Veteran military leader Steven Waddell joins PCL as Deputy National Director, strengthening the company’s strategy for defence infrastructure and federal projects across Canada.
Steven Waddell, Deputy National Director, Defence and Federal Government Relations (CNW Group/PCL Construction)
PCL Construction has appointed retired Rear Admiral, Steven Waddell, CMM, MSM, as Deputy National Director, Defence and Federal Government Relations, effective October 20, 2025. Based in Ottawa, Waddell will oversee strategic engagement across PCL’s Canadian Buildings and Civil Infrastructure divisions, providing a unified approach to federal government opportunities. His role is expected to be pivotal as Canada undertakes a significant portfolio of defence infrastructure initiatives over the next decade.
“Steven’s deep understanding of federal infrastructure planning and procurement, combined with his leadership experience, will be invaluable as we pursue opportunities that support Canada’s defence priorities,” said Paul Knowles, Senior Vice President and District Manager for PCL Ottawa.
Waddell’s appointment aligns with PCL’s broader focus on leveraging strategic insight to support government-driven construction projects, from military facilities to civil infrastructure.
A career of operational and strategic excellence
Waddell brings more than 35 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Armed Forces to his new role. His military career includes commanding Canada’s west coast naval base and serving as Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. Waddell has led global deployments addressing counter-terrorism, piracy and continental defence missions, earning recognition for operational and strategic excellence. He holds advanced degrees in strategic studies and national security, providing PCL with a deep bench of expertise in navigating complex federal procurement processes.
Strategic impact for Canadian contractors
Waddell’s experience positions him to guide PCL’s teams through an evolving federal construction landscape. With defence infrastructure projects poised for growth, contractors across Canada can anticipate new collaboration opportunities with PCL in planning, design and execution phases of federal work. Waddell’s role will also strengthen the company’s ability to integrate long-term strategic planning into project delivery, ensuring that client objectives and government priorities are fully aligned.
PCL’s commitment to excellence
As one of North America’s largest contracting organizations, PCL completes more than $13 billion CAD in work annually across buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and renewable energy projects. The company operates on a 100% employee-owned model, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation and client focus. Waddell’s addition to the leadership team reinforces PCL’s commitment to excellence, particularly in federal and defence infrastructure projects that demand precision, strategic insight and operational expertise.
For Canadian construction contractors, this appointment signals PCL’s intent to continue driving innovation, delivering high-quality infrastructure and expanding opportunities within Canada’s defence and federal construction sectors.
