For Efficient Construction, Labour Matters

As Tariffs Challenge the Canadian Economy, Crewscope Focuses on the Human Element to Help EllisDon Keep Toronto Western Hospital On Schedule

Toronto’s downtown core is no stranger to ambitious construction projects, but University Health Network’s new surgical tower at Toronto Western Hospital stands out not just for its scale, but for the speed and efficiency with which it’s being built. Thanks to Crewscope, an AI-driven field operations tool, EllisDon is keeping this $750 million, 15-storey facility on schedule, setting a new standard for healthcare construction. The tower, the largest capital project ever undertaken by University Health Network (UHN), will feature 82 private patient rooms and 20 advanced operating facilities. With such high stakes, the margin for error is slim. The project faces a tight urban site with no storage space, complex weekly trade meetings, and the ever-present risk of regulatory delays.

Canada and Ontario face ongoing economic pressure from tariffs, and must confront challenges like the need for faster and less costly infrastructure, all while Canadian construction productivity lags behind other G7 nations. Reducing construction costs and times will make major public buildings like hospitals and basic needs like housing more affordable, and help Canadians maintain a higher standard of living. Federal initiatives to reduce costs tend to support prefabricated facilities and modular construction, yet labour accounts for around half of all construction expenditures. Platforms like Crewscope focus on the human element to directly improve Canadian labour productivity.

The Crewscope platform certainly proved to be a game-changer for EllisDon who achieved 100% jobsite adoption within just eight weeks, embedding accountability and goal alignment across the entire workforce. The tool helped integrate UHN’s permit process, ensuring that regulatory requirements never slowed progress. By implementing consistent scheduling and clear expectations, Crewscope reduced confusion and conflict, allowing teams to focus on execution.

One of the most impressive outcomes was the camaraderie fostered among the five critical path trades responsible for concrete pours. Crewscope’s integration with FieldWire, EllisDon’s master planning tool, streamlined planning and improved communication, reducing client risk and boosting efficiency.

Chris Masse, General Superintendent at EllisDon, credits Crewscope with transforming the way teams collaborate: “Crewscope ensured our plans were done on time and shared with the crews early, enabling better trade collaboration and giving structure to how we plan. The platform is most effective when the whole site uses it, and I wish we had implemented this earlier in the project to get faster adoption. Crewscope facilitates site communication and keeps trades accountable.”

As the Toronto Western Hospital surgical tower nears completion, EllisDon’s experience demonstrates how AI-powered tools like Crewscope can revolutionize construction management and help Canadian construction productivity close the gap with other G7 nations. By driving collaboration, accountability, and efficiency, Crewscope is helping build the future of healthcare…one project at a time.

Read the case study here.