infrastructure builds that And then if you think about construction, could be part of a program like this? commissioning, furniture fit-out, that could be as much as three years if we take a baseline I think this is why we designed the process hospital project as our illustrative timeline. the way that we did. We can foresee the use Because we have the sites, because of this type of approach in other asset classes. diligence and approvals will be expedited, Just to name a few, where there are examples because procurement is a more qualifications- close at hand: housing, education, the justice based one that steps far faster to negotiation sector. We see other jurisdictions make use and competitive selection. And because of these types of approaches in those spaces, design is pretty locked, we expect to be in a and we are certainly going to explore what place where we are beginning construction the potential for Ontario might be. sometime in 2020, all subject to government The use of modular or approvals and what we find in the market. prefab construction The use of the word ‘accelerated’ And then, based on what we understand will allow the long-term means that we can anticipate these of modular approaches and what the facilities to be built buildings getting completed quicker much quicker, with full industry continues to educate us on, if you than usual. At this stage, does IO construction expected to think about total timeline for construction, have an appreciation for what take less than one year. commissioning and furniture fit-out, it’s not that time savings might be? Inset: Infrastructure an atypical experience for that to take a year. Ontario’s President The first thing I want to do is talk about We feel pretty optimistic and pretty of Project Delivery some underlying assumptions associated Michael Lindsay. confident that these facilities will be with this process which are important to available for the start of care in 2021. point out. The first of which is site selection. If we are handed a greenfield site that doesn’t What are the cost implications of an require the demolition of existing structures, accelerated build versus a traditional build? has two parallel processes playing out at the located in an area of high LTC need, in close We can’t confirm much in terms of total same time. One of which, on MERX, we proximity to sufficient utilities, already we quantitative cost. The two trends and forces call RFQSO (Request for Qualifications for are ahead of the game. In both of these cases, that we’ve pointed at, that we continue to Standing Offers). There what we are testing this is precisely what we have. discuss with government, are the possible on an objective basis is: do you have the Number two is assumptions around efficiencies that are ultimately delivered by ability to build quickly using modular means design. Our process is assuming that our modular approaches to construction, and the or prefab means? Do you have the facilities? counterparties are going to have access to fact that there is a value unto itself associated Do you have the agreements with labour? reasonably off-the-shelf modular designs for with these facilities being ready years ahead Can you demonstrate to us that you’ve LTC facilities that conform to current LTC of schedule. In order to achieve that, there is deployed that capacity to do things? If people standards and best practices that can be a certain premium to be paid for speed. meet that bar, they’re actually prequalified updated quite quickly to take account of any When we get into the competitive selection on an evergreen vendor of record at IO, to new guidance’s associated with COVID-19. If negotiation, these are the things that are be ready for rapid construction mandates you compare it to our traditional AFP or P3 definitely going to be on our mind. But wheresoever we night actually deploy them. procurement process […] it’s a time savings. when it’s all over, at the end of the day and The other part of it is an LTC-specific The third assumption I point to is around we’re actually to reflect on those variables, evaluation. What are your partnerships with permits and approvals. Whether it’s zoning, site I […] think it will be very instructive for all designers? What access do you have to set plan approvals, building permits, expediting contracting authorities to think about, if you designs for these facilities? What is your utility work: the ability to streamline all of build in this way, what those trade-offs are. experience in building in the LTC space? that is an important embedded assumption The results of those two objective pre- associated with these projects. Thank you very much to Michael Lindsay qualifications gives us a subset of people with The provincial government recently and his team at Infrastructure Ontario whom we are going to have a competitive has given (some thought) as to how they for providing us with your insight on this process and ultimate negotiation for the would ultimately streamline some of these interesting new development in government facilities at Trillium Health and Lakeridge. processes and the powers that they possess asset procurement. And the response has been quite rigourous to be able to do so. and robust. We knew quite a bit about some With those three assumptions in mind, of the modular construction capacity that was in a traditional IO procurement, if we were out there and what people were putting in given the mission to build a 320-bed facility, Andrew Macklin is the managing place. But we’ve already, in the time that the we might have spent close to half a year on editor of ReNew Canada. renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 9 Governance

Despite the financial losses during COVID-19, Halifax’s municipal council continued to push forward with two of its most ambitious infrastructure projects in the city’s history. Inset: Mayor Mike Savage, Halifax.

STRUGGLING FOR FUNDING COVID-19 causes municipalities to struggle to finance infrastructure.

By Andrew Macklin

unicipalities were struggling. picture of the situation they were facing Valley Line LRT despite the fiscal realities Four months in to the COVID- (budget losses in the tens or hundreds facing the city. 19 pandemic, financial relief for of millions along with layoffs in the M Keeping services operating cities still had not arrived. And even with thousands), they all still spoke to the need significant layoffs to city staff, the crushing for continued infrastructure development. One of the biggest challenges that municipal debt loads were causing communities to Mayor Savage noted that his council is in the officials have faced during the pandemic is creep closer and closer to service shutdowns. midst of introducing two of the city’s most the need to keep public sector infrastructure In May ReNew Canada worked in ambitious infrastructure plans ever, and operations and maintenance functional collaboration with Global Public Affairs are doing so in the midst of the COVID-19 despite rising costs for new health and safety to present a conversation with three of the pandemic: a $700-$800 million transit plan, measures and rapidly shrinking budgets. country’s big city mayors to learn about the and HalifACT 2050 (focused on emissions Transit, in many communities, caused the struggles they were facing: Edmonton Mayor reduction and climate adaptation). Mayor biggest hit to the bottom line. Massive cuts Don Iveson, Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie discussed the extensive transit to ridership demand led to severe funding Crombie, and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage. By portfolio in the works in her community, shortfalls, funding desperately needed to mid-June, when the conversation occurred, which includes rapid bus along the Dundas help pay for public works priorities, not to the doom and gloom was already settling in. Street corridor, a Lakeshore Connector, and mention the operation and maintenance “We are out of money. Infrastructure is a downtown transit terminal. Each of these of the transit system itself. Some cities my next cut,” said Mayor Iveson, whose are still under some stage of development struggled with the difficult decision to shut community was already facing a budgetary despite the pandemic. And in Edmonton, down transit services entirely during the hole well north of $150 million work continues on construction and pandemic, as was the case for the City of As the mayors each painted the stark procurement of multiple elements of the Windsor, Ontario, which shut down transit

10 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Governance

As the deficit spiralled, Mayor Transit plans in Iveson hoped the city could Mississauga remained on still push forward with the track during the pandemic, multi-billion-dollar expansion recognizing that the need of Edmonton’s Valley Line would still exist despite a light rail transit system. severe drop in ridership across the country. Inset: Mayor Don Iveson, Edmonton. Inset: Mayor Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga.

for more than a month before re-opening on a 2020, it could interfere with government to pay for a specific list of key services, variation of a Sunday schedule. But as Mayor investments in infrastructure. There are no including things like public transit, Savage stated, “the new essential workers hard statistics available in Canada regarding childcare, and costs associated with COVID- couldn’t get to work” if you cancelled transit the impact of COVID-19 on a community’s 19 products and services. Whether or not to stem the losses. ability to continue with capital projects, but a this will make up all of the deficit faced by Instead, as indicated earlier, municipalities survey released in July 2020 by the National municipalities is unclear, but it is a positive were forced into huge layoffs in an attempt League of Cities in the United States, step forward for chas-strapped cities. to reduce the overall financial losses, with 65 per cent of the 1,100 cities, towns, and most cutting around 20-to-30 per cent of villages surveyed in the 50 states, District their teams on a temporary basis. of Columbia, and Puerto Rico said that FEDERAL that the delay or cancel of capital outlays/ Funding the transition infrastructure projects was one of the most INFRASTRUCTURE Without funding support from the provincial significant spending adjustments they are FUNDING and/or federal governments, municipalities face making as a result of the pandemic. That tough decisions for making up the lost revenue, ranked second behind only cuts to summer- On August 4, the Government and how to move forward with big ticket specific programming. of Canada announced the new expenditures such as infrastructure projects. “I need an operating solution from the $3 billion COVID-19 Community As municipalities cannot, by law, go into provincial and federal government,” said Resilience stream, which provides debt, one-time tax increases in 2021 may Iveson, who also suggested that, without such 80 per cent of the cost of be the only option for re-capturing the lost a solution, the City would risk undermining infrastructure projects valued at revenue. Reports from across the country federal investment in infrastructure. $10 million or less and can be have suggested that increase is likely to be in If municipalities are unable to completed by the end of 2021. the double-digits, putting a significant strain support significant new investments in Projects eligible to receive funding on the municipal taxpayer at a time that infrastructure, the federal government would including municipal building they themselves are struggling to pay their have to adjust in funding strategy, looking repairs and upgrades, active own bills. But the municipalities, without for ways to invest that would not include the transportation, disaster mitigation a significant package from the provincial/ traditional municipal funding component. and adaptation, and measures to territorial or federal governments, will be In July, the federal government announced support physical distancing. left with no choice. the $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement, Without that funding solution in calendar providing municipalities with some release renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 11 Governance

new projects, project needs that have FACTORS FOR MUNICIPAL INVESTMENT emerged as a result of COVID-19. Gaps in active transportation opportunities have been exposed during the pandemic, What type of infrastructure Should What is the greatest with some urban municipalities choosing investment should municipalities infrastructure to shut down some roads to automotive municipalities focus on have full vulnerability exposed traffic in order to create more space for post-COVID-19? control over during the pandemic? pedestrian movement, ensuring that physical distancing requirements can be Transit 36% how they spend Broadband 42% met. Another need clearly demonstrated Water/Wastewater 29% infrastructure Health care 26% during the pandemic is for greater Transportation 8% stimulus dollars? Green 15% broadband resources, as communities Parks and Recreation 5% Yes 57% Water/Wastewater 9% struggled to connect as resources were Other 22% No 43% Other 8% maxed out by the number of people online using video conference systems for meetings. And as Mayor Crombie pointed out, broadband isn’t just a problem in There is also the question of the role savings to the city. Strategic light rail vehicle remote communities; there are suburbs of that can be played by the private sector procurement, potentially on a life cycle basis, major cities, such as Caledon, that suffer for infrastructure investment during would also be a potential area for private from poor connectivity. Mayor Savage the recovery. Is there an opportunity to sector capital to step in and still create a noted that broadband issues have also encourage private sector investment, worthwhile investment for Canada’s larger emerged in communities around Halifax. through public-private partnerships (P3s), cities. Lastly, Mayor Iveson wondered about All three mayors are pointed to the need the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), the possibility of using private money to for further investments in infrastructure or other resources, in order to help drive finance district-level energy systems, which that would reduce their city’s climate infrastructure invest? are already successfully operating in some footprint. “As we deal with the COVID crisis, we can’t forget about the climate crisis,” said Mayor Savage, who suggested Massive cuts to ridership demand led to severe that his city may look to accelerate the transition to electric buses as a way to further targeted investments in transit and funding shortfalls, funding desperately needed environment priorities. Mayor Crombie noted that building green is a priority in to help pay for public works priorities Mississauga on several different fronts, including for transit and municipal buildings. Mayor Iveson pointed to the At this point, there may not be a role for Canadian municipalities such as Prince federal government’s Disaster Mitigation P3s, at least in the municipal context. None George, Markham, Vancouver, and London. and Adaptation Fund, suggesting that as an of the three mayors felt like there was an How the private sector will be engaged avenue for greater investment that would opportunity within their community right by the federal government through allow cities to address climate issues. now that warranted consideration, although infrastructure stimulus is yet to be seen, but “The adaptation challenge is about water. they pointed to the P3 considerations at the P3s and the CIB could certainly be involved Either there’s too much of it when you provincial level. Mayor Iveson, for his part, depending on the direction taken with the don’t need it, or there is not enough of it seemed intrigued by the chance to work with pending investment. when you do need it.” National investment the CIB on a project, although he admitted around that kind of ‘unsexy’ infrastructure that such an opportunity was not present at Setting priorities is definitely needed, he noted. this moment. Mayor Crombie suggested that a different Cities know that federal investment in All three recognized the opportunities focus from that of the last federal stimulus infrastructure is coming, but what the that private sector investment plays in is needed. priorities will be, and how much of the transit development. Continued federal “Let’s focus on the needs list, not the share of the cost they will be expected commitments to funding transit initiatives want list. Not the new shiny object,” she to pay, is not yet clear. With significant could see even greater private sector suggested, adding that, while it’s nice to get a deficits precipitating the need for property investment in those communities. shiny new thing to cut a ribbon on, focusing tax increases and the potential for cuts to Mayor Iveson did however, point to a few on the state of good repair. infrastructure spending, the solution for different areas where private capital could Mayor Savage agreed that such a focus how to bail out fiscally-strapped cities be utilized with great benefit to Canada’s was needed, stating that “there is a deferred could be just as important as the looming urban centres. Zero emissions vehicles, infrastructure crisis in this country.” infrastructure stimulus. hydrogen and battery-powered units, cost Funding from the federal government to Note: This article includes content more to buy, but less to operate and fix. address aging asset needs would be valuable previously written by the same author. Using private capital to replace a city’s fleet for the cities, allowing them to get back up could cost a similar amount to the current and running quickly. budget depending on the financing terms, However, there are other pressing needs for Andrew Macklin is the managing but provide a significant environmental community infrastructure that would involve editor of ReNew Canada.

12 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Health and Safety

Physical distancing is a challenge on construction, especially when multiple people are needed to perform a task in a small space, such as work conducted on a hoist. KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE

The COVID-19 health and safety strategy focuses on protecting people. By Andrew Macklin

t was St. Patrick’s Day, a day usually responded to the coronavirus in the early best solve the issue at hand. That included reserved for celebrations and days of the spread of the disease, along with organizations like the IHSA, led by executive I shenanigans. A day when many people the actions that will need to be taken in director Enzo Garritano, and industry across Canada are celebrating their Irish the months ahead, ReNew Canada worked partners like the LiUNA 183 training centre, heritage (no matter how much or little they with the Residential Construction Council led by Sandro Pinto. It was vital in the early have), and others join them arm-in-arm to of Ontario (RESCON), the Infrastructure going to ensure that everyone had a seat at have fun alongside them. Health and Safety Association (IHSA), the table and were sharing resources in order Instead, most of the province stood by to and LiUNA Local 183 on an interactive to start attacking the issue from all sides. listen as Ontario Premier Doug Ford came to conversation on construction’s new health Garritano and his team tried to ensure the podium to announce a provincial State and safety regime. that information, when it became available, of Emergency. And just a few hours later, was quickly communicated to everyone Ontario would declare its first COVID-19- “It was all hands on deck!” through a top-down approach; getting to the related death, a 77-year-old man from Barrie “We needed to gather as much information head contractors and project managers first, who had passed six days earlier. as possible,” said Andrew Pariser, vice who could them trickle the information The declaration, along with the swirl of president of RESCON, as he described how down to the service and product suppliers constant news reports providing different his organization first started reacting to the on the jobsites. From his standpoint, a lot information about a virus that few knew state of emergency declared as a result of the of the early communication started with much of anything about, created a sense rapid growth of the virus. a focus on hygiene, ensuring that jobsites of confusion throughout the Canadian Pariser and his team went to work had the resources in place to facilitate infrastructure industry. Workers and the immediately on the 17th, realizing that frequent handwashing and a more stringent managers they work for scrambled to figure contractors would be looking to industry sanitization regime. out what happens next; how it will affect the leadership to understand how jobsites From Pinto’s standpoint, running the day-to-day business of construction. would be affected by COVID-19. Thankfully, training necessary to allow the industry to Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the the construction industry already had an do the job, the early days focused on the industry to react. engaged network of labour and management three P’s: protect, plan, and prioritize. The In an effort to understand how the sector groups to begin working with in order to first P focused on who or what needed to be

14 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Health and Safety

affect people’s ability to pay their bills and CONSTRUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY support their family. Quick to react Establishing the use of PPE and sanitization To its credit, the construction industry in practices on the jobsite, including wearing masks, is vital to ensuring that COVID-19 Ontario was the first sector with COVID- has minimal chance of spreading on a jobsite. 19 work guidelines, according to Pariser, guidelines that were endorsed by both labour and management. Garritano noted that the process actually took longer than they had hoped, but wanted to ensure that guidelines were properly vetted through provincial labour and health officials. At first, the guidelines created by the industry were text heavy, making communication with the industry a challenge. Thankfully, the industry had the support of the Ministry of Labour (MoL). Garritano noted that MoL did an excellent job in working During our discussion, we asked some attendees for their thoughts on with companies to help ensure understanding some of the key issues around keeping jobsites safe during the pandemic. of the new guidelines through site visits. Here are a few of the key results from the polls we conducted: Instead of focusing on enforcement, site visits from MoL concentrated on consultation, What do you perceive as Do you What is the best system ensuring industry questions could be the biggest challenge to believe the for testing construction answered regarding the implementation of workers? jobsite health and safety? construction the new measures. Drive-thru The IHSA has since been working to Inability to maintain industry physical distancing 68% testing sites 68.8% provide simpler ways to digest the best should use Lack of understanding Hospital tests like practices being implemented. In May, the tracking and of protocols 20% everyone else 18.8% organization released a series of short tracing? videos, providing information on new jobsite Access to Random jobsite testing 6.3% practices that can be quickly digested before personal protective Yes 73.3% Mandatory anyone returned to the jobsite for the first equipment (PPE) 12% No 26.7% onsite testing 6.3% time. Such as how to properly don and doff gloves and how to properly clean a vehicle. Those videos have become a valuable protected, which meant protecting everyone pointed, the change from ‘social distancing’ resource across the province, the country, coming in and out of the training centre. The to ‘physical distancing’ didn’t help make and around the world. second P focused on planning, appreciating things any easier. But it was also the With the best practices in place for how to the best way protect people in the training appreciation for how to implement some of prevent the spread of the coronavirus on the centre environment, including the use of the new protocols that made things difficult jobsite, the focus turns from being reactive physical distancing, limiting the number of for the industry. to being proactive, searching for the best way people in each enclosed room, the type of “Physical distancing was a huge one,” to ensure that any contact with the virus materials being used during training, and explained Garritano. “Whether it’s a is contained. This involves the three Ts, as strengthened protocols around sanitization construction site with areas where people Pariser put it: testing, tracking, and tracing. measures. The third P focused on gather, or it’s a personnel hoist, or it’s Testing is the obvious one, ensuring that prioritizing, understanding which industry entrances and exits to the site; how do anyone from the jobsite showing symptoms needs should be addressed first, shifting the you keep that physical distancing in place of the disease goes and gets tested for the focus to helping workers understand the certainly was one of the big questions.” virus. But then what happens if a positive new jobsite health and safety demands. There were many other important test result comes back and you have to questions being asked as well: figure out who may have been infected? Overcoming the early challenges That’s when tracking and tracing comes What do you do when you can’t have that Pariser eloquently used a boxing analogy • in. Garritano noted that it is important for physical distancing in place? to suggest that the construction industry jobsites should be diligent in tracking who “got knocked down in the first round, but • How do I keep my staff from all eating enters and exits the jobsite, and where they got back up quickly,” when describing how lunch at the same time? are working during the time they are on site. the industry reacted to the COVID-19 in the • How do I stagger the starts and finishes? This is where tracing could come in, early days. however it isn’t without its objections. Using How do I manage my schedule? There were no shortages of issues in the • tracing can improve the speed at which the early days of COVID-19. As mentioned And these were just the challenges faced on virus could spread, as a tracing app would be previously, significant confusion caused by the jobsite. For many, there was significant able to track your movements to see if you inconsistent reporting left people with far concern over whether work would stop for have come in contact with any potentially- more questions than answers. And as Pariser days, weeks, or months, and how that would infected areas, or have come within six

16 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Health and Safety feet of the infected individual. However, SHOVEL-READY there are clear privacy concerns with the use of tracing, as it means an app on your smartphone would have data on your daily movements. It’s not a perfect solution, but certainly has value if people are willing to utilize the technology.

Next steps On July 31st, the Government of Canada released its COVID Alert app to the country, asking citizens to considering downloading the app “to help stop the DESIGN CONSTRUCT spread of the disease. Within the first two days, over 1.18 million Canadians had already chosen to download the app on CIPP PROVIDES A their smartphone. Depending on the buy-in SAFE AND EFFICIENT SOLUTION on each individual jobsite, this could make it easier for jobsites to quickly react to an WITHIN A YEAR outbreak should one occur. It’s up to the industry to stay diligent, continuing to ensure that best practices are followed even as the number of cases in the country projects steadily downward. “We can’t let complacency work its way into the industry over the next few Watch our videos and learn more months because […] if (the second wave) about us and our projects at potentially hits in the fall, we’ve got to remember how this all got started: it started ferpalinfrastructure.com with just a few people and it spread like crazy,” explained Garritano. “That can happen again, and the worst thing we could do is to be satisfied that it’s gone and do the things as we did pre-COVID.” Habit building is key for the industry: wearing the masks when physical distancing isn’t an option, proper hand DIGITAL CONVERSATIONS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS washing and sanitization. Employers must be diligent in monitoring, evaluating, and enforcing the practices needed to ensure that the disease is not spread within a construction site. Pariser recommended that we learn from other industry campaigns that humanized the issue in order to drive the point home. That has been done effectively in Western Canada on road construction sites, using signs with phrases like “please slow down, my mom/dad works here.” A similar approach, humanizing the impacts of EXPERT INSIGHTS INTO THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE COVID-19, can provide a clear reminder to WITHOUT THE CONFERENCE FEE workers that wearing a mask and washing their hands isn’t for them, it’s for, as an UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS: example, the co-worker whose child has PUTTING A PRICE ON TRANSPORTATION - SEPTEMBER 24 an existing condition that makes them ELECTRIFYING THE ECONOMY - OCTOBER 22 vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. MOBILITY ON DEMAND - NOVEMBER 26 By working together, as an industry, we can keep people happy, healthy, and on To suggest a topic or speaker for an To learn about sponsorship opportunities the jobsite. upcoming discussion, contact Andrew Macklin for future events, contact Nick Krukowski at [email protected]. at [email protected].

renewcanada.net/infraintelligence-events Andrew Macklin is the managing editor of ReNew Canada. renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 17 Labour

Exposing all secondary students in Canada to the skilled trades would help to solve impending issues around market capacity in the national infrastructure industry.

ADDRESSING MARKET CAPACITY

Does Canada have the human resources needed to

support further infrastructure development? By Andrew Macklin

oncerns over the Canadian “If you look at Canada prior to COVID- pipeline. This includes understanding for construction labour pool have been 19 we had some pockets, particularly the timing of all project roles, not just core C an ongoing story for years. Much of Vancouver and Toronto, and other areas construction of the projects themselves. the workforce is set to retire. Not enough where there was an abundance of work young people are looking at the trades as a such as Alberta,” said Van Buren, pointing Then COVID-19 hit real career option. Where will all the workers to the areas of the country where a spike When the pandemic hit Canadian soil in come from? in new project development could cause a March, the concerns surrounding market As municipalities, provinces, territories, strain on the workforce. She noted that there capacity evolved. No longer was the issue and the federal government increase their are several other markets that would also simply about whether or not there were investment in infrastructure, this issue has qualify if the billions of dollars in federal enough workers to get the job done. been exacerbated, with industry associations infrastructure funding that was on the table The strain of municipal budgets was the and stakeholder groups scrambling to had been successfully leveraged by provincial first point raised during the discussion, find the right solution for ensuring that governments across the country. concerned about how the loss of funds would the infrastructure remains strong so that Ferreira pointed to British Columbia, impact project development in communities the pipeline of projects has the workforce Ontario, and Quebec as the markets that across the country. needed to get built. looked to be robust in the early stages of “It is so critical to Canada’s well-being that To understand just how much of an issue 2020, and that softening markets in other we continue these investments,” said Van market capacity currently is in this country, western provinces were helping to feed the Buren. “We are a trade country. We need ReNew Canada brought together a panel labour market in British Columbia. to be competitive. Stalling investments in of experts for an open discussion on the He also noted that, prior to the outbreak of infrastructure will hurt our economy.” issue: Canadian Construction Association COVID-19, one of the biggest issues affecting Lindsay and Ferreira were quick to voice President Mary Van Buren, BuildForce local labour markets was affordability. As concerns over how the rollout of stimulus Canada Executive Director Bill Ferreira, and infrastructure investments continue to grow funding could impact the industry. Lindsay Infrastructure Ontario’s President of Project in some of Canada’s largest centres, real estate suggested that governments need to balance Delivery Michael Lindsay. prices are growing as well, making it harder to the desire to invest in projects that are attract skilled labour to some regions. shovel-ready just to get the market up and Before COVID-19 Lindsay noted that, realizing the potential running again, as it could take away funding Before the pandemic hit Canada in March, for creating market capacity issues in from the projects that are actually shovel- market capacity in the Canadian infrastructure Ontario, and especially in the Greater worthy. Ferreira pointed to the system industry was an issue that needed to be Toronto Area, Infrastructure Ontario was of deadlines used for past infrastructure watched in certain parts of the country, but trying to be very careful with how it rolled stimulus funding, suggesting that with the there were no immediate concerns. out all elements of the $60 billion project need for flexibility during the pandemic,

18 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Labour

out across Canada, companies should be MARKET CAPACITY ISSUES willing to invest in people, training, and equipment. But that will take ensuring We asked participants about some of the key issues surrounding that the financial resources are available market capacity issues in Canada. Here is what they had to say: to do so. With the federal government’s announcement of $3.3 billion for the Do you believe that market Has your Are CBAs COVID-19 Resilience funding stream, as well as monies at the provincial and federal capacity is an issue in the company had part of the level to support ailing municipalities, Canadian infrastructure sector? difficulties solution for should provide enough certainty within filling positions addressing Yes 70.4% the industry to make financial resources Yes, but only in certain in the past market available to infrastructure industry firms. parts of the country 22.2% 12 months? capacity? Creating a bright future Not right now, but it will be Yes 60% Yes 30% There may not be notable market capacity in the future 7.4% No 40% No 70% issues in regions of Canada right now, but that could change quickly without action from the industry. strict deadlines could cause unnecessary “Our biggest concern right now is financial Right now, the Canadian labour market stress within the industry. capacity; that credit is available, that liquidity has the ability to make adjustments Van Buren also stressed concern over remains. Many of our firms have had a based on the ebbs and flows in other investor confidence, making sure that the period of several months of not-full payment supporting industries. funding needed would still be available. In if any payment, and that means that many “The industry is very adaptable,” noted addition to the concerns over private sector of them won’t get paid for another two-to- Ferreira. “The construction workforce construction deferrals caused by the work- three months. So, we need to make sure that is mobile; it is used to moving around to from-home regime created as a result of the they’ve got that funding in the near-term, where the work is. Typically, when we pandemic, capital availability could become a and also as they are ramping up.” start experiencing tight labour markets in significant issue for the industry. With a robust pipeline of projects, spread a given region, it’s usually because that’s

20 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Labour where there is a glut of projects that hit the There is also the consideration of further groups in the industry. And the consensus street all at once, and it takes a little bit of use of Community Benefits Agreements in the discussion is that the opportunity time for the labour market to adjust.” (CBAs) to growth the pool of skilled best lies within secondary schools. That He cited the example of Alberta in the labour, especially on bigger projects in is where students are thinking about their early 2000s, when there was a boom in major centres. We’ve seen this utilized on career choices, and being presented with the oil and gas industry. The sector was the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit unbiased, accurate information about able to pull from other provinces who were project, and the B.C. Government has started opportunities in the skilled labour force can not experiencing strong investment in using CBAs on its recent transportation lead to greater knowledge of the industry for construction and resource development. megaprojects including the Pattullo Bridge under-represented groups, such as women, Lindsay noted that work is being done at Replacement project and the Kicking Horse Indigenous youth, and new Canadians. the provincial level in Ontario to determine Canyon project. “It (growing the industry) has a lot what barriers exist that prevent companies Lindsay suggested that government of pieces to it that we need to work on and workers from participating in the project discussion is ongoing to try and determine together,” Van Buren said. “It’s not just one pipeline, and eliminating those barriers. what the correct mechanism is for delivering thing that’s going to change it, it’s a whole That includes working with the Ministry of community benefits. The question is whether mindset around working in construction, Labour on policy mechanisms to make sure the model prescribed on previous projects is working in skilled trades, for the under- the right shape of the workforce, including still the right program to put in place. represented groups.” things like apprenticeship rates. While there are some definite advantages to By further educating young people about Apprenticeships continue to provide a using CBAs, they can have some unintended the significant benefits of joining the skilled strong opportunity for developing a skilled consequences as Van Buren pointed out. labour workforce, conversations like this labour force, but there is a need to develop this Not every community has the right makeup one, being concerned about market capacity, further according to Ferreira. He suggested of individuals to be able to best utilize the may no longer be necessary. that more needed to be done to provide CBA. Also, CBAs limit workforce mobility, funding mechanisms that would allow smaller and those who come into the program may companies the ability to take on apprentices, not have the resources available to take work giving those operations a labour pool to pull outside of their immediate surroundings. talent from, but to also help continue the The question becomes where best to direct Andrew Macklin is the managing growth of the workforce overall. resources to engage under-represented editor of ReNew Canada.

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 21 ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary THE EVOLUTION OF AN INDUSTRY

Reflecting on 15 projects, policies, and priorities that have changed

Canadian infrastructure since 2005. By Andrew Macklin

hat a difference 15 years makes. hundreds of public-private partnerships These project pipelines, such as Ontario’s Few sectors in Canada (P3s) being rolled out by provincial P3 Market Update and Quebec’s 10-year W have undergone the kind of governments over the years, but one in infrastructure plan, also provide clear monumental change that the infrastructure particular stands out from the rest. understanding of provincial priorities, and industry has during the last decade and a The Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project the potential for further residential and half. Many projects are built differently, involves 24 First Nations communities that commercial construction through transit- financed differently, and operated and have come together to form Wataynikaneyap oriented development. maintained differently than they were in Power, joining forces with FortisOntario 2004. Beyond the land, steel, concrete, and RES Canada for the construction of an The Olympic legacy wood needed to build the projects, much 1,800-kilometre transmission line that will The building priorities of the 2010 Winter of the ‘infrastructure of infrastructure’ has provide clean, reliable, renewable power Olympics Games in Vancouver are still being undergone some sort of transformation. from remote First Nations communities in appreciated a decade later, and transportation It would be impossible to create a definitive northern Ontario. routes and new building stock have provided list of the fifteen things that have had the A partnership that was more than a decade significant benefits in and around the biggest impact on the industry over the past in the making, this innovative relationship Greater Vancouver Area. The $600 million 15 years, but that isn’t going to stop us from has resulted in a new model for building upgrade of the Sea to Sky Highway has trying. We thought it would be fun to try complex infrastructure projects with direct created a much safer route for locals and and capture the biggest developments in the involvement and ownership from remote tourists to access destinations farther inland infrastructure landscape since the release of communities in the north, leading to new such as Whistler and its ski resorts, as well our first issue in the fall of 2005. opportunities for infrastructure development as improve travel to the interior to cities such So, in no particular order, here are the that directly benefits all parties involved. as Merritt and Kamloops. projects, policies, and priorities that we think The Canada Line may be the greatest have changed the infrastructure industry, Robust provincial pipelines Olympic legacy for Vancouver itself, and the country. The development of multi-billion-dollar shuttling thousands of people each and project pipelines in multiple provinces, every day to work, home, and many sports A partnership like no other by several of the country’s larger project and cultural destinations. TransLink also We have seen a real evolution in the types owners (especially in the transit space), has introduced the 400-passenger SeaBus ferry, of partnerships coming together to take on helped Canadian companies better plan their as well SkyTrain cars with enhanced fuel the country’s most complex projects, with operational needs for the decade ahead. efficiency and diesel-electric hybrid buses

22 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

Construction of the It may not look like much, but this permanent highway linking Inuvik to new Champlain Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories was one of the most significant Bridge was the infrastructure projects of the past 15 years, providing all-season road access crown jewel of the to the Arctic Ocean for the first time in Canadian history. Liberal government’s first term in office, spending over $4.2 billion to ensure the new structure will last for 125 years.

The 2013 flood that ravaged Calgary and parts of southern Alberta has spurred new investment in resilient infrastructure, including the $432 million Springbank Off-stream Reservoir.

that improved the environmental footprint Infrastructure as stimulus we saw record spending across the country, of Vancouver’s transit fleet. as provinces and territories invest heavily The six new competition venues, as Following the 2008 recession, the federal in the infrastructure that helps move people well as upgrades to Canada Hockey Place government under Prime Minister Stephen and goods more efficiently, create new (now Scotiabank Arena) and the Pacific Harper made a multi-billion-dollar spaces for indoor and outdoor activities, and Coliseum, have developed and expanded investment in public sector infrastructure, provide the essential services that citizens opportunities to attract new competitions investments that helped our economy depend on. This record spending also shows to the communities, creating additional rebound in 2009/10 and continue to provide an increase in the political will required to economic benefits. significant benefit to communities across make these decisions which bodes well for Canada more than a decade later. future budgets and infrastructure policy. Take a drive to The stimulus effort showed the country the Arctic Ocean that infrastructure investment is an The age of asset important tool for helping to spur economic management When you look at the landscape of projects recovery. And the lessons learned from the completed in the past 15 years and discuss money spent, and how it was delivered to The introduction of PSAB 3150, ISO which ones would be considered as ‘nation- communities, has formed an important 55000, and many provincial regulations and building,’ the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway base for understanding how infrastructure standards for asset management over the project should rise to the top of the list. stimulus can be executed in the recovery last fifteen years has been a game-changer For the first time in our country’s history, period following the COVID-19 pandemic. for public sector infrastructure at the local people are now able to drive a permanent An important lesson learned was that level. New software, sensor technology, and road network all the way to the Arctic other innovations transformed municipal ‘shovel-ready’ projects do not necessarily Ocean, connecting Canada’s three ocean engineering and capital planning has had a mean ‘shovel-worthy’, so more consideration coasts, a feat that was accomplished with the positive ripple effect on procurement, service of asset management principles and construction of the 138-kilometre highway. delivery, and O&M. The profession of asset environmental impacts are required lenses A priority since the late 1960s, the management ensures that the prioritization for stimulus allocation. transportation link has expanded economic of municipal infrastructure funding is opportunities in the northern-most Record provincial/ evidence-based, rather than being influenced communities in our country, and could by politics or ‘pet projects.’ lead to more significant development in the territorial spending The application of asset management territories. In terms of helping connect more We can’t talk about investment in practices across the country has helped communities in the north, we hope to see infrastructure without tipping our caps to build a true appreciation of the state of broadband network projects expand in the provincial and territorial governments from Canadian infrastructure, (as evidenced coming years. coast-to-coast-to-coast. From 2005 to 2020, in Infrastructure Report Cards being renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 23 ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

infrastructure, as well as an adaptation in the manner certain assets are built. Solar and wind renewable power resources In larger cities, green infrastructure and have grown exponentially since 2005, as the country moves to drastically reduce stormwater retention systems are being its carbon footprint by producing power installed to mitigate the impacts of severe through non-carbon-emitting generation. storms, thanks in part to investments from senior levels of government. But we have also seen progress on massive flood prevention projects at the provincial level, namely the Springbank Off-stream Reservoir in Alberta and the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project. And in provinces like Ontario and New Brunswick, where several flooding events caused millions of dollars in damage last year, we can expect to see strong investments in additional flood protection and prevention. The race for renewables Canada has experienced rapid growth of renewable energy assets that feed power to the grid for use in our communities, thanks to concentrated efforts to reduce GHG issued locally and nationally) and where with the latter who explained at the time emissions from energy production. From coordinated funding mechanisms are his caution around the new model with this 2006 to 2017, Natural Resource Canada data most needed. This helps senior levels of statement: “Highway 407 bad, Confederation show that renewable energy generation grew governments understand where investment Bridge good” by more than 20 per cent, from just under is needed and why, using the evaluation The Bank is open 80,000 Megawatts (MW) to just under methodologies adopted in the asset 100,000 MW. management process. The creation of the Canada Infrastructure In the past few years, we have seen the In the years to come, a national standard Bank (CIB) in 2017 during the first scale of renewable operations grow even for condition assessment could further assist mandate of the Trudeau Government has further, including the current construction of government officials in prioritizing funding provided a new opportunity for engaging the country’s largest solar farm (#88 on our programs for municipalities to help address the private sector in the construction of new Top100 Projects list), but also an expanded asset development, maintenance and repair. infrastructure assets. use of renewables in remote communities such It has taken a few years for the CIB to find as the Inuvik Wind Project. Several new and Strengthening its footing and introduce a robust system refurbished hydroelectric stations have either the P3 market for project evaluation, but the result of that come online or are in the midst of construction, diligence is starting to be seen in the project and the development of new systems like When ReNew Canada launched in 2005, agreements that have been rolled out. We Canada was just beginning to use public- Enwave’s deep lake cooling and technologies have seen the CIB play in a few different such as battery storage are providing exciting private partnerships (P3s) to build sectors where revenue streams are present new opportunities for the future. vital infrastructure assets. We are now (transit, water, ports), and the MOUs international leaders in these models. announced in the past several months could A bridge with The continued success in delivering these lead to the development of some innovative projects on time and on budget has led to new infrastructure assets. lofty expectations other countries learning from our own As the CIB continues to evolve, there is The award for the project that received the system in order to get their assets built a ton of potential for expanding the Bank most fanfare over the past 15 years goes more efficiently. into a body that can provide value to the to the construction of the new Champlain One of the things that has made the P3 infrastructure industry well beyond the Bridge corridor in Brossard and Montreal. model in Canada such a success, despite its funding it helps to unlock. The former 57-year-old bridge had opponents, is the fact that the system has become obsolete and, recognizing its been continuously evolving. Government Preventing the flood importance as a vital transportation agencies like Infrastructure Ontario are Heavy rainfall events and faster snow corridor for moving goods in and out of constantly working with the sector to melts have led to significant flooding in the U.S. market to the Greater Montreal re-evaluate the model to ensure the best almost every province over the past decade. Area, the Government of Canada spared possible project outcomes, including Climate change has raised the severity and no expense in its replacement. Valued at the evaluation of how best to de-risk frequency of events. Damages from some more than $4 billion, with operations projects, as well as how to encourage more of the most recent events have reached into and maintenance costs and additional innovation within the project scope. the billions, and insurance companies have transportation corridor elements included, In our premier issue we heard from struggled to pay out the catastrophic losses. the asymmetric 240-metre cable-stayed provincial minister David Caplan and As a result, we have seen a massive uptick in bridge was built at a premium, with an federal minister John Godfrey on P3s— investment in flood prevention and resilient expectation to last 125 years.

24 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

The project was one of the most, if not the years, with new technologies seemingly (sorry Hamilton), and the numbers behind most, important replacement projects over inserted into each new health care project both the capital costs and the P3 costs the past 15 years. Whether or not it will live announced across the country. are staggering. up to its fanfare is a question that won’t be The innovations are significantly The pipelines for continued transit answered until after our lifetime. improving the quality of service able to be development are also strong, with Vancouver, offered by health care professionals: from Calgary, Edmonton, London, Mississauga, Put a ring on it improved air quality and access to the Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and The ambitious multi-phase transportation natural environment, to better sightlines Halifax all having large-scale plans for expansion projects undertaken by Alberta’s two for hospital staff and more efficient of services on the books for the long-term. biggest cities, Edmonton and Calgary, have communication systems. We are seeing a COVID-19 will slow down some of these transformed the way people travel through digital and environmental revolution thanks plans, however as transit ridership improves the province. The two new road systems to improved building envelope design, more as pandemic fears wane, expect many (Edmonton’s is 78-kilometres while Calgary’s effective construction methodologies, and projects and procurements to ramp back up. is 101-kilometres) don’t just make it easier better integration of new technologies. That’s our look at 15 of the most important for residents to get around the cities, they And if it wasn’t for adoption of AFP (P3) infrastructure stories we followed over the have been invaluable assets in the efficient model and creation of IO in Ontario in 2006, past 15 years. Did we miss something? What movement of Alberta’s resources to markets many provincial hospitals there may still be do you think had more or less of an impact west, east, and south of the province. waiting to be built. than we suggested? We’d love to hear from With plans stretching back into the 1950s, the you and hope to publish a second version two “ring” roads are already vastly improving Canada’s transit boom of this article online in the coming months the provincial transportation network, and Okay, so this one we put last on purpose. with your feedback included. improving tourist access to not just the cities There is no form of infrastructure that has themselves, but other provincial destinations seen such a monumental investment as To provide your thoughts, email me such as Jasper, Banff, and Drumheller. what our urban areas are investing in public at [email protected]. transit like subways, rapid rail, and bus Making hospitals smarter lines. Almost every major city in Canada Hospitals have become the hotbed of has some form of significant transit project Andrew Macklin is the managing infrastructure innovation over the past 15 currently being built or under development editor of ReNew Canada.

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 25 ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

LOOKING BACK AT 90 ISSUES

26 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

2005 TO OF 2020

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 27 ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary FIFTEEN

We’ve seen an infrastructure boom in YEARS the past 15 years since our first issue. What have been the industry’s biggest accomplishments? LATER Industry leaders share their insight on the industry’s greatest successes.

ifteen years has passed since the first edition of ReNew Canada landed at the Canadian Brownfields conference F on October 5, 2005. Few industries have gone through the amount of change, and significance of investment, than the public sector infrastructure industry in Canada. We reached out to industry stakeholders across the country for their thoughts on the biggest changes, or most important developments, in the industry over the past 15 years. Here is what they had to say.

“The last 15 years have seen growing appreciation of the essential way that transportation infrastructure knits us together. Important everywhere, but especially in a country as large and diverse as Canada, transportation is critical to connect us, facilitate our mobility and enable our economy. We’ve also made great strides in understanding the linkage between transportation and the health of our citizens, our communities, and our climate. Investing in transportation infrastructure and effectively managing those valuable public sector assets helps Canada and Canadians be healthy, safe, and prosperous.” Sarah Wells, Executive Director, Transportation Association of Canada

“One of the greatest impacts on Canadian infrastructure over the last 15 years has been the size and scope of capital investment by successive governments at the federal and provincial levels. Combine that with sustained private investment and you can see the transformation of infrastructure across Canada. We’re seeing it across traditional, social and green infrastructure projects. The true benefit can only be realized if we continue to invest over the next 15 years. Some argue that infrastructure investment should increase even more in the future. Our industry—and most Canadians—would certainly welcome that development.” Mark Dvorak, President and COO, EXP

28 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

“We didn’t have the “P3’s initial success “Technology has evolved iPhone fifteen years in Canada has been to enable us to not only ago, much less drones overshadowed by recent plan, design, build tracking site progress delivery issues and and manage assets in and communicating finger-pointing regarding different ways, but also via 5G networks in real time. Despite underlying causes. Early P3s belied a comfort allow us to manage large amounts of improvements in technology, gains in with traditional procurement, meaning data used for fiscally accountable and productivity have evolved slower. We’ve prescriptive specifications and lowest price transparent decision-making. Growing witnessed megaprojects become larger and wins. Some owners and contractors have been social responsibility and stewardship increasingly complex with more multi- slow to embrace the “partnership” aspect, for the environment underpins our disciplinary partners, yet the industry believing risk-transfer meant disappearance client work, which is firmly grounded is still challenged to appropriately of risks. To realize P3’s promise, new on science through the application of allocate risk. The trend we can all focus approaches are being considered: greater technological advancements. These on is collaboration. We can listen closer design flexibility for bidders AND greater shifts in our industry, along with to our clients and communities, better owner involvement in evaluation of design; growing economies and increasing understand their needs and strengthen greater public role in risk management population, is driving the public sector partnerships, attract and develop a (proactively through legislation and to have an accelerated appetite for more diverse group of employees with reactively through stakeholder coordination) change. Not only in the way day-to- the right capabilities and foster cultures AND greater transparency by bidders in how day business is managed, but also of collaboration. This will surely yield a they will manage risks. The challenge will in the new and creative ways we are more successful tomorrow.” best be met by openness about expectations, delivering public sector projects.” Anthony Karakatsanis, as in a true partnership.” Chris Hunter, Regional General President and CEO, Morrison Hershfield Patrick Dolan, Counsel, BLG Manager, Ontario, GHD

“Municipalities across “The delivery of P3 “Over the years, we’ve seen Canada are facing a cash projects can be adversely significant change, and crunch due to the COVID- impacted if risks we’ve changed alongside it. 19 pandemic, so it is are inappropriately The digital transformation worthwhile to heed Todd’s assigned or unproperly has changed the way words in the “In Debt We Trust” piece in the managed. Truly effective risk we tackle transformative opportunities. September/October 2012 edition where he management requires a strategy that The focus is on nimble data-driven commented on the bankruptcy of Stockton, can accommodate the uncertainty and decision-making and digital solutions to California that summer and asked variety of risks exposed from the cradle ensure dependable execution. We enjoy whether this could happen in Canada. to the grave of a project, regardless opportunities to partner with governments At that time there were two Canadian of size or procurement method. to shape sustainable growth and drive cities that had more long-term debt than The vast majority of risks/claims on social, economic, and environmental annual revenue. Todd Latham’s sage and infrastructure projects tend to occur progress. But our industry needs to prescient advice is well worth following in the following eight areas: utilities, share risk better. Through collaborative partnerships and alliances, we are seeing today where the fiscal landscape for many geotechnical, contamination, permits/ this change unfold. Recently, in responding municipalities is precarious and highly approvals, bundled projects, scope to COVID-19, this approach has led to new dependent on the largesse of senior orders changes, property, and construction concepts to help governments accelerate of government: “Provide a more equitable interfaces. The risk tolerance in these shovel-ready infrastructure investments as distribution of provincial and federal tax eight areas has substantially changed the world invests to reboot economies.” revenues to the cities that earn them, and in the past decade. Owners must Ian Edwards, President and CEO, SNC-Lavalin give municipalities the increased powers accept that the market’s appetite for and autonomy they need to best manage risk tolerance is evolving to reflect their assets and their liabilities.” The lesson past cost and schedule risks. These of for today: while infrastructure stimulus which has now materialized into real- funding and other programs from Ottawa life project challenges, and Owners’ are welcome, bold action is needed now on approach to procurement, design and how to implement structural changes to our construction contracts needs to evolve to governments’ fiscal relationships. ensure a competitive response to Andy Manahan, Executive Director, bids in the future.” Residential and Civil Construction Elie Dagher, Vice President – Engineering Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and Project Management, Comtech renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 29 ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary Credit: Saint John Water

The Saint John Clean Safe Drinking Water Project was one of the first successful water sector P3s in Canada. THE EVOLUTION OF P3S Credit: WDBA Credit: Saint John Water Credit: Humber River Hospital

The largest bridge The North P3 in Canadian The Humber Arm Bridge history, the River Hospital of the Gordie Howe P3 included the Canada Line, International implementation one of the Bridge will of the new early P3 provide a new innovations successes in transportation link in the sector, the Canadian between the U.S. including the trannsit and Canada. use of robots. sector.

How the ‘Made in Canada’ P3 model is building on its past

to navigate an uncertain future. By Mark Romoff

t’s an interesting time to be considering This pandemic has demonstrated that we governments are making it a key part of their the recent past. In many ways for can’t take our infrastructure for granted. efforts to get Canada back on its feet after I Canadians, life before lockdown seems It’s also shown how critical it is to speed up these devastating last few months. very far away. Another time completely. the delivery of essential projects as needs And the Canadian infrastructure sector is These last few months have seen perhaps peak, from building better long-term care ready to deliver. the greatest social and economic upheaval homes in months, not years, to fast-tracking A large part in the success of delivering since the 1930s as a result of the global broadband capabilities in rural and remote our infrastructure is the public-private fight to contain COVID-19. No aspect of life has been untouched—and that includes infrastructure. Most importantly, we all need to Canadians have been fortunate that much of the critical infrastructure they’ve relied on during this period has performed admirably be reminded that the most important under tremendous strain—and that has a lot to do with the significant capital investments ‘P’ in P3 is partnership. all levels of government have made in the past 15 years, as well as the efforts of the tens of thousands of front-line workers who communities to ensure all Canadians have partnership model, which has delivered the are keeping things running smoothly. the ability to safely and effectively work Confederation and new Champlain bridges, Imagine fighting this pandemic without from home. cutting-edge hospitals and long-term care the hundreds of new state-of-the-art hospitals Investing in infrastructure is a proven centres, the Saint John Safe Clean Drinking we’ve built from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Or, way to boost the economy, create jobs, Water Project and the Mackenzie Valley fibre going without the dependable energy provided increase the resiliency and health of our link, to name just a few. In total, there are by the developments like the massive Bruce communities, and to pave the way for what 291 active P3 projects across Canada with Power nuclear project in Ontario. we hope to achieve in the future. That’s why those in operation or under construction

30 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary valued at $139.5 billion. transform a former industrial area into a There was also a growing boldness and Success has not dulled the sector’s desire thriving community. excitement in the approach to projects, Bain to evolve and improve the model. In fact, the British Columbia was advised on the says. “There wasn’t an existing mould to pandemic has spurred discussions on how project by Partnerships BC, a government break,” he says, noting most jurisdictions, governments can speed up the procurement agency created in 2002 to support the for example, hadn’t built a new hospital process using more innovative and flexible public sector by providing expertise in the in decades. The result was some truly arrangements, while still delivering the procurement of complex capital projects and impressive, cutting-edge facilities. value for money that the P3 approach in using the private sector. An example is the award-winning Humber consistently demonstrates. The province was the first in Canada to River Hospital in northwest Toronto, billed But as we rush to try to predict—and create such a standalone agency, setting as one of Canada’s largest acute care hospitals steer—what the future course may be, it’s a trend that saw the creation of similar and North America’s first all-digital hospital helpful to keep in mind what has worked agencies in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, when it opened in 2015. Modern hospitals and continues to work in delivering the and nationally with PPP Canada. like Humber River couldn’t have come at a critical infrastructure Canadians need. This time period, running roughly from more critical time. A study released in 2015

2005-2015: The Rise of the ‘Made in Canada’ P3 model In Canada, there is growing consensus Fifteen years ago, as ReNew Canada was putting its inaugural issue to bed, the Canada Line project reached financial close after among government and industry that years of consultation and procurement. All eyes were on the $2 billion, 19.5-kilometre risk allocation is a critical issue. rapid transit system, the first major transit project delivered via the public-private partnership model in Canada. 2005 to 2015, is when the Canadian P3 by HealthCareCan found Canadian hospitals In addition to the usual P3 contract market started to develop its own legs, had an estimated $15.4-billion in deferred language to ensure on-time, on-budget explained Mark Bain, a partner at Torys and maintenance costs. New hospitals were delivery, the massive project had the biggest the chair of the CCPPP board of directors. needed—and fast. of all deadlines to meet—Vancouver was set “The idea of sustained P3 programs had Healthcare facilities were the driving force to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic taken hold after years of pilot projects across in the rapid growth of P3 projects. To date, 91 Winter Games. Failure was not an option. the country.” health projects worth more than $28 billion In 2009, the Canada Line officially opened Those largely successful pilots helped are under construction or in operation across with crowds waiting up to two hours to ride usher in a period that saw a dramatic rise in Canada, accounting for close to one-third of the spacious new cars for free on its first day the number of projects coming to market and all active P3 projects. of service. Since then, the Canada Line has the emergence of a ‘Made in Canada’ model woven itself into the fabric of the region, of public-private partnerships. 2015-2020: The Expanding transforming travel and beating ridership The P3 market was “pumping on Market, the Rise of Transit projections, with 48 million boardings in all cylinders” with all sectors on offer, and Risk Rebalancing 2018 alone. An important consideration said Steve Nackan, president of Aecon After a remarkable period of growth, for other cities embarking on major transit Concessions. “Ontario, in particular, was the culminating in a record high of new projects is how the line has also fuelled epicenter. It was a vibrant place to be with a projects and increasing competition, the a surge in new construction and helped good model in place.” last five years has seen an evolution of the

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32 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net ReNew Canada’s 15th Anniversary

Canadian P3 market. recently celebrated its first year of operation basics, to remember the spirit of partnership Elections have resulted in new in Ontario’s Waterloo region. and to once again incentivize innovation governments and different approaches to As the market evolves, it is clear the rather than focusing as much attention on the sector. Alberta and Nova Scotia have P3 model needs to evolve, too, in order the lowest priced bid. rejoined the P3 market, while new players to address issues like risk allocation. The like Newfoundland and Labrador have also collapse of Carillion, the U.K.’s second The pandemic and what comes next come on board. At the federal level, the largest construction company, in early At first glance, the pandemic may complicate government has wound down PPP Canada 2018 is a bellwether of what can happen these efforts but it also provides a golden and created the Canada Infrastructure Bank when governments embrace “an aggressive opportunity for governments and industry as part of its 12-year, more than $180 billion approach to risk transfer,” as a British to embrace this reset. We don’t know what Investing in Canada plan. The Bank is government committee noted. the future holds, but we do know we’ll need focused on attracting and co-investing with In Canada, there is growing consensus to do things differently—and better. private sector and institutional investors among government and industry that risk Doing things better may mean a return in new, revenue-generating infrastructure allocation is a critical issue and discussions to the basic principles of the P3 model. projects that are in the public interest like are continuing via organizations like the Focusing on innovation—and incentivizing the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) Council over how to strike the right balance companies to consider an out-of-the-box project in Montreal. between allocating risk to the partner best approach—should be given more weight Indigenous communities are becoming able to manage it while also ensuring the when it comes to accessing bids. increasingly involved in projects, like Canadian infrastructure market remains Most importantly, we all need to be the 97-kilometre Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road healthy and competitive, with companies reminded that the most important ‘P’ in P3 in the Northwest Territories, which is able to both deliver high quality projects and is partnership. Government and industry among the first P3s in North America make a fair return on their participation. work together to deliver these projects and, with an Indigenous government that has There has been a winnowing of the playing in many cases, to maintain and operate them a cash-funded equity stake in the project. field, with several companies reducing their for decades to come. An enduring spirit of The project is also notable for its unique interest in fixed-price contracts or exiting partnership and collaboration can drive approach to handling long-term risks related the market altogether, as well as a reduction tremendous value, while an overly formal to climate change, which is happening at an in the number of projects using the DBFOM and adversarial approach solves nothing and unprecedented rate in the North. model, which delivers significant long-term only damages public trust. After much engagement with benefits to taxpayers. There is also growing By continuing to partner and collaborate, stakeholders, Ontario has opened itself interest in new and different procurement we can carry on delivering the excellent, up to receiving unsolicited proposals. The approaches such as integrated project innovative and quality infrastructure Canada Infrastructure Bank has also put in development and the alliance model, which Canadians need and deserve as they confront place a mechanism for unsolicited proposals is being used for the first time in Canada and conquer the fiscal, economic, and social and Alberta is interested in pursuing a for the GO Rail Expansion—Union Station changes ahead. similar framework. Enhancement Project. A federal focus on transit and green Despite the changes, the P3 sector remains infrastructure has caused a boom in major healthy with new projects continuing to transit projects coming on stream in be announced and teams embracing new Mark Romoff is the Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The approaches in how best to deliver them. president and CEO of power of these projects to boost economic Like all systems in use for a few years, The Canadian Council for Public-Private development and make communities more experts have argued the time is right for a Partnerships. inclusive can be seen in the ION LRT, which recalibration in the market to get back to

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 33 Transportation Credit: BC Transportation and Infrastructure Credit: BC Transportation and Infrastructure

A simulation of what the bridge project could have A video rendering of what the new George Massey Tunnel could looked like. Procurement was halted in 2017. look like if final approvals and financing move the project forward.

Inside the current tunnel, where upgrades are currently underway to increase its usable life while the replacement is being determined.

TRAVERSING THE FRASER

Will a bridge or a tunnel replace the George Massey Tunnel?

By Carroll McCormick

pened in 1959 to join the cities of tunnel, traffic scenarios, bridge and tunnel lane bridge plus two traffic lanes and a multi- Richmond and Delta in British construction details, stakeholder concerns, use path (MUP) in the old tunnel; an eight- O Columbia, the George Massey and nearby highway interchanges. lane bridge with an MUP; and an eight-lane Tunnel running under the Fraser River has The firm submitted its Independent bored tunnel, plus a MUP in the old tunnel. long been slated for replacement. But a New Technical Review of the George Massey A bored tunnel would be approximately Democratic government, elected in 2017, Crossing, Final Report, to the Ministry 30 metres below grade beneath the river. cancelled the defeated Liberal government’s of Transportation and Infrastructure, in To get the proper grade of the road would 2015 decision to replace it with a bridge. September 2018. require it to be longer than an immersed tube The Liberal government announced in A daily average of 84,000 vehicles passed tunnel, which would be placed in sections in 2015 that it would build a three-kilometre, through the four-lane tunnel in 2017. a trench excavated in the riverbed. “A deep- 10-lane toll bridge, pegging the cost at $3.5 Future traffic scenarios have that number bore tunnel [comes with a cost] estimated billion. Construction would have begun in reaching as many as 118,200 vehicles a day between $12 and $17 billion. The [immersed 2017 and taken five years to complete. in 2030 and 128,400 in 2045, according to tube] tunnel estimate is $4 – $5 billion,” After the new government deep-sixed the Review. notes Matt Pitcairn, president and CEO, that plan, for which $66 million had According to a summary issued by Richmond Chamber of Commerce, who reportedly already been spent, the British the Ministry of Transportation and prefers the bridge option. Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Review concluded that By September 2019 the list had been Infrastructure commissioned Westmar a six-to-eight lane bridge or tunnel could whittled down to two options: an eight-lane Advisors in October 2017 to do an in-depth handle the traffic anticipated by 2045. From immersed tube tunnel with an MUP, and an review of various options. a longer list of options, the Metro Vancouver eight-lane bridge with an MUP. The Review studied issues ranging from Mayors’ Task Force endorsed a short list of On November 1, Metro Vancouver’s the effects of earthquakes on the existing six options in July 2019. They included a six- board of directors voted for an eight-

34 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Transportation

Task Force’s approval of the immersed tube Currently, over 84,000 vehicles per day travel through the tunnel, originally constructed in 1959. tunnel option, and to George Harvie, who is a Task Force member and the Mayor of Delta, and who voted for the tunnel option, for an explanation of his preference for the tunnel option. Neither replied. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has referred to the tunnel option as possibly being less expensive, and with fewer negative impacts, and that a six- to eight-lane bridge would accommodate the “majority” of traffic predicted by 2045. Its criticism of the 10-lane bridge option, levied in late December 2018, includes that it, “[…] was pushed ahead without the input of communities,” and “the technical review of the project has confirmed this was the wrong project for the region.” Pitcairn argues that the bridge option allows for the possibility of widening it, should that be required, and that a tunnel cannot be expanded. He says there are technical challenges to building a tunnel, and notes that much work has already been done for the bridge option. “Our strong preference for a bridge is based lane, immersed tube tunnel, based on the meeting with the head of the George Massey on cost and timeline,” Pitcairn says. “A bridge Task Force’s recommendation. Public team, and they were very clear that no final is cheaper than a tunnel. The 10-lane bridge consultations would follow, and the Ministry decision had been made for a bridge or a already received environmental approval. of Transportation and Infrastructure would tunnel,” Pitcairn says. Then, referring to the Only an amendment is required [for a prepare a business case by the end of 2020. SARS CoV-2 pandemic, he adds, “The whole narrower bridge]. It can proceed on a much But “preparation of a business case” world came to a screeching halt.” shorter timeline. It is likely, if the business implies that the tunnel option was not the The Tsawwassen First Nation also plan is ready in 2020, it will take three to fait accompli that some portrayed it to be last supports the bridge option. Chief Ken five years for the environmental approval fall. Indeed, the Ministry of Transportation Baird, with Tsawwassen First Nation [for a tunnel]. A new George Massey Tunnel and Infrastructure, while confirming that and a Task Force member, explains: “The would be one of the first projects to come the replacement option will have eight lanes, Fraser River is integral to the way of life under the new [environmental assessment] including two for public transit, incorporate of Tsawwassen people and it has been regime, with the uncertainty that is implied. active transportation, and protect for since time immemorial. Our opposition to “The most recent studies that the future transit, told ReNew Canada this the tunnel replacement option is based on government has released show complexities [in a tunnel project]. If you look at the Lower Mainland, we have a lot of The Ministry has referred to the tunnel experience building bridges, but, to my knowledge, only one tunnel. There is an increased risk building a new tunnel next option as possibly being less expensive, to an old tunnel. The risks have been voiced This is a concern of ours as well. Another and with fewer negative impacts variable is that the spring freshet in the Fraser can be pretty aggressive. It is easy to lose a construction season.” June that, “No decision has been made on anticipated negative environmental impacts Pitcairn also says that a tunnel would what the replacement crossing will be. The to the Fraser River ecosystem. The Fraser likely not be completed until 2029, adding, purpose of the business case is to allow River ecosystem is central to the effective “We believe a bridge could present a shovel- decision-makers to review the viability of exercise of Tsawwassen First Nation’s ready option much more quickly than the options presented, and make a decision treaty-based fishing rights. We are concerned a tunnel.” on a preferred solution that serves the best that the construction method for a tunnel interests of British Columbians. We continue replacement option creates risk for fish and to make progress towards selecting the right wildlife. All this being said, we recognize solution for a new crossing that aligns with a need for a new approach to the George Carroll McCormick is a regional plans.” Massey Crossing. That is why we support a freelance writer based in Montreal, Quebec. “There is an option for a bridge and a bridge option.” tunnel on the Minister’s desk,” according ReNew Canada reached out to Task Force to the government. “On March 13 we had a Chair Sav Dhaliwal for comment on the

36 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Resilience

It is well studied that the poor state of Canadian public housing, such as inadequate indoor air quality, results in poor health outcomes.

Crowds gathered to pack Trinity- Bellwoods park in Toronto in May, grabbing international headlines, while also raising alarms over the amount of public space available in the city

INVESTING IN BUILDINGS An investment priority for a resilient recovery. By Elliott Cappell and Ryan Ness

rinity Bellwoods, a park in converted the Trinity Bellwoods’ community often not adequate for our public need. downtown Toronto, was in the centre into a shelter for people experiencing Across the country, our schools, T national news spotlight in May. homelessness. Like many temporary and community centres, libraries, courthouses, Media descended on the park to report on even permanent shelters, conditions did not firehalls, public offices, and especially the crowd of 10,000 who had turned up to suntan on a sunny Saturday, seemingly without physical distancing. The Premier The quality of one’s housing has a direct impact and the Mayor each weighed in. Pundits speculated, editorials were written, and conclusions were drawn about what that on how one will fare in any shock. This is a incident meant for re-opening the economy. However, at the same time there was well-known reality of climate resilience planning. another important story playing out in Trinity Bellwoods—one which offers an important insight for policymakers about allow for social distancing and led to a much public housing are central to the life of public places as we craft our national effort greater rate of COVID-19 illness than in the every community. There are hundreds of to recover from the Coronavirus: general population. This story highlighted thousands of public buildings: the federal In mid-March, the City of Toronto the reality that Canada’s public buildings are government owns or leases 37,000 buildings,

38 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Resilience the City of Toronto has about 7,000, and well established, especially in terms of Renewal and retrofit of public buildings the same can be said of every province, transition to a low-carbon economy. are also an important opportunity for our territory, and city. Retrofitting Canada’s building stock is collective resilience to climate change. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic an absolute necessity for achieving our Public buildings such as community has illustrated, the supply, quality, and climate change commitments and since centres and schools are hubs for the function of public buildings are often public buildings tend to be older and more response to any crisis, including in times inadequate, especially in times of crisis. inefficient it makes sense to focus on them of flooding, heatwaves, snowstorms, A recent Treasury Board review stated 30 for retrofits. and power failures. With climate change percent of federal-owned public buildings in the National Capital Region are in “poor or critical” condition. About two-thirds of Public buildings are the foundation of public buildings are owned and operated by municipalities and their agencies, community life and are essential to our who are faced with a double crunch of needing to repair, upgrade, or repurpose to accommodate a new reality while also individual and collective wellbeing. facing extreme budget shortfalls as a result of the current economic crisis. In addition to the substantive energy and increasing the frequency and severity The retrofit and renewal of public cost savings that could be achieved, a large- of extreme weather, public buildings buildings could be an important element scale initiative to retrofit public buildings will be called upon more often and with of a national economic recovery effort to could be an important opportunity to learn more demand in the decades to come. “build back better,” one that improves the how low-carbon building retrofits can be The physical resilience of those buildings quality of community life while helping to executed efficiently and at a large scale will have a direct impact to the delivery prepare us for a world of decarbonization, across the country. This ‘Retrofit Economy’ of important services and ultimately to growing climate risk, and the aftermath of could create over 150,000 Canadian jobs, how Canadians fare in a time of increased the COVID pandemic. according to research from institutions climate risk. And with ever-growing The benefits of building renewal such as Canada Green Building Council demands on public budgets we can ill and retrofits in ‘normal’ times are and The Atmospheric Fund. afford to continually repair and replace

40 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Resilience buildings that cannot withstand the effects from the Toronto Foundation shows that improve its livability, energy efficiency and of our future harsher climate. COVID-19 could lead to unprecedented climate resilience. The context of COVID-19 significantly levels of homelessness: potentially 13,000 Public buildings are the foundation strengthens the case for investing in additional people in the GTA alone of community life and are essential to renewal of our public buildings because without a home in which to shelter, let our individual and collective wellbeing. they are currently, for the most part, alone isolate, work, and live through the Our public buildings and especially our empty. Much of the cost of conducting a pandemic. Research from the Association public housing need investment to not retrofit and most of the annoyance comes of Community Organizations for Reform only provide this function under ‘normal’ from the displacement of the people who Now (ACORN) show similar statistics conditions, but to also see us through the normally work or use the building. Just nationally, with 35 per cent of renters pandemic recovery and support us in an ask the 3,500 Ontario Public Servants fearing they would not make rent this year. era of climate change. A concerted effort who have been displaced from Queen’s The quality of one’s housing has a direct to renew public buildings could be the Park while the Province spends over $1 impact on how one will fare in any shock. opportunity of a generation to improve billion on rehabilitating offices. With This is a well-known reality of climate their resilience and efficiency, and to and most of our public buildings either empty, resilience planning. It is well studied support the welfare of communities and underutilized, or with public servants that the poor state of Canadian public users that depend on them. working from home, retrofits could housing, such as inadequate indoor air produce the same long-term benefits while quality, results in poor health outcomes. incurring fewer short-term costs. Other factors such as low rates of internet There is one exception to the state of access create barriers to participating in occupation of public buildings: public the economy for residents. These were housing. Public housing is not just full, it bad enough in good times, but with a is overflowing. Over 500,000 Canadians virus circulating indoors and employment live in social and affordable housing, opportunities even more closely tied with with over 250,000 families on waitlists. the ability to work from home, the quantity Elliott Cappell, is the national director for Meanwhile our shelter systems for people and quality of Canadian public housing climate change and resilience at WSP Canada. experiencing homelessness are at 99 per may be more critical than ever. A renewal Ryan Ness is the adaptation research director cent capacity in some cities. Research and expansion effort could simultaneously at the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices.

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 41 Leadership

SECURING

SOCIAL Collaborations with Indigenous communities have led to recent infrastructure megaprojects such as the Southwest Calgary Ring LICENSE Road seen here.

Consultative direction for engaging Indigenous communities post-COVID-19.

By Ross Holden

long with most of the rest of provincial and territorial legislatures. and associated with the construction, the world Covid-19 has driven Federally, and until recently, most major operation, and decommissioning of A Canada’s economy into recession, projects in Canada were subject to the the project. and there it will remain for a very long time requirements of the Canadian Environmental • The anticipated schedule for the unless some form of economic stimulus Assessment Act 2012 (CEAA 2012). Among project’s construction, operation, is brought into play. With interest rates at CEAA 2012’s many shortcomings were its decommissioning, and abandonment. or near zero percent, one of the few tools orientation toward simply assessing whether • A list of any changes that the project may available to governments in the difficult years or not a proposed project would result in be cause to the habitats of fish and other ahead will be public-private partnership significant adverse environmental effects, aquatic species, migratory birds, and any (P3) investments in infrastructure and other rather than whether it was in the public other changes to the environment. interest (e.g. contributing to sustainable projects that get people back to work, and With respect to the Indigenous peoples of development), or had achieved social license. offer added benefits such as reduced carbon Canada, a brief description of the impact that Because CEAA 2012’s requirements for emissions, or increased connectivity. But in the project may have on physical and cultural assessing and approving major projects order to ensure that government and private heritage, the use of lands and resources was not sufficiently robust to promote the sector investments result in their intended for traditional purposes, and anything of objective of securing social license vis-à-vis purpose—rapid economic recovery—private historical, archaeological, paleontological, or Indigenous communities, many projects have sector and government project proponents architectural significance. failed to achieve it, the results of which have cannot cut corners when it comes to A brief description of any change that, as been in plain view in recent years. engaging Indigenous communities. Doing a result of the carrying out of the project, The federal Impact Assessment Act so could make the difference between a may occur in Canada to the health, social, or (IAA), which came in to force in August of relatively short two to three-year economic economic conditions of Indigenous peoples 2019, partially remedied this shortcoming recovery, or one lasting a decade. of Canada. by instituting a process that encourages The Aboriginal and treaty rights of These requirements and others, as outlined proponents to start seeking social license Indigenous peoples in Canada are explicitly in the IAA Information and Management from Indigenous communities during a new protected by section 35 of the 1982 of Time Limits Regulations, can be met project planning phase. The planning phase Constitution Act. Since 1982 the courts have based on information that is available to is triggered by a proponent’s submission of provided some guidance on how potential the public or derived from any engagement an initial project description which must project impacts on those rights should be undertaken with Indigenous peoples of include, among other things: identified, mitigated, and/or accommodated Canada. While it is difficult to imagine how (e.g. the Crown’s “duty to consult”). They • The project’s proposed geographic a proponent could meet these requirements have also hinted at the overall importance coordinates (including a proposed route in a substantive manner without direct of pursuing social license from Indigenous for linear corridor projects). engagement of Indigenous communities, communities above and beyond impacts on • A list of all activities, infrastructure, the regulations do not require them to do rights, but have stopped short of mandating permanent, or temporary structures so. And yet, a project’s success will depend a process for doing so in deference to federal, and physical works to be included in on achieving social license, which in turn,

42 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

Leadership depends on early engagement. Therefore through social media, or from their neighbours. personal level. Indigenous communities proponents, particularly those entering into During early engagement, be prepared to understand that values shape decisions, and projects wholly or partially financed by public spend time, if not money: Early engagement accountability rests with decision-makers; funds, must engage Indigenous communities need not require a large financial outlay, but therefore, they will want to know what in a substantive and meaningful manner at it will require a commitment of your time and values the decisionmakers live by, and the the earliest stages of the development of an ‘personal capital.’ In addition to talking with only way to do so is through face-to-face, initial project description in order to foster leaders you should take every opportunity eye-to-eye conversations. People will want to social license and ensure that the expenditure offered to get to know community members: know your story, and tell you theirs, so leave of public funds results in their intended Where they live, how they live, their your corporate persona behind and bring purpose—contributing to economic recovery. challenges and their successes. The time your empathy instead. Herewith is some advice for proponents of major projects in a post-Covid, Impact Assessment Act economic recovery: […] private sector and government project Get ahead of the curve: A few hours of desktop research can point you to First Nation, proponents cannot cut corners when it comes Métis and Inuit communities, Tribal Councils and other representative organizations in the to engaging Indigenous communities. broader vicinity of where your project might occur. Even if you don’t yet have many project for extensive community engagement and Listen, learn and don’t be afraid of making details to share, a few phone calls or even emails research will come later; invest in building introducing yourself, providing a heads-up on ‘mistakes’: No one expects someone who has relationships at the early stages. a funding or feasibility study announcement, spent his or her career battling in the trenches and an invitation to meet will go a long way to Focus on building trust from the outset: of West Georgia Street, 5th Ave SW, or Bay building trust and empowering leadership by As a CEO, your ability to achieve social Street to have an expert-level knowledge of committing to a ‘no surprises’ relationship at license for your company’s project among the history of Indigenous-Crown relations, the outset. If possible, try to avoid having an Indigenous communities will hinge in the varied cultures and experiences of First Indigenous community (especially its leaders) large part on their knowledge of, and trust Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, or their hearing about your project in the news, in, you and your management team at a structures of governance. But listening,

44 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net Leadership asking questions and learning on your own Start investing in internal engagement Constitutionally-protected Aboriginal and time will demonstrate your commitment expertise and capacity: Even though you Treaty rights, nor guidance to proponents to developing an informed relationship. will not be expected to demonstrate expertise on achieving social license. Another Seek out opportunities to broaden your vis-à-vis Indigenous communities, as a CEO fundamental misunderstanding is that it historical and cultural learning. you will be expected to build such capacity is the job of governments and regulators to Commit to transparency: You won’t have within your organization. There’s no shortage achieve social license for a project by ‘selling’ a great deal of information to share at the of knowledgeable, well-connected people that it through the exercise of the Crown’s ‘duty early stages of project planning, but you can can help guide you on your journey, introduce to consult.’ While that may have been true provide regular updates on the status and you to the right people, and help you avoid in the past (in practice, if not in law) that is progress of project planning to a community’s mistakes that could be critical later in your no longer the case. Social license requires the leaders, and begin to introduce them to your project’s development. Start small, and choose development of relationships that will have project managers and technical experts, so carefully: Take the time to find someone who to stand the test of time through a project’s that they can begin building relationships. is comfortable and capable of moving in a entire lifecycle—beginning to end—and long As the discussion progresses, you will want variety of circles, and is willing and able to after project is approved by regulators. those people engaging in conversations with speak truthfully to you, and the communities As the CEO for a major project, do you community leaders and citizens about their you hope to partner with. expect (or want?) a government managing your interests, their use of lands and resources Leading up to the passage of the IAA and relationship with your project partners? I doubt for traditional and ceremonial purposes, thereafter, critics claimed that it imposed it. So, work toward social license by taking the and what they hope to get out of the project. an unreasonable burden on proponents time to get to know your future partners as soon The feedback from those conversations can and would result in reduced investment in, as possible. And just be yourself. inform an initial project description, but at and approval of major projects. This view a summative high-level, and should not be represents a fundamental misunderstanding attributed or considered in any way a definitive of Aboriginal law in Canada, and the intent consultation. You should also share the initial of the IAA: the reason so many major Ross Holden is an independent consultant project description with communities for projects have been delayed and scrapped in focused on advancing comment before you submit it to the Impact the past is because federal and provincial the Indigenous-Crown Assessment Agency of Canada, again, to regulatory regimes have not provided an relationship and responsible ensure a ‘no surprises’ relationship. adequate framework for consideration of resource development.

renewcanada.net September/October 2020 ReNew Canada 45 Top100 Projects

Credit: City of Vancouver For additional details on this year’s Top100 report, visit top100projects.ca Proponent Selected for Broadway Subway Extension

2020 Top100 Projects Rank: 23 Value: $2.83 billion

Following a competitive procurement Design contractor: IBI Group Professional Infrastructure. TI Corp will provide the process, a preferred proponent team has been Services (Canada) Inc./Dialog BC controls, practices and other oversight selected to design, build, and partially finance Architecture Engineering Interior Design that are essential for this complex project. the Broadway Subway Project in Vancouver. Planning Inc./Mott MacDonald Canada The project will be delivered under The Broadway Subway Project is a Ltd./Ingenieria Especializada Obra Civil e the province’s Community Benefits 5.7-kilometre extension of the Millennium Industrial, S.A. Agreement (CBA). Line, from VCC-Clark Station to Broadway Systems integration contractor: Acciona Once opened, the commute from VCC- and Arbutus. It will provide fast, frequent Infrastructure Canada Inc./Ghella Canada Clark Station to Arbutus Station will and convenient SkyTrain service to British Ltd./Parsons Inc. take about 11 minutes. This will save Columbia’s second-largest jobs centre, The request for qualifications was posted the average transit commuter almost 30 health services and an emerging innovation through BC Bid on February 15, 2019 and minutes a day, while also relieving traffic and research hub, as well as growing shortlisted proponents were invited to congestion along Broadway. residential communities. respond to the request for proposals (RFP). The project budget is $2.83 billion, The preferred proponent team selected A thorough RFP process and subsequent funded and delivered by the provincial to enter into final contract negotiations is evaluation of technical and financial government, with contributions from Acciona-Ghella Joint Venture: submissions was undertaken. the Government of Canada and the City Proponent: Acciona Infrastructure Canada Transportation Investment Corporation of Vancouver. Inc./Ghella Canada Ltd. (TI Corp) is leading the delivery of the Construction is scheduled to start later in Design-build/tunnel contractor: Acciona Broadway Subway Project on behalf 2020, with the line going into service Infrastructure Canada Inc./Ghella Canada Ltd. of the Ministry of Transportation and in 2025. Credit: DIALOG

Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Construction Complete

2020 Top100 Projects Rank: 71 Value: $850 million (adjusted)

The construction of the $850 million have completed construction of the newest been waiting for years for this facility,” said Grande Prairie Regional Hospital is and most technologically advanced hospital Premier Jason Kenney. “The completion now complete. Once operational, the in Alberta,” said Minister of Infrastructure of construction means that AHS can get 63,272-square-metre hospital will have Prasad Panda. “Needed public infrastructure to work getting the hospital ready to serve 240 patient beds and provide a wide range projects like this are an integral part of the community. Once operational, this new of healthcare services, including surgery, Alberta’s economic recovery and keeping hospital will ensure that Albertans across cancer care, and emergency services. Albertans working.” our province continue to have access to The hospital, which will be managed Due to the dedication and commitment world-class health care.” by Alberta Health Services (AHS), will of the on-site workers, construction was Once AHS takes possession of the include a state-of-the-art cancer centre completed about three months ahead of building, they will need time to clean, that will include two new radiation Clark Builders’ initial construction schedule. commission, and train staff prior to opening treatment areas and a health-care training Work at the site will now shift focus to in order to provide safe and quality care. facility in partnership with Grande Prairie address minor deficiencies and the start of It is hoped this process is complete by Regional College. commissioning activities at the hospital. the end of summer 2021. Timelines for “When we hand over the hospital to “This milestone is a significant one for commissioning activities could be impacted Alberta Health Services on July 1, we will the people of Grande Prairie who have by the COVID-19 pandemic.

46 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net

People & Events

APPOINTED McManus takes over the role the Principal’s Prize for Excellence in from Giovanni Cautillo, who was Teaching when he was Director of the Dr. Andrew Furey is the recently named the executive director McGill School of Urban Planning. In 14th Premier of of the Ontario General Contractors 2018, he began his current leadership role Newfoundland and Association. as Dean of the Université de Montreal Labrador, following his Faculté de l’aménagement. victory in the Liberal Party’s The Canadian Institute With over 150 publications, Dr. of Planners (CIP) is Andrew leadership convention. Tsenkova is a prominent voice in Furey In February, then-Premier pleased to announce two the areas of housing policy, growth Dwight Ball announced that he was new inductees into its management, sustainable cities, and stepping down from his position, allowing esteemed College of comparative urban development. While him more time to spend with his family. Ball Raphaël Fellows: Dr. Raphaël Dr. Tsenkova has made significant Fischler became Premier following the Liberal Party’s Fischler urbaniste, contributions to planning in Canada, victory in the 2015 provincial election. FCIP, and Dr. Sasha her influence extends well beyond the The 45-year-old Furey is a familiar face in Tsenkova RPP, FCIP. Canadian context. In working with the provincial politics, as his father George is the Recognition as a Fellow World Bank, Council of Europe, and Speaker of the Senate of Canada. of CIP is the highest United Nations, Dr. Tsenkova has played Furey is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon honour a planner in a critical role in projects in 30 countries Canada can receive. and professor at Memorial University’s Sasha across Central and Eastern Europe, Latin School of Medicine in St. John’s. He is also Tsenkova It recognizes national America, and Central Asia. Additionally, the founder and CEO of Team Broken Earth, excellence, identifies she has been a visiting scholar in a collective of Canadian medical professionals prominent role models, promotes Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Latvia, the that help to provide humanitarian aid to advances in planning practice, and draws Netherlands, Scotland, Sweden, and the countries around the world. leaders to the forefront of planning in United States of America. Furey is not currently a Member of the Canada. Only members of the College House of Assembly, and has not indicated of Fellows are permitted to use the title Carmen Ogilvie has when or how he will seek a seat. of FCIP, which denotes Fellow of the been named the new head Canadian Institute of Planners. of operations for the Patrick McManus is the Having taught and mentored students International Project new executive director of the at both McGill University and the Finance Association Ontario Sewer and Université de Montreal for over 25 Carmen (IPFA). Watermain Construction years, Dr. Fischler’s reach of influence Ogilvie Ogilvie started with the Association (OSWCA). has extended all over Canada, as well as IPFA in March 2015, joining the team as Patrick McManus has been with internationally, through his role as an its regional events coordinator in London, McManus the association since June academic and researcher. As a research England. She was promoted to operations 2013, taking on the role of director of supervisor, he has guided and shared his manager in July 2017, a role she served in government relations and communications. knowledge with over 80 doctoral and for three years. Prior to joining the OSWCA, he had served masters’ students who have gone on to Prior to joining the IPFA, Ogilvie spent as a government relations analyst with the make their marks in the profession. In time with the National Basketball Association Ontario Road Builders’ Association. 2013, McGill University awarded him and the Chelsea Football Club.

IN COLLABORATION WITH JUNE 9-11 12th Annual 2021 Window OTTAWA, ONTARIO on Ottawa

THE KEYS TO A BLUE ECONOMY Unlocking Water Policy, Governance and Technology in Canada

Follow for updates and connect with us! @CdnWaterSummit #CdnWaterSummit #CanadianWaterSummit watersummit.ca

48 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net INTRODUCING CNAM’S FALL 2020 EDUCATION SERIES

This fall, we are providing a number of opportunities for you to improve your knowledge of public infrastructure asset management. Whether you are new to the sector or a seasoned professional, we can help you on your journey to better management of your municipal infrastructure assets.

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 30 AMCF Workshop Panel Discussion: The Future of Asset Management Learn about CNAM’s Asset Management Competency Framework This discussion, with a set of multi-disciplinary panelists, will explore where asset management (AMCF) for Canadian communities is going next in Canada, identifying important and how it can help you increase focus areas, skillsets, and tools that public AM capacity and build AM capabilities. infrastructure asset managers need to consider.

OCTOBER

OCTOBER 6, 13, AND 20 OCTOBER 28 AM101 Virtual Course Webinar: CNAM AMRS Tool Launch Join us for this three-part interactive training CNAM will be launching an advanced version of session to learn what asset management is, FCM’s AM Readiness Scale in an Excel-based tool why it should be undertaken in your community that has added functionality, including Future State and tangible steps to begin implementation. planning across 1-3-5 years to help you with your This is relevant for all municipalities, regardless short-, medium-, and long term business roadmaps, of your size and location, or whether or not as well as graphs and table reporting for you to you have made any progress with asset easily include in your asset management documents management to date. like internal comms and your AM Strategy.

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

NOVEMBER 25 DECEMBER 1, 8, AND 15 Webinar: CNAM New Professionals Network AM101 Virtual Course Led by one of CNAM’s new professionals, this webinar See description details for the event will showcase the emerging research and analysis listed above on October 6, 13, and 20. being undertaken to advance the asset management body of knowledge. This event is an opportunity for new and seasoned professionals alike to gain new Visit cnam.ca to register. knowledge in a particular area of research.

With assistance from: Closing Shot

After 15 years, these issues hold some of Todd’s favourite Closing Shots. Visit renewcanada.net to download the issues and read Todd’s rants.

RANTS AND RAVES By Todd Latham

urricane Katrina was hitting New I’ve lambasted the lack of public utility stupidest thing you have ever heard in your Orleans around this time in 2005 coordination and praised former Toronto municipality?” and been surprised with the H -its critical levee infrastructure had mayor Rob Ford for seeking private funding answers to both. It’s been a fun journey. failed, flooding much of the low-lying area. of subways. I’ve ranted about the lack of This edition is a big thank you to the tens The “Closing Shot” in the inaugural issue of facts on environmental assessments and of thousands who read ReNew Canada and ReNew Canada was an aerial photo of the infrastructure condition assessment (good, embrace the infrastructure community widespread damage and helped drive home fair, poor?). I’ve written on irresponsible in their professional lives, a thumbs up to the importance of public infrastructure and partisan governments and decried the the hundreds of loyal industry friends and assets—a central theme of this publication lack of women leaders in our industry. Some supporters who continue to say ‘yes’ and that has continued for fifteen years. of my rants have focused on the often poor a virtual hug to the dozens of close staff, Since then, I’ve written most of the 90 relationships between politicians and career Actual alumni, and family who, like me, feel columns here. Our editors have filled in for bureaucrats or on the overuse of words ReNew closer to home. There are still many me a few times, a provincial premier used like ‘innovation’ and ‘sustainability.’ One infrastructure good news stories to praise it as soap box for proposing five per cent of particularly pointed rant called out the idiocy and many frustrating ones to skewer, so I’m GDP be invested on infrastructure renewal, of an elected official who said the collapse of certain you’ll see more rants and raves on a union head took this page to say that a new bridge was “God’s will.” this page in the coming fifteen. the CIB is a bad deal for Canadians, and a It hasn’t all been critical. I’ve celebrated university professor lamented the ‘death the use of prizes and awards as incentivizing of evidence-based planning.’ When my funding sources and momentum-builders name is the byline, I’ve gotten in my shots for clean capitalism, the use of roundabouts on the woeful imbalance of municipal and in transportation systems, and how Todd is the founder of provincial taxation powers, and championed governments can capture the value of this magazine and, as the the benefits of full cost accounting, user pay, natural capital on the balance sheet. I’ve traditional gift for a 15th and road tolls. I’ve compared fighter jet and taken you on an expedition to Antarctica anniversary is crystal or glassware, he bought some water costs and have sung the praises of and scuba diving in Mexico—always with an nice scotch glasses and a guerilla gardening with street flowers and infrastructure itinerary. I’ve asked questions bottle of 15-year old single seed bombs. like “what’s a tree worth?” and “what’s the malt for the office to help celebrate.

50 ReNew Canada September/October 2020 renewcanada.net