Field Notes
What's actually happening on job sites.
First-hand observations from Canadian construction — gates, compliance, and the gap between what looks valid and what is.
FN-06May 2026
The Sub-Trade Blind Spot
The framing sub showed up Monday with four workers. The GC's binder had the sub's COI. It said nothing about the four guys on the roof.
5 min readSubcontractorsGCOntario
FN-05April 2026
What We Actually Check When We Verify a Certificate
Most platforms let workers upload a photo and call it verified. We don't stop there.
5 min readVerificationBehind the ScenesOntario
FN-04April 2026
The Compliance Package Request
Friday at 4 PM. The GC needs your full compliance package by Monday morning.
4 min readCompliance PackageSubcontractorBC
FN-03April 2026
The Spreadsheet That Ran the Site
47 workers. One Excel file. Three people with edit access. Nobody agreed on which version was current.
5 min readComplianceAlbertaExpiry
FN-02April 2026
Expired But 'Looks Valid'
The date said 2025. The card was laminated and worn. That cert had been cancelled by the issuer in 2023.
4 min readCertificatesVerificationAlberta
FN-01April 2026
The Morning Gate Problem
7:12 AM. A worker arrives. His ticket looks valid. Nobody checks the issuer.
4 min readGateOntarioVerification