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

New home sales in Ottawa surged in April, driven largely by recent expansions to new home tax relief, according to the latest data from the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA) and PMA Brethour Realty Group.

The region recorded 744 new home sales, representing a staggering 203.7 per cent increase from the 245 homes sold in April 2025. April’s totals also mark a 164.8 per cent jump from March, which saw just 281 sales.

Year-to-date sales now stand at 1,558, up 41.3 per cent compared to the 1,103 homes sold during the same period last year.

“This month’s sales activity clearly demonstrates how directly policy decisions can influence housing markets,” GOHBA executive director Jason Burggraaf said in a statement. “The expansion of sales tax relief to all new home buyers has helped restore confidence in the market and encouraged many buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines to act.”

Burggraaf added that the robust spring figures are proof that “meaningful policy reform can directly support housing activity, improve affordability, and help get more homes built.”

Geographically, Ottawa’s south end led the region in April, accounting for 41 per cent of all new home sales. The west end followed closely at 37 per cent, while the east end captured 20 per cent of the market. Central Ottawa made up the remaining three per cent.

When breaking down by housing type, townhomes maintained a steady stronghold on the market, accounting for half of all sales (50 per cent). Single-detached homes saw a 16 per cent increase from March to capture 46 per cent of April’s sales activity. The remainder of the month’s sales were divided between condo townhomes and condo apartments.

The monthly report is published in partnership between GOHBA and PMA Brethour Realty Group to provide market data on local housing activity in the nation’s capital.

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The May 2026 issue of Ottawa Construction News has been published.

You can view it in page turning software here.

Stories in the current issue include:

• • • Turn Group enters Ottawa highrise market with $21 million acquisition of Little Italy development site;
    • Ottawa homebuilder Glenview announces expansion into Greater Houston area;
    • City clears path for 137,000 sq. ft. SerenVita wellness spa in Kanata North.
    • Ottawa finalizes $400 million federal housing pact, announces first eight shovel-ready projects;
    • Lifestyles Group proposes 188-unit seniors’ residence at former CFB Rockliffe;
    • Ottawa Mayor Sutcliffe proclaims ‘GOHBA Day’ as association celebrates 75th anniversary at 2026 AGM;
    • Decade-long height battle nears end as landmark Centretown towers clear final committee hurdles; and
    • Sound matters: AMBICO Limited highlights the science of acoustic door assemblies at CSC Ottawa event;

      Ottawa Construction News (May 2026)

      By Mark Buckshon in ontario publications

      32 pages, published 5/8/2026

      News and information for Ottawa’s architectural, engineering and construction community

The post May issue published: Ottawa Construction News appeared first on Ottawa Construction News.

Ottawa Construction News staff writer

A joint municipal committee meeting May 5 reviewed the progress of Ottawa’s Housing Acceleration Plan, reporting the city has completed more than half of its targeted actions over the past six months to speed up home construction.

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee and the Planning and Housing Committee met to evaluate the plan, which city council originally approved in October 2025. A City of Ottawa news release said the plan encompasses 58 actions designed to fundamentally overhaul the municipality’s approach to housing. The initiative also aligns with federal and provincial priorities, supporting Ottawa’s eligibility for upper-tier housing funding programs.

Over the past six months, the city has completed 53 per cent of the plan’s actions. Officials expect to finish 78 per cent of the measures by the end of 2026, with the remainder slated for completion in 2027.

The local construction industry has taken note of the ongoing regulatory shifts. In an April 30 statement, Jason Burggraaf, executive director of the Greater Ottawa Home Builders’ Association (GOHBA), praised the municipality’s efforts to reform its planning environment.

“Over the past year, the City of Ottawa has made meaningful progress to streamline and improve its development approvals process, with the goal of becoming the most housing-friendly city in the country,” Burggraaf said. “While the market has been stuck in a very long period of low activity, it is critical that the city remain committed to these reforms. When demand returns, these improvements will allow us to scale up housing construction more quickly and efficiently.”

The city’s overarching goal is to reduce development barriers by simplifying regulations and expediting approvals. Progress to date includes:

• Simpler regulations: Adoption of an overhauled Zoning By-law that expands housing permissions, simplifies the planning framework and removes barriers to modular and prefabricated homes.
• Expedited approvals: A reduction in the number of required studies for new development applications and increased capacity in the city’s Legal Services department to speed up reviews.
• Financial flexibility: Temporary reductions to Community Benefits Charges and the deferment of residential development charges and cash-in-lieu of parkland collections to aid project cash flow and feasibility.
• Community housing: Simplified regulations to help not-for-profit providers accelerate the delivery of affordable homes.
• Transit and downtown growth: The removal of zoning barriers near transit stations, the rollout of a pre-approved building design program and a new downtown revitalization strategy.

To track the effectiveness of these measures, the city is introducing a measurement framework using 2025 data as a baseline. The framework evaluates three key outcomes:

• Shorter approval timelines: Measured by faster application reviews, fewer incomplete submissions and quicker completion of legal agreements.
• More housing construction: Emphasizing urban and transit-oriented areas, measured by an increase in building permits issued.
• Increased affordable housing: Measured by a rise in building permits for affordable and supportive housing units.

The joint committee’s recommendations will go before the full city council on Wednesday, May 13. A subsequent progress update, which will include results from the new measurement framework, is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

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Ottawa Construction News staff writer

The federal government says it will provide $1.5 billion in tariff relief after the United States broadened and intensified duties on metal products, a move Canada warns is placing growing strain on the manufacturing sector.

The package includes a new $1 billion program through the Business Development Bank of Canada aimed at supporting manufacturers, along with a $500 million top-up to the regional tariff response fund.

The BDC initiative will offer three-year, low-interest loans of up to $50 million to companies in the steel, aluminum and copper sectors affected by U.S. tariffs. Repayment will be deferred for the first three years, with the goal of helping firms maintain operations and adapt to shifting trade conditions.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon announced the measures Monday, saying businesses require immediate liquidity and longer-term support to diversify export markets.

“We’re in a trade war. We are on the front lines and the goal is to protect workers and actually keep companies afloat,” Joly said at a news conference in Ottawa.

The announcement follows an April 2 proclamation by U.S. President Donald Trump expanding tariffs on steel and aluminum and extending them to certain copper derivatives. The changes have raised costs for Canadian exporters and added complexity to tariff classifications, creating challenges for manufacturers and customs brokers.

Industry groups say the federal response is a step forward but may not be sufficient. Nicole Vlanich of the Canadian Association of Moldmakers said many firms are already under financial strain and warned that additional loans could deepen long-term pressures.

“These tariffs are putting them in the red,” she said, pointing to cases where single shipments have incurred tariff costs reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, welcomed the financial support but urged Ottawa to strengthen trade protections against imported steel derivatives that compete with domestic production.

Conservative industry critic Raquel Dancho described the measures as a temporary solution and said they signal a lack of progress toward resolving the dispute with the United States.

The announcement was made at a dump truck manufacturing facility in the Ottawa area, where Liberal MPs from tariff-affected regions joined the ministers. Dominique O’Rourke said uncertainty remains the biggest challenge for manufacturers, particularly as tariff rules continue to evolve.

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