Digging In

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Go beyond the biggest headlines in Canadian construction with the Digging In Podcast by SiteNews. Anchored by veteran industry journalist Russell Hixson, go behind the headlines and learn about the economic, political, technological and cultural machinery that makes job sites go and the visionaries pushing things forward.

  1. 2D AGO

    Running out of runway

    Here are all the headlines we broke down this week for Digging In: Ontario's plan to expropriate Toronto's stake in Billy Bishop Airport for runway expansion. Alberta and the federal government's cooperation agreement to streamline infrastructure project approvals. Federal initiative to improve construction labor market data with a $94.5 million investment. Calgary's water restrictions due to urgent infrastructure repairs. BC casino's legal battle over a $10 land expropriation related to the Surrey Langley Skytrain Extension.

    8 min

  2. MAR 4

    Shrinking productivity

    In this episode, we explore Canada's construction landscape, uncovering how shifts like daylight savings, geopolitical port deals, and a nuclear supply boom are reshaping the industry. From Saskatchewan's uranium surge to Ontario's Science Centre controversy and a 37% drop in residential productivity, we reveal the impacts on projects, safety, and the bottom line.

    11 min

  3. FEB 23

    Another crack in the tariff wall

    This week's episode covers major political and infrastructure developments in the U.S. and Canada. Here's what we will get you all caught up on: A major U.S. Supreme Court decision that could reshape tariff policy — and President Donald Trump's response. B.C. Premier David Eby's move to "re-pace" major infrastructure projects as the province's deficit grows. Canada's sweeping plans to realign its defence strategy to prioritize Canadian companies. Groundbreaking on the next stage of the Ontario Line, marking another milestone for the major Toronto transit project.

    11 min

  4. FEB 11

    A bridge troll appears (with demands)

    In this episode of Digging In, host Russell Hixson unpacks the political and economic forces threatening a $6.4 billion international bridge project between Canada and the U.S. He also delves into the 15-year effort to deliver Toronto's Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Ottawa's major funding cuts for projects. Finally, some feathery Ontario residents have received justice after their homes were destroyed.

    8 min

  5. FEB 4

    Darlington beats the haters and Calgary's water woes (feat. Warren Frey)

    This week we highlight the successful refurbishment of the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, which finished ahead of schedule and under budget. We then chat about the newly approved $3-billion Steensby Project on Baffin Island. Listeners will also get an essential briefing on the sector's surprising GDP growth in late 2026 and a deep dive into Calgary's Bearspaw water main failure with Water Canada's Warren Frey.

    12 min

  6. JAN 26

    The $343 Billion Record: Breaking down the Top 100 Infrastructure Projects Report with John Tenpenny

    In this episode, host Russell Hixson is joined by John Tenpenny, editor of Renew Canada, to discuss the Top 100 Projects report. They delve into the intricacies of Canada's largest public infrastructure projects, highlighting the significant increase in overall project value - now totalling $343 billion - due to new nuclear initiatives in Ontario. The conversation explores the challenges and trends in project delivery, the impact of the Major Projects Office, and the evolving landscape of infrastructure development in Canada. Tune in to gain insights into the future of nation-building and the role of nuclear energy in powering the country's growth.

    28 min

  7. 2025-12-11

    Microsoft's $7.5 Billion Data Center Play in Canada

    This episode highlights: • Eglinton Cross Town LRT Reaches Substantial Completion: After more than a decade of work beginning in 2011, and following years of detours and delays, Ontario's Eglinton Cross Town LRT has finally reached substantial completion. Control of the line is now transferring from Metrolinx to the TTC, which will handle operations, staff training, and setting an opening date, currently estimated for early 2026. The project, which was originally promised to open in 2020, ran approximately $8 billion over budget and is considered by some to be a cautionary example of how P3 projects can go wrong. • Microsoft's $7.5 Billion Digital Sovereignty Investment: Microsoft has announced a significant digital sovereignty play in Canada, pledging $7.5 billion over the next two years to expand its Azure data centers in Toronto and Quebec City. This investment is part of a broader $19 billion commitment spanning from 2023 to 2027. Microsoft has also promised to keep Canadian government cloud services running even if foreign governments exert pressure to shut things off, addressing a major vulnerability identified by the Canadian government. • Cross-Border Betrayal Over Potash Export Terminal: Federal officials, including Transport Minister Steven McKinnon, are urgently meeting with the Saskatchewan-based fertilizer company Nutrien to persuade them to build a proposed $1 billion potash export terminal in Canada. Nutrien has instead chosen the US port of Longview in Washington state, just across the border from BC. BC Premier David Eby expressed serious frustration, stating that losing the deal "pissed me off" because he believes it was "entirely avoidable". This high-profile effort by Canadian officials may be a form of public pressure intended to keep the investment within Canada. • Ottawa Looks to Modify Tax Code to Lure Real Estate Investment: The federal government is reportedly examining tax tweaks to attract more foreign capital into Canadian real estate projects, focusing particularly on new rental construction due to the essentially frozen current development pipeline. Potential changes include adjustments to withholding tax rules for non-US investors and offering targeted tax incentives for purpose-built rentals. This comes after large international lenders walked away from deals because the existing withholding tax rules made the projects uneconomic. Developers have pushed back against policies like foreign buyer bans, arguing that foreign investment is crucial for financing condo and multi-family projects. • Bonus Story: Historical Fragments Uncovered in Halifax: Dredging work near Pier 6 in Halifax, conducted as part of the expansion of Irving Ship Building's yard, uncovered more than 100 fragments of the Mont Blanc. The Mont Blanc was the munitions-laden ship whose explosion in 1917 killed nearly 2,000 people, injured about 9,000 more, and leveled most of the north end of Halifax. At the time, this blast was the largest humanmade explosion in the pre-atomic age. The recovered car-sized chunk of history is set to go on display at the Naval Museum of Halifax.

    10 min

  8. 2025-12-02

    Canada's $26.8 billion nuclear push

    Major nuclear news  Ontario Power Generation (OPG) has received government approval for a $26.8 billion refurbishment of four candu reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station. This project intends to extend the facility's operations by up to 38 years, creating approximately 30,500 jobs during construction. Once completed in the mid-2030s, the refurbished station will provide up to 2200 megawatt of clean power, enough to power about 2.2 million homes. It also secures the long-term, global production of the medical isotope Cobalt 60. Steel policy Prime Minister Mark Carney has unveiled a broad package of sharp measures to shield Canada's steel and lumber sectors from steep US tariffs. The plan centers on a "Buy Canadian" policy requiring Canadian steel, aluminum, and lumber on federal defense and construction contracts over $25 million. Measures also include tighter import quotas, hefty surtaxes on foreign steel, and rail subsidies to cut freight costs for shipping Canadian materials across provinces. Clean BC checkup Clean BC's plan has gone under the microscope. An independent review warned that the province's current climate policies will achieve only about half of its 2030 emissions reduction targets and risk slowing down housing and industrial growth. The report calls for major proactive expansion of BC Hydro's electricity system and recommends changes to building rules, such as federating step code timelines and pushing most new homes toward heat pumps. BC Hydro estimates electricity demand will rise by about 15% by 2030 compared with 2021. New node The Ontario government has secured a $3.2 billion investment from Vianode, a Norway-based synthetic graphite manufacturer, to build a new production facility in St. Thomas, marking the company's entry into the North American market. Bonus Story The Mechanical Contractors Association has released a new children's book. "Suzy and the Marvelous World of Me" (M.E. standing for mechanical and electrical), is designed to spark interest in mechanical and electrical careers in young women and challenge gender stereotypes in construction.

    10 min
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About

Go beyond the biggest headlines in Canadian construction with the Digging In Podcast by SiteNews. Anchored by veteran industry journalist Russell Hixson, go behind the headlines and learn about the economic, political, technological and cultural machinery that makes job sites go and the visionaries pushing things forward.

Information

  • Creator
    SiteNews
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Digging In