Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The City of Ottawa’s finance and corporate services committee has approved the next steps for a new west-end paramedic deployment facility, while endorsing sweeping financial measures to plug a $1.23-billion infrastructure funding gap.

During its meeting Tuesday (June 2), the committee recommended a three-stage competitive procurement process for the new Ottawa Paramedic Service headquarters at 4061 Strandherd Dr. in Barrhaven.

While a final budget and opening date are yet to be determined, the city has previously approved $4 million for early-stage design and engineering.

The project will be delivered through a Design, Build, Finance, and Maintain (DBFM) public-private partnership, spreading capital costs over 30 years. The municipality expects the provincial Land Ambulance Service Grant to cover half of the eligible capital and operating costs.

The current paramedic headquarters on Don Reid Drive, built in 2005, is operating significantly over capacity due to population growth and expanded service demands.

The paramedic facility was just one of several major construction and infrastructure items addressed by the committee:

Ādisōke project needs $18.5M top-up

The committee approved an $18.5-million request for additional funding to maintain project oversight and top up the construction contingency for Ādisōke, the new joint facility for the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada. While the building is approximately 85 per cent complete, contractors have communicated further construction delays. The additional costs will be shared between the city and its federal and municipal partners.

Plugging a $1.23-billion capital gap

Councillors approved a new 10-year Tax Long Range Financial Plan to address a $1.23-billion funding shortfall for the renewal and maintenance of tax-supported municipal infrastructure. To bridge the gap, the city plans to double its annual capital contribution increase from $6 million to $12 million. Beginning in 2029, the city will also increase its annual debt issuance to an average of $96.5 million — a $36.5-million hike over current levels. The plan also relies on a one-time $32-million draw from the capital reserve.

Green transit revenues

The committee approved joining the federal Clean Fuel Regulations Program, allowing the city to generate and sell compliance credits from its Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) program. With plans to replace 350 diesel buses with electric models by 2027, the city estimates the credits could generate $1.3 million in 2026, scaling up to roughly $4.3 million annually upon full deployment.

Affordable housing tax relief

To support the community housing sector, the committee updated the Municipal Housing Facility By-law. The changes will allow a projected maximum of 4,500 existing non-profit affordable units, and potentially 500 new units annually, to qualify for a minimum 20-year municipal and education property tax exemption. Providers must reinvest the property tax savings into expanding portfolios, funding capital repairs, or offering deeper rent affordability.

City council will vote on the committee’s recommendations on Wednesday, June 10.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Applications are now open for the Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), an $8.8-billion federal-provincial initiative that provides infrastructure funding to municipalities that slash development charges.

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) is strongly urging the City of Ottawa to apply before the June 19 deadline, noting that development charges (DCs) in the city have increased by more than 30 per cent inside the greenbelt and more than 25 per cent outside the greenbelt over the past two and a half years.

“This is exactly the kind of leadership and partnership needed to address Ontario’s housing supply crisis,” GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf said in a June 2 statement. “For years, GOHBA has advocated that the government at all levels needs to tackle rising infrastructure costs. This announcement recognizes that reality and provides municipalities with a practical path to reduce those costs while continuing to invest in critical infrastructure.”

Under the DCRP, the federal and provincial governments will cost-match funding for housing-enabling infrastructure projects over 10 years. To qualify, municipalities must reduce DCs for all residential types by 30 to 50 per cent or greater and maintain those reductions for at least three years. The combined federal-provincial contribution funds 90 per cent of the reduction, with the municipality funding the remaining 10 per cent.

Cutting DCs in half in Ottawa would return them to 2016 rates, immediately improving project viability, making housing more affordable and helping to deliver more homes faster, according to GOHBA.

“We strongly urge the City of Ottawa to move immediately to get funding from the new agreement, cut its DCs, and build the infrastructure that will support new housing supply,” Burggraaf said. “We look forward to working with the City of Ottawa to ensure this opportunity translates into more homes, more housing choice and improved affordability for Ottawa residents.”

The funding stems from the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, announced in March 2026. The program aims to accelerate infrastructure projects to lower the cost of new homes. Of Ontario’s 444 municipalities, more than 200 currently levy development charges.

“The Development Charge Reduction Program will make a life-changing difference for families in municipalities across Ontario by lowering the cost of new homes by tens of thousands of dollars,” said Rob Flack, Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs and housing. “Along with the HST relief announced in Ontario’s 2026 budget, this program will make homes across the province more affordable.”

Flack encouraged municipal leaders to work with the province to reduce DCs to “get more shovels in the ground and keep the dream of homeownership alive in Ontario.”

Applications, which opened June 1, will be assessed based on the percentage of the committed DC rate reduction, the number of homes projected to be built as a result of the relief, and the municipality’s financial contribution. Priority will be given to housing-enabling projects based on the number of homes they support.

The program has drawn widespread support from construction industry leaders across the province.

Scott Anderson, CEO of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA), said in a statement that builders look forward to working with municipalities to build more affordable homes.

“The sooner municipalities can begin reducing development charges across all home types and make new projects viable, the sooner builders get more homes built,” he said.

David Wilkes, president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), called the initiative historic.

“Lowering development charges will help address the economic viability challenges that has stalled housing development across the GTA in recent years,” Wilkes said in the news release. “Through this initiative, municipalities and industry working in partnership can accelerate shovel-ready communities while ensuring that the building and development industry continues to provide well-paying jobs and is an engine of economic growth.”

Dani Gabriele, chair of the West End Home Builders Association, noted that the industry is finally seeing coordinated government action that can genuinely restart housing supply.

“The combination of HST relief and meaningful infrastructure and development charge support has the potential to improve project viability, support affordability, and help get shovels back in the ground,” she said, adding that local governments must work alongside the province and Ottawa to create conditions that support housing construction.

Patrick McManus, executive director of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, highlighted the necessity of infrastructure investments to manage growth.

“Support for both large-scale housing infrastructure projects and targeted funding for small and rural municipalities will help move these projects forward while creating and sustaining skilled trades jobs across Ontario,” McManus said in the statement.

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Ontario Construction News staff writer

Ottawa city council has approved a plan to redirect funding from a deferred streetscape project to a series of initiatives in the downtown core and ByWard Market.

The funding reallocation remains subject to approval by the Province of Ontario in accordance with the terms of the Ontario-Ottawa Agreement.

Money will be reallocated from the William Street pedestrian and streetscape project, which was originally supported through the Ontario-Ottawa Agreement. However, city staff said the project has been postponed beyond the timelines established under the agreement, prompting the municipality to identify alternative priority projects.

There two key objectives: enhancing safety and security in the downtown and ByWard Market and creating new attractions and public spaces to encourage year-round activity.

Safety-related initiatives approved by council are improvements to Rideau Station and the Rideau Street corridor, upgrades to the Rideau–Sussex underpass, and funding for security staffing support for organizations serving individuals with complex needs. The staffing supports are intended to assist with de-escalation, incident prevention and coordination with outreach and emergency response partners.

Council also endorsed funding for mental health and substance use services in the ByWard Market, Ottawa Public Health’s Needle and Drug Equipment Collection Program, and outreach efforts to connect unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness with safer spaces and support services.

To increase activity and attract more residents and visitors, council approved a range of placemaking and cultural initiatives including “Best of ByWard” four-season placemaking program, which will transform underutilized plazas and sections of ByWard Market Square into flexible public gathering spaces designed to support events and activities throughout the year.

Additional projects include:

• a district-wide navigation, access and parking strategy
• a brand and place identity plan

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

A massive residential project at the busy intersection of Baseline Road and Clyde Avenue has sat as an incomplete concrete skeleton for nearly three years, the casualty of a major Quebec company’s financial collapse.

Originally breaking ground in 2022, the two-tower project at 1357 Baseline Rd. was initially planned as a retirement residence. However, work ground to a halt late that year when the project’s original co-developer, Montreal-based Groupe Sélection, filed for creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).

At the time, the project was a 50-50 joint venture between commercial real estate trust SmartCentres and Groupe Sélection, which was one of Canada’s largest private operators of senior living facilities.

According to CCAA filings managed by monitor PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Groupe Sélection was forced into creditor protection in November 2022 after being caught in a perfect economic storm. The company had built a portfolio of over $5 billion in assets during an era of historically low interest rates. When central banks began aggressively hiking rates in 2022 to combat inflation, the developer’s borrowing and refinancing costs skyrocketed.

Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic took a severe toll on the senior living sector, driving up operational and health costs while depressing occupancy rates and slowing pre-leasing for new developments. This squeezed Groupe Sélection’s cash flow precisely when their debt servicing costs were climbing.

The final blow came when a syndicate of major Canadian banks, owed hundreds of millions of dollars, lost confidence in the company’s management and rejected their proposed restructuring plan. The lenders forced a creditor-driven restructuring through the Quebec courts, leading to the liquidation of Groupe Sélection’s assets and immediately unraveling joint ventures across the country — including the Ottawa towers.

Following a complex legal process, SmartCentres — which also owns the adjacent Laurentian Plaza strip mall — took full ownership of the property. According to the trust’s recent financial disclosures, SmartCentres completed the project’s foundational concrete structure to protect the asset before pausing construction.

The developer has since pivoted the project’s scope from a retirement complex to a 402-unit residential apartment building. But getting shovels back in the ground has proven difficult. To resume construction, SmartCentres is securing a new partner and financing, and must navigate a site-plan renewal process with the City of Ottawa to legally accommodate the change in the building’s use.

The lack of progress has frustrated local residents, who see the unfinished structures as a glaring blemish amid an ongoing housing shortage.

“I find it kind of sad. Every time we go by we say, ‘Is anything happening?’ Nothing’s been happening,” one local resident told CTV News Ottawa in a recent broadcast about the site. Another resident characterized the site as an “eyesore,” telling the network that “more could be done and it’s taken too long to do it.”

The stalled towers remain a frequent topic of constituent complaints for River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington.

“These buildings have been empty for way too long. They are now an eyesore within the community,” Brockington told CTV News. “We want to see this project completed. We support SmartCentres advancing with these residential towers. Let’s get it done.”

With the concrete structure left exposed to the harsh Ottawa elements for three winters, some residents have raised questions about the building’s structural integrity. Brockington reassured the community that the site is secure.

“My understanding is the building is sound,” the councillor said. “It is monitored 24 hours a day. There are cameras, and it is visually inspected on a normal frequency.”

While Brockington indicated in recent correspondence with SmartCentres that the municipal site-plan process should be completed this year, there is currently no firm target date for when heavy machinery will return or when the units will finally be ready for occupancy.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Thousands of Canadians took steps toward safer workplaces during May, helping Steps for Life raise more than $1 million for the fourth consecutive year.

The milestone was celebrated during a special wrap-up episode of Steps That Matter, the official podcast of Threads of Life, with hosts Eugene Gutierrez, Executive Director and Heather Lyle, National Manager, are joined by Sarah Wheelan, Communications Coordinator, to discuss big milestones and stories from the 2026 Steps for Life fundraising walks that happened earlier this month.

Wheelan also shared her personal milestone, running 20 kilometres to celebrate 20 years of participating in Steps for Life, and honouring her late brother, Lewis.

To watch the full episode, click here:

Across Canada, participants gathered in communities large and small, creating what organizers describe as a “sea of yellow” as walkers donned the event’s signature safety-coloured shirts. More than a visual symbol, the shirts represent a shared commitment to supporting families impacted by workplace fatalities, life-altering injuries and occupational diseases.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The construction timeline for Ādisōke, the joint Ottawa Public Library (OPL) and Library and Archives Canada (LAC) facility at LeBreton Flats, has been extended to December 2026, prompting a request for an additional $18.5 million to cover continued project oversight and contingency costs.

According to a staff report prepared for the City of Ottawa’s finance and corporate services committee meeting scheduled for June 2, the facility’s construction, overseen by general contractor PCL Construction, is now approximately 85 per cent complete.

“The building structure is complete and enclosed, and work is now well underway on interior finishes, building systems, and exterior landscaping,” city staff noted in the report

Despite the physical progress on the structure, the most recent schedule submission from the contractor indicates a project completion date of December 2026. This represents a 12-month delay from the original contractual substantial completion date of Jan. 2.

The staff report noted that PCL’s schedule has “not stabilized” and has faced “additional delays.” As a result, city officials have stated they still cannot confirm an official public opening date for the facility.

“The extended construction timeline results in additional project costs,” city staff outlined in the report. “Continued project oversight, including external resources, and an increase to construction contingency, are required to maintain continuity and rigorous quality control, and to ensure that Ādisōke is delivered to the community as envisioned as an exceptional civic and cultural facility that meets the highest standards of quality and performance.”

The requested $18.5-million budget increase would elevate the total project cost to $352.5 million, up from the previously approved $334 million. The budget has escalated significantly from its initial $175-million estimate, having jumped to $306 million in 2021 before subsequent increases.

Because Ādisōke is a joint facility, the additional funding responsibilities will be shared. The City of Ottawa is being asked to cover $11.5 million, while Library and Archives Canada will contribute the remaining $7 million.

The funds will specifically support two components: continued oversight and supporting services to maintain the continuity of the project team, and a top-up to the project’s construction contingency budget.

The finance and corporate services committee will review the staff report and vote on the funding request at its meeting.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Ottawa-based TCU Development Corporation is partnering with Fiera Real Estate to construct a 21-storey, purpose-built rental tower in the city’s rapidly growing Cyrville neighbourhood.

The partnership, announced in late April, will see the development of SOUL, a 271-unit apartment complex slated for construction in May. The project marks the inaugural investment for Fiera Real Estate’s Canadian Built Opportunities Fund (CBOF).

While recent project announcements focused solely on the 21-storey tower, municipal planning documents indicate the building is actually the first phase of a larger, multi-tower master plan for the consolidated site at 1137 and 1151 Ogilvie Rd., and 1111 Cummings Ave.

According to a site plan approval report signed by the City of Ottawa in March 2026, this initial phase features a four-storey podium, ground-floor commercial space, and a temporary privately owned public space (POPS). A future Phase 2 will introduce a second tower and complete the finalized public park area. A previous zoning bylaw amendment, passed in 2025, approved heights of up to 30 storeys for the property assembly.

“Strong partnerships and aligned teams are what drive successful projects and this one reflects that from day one,” Mike Corneau, co-founder and CEO of TCU Development Corporation, said in a corporate release. “Partnering with Fiera Real Estate is a strong signal of both the quality of SOUL and the long-term fundamentals we see in Ottawa. This project is distinctly Canadian, from capital to expertise to trades and we’re ready to deliver.”

The development is designed to address a need for modern accommodations in an area where much of the existing apartment stock is aging, according to the Real Estate News Exchange (RENX). The site sits a block from the St. Laurent Shopping Centre, providing future tenants with close proximity to transit networks and employment hubs.

For the local construction sector, the project brings a commitment to domestic, organized labour. Pierre Pelletier, senior managing director and head of development and debt at Fiera Real Estate, noted the importance of union involvement in the build.

“SOUL represents an ideal inaugural investment for the Canadian Built Opportunities Fund — a well-located, purpose-built rental development delivered by an experienced local partner and built by Canadian union tradespeople,” Pelletier said in the release. “It demonstrates how institutional capital can generate long-term value for our investors while creating meaningful opportunities in the communities where we invest.”

The property is the former home of the Mandarin Ogilvie restaurant, which closed in 2024 after a 36-year run, according to the Ottawa Business Journal.

Occupancy for the building is expected to begin in approximately two years.

TCU Development Corporation, founded in 2010, focuses on Class A purpose-built rental housing and has developed a significant multifamily portfolio in Ottawa. Fiera Real Estate, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fiera Capital, manages over $11.9 billion of commercial real estate globally.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Colonnade BridgePort and the Fiera Real Estate CORE Fund have broken ground on the first phase of Junction Central, a new mixed-use residential community in Ottawa.

The two-tower development at 25 Pickering Pl. is on a 4.9-acre site adjacent to the city’s central VIA Rail station, the Tremblay LRT station, and Highway 417, according to the Real Estate News Exchange (RENX).

The property, formerly home to commercial cleaning product manufacturer Dustbane, was acquired by the developers in April 2020 and required significant remediation before construction could begin.

“We knew it had contamination and needed to be remediated,” Hugh Gorman, chief executive officer of Colonnade BridgePort, told RENX. “It was one of those things where we felt like we had a great piece of land and we were just going to have to work it.”

This project marks the third multi-residential development partnership in Ottawa between Colonnade BridgePort and Toronto-based Fiera Real Estate, following the Westboro Connection and Hintonburg Connection projects. In this venture, Fiera holds a 75 per cent stake in the land and a 70 per cent stake in the two-building Phase I development, with Colonnade BridgePort holding the remainder.

The initial phase of Junction Central comprises two buildings — the 14-storey Linq and the 28-storey Connex — which will deliver a combined 498 rental units ranging from studios to three-bedroom suites. The complex will also include nearly 20,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

The developers are targeting LEED Silver certification and are equipping the property with functional amenities tailored to a mid-to-high market range. These include a rooftop terrace with a dog run, fitness facilities, co-working spaces, and electric vehicle parking.

Subdivision servicing is currently underway on the site, with initial occupancy anticipated for late 2027 or early 2028.

As for the balance of the 4.9-acre property, the partners are reportedly looking to sell the site’s excess land to operators specializing in hotels or seniors housing, citing strong local demand for those asset classes.

Fiera Real Estate, a subsidiary of Fiera Capital Corporation, is the same institutional partner currently teaming up with TCU Development Corporation on the 21-storey SOUL rental project in Ottawa’s Cyrville neighbourhood.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Construction and design professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of architectural wood have a unique hands-on educational opportunity coming up in Ottawa  next month.

The Ottawa chapter of Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) is hosting an in-person continuing education seminar, “Specifying Wood with Confidence,” on Wednesday, June 3.

The event, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will be held at Heritage Grade Woodwork at 2280 Stevenage Dr.

Designed to help the industry confidently specify wood in architectural applications, the collaborative session brings together experts from Heritage Grade, Upper Canada Forest Products (UFP), and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC).

The seminar will cover essential topics to strengthen material specification expertise, including:

• Wood species, cuts, and grading
• Veneers and sheet products
• Specification best practices

The session will also feature an in-depth segment on the restoration and rehabilitation of historic woodwork. This portion will draw on the latest AWMAC North American Architectural Woodwork Standards (NAAWS) Guide, specifically addressing Section 3 (Lumber), Section 4 (Sheet Products), and Section 12 (Historic Restoration).

Featured speakers for the event include Laurie Suikki, AWMAC Ontario chapter manager; Mark Paddison, retired program director of Humber College Cabinetmaking; and Sam Pollock, lead at Heritage Grade Woodwork.

Following the educational session, attendees will receive an exclusive guided tour of Heritage Grade’s workshop. The event also includes networking opportunities with industry peers and a complimentary boxed lunch provided by Chef Ric’s.

Attendees can drive directly to the workshop or take advantage of optional transportation via a limousine service. Those interested in coordinating the shuttle service can contact Maria Cristina Villalba, CSC Ottawa events officer, at ma************@****sh.com.

Registration is $60 for CSC members and $85 for non-members, plus applicable fees. Space is highly limited, with a maximum capacity of 24 attendees.

Those interested in attending must register by May 31. For more information or to secure a spot, professionals can visit the event’s page on Eventbrite.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Napanee Battery Energy Storage System is now in commercial operation, marking one of the largest battery storage projects in Canada and a significant expansion of Ontario’s electricity storage capacity.

The 250-megawatt (MW) facility can supply enough power for up to 250,000 homes for as long as four hours during peak demand periods. Valued at approximately $600 million, the project was selected through the Independent Electricity System Operator Expedited Long-Term 1 procurement process launched in 2022, part of what is described as the largest battery storage procurement in Canadian history.

Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the project strengthens the province’s electricity system at a time of growing demand.

“Ontario is building the infrastructure needed to power growth, protect jobs, and keep energy reliable and affordable for families,” Lecce said. “The completion of the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System is a major step forward in strengthening our clean electricity grid and securing eastern Ontario’s energy future. This project will help power up to 250,000 homes in eastern Ontario during peak demand, support three highly-skilled jobs and reinforce our plan to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant province.”

Ontario’s electricity demand is forecast to rise by as much as 90 per cent by 2050, increasing the need for storage systems that can offset peak demand and help manage extreme weather events.

The Napanee facility includes 284 battery storage units, transformer stations, transmission connection infrastructure and ancillary components. It is designed to store electricity generated during low-demand periods — including output from Ontario’s nuclear fleet — and release it back to the grid when demand increases.

The project also highlights local supply chain involvement, including 72 medium-voltage transformers manufactured by Stein Industries and procured through Nbisiing Power.

“Through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to excellence, Atura Power and Ameresco worked closely with all project partners to successfully deliver this important energy infrastructure ahead of schedule,” said Bob McCullough.

“Reaching commercial operation early is a significant milestone and a clear reflection of the dedication, expertise, and teamwork across the entire project team. We’re proud to support Ontario’s energy future through coordinated efforts that prioritize reliability, innovation, and local impact.”

Construction and development of the facility supported about 120 jobs across skilled trades, engineering, transportation and manufacturing. The completed site is expected to support ongoing operational and technical employment in the region.

The project follows the refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, another major Ontario energy infrastructure milestone completed on time and on budget.

Ontario officials say battery storage, nuclear refurbishment and hydro expansion are central to a broader strategy aimed at ensuring reliable, affordable electricity while supporting domestic supply chains and long-term economic growth.

“At Atura Power, we are investing in modern technologies that strengthen system reliability and enable the integration of more intermittent non emitting generation, while maintaining the dependable electricity supply Ontarians rely on every day,” said Tom Patterson.

“Delivering this project ahead of schedule and on budget reflects the skill and dedication of our project team, including our joint venture partner Ameresco Canada, and the many trades and engineering professionals who made it possible.”

Vittoria Bellissimo, president and CEO of the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, said energy storage is becoming increasingly important for grid stability.

“Energy storage is the Swiss Army knife of the electricity system,” Bellissimo said. “It can store energy for later, step in when demand spikes, and keep the grid stable and costs down.”

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