Building a Stronger Future: How Imperio Navigates the Construction Labour Shortage with Culture and Craftsmanship

The Labour Shortage Landscape in Southern Ontario

The construction industry in Southern Ontario is at a crossroads. As major public and private infrastructure projects continue to expand, there’s an urgent need for skilled labour. According to Canada’s Job Bank, the construction sector employed approximately 596,000 people in Ontario in 2023, representing 7.5% of the province’s total workforce. Despite modest employment growth of 1.4%, labour market pressures remain high, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area, due to retirements and rising demand for new builds.

➡️ Source: Job Bank Canada – Ontario Sectoral Profile: Construction

Statistics Canada reports that as of January 2025, employment in construction rose by 19,000 jobs (+1.2%), with a net year-over-year increase of 58,000 positions. However, these gains are not evenly distributed, and many firms are still struggling to find qualified tradespeople, project coordinators, and design professionals.

➡️ Source: Statistics Canada – Labour Force Survey, January 2025

Imperio’s People-First Approach to Building Success

At Imperio Construction, we know the answer to a labour shortage isn’t just increasing headcount. It’s about finding the right people — individuals who combine technical skill, creative insight, and a genuine connection to our culture and clients.

We’ve built a reputation not just for high-quality construction, but for delivering projects through a collaborative, transparent process. That depends on a team that works cohesively and shares the same vision.

Meet the Team Behind the Mission

Juan Zapata

CEO

As a Professional Engineer and licensed Realtor with more than 25 years of global experience, Juan leads Imperio with a strong foundation in engineering and real estate. His portfolio spans mining, infrastructure, residential, commercial, and energy projects — including major developments for the City of Toronto, Peel Region, and the Toronto subway expansion. Juan’s unique dual role as a builder and Realtor allows Imperio to offer a full-service experience: from land acquisition to project completion and resale.

Martha De La Torre

Business and Strategy Manager

Martha plays a pivotal role in ensuring client satisfaction by optimizing administrative systems and business processes. Her leadership in systems implementation and continuous improvement helps streamline the customer journey — from initial consultation to final walk-through.

Mateo Saldarriaga

Construction Coordinator

With a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering and over six years of experience in commercial and residential projects, Mateo is the glue between design and execution. His mastery of AutoCAD, Revit, and Lumion ensures that architectural and structural plans reflect client goals while maintaining technical accuracy.

Laura Aycardi

Interior Designer & Architectural Technician

Laura brings an international design perspective, having studied interior design in Florence, Italy, and technical design at Sheridan College. She’s a bridge between artistic vision and practical construction, creating personalized, functional spaces that reflect each client’s taste and lifestyle.

Culture Matters as Much as Skill

At Imperio, our people are hired not just for their credentials, but for their character. We value professionals who:

• Communicate clearly and respectfully with clients.

• Embrace collaboration across departments.

• Think proactively about challenges on and off the job site.

• Care deeply about seeing a client’s dream through to completion.

This culture-first hiring philosophy ensures our team operates with consistency, integrity, and empathy — qualities that clients notice from the very first meeting.

Fostering Talent from Within

To address long-term labour market challenges, Imperio is also investing in:

• Ongoing professional development in design software, project management, and construction practices.

• Mentorship opportunities that support newer team members and recent grads.

• Outreach efforts to schools and training programs, helping build awareness of career paths in the trades and construction design.

We believe a strong internal culture, paired with strategic recruitment and retention, positions Imperio to not only weather current labour challenges, but to emerge even stronger.

Why We Call Ourselves The Dream Team

At Imperio, we’ve affectionately come to call ourselves “The Dream Team.” It’s not about bravado — it’s about what we stand for. The name reflects the unique value we bring to every project: a fully integrated, end-to-end team that supports clients through every stage of the renovation or construction journey.

Unlike firms that focus solely on construction or design, Imperio is a one-stop shop. Our in-house team combines decades of experience and education across disciplines, allowing us to handle:

• Project conceptualization and feasibility planning.

• Architectural and interior design, backed by technical expertise.

• Engineering and construction coordination with hands-on oversight.

• Real estate services, including property acquisition and sales support.

When clients come to us, they don’t need to juggle multiple consultants, designers, and contractors. We handle it all — and we do it with a collaborative spirit, clear communication, and the trust that comes from a tight-knit, multidisciplinary team working toward a single goal: making your vision a reality.

That’s what The Dream Team means to us — not perfection, but partnership. We’re here to help you dream bigger, and then deliver with precision, care, and commitment.

Why It Works

In a time when many construction firms are scrambling to fill vacancies, Imperio stands out by investing in quality over quantity. Our deliberate approach to team-building ensures that each project is staffed by professionals who not only know how to build — they know how to listen, collaborate, and care.

Whether we’re designing a custom home, coordinating a commercial renovation, or guiding clients through permitting, the people behind the plans are what make the difference.