 OCS Talks: Women in the Trades, Progress and the Path Forward  On this episode of OCS Talks, Brian sits down with Nickie Lavoie and Karen Pullen to discuss how they got their start in the construction industry, how far women have come in the trades, and the work still ahead. They also highlight the important role of the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen in supporting, mentoring, and advocating for women across the industry. Together, they reflect on progress, share personal experiences from the jobsite, and discuss how the industry can continue building a more inclusive future for the next generation of tradeswomen. Listen to OCS Talks on Apple Music, Spotify or YouTube.  |
| Ontario Construction Secretariat director of research Katherine Jacobs saved the best news for last during her March 5 presentation at the OCS State of the Industry and Outlook Conference held in Toronto. Jacobs outlined the results of the latest Contractor Survey, which contained mixed results on ratings such as general optimism for 2026 and contractors’ reports on cancelled or postponed projects.Productivity remains major issue, projects taking much longer, Clayton tells OCS conferenceInfrastructure Ontario CEO Angela Clayton says productivity in the construction sector remains stagnant or in significant decline, with IO’s own projects taking much longer to complete and at a higher cost than years ago.Clayton said during a fireside chat at the Ontario Construction Secretariat’s State of the Industry and Outlook Conference in Toronto March 5 that IO is partly at fault for the failure because it has been slow to develop incentives for builders to work more innovatively.  Ottawa spending $229M to help tariff-hit Ontario workers obtain new skillsThe federal government will spend $228.8 million over the next three years to help Ontario workers in industries hit hard by U.S. tariffs acquire new skills and adapt to the trade war disruption. The new Canada-Ontario Workforce Tariff Response will support workers and job seekers in the province’s softwood lumber, steel and automotive industries — areas still facing steep sectoral tariffs from the United States.Ontario to table budget March 26, with eye to productivity, competitivenessOntario’s provincial budget will be tabled on March 26, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy announced Tuesday, signalling a focus on mitigating economic risks by spending on innovation, competitiveness and infrastructure.The budget, which will be introduced during the first week the legislature is back in session after an extended winter break, will take a prudent approach that allows the province to weather economic shocks, Bethlenfalvy said during a speech to the Empire Club of Canada.  Final beam raised at new CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre in OttawaOttawa’s CHEO Integrated Treatment Centre marked a significant milestone recently with the raising of the final structural beam. Once operational, the new 200,000-square-foot centre will deliver enhanced care to more than 13,700 children and youth with special needs and their families in eastern Ontario, states a release from the province. The centre will be connected to the CHEO hospital by a tunnel and is expected to be operational in 2028.Windsor’s mayor excited there’s a projected timeframe to open the Gordie Howe BridgeWindsor’s mayor is excited to see there’s a projected timeframe for opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge. On Wednesday, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced toll rates for using the new bridge and noted the crossing linking Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s I-75 would open this spring. |
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