PCL donates $1.5M to address mental health, addiction

Key Takeaways:

• PCL Construction is donating $1.5 million to CAMH to develop mental health and addiction education programs specifically tailored for construction workers and their families.
• The initiative addresses urgent mental health challenges in construction, where workers face high stress levels and elevated risks of addiction and opioid toxicity deaths, with many feeling employers could do more to support them.
• PCL’s partnership with CAMH underscores industry leadership, combining financial support with a commitment to reduce stigma, expand wellness resources, and foster a culture of openness around mental health in the workplace.

The Whole Story:

PCL Construction is donating $1.5 million to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to support mental health and addiction programs, the company said on World Mental Health Day.

The donation will fund curated programming and education tools aimed at helping construction workers and their families address mental health challenges and addiction, the company said in a news release.

“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.”

The construction sector faces elevated mental health risks, according to industry data cited in the release. Among construction workers, 17.2% of men and 12.6% of women reported high or very high work-related stress, with heavy workload and work-life balance cited as main stressors. The industry represents nearly 8% of opioid toxicity deaths, and 64% of construction workers said they wish employers would do more to support mental health initiatives.

Half of all Canadians will experience a mental illness by age 40, and 500,000 people miss work each day due to mental health concerns, the release said. Among all employed Canadians, 7.5 per cent took time off work for stress or mental health reasons in the previous 12 months.

“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.”

Andrew Scott, a superintendent with PCL Toronto, said the company’s existing support programs helped him manage anxiety.

“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,” he said.

PCL will work with CAMH to develop programming and education materials for employees. The donation supplements the contractor’s existing health and wellness program.

CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and operates as a research and education centre. PCL is an employee-owned general contractor based in Edmonton.