Swimming outdoors in Ottawa in January – Canadian renovation and homebuilding news for Aug. 1, 2025
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Editor's Note 
 
Suppliers are opening warehouses in Canada and importing products directly from their countries of origin in order to avoid U.S. tariffs. It's a fascinating development and possibly a net benefit to our industry going forward.
- Patrick Flannery, editor
 
News 
 

Noritz adds Canadian warehouse to avoid tariffs

Noritz America is announcing the grand opening of a new Canadian warehouse focused exclusively on serving wholesaler-distributors and their contractor customers in this country.


Sixth round of Skills Development funding available in Ontario

The Ontario government will launch the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream. This round will provide $260 million for innovative projects that support the hiring, training and upskilling of workers in manufacturing, health care, construction, automotive and other skilled trades.


Contractor Productivity Forum to focus on the little guy

On Oct. 1, Canadian Contractor will host our inaugural Contractor Productivity Forum at the Toronto Congress Centre. It's going to be a quick and convenient day of discussion about how to make our businesses more efficient and profitable, with presentations from top experts. There will also be refreshments and a chance to chat with your fellow contractors. So many of these things are aimed at developers and big tract builders.


 
SPONSORED SPOTLIGHT 
 
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Features 
 
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Lyall: Time to pause and refocus code development

The National Building Code (NBC) is published every few years and sets out technical requirements for the design and construction of new buildings, as well as alterations and demolition of existing structures. For the most part, the code governs property such as military bases, land and airports that are under federal jurisdiction and is the model for all of the provincial codes. The whole idea is to determine and specify the minimums required to ensure buildings are safe, accessible and structurally sufficient. The latest edition of the code was published in 2020 by the National Research Council of Canada and incorporated 280 technical changes. The 2025 building code is scheduled to be released later this year. » Read More...
 
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Making a splash in winter with radiant heat

In Ottawa, the temperature on the first of January is typically well below freezing. Averaging between -10 and -7 C around the New Year holiday, most outdoor swimming pools are not in use. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. So, when one homeowner, located just outside Ottawa, shared his vision of building an elaborate clubhouse on his property and ringing in the new year with his friends and family with an outdoor pool party, James Armstrong and Joey Zdrilich of True North Mechanical knew they were the right guys for the job. » Read more...
 
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Figuring out how to support learning disabilities in the trades

New research on an initiative led by SkillPlan, and with the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) as research and evaluation partner, is helping apprentices and pre-apprentices with learning disabilities to succeed in trades training. Over 1,400 apprentices and pre-apprentices participated in the Supporting Apprentices with Learning Disabilities project from 2021 to 2024, which researched, developed, and tested new ways to provide support in fast-paced, hands-on learning environments. » Read More...
 
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Depressing Delinquency – The Dilemma, August 2025

Kraeg just can't seem to get his workers to show up reliably and on time. What should Kraeg do? Answer in the comments - best answer is entered to win a DEWALT 20V MAX XR 12-inch Double Bevel Sliding Miter Saw! » What should Kraeg do?
 
 
The Hammer 
 

The Hammer Episode #59: Keeping the pedal to the metal on training – Kate Bartz, Career Colleges of Ontario

As executive director of Career Colleges of Ontario, Kate Bartz wants us to know that career colleges play a vital role in providing the skilled workforce of the future and will be an important part of the province’s mighty effort to build hundreds of thousands of homes in the years ahead. She spoke to Pat Flannery about what career colleges have to offer and how she hopes to partner with the province and our sector going forward. » Listen here...

The Hammer Episode #58: Breathing Easy - Mohamed Fouda, Wolseley Canada

Achieving good indoor air quality for our clients is something we probably need to think about more than they do. A homeowner may not give the topic a second thought…until their throat starts scratching and their nose starts itching from a poorly designed HVAC system. Mohamed Fouda sits on ASHRAE committees writing indoor air quality standards and joins The Hammer to advise us on how to protect homeowners’ health and happiness even as building envelopes get tighter. For more information, contact Mohamed at Mohamed.fouda@wolseleyinc.ca. » Listen here...

The Hammer Episode #57: Silica Dust is Nasty Stuff – Meghan Friesen

Silica is one of the most common hazards at construction sites. Workers exposed to airborne respirable silica are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases like silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Meghan Friesen, Occupational Hygienist with the Ontario Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, discusses the hazards and health effects of silica, exposures in the construction industry, and the free online Silica Control Tool. » Listen here...

 
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