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IN THIS ISSUE:
Safety Month at TCA
Advertise with TCA
TCA 2025 Annual Golf: SOLD OUT
Upcoming TCA / YCL Events
Welcoming TCA's NEWEST Members
TCA's Annual Members' Day: Recap
Recap: TCA x CAWIC Event
YCL Panel - Working Moms: Strength in Both Worlds: Recap
YCL 2024 President's Panel Discussion - State of the Market Recap
TCA Environmental Committee Featured Building of The Month
Join our Young Construction Leaders (YCL) Committee
CCA / COCA News
TCIC May & June 2025 Course Line Up
Project of the Month
Advantage Club Partners
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| It's Safety Month at TCA! We would love for you to share your Health & Safety Practices With Us! Remember #Safety is Everyone's responsibility | | |
May is TCA Safety Month. Ensuring that everyone in our industry goes home safe to their families at the end of each day should be at the forefront of everyone's mind.
What can you do to raise the bar for Safety?
- Challenge the status quo
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Take part in TCA Safety Month (May) follow us @TCA_Connect and share your safety stories and tag us, and use #TCASafetyMonth
- Take part in SafetyWeek2025
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Join the League of Champions to use as your lever to improve safety culture at your company
When it comes to safety, awareness is the key to prevention!
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Advertise with us and grow your business!
TCA's monthly E-Connect newsletter reaches all of our members, partner associations, industry organizations, and buyers of construction services at all government levels - that's over 30,000 industry contacts!
In addition to reaching such a large audience, our monthly newsletter also lives on our TCA website and will be promoted on all of our social channels, giving you even more exposure.
Click here to view our online advertising rates.
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TCA 2025 Annual Golf: May 29 - SOLD OUT
SEE YOU TOMORROW! THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
| | The countdown is over! Our 2025 annual golf tournament is happening tomorrow, May 29, and we are once again officially SOLD OUT! A huge thank you to all our incredible sponsors for your generous support. We can’t wait to see everyone on the green for a fantastic day of golf, networking, and fun! | | |
A huge thank you to our incredible sponsors
| | Upcoming TCA / YCL Events | | | | |
TCA Safety Month - May 2025
Help Us Raise Awareness of the importance of safety. Follow us us @TCA_Connect Tag us, and use #TCASafetyMonth to share your best practices with us during May
TCA Annual Golf Tournament (SOLD OUT)
May 29, 2025 - Angus Glen Golf Club
Contact: Jason Pelligra 416-499-4000, x4104
Members Networking Workshop
June 24, 2025 - TCA Office
Contact: Nazak Ghobadi 416-499-4000, x4106
YCL Annual Boat Cruise
June 26, 2025 - Yankee Lady
Contact: Vishawn Thompson 416-499-4000
| | Welcoming TCA's NEWEST Members | | |
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PGSchoch and Associates Limited | |
| TCA's 30th Annual Members' Day: Recap | | |
Construction Leaders Share Vision for THRIVING in 2025 at TCA’s 30th Members’ Day Industry Forum
On Wednesday, May 14, TCA’s 30th Annual Members’ Day kicked off with a powerful and insightful Industry Forum, drawing attention to the future of the construction sector and what it means to thrive in the face of uncertainty. Moderated by our President & CEO John Mollenhauer, the forum featured a dynamic panel of experts including Nikki Carvalho (President, The State Group of Companies), Marcus Gillam (CEO, Gillam Group), George Vassallo (President, Bothwell Accurate), and Louis-Philippe Champagne (Associate Vice-President, Public Affairs and Industry Practices, Canadian Construction Association).
Leading Through Crisis and Change
Each speaker brought a unique perspective on navigating current industry challenges. Nikki Carvalho emphasized that “there are gems in crisis” and encouraged companies to design for tomorrow, underscoring the value of foresight and innovation. “Staying afloat means adapting fast and thinking ahead,” she shared.
Marcus Gillam highlighted the importance of identifying internal strengths, cultivating the right culture, and embracing flexibility. “Don’t be intimidated by the current market conditions—this is temporary,” he said. His call for alignment within organizations and open communication with both supply chains and clients resonated strongly.
George Vassallo urged leaders not to manage with fear. “Let your people grow, give them a voice, and empower them,” he said. In times of unrest, he sees not just challenge but opportunity: “Where there is uncertainty, there is room for transformation.” He also spoke passionately about labour, pride in workmanship, and the need for a mindset shift within the industry.
Tackling Industry Pressures: Tariffs, Procurement & Labour
Louis-Philippe Champagne addressed confusion surrounding tariffs and trade infrastructure, stressing the importance of being well-informed. “Trust often breaks down due to a lack of understanding,” he noted, urging members to stay educated and aware.
When discussing procurement and labour, George Vassallo pointed to scheduling and unrealistic expectations from owners and developers as key issues. “If stakeholders don’t work together, the entire process suffers,” he cautioned.
Nikki Carvalho echoed the need for early collaboration with trade partners, while Marcus Gillam reinforced the value of problem-solving and consistent, transparent communication across the board.
A Call for Optimism and Collective Leadership
When asked whether there is a silver lining in today’s economic and industry challenges, the panellists were cautiously optimistic. George Vassallo emphasized the need for a mindset shift and urged the industry to “become more imaginative” in addressing long-standing issues.
Nikki Carvalho added, “What goes down must come up. And when it does, how your company prepared will be evident.” She stressed the importance of looking after people and staying grounded in core values.
Marcus Gillam closed with a hopeful message, saying he is “encouraged by the changes taking place” and sees today as an opportunity to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more cohesive industry future.
Moving Forward
As the panel wrapped up, one message was clear: thriving in 2025 requires not just reacting to the market but actively shaping it. Whether through improved communication, embracing change, or fostering trust, the construction industry is being called to rise together and stronger.
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Following the forum, members gathered for the exhibition portion, which featured 54 exhibitors and welcomed approximately 280 attendees, this year. Participants enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch, and one lucky member walked away with a $500 cash prize! Despite the overcast skies, the atmosphere was filled with good energy, connection, and celebration.
We want to extend a special thank you to our incredible speakers and a huge thank you to all attendees for your continued support. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year for another unforgettable event!
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TCA's 2025/26 Construction Book
Absolute Final Deadline: June 11, 2025
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EXCLUSIVE to TCA Members only!
Gain maximum exposure for your construction products and services by advertising in our PRINT and ONLINE 2025/26 Construction Book. With over 3500 public and private buyers of construction services, our readership includes architects, engineers, designers, developers, property managers, general contractors, and all TCA member companies.
Secure your ad spot now! New members receive a special first-year rate on full- or half-page advertising.
Absolute Final Deadline is June 11, 2025 (for orders and artworks).
Click here to view pricing details.
To purchase your listing or for more information please contact, Polyanna Fok:
Email: pfok@tcaconnect.com | Direct: 416-847-9158 | Cell: 647-226-1753
| | Recap: TCA x CAWIC Event: Together We Rise | | |
TCA and the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) co-hosted an engaging and insightful panel discussion on Tuesday, May 6, titled “Together We Rise,” focused on advancing women in construction and encouraging inclusive leadership.
Moderated by Luana Buratynski, Business Development – Product Specialist at Bothwell Accurate Co. Inc., the event featured an impressive panel of industry leaders: Nisha Jeyathas, Director of Preconstruction & Estimating at Multiplex; Leah Traviss, Operations Manager at Rutherford Contracting Ltd.; Melissa Ruck, Project Manager at Gillam Group; Lauren Gibson, Project Manager at PCL Construction; and Maggie Paoletta, Senior Manager of Business Development at Black & McDonald Limited.
The panellists emphasized that true leadership lies in having a clear vision, building trust, and staying composed under pressure, while also highlighting the often-overlooked value of soft skills like emotional intelligence and strong communication. They also addressed the ongoing underrepresentation of women in construction, noting that women are often held to higher standards than their male counterparts and calling on companies to prioritize equity in hiring, advancement, and leadership development.
Together, We Rise was both a celebration of progress and a powerful call to action. The panel emphasized that the future of construction relies on inclusive, visionary leadership and women are vital to shaping that future.
On behalf of TCA and CAWIC, we thank all speakers and attendees for their participation and for promoting meaningful dialogue within the industry.
| | YCL Committee Panel - Working Moms: Strength in Both Worlds: Recap | | |
The Toronto Construction Association’s Young Construction Leaders (YCL) Committee hosted an inspiring and heartfelt panel discussion at Govan Brown & Associates, on Thursday, May 22, titled “Working Moms: Strength in Both Worlds.” The event brought together four accomplished women in the construction industry who shared personal insights and professional wisdom on navigating motherhood while excelling in leadership roles.
Moderated by Renise Matavelli, Service Manager at Govan Brown & Associates, the panel include Victoria Grenkie, Senior Project Manager at Govan Brown & Associates; Lidia Di Maria, VP of Project Management & Technical Services at BGO; Timea Jakab, Studio Director at Gensler; and Lisa Wagner, Director, Project Manager at Turner & Townsend.
The conversation touched on key themes such as work life balance, self-care, and the importance of a reliable support system. The panellists shared personal ways they recharge through fitness, spa days, or setting firm boundaries and emphasized the importance of carving out time for themselves amid the demands of work and motherhood. They also stressed how support networks are vital to career growth, with Lidia and Lisa noting these systems often evolve and are key to “building your village.” The conversation also delved into the challenges of balancing ambition with parenthood, with Victoria reflecting on the complexity of being career-driven while raising a family, and Lidia sharing how her children’s pride in her success keeps her going. Timea encouraged embracing both roles fully and called for more open conversations around working parents in the industry.
The event was a powerful reminder that leadership and motherhood are not mutually exclusive and that with the right mindset, systems, and community, it is possible to thrive in both worlds.
The YCL Committee extends a sincere thank you to the panellists and attendees who made this event a meaningful and inspiring conversation about resilience, balance, and leadership in construction.
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YCL 2024 President's Panel Discussion -
State of the Market Recap
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Our YCL Presidents Panel on the State of the Economy was a great success!
We heard from insightful leaders in our industry who shared thoughtful perspectives on current market trends, the impact of inflation and interest rates, and strategies for navigating economic uncertainty. From bold innovations in technology to the evolving dynamics of global trade, each speaker brought a unique lens to the conversation.
Attendees left with actionable takeaways, a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead, and a renewed sense of collaboration across sectors. It was an energizing event that sparked meaningful dialogue and fresh ideas.
Special thanks to our panel: Carol Phillips, Architect, Moriyama Teshima Architects, Jason Stapleton, Vice President of Preconstruction and Pursuits, EllisDon Corporation, and Ken Lewis, VP of Business & Corporate Development, Plan Group
The session was moderated by: Luana Buratynski, CTR Business Development - Product Specialist Bothwell Accurate Co. Inc.
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TCA Environmental Committee
Featured Building of The Month:
Fairmont Royal York Decarbonization Project
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THE ROAD TO NET ZERO
A storied Toronto landmark for 95 years, Fairmont Royal York has entered a new era with a transformation for the zero carbon century ahead. Spurred by KingSett Capital’s vision to decarbonize all of their existing assets, PCL and an expert team of partners collaborated to convert Fairmont Royal York’s nearly century-old mechanical and electrical systems into sustainable, resilient alternatives. This industry-leading initiative successfully achieved substantial completion in November 2023 and achieved Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building - Performance Standard certification.
PROOF OF CONCEPT
The global impact of climate change is challenging the architecture, engineering and construction industry to help owners and asset managers achieve climate and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
In 2021, CaGBC published a report demonstrating that for Canada to achieve its 2030 and 2050 climate targets, building owners will need to upgrade, retrofit and ultimately decarbonize hundreds of thousands of buildings. With buildings accounting for roughly 28 per cent of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, the scale of the task is massive.
The ownership and leadership team at Fairmont Royal York take their role as a city-defining destination very seriously. As the world and Toronto move toward a more sustainable future, they decided it was their responsibility to help lead that
movement, prompting a quest to decarbonize the heritage asset. KingSett Capital, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, PCL and a team of skilled consultants and trade partners came together to prove that even large legacy buildings can transition for the
sustainable century ahead.
Click here to learn more.
| | TCA Member: New Gold Seal Employer | | |
Gold Seal Employers
Gold Seal Employers are construction companies that support and encourage their employees’ ongoing professional development with the Gold Seal Certification Program. Gold Seal Employers have at least two employees active in the Program, per year.
This unique opportunity will help your organization extend its credibility for actively hiring and supporting professionals who strive for excellence in the management of construction. As an official Gold Seal Employer, you enhance brand building for your company’s sales and marketing to construction industry professionals, key influencers, and decision-makers.
Integrating Gold Seal into your corporate culture can enhance the recruitment and retention of skilled workers and gain valuable recognition for supporting the construction industry’s respected certification Program.
| | Congratulations Maple Reinders | | Join our Young Construction Leaders (YCL) Club | |
The Mission of our Young Construction Leaders Club (YCL) is to develop an informal communication network among construction industry future Leaders up to 40 years of age, in order to:
- Promote networking relationships within the construction industry.
- Develop a forum to establish industry contacts and business leads.
- Provide information, industry activities and opportunities that will enhance and profit the individual and their respective organization.
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To learn more about YCL and how you can get involved, click here.
| | Member Benefit: Virtual Commissioning of Stat Decs | |
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, TCA is now commissioning statutory declarations virtually for our members.
If you require the signature of a commissioner of oaths, the virtual commissioning process will be as follows:
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Email us at statdec@tcaconnect.com to set up the video conference.
- Commissioning staff will ask for identification in order to verify the member's identity. Have your picture identification ready.
- Once confirmed you will sign the Statutory Declarations while the commissioning staff witness. You will then need to scan and send it by email.
- Once received, the commissioning staff will print and verify the signature that they witnessed and if everything is satisfactory, they will sign and email it back.
If you have any further questions regarding TCA's virtual commissioning process, please contact us by email: statdec@tcaconnect.com.
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The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), our provincial partner, aims to bring concerns of our members at large to the attention of Queen's Park. COCA is committed to working with the Provincial Government to ensure that Ontario's legislative landscape is one in which our industry can grow and prosper.
Highlights from COCA's monthly newsletter include:
For a copy of COCA's monthly newsletter, please click here.
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The Canadian Construction Association (CCA), our federal partner, aims to be the national voice for the Canadian construction industry, giving our industry a voice in public policy issues; legal and standards development; and goals of contractors, suppliers and allied business professionals working in, or with, Canada's non-residential construction industry.
CCA recently launched a new newsletter called CCA Plus+.
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Exclusive Discount for TCA Members on publishing Certificates of Substantial Performance (CSPs) in the Daily Commercial News (DCN)!
All certificates and notices published in the Daily Commercial News (DCN) are a flat fee of $300 (plus tax). Special Affinity Pricing of $200 per certificate is available to all ConstructConnect subscribers and TCA members.
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Click on the image for more details.
**IMPORTANT: To apply the discount, please mention the offer at the time of order placement.**
| | The Construction Institute Of Canada Course Line Up | | TCIC Featured Courses Of The Month | | |
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New Building Enclosure Deficiencies
Building Enclosure Deficiencies is a course that reinforces understanding of fundamental principles of psychrometrics, heat, air, and moisture transfer through the review and analysis of building enclosure deficiencies found on various projects. Participants will further their understanding of installation of specific enclosure systems, as well as what third party inspections should include when assessing assemblies with these components. At the end of each class, a quiz will be provided along with interactive exercises demonstrating the application to building science theory. Students are encouraged to bring their own examples of building enclosure deficiencies for discussion and review during the course.
Roofs
- Single-ply roof membranes
- Modified Bitumen roof membranes
- Roof insulation installation methods
- Vapour barriers
Walls
- Sheet applied air and water barrier membranes
- Liquid applied air and water barrier membranes
- EIFS systems
- Exterior spray foam insulation behind rainscreen cladding
- Exterior board applied spray foam behind rainscreen cladding
| | Click here, for more details. | | |
$42M Toronto Metropolitan University Student
Wellbeing Centre breaks ground
Set to rise on a tight site at the intersection of Bond and Gould streets, construction of Toronto Metropolitan University’s new Student Wellbeing Centre (SWC) is officially underway.
Designed by Siamak Hariri, founding partner of Hariri Pontarini Architects, the project involves preserving and restoring the heritage O’Keefe House of 1855.
An eight-storey, hybrid mass-timber tower will then emerge from the former student residence and features a transparent esthetic to create an inviting appeal.
Students can access medical, health, wellness and academic support services currently scattered across the university.
The vertical stacking allows for a core of green terraces, meeting rooms and lounge spaces and creates a vertical landscaping motif of the “Tree of Well-being.”
There will be cantilevered glass boxes extending from the verdant double-height ground floor upwards through the centre of the building.
Exposed timber decking will be used and the project is targeting Fitwel 2-star certification, an evidenced-based measure of the built environment’s impact on human health and wellbeing.
33,360-square-foot tower features a fritted glazed façade on the north and west elevations. A new terrace on the rooftop of the heritage house adds a private space of retreat adjacent to group counselling rooms, the release adds.
The $42-million project is largely funded by a student health and well-being fee and will open in 2027.
Architect: Hariri Pontarini Architects
Owner: Toronto Metropolitan University
Estimated project value: $42 million
| | Westland MyGroup’s $5k giveaway Closes May 31! | |
TCA Advantage - Group Home & Auto Insurance Program
Personalized coverage to meet your needs
As a member of the Toronto Construction Association, you have access to preferred rates and personalized service on home and auto insurance. With TCA's group insurance plan, you can protect the things you value most and keep more money in your pocket. Contact Westland MyGroup today for a quote!1-844-999-7687
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TCA Advantage - Incredible savings on your office supplies
GREAT savings on your everyday office supplies! TCA's partnership with Staples Advantage offers you up to 60% off! Contact us today for more information.
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TCA Advantage- Fleet Pricing on ALL Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep
Advantage Club members enjoy FLEET PRICING on the purchase of a Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep Vehicle! TCA's partnership with Chrysler offers substantial savings! Contact us today for more information.
| | We're here to help... please contact us: | |
TORONTO CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION
70 Leek Crescent
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 1H1
Telephone: (416) 499-4000
Fax: (416) 499-8752
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Important Reminder to TCA Members
In an effort to keep you updated on TCA membership products and services, please contact us if staffing information changes—this is the best way for you and your colleagues to find out what's happening at TCA!
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