TORONTO, ON – WT (North America) marks 10 years since launching operations in Canada. Backed by 75 years of global experience, WT brought its proven track record to Canada and the US in 2015.
What began with a single employee in Toronto with an ambitious goal has transformed into a thriving business spanning the country, driven by standout projects and strategic partnerships. As Philip Nixon, COO – Canada, reflects on the last decade, three key milestones stand tall his journey, each representing a chapter in the growth of WT in North America.
Milestone 1: WT Enters the Canadian Market
In 2015, WT expanded into Canada and the US, with Canada becoming the first foothold. Introduced to WT through a mutual connection, Philip quickly became the cornerstone of the Canadian operations, launching our presence from a single desk at First Canadian Place in Toronto.
“It was a chance to build something from nothing, a chance to start from scratch but with the backing of a large global company” Philip recalls. “At the time, it seemed like a big challenge, but incredibly exciting bring a global brand into a new market.”
WT’s early focus was on P3 Advisory services, a space where Philip had deep expertise in the market. The Canadian company’s first major project was the Avenir Centre in Moncton, New Brunswick, setting the tone for a coast-to-coast delivery model. That was quickly followed by a Cost Management mandate on the $1.4B Arthur J.E Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta.
Growth was gradual but organic, and the office locations shifted to accommodate the growing team. From First Canadian Place, and now to our fourth premises in Toronto (18 King Street East) in 10 years.
“It wasn’t just about projects. It was about finding the right people to build a team,” says Philip.
Milestone 2: Edmonton Valley Line LTR Reaches Substantial Completion
The Edmonton Valley Line Southeast LRT project marked a pivotal step in WT North America’s transition from social infrastructure into large-scale transit projects.
WT served as Independent Certifier on this 13.1 km light rail line – a complex civil project that included eleven stops, an elevated station incorporating a transit centre and park & ride, and a transfer point to the existing LRT routes as well as a tunnel and 2 new bridges. This was one of our earliest transportation IC roles and a significant technical shift.
“Edmonton Valley Line LRT stood out because it was so different,” Philip explains. “We had to assemble a team of subject matter experts, win the work, and deliver.”
Unlike greenfield social infrastructure projects like hospitals or courthouses, transportation infrastructure demands extensive stakeholder coordination – municipalities, utilities, and the public.
With rolling stock built in Kingston by Bombardier (now Alstom) and intricate civil works along the alignment in Edmonton, it was a defining moment in WT’s growth into the transportation sector, setting the tone for similar pursuits across Canada. The project achieved completion in October 2023.
Milestone 3: SSAQS Acquisition
The next chapter unfolded with the acquisition of SSAQS in 2024, a move that solidified WT’s reach and capacity in Western Canada.
With over 75 years of global expertise, WT recognized the importance of strong local roots. SSAQS brought over 40 years of experience in Western Canada, particularly in healthcare, residential, and education, with a strong track record in Cost Management & Quantity Surveying, Infrastructure Advisory, and Project Monitoring. Their impressive portfolio includes some of the country’s largest hospital projects.
“To be a truly Canadian QS company, we needed a presence in both the east and west, rather than servicing everything from one location,” Philip emphasizes. “SSAQS was the right fit – for the organization and for the team.”
The integration has gone smoothly, with both firms aligned on values, quality, and commitment to client success. Today, WT has two strong centres of service delivery, enabling us to support clients from coast to coast across our full service offering.
Looking Ahead
From a one-person startup in a Toronto serviced office to successful growth with a footprint spanning Canada and the US, WT North America has evolved in tandem with the region’s growing landscape. Through completion of an extensive portfolio of project both large and small over the last decade, and strategic growth, we remain committed to becoming a market leader in every service we offer.
As we celebrate this milestone, we thank the clients, partners, and team members, past and present, who have helped build our story.