A History that Looks to the Future
A Journey Led by Passion
Roland Bouthillette and Maurice Parizeau founded BPA in Montreal in 1956. The Sisters of Providence, the nuns who run the institutional establishments in Montreal, are among our first clients.
BPA is involved in the design of numerous multi-purpose buildings throughout Quebec. BPA installs its first natural gas heat pump and low-intensity radiant heater in the Quebec Pavilion at Expo 67.
French Canadians make their mark on major construction sites. The firm is involved in the Complexe Desjardins, Olympic Stadium and Cégep du Vieux Montréal projects. The firm makes inroads into the Quebec hospital sector.
BPA carries out its first simulation of energy behaviour. The Bell Bank Towers, the Gatineau Canadian Museum of History and the mechanical and electrical design for the construction of the new Anna-Laberge Hospital are among this decade’s major projects. The latter project is the first hospital designed by BPA from A to Z. A new office is opened in Gatineau. Thanks to its reputation for excellence, BPA holds its own despite economic recessions.
BPA is awarded the projects for the Montreal Biodome, Montreal Biosphere, Montreal and Lac-Leamy casinos, Bell Centre and Montreal Science Centre. The firm obtains ISO 9001 certification. The firm participates in “Y2K bug” prevention activities in buildings.
Wood Banani and Associates in Ottawa joins BPA. BPA is mandated to work on the construction of the Lassonde Pavilions at the École Polytechnique de Montréal and the renovation of the mechanical and electrical systems of the Tunnel L.H. Lafontaine in Montreal.
Notable projects of the decade include the STM Stinson Transportation Centre in Montreal, the University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CHUM), the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre (CHU), the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, the Wilder Building – Dance Space in Montreal and the Baie-Saint-Paul Hospital. Caron Beaudoin and Davidson Acoustics join BPA, and the company reaches 300 employees. Offices open in Longueuil, Laval, Quebec City and Lévis. BPA adds structural, acoustics and food services to its range of engineering disciplines.
Clark Engineering in Edmonton joins BPA. The company reaches 500 employees.
BPA’s national growth is driven by the arrival of the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ) as equity partner.
A specialized, high-powered office is opened in Sherbrooke. CJE Engineering in Ottawa, UNIGEC in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and TMP (The Mitchell Partnership) in Toronto join BPA.
M&R Engineering in Halifax joins BPA, and the firm now employs nearly 1,000 people.
