According to the Canadian Construction Association (CCA), the construction industry accounts for 7.5% of Canada’s GDP, or $141 billion, and employs over one million people. Other Global Data studies estimate the construction companies in Canada to be over $325 billion, with a 2% increase expected over the next few years, with residential construction being the largest sector. According to the CCA, small to medium-sized businesses account for 70% of total employment in the industry.
Suggested article to read: 7 Top Construction Project in Canada
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Construction Industry of Canada
The construction sector is worth US$126.3 billion and accounts for more than 7% of Canada’s GDP. In 2018, the industry employed over 1.4 million Canadians and purchased products and services from all regions of the country and segments of the economy, making it a barometer of overall economic health. There are four types of construction: new home building and renovation (single and multi-family), heavy industrial, commercial and institutional, and civil engineering.
The construction companies in Canada are widely regarded as a leading indication of the country’s overall economic health. Canada’s six largest urban centers, Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Calgary, Edmonton, and Ottawa, continue to have the greatest home starts, thanks in part to an influx of over 320,000 immigrants in 2018. In 2018, there were 212,843 home starts across Canada, with Ontario leading the way with 78,742 starts, followed by Quebec (46,874) and British Columbia (40,857).
Residential starts for 2019 fell by more than 13% in the first quarter due to restrictive government rules to temper hot housing markets, particularly in Vancouver and Toronto, such as greater down payment requirements, stricter loan-to-value ratios, and hikes in mortgage insurance premiums. According to industry experts, British Columbia is expected to lead Canada’s building boom over the next decade. Ontario also leads in Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) building, with US$4.8 billion in 2017. Alberta, on the other hand, dominated civil engineering construction in 2017, with US$8.3 billion. Nonresidential developments are expected to grow by 18.6% in 2018.
Top 41 Biggest Construction Companies in Canada
Here is a list of top 41 biggest construction companies in Canada worth learning about:
1. PCL Construction
- Headquarters: Edmonton, Alberta
- Employees: 4,500
- Revenue: $7 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Centre Block Rehabilitation Project, Ottawa
PCL Construction, a highly renowned construction company in Canada, is consistently ranked among the world’s top contracting firms. PLC has extensive experience with all types of construction projects, having operated in the buildings, civil, industrial, and special project sectors.
They have a headquarters in Edmonton and offices in Denver, Colorado, as well as other locations across the world. This construction company in Canada have approximately 4,500 direct employees and earn more than $7 billion in revenue each year.
Their most notable projects include the redevelopment of BC Place, Rogers Place, and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. They also have a number of initiatives in airports, commercial retail, higher education, and other sectors.
2. SNC-Lavalin
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec
- Employees: 31,000 (2021)
- Revenue: $7.37 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Euronews
SNC-Lavalin, situated in Montreal, Quebec, is arguably the country’s largest and best-known construction services corporation. They specialize in a wide range of construction services, including oil and gas, mining, environment and water, transportation and road infrastructure, and more.
This construction company in Canada has over 30,000 workers and works in more than 160 countries throughout the world. Their largest projects include schools, airports, nuclear power plants, and light rail transit networks. SN-Lavalin’s annual revenues surpass $7 billion.
3. Aecon Group Inc.
- Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta
- Employees: 12,000
- Revenue: $3.9 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Contrecœur Terminal Expansion
Aecon is one of the more recognizable brand names on the list, at least in Southern Ontario. Aecon, founded in 1877, has been around for nearly 150 years. Aecon is well-known for handling substantial amounts of highway infrastructure upgrades, and it has played an important role in the development of Canada’s most important infrastructure.
As a construction company in Canada, Aecon principally serves the industrial, infrastructure, and concession sectors. This construction company in Canada also manufacture building materials such as asphalt and aggregates, and they have enterprises throughout the country that create prefabrication procedures.
With over 12,000 people and an annual revenue of about $4 billion, Aecon has worked on a number of projects, including the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, the Finch West LRT, the Highway 401 Expansion, and numerous other road infrastructure projects across Canada.
4. Ledcor Group of Companies
- Headquarters: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Employees: 6,848
- Revenue: $3 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Lynden Pindling International Airport Expansion
Ledcor Group of Companies, an employee-owned firm, was founded in 1947 and currently operates in Canada and the United States. This construction company in Canada have about 6,000 people and provide services in a variety of fields, including buildings, civil infrastructure, telecommunications, forestry, mining, property development, transportation, oil and gas, and marine operations.
This construction company in Canada have earned more than $3 billion in revenue and have worked on numerous well-known building projects, including the Albian Sands in Alberta, the Royal Alberta Museum, Seneca College in Ontario, and the Shangri-La Hotel in Vancouver.
5. Graham Construction
- Headquarters: Calgary, Alberta
- Employees: 1,371
- Revenue: $4 billon (2021)
- Notable Project: Peace Bridge
Graham Construction, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, generates more than $4 billion in annual revenues. Graham Construction and its 1,371 employees have made significant contributions to Canada’s infrastructure since 1926, when they began building railway stations.
Graham’s services have expanded to include the building, industrial, and infrastructure sectors, which were previously more niche. This construction company in Canadaprovides outstanding building in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, entertainment venues, hotels, and more.
This construction company in Canada worked on and developed projects such as Toronto’s CN Tower Plaza and Front Street Redevelopment, as well as high schools across the country and police academies.
6. Pomerleau
- Headquarters: Saint-Georges, Quebec
- Employees: 4,000
- Revenue: $2.9 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Grand Théâtre de Québec
Pomerleau, founded over 60 years ago in Beauce, Quebec, is a forward-thinking corporation and a market leader in the Canadian construction industry. With almost 4,000 people across the country and 200 ongoing projects, Pomerleau earned around $2.9 billion in 2021.
This construction company in Canada is an active and significant player in Canadian infrastructure, with a primary concentration on civil infrastructure, energy, heavy industrial, transportation, and water treatment. Their largest projects include the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, multiple bridges throughout Quebec, and a number of other hospitality buildings.
7. Flynn Group of Companies
- Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario
- Employees: 5,000
- Revenue: $1.1 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto
Finally, we have the Flynn Group of Companies. This construction company in Canada was founded in Winnipeg in 1978, with an initial concentration on commercial roofing contracts. However, after tremendous success, they expanded their services to include architecture. They currently employ over 6,000 people and operate throughout North America. They were expected to earn slightly more than $1 million in 2021.
They’ve worked on the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the HSBC Tower in Vancouver, and a number of other key buildings in Canada’s landscape and infrastructure.
8. Broccolini Construction
- Headquarters: Montreal, Quebec
- Employees: 600
- Revenue: $1.3 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Saputo Stadium
Broccolini Construction, a family-owned firm, was founded in Montreal in 1949. This construction company in Canada have less than 1,000 employees and generate more over $1 billion in revenue. They primarily focused on residential housing until the 1970s, when they chose to expand into industrial and commercial infrastructure.
Their most popular projects include Saputo Stadium, which houses Montreal’s Major League Soccer franchise, Toronto Premium Outlets, and several more national retailers.
9. Bird Construction Group
- Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario
- Employees: 1,500
- Revenue: $2.2 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: Thunderbird Sports Centre
Bird Construction has been a component of the Canadian construction sector for more than a century, beginning in 1920 in Saskatchewan. This construction company in Canada has grown significantly since its beginning, with 1,500 employees and an average sales of more than $2 billion.
Bird is now located in Toronto and specializes in energy, mining, retail, residential, and civil construction. Their most notable projects include the Thunderbird Sports Centre, the Whitby Rail Maintenance Facility, the Medicine Hat Energy Center, and a variety of other buildings ranging from higher education to community facilities to entertainment venues.
10. EllisDon
- Headquarters: Mississauga, Ontario
- Employees: 4,000
- Revenue: $5 billion (2021)
- Notable Project: National Gallery of Canada
EllisDon, an employee-owned construction services company, was started in 1951 by Don and David, two brothers from London, Ontario. The corporation is now located in Mississauga, Ontario, not far from Toronto.
EllisDon, a construction services company, delivers projects in practically every industry sector, including buildings, civil, industrial, capital services, and infrastructure. With almost 4,000 personnel, they can provide excellent service to their consumers while generating more than $5 billion every year.
This construction company in Canada’s projects include residential development in nearly every major city in Canada, the National Gallery of Canada, the Edmonton Valley Line LRT, the stunning Art Gallery of Ontario, and portions of higher education campuses such as Western University, York University, and Carleton University.
Other Construction Companies in Canada
11. Kiewit Canada Group Inc. $4,290,000,000
12. Flatiron $2,631,286,779
13. Vinci $2,896,710,000
14. EBC inc. $1,160,000,000
15. North American Construction Group $1,100,000,000
16. Michels Canada Co. $961,279,448
17. Magil Construction $846,000,000
18. Reliance Construction of Canada Ltée. $740,000,000
19. Clark Builders $715,000,000
20. Taggart Group of Companies $672,000,000
21. Chandos Construction $632,000,000
22. FLINT Corp. $604,673,000
23. Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc. $566,204,000
24. Maple Reinders $550,000,000
25. NorLand Limited $451,958,947
26. On Side Restoration Services Ltd. $434,741,053
27. Strike Group $430,100,000
28. Matheson Constructors $390,000,000
29. FWS $342,500,000
30. 29 Buttcon ltd. $325,000,000
31. Leeswood Construction $300,000,000
32. Barnard Constructors of Canada, LP $265,600,000
33. Cdn Turner Construction Company $245,000,000
34. Delnor Construction Ltd. $240,600,000
35. Dawson Wallace Construction Ltd. $237,000,000
36. Keller North America $203,000,000
37. Infracon Construction Group $194,000,000
38. Gillam Group $192,000,000
39. Fillmore Construction Management Inc$189,000,000
40. Urban One Builders $188,000,000
41. Percon Construction Inc $185,000,000
Facts about Canada’s Construction Industry
To help you understand how the construction companies in Canada on this list can achieve such tremendous success, let’s take a quick look at Canada’s construction industry as a whole.
- According to Canada’s Building Trades Unions, construction is one of the country’s most important industries, accounting for 14% of GDP and employing more than one million workers.
- The construction industry has grown rapidly since the postwar era, facing challenges such as the Great Recession and COVID-19.
- Despite the pandemic, Statistics Canada estimated that the value will rise by over 20% in 2021.
- In 2021, infrastructure spending grew by more than $7 billion.
- Due to a lack of competent workers, more attempts are being made to attract workers from diverse backgrounds, with 75% of employers in recent years attempting to recruit teenagers, newcomers to Canada, Indigenous workers, and women.
- Over the last decade, the construction companies in Canada have seen significant innovation, with 3D models, artificial intelligence, and drones employed to reduce waste and increase productivity.
- Despite inflation and predicted material procurement issues as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, participants in On-Site’s 2022 Top Contractors poll remain optimistic due to the ongoing need for construction.
FAQs
What are the top five biggest construction companies in Canada based on revenue?
- Answer: According to the content, the five biggest construction companies in Canada based on revenue in 2021 are:EllisDon ($5 billion)
Pomerleau ($2.9 billion)
Bird Construction Group ($2.2 billion)
Flynn Group of Companies ($1.1 billion)
Broccolini Construction ($1.3 billion)
How has the construction industry in Canada evolved over time?
- Answer: The construction industry has grown rapidly since the postwar era, facing challenges such as the Great Recession and COVID-19. Despite inflation and predicted material procurement issues as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, participants in On-Site’s 2022 Top Contractors poll remain optimistic due to the ongoing need for construction.
What are some of the most notable projects completed by the biggest construction companies in Canada?
- Answer: Some of the most notable projects completed by the biggest construction companies in Canada include:EllisDon – National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Edmonton Valley Line LRT
Pomerleau – Videotron Centre in Quebec City, multiple bridges throughout Quebec
Flynn Group of Companies – Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, HSBC Tower in Vancouver
Broccolini Construction – Saputo Stadium, Toronto Premium Outlets
Bird Construction Group – Thunderbird Sports Centre, Whitby Rail Maintenance Facility
How does Canada’s construction industry contribute to the economy?
- Answer: According to Canada’s Building Trades Unions, construction is one of the country’s most important industries, accounting for 14% of GDP and employing more than one million workers. Despite the pandemic, Statistics Canada estimated that the value will rise by over 20% in 2021.
Conclusion
The Canadian government is committed to building and maintaining infrastructure across the country. They have allocated more than $180 billion (CAD) in infrastructure over the next decade under the ‘Investing in Canada Plan.’ The proposal includes long-awaited financial initiatives for public transportation, affordable housing, and rural community development. Green energy is another potential investment sector.
The construction companies in Canada are intent on developing and driving innovation. Artificial intelligence, drones, 3D modeling, and successful project delivery models are helping to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and promote sustainability in the construction business. Automation poses a possible threat to several job sectors, including the construction industry. However, when compared to the manufacturing, retail, and agriculture industries, the construction sector is comparatively less vulnerable to technological employment losses. Much of the daily work in construction is difficult to replicate with machines, which shields it from the consequences of automation.
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Resources:
re-thinkingthefuture | nspek | privacyshield | gobridgit | dozr | yvconstructions | constructionplacements | constructconnect | yvconstructions
For all the pictures: Archdaily | Archello | Pomerleau | Graham Construction | Ledcor Group of Companies | PCL Construction