January/February 2021 Top100 Projects Analysis One Smart Hospital Fifteen Headlines ON THE RISE Megaproject Development Breaks $250 Billion Plateau

Contents

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

SPECIAL INSERT Top100 Projects 2021 Our fifteenth annual report on Canada’s biggest infrastructure projects is inserted into the centre of this issue. For additional details on this year’s Top100 report, visit top100projects.ca

GOVERNANCE INNOVATION 8 Leading the Bank 26 Answering the Call Managing Editor Andrew Macklin A Canadian contractor responds sits down with Ehren Cory to to the need for a new system for 8 discuss what we can expect from alarm management during the his leadership at the helm of the construction of a new hospital. Canada Infrastructure Bank. By Robert Barnes

TOP100 PROJECTS OUTLOOK 10 Top100 Analysis 28 Fifteen Headlines ReNew Canada’s analysis Fifteen important industry of the $253.8 billion worth stories that, we hope, will of projects featured in the be part of the infrastructure 2021 Top100 Projects report. news cycle in 2021. By Andrew Macklin By Andrew Macklin

14 Power Up POLITICS An in-depth look at the 20 challenges and opportunities 30 2021 faced during the construction Political Outlook of the Manitoba-Minnesota How the political Transmission Project. landscape in Canada will By Andrew Snook impact infrastructure development in 2021. 16 One Smart Hospital By John Allen A detailed look at the first net new hospital in Ontario DEPARTMENTS in nearly three decades. By Andrew Snook 4 Editor’s Note Andrew Macklin on why the use of the term ENERGY ‘user-financed construction’ 20 Electrifying is an important change for 14 30 the Economy how we approach discussions A discussion of the need on transportation fees. for a clear mandate on the 5 Front electrification of the economy New Patient Care Tower and its repercussions on for Prince George, Sask. Canada’s energy sector. Transportation Investment By Andrew Macklin 18 Panorama The Centre of Attention LABOUR 33 People & Events 24 Training Apprentices Appointments, announcements, How the industry is evolving company news, and event reports. to meet the needs for a new 34 Closing Shot education regimen in the Just saying it doesn’t wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. make it true. 10 By Phil Gillies By Todd Latham renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 3 Editor’s Note

USER-FINANCED

CONSTRUCTION January/February 2021 Volume 19 Number 1 By Andrew Macklin MANAGING EDITOR Andrew Macklin

ovember 3rd, 2020. Election new infrastructure that replaces a GROUP PUBLISHER Todd Latham day in the United States. service people were already paying PUBLISHER Nick Krukowski N And yet, rather than for. Alberta’s first user-financed ART DIRECTOR AND watching what was unfolding south construction project will be a new Donna Endacott SENIOR DESIGNER of the border, my attention was bridge across the Peace River, replacing drawn to a media release sent by the the aging La Crete Ferry. And instead ASSOCIATE EDITOR Simran Chattha

Government of Alberta earlier that of building the bridge decades from DIGITAL MARKETING Becky Umweni day. In particular, the words ‘user- now when the province can afford COORDINATOR financed construction’. it based on where it falls on the list DIGITAL EDITOR Connie Vitello The term, appearing in a quote from of provincial investment priorities, EVENT MANAGER Natasha Mawji Alberta Minister of Transportation they can build it now, and use the CONTRIBUTORS John Allen, Robert Barnes, Ric McIver, was used to describe the fees collected to pay for construction Phil Gillies, Andrew Snook methodology behind the province’s big and upkeep. Nick Krukowski announcement that it would welcome It starts there, with a single project ADVERTISING [email protected] user fees or tolls on newly-constructed where user fees are collected to pay transportation infrastructure assets. for a valuable service: the chance to ADVISORS Nick Reid, James Sbrolla “By building new roads and bridges get home quicker, more efficiently, now, user-financed construction for a nominal fee. And this model will strengthen economic growth can be considered now throughout and competitiveness at a time when the province for any and all new Albertans need it most,” he stated. transportation initiatives. Just six weeks earlier, our team at User fees don’t have to be massive ReNew Canada had held a national to help cover costs. Just ask users of discussion on whether or not it was the Macdonald bridge in Halifax or time to again consider the collection the Coquihalla Highway in British of transportation user fees at a time Columbia. But we can no longer

when municipalities are struggling expect municipalities to find the ReNew Canada is published to pay for upkeep of crumbling millions of dollars for asset upkeep six times a year by Actual Media Inc. infrastructure assets. We talked about when there are so many other stresses

how collecting fees would help address on the budget. Something has to 150 Eglinton Ave. E, #806, Toronto, ON M4P 1E8 these asset management shortfalls, give. Perhaps now, with Alberta Phone: 416-444-5842 placing the financial burden on the introducing a thoughtful solution Subscription/customer services: 416-444-5842 ext. 7 user rather than the general public. with ‘user-financed construction,’ But the panellists also understood other provinces will step up and that the political appetite for such follow suit. Otherwise, infrastructure ReNew Canada subscriptions are fee collection initiatives wasn’t there; deficits will continue to grow with available for $39.95/year or $64.95/two years those creating the legislation were no solution in sight. and include the annual Top100 Projects report. not about to support the introduction ©2021 Actual Media Inc. All rights reserved. of such a system for infrastructure The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means in whole or in part, without funding. And there were more than prior written consent from the publisher. right in their assessment. Printed in Canada Andrew Macklin is the managing But Alberta has found a way "ReNew Canada" and "ReThink. ReBuild. ReNew" around that in a very thoughtful way editor of ReNew Canada. are Trademarks of Actual Media Inc. by starting with collecting fees on [email protected]

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4 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net ABOUT THE COVER Front

This year’s Top100 Projects surpassed the quarter-of-a- Town of Apex, Nunavut billion mark, with over $253 billion in projects included. Learn more about this year’s list on page 10.

RFP ISSUED FOR ALBERTA SCHOOLS P3

REPORT REVEALS MAJOR

The Alberta government has shortlisted three qualified groups to INFRASTRUCTURE deliver five new high schools through a public-private partnership (P3). The groups invited to participate in the request for proposals (RFP) are: GAPS IN NUNAVUT Alberta Partnership for Learning, Concert-Bird Partners, and Plenary- Maple High Schools. unavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the “We have talented, experienced teams right here in Alberta who can help land claims organization that represents build the schools Albertans need,” said Prasad Panda, Alberta’s Minister N the Inuit of Nunavut, released the first-ever of Infrastructure. “I am confident that this process will provide savings for comprehensive comparison of infrastructure between Alberta taxpayers while ensuring our students have world-class schools to Nunavut and the rest of Canada. learn and grow in. Next fall, we will have a successful P3 contract in place The 300-page report contains detailed analysis and with shovels in the ground for these five much-needed high schools.” research on 18 different areas of infrastructure, and The five new high schools included in the P3 bundle are: presents an update on a challenging state of affairs— • Blackfalds: Grade 9-12 school, Wolf Creek Public Schools. including infrastructure gaps in all areas (transportation, • Edmonton: Grade 10-12 school in the southeast, healthcare, communications, etc.) and under-investment Edmonton Public Schools. and lack of action on the part of the federal government. • Edmonton: Grade 10-12 school in Heritage Valley, The organization warns that the territory’s infrastructure Edmonton Catholic Schools. gap will only continue to grow unless major interventions • Langdon: Grade 7-12 school, Rocky View Schools. are made. • Leduc: Grade 10-12 school, Black Gold School Division. “With this report, I believe we have an opportunity to These five new high schools are part of the more than $10 billion turn the conventional narrative of infrastructure needs infrastructure spending announced as part of Alberta’s Recovery in the Arctic on its head,” said Aluki Kotierk, president Plan. The RFP process will be completed in July 2021. Proposals will be of NTI. “Together, with our federal and territorial examined for each consortium’s capacity to complete the project and to partners we can develop a new collective understanding ensure its bid provides Alberta taxpayers with good value for dollars spent. of Nunavut’s infrastructure needs that respects our A contract with the successful P3 consortium is expected to be in aspirations and roles.” place by the end of September 2021. This is the first P3 project issued The NTI represents the territory’s 33,000 Inuit by the Government of Alberta since the UCP took office. and their rights under the Nunavut Agreement. NTI is governed by a board of directors, including six members nominated by Nunavut’s three Regional NEXT ISSUE: MARCH/APRIL Inuit Associations: the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and the Qikiqtani Inuit THE ECONOMICS OF INFRASTRUCTURE Association. Closing the infrastructure gap is one of the core priorities established by the NTI board. Tough Roads A Price on U.S. Election Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the national organization to Build Transportation Impact representing Canada’s 65,000 Inuit, has identified A look at Should cities Will a Biden eliminating the infrastructure deficit as a core priority Canada’s complex start charging presidency be for Inuit Nunangat more broadly. This comprehensive transportation for good for Canadian research project measures the infrastructure gap between projects. road use? infrastructure? Nunavut and the rest of Canada. This work represents a necessary first step in efforts to close this gap—next steps will require further leadership Advertising Deadline: January 15, 2021 from Inuit organizations and meaningful partnership To reach our influential readers in print with local, territorial, and federal governments. and online, contact [email protected] To read the full report, visit tunngavik.com.

renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 5 Front Credit: Sustainable Marine CANADA INVESTS IN TIDAL ENERGY

The Canadian government has currently being assembled in Meteghan, Nova homes, vehicles, and businesses. announced its largest-ever investment in Scotia and will be launched in Grand Passage Tidal energy—a clean, renewable energy tidal energy—$28.5 million to Sustainable later this year for testing before relocation to source generated by ocean tides and Marine in Nova Scotia to deliver Canada’s the Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy currents—has the potential to significantly first floating tidal energy system. (FORCE) in 2021. These platforms will make reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions “We are harnessing the power of our tides up the tidal energy array. and improve local air quality by displacing to power our homes, our businesses, and The objective of the project is to provide electricity generated from fossil fuels. our communities. This is how we build our up to nine megawatts of predictable and Funding for the project comes from clean energy future,” said Seamus O’Regan, clean renewable electricity to Nova Scotia’s Natural Resources Canada’s Emerging Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. electrical grid. This will reduce greenhouse Renewables Power Program, part of Canada’s Sustainable Marine developed an gas emissions by 17,000 tonnes of carbon more than $180-billion Investing in Canada innovative floating tidal energy platform dioxide a year while creating new jobs in the infrastructure plan for public transit projects, called PLAT-I that has undergone rigorous province. The project will also demonstrate green infrastructure, social infrastructure, testing on the waters of Grand Passage the ability to harness tides as a reliable trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s for nearly two years. A second platform is source of renewable electricity to power rural and northern communities. Credit: City of Ottawa OTTAWA APPROVES DESIGN FOR BARRHAVEN LRT PROJECT

A major light rail transit (LRT) project The design includes three bridges 120 private rental units, the committee has received the green light from the City of to separate VIA Rail tracks from approved a motion to create a working Ottawa’s Transportation Committee, but is Woodroffe Avenue, the southwest group to examine options on how to pending approval from city council and funding Transitway and Fallowfield Road, assist the residents who are facing future from upper levels of government. along with interim measures to make relocation. The working group, which The committee has approved Stage 3 transit more efficient and reliable along would include multiple city departments, recommendations from the environmental Woodroffe Avenue. Ottawa Community Housing representatives assessment for Barrhaven Light Rail Transit The estimated $3-billion project from the affected communities, the Ward (LRT) and rail-grade separations. could be implemented in two phases: Councillor, and the Council Liaison for This LRT project would result in the • $2 billion to extend LRT between Housing and Homelessness, would make extension of the line by 10 kilometres and Baseline Station and Fallowfield recommendations to the Finance and seven stations. Double tracks would be elevated Station and building three bridges Economic Development Committee by the between Baseline Station and the Nepean over the VIA Rail line. end of the year. Sportsplex, transitioning back to grade and • $1 billion to extend the LRT to The plan has to be approved by Ottawa following the existing southwest Transitway Barrhaven Town Centre. City Council before it can obtain funding alignment to Barrhaven Town Centre, where a As the recommended alignment commitments from the federal and new park-and-ride facility would be built. of the LRT extension would affect provincial governments.

6 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Sponsored Content

Urgent action needed now to save 41,000 construction-related jobs in Ontario

RCCAO commissioned a report by Prism Economics collaboratively with municipalities to quickly administer the and Analysis that examined the possible impact of process to get those funds out,” said RCCAO board chair cancellations of construction maintenance and repair projects Peter Smith. “However, despite the Herculean effort of the by municipalities. governments, municipalities are still projecting significant The analysis, Averting a Crisis: The Need to Protect Ontario’s deficits for 2021 and will have no choice but to continue to Infrastructure Investments, indicates that Ontario is headed raid their capital funds in order to balance their budgets.” for a worsening economic crisis if investments for these types The volume of work has been decreasing and civil and of projects dry up. engineering contractors are reporting they have fewer bidding More than 41,000 construction-related jobs will be lost opportunities. It is vital that federal and Ontario investment in Ontario if deferrals and cancellations continue based on to support municipal infrastructure be accelerated during the the unprecedented 35-per-cent drop in government and pandemic. Municipalities need a commitment that they will institutional building permits. have the support they need to balance their budgets. RCCAO is grateful for the work that the federal and provincial “The worst case scenario for 41,000 workers in Ontario would governments have done to get funds to municipalities, but be that despite all the incredible work and collaboration maintains urgent action is still needed to ensure they can between the federal, provincial and municipal governments balance their budgets. during this pandemic, the actual municipal deficit problem “We recognize that the federal government has put historic is not solved before February and the 2021 construction year amounts of money on the table and the province has provided is lost,” said Smith. matching cost sharing for many programs as well as working Visit rccao.com to find out more.

e: [email protected]

@_RCCAO rccao.com Governance Credit: Canada Infrastructure Bank

For the CIB to have success, projects like Montreal’s REM, one of the Bank’s first investments, will need to be part of a robust pipeline of projects structured to secure private funding.

Inset: Canada Infrastructure Bank CEO Ehren Cory

LEADING THE BANK

New leadership ushers in the next phase of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

By Andrew Macklin

he timing of the hiring may have been capital. Bringing in new pools (of funding) of the infrastructure space. We’re seeing coincidental, but it likely could have and getting more infrastructure built faster that with our Alberta irrigation project T lined up any better. Just a few weeks is really what motivates me. for instance. I think other areas like zero after the federal government’s announcement Infrastructure, what I love about it, emissions buses and energy retrofits for of the $10-billion Growth Plan, to be executed Andrew, is that it’s inter-generational, it’s buildings are also really good examples of by the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB or long lasting, it shapes communities, and it taking the power of the CIB to some new Bank), Ehren Cory was named the Bank’s drives economies. I think there is no better sectors. So, the Growth Plan does that. new CEO. Cory’s new opportunity follows a space to be in. And, maybe even more importantly, what successful run as the chief executive officer at Once I knew I wanted to stay in the Growth Plan does is that it gives us Infrastructure Ontario. infrastructure, the promise of the Bank was the opportunity to set up a track record of Cory was on day eight of the new job when just so appealing. The idea of, at a national execution and of successful investments that I was able to catch up with him. We spoke scale, to play a role in filling a critical gap we can then use as a platform to grow from. about his passion for infrastructure, the role which I think the Bank can do in getting I don’t lose my sight at all of the longer of the Bank, and the opportunities that lie more built more quickly at better value to term, and I think that the nice thing about ahead for the Canada Infrastructure Bank. taxpayers, was too good to pass up. managing a funnel of investments is we Here is what Ehren had to say. can work in different time horizons: short-, With a handful of projects at various medium-, and long-term. But overall, my initial Looking at what came next for you stages of development and a $10 focus is: let’s deliver on the fundamentals of following your tenure at IO, what was billion Growth Plan mandate from the the Growth Plan, let’s build a track record of the appeal of joining the Canada federal government, where do you credibility and success for the CIB. Infrastructure Bank versus the other start? How do you start to have an opportunities you considered? impact in the earliest days of your During the discussion you had at My own personal motivation very much is work with CIB? the Canadian Council for Public- to figure out how do you leverage the private I feel like my timing coincides really nicely Private Partnerships’ conference, sector to do public good. I think there’s an with the maturity and the evolution of the you mentioned this idea of trying to incredible opportunity for us to bring the best institution. So, in terms of where I focus, structure deals in a way that the market of both of those worlds together: to achieve I feel the Growth Plan is, in the short would invest in. Can you expand on public policy goals, to achieve public good, term, absolutely the priority. It gives us what you meant by that? through leveraging the best of private sector the opportunity to test some new models, I think what’s really exciting for the CIB thinking and capacity in all forms, including to expand our work into some new sectors is that we are designed to fill in a gap.

8 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Governance Credit: REM I like how John (Casola) put it: it is simple but it is very elegant. There are projects in this world that are commercial, that don’t require government intervention, that happen all the time across our country. That’s investments like transmission or broadband in urban areas where the customer base is such and the revenue base is such that those projects are investable, and bankable and happen. At the other end of the spectrum, there are social infrastructure that are truly the domain of government. They are publicly funded, they don’t come with their own funding source of any kind, and they are through traditional public financing means and that’s appropriate. And there is this huge area in the middle that are projects that are on the margin: they have economics to them that are challenging or they have other hurdles. But they are fundamentally good projects that just need a nudge to get over the line. That’s the place where the Bank can uniquely play and that the whole concept of the CIB is to figure out how do we fill those structural gaps, how do we leverage different pools of capital and different deal structures, and have the Bank play a bridging role to fulfill those. and we need to follow that up. If we do build on that, adding to our depth of knowledge If you accept that, then the real question is: that well, three-to-five years from now, the in specific sectors, because I don’t think you can how best do you identify where those gaps are? CIB will have a true track record across be a good investor until you have a good depth One way, for sure, is to talk to project owners: sectors and across this country. And that of understanding. Making sure regionally we’re provinces and municipalities who have good will open up even more doors and more covered. We’ve got an office in Calgary and we projects that could go faster or come to reality opportunities for us. are covered in the West. We’ve got an office in more quickly and at better value to taxpayers. So that’s priority one. Montreal, and they are really focused on the We’re doing that, and I think that’s incredibly Priority two is to then really grow that Quebec and Atlantic markets. But I think we important. They are the owners of those universe; expand private investments and are going to need to continue to expand our projects and they are the people that are our grow the Canadian market. What I mean reach to all parts of the country, east, west, partners and that we want to support. by that is to reach out to the institutional north. Working with Indigenous partners as But the other way, which I think is equally investor side. I think we are doing a great well as municipalities and provinces. Playing important, is to turn the other direction job with project owners and understanding our role in that eco-system. and to talk to those pools of capital, talk to how we can play a role in their projects, but But I think really, in three-to-five years an institutional investor, talk to the very I think on the market side we can be doing from now, if we’ve been successful on this sophisticated Canadian landscape and eco- even more to proactively engage them, third mission, the CIB itself will be a strong system of infrastructure investors. We have up front, to structure those transactions institution. It will have the capabilities it some of the best in the world here. And to and figure out how to involve them in the needs, and it will be a strong institution better work with them to see what they see as creation of public infrastructure. Three-to- that is embedded with the rest of this the gaps to their participation in those projects. five years from now on that hopefully we’ve landscape of public sector owners and grown the pool of investors, grown the private sector investors, constructors, and As you look at the opportunities ahead types of projects we’re doing, maybe grown the infrastructure industry at large. of you, where do hope the Bank will be the definition a little bit of how we think If we can get those three right, the track five years from now? about infrastructure in this country and record of success, growing and expanding that When I think about where we want to be, there’s some new and creative areas there. market to new sectors, new types of projects, there’s three core elements that I am focused on. That’s the second thing that I would like and new investors, and then building the The first is, delivering results. Three-to- to look back on. CIB as an institution and solidifying its role five years from now, we have got a real track And the third is around having built, in the broader infrastructure landscape, that record for the CIB and we have shifted fully and continuing to build, the CIB as an would be success. from start up into execution mode. We’ve got institution, and as a part of the overall an incredible deal flow; our funnel is huge. infrastructure landscape in Canada. Ehren, thank you for taking the time out of Now, over the coming months, the goal I am so impressed by the team at the CIB. your busy schedule to speak with us. is really to change that and turn that into They’ve put in a lot of hard work, a lot of delivered investments. The Growth Plan set sweat equity over the last two years, and that tone, our first investment coming out there’s a great foundation there with a lot of Andrew Macklin is the managing editor the Growth Plan Alberta irrigation does, expertise. I think we are going to continue to of ReNew Canada. renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 9 Top100 Projects

The Ville-Marie (seen here) and Viger tunnels in Montreal will undergo a $2 billion refurbishment over the next decade.

CANADA’S INFRASTRUCTURE MEGAPROJECTS Analyzing the results of our 2021 Top100 Projects report. By Andrew Macklin

early 10 months since Canada Of the 10 projects valued at $1 billion or began feeling the impacts greater removed from the 2020 list, just one British Columbia N of the COVID-19 pandemic, was valued at more than $2 billion despite The government’s continued focus infrastructure megaproject development 30 projects reaching that threshold in the on health care and transportation in the country has not slowed down. 2020 report. developments, along with some targeted Sure, there were delays along the way but Of those 10, only seven were due to transit investments, have kept B.C. as construction eventually got back to 100 per reaching substantial completion, with three the third largest project for megaproject cent, new health and safety measures were others removed due to project cancellation. developments in Canada. There was one implemented, teams worked even harder to However, only one of the three cancellations very unfortunate removal from the 2021 still meet deadlines, and massive builds were was as a result of the pandemic. list, as Vancouver International Airport completed. It was a year like no other, and In the 2021 version of the report, four of announced the cancellation of its CORE yet, despite bumps in the road, some results the 16 new projects in the 2021 report carry program in September. stayed the same. a value, capital cost or P3 contract value, The development of megaprojects in B.C. In the case of Canada’s Top100 Projects, of over $2 billion. The new projects were was interrupted in the latter part of the the overall value continued to grow, fairly evenly split with the key development year, as the province shifted its focus to an with an increase of almost $13 billion to sectors, with four projects each from the election. However, returning Premier John $253.77 billion versus last year’s $240.8 transit, transportation, and energy sectors, Horgan announced additional funding billion. The list turned over 16 projects, 12 of along with three from the buildings sectors. for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project which were due to substantial completion Here is a breakdown of megaproject which, if the campaign promise is kept, will being reached, and 14 never-before-listed development activities across Canada, add $1.5 billion to the cost of that project to projects found their way into the 2021 report. starting on the west coast. extend the line.

10 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Top100 Projects Credit: Crosslinx

The Eglinton LRT is not yet complete, but procurement is already advancing on the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension, part of the Top100 Projects report for 2021. Credit: of Yukon Peter Mather/Government

Faro Mine is the latest large-scale remediation project to make the Top100 Projects report, as work gets underway to clean up the former mine site in the Yukon.

to be added to the list, as Saskatchewan projects reached substantial completion, Alberta looks to tap its resources as a solution for while two others were removed for no longer Alberta’s involvement in the megaproject eliminating coal-fired power generation. being active (Hamilton LRT and the Deep landscape continues to be driven by new The next big transportation project, the Geologic Repository). assets under development in both Edmonton Saskatoon Freeway Project, is likely still a It will come as no surprise that all three and Calgary. few years away. It will be the next significant new Ontario projects are related to transit Just one of the three projects leaving the transportation project undertaken in in the Greater Toronto Area. The Ontario list, Crowchild Trail Upgrades, came from the province. Line and Eglinton Crosstown West LRT the province’s two major centres, while are key components of the transit growth two of the three new additions (Zwozdesky strategy for Toronto, while the Bloor-Yonge Centre and Calgary Event Centre), are based Manitoba Station Capacity Improvements are vital for in the key urban centres. However, the The Keeyask Generating Station remains the development of the third component Grande Prairie Regional Hospital finally the focal point of infrastructure megaproject of the expansion plan, the Yonge North reached substantial completion, a welcome development in Manitoba. Access to the Subway Expansion. sign after the project became a centre of station was cut off at one point in 2020 as No new health care assets were added controversy under the previous government. concerns over the spread of COVID-19 from to this year’s report, however that will Transit development continued to move neighbouring communities caused roads to change dramatically over the next few forward, with the successful proponent be blocked off. However, the project remains years assuming the dates in the province’s named for the $2.6-billion valley Line West on schedule for completion in 2021. P3 Market Update remain the same. LRT in October. Expect the proponent The only change to the 2021 report in for the $5.5-billion Green Line LRT to be relation to Manitoba was the completion of Quebec named in 2021. the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Line, giving the province the opportunity to sell Ontario’s loss is Quebec’s gain. La belle excess clean power to the United States. province added four projects to the list this Saskatchewan year, with new projects in the transportation, Saskatchewan continues to have a couple transit, and energy sectors added to the list. of projects on the list, as the development Ontario The biggest beneficiary of the new Quebec- of new energy assets and transportation This is the first time in several years that based investments represented in this year’s upgrades are the drivers of new megaprojects the number of projects in Ontario actually report is commuters in Montreal. All three in the province. The Great Plains Power dropped, as seven projects were removed new transportation projects involve the Station is the latest natural gas power plant while just three new ones were added. Five city’s road network. The Deconstruction renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 11 Top100 Projects Credit: of Yukon Peter Mather/Government

Faro Mine in the Yukon.

For additional information about the 2021 Top100 Projects report, visit top100projects.ca

of the Champlain Bridge will impact change to the report for Northern Canada in OFF THE LIST those drivers to a lesser degree, but that’s 2021, and it is the addition of a new project. because they are already reaping the The Faro Mine Rehabilitation Project is Here is the list of projects no benefits of the new bridge. underway in the Yukon, with preliminary longer listed as part of the The province continues to upgrade studies and environmental assessment (EA) Top100 Projects report: its clean energy infrastructure, with the underway. The project currently carries a addition of another key refurbishment $500 million budget, although that figure Turcot Interchange • project (Carillon GS) to the list, as could grow based on the findings of the EA. York VIVA Bus Rapid Transit • well as the new Micoua-Saguenay Unlike Atlantic Canada, there is the • Vancouver International Transmission project. prospect of several new projects in the Airport Upgrades foreseeable future. Proposed energy and • Crowchild Trail Upgrades Atlantic Canada transportation projects are well into early • Cortelucci Vaughan Hospital stage development, and the securing of project • Romaine Complex There is only one change to the report funding is the last key hurdle in many cases. Transmission Line for Atlantic Canada in the 2021 Top100 The territories have shown a recent ability • Alberta Carbon Trunk Line Projects. The Government of Nova to adapt their funding models by engaging Scotia’s awarding of a $711.9-million • Highway 407 Phase 2 the private sector (Yukon Resource Gateway contract for the Highway 104 project, a Extension Project) and the Canada Infrastructure significant widening of the 100-series Deep Geologic Repository Bank (Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link). • highway running west to east in the Hamilton LRT • northern part of the mainland, is the • Capital Region District only change. Next year will be a different Wastewater Treatment Project story of course, as the Muskrat Falls Andrew Macklin is the managing • CAMH Phase 1C project will reach substantial completion editor of ReNew Canada. Redevelopment Project sometime this year. • Grande Prairie Regional There are a few megaprojects under Hospital development in Atlantic Canada right • Wilson Facility Enhancement now, but none are likely to be far enough Information submissions and and Yard Expansion along in the procurement process to make project updates are welcomed • Regina Revitalization Initiative the list for, at least, a few more years. year-round, and can be • Manitoba-Minnesota submitted directly to me at Transmission Line Northern Canada [email protected]. Like Atlantic Canada, there is just one

12 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net

Top100 Projects All photos: Manitoba Hydro

After a difficult start to the fall construction season, a freeze in November allowed construction teams to access much of the area needed in order to build the transmission line.

Manitoba–Minnesota Transmission Project up and running. By Andrew Snook

fter more than 10 years of electricity supply, allows Manitoba Hydro beginning of construction, and a pandemic planning and regulatory hurdles, to fulfill current export sales agreements at the end,” Brown said. “All this, and to still A the Manitoba–Minnesota and increases access to markets in the come in on schedule and on budget — that’s Transmission Project (MMTP) went into United States,” said Riley McDonald, a testament to the amazing abilities of the service on June 1, 2020. The MMTP is a media relations for Manitoba Hydro. “In team and the staff who worked on MMTP 213-kilometre, 500-kilovolt AC transmission just under eight months, Manitoba Hydro from all phases of the project.” line built to deliver additional electricity to and its contractors constructed 502 towers, Manitoba Hydro’s neighbour to the south, strung them, and connected it to the regional Regulatory Hurdles Minnesota Power. grid—all over some boggy and challenging To get the green light for the MMTP, The transmission line starts at the Dorsey terrain. MMTP’s completion on-time and Manitoba Hydro needed to obtain approvals converter station located near Rosser, on-budget was a triumph in the face of on both the provincial and federal levels. northwest of Winnipeg, travels south weather hurdles, a compressed construction “Provincially, the project is a Class around Winnipeg and passes near the schedule due to regulatory approvals, and a 3 development under the Manitoba Riel Station (east of the city) along what global pandemic.” Environment Act, which required a is known as the Southern Loop corridor. Eryn Brown, project manager for MMTP, comprehensive scoping process and It then continues south to the Manitoba– says there were several challenging aspects Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A Minnesota border and connects to the Great that needed to be overcome to get this Clean Environment Commission Hearing Northern Transmission Line (constructed impressive piece of infrastructure over was held and recommendations from that by Minnesota Power), the name of the line the finish line. body informed the Environment Act Licence on the U.S. side of the border to which “All the work on preparatory materials that was ultimately issued at the provincial MMTP is connected. The line terminates and on the regulatory front, and the great level,” Brown explained. “Federally, because at Iron Range Station located northwest of efforts that went into all the stakeholder the project is an international power line Duluth, Minn. The cost for the MMTP was engagement—and then there was the battle and affected an existing international power approximately $490 million. with a shortened construction schedule line (Riel IPL), a Federal Certificate was “The new interconnection strengthens (from an expected two to three years down required. This required a comprehensive the overall reliability of Manitoba’s to just eight months), heavy rainfall at the federal application and a public hearing with

14 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Top100 Projects

Helicopter stringing was used for parts of the 213-kilometre transmission line, providng clean power to the State of Minnesota.

the Canada Energy Regulator (previously “Construction access matting was station equipment. Although the COVID-19 known as the National Energy Board, deployed heavily across the project and there coronavirus pandemic was declared partway or NEB). The project needed to meet were over 30,000 mats deployed over areas through the construction of the project, it requirements of both the NEB Act (now the of the 214-kilometre long transmission line,” did not cause any delays. CER Act) and the Canadian Environmental Brown says. “We scheduled that work during two Assessment Act.” An early winter storm with a significant different outages in October and was The regulatory review process for the snowfall took place in October, which forced completed faster than expected and without project took close to four years to complete. construction to slow down while contractors any issue,” Brown said. “All COVID-19 The EIS for the project was filed with the dug themselves out of it. protocols were in place during this work and Province of Manitoba on September 2015 “Weather was more favourable after this. construction staff were able to complete all and the licence was received on April 2019. The ground froze in early November, which tasks on time.” The application with the NEB was filed allowed contractors access to most areas of on December 2016 and the certificate was the project site under frozen conditions,” Lessons Learned received on August 2019. Brown says. “Winter temperatures were not After spending more than a decade on a massive infrastructure project, there are always lessons learned from the experience that can carry over to working on and There were several challenging aspects that managing future projects. For Brown, the construction of the MMTP showed the value needed to be overcome to get this impressive of solid planning. “As with any large project, planning ahead and anticipating delays is key. One piece of infrastructure over the finish line. of the biggest lessons we learned is that through careful planning and diligent work, our teams and contractors are capable of “In the U.S., Minnesota Power was unseasonably cold or warm—both of which doing great things in short periods of time,” responsible for acquiring the state and federal would have made working more difficult— Brown says. approvals to construct the Great Northern and spring thaw wasn’t until the end of Transmission Project,” Brown adds. March, which gave the contractor an extended season across the entire project area.” A Wet Season After the MMTP went into service on Andrew Snook is a freelance The construction of the MMTP had to be June 1, the work wasn’t quite complete. business-to-business writer managed through an unusually wet fall There was still cleanup and deficiency work based in Mississauga, Ont. season. This created challenges for getting on the line that needed to be performed, heavy equipment onto the project site. as well as additional commissioning of renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 15 Top100 Projects All photos: Mackenzie Health

West view of Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital capturing the bright walkway linking the parkade to the hospital. ONE SMART HOSPITAL Adding health care capacity to one of Canada’s The operating birthing suites at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will feature the latest in smart technology to ensure moms and babies get the best care possible. fastest growing regions.

The brightly lit Vic De Zen Family Welcome Centre is the first space patients and visitors see when they walk in to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. By Andrew Snook

t may surprise you to hear that this year will mark the opening of the City of Vaughan’s first hospital. I With a population of approximately 325,000, it is the largest city in Ontario to not have its own hospital. That is, until now. The Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital finished constructed in September and is set to open in early 2021 to the public to service the residents in southwest York Region. The $1.7-billion hospital project was largely funded by the Province of Ontario,

One of hundreds of inpatient rooms at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital which invested $1.3 billion into the much-needed featuring floor to ceiling windows to bring natural light inside. health care infrastructure. The contract for the construction of the hospital was a DBFM (design-build-finance-maintain) with the bid awarded to Plenary Health, which is comprised of Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd. (developer and financial advisor); Stantec Architecture Ltd. (design); PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (design builder); and Johnson Controls Canada LP (facilities management). The Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital will be the first smart hospital in Canada, providing residents a variety of features including a state-of-the-art emergency department; modern surgical services and operating East view of rooms; advanced diagnostic imaging; specialized Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital with ambulatory clinics and intensive care beds; and the Giovanni De integrated smart digital technology systems. Gasperis Eugene The building has been constructed to meet Kohn Learning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Centre in view. (LEED) Silver standards with a focus on healthy indoor environments, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and efficient use of energy, water, and other resources. The new hospital is 1.2-million square feet in size and has 11 floors. It features a capacity of 342 beds with room to expand; a birthing centre equipped

16 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Top100 Projects

for 4,000 births each year; the capacity for available that’s been built into the hospital recruitment in Vaughan and Richmond Hill 24,000 additional medical imaging exams to expand into the future through shelled to provide care in the two sites,” Stolte said. each year; 1,800 parking spaces; and 80 per space and other soft space that can be cent of the acute care patient rooms will be temporarily located and moved in the future Constructing in COVID single occupancy. with some additional space to have over 550 Some of the biggest challenges the project “This is a greenfield net new hospital. It’s beds. There is a good growth strategy built faced were related to the onset of the the first net new hospital to be undertaken in into this project.” COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Ontario in over 30 years,” said David Stolte, Stolte says the hospital was designed using “Obviously, this is something that hadn’t vice president of strategy and redevelopment the perspective of its future patients. been captured or thought would happen at Mackenzie Health. “The other projects “Many planning efforts were made dating within the implementation of the project. that are new hospitals are replacement back to 2010 to ensure that we understand It posed challenges for the hospital team, in hospitals, replacing aged buildings. This what’s most important from a patient’s that the hospital needs to be focused on care will change Mackenzie Health from having perspective,” he said. “The design processes delivery,” Stolte said. “Although we have a a hospital in Richmond Hill to having help achieve what is important from a dedicated project team that is located at the hospitals in Vaughan and Richmond Hill.” patient perspective and design spaces that construction site, a lot of what a hospital The opening of the Cortellucci Vaughan enable the best patient experiences.” does to assist with the completion of the Hospital will mean there are now two hospitals project is to have operational users and serving the southwest York Region. Until now, No Vacancies providers be part of that process to review the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital has The southern York Region has been served by construction on site and to see space as its been serving Vaughan residents. But now the Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill for more developed and make certain decisions along area’s residents will have an additional hospital than 50 years, with the Mackenzie Richmond the way. I needed to adjust that through the that is equipped with state-of-the-art medical Hill Hospital opening in 1963. Although the process so the operational focus could be technologies, as well as additional medical hospital has gone through several expansions on COVID and the pandemic and be able staff, physicians, and volunteers that will be since that time—with the most recent to see that project through in a different able to serve both locations. expansion taking place in 2009—it has been way. Credit goes to PCL and Plenary Health “We have advanced systems that are unable to keep up with the quickly growing for being able to continue the construction integrated, where devices and systems can populations of Vaughan, Richmond Hill, and process despite the pandemic. I know it was actually have communication with each the surrounding communities. a lot of work.” other, and will be, over time, phasing in a “It has been unable to have the right level Stolte added that keeping the lines of number of these connections and workflows. of capacity for the growing population. The communication open between staff at This will have many benefits with some of population of Richmond Hill and Vaughan Mackenzie Health and the consortium them directly for the patents. For example, have explosive growth rates of roughly building the new hospital has been key to the project’s success. “That team really came through to be able The design processes help achieve what is to hold onto that schedule,” he said. The experience of constructing a major piece of infrastructure through a pandemic important from a patient perspective and design will help build up organizational resilience, and organizational and leadership capacity, spaces that enable the best patient experiences. Stolte noted. “I think what it does is it’s an accomplishment that draws on so many in a patient’s room, having the ability to 550,000 people [combined]. Then, add on individual skills and team skills. It really have that electronic medical record available portions of surrounding communities like builds up resilience and confidence to take at the bedside with a tablet, and that tablet King and western parts of Markham, and on those next challenges,” he said. able to provide information about their the population accessing it is even higher Having been on the project for its entire condition and being able to control the than that. This has outstripped the ability 10-year duration from planning to the final physical environment like lights and shade,” of Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital to construction, Stolte is excited to see the Stolte said, adding that patients will have the have capacity to deal with that. Mackenzie many of the ideas brought forth by the team ability to understand who their care patient has had most significant overcrowding at Mackenzie Health come to fruition. team is. “This makes things more efficient challenges compared to all the other hospitals “To see the early ideas play out through an and a safer care environment for staff to in province,” Stolte said. entire process has been really rewarding,” deliver care in.” Staffing for the new hospital is currently he said. “To see those early efforts from The Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital has been underway. There will be 3,000 total staff 2011 and 2012 feed directly into the project developed in a well-placed location in the trained to be able to work between the two and physical manifestation off how that City of Vaughan with working cooperation hospitals, with 1,500 new staff coming plays out in the hospitals… I think we can with the city to put in place the municipal onboard, as well as 100 new physicians and all say that the early efforts paid off.” infrastructure in advance of the project. 350 volunteers. “The City of Vaughan secured the land and “The staff and the leaders of the Mackenzie was on a long-term land lease for that land,” Health had the unique opportunity to plan for Stolte said. “The hospital is programmed a new hospital where many people will stay Andrew Snook is a freelance business-to- for 342 beds, but it has significant capacity in Richmond Hill. There’s a large degree of business writer based in Mississauga, Ont. renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 17 renewcanada.net

for details. January/February 2021 January/February ReNew Canada 18 ReNew and you may see it featured here. Email Managing Editor Andrew Macklin at [email protected] Send us your best infrastructure image,

Credit: Region of Waterloo Panorama

The Centre of Attention Preliminary design of the Region of Waterloo’s new King-Victoria Transit Hub. — Staff

renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 19 Energy

Hydropower assets in provinces like B.C. and. Manitoba (Seven Sisters pictured here) can provide clean energy to support Alberta and Saskatchewan’s transition to cleaner energy production.

ELECTRIFYING THE ECONOMY

Canada’s path to a clean energy future. By Andrew Macklin

anada is one of the largest clean As previously mentioned, coal is still used Eliminating these GHG-intensive energy producers in the world. The for energy generation in four countries: forms of energy production can be C country is well on its way to reducing Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and done. Robert Hornung, president of the emissions from energy even further, as coal New Brunswick. The Government of Canadian Renewable Energy Association, is phased out of the four remaining provinces Canada declared in December 2018 that suggested that there is no shortage of in the next decade. traditional coal-fired power generation must opportunity for further development of green But what happens when a commitment be phased out by 2030. Plans to remove coal- energy resources. is made to electrifying the Canadian fired generation have resulted in new energy “We have a tremendous amount of economy? Where does this new supply of projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan in untapped energy resources […], whether it’s clean energy come from, and how do we recent years, several of which have focused hydropower in terms of refurbishment, […] scale that infrastructure in time to reach a on natural gas, as both provinces have an a lot of untapped wind and solar potential, or set deadline? These questions were part abundance of resources available. New the green renewables being piloted across the of the conversation at ReNew Canada’s Brunswick and Nova Scotia are less far along country right now. So, we have an abundance October 2020 InfraIntelligence discussion in their transition, as they continue to weigh of resources that really put us in a position series event, with support from Valard options for rehabilitated, new, or imported to not only clean our electricity system […] Construction, on electrifying the economy. renewable energy to replace coal. but also expand that system going forward.” According to Natural Resources Canada, In addition to coal, approximately the Canadian energy industry generated 11 per cent of Canada’s electricity sector Power Sharing? 641.1 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2018. is oil, gas, and other forms of fuels. Other Where that additional power is located is one Approximately 67 per cent of Canada’s than natural gas supplies, this number of the first problems that needs to be solved. electricity comes from renewable sources, and represents the numerous remote and In provinces where hydroelectric generation 82 per cent comes from non-GHG emitting Indigenous communities, and resource is not an option, what is the alternative? sources. Canada is the third largest producer of sector operations, not connected to the grid, Thousands of acres devoted to wind and hydroelectricity, and the fifth largest producer relying instead on the import of diesel fuel solar farms? The creation of new nuclear of clean energy in the world (as of 2019). for energy production. power generation facilities? Biomass and

20 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Energy

Re-powering the first generation of wind farms using new technologies has potential to add significant new energy resources to the grid.

biofuels? Geothermal? Energy storage? Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Nova transmission line through northern The answer to that may not start with a Scotia. All four are next to provinces that Ontario that will connect 17 First Nations specific type of technology. Instead, it should have high levels of hydroelectric production communities to the provincial grid, all of start with opportunities to breakdown currently (B.C., Manitoba, Quebec, and which are currently burning diesel for power provincial trade barriers in order to get more Newfoundland), and could feed excess generation. In total, the project is estimated power running west to east rather than power to the provinces. As an example, the to avoid 6.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent north to south. As Valard Construction’s completion of the Maritime Link in late GHG emissions over 40 years. vice president of Ontario operations Keith 2017, which can provide power from the Sones pointed out, some energy production Muskrat Falls project to Cape Breton Island. The Transportation Challenge in Canada is regionally trapped. “We have The creation of a more robust provincial/ As significant as the elimination of coal lots of energy available, it is not necessarily territorial transmission system would also and the removal of fossil fuel-based energy generation are for helping to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in Canada as Infrastructure development, regulatory barriers, part of the electrification of the Canadian economy, one of the biggest opportunities comes from the transportation sector. and education, are all part of the focus needed According to Natural Resources Canada, the transportation sector produced GHG for the transition to an electrified economy. emissions of approximately 186 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2018. The evolution of electric vehicles is an opportunity available where it is needed.” Unlocking help energy asset owners, both current and to reduce this output significantly, but does the opportunity to move energy resources future, a reason to consider adding further not come without its challenges. to where it is needed takes two key drivers: capacity to the grid. With a strengthened The primary challenge is the lack of a governance that opens the doors to free trade network that reaches some of the more clear federal direction on the electrification among the provinces and territories, and the remote parts of the province, parts relying of the sector. Right now, there is no federal transmission infrastructure to facilitate the on diesel and heating oil for power, mandate stating when vehicles in Canada movement of power amongst the provinces. available clean energy capacity could replace will need to be zero emissions. When This could, to start, help eliminate some some of the fossil fuel generation. The that plan is introduced, there are a lot of of the gap left by the elimination of coal in Wataynikaneyap Transmission Project is an important things to consider. And it starts the four aforementioned provinces: Alberta, example of this, as the new 1,800-kilometre with infrastructure. renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 21 Energy

“Having long-term climate change targets up with evolving energy technologies, ELECTRIFICATION that lay out how much clean energy we’re creating the need for a new, fundamental going to need in the decades ahead is really approach to energy distribution. OF THE ECONOMY needed when the investments are multi- There would also be a need to provide decade investments,” said Bateman. additional resources for the labour market in We asked attendees a couple of There are also opportunities to add order to meet the demands of electrification. key questions about the future capacity through current solar and wind “We have the labour force, but […] we do electrification of the economy. assets through the process of re-powering. not have the full skill set,” explained Sones. Here is what they had to say: This is already happening with some of the “We have enough human resource to be able earliest wind farms erected in Canada, as to execute this work across the country, What is the single biggest technological improvements have resulted but currently, many of them are occupied obstacle facing electrification? in the ability to use half as many turbines doing other things.” The University of Government policy 47.4% to produce three times as much power. Alberta, for example, has recently launched User Habits 21.1% Hornung noted that is happening quite a renewable energy training program to extensively right now in the European meet the shortage of skills in the sector in Lack of Infrastructure 21.1% market. Solar, wind, and pumped-storage the province. The programming, focused on Oil & Gas Industry 5.3% hydropower are options for electricity getting engineers and technicians working Other 5.3% generation on under-utilized lands, such as in the field, is targeting, in part, workers in aggregate pits and quarries and landfills. the oil and gas industry who already have It could also spur private sector interest in some of the right skills, but not with a focus Which energy resource is best energy development. The Alberta market is on how they can be utilized in the field of suited for expansion to meet already driven by private asset owners, and renewable energy. future energy needs? two projects underway are among the 100 Infrastructure development, regulatory Energy Storage 50% largest public sector infrastructure assets barriers, and education are all part of under development in Canada (Travers Solar the focus needed for the transition to an Hydroelectric 30% Project and Cascade Power Project). In the electrified economy. But it will take support Nuclear 10% other Canadian markets, private investors for all three to initiate a successful transition. Wind 10% could look for opportunities to use capital to “What I would like to see is not just a Solar 0% help drive clean energy development. We’ve simple goal stated, but a pathway to get already seen the commitment of $2.5 billion there,” stated Kevin Palmer-Wilson, a Geothermal 0% towards clean power as part of the Canada research associate with the Institute for Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) Growth Plan. Integrated Energy Systems at the University The CIB has already signed a Memorandum of Victoria. “That means comprehensive “We have to look at the infrastructure of Understanding with the group developing support on each individual technology level.” as a whole because electrification requires the proposed Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link. If the federal government is going to make a number of different things,” explained The biggest stumbling block towards the long-term shift to a green economy, as Sones. “It requires manufacturing, it electrification is not at the project level, it has suggested, then it needs to be sure to requires charging stations that aren’t going to impede the economy, which means different technology has to be deployed. Something The primary challenge is the lack of a has to provide that electricity to the charging stations in the first place.” A thoughtful, robust strategy for the clear federal direction on the electrification build-out of the infrastructure needed for a national charging network will be key of the (transportation) sector. and, as Sones also noted, that includes understanding the differences between a build-out in a major city versus a small town. as Sones noted. The challenge is the consult with the energy sector. There are The clear mandate from the federal regulatory and market barriers that resources available to provide the needed government, including real estimates on currently exist. There are the regional electricity, and there are additional projects the new energy capacity needed in order barriers previously mentioned, which ready to go, but the energy sector needs to electrify the transportation sector by the panellists agreed could be eliminated to have a seat at the table to help identify a targeted date, would then signal energy with a more regional or national obstacles, discuss the needs for infrastructure asset owners that more clean energy will approach to energy generation rather both for generation and distribution, and need to be produced, which again opens than the provincial and territorial silos incorporate energy innovations as they up a number of options. Do you look at the that currently exist. But even at a micro become financially viable. A failure to refurbishment of hydroelectric plants to add level, small projects like the integration do so could jeopardize Canada’s ability capacity? If so, as noted by HydroPower of rooftop solar on residential and to meet the lofty targets that it sets for Canada Acting President Patrick Bateman, commercial buildings is met, in most cases, emissions reductions. those decisions need to be made soon as a with a highly complicated process that number of key assets are about to undergo, can impose fees that no longer make the or are undergoing, major refurbishments to project fiscally viable. Hornung suggested Andrew Macklin is the managing editor extend the asset’s life. it can be a struggle for utilities to keep of ReNew Canada. Tickets: $149+HST for each indivdual or $995+HST for virtual tables of 8

22 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net The 2020 Top100 Projects Dinner was held at The Carlu in Toronto and attended by over 300 guests. All Photos: Josh Fee

Walter Gaudet, senior vice president and buildings+places Morrison Hershfield president and CEO regional business line leader for Canada for AECOM Anthony Karakatsanis and WSP president shares a laugh with a few colleagues. and CEO Ryan Brain engaged in a discussion.

Hatch senior project manager Ellie Actual Media president and CEO Todd Latham shared a story with Golder’s marketing specialist for NA infrastructure & power Moradinezhad with EXP executive vice Morrison Hershfield vice president of business development Loui Pappas sector Kendra Mulhern with colleague and environmental president of major projects Reece Bailey. and geotechnical engineering technologist Darrin Sellick from Golder. assessment specialist/planner Sarah Schmied.

Leadership Forum 2021 Tuesday, February 16 1:00 – 4:00 P.M. EST

YOUR INVITATION TO A CELEBRATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN CANADA

Every year Canadian infrastructure leaders gather at the Top100 Projects Key Players and Owners Dinner to celebrate the biggest projects in Canada. While we can’t meet in person this year, we look forward to welcoming you to the 2021 virtual event to enjoy a high-powered afternoon of panels, networking and dialogue with your colleagues and hundreds of other owners, constructors and engineers building over $250 billion of infrastructure in Canada.

More details at top100projects.ca. See you on Feb. 16!

THANK YOU TO OUR 2021 SPONSORS

PREMIER PARTNER ELITE PARTNERS SELECT PARTNERS CHOICE PARTNERS

(SPONSORS AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2020) For Sponsorship opportunities contact: Nick Krukowski at 416-444-5842 ext. 0101 or [email protected]

Tickets: $149+HST for each indivdual or $995+HST for virtual tables of 8 Register: top100dinner.eventbrite.ca Labour

The construction industry is making necessary adjustments to apprenticeship programs, as these workers can no longer stand alongside colleagues on jobsites to gain first-hand knowledge.

TRAINING APPRENTICES Evolving the way we educate the workforce during a pandemic. By Phil Gillies

OVID-19 struck a major blow to were wearing masks. The Centre says that big move to remote learning. E-learning apprenticeship training in Ontario. more trainees will be joining programs in is used only to facilitate in-class training. C The training of thousands of January. Returning trainees will have to The Centre’s staff feel that in-person apprentices ground to a halt in March. get used to some practical changes in the instruction is a vital part of proper training. Many of the 90-plus union and contractor- Centre’s operation—social distancing is There may be a move toward more online sponsored campuses resumed operations in observed throughout the facility. And as instruction down the road, but staff feel June and July—with changes necessitated by in most organizations, IFSTC has shifted improvements are needed to the existing the pandemic. Regular classes were largely up away from paperwork and toward increased e-tools. While the tools are user friendly, and running by September—but with reduced electronic communications. There is a lot minor accommodations are needed so that class sizes and new procedures in place. of cleaning and sanitizing going on. And all trainees are comfortable in using them. We visited the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre (IFSTC) in Woodbridge— where apprentices are trained in drywall Continued building of infrastructure, commercial, acoustic installation, drywall finishing and plastering, exterior insulating, and hazardous and residential projects will be important to materials handling. We found a tight safety regimen in place to protect trainees and our country’s post-pandemic recovery. staff. Where there would normally be four different entrances to the campus, everyone now goes through one secured entry point. the students have to bring their own lunch, The Finishing Trades Institute of Two staff members were conducting health coffee, and snacks—for the time being there Ontario in North York, affiliated with the screening for everyone coming in. Ample will be no coffee truck or other catering International Union of Painters and Allied supplies of Personal Protective Equipment facilities on site. Trades, also reports that some trainees may (PPE) were in evidence at several points in Returning trainees will see a lot of familiar not have necessary computer skills to benefit the building. faces, however. Administrators at IFSTC are from remote learning. Some may not have Where IFSTC would normally have 68 proud that no staff were laid off throughout access to a computer at all, so arrangements trainees onsite there are now 35. About the pandemic. Those who had fewer are in place to accommodate them. Nobody six classes a day were meeting with about classroom or administrative duties went to is to be left behind in this new regimen. This eight-to-ten students in a typical class. Class work cleaning and sanitizing. centre continues to operate at 50 per cent members were socially distanced, and all Interestingly, IFSTC has not made a capacity. They are employing staggered start

24 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Labour times to help with social distancing. Centre SHOVEL-READY administrators told us they are continuing to accept new applicants—nobody has been discouraged from pursuing their skilled trades ambitions. And there’s good news from FTI— the centre has had no reported COVID infections at all. Meanwhile training has continued at the College of Carpenters in Vaughan. Enrollment is down somewhat. Last year they had 80 trainees enrolled, now they have 72. When the pandemic hit in March, they DESIGN CONSTRUCT were in the middle of a flooring program. That program resumed in June, and most trainees returned. This fall, they report that CIPP PROVIDES A more trainees want to rejoin programs than SAFE AND EFFICIENT SOLUTION can be accommodated because of spacing. Classes that normally have 15 students WITHIN A YEAR currently have eight. The College used the onset of the pandemic as an incentive to accelerate the development of online courses. Before the pandemic only Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) was offered remotely. They now offer eight courses online. The College has Watch our videos and learn more a proposal before the Ministry of Labour, about us and our projects at Training and Skills Development to offer five more online courses. ferpalinfrastructure.com The Carpenters have deployed a highly innovative COVID-19 screening mechanism at the entrance of their College. A futuristic Citizen Care Pod has replaced a screening tent. This retrofitted shipping container uses integrated artificial intelligence for enhanced contact tracing, safety and security. All people entering DIGITAL CONVERSATIONS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS the College go through this pod, which it is believed will provide unparalleled capabilities for detecting virus symptoms. The Carpenters Union were the first to deploy one of these pods, which are now being looked at by organizations throughout Ontario. Canada has a shortage of skilled tradespeople which is slowing the pace EXPERT INSIGHTS INTO THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE of construction. The pandemic has not WITHOUT THE CONFERENCE FEE helped with this situation. Continued building of infrastructure, commercial, and UPCOMING 2021 DISCUSSIONS: residential projects will be important to IS COST DRIVING ENERGY SOLUTIONS? – JANUARY 28 our country’s post-pandemic recovery. We FUNDING FOR GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE – FEBRUARY 25 will continue to focus on developments in THE DIGITAL AGE OF CONSTRUCTION – MARCH 25 the construction training centres and will report on their progress in returning to full FUNDING INDIGENOUS MEGAPROJECTS – APRIL 22 training programs going into 2021. CANADA’S NUCLEAR FUTURE – MAY 27 BARRIERS TO MASS TIMBER INFRASTRUCTURE – JUNE 24

To suggest a topic or speaker for an To learn about sponsorship opportunities upcoming discussion, contact Andrew Macklin for future events, contact Nick Krukowski Phil Gillies is the at [email protected]. at [email protected]. executive director of the Ontario Construction Consortium (OCC). renewcanada.net/infraintelligence-events

renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 25 Innovation Credit: EllisDon ANSWERING THE CALL

Integrating a robust alarm management program into the construction of the new Groves Memorial Community Hospital was essential for meeting the long-term needs of the staff that work in the facility.

The value of real-time patient communication and

technology management in hospitals. By Robert Barnes

ospitals run on efficiency. Imagine both the patient and staff. Despite decades- are then routed to where they need to go, and then, a building of substantial size old technology being competent enough clinical staff have the alerts on their mobile H with a maze of complex systems to move along every request, there are devices and receive them from anywhere, that do everything from receiving vital code opportunities to create a thriving hospital so they can respond to the alert using that calls (i.e. Code Blue), to signaling staff duress, workflow environment through one single mobile device. For urgent/emergency alerts, to locating essential equipment, to protecting intelligent alarm management platform. multiple groups are notified at the same time newborn infants. All of these diverse systems decreasing any delays in the response time,” must communicate with hospital staff, and Needs and Issues with Workflow continued Cheeseman. with each other. With thousands of signals “We had several disparate systems that we With a view to meeting the goal of running through a hospital each day—there needed to monitor using one application. operational efficiency and customized must be a digital “traffic cop” that manages This application allows us to configure alerts workflows, EllisDon E&DS developed, the flow and priority of this information— to be sent to a mobile device using three installed, and commissioned integratED at this is the alarm management platform. notification escalation levels, pages overhead, Groves Memorial Community Hospital. Each new project agreement requires and e-mail notifications,” said Gwyneth “The integratED platform is web-based, an increasing level of integration between Cheeseman, clinical systems integration lead mobile, multilingual, provides a fully disparate hospital systems and can result at Groves Memorial Community Hospital. customizable Unified User Interface, secure in technical challenges that are not easy to One of the key attributes the E&DS team interactive messaging, supports an unlimited overcome. EllisDon’s Energy and Digital has is a deep understanding of system number of data points, and supports an Services (E&DS) team started to experience integration, alarm management, workflows, unlimited number of workflows,” said these issues on prior P3 projects such as and use case development within the Zoltan Szalay, senior manager of integrated Providence Care and Joseph Brant Hospital, healthcare vertical. Using this knowledge, solutions, Energy & Digital Services, but it was on that Groves Memorial they went to the market to search for a at EllisDon. Community Hospital project in Fergus, technology solution that was leading-edge Ontario that they knew they needed to and highly flexible to client needs. After an Resistance to Change change their approach. exhaustive search, EllisDon partnered with Initially, Groves Memorial Community Hospital A typical alarm management platform uses Intellect Dynamics, an experience developer was strongly opposed to a new approach. They analog or basic technology to send all alarm and systems integrator who would provide were concerned about the criticality of the codes or patient requests to one central the foundation of the integration platform platform and feared that a company known place, like a desk. Human interaction is then while E&DS would supply the product mostly for its construction expertise, would not needed to send the code, or request onto its development and healthcare expertise. be able to deliver a viable solution. next destination. While this works, there can “The staff requested that alerts be captured “We were the flagship site for the product, be inefficiencies, or even human errors, on in one place to avoid multiple alerts for the so there was hesitation primarily because how those workflow alerts get transferred to same issue. From that application, the alerts hospitals don’t get into the business of

26 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Innovation industry leading technology. Normally, at the positive results impacting patients and strongly apparent this year. During the we’ll find the best product solution and staff on an everyday level. global COVID-19 pandemic, accessibility implement it but being on the leading edge “Response time is one of the things of PPE became a crucial part of each staff of technology isn’t a priority,” said Cam patients most complain about. In older member’s daily life. The ability of staff Yates, vice president, Support Services, CIO, nurse call systems the escalation workflow members to rapidly assess patient needs Groves Memorial Community Hospital. is generally, if I don’t respond to my bell through technology enabled the staff to The E&DS team made a strong case right away it becomes something that rings carry-on with their vital responsibilities with for a new system, and through the overhead and gets loud which is really minimal disruption. implementation process the hospital began disrupting especially if it’s 2 a.m. Instead, “PPE conservation is so important during to understand both the power and flexibility we have the alerts go to people’s phones and the pandemic, and being able to speak to of the workflow solutions they were offering. the escalation is helping us achieve our goal patients through the handheld when they “Our previous system was very old of having a quiet hospital which is so much call allows the nurse to assess and prioritize technology, very analog and it was therefore better for patients and staff,” said Stuart. their response without having to garb up in very difficult to realize efficiencies Due to the automation and mobility of this PPE just to enter the room to identify what because the system could only do so much. new platform, Groves Memorial Community the patient needs,” explained Stuart. Implementing integratED gave us the Hospital has a seamless streamlined Technology is shaping the future of opportunity to rethink and redesign many of workflow process so each staff member, our hospitals. The success of our new our workflows, because now the technology including security staff, can carry out their intelligent alarm management platform at could keep pace and actually align our care required roles without causing delays in Groves Memorial Community Hospital sets delivery workflows to our patient safety response times. the stage to solve operational challenges and experience goals,” said Rebecca Stuart, “Safety items, such as a Code Blue being through technology. director, quality and patient safety, at Groves automated, is time that a nurse doesn’t Memorial Community Hospital. have to spend to calling that code into a switchboard so he/she can stay in the room Robert Barnes is the vice Patient Efficiencies and respond to the patient, knowing the president of energy and digital and Positive Results announcement will be automated and help services at EllisDon. The most important way to measure new is on its way,” continued Cheeseman. technology in a health care setting is to look The benefits of integratED became

renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 27 Governance Credit: TransLink

B.C. Premier John Horgan promised an additional $1.5 billion for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project during the 2020 provincial election. Will he make good on that promise in 2021?

FIFTEEN HEADLINES Stories that could, and should, make headlines in 2021. By Andrew Macklin

his year we wanted to do more you could make the argument that the Bypass, this is a vital transportation link than provide our annual list of announcement made an impact on the vote. that will divert the highway away from the T infrastructure stories we expect Politics and LRT vs. SkyTrain aside, the city’s urban core, reducing congestion and to read in 2021. It was a valuable exercise, need for the entire length of the line to be built allowing for more efficient movement of but rarely contained a sense of need or was strong when the business case was made. goods and people through the region. vitality that the list should require. Premier Horgan following up on his promise Currently in the midst of planning studies, Instead, we present a list of fifteen headlines: and getting the entire new line built is vital. this is the kind of project that can have a one for each province and territory, along strong economic impact through efficient with a Toronto-focused piece and a federal Alberta issues RFQ for movement of goods through Saskatchewan. government story. Each of these headlines South Edmonton hospital That’s one of the types of investments the aren’t necessary the stories we expect to see, The City of Edmonton has not seen a new federal government wants to support as part they are stories that, with justification, we hospital facility built in 32 years. The City is of pandemic recovery funding. think need to happen in 2021. Some were experiencing substantial population growth, tougher than others to decide, with multiple and is expected to reach two million citizens Federal, provincial support for strong options in most cases. in the next 50 years. North End Nutrient Removal Facilities Let’s start out west. This project has been promised for a The final component of the City of Winnipeg’s long time, but provincial governments North End Sewage Treatment Plant, $828 Horgan keeps election promise, have failed to move the ball forward. The million of the overall $1.789-billion project, commits additional $1.5 billion for project site has been selected. The demand does not have the funding necessary to proceed Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Project has been demonstrated. Despite a fiscally- with procurement. New license requirements Originally proposed as an LRT, Surrey conscious government and a blow dealt by for the facility cannot be met using the plant’s Mayor Doug McCallum claimed a few the pandemic, getting the new hospital built existing technology, thus making the need for years ago that the line could be built as a is still a priority that needs to be addressed. the upgrade to this as well as the power supply SkyTrain extension for the same price. The and headworks and biosolids facilities. experts told him he was wrong, and he was. Funding secured for Despite changes to provincial regulations During the September/October 2020 Saskatoon Freeway project causing the need for these upgrades, election campaign, Premier John Horgan Saskatchewan’s next megaproject is the new provincial funding for the project has not made this commitment during a campaign transportation link in Saskatoon. been committed. That would be a very stop. Looking closely at the election results, Similar to the recently-completed Regina welcome commitment to make in 2021.

28 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Governance

Canada supports GTA subway expansion Prince Edward Island gains support By now everyone knows the challenges Metrolinx is moving forward with the plans for long-term coastal resilience plan they faced, and they need real financial for the Ontario Line, Eglinton Crosstown There are few glaring infrastructure needs support to get these projects built. West, Yonge North, and Scarborough in the province, save for the typical road Perhaps the easiest way to get one of subway/LRT projects. With a combined upgrades and ensuring infrastructure meets these key projects underway is through price tag of well over $20 billion, the missing the needs of the province’s population growth. a funding partnership with the Canada piece to the puzzle still remains the lack of a However, coastal resilience is a real concern, Infrastructure Bank, building off of commitment from the federal government to as rising water levels threaten to do significant the advisory services agreement signed pay a share of the projects. damage at all ends of the province. The biggest between the CIB and GNWT in July 2019. By the time these projects would be built, challenge with the need for long-term thinking based on current timelines, the need for their on coastal resilience could be the cost, so Bi-national railway receives construction should be clearly demonstrated support from the federal government in this preliminary environmental approval once again, as it was pre-pandemic. regard would be highly beneficial to ensure The proposed Alaska-Alberta Rail that secure plans can be put in place. Corridor, carrying an estimated price tag Flood relief projects announced of over $17 billion, would create a new for Ottawa, Muskoka Muskrat Falls reaches substantial completion option for getting Canadian goods to Following the severe floods in both regions in Asian consumer markets. 2019, and the subsequent study conducted by After everything that has happened with this One of the most significant challenges the Government of Ontario, infrastructure project, reaching the finish line feels like it for the project will be the environmental solutions are needed to ensure that damages should be a huge accomplishment. And it is impacts. Yukon represents a large portion are minimized. We’ve seen Alberta and very close. This might be the one ‘sure thing’ of the environmental challenges, with a Manitoba make investments in the hundreds headline on this entire list. massive stretch of the railway running of millions to prevent billions in damages in How the project’s elevated cost impacts the regions of their respective promises. We’re province in the short-and-long term is not through the territory. The railway’s not sure if those are the numbers needed entirely appreciated just yet, but producing ability to get built will likely depend on in this situation, but funding for a concrete clean power for the region is, if nothing else, the project being able to minimize damage solution is. We can’t predict when the next a very positive environmental step forward. to the territory’s sensitive ecosystem. Especially if… flood will be, or how severe it will be. Canada releases draft national Nova Scotia’s imported power allows U.S. opens doors to Quebec electrification strategy coal plants to close sooner clean energy resources If the Government of Canada is going We know that Nova Scotia will be a significant With billions invested, and billions more to be serious about the country’s green beneficiary of the completion of the Muskrat in the pipeline, Hydro-Québec has energy focus, this needs to be a piece of that Falls project, providing clean power for a resources to share with surrounding puzzle. We’ve seen them implement an province still relying on coal generation. markets, including the U.S. northeast. end date for coal power generation in the The new clean power for the grid will There has been some reluctancy south of country, and that is one step, but it isn’t make up for some of the energy lost with the border, both from environmental groups the closure of Nova Scotia’s coal generation the only step. questioning the energy provider’s green plants. And the sooner those plants can be What is needed is a national electrification footprint and U.S. providers trying to hold closed, the better. The province still has strategy, one that prepares the country on to the local market. But the region needs some work to do, but hopefully 2021 can for the removal of fossil fuels from every clean power, and Quebec has the resources. mark the beginning of the end to the use of day use. That includes the electrification All that is needed is for the varying levels of coal in N.S. of the transportation industry, a strategy government can help clear the way for the for funding the infrastructure needed to flow of clean power from Quebec. RFQ issued for Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link do this, a strategy for increasing national In February 2020, the Canada Infrastructure NB Power announces plan for energy generation, and more. In order to Bank signed a Memorandum of Mactaquac GS refurbishment do the decades of work to get us there, a Understanding with four organizations strategy is needed soon. We know that this project is in the works, for the development of the project, which after the January 2020 announcement of a would provide clean energy resources from technical collaboration with Hydro-Québec Manitoba to Nunavut, as well as fibreoptic on certain refurbishment components aimed cable to improve broadband connectivity. Andrew Macklin is the managing editor of ReNew Canada. at extending the life of the station to 2068. This is a key project for removing The current schedule calls for the Nunavut’s reliability on diesel power, economic and environmental regulatory reducing GHG emissions by an estimated approval process to take place between 380,000 tonnes annually. Think there is a bigger headline that we 2020 and 2023. However, a clear signal that might have missed? Please let us know and this project will be able to move forward, CIB, GNWT announces investment we would be happy to include your idea in regardless of cost, would secure long-term in Taltson GS expansion project energy sustainability for the province, rather The Government of the Northwest Territories the online publication of this article. Email than relying on power from Quebec for have a handful of significant infrastructure us your thoughts at [email protected] decades to come. projects that need to get built very soon. renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 29 Politics

2021 POLITICAL OUTLOOK Infrastructure’s role at the Maintaining transit services with minimal ridership during the pandemic came at a severe cost to municipalities in 2020. How will that impact heart of the recovery. the way they invest in infrastructure in 2021? By John Allen

t the start of the year, 2020 was goals. We can expect more of this kind of private partnerships, and is working on a expected to be a relatively quiet one creative approach in 2021. formula to crack the promise of unsolicited A politically in Canada. After a global Another tool that will be playing a major proposals. It is also an increasingly pandemic and three provincial elections it was role will be the Canada Infrastructure enthusiastic partner of the Canada far from that, and any predictions for 2021 Bank. Originally proposed in the Liberal’s Infrastructure Bank with a new major come with some fairly large caveats. Going into 2015 election platform, the Bank has irrigation project and a Calgary-Banff train 2021 the onus will be on adapting infrastructure taken time to build up from scratch with already on the roster. to become more resilient, repairing the damage inevitable growing pains. It now sits firmly The NDP in British Columbia used a bump done by the pandemic, and advancing projects at the heart of Ottawa’s economic recovery in popularity to call an early election and duly that get people back to work and deliver efforts in bringing in private finance to won a majority mandate. B.C. is possibly the lasting benefits for local communities. What amplify government spending. The recently most aligned with the federal government governments are able to collectively achieve will announced $10 billion Growth Plan focused agenda with affordability, reconciliation, depend in a large part on the rate of infection, on five areas chosen for their potential to and fighting climate change key campaign how much the virus has been brought under deliver the highest impact: zero emissions principles similar to those of the federal control, and how well different levels of buses, clean power, building retrofits, Liberals. B.C. promised an additional $3 billion government can work together. broadband, and agricultural infrastructure. annually over three years for infrastructure. Perhaps most significant was the $500 million Housing affordability has always been a major From Ready to Worthy put aside for project acceleration, which could issue especially around Vancouver and Premier Despite the budgetary pressure brought about unlock some creative thinking for how the Horgan is tackling the issue on many fronts, by the pandemic, governments across Canada public and private sector can work together. from building more affordable housing stock recognized the importance of infrastructure and encouraging community partnerships, to investment in limiting the economic fallout Provincial-Federal Dynamic making it easier for developers to build more with most provinces either maintaining or The provinces came into the pandemic houses through a streamlined permitting increasing spending. The priority being to facing very different economic challenges. process, to expanding transit. get people working on low-risk shovel-ready Alberta and Saskatchewan were already Further East, Ontario’s PC government projects like maintenance and repair, and suffering from low oil prices, exacerbated had been busy chopping away at the adapting infrastructure to reduce the risk of by the pandemic-driven collapse in demand provincial deficit, but in a break from the COVID transmission. Going into 2021, the for oil. Federal support for the oil sector past, they committed to maintain levels of emphasis is shifting to projects that can serve was targeted at cleaning up orphan wells infrastructure investment upon election. multiple policy goals, or “shovel-worthy” and reducing emissions, but not the direct When COVID-19 struck, the Halton projects as they have become known. support being called for. At the same time, Courthouse—a project nearing the end of the Canada’s Infrastructure Minister, both provinces have been busy building out procurement process—was deemed surplus Catherine McKenna, often talks about plans for economic diversification covering to requirements. The government citing a “stretching the dollar,” making sure areas from clean energy, to tourism, to newfound ability to run more proceedings investments not only create local jobs agriculture; projects that mesh better with online reducing the need for physical and economic opportunities, but also the federal climate agenda, and some useful courtroom capacity. Commitments to transit contribute to achieving climate goals, and ribbon-cutting opportunities that will that stood at the start of the pandemic remain enhance social equality and cohesion. The hopefully go some way to reduce the sense of largely intact, with changes in legislation requirement to include low carbon concrete alienation between the Prairies and Ottawa. designed to accelerate projects and foster in federal construction projects as of 2021 There are promising signs too. Alberta more transit-oriented communities. provided an early indication that the Liberal is looking to draw in more private finance With an election in 2022, the Ford government would look at the full range of for infrastructure, is actively looking for Government will focus on maintaining tools at its disposal to meet its wider policy opportunities to expand the use of public- momentum on its infrastructure projects.

30 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net Politics

The crown jewel is the Ontario Line, a and applies to 181 projects covering schools, maintenance budgets were raided to cover subway project that can trace its origins as roads, transit systems, and seniors’ homes. other costs, but with no ability to run deficits a concept back over 100 years. It would be and without support from other levels of a notable feather in the cap if Doug Ford’s Municipal Hurt government, their hands may be forced. government can achieve real progress on this Municipalities have been particularly hard and three other priority subway expansions. hit by the pandemic. Municipal revenue from Positive Signs It seems the province and the City of user fees like transit and parking evaporated, Going into the pandemic Canada already Toronto have put differences aside and are property tax deferrals are on the rise, and costs had an extensive and ambitious pipeline of more united behind a common end goal even are rising to deal with the community impacts infrastructure projects. Projects were already though the journey to this point was rocky. and adapt to social distancing. Municipalities well advanced, which meant governments could Provinces are also using the opportunity to build and maintain 60 per cent of public focus their efforts on keeping projects moving tackle some long running structural issues that infrastructure. Capital spending has slowed due forward with the potential to deliver major cause project delays and add significant costs. to uncertainty and the need to plug operating economic, social, and environmental benefits. As Ontario introduced the Building Transit Faster budget gaps. In the short-term, the federal and with all infrastructure though it must be built on Act back in February to help speed up utility provincial governments stepped up to provide solid foundations. In the short term that means relocations, securing municipal approvals, additional funding to help with operating costs making sure work is done to limit damage to the and getting land access. This originally just through the Safe Restart Program, but mayors infrastructure supply chain by resolving COVID- covered their subway expansion program but and councils will become increasingly vocal 19 claims and ensuring suppliers are paid was expanded to cover other infrastructure, the longer the pandemic drags on. quickly, and that municipalities have the budgets especially transit, highways, and transit- The likely slow return to normal will to maintain their infrastructure assets and build oriented communities, through the Ontario reverberate into 2021 for municipalities. for a better future for their communities. Rebuilding and Recovery Act. Toronto alone estimates the pandemic will cost Quebec also tabled a bill to accelerate it $1.6 billion in 2021. Cities with large transit infrastructure projects, that had to be revised systems are faced with the tough prospect of John Allen is a and re-tabled after concerns were raised maintaining high levels of service on only a vice president that the original left the province open to fraction of the revenue. Mayors of the bigger at Global Public Affairs in Toronto. corruption and collusion. The new bill cities have made clear that they recognise the streamlines approvals for low risk projects failures of the past when infrastructure and

renewcanada.net January/February 2021 ReNew Canada 31 People & Events

APPOINTED Bill Karsten as FCM president. Registered Canadian Bridge Plaza Modernization FCM voters also ratified members to project. From 2013 to 2017, he operated The Canada Infrastructure FCM’s 75-seat board of directors, and the in the capacity of construction manager Bank (CIB) board of following FCM Table Officers: and managed a number of projects in directors announced the • First vice-president: Saskatchewan, before leaving EllisDon to appointment of Ehren Joanne Vanderheyden, mayor join a private developer. Cory as chief executive of Strathroy-Caradoc and councillor Bruni re-joined EllisDon early in 2020 Ehren Cory officer (CEO). for Middlesex County, Ont. working very closely with EllisDon’s “I am honoured to be • Second vice president: PME group in Fort Saskatchewan and its the Chief Executive Officer of the Canada Darren Hill, councillor, industrial clients to focus on expanding Infrastructure Bank. I am convinced the Saskatoon, Sask. EllisDon’s industrial capability in Ontario. CIB can be a vital catalyst for innovative • Third vice president: investment in Canada. I look forward Scott Pearce, mayor, Dan Huang is the new to working with the talented CIB team Canton of Gore, Que. president of the board of and our partners to accelerate projects directors of the Canadian that create economic and environmental SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. Institute of Planners (CIP). benefits for Canada,” said Cory. announced the Huang is a senior Cory has a strong track record appointment of Dale Dan Huang community consultant and and joins the CIB after leading a Clarke as president of principal with Urban successful public sector institution and Infrastructure Services. Systems Ltd. Based in executing large-scale infrastructure Dale Clarke Based in Toronto, Clarke Victoria, B.C. Huang transactions as chief executive officer of will report to Ian previously was a director Infrastructure Ontario. Edwards, president and CEO, and join on the board, representing the Executive Committee. Jenna B.C./Yukon, and is a The Association of In line with SNC-Lavalin’s strategic Schroeder past president of the Consulting Engineering direction, Clarke will have overall Planning Institute of Companies – Canada responsibility for continuing to grow British Columbia. (ACEC) announced that the company’s infrastructure services Joining Huang on the Anthony Karakatsanis, offering, including its infrastructure CIP Executive for 2020- Anthony president and CEO of the operation and maintenance, power, grid 2022 are Jenna Schroeder Karakatsanis Morrison Hershfield and industrial solutions, and construction Doug Daniels (vice president) and Doug Group has been named chair of the ACEC and project management businesses. Daniels (treasurer). board of directors for the 2020-2021 term. He will focus on mandates where SNC- Schroeder is a director of regional planning The announcement was made at the Lavalin’s suite of end-to-end capabilities for the Government of Saskatchewan. ACEC annual general meeting of members can be leveraged to help clients deliver Daniels is director of regional planning and held virtually on October 27, 2020. a pipeline of infrastructure projects development in the Ministry of Highways Karakatsanis first joined the ACEC- in Canada, the United States, and the and Infrastructure for the Government Canada Board in 2016 and has served United Kingdom. of Saskatchewan. on various committees. During his term With over 30 years of global experience as ACEC chair, he looks to build upon in engineering and project management, the excellent work of his predecessor Clarke has worked on domestic and SAVE THE DATE Lawrence Lukey, and will continue to international projects throughout promote the important role of consulting Canada, Africa, and Latin America. He engineers in Canadian society. He is joined SNC-Lavalin in 1996. During his committed to ensuring that ACEC remains 24-year tenure, he has held several senior agile and financially strong so that it can and executive roles, including executive continue to engage with and support vice president of Infrastructure Services its members through the COVID-19 since February. crisis and ensure that the consulting engineering sector has a voice and a role EllisDon announces the in the subsequent recovery. appointment of Frank Bruni to the role of vice The members of the president and area Federation of Canadian manager for South Municipalities (FCM) Frank Bruni Western Ontario. elected a new president Bruni joined EllisDon in and board of directors 2000 as a project coordinator at the York June 9-11, 2021 Garth during its first-ever virtual University Computer Sciences Building in Frizzell annual general meeting Toronto. During his career, he managed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. a number of projects in his hometown of City of Prince George Councillor Sault Ste. Marie, such as The Sault Area Garth Frizzell succeeds long-time Hospital (P3), Extendicare Canada - Long watersummit.ca Halifax Regional Municipality Councillor Term Care Facility, and the International

32 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net SAVE THE DATE: MAY 10-13, 2021

Please join us for the 15th annual Canadian Network of Asset Manager’s (CNAM) virtual conference being held online between May 10-13, 2021.

The past year has been challenging in many regards with the onset of COVID-19 and a world pandemic. Many municipalities across the country, and the world over, are struggling to do more with less in terms of asset management.

Connect with us online as we reflect on the past year and set our sights on refocusing and determining the way forward in lieu of the challenges that face us.

The conference will focus on virtual streams such as: AM 101, Organization and People, Long Term Sustainable Financial Planning, Climate Change—Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies, Operations and Maintenance—Infrastructure Development, and French Language Content.

Enhance your asset management knowledge and expand your personal network by participating in presentations, workshops, and networking in a virtual environment. It is a unique opportunity to learn from our peers and to navigate the obstacles that lie on the road ahead of us.

Save the dates in your calendar now and stay connected for updates.

cnam.ca Closing Shot Credit: City of London

Fatbergs have cost municipalities millions in infrastructure repair costs. JUST SAYING IT DOESN’T MAKE IT TRUE By Todd Latham

he COVID-19 pandemic is a hoax, A bit of background. Since disposable IWSFG specification.” The International the U.S. election was stolen, wipes came on the market, they started Water Services Flushability Group (IWSFG) T all wipes are flushable, and the turning up in sewers and have caused well- is a group of water professionals seeking to earth is flat. Just saying something untrue, documented infrastructure problems that provide clear guidance on what should and even repeatedly, does not make it fact. include clogged pumps, blocked screens, shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. But Unfortunately, there are many who say buildups in wastewater treatment plants, on the flip side, a court case from Australia ‘if I saw it on the internet or on a package, and sewer blockages and overflows that can declared that Cottonelle’s ‘flushable wipes’ it must be true’ and they find comfort in impact public health and the environment. meet or exceed the requirements set out in knowing other people think it is not un-false. After my Tweet, I received a quick reply the INDA/EDANA flushability guidelines— These lies somehow land on receptive ears from Cottonelle: “Please, know that flushable but on closer inspection, these guidelines and are assumed correct. Polarizing echo wipes have been extensively tested to break are set by the “Responsible Flushing chambers reverberate fake news and myths. down immediately after flushing. We’ve Alliance”—a group of wipes manufacturers. We have all seen it play out on social and, tested with plumbers & are the only flushable It looks like there are conflicting ‘facts’ from unfortunately, mainstream media. wipe approved by a wastewater utility as two different authorities. I guess the earth is In this context I recently saw a Tweet safe to flush. Visit http://spr.ly/6014G2loy flat in some parts of Saskatchewan. from CTV News in my feed: “Personal care for more information. Thanks again!” The manufacturer Kimberly-Clark has recalled wastewater utility they identified is the some of its Cottonelle Flushable Wipes, sold Jacksonville Electric Authority. in the U.S. and Canada […]”. The use of the Was the water industry wrong about wipes Todd Latham is the word “flushable” irked me as I know they in our wastewater infrastructure? What are founder of ReNew Canada and, regardless are not. I responded: “Hey @cottonelle – the facts? I asked a few experts and this is of ‘flushability,’ your wipes are NOT “flushable”! And what one of them said: “Today they do have does not use toilets @CTVNews – stop perpetuating that myth!” a better product but it still does not pass the as garbage cans.

34 ReNew Canada January/February 2021 renewcanada.net