Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) marked its 75th anniversary during its Annual General Meeting last Wednesday (April 8), an event highlighted by robust financial results, industry awards, and a special proclamation from Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

The meeting, held at the Saint Elias Banquet Centre, brought together builders, developers, renovators, and industry partners for what GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf described as the largest AGM in recent history.

Mayor Sutcliffe opened his address by praising the association’s tremendous growth, noting that its membership has increased by 67 per cent since 2021. To honour the association’s long-standing impact on the city, Sutcliffe officially proclaimed April 8, as “Greater Ottawa Home Builders Association Day”.

“About 26% of all new multi-residential housing in Ontario is being built right here in Ottawa,” Sutcliffe said. “More than a quarter of all multi-residential is happening here in Ottawa, even though we represent 7% of the population in the province.”

Sutcliffe also emphasized the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness and speeding up housing initiatives. The city has passed a motion to accelerate the construction of 550 supportive housing units, reducing the target timeline from 10 years to five years. Additionally, Sutcliffe shared that Ottawa is the first city in Canada to reach an agreement in principle with the new federal agency, Build Canada Homes, to construct 3,000 housing units, the majority of which will be affordable.

On the financial front, GOHBA is reporting its fifth consecutive year of financial growth and security. For the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 2025, the association posted an operating net surplus of just over $168,000. This was driven almost exclusively by the success of GOHBA’s special events, which generated nearly $463,000 in net revenue.

The approved 2026 budget projects a stable membership base of 453 members and will hold membership fees at the same level as 2025. Recognizing the rapid growth of its event programming, the association has also invested in expanding its staff complement with a new permanent head of events.

The AGM also served as an occasion to honour members who have made exceptional contributions to the industry and the broader community, with over 30 nominations received this year.

The 2026 GOHBA Award winners are:

All-Star New Member Contributor: Mike Dambra from Dambra Flooring was honoured for his exceptional dedication and meaningful contributions within his first two years of involvement.

Philanthropy Award: Jenny Chen was recognized for her leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to inclusion that has strengthened both the industry and the community.

Outstanding Company Contribution: Reliance Holmes Heating and Cooling received the award for going above and beyond in advancing the industry, supporting employees, and demonstrating social responsibility.

Pillar of the Community: Candy King from Urbandale Construction was celebrated for her steadfast leadership and lasting impact over 22 years of building major Ottawa communities.

Visionary Leadership Award: Rosaline Hill, Principal Architect, Senior Planner, Development Consultant at RJH Architecture and Planning, was honoured for her significant impact in advocacy and residential infill, driving practical, solution-oriented improvements across the industry and the city.

Lifetime Achievement: Paul Scissons received this prestigious honour for his leadership, advocacy, and commitment to advancing professional renovation, notably through his work strengthening member engagement with Ottawa Renovates magazine for more than a decade.

Closing the formal business, Board chair Serge Desjardins reflected on the association’s recent successes, which included advocating for one of the largest housing tax breaks in recent history.

“Together, we have a responsibility to ensure that Ottawa remains a vibrant city where housing development meets the needs of our residents,” Desjardins said. Moving into 2026, the board plans to continue prioritizing member engagement, strategic planning, policy advocacy, and community impact.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Ottawa chapter is inviting industry professionals to go behind the scenes of high-performance door manufacturing during an upcoming technical seminar and facility tour.

The event, titled “Sound Matters: Acoustic Performance & AMBICO Facility Tour,” will take place on Oct. 16 at the AMBICO Limited headquarters at 1120 Cummings Ave. The session is designed to provide architects, engineers, and specifiers with a deep dive into the technical requirements of acoustic openings and the manufacturing processes that support them.

The afternoon will begin with a technical presentation focused on the science of sound control in the built environment. According to the event organizers, the session will cover critical topics such as Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings, the impact of perimeter sealing systems on acoustic integrity, and how to properly specify door assemblies for sensitive environments like healthcare facilities, recording studios, and government buildings.

Following the seminar, attendees will be guided through AMBICO’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

“This is a truly exciting time at AMBICO,” the company said in a recent statement regarding its ongoing growth. “As we enter our 70th year of family-owned operations, we continue to purposely invest in our future… not only in state-of-the-art machinery—new press brakes and process improvements—but also in a top-tier management team.”

The tour portion of the event will offer a firsthand look at how specialized products—including blast-resistant, fire-rated, and acoustic doors—are engineered and fabricated. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate the precision required to meet rigorous international standards such as ASTM and ANSI.

The event is scheduled to run from noon (lunch provided) to 4:00 p.m. EST. Registration is required, and tickets are available through the CSC Ottawa Chapter’s Eventbrite page. Participants may be eligible for continuing education credits, as the technical content aligns with the professional development requirements of several architectural and engineering associations.

For more information and to register, visit the CSC Ottawa Eventbrite listing.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) will launch a Construction for Canadians Tour, an 11-episode national docuseries designed to give Canadians a behind-the-scenes look at the country’s housing and infrastructure projects.

Filming begins in June and will span 12 weeks, visiting 21 active and recently completed construction sites across 10 provinces. The tour will feature local elected officials, industry leaders, and construction professionals, highlighting the planning, technology, and skilled trades that make major projects possible.

“Canada has set bold goals for housing and infrastructure delivery,” said Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA president. “While construction is central to the homes, roads, hospitals and public infrastructure Canadians rely on every day, much of the work that goes into delivering these projects happens out of sight. This series is about opening the door and showing Canadians the incredible effort, coordination and skilled talent required to build our country.”

The series will address common misconceptions about construction and demonstrate the complexity and expertise needed to deliver critical infrastructure. The tour will also provide opportunities for direct engagement at worksites and candid conversations en route.

“The success of Canada’s construction sector depends on strong collaboration across the industry and with communities,” Gilbert added. “Construction is often misunderstood. People see the final result but not the planning, technology, skilled trades and teamwork required to get there.”

The announcement coincides with CCA’s annual conference, which brought together more than 500 Canadian construction leaders to discuss national priorities and cross-border collaboration amid evolving Canada-U.S. economic and infrastructure policies.

Full details of the Construction for Canadians Tour, including specific stops and filming locations, will be released in the coming weeks.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Ottawa Construction Association (OCA) is entering 2026 with new leadership at the helm, reporting a record-high membership and a solid financial foundation following a busy year of industry advocacy.

Dan Leduc of Soloway Wright LLP has been elected to assume the role of OCA chair for 2026, officially taking the gavel from 2025 chair Ken Crawford of C & M Electric. The leadership transition coincides with a historic shift in the association’s executive office. John DeVries has retired as president and general manager after leading the organization for nearly 28 years.

DeVries has been succeeded by Bill Ferreira, who joined the OCA following eight years of service at BuildForce Canada and previous experience with the Canadian Construction Association.

“I don’t have to tell you what a contribution he has made to this association, to our local industry and to the community at large in that period of time,” Crawford wrote of DeVries in the association’s 2025 annual report.

Ferreira steps into the executive director role of an association experiencing steady growth. The OCA closed 2025 with a record 1,190 member firms, having achieved a net gain of 20 new companies over the year. The diverse membership base now includes 370 trade contractors, 368 manufacturers, services and suppliers, 184 general contractors, 169 mechanical and electrical contractors, and 99 roadbuilders and heavy construction contractors.

Financially, the association remains on firm footing. According to the 2025 financial statements, the OCA generated total revenues of $3,226,560 against operating expenses of $3,103,059, resulting in an excess of revenues over expenses of $123,501. The association’s total net assets at the end of the year stood at a healthy $8,020,748.

The regional construction market also maintained its momentum. In 2025, the City of Ottawa issued 7,492 building permits valued at just over $3.25 billion. While this represents a four per cent decline from 2024, it marks the seventh consecutive year that permit values have exceeded the $3-billion threshold. Correspondingly, the OCA’s plansroom saw a nearly three per cent increase in activity, hosting 2,769 projects over the year.

The OCA also secured significant advocacy victories for its members in 2025. The association successfully pushed back against the City of Ottawa’s plan to sole-source a $15-million newcomer reception centre to Toronto-based BLT Construction using a pre-engineered “sprung structure”. Following public criticism from the OCA and the General Contractors Association of Ottawa regarding the city’s assumption that local industry lacked the capability to deliver the project, the city cancelled the contract.

Additionally, the OCA successfully lobbied the city to modify liquidated damages provisions on the $300-plus million Lansdowne 2.0 redevelopment—ultimately awarded to EBC Inc.—eliminating unpredictable risks that went well beyond standard delay costs.

Beyond industry advocacy, the OCA continued its strong tradition of corporate philanthropy. In 2025, the association donated more than $113,000 to local charities. This included a record $50,000 donation to the Ottawa Food Bank, raised during a massive spring golf tournament that attracted an unprecedented 648 players across three local courses.

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Ottawa Construction News Staff Writer

City BuildHERS is preparing to host its latest industry event, “The Ripple Effect,” an evening designed to highlight the influence of women in shaping the built environment.

The event will take place on April 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Huguette Labelle Hall, located within the University of Ottawa’s Tabaret building.

Organizers say the gathering is built on connection and designed for change, offering participants a chance to explore how women’s voices are fundamentally impacting design, engineering, and construction.

“This will be one of the most beautiful and inspiring events that I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating on,” said Lauren Epp, who is managing event co-ordination for the program.

The initiative follows previous City BuildHERS efforts to foster professional development and relationship-building within the local industry, such as past programs focused on enhancing golf skills to facilitate business networking.

“The Ripple Effect” is being held in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and is supported by several industry leaders and organizations, including the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA). Key organizers and collaborators associated with the event include Jennifer Cross, Kristen Buter, and Trista Lynch-Black.

According to City BuildHERS, the evening is intended to provide strategic networking with a curated group of industry leaders. The goal is to facilitate new connections, project leads, and working opportunities for women across all sectors of the construction and design industries.

“This is your chance to gain insights from design, engineering, and construction innovators that will leave you inspired and empowered to lean into your career,” the organization stated in its event announcement.

The venue, Huguette Labelle Hall, is a heritage space within the historic Tabaret building, which dates back to the early 20th century (with the hall itself seeing significant use and recognition in its current form since circa 1971).

Tickets for the event are currently available for purchase online. For more information on City BuildHERS and their upcoming initiatives, interested participants can visit the organization’s registration page or follow their updates through industry channels.

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March 2026

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Friends, family, and colleagues from Ottawa’s construction industry are gathering tonight (Feb. 6) to honour the memory of Lino Bassi and support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.

The Lino Bassi Gala, hosted by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation, takes place Friday evening as a highlight of the city’s Heart Month celebrations.

Bassi, the founder and president of BGC Construction & Restoration Ltd., died in January 2025 at the age of 54. A respected figure in the local industry, he established BGC in 2014, continuing a family legacy in the trades that began with his father in the 1950s. Colleagues remember him for his integrity and for treating clients and employees like family.

Merkley Supply Ltd., a long-time supporter of the Heart Institute, highlighted the event in a recent statement.

“It’s a fitting way to honour someone who meant a great deal to many of us,” the company said. “He’s someone we remember often and speak about fondly.”

The gala coincides with the foundation’s “Light the Capital Red” campaign, an annual initiative where businesses, landmarks, and homes across Ottawa are illuminated in red to raise awareness for cardiovascular health.

Merkley Supply is marking the month by participating in the lighting campaign and accepting donations for the Heart Institute at its carriage showroom on Carriage Hill Place.

Funds raised from the gala and associated Heart Month initiatives support patient care and research at the institute.

“The Lino Bassi Gala… is a chance to gather, remember Lino, and support the work of the heart institute,” Merkley Supply stated.

February is universally recognized as Heart Month, a time when the institute launches key fundraising and awareness campaigns, including the goal to screen one million Canadians for heart health risks.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe is positioning the nation’s capital as a testing ground for federal-municipal housing cooperation, citing a recent $400-million partnership with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government as a blueprint for the province.

Speaking at the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) annual Mayor’s breakfast on Jan. 8, Sutcliffe touted the city’s resilience in a challenging economic climate, noting that Ottawa has bucked the trend of slowing construction seen in other major Ontario markets.

“We want to lead the country,” Sutcliffe said. “We want to say yes to housing and we want to say yes to more affordable housing.”

The mayor highlighted a landmark agreement signed last month with the federal agency Build Canada Homes. The deal commits $400 million toward the construction of 3,000 affordable homes in Ottawa, utilizing factory-built technologies designed to cut construction timelines by half.

“Together we committed to investing $400 million… That is a giant leap forward for affordable housing in our city,” Sutcliffe said.

The optimistic tone comes as Ottawa recorded a 22 per cent year-over-year increase in housing starts through October 2025, a figure that stands in sharp contrast to the declines witnessed in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of southern Ontario.

Sutcliffe attributed part of this success to the city’s aggressive Housing Action Plan, which includes the upcoming elimination of 13 types of development studies and a new Zoning By-law intended to unlock density. He also emphasized the city’s ability to maintain a stable investment climate by keeping property tax increases to approximately three per cent annually, avoiding the fiscal shocks seen in Toronto and Vancouver where rates have risen by more than 20 per cent over three years.

However, challenges remain regarding infrastructure funding and development charges. Sutcliffe noted that while the municipal government is streamlining its own processes, collaboration with upper levels of government remains critical to address the “missing middle” and infrastructure deficits.

“One of the dynamics that can be frustrating sometimes is you talk to one level of government and they say, ‘oh, we’re waiting to hear from the other level of government’,” Sutcliffe said. “I think there is a willingness on the part of both the federal and provincial governments to do something… The question is what and, more importantly, when.”

With updated projections suggesting Ottawa’s population could grow by 680,000—significantly higher than the 400,000 anticipated in the current Official Plan—industry leaders are calling for immediate action to ensure the recent momentum translates into long-term supply.

“The progress made over the past year shows what’s possible when industry and government work together,” said GOHBA Executive Director Jason Burggraaf. “But as we begin 2026, the focus must be on turning policy direction into housing on the ground.”

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced plans to eliminate nearly half of the city’s development reporting requirements and introduced a “culture of yes” for housing approvals during the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) annual breakfast on Jan. 8.

Addressing a sold-out crowd at the St. Elias Centre, Sutcliffe outlined the city’s progress on its Housing Action Plan, highlighting a 22 per cent increase in housing starts in 2025 compared to the previous year.

“We’ve made enormous progress,” Sutcliffe said. “I heard from you over and over again about the challenges of building homes in Ottawa: the bureaucracy, the long approval process, the red tape… So we got to work on fixing that.”

A key measure coming to city council later this month is a proposal to scrap 13 mandatory studies for development applications, including wind studies and shadow analyses, and to narrow the scope of 13 others. Sutcliffe said this move would effectively cut the city’s reporting requirements by 50 per cent, saving builders both time and money.

“You will no longer have to do them,” Sutcliffe told the audience. “I want everyone to look back on this time as a turning point for housing in Ottawa.”

The mayor also confirmed that a comprehensive new Zoning By-law will be presented to council this month. The by-law aims to increase density and height permissions, particularly near transit infrastructure, and make “yes the default answer to a much wider range of development proposals.”

The announcements follow a year of strong performance for Ottawa’s residential construction sector. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data, the city recorded 7,945 housing starts between January and October 2025, up from 6,520 during the same period in 2024. The growth was driven largely by a 28 per cent surge in multi-unit starts.

GOHBA Executive Director Jason Burggraaf welcomed the mayor’s commitments but emphasized the need to align policy with the city’s rapidly growing population.

“Right now, our official plan, all our zoning — everything revolves around the idea of Ottawa growing by 400,000 people,” Burggraaf said. “But the new, updated growth projections are 680,000 people… We need to basically scale-up all our plans to match those new growth projections.”

Sutcliffe opened his address by recounting an election-day promise made to Soula Burrell, GOHBA’s director of Membership and Business Development, in a Costco parking lot in 2022, pledging to attend the breakfast annually—a tradition he has kept for four consecutive years.

While acknowledging that the city does not control interest rates or supply chains, Sutcliffe reiterated his goal to make Ottawa the “most housing-friendly city in Canada.” He pointed to the city’s fiscal discipline as a supporting factor, noting that Ottawa has kept property tax increases to an average of three per cent over the last three years, in contrast to double-digit hikes in Toronto and Vancouver.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The Ottawa chapter of Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) is set to tackle one of the most transformative topics in the industry with its upcoming event, “AI in AEC: From Promise to Practice.”

Scheduled for Nov. 26 at Algonquin College, the afternoon session will bring together five industry and policy experts to explore the practical applications and future impact of Artificial Intelligence on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors.

The event features an extended buffet lunch, a speaker presentation and roundtable, and dedicated networking time.

“Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a tool being implemented on job sites and in design studios today,” said a CSC Ottawa Chapter spokesperson. “Our goal is to move past the hype and provide our members and the broader AEC community with tangible insights into how AI is reshaping project management, design, and building specifications.”

The panel features a diverse group of experts, including:

• Karen Savoie of Savoie Faire Consulting
• Emmanuel Florakas from Partnier BDO
• Jessica Wright, an expert in Artificial Intelligence and Data Policy
• Victoria Ikede, a BIM Specialist with Architecture49
• Jeff Halashewski from Dialog

The discussion will cover how AI can enhance efficiency, improve safety, and drive innovation, while also addressing the policy and practical challenges of implementation.

“We’ve assembled a panel that covers the topic from multiple angles—from the technical BIM applications to the crucial data policy that underpins it all,” the spokesperson added. “Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of where the technology is headed and how they can prepare their businesses for the changes to come.”

The event will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Algonquin College’s Salon A, at 1385 Woodroffe Ave.

Tickets are $100 (plus HST and Eventbrite fees) for CSC members and $125 (plus tax and fees)  for non-members, with parking included.

Ontario Construction News and Ottawa Construction News are the event’s media sponsors.

Registration can be completed at this link.

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