Jason Syvixay

city planner, phd cand, @bildedmonton vp, writer

[Laura Severs @LauraSevers]

Expect more rentals, #Edmonton told. Read my latest to find out more. https://t.co/6hf3es5QuL via @edmontonjournal @bildedmonton

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

“We’re open for growth.” That was the message shared by Minister Dan Williams at BILD Edmonton Metro’s latest luncheon with nearly 230 industry leaders and municipal representatives. The discussion focused on accelerating housing supply, streamlining approvals, reducing red tape, and finding innovative ways to fund the infrastructure needed to support Alberta’s growing communities.

From the “Automatic Yes” initiative to conversations around design permitting, zoning reform, and infrastructure investment, the event highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry and government to build communities that are affordable and efficient for the future. Watch the video recap and read the full story at https://t.co/WAWkUO0Hdk.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

We’re pleased to announce that Stephen Raitz, RPP, MCIP, JD, is joining BILD Edmonton Metro as our new Vice President, Policy & Advocacy.

Stephen brings a strong combination of legal, planning, and advocacy experience across both the public and private sectors. Most recently, he practiced as a Lawyer with Brownlee LLP, working across their municipal law department.

His experience also includes seven years on different City of Edmonton commissions and appeal boards along with planning roles across the region at the City of Edmonton, City of Beaumont, and Municipal Planning Services. Through this work, he has contributed to planning policy, governance, and public decision-making across the region.

A lifelong resident of the Edmonton region, Stephen is deeply connected to the communities we serve and brings a strong commitment to thoughtful, effective city-building.

In this role, Stephen will advance BILD’s strategic priorities by shaping policy positions, mobilizing member expertise, and strengthening relationships with municipal partners — delivering focused, outcome-driven advocacy.

Starting June 1, he will begin a listening and engagement period with members, committees, and stakeholders across the region. Early priorities include advancing development opportunities south of 41 Avenue, shaping regional budget advocacy strategies, advancing regulatory and permitting improvements to enable efficient investment opportunities, and activating members across greenfield, infill, and downtown development.

Please join us in welcoming Stephen to the team.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Today at our luncheon, we were pleased to hear from keynote speaker, The Honourable @DanWilliamsAB, Minister of Municipal Affairs, who delivered a clear message: Alberta is open for growth.

Through his presentation and fireside chat, Minister Williams emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between government and industry, noting that ��the land development and homebuilding industry quite literally builds the communities and municipalities in our province.” He also spoke to the need to streamline policies, reduce red tape, and create more standardized approval processes and timelines to help support housing and community growth across Alberta.

Missed the event? Our recap: https://t.co/fY9pPKbV03

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

We often say that the worst place to plan a city is behind a desk. Cities are meant to be experienced firsthand — by walking their streets, visiting their
neighbourhoods. That belief is at the heart of our Field Trips program.

To hear all about our most recent outings — the Foundations and Land Development Dirt to Door and Infill Tour with Uytae Lee — check out the full story: https://t.co/h1H6no4ZVz

[Jason Syvixay @DowntownJason]

7 unit on a lot that once housed a single detached home. Developed in 2014. Winnipeg.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

This afternoon, during our Construction Safety Bootcamp, @CityofEdmonton Councillor Karen Principe joined us at GS Construction to officially proclaim May 4-8 as BILD Edmonton Metro Construction Safety Week!

We were also joined by GS Construction’s Ryan Thompson, @CantiroHomesYEG’s Nicole Patterson, and BILD Edmonton Metro’s Adam Kerr and @DowntownJason.

This recognition highlights the important educational work BILD Edmonton Metro is leading throughout the week, promoting best practices and raising awareness around construction safety across the region.

Read the Media Release here: https://t.co/3GE9TlcXye

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

To Health & Safety Advisor Karissa Nielson, being a woman on-site doesn’t just mean breaking barriers, it also means building trust, bringing new perspectives, and helping shape a safer, more inclusive culture for everyone.

Better communication, the ability to think on your feet and pivot, and a strong sense of accountability, are all qualities that a good worker can have to ensure a safe experience on-site.

In recent years, there has been an increase in hands-on resources and interesting ways to develop skills and hone safety practices, helping workers to feel more confident and prepared on site.

There’s also been a big shift in inclusion and acceptance in the industry, advocating for more women and younger workers to get involved.

Now, with many more on-site workers identifying as women , the industry can attract a new demographic, changing the way construction has been viewed for decades.

And, as that number continues to grow, so does the strength and diversity of the workforce.
Construction health and safety isn’t something that is just implied. It’s created over generations of passion, care, and education. And Edmonton is well on its way to taking that commitment to safety even further.

Being a part of city building isn’t always easy, but to professionals like Karissa, Sam, and Mark, the outcome is worth it. Take the leap.

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Our second spot of the day was at @Brookfield’s new southwest community, Edgemont.

We were joined by @CantiroHomesYEG’s Nicole Paterson, @CityofEdmonton representative Keith McMillan, Daytona’s site supervisor Mike Giese, and @QualicoYEG’s Iris Narvaez.

Their new construction on Lessard Road included a variety of different housing types and the interaction with nearby commercial developments, where we saw Shawn B. doing awesome work with siding, paying close attention to on-site protocols, and getting each project done efficiently and safely. 

Congratulations to Shawn, who won a $375 gift card to The Home Depot!

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Today, we picked up where we left off yesterday, visiting two different sites across the region.

Our first stop was in Alces, with site supervisor Dustin, @CityofEdmonton representative Keith McMillan, and Cantiro staff Nicole Paterson and Ryan Latta.

We got to check out a few single-family homes under construction, and pointed out Cantiro's Buddy and Shawn, longtime friends and co-workers, for always taking extra safety measures on site, and having an immense pride in each project. After more than 16 years in the industry, they are still two of the first people on site every morning, bringing a positive attitude and maintaining great communication.

Congratulations to Buddy and Shawn, who won a $375 gift card to @HomeDepot!

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[Jason Syvixay @DowntownJason]

Every day, @bildedmonton members step onto job sites to build the homes and communities people rely on.

They’re not faceless developers — they’re community builders. Neighbours building for neighbours.

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

To Mark McGrath, Safety Advisor at @RohitGroup, on-site safety doesn’t just set up communities for success; it protects workers and changes the narrative around the construction industry.

Over the years, we’ve seen how safety on sites and within communities has evolved through stronger regulations, better training, and a culture that prioritizes prevention over reaction. Now, there’s a much bigger focus on mental health, recognizing psychological well-being as equally important as physical safety, and changing the story around workplace health and safety.

Mental health is often overlooked in industries such as construction and building. But, it plays a critical role in how we think, react, and perform on the job. If we’re not approaching each day with a clear head, we’re already putting ourselves into a dangerous situation. All it takes is one misstep or moment of distraction for a job to go from routine to life-threatening.

Safety shouldn’t be seen as a chore. Being confident, comfortable, and focused on a job site should be the bare minimum, and having a clear understanding and shared responsibility is what makes that possible.

The human cost is the ultimate cost. We can’t just replace a worker like we can materials or equipment, and the only way to change the narrative is to keep talking about it.

Our industry and association have worked hard to improve these practices, but the work is not done. There are still gaps to close, habits to shift, and new challenges to address as our worksites and technologies continue to change.

Construction safety doesn’t happen overnight; let’s keep making those ripples.

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Today kicks off our Construction Safety Week – an opportunity to reinforce the industry’s shared commitment to safe work environments, recognize leadership in safety practices, and encourage ongoing education and improvement.

Our members set the standard for safety innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, and behind every safe site is a story. We are proud to showcase the professionalism and care that define our industry, not only in how we build, but how our industry protects its people.

Read the newest op-ed from our CEO, @KalenAnderson, here: https://t.co/ttvOucncWL

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

To Mattamy Homes’ Health & Safety Specialist, Sam Domes, safety is the most important part of any construction or work site. It’s the foundation that every task, decision, and interaction should be built on.

Construction is constantly changing, and we’re now putting a greater emphasis on public protection, communication, and minimizing disruption.

Our industry and association play an important role when it comes to improving safety and construction practices, through strengthening standards, sharing knowledge, and adapting to new challenges as they arise.

But, the work isn’t done. How do we adopt safety and make people care about it? By embedding it into everyday habits, leading by example, and making it a shared responsibility across every level of the job site.

New workers on a site are the most likely to get hurt. In fact, construction is one of Alberta’s most hazardous industries, accounting for 12% of the province’s workplace injuries, and about a third of all fatalities. The only way to change this is by providing the training, resources, and education to help them succeed.

The role of current construction workers, labourers, tradespeople, and supervisors are not just to get the work done safely, but to act as a role model for the next generation. Failure is natural, but unsafe practices aren’t.

We have to continuously raise the bar so that this industry isn’t seen as a dangerous career, but as a profession that people are proud to be part of.

This week is BILD Edmonton Metro’s first ever Construction Safety Week, and it’s not just a celebration of the great work we’ve done; it’s a chance to raise awareness and reinforce our commitment to safety each and every day — because, after all, Safety Sam wants you to return home safely!

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

From today until Wednesday, we will be stopping at construction sites all over the region, on the lookout for great safety practices. We’ll be handing out notices to site workers…except this time, they’re for amazing work!

Each day, we will award a worker with a “Notice of Incredible Work” — designed to look like a City of Edmonton violation notice, but really outlines the incredible work on site! We will be looking at everything from safety excellence and skill to a positive attitude and professionalism.

Today, we went out to Edmonton’s west side to check out a JATEC site in Secord, looking into the installation and maintenance of underground utilities. We were joined by Steve Goodwin from the @CityofEdmonton, Dan Rondeau from Daytona Homes, and Kurtis Rea and Tyler Checkley from JATEC to identify our first recipient of the week.

The very first notice went to Jeff Everick from JATEC for his professionalism on site, support for colleagues, and pride in his projects!

Congratulations to Jeff, who won a $375 gift card to The Home Depot Canada!

#ConstructionSafetyWeek #BILDEdmontonMetro

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

This week marks BILD Edmonton Metro’s Construction Safety Week, sponsored by @HomeDepotCanada, in alignment with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.

Construction brings visible impacts to our neighbourhoods. Heavy equipment moves in, crews begin work early, and sites must be carefully secured and managed in all weather and conditions. These are the realities of building the homes and communities people rely on.

Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing stories from our members, visiting construction sites alongside our City of Edmonton partners to recognize best practices, and hosting a Construction Safety Boot Camp featuring real-life scenarios and demonstrations. We’ll wrap up with an end-of-week mixer— and an exciting announcement from Councillor Karen Principe on behalf of the Mayor Andrew Knack and City Council.

Want more info? Visit our website: https://t.co/yHaGtGK2dS

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

The early bird gets the infill word.

Thanks @CBCEdmonton for having our CEO, @KalenAnderson, and our Infill Committee Chair, Sydney Bond, as they shared their insights and perspectives on infill in Edmonton — where its policy directions took root, where it’s happening and where it’s going, and what policy, programs, and initiatives are needed to keep the conversation going in a positive, productive way.

They also shared details on the Infill Priority Actions Plan — why it was created, the 22 actions, and its anticipated impact. Our plan here: https://t.co/ZBKvd5K6Er

[Laura Severs @LauraSevers]

New subdivisions, entry into non-market housing has Edmonton's Rohit Group busy after strong awards showing. Read one of my latest to find out more. https://t.co/IcrBGSYQM3 via @edmontonjournal @bildedmonton

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Today's luncheon brought out more than 200 people to cover a hot topic in Edmonton: Infill!

The region continues to lead in smart growth, with infill supporting affordability, housing diversity, and competitiveness, but it's not without its roadblocks. From new policies to fitting residents' needs, the conversation around infill is changing.

Edmonton’s future growth cannot rely on a single solution; it depends on offering diverse housing options, for all kinds of residents, at all kinds of price points. As Sydney Bond put it, "Edmonton’s success has always come from offering choice, not from forcing people into one single housing model. The way we live is evolving, and we have to keep up."

Thanks to our wonderful panelists, Paul Lanni, President & CEO of Averton, Sydney Bond, Vice President of Rescom, Nicholas Carels, Vice President of StreetSide Edmonton, and Travis Pawlyk, Branch Manager of Development Services at the City of Edmonton.

Thank you to the Presenting Sponsor, Active Homes, Lunch Sponsor, Homes by New Era, Support Sponsor, Whissell Contracting Ltd., Host Bar Sponsor, Select Engineering Consultants Ltd., Dessert Sponsor, SINGH BUILDERS, and Creative Sponsor, MLZ CREATIVE.

Stay tuned for the full recap story!

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Edmonton has set an ambitious goal: 50% of new housing through infill. We’re not there yet — and reaching it will take more than policy.

Our Infill Priority Actions Plan is about moving from vision to implementation.

Grounded in industry insight, data, and collaboration with City partners, the plan focuses on what it will take to close the gap: improving regulatory clarity, reducing risk, shortening timelines, and strengthening coordination across the system.

It outlines 22 practical, time-bound actions across four key areas: predictability (regulations and rules), speed (process and timelines), cost (infrastructure and construction), and trust (communications and community relationships).

Infill is already happening — but not yet at the scale needed. Getting there will require alignment between policy, infrastructure, and delivery, along with shared commitment from Council, administration, industry, and community.

This is about building a more predictable, efficient, and collaborative system — and ultimately, a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient Edmonton.

Download the Infill Priority Actions Plan: https://t.co/ZBKvd5K6Er

[BILD Edmonton Metro @bildedmonton]

Tomorrow at 11 a.m., we're set to launch a new plan to help accelerate housing and help the City of Edmonton achieve its long-term goal of delivering 50 per cent of new housing in redeveloping neighbourhoods under The City Plan.

Our Infill Committee Chair and Vice-Chair, Sydney Bond of Rescom, and Marty Pawlina of Rohit Group, share their thoughts in this Edmonton Journal op-ed on how the @CityofEdmonton, industry, community, and other stakeholders can come together to ensure our policies, processes, and partnerships, are aligned and can actually deliver on our infill goals.

https://t.co/NKSWIo4cb3