Ontario Construction News staff writer
To mark World Mental Health Day Oct. 10, PCL Construction announced a $1.5 million donation to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, supporting mental health initiatives that affect millions of Canadians, including those in the construction industry.
“We’re proud to partner with CAMH and be part of the movement forging a better path for mental health and addictions support, toward a future where no one is left behind,” said Mike Wieninger, PCL chief operating officer, Canada. “Our donation is more than a financial contribution, it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to the wellbeing of our employees, our trade partners, and their families.”
One in five Canadians experiences a mental illness in any given year, yet perceptions often undervalue mental health compared with physical health. CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital, provides research, education, and social change leadership in this field.
Half of Canadians will experience a mental illness by age 40, and about 500,000 miss work each day due to mental health concerns. Among employed Canadians, 7.5 per cent took time off work for stress or mental health reasons in the previous 12 months.
According to recent statistics, 17.2 per cent of men and 12.6 per cent of women in construction report high or very high work-related stress, often due to heavy workloads and work-life balance challenges. About 64 per cent of construction workers wish their employers would do more to support mental health initiatives, and the industry accounts for nearly eight per cent of opioid toxicity deaths.
“We’re deeply grateful to PCL Construction for this visionary investment in mental health,” said Anne-Marie Newton, president and CEO of CAMH Foundation. “The construction industry faces unique mental health challenges, and PCL’s leadership sets a powerful example of what it means to truly care for your people. This gift will help provide vital education, tools, and supports—empowering workers, their families, and communities to prioritize mental wellness and seek help without stigma. Together, we’re building a future where no one is left behind.”
Funding will allow PCL and CAMH to offer curated programming, education, tools, and support to help employees understand the impact of mental health in the workplace and adopt practical strategies for resilience and wellbeing.
“For many in the construction industry, mental health and addiction challenges are often faced in silence. When I struggled with anxiety, I didn’t know where to turn, and the support and resources provided by PCL made all the difference, making me feel seen, heard and supported,” said Andrew Scott, superintendent with PCL Toronto. “Now I know how I show up when I don’t prioritize my health — it makes it very hard to be the person I want to be in all aspects of my life.
“I recognize that for me to be the best father, husband, coach and superintendent I can be, I need to be in the right head space to deal with all the challenges those positions present and to enjoy all the rewards they offer. I want to lead by example and show others that it is important to prioritize mental health so they know to speak up and reach out when needed. Knowing that our company is supporting CAMH gives me hope that even more people will get the help they need, without stigma or fear.”