“Canada has relied on the U.S. for standards for decades,” she says. “A lot of galvanizers, engineers, and architects had to refer to American committees because there was no Canadian hub. But these standards are outdated, and there has been a lapse in innovation and guidance.” Architects and engineers seeking to specify galvanized steel needed clearer guidance, quality assurance measures, and design tools that reflected Canadian conditions and regulatory expectations. Hellen noticed this firsthand at Corbec, where she consistently saw a demand for technical resources that addressed both practical and aesthetic issues in galvanized steel applications. Galvanized steel is a critical component in Canadian infrastructure. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it ideal for bridges, public transit structures, energy infrastructure, and buildings exposed to harsh weather. Properly executed, galvanizing ensures that steel maintains strength and durability for decades, reducing maintenance needs and extending the life of structures. This has direct environmental benefits, lowering the overall carbon footprint by minimizing repair, replacement, and material waste over time. CGI-IGC serves as a national collaborative hub, bringing together designers, galvanizers, steel fabricators, academic researchers, and industry organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association, the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction, the Corrugated Steel Pipe Institute, Transport and Infrastructure Departments across MARCH 2026
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