CHIC Sick

Canadian Highways International Corp (CHIC) is winding down for lack of work and its offices in Mississauga are reported closing. Many of their staff are returning to the parent companies that own the joint venture, or moving elsewhere. The company is officially moving to the offices of one of its sponsors AGRA in Oakville ONT and is being shrunk to five staff.

CHIC’s credibility was badly damaged by its inability to put together the financing for a valid bid on the 407, after it had been frontrunner in the competition to own and operate the road that it had created for the province to great acclaim. It was riding high only a year ago having successfully designed and built the 407 and demonstrated the success of its bold technology and considerable managerial skills in design-build.

SNC-Lavalin/CINTRA which now owns the 407 was approached by CHIC recently for a subcontracting role on the 407 extensions but was rebuffed. CHIC is still the lead member of the Derech Eretz consortium that was selected to build the Cross-Israel Highway last spring. There too CHIC and its partners have been unable to get their act together and raise money to deliver a project. A change of government in Jerusalem is a further complication. Great engineers it would seem, but a shortage of financial nouse. And also, perhaps, of luck. Life juss ain’t fair.