3‑minute read
On March 5, 2026, Menard Canada’s Ontario team welcomed more than 150 professionals to Ground Talk Ontario: Managing Challenging Sites and New Regulations — a full-day course built around one idea: bringing the right people together to have practical, honest conversations about today’s project pressures.
If you were in the room, you felt it.
If you were not, here is what made the day stand out.
A Course Focused on What Matters
Ground Talk Ontario was designed around real project challenges.
Key topics included:
- evolving regulatory frameworks and excess soil management
- seismic updates and their impact on foundation design
- coordination gaps across disciplines
- owner expectations, risk, and approvals
- ground improvement strategies
- sustainability and embodied carbon below grade
Conversations were focused on practical decision-making, how teams align earlier to reduce risk, delays, and uncertainty.
The focus remained clear throughout the day: how early ground decisions shape cost, risk, and constructability.
A Cross‑Disciplinary Conversation
What made the event impactful was the mix of perspectives in the room.
Engineers, architects, contractors, developers, owners, and public-sector representatives shared the same space, reflecting how projects are delivered in reality: across disciplines, with shared risks and increasing pressure for early coordination.
This diversity did not just fill the room. It strengthened the discussions.
Conversations continued throughout the day, supported by interactive moments such as the Kahoot quiz and networking breaks. A donation to Habitat for Humanity GTA highlighted the broader impact of the industry’s work on local communities.
Looking Forward
Thank you to all speakers and attendees who contributed to an open and engaging discussion, and to the Ontario team for delivering a well-executed and impactful event.
Ground Talk will continue to grow.
We look forward to what comes next!
About Menard Canada
Menard Canada (formerly Geopac) is a specialty design-build geotechnical contractor specializing in ground improvement techniques for challenging soil conditions across Canada. With over 50 years of experience and 9 regional offices nationwide, Menard Canada delivers tailored solutions for commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, and infrastructure projects.
Part of the international Menard Group, the company combines local expertise with global innovation, delivering over 100 projects annually as a practical and sustainable alternative to deep foundations.
