TCA awards honour extraordinary contractors and people making a difference in construction

TORONTO — The best of the best of the Toronto construction industry were recognized with awards recently.

The Toronto Construction Association (TCA) held its 154th annual general meeting and Best of Best awards presentation virtually Feb. 17. The awards recognize members for their project achievements and outstanding contributions to the industry and were presented by TCA president and CEO John Mollenhauer and Jeff Murva, chair of the TCA board of directors.

The Sean. P. McKenna Young Construction Leaders Leadership Award, recognizing young rising talent in the industry, was given to Graeme Langdon, P.Eng, Alberici Constructors Ltd.

The Construction Institute of Canada Chancellor’s Award of Excellence was presented to Bill Nichols of George Brown College. The award recognizes individuals who take the time to give back to the industry and go above and beyond to help peers become more ethical, knowledgeable and professional industry practitioners.

Presented to a TCA volunteer with outstanding service to the association in the calendar year, the Distinguished Volunteer Award winner was Catherine Willson of GSNH LLP.

Project achievement awards pay tribute to member companies who raise the bar in terms of professional excellence.

The 2021 recipients were:

• Project Achievement Award (Large Category) — EllisDon, Massey Hall Major Renovation.
• Project Achievement Award (Medium Category) — PCL Constructors Canada, 500 MacNab Ken Soble Tower Enerphit Passive House Renewal Project.
• Project Achievement Award (Small Category) — Stainton Group, LIUNA Garden Shorewall.

Modern Niagara received the Trade Contractor Award, presented to a contractor who distinguishes themselves in terms of their contribution to a successful project.

The Outstanding Safety Performance Award went to EllisDon. The award recognizes a TCA member company that treats safety protocols with a sense of urgency and ensures workplace safety is paramount.

The Innovation Award, presented to a member company who made an extraordinary achievement during the year in terms of innovation, was given to Priestly Demolition.

Two Community Leader Awards were handed out this year, one to Gillam Group and the other to BLT Construction Services for seeking to make a difference in their community by contributing their time and/or resources for the betterment of local neighbourhoods.

The Green Building Culture Award was presented to Collecdev. It is given to a member firm that best demonstrates a corporate green building culture in their day-to-day business operations.

Ray Bassett of Travelers was awarded the Donald P. Giffin, Sr. Construction Industry Achievement Award, presented to a person or organization that has benefited the construction industry through demonstrated leadership skills and major contributions to industry progress and development.

In addition to the awards and during the AGM portion of the event, Mollehauer said the TCA had a pretty good year financially and on the membership front as well. The association is also making changes to keep up with the changing times.

“We’ve invested heavily in a database that allows us to not only track everything you’re doing in real time but we’re trying to develop the tools that will help us be intuitive or understand what your needs are and to prepare in advance and answer that need,” he said.