Canada and The Coril Group of Companies 1867 – 2017
The Coril Group of Companies is proud to celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary.
The Mannix family businesses have been in operation since 1898.
From Past to Present
History Timeline
1862
1900
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Present
1862George C. MannixGeorge Charles Mannix, Irish immigrant whose legacy would indelibly mark the Canadian landscape and play a crucial role in the early development of Canada.
1869 - 1870The Red River ExpeditionGeorge Charles Mannix served in the Fenian Raids of 1866 and the Red River Rebellion of 1869-70. He was one of the few people awarded medals for both services. After the Red River Expedition brought him west, G.C. Mannix settled in Manitoba. For service rendered in the Red River Expedition, he was awarded the right to choose a quarter section (160 acres/65 hectares) of land.
1881Frederick Stephen MannixFrederick Stephen Mannix is born at the Red River Settlement in Manitoba.
1898The First Mannix CompanyF.S. Mannix bought a slip and a team of horses for $150 and went to work on the railway. From this first earthmoving job, Frederick eventually formed one of Canada’s largest heavy construction firms and diversified into other industries.
1907Connecting Alberta and Saskatchewan F.S Mannix' crews begin a multi-year project building rail grade between Unity, Saskatchewan, and Hardisty, Alberta.
1911The Brooks Irrigation System Described as the largest dirt-moving contract ever let in Alberta, the irrigation system at Brooks, east of Bassano, is built by F.S Mannix and his crew. The system provides water for 200,000 acres of farmland that otherwise might have been too dry for agriculture. Irrigation projects such as this one helped to encourage settlement in the western provinces.
1925The Settlement of the Prairies F.S Mannix formed a joint venture with longtime dirt mover W.A Dutton form Dutton-Mannix Companies Limited. An early job is the CPR branch line on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. During this time, railways were an essential component of progressive settlement in the Prairies.
1926Steam DraglineFirst steam dragline purchased by the Mannix company. This steam dragline is used for several years on the drainage project in Morris, Manitoba.
1928Development of Northern Alberta Continuing to help develop northern Alberta, Mannix crews lay rail bed near Slave Lake-an area known for muskeg.
1934Coal Mining in Western Canada - Dirty thirtiesEarly in 1934, Mannix & Kramer reactivated their company and headed off for Sheerness with new teams of horses, an elevating grader, several Cats, and new Euclid crawler wagons outfitted with tracks. The event brought the company back to life. From the first small stripping contract at the Sheerness mine, the Mannix organization played a leading role in the development of surface and open-pit coal mining in Western Canada.
1935Connecting Golden and Radium B.C. The fall of the year sees F.C. Mannix running three road construction jobs on Highway No. 95 along the Columbian River between Golden and Radium, British Columbia.
1936Eastern Canada Expansion Fred Mannix & Company, Ltd. is awarded the contract to build a Canadian National rail line from Senneterre to Rouyn, Quebec (the Val-d’Or Railway). This 100-mile (160-kilometer) project, more than 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometer) from Calgary, is the company’s first expansion into eastern Canada.
1941Supporting the War Effort In January, F.S Mannix contracts with Calgary Power to construct the Cascade hydroelectric project, including the Minnewanka Dam, by the spring of 1942. This was considered an important war project (World War II) because its main purpose was to supply the electric power requirements for the manufacture of explosives needed for the war effort.
1943The Kananaskis Dam Mannix crews complete the Kananaskis Dam in May. The dam is located in the rugged western Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was important to the Province of Alberta because it controlled the waters feeding the Kananaskis drainage basin as well as the Barrier, Horse Shoe and Ghost power plants.
1945Building the Longest Highway in B.C. The Hart Highway introduces innovations in road construction including the use of prefabricated bridges. These bridges were a wartime development integrated into civilian construction by Mannix crews. The Hart Hightway is a 405 km long stretch of what is now Highway 97 – the longest continuously numbered highway in British Columbia.
1946Building a World Famous Highway Continuing to expand their constructing expertise in the Alberta Mountains, the Mannix crew builds the world famous Banff to Windermere Highway.
1946Venture into CoalFred C. Mannix's first wager on the future of coal mining in Western Canada was a small one. In 1946, when the work for the wartime Emergency Coal Production Board came to an end, Mannix acquired the leases for the Majestic Mine at Taber. Mannix then established a subsidiary to own the Majestic Mine, as Morrison-Knudsen had no interest in being directly involved in the acquisition of any coal properties. This new company, Southern Alberta Coal Company Ltd., was incorporated in 1946.
1946Providing Power for the Yellowknife District Fred Mannix & Company, Ltd. builds the Snare River hydroelectric power development. The project is northwest of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It was considered an important part of the post-war development of the Northwest Territories because it provided power for the mines of the Yellowknife District.
1948The Klondike Highway In April, Mannix crew tackles the Yukon wilderness between Whitehorse and Mayo. They build the Klondike Highway. Supplies are brought in by boat.
1950Canada's First Major Pipeline ProjectIn a joint venture known as Bechtel-Mannix, Mannix crews build the Interprovincial Pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Regina, Saskatchewan. This pipeline represented the first pipeline of the type and size in Canadian history.
1950The Largest Construction Project in North America The Quebec, North Shore and Labrador railroad is constructed by Mannix & Co. Ltd. to transport ore from a large mine owned by the Iron Ore Company of Canada. At the time, the project was the largest railway construction job in Canada in a decade and the largest construction project of any kind in North America in the early 1950s.
1951Supporting Industiral Growth in CanadaMannix Ltd. begins the earth-filled hydroelectric Chutes des Georges Dam located on the Shipshaw River north of Chicoutimi, Quebec. The dam was needed to provide a new source of hydroelectric power to the mushrooming Canadian cities and industry.
1951Canada's First Subway System Mannix Ltd. sponsors a joint venture with McNamara Construction to construct the Toronto Subway – Canada’s first subway system. Working below busy downtown Toronto streets creates new challenges.
1952Building the Trans-Canada HighwayFederal and provincial governments decide to build a major coast-to-coast highway. Mannix Ltd. begins to work on one of many Trans-Canada Highway projects – a highway which extends through all ten provinces of Canada.
1952Expansion Regardless of the Obstacles Mannix Ltd. pipeliners build the Trans-Northern Pipeline Co. spur line to Ottawa. This $4-million project involves 11 major crossings including the Rideau River and the Burlington Canal.
1952Construction in a Harsh Quebec Winter Mannix Ltd. crew is close to completing the Marguerite Dam west of Sept-îles. They will work through the harsh Quebec winter to ensure the concrete spillway is ready for the 1953 runoff.
1952The Menihek Dam Far north in Laborador, Mannix crews begin the Menihek Dam that will provide power to the iron ore mine and provide a bridge for the QNS&L Railway across the Ashuanipi River.
1952The Niagara Tunnel Project for Ontario Hydro In an international joint venture, Mannix Ltd. helps building the Niagara Tunnels, a part of the Sir Adam Beck-Niagara Generating Station No. 2 project for Ontario Hydro.
1952Providing Energy to the West Coast Mannix-O’Sullivan crews help building the Trans Mountain oil pipeline near Kamloops, British Columbia. In operation since 1953, the Trans Mountain pipeline system (TMPL) is the only pipeline system in North America that transports both crude oil and refined products to the west coast.
1953A Nova Scotia Wharf is Revitalized A view over the Miss Mannix in Port Maitland, Nova Scotia. This is early work on the new steel sheet piling wharf that will replace the federal government’s old wooden wharf ensuring the longevity of the port.
1954An Engineering Marvel One of the engineering marvels of the 1950s occurs with the cooperation between Canada and the United States. The St. Lawrence Seaway requires several large construction projects and opened the Great Lakes region to the oceangoing fleets of the entire world. Completed by Mannix Ltd., the seaway had a major economic impact on Canada, providing economical freight rates for bulk commodities.
1954Incorporated PembinaPembina Pipe Line Ltd. was incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and was authorized to commence business on November 22, 1954.
1954Loram Maintenance of Way Founded in 1954, Loram Maintenance of Way started out as a small operation spun out of railroad construction when it was discovered that new construction techniques could be applied to maintaining the rail and trackbed.
1954Constructed Pembina SystemThe Pembina Pipeline system was constructed in 1954 to transport crude oil from the Pembina field near Drayton Valley, Alberta to Edmonton, Alberta. The Pembina system serves one of the oldest oil-producing areas in Alberta.
1959The Largest Dragline in Canada The new Ransomes & Rapier 1350-W dragline at the Whitewood Mine is assembled by a 45-member Mannix team in six months. When completed, it will be the largest dragline in Canada.
1959Keeping Canada Safe The Distant Early Warning (DEW) line in the Arctic Circle was part of a mutual defense agreement between Canada and the USA. It was devised to protect North America from air or missile attack. Mannix Co. Ltd. won the contract for general building construction and building of the steel parabolic reflectors intended to keep Canadians safe from potential Soviet bombers during the Cold War.
1960Alberta’s Largest Hydroelectric Project Calgary Power Ltd. and Mannix Co. Ltd begin the Brazeau hydro development in the Rocky Mountains southwest of Edmonton. When completed it will be Alberta’s largest single hydroelectric and water control project.
1961Building a Foundation for Manitoba Hydro A Mannix Co. Ltd. sponsored joint venture begins the $10.7-million, two-year Grand Rapids grouting project to prepare a dam foundation for Manitoba Hydro.
1962The Portage Mountain Diversion Tunnels The Portage Mountain Diversion Tunnels are built for B.C. Hydro & Power Authority some 500 miles (800 kilometers) north of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Drake, Mannix, Kaiser and Gilpin joint venture builds the massive tunnels in only nine months.
1963Supporting Canadian National Railways Mannix Highway Division crews grade right-of-way on the original Great Slave Lake Railway line for the Canadian National Railways. The work is called the Pine Point Grading.
1964Reaching New Sources of EnergyTo reach the oil sands deposits, Mannix crews build a road from Fort McMurray, including a bridge across the Athabasca River, using many reinforced concrete supports.
1964The First Hydro Development of the Columbia River Mannix Co. Ltd. sponsors a joint venture for B.C. Hydro & Power Authority to build the Duncan Dam, the first hydro development of the Columbia River in Canada. This $16-million project runs to 1967.
1964Building the Montreal Subway Joint venture partners Henry J. Kaiser Co. (Canada) and Mannix Co. Ltd. construct the Montreal Subway. This $4.7-million project runs from August 1964, to January 1966 and is operational for Expo 67.
1965Generating Power for British Columbia Joint venture partners Perini Pacific Limited, Northern Construction, J.W. Stewart Ltd., Mannix Co. Ltd. and Morrison-Knudsen construction of the 45-foot-high (13.7-meter) Mica Creek diversion tunnels for B.C. Hydro. The tunnels were the first step in the eventual construction of the Mica Creek Dam which today generates 1805 megawatts of power for BC.
1969Resource Transportation Near Jasper National ParkLa Cie Mannix (Québec) Ltée., the Mannix Quebec subsidiary, completes the Alberta Resources Railway from near Jasper National Park to Grande Prairie, Alberta. This railway allowed previously undeveloped resources (because of the lack of transportation) to be developed.
1971The Largest Single-Site Power Producer in the World Mannix Co. Ltd.'s involvement in what surely must be, to this day, one of the most ambitious construction projects ever attempted by humans. Designed to harness the massive hydroelectric power of the Labrador plateau, the Churchill Falls development project was projected to generate a staggering seven million horsepower.
1972Keeping Canada MovingIn British Columbia’s Fraser River Canyon, the CNR suffers from rock falling from cliffs above the tracks. Mannix Co. Ltd. provides rock bolts, hydraulic scaling and sprayed concrete (shotcrete), to solve the problem.
1973A Massive Canal System for Manitoba HydroA Mannix-sponsored joint venture builds a massive canal system to divert Churchill River water to the Nelson River for Manitoba Hydro. The $28-million South Bay Channel Diversion project runs until 1976.
1973Meeting Increasing Demands for Electricity The Long Spruce generating station-a dam, spillway and powerhouse-is built on the Nelson River to help meet the increasing demand for electricity. Mannix Co. Ltd. helps construct this $102-million facility.
1976Completing the TransCanada Pipeline Project Loram International Ltd. completes the $3.6-million TransCanada Pipeline project near North Bay, Ontario.
1976The Project of the Century The Loram subsidiary, la Campagnie Loram (Quebec) Ltée., joint ventures with Komo in the five-year construction of the LG-2 West powerhouse for the James Bay Energy Corporation. Coined the “project of the century” the goal of the megaproject was to develop the extensive hydroelectric capabilities of the La Grande Rivière to provide an eventual 10,000 megawatts of power for Eastern Canada.
1978The Revelstoke Dam Powerhouse Loram International also excavates the site for the Revelstoke Dam powerhouse. More than 79,240 linear meters (86,600 yards) of rockbolts and dowels support and stabilize the back slope.
1978Providing Transportation for the Commonwealth Games Edmonton’s new rapid transit system is a complete success during the Commonwealth Games held in August. The 14 kilometres (nine miles) of above and underground track are laid by the Railroad Division of Loram International.
1979Introducing New Machinery into Canada This D-10 Cat is one of the first three brought into Canada. Loram International use it on the $11.3-million Gibraltar Mines Limited stripping project near McLeese Lake, British Columbia. The project exposes a copper ore body.
1979Working with TransCanada Pipelines Loram pipeline crews complete the Regina split casings work for TransCanada Pipelines.
1982Expanding Northern Resources Based in part on prior Techman research, the Norman Wells project begins for Esso Resources Ltd. in the Northwest Territories. Here a Loram pipeline crew lays pipe to the artificial island built in the Mackenzie River. The island protects Esso Resources’ well.
1982Continuing the Revelstoke Dam B.C. Hydro & Power Authority awards Loram a $53-million contract to supply and install the mechanical and electrical equipment for the Revelstoke Dam and powerhouse, spillway and switchgear building. Shown is the bus tunnel from the switchgear building.
1982Gemini CorporationGemini Corporation is founded by Mr. Carl Johnson. Gemini is an Alberta-based oil and gas services company focused on fabrication, engineering, construction and maintenance.
1983Linking British Columbia Roads Loram Construction builds the Little Fort Highway (also known as Highway 24) to link Highway No. 5 with the Cariboo Highway in British Columbia.
1985TonkoTonko Realty Advisors Ltd., though its predecessor companies, provided fully integrated commercial real estate advisory and management services to major institutional and private investors in Western Canada for over 20 years.
In 1985, Copez Realty Advisors Ltd. (“Copez”) was founded to offer asset and property management services to pension funds and private clients. In 1995, Tonko Development Corp. (TDC) was incorporated and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. TDC expansion continued with the acquisition of Copez and Novam Development Ltd. in 1998.
1988Supporting the 1988 Calgary Olympics More than 130 Loram Group employees volunteer, as members of Team Petroleum, to support the Calgary Winter Olympic Games.
1989A Canadian Senator Former Loram executive Stan Waters becomes Canada’s first elected senator.
1991Producing Oil and Gas in the Prairies Pembina’s pipeline interests are significantly expanded with the acquisition of the Peace Pipeline system which serves as a producer in oil and gas fields in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia.
1991Moving Alberta’s Energy Resources The Peace Pipeline System is one of the largest feed sources of oil, condensate and natural gas liquids in Alberta. It owned and operated more than 2,200 kilometers of pipeline with connections to 49 oil fields and 17 gas plants.
1993Raising Money for the United Way Loram Maintenance of Way Inc., raises the highest dollar figure in its history of United Way campaigns, totaling pledges of $35,505.
1994A Major Player in the Oil and Gas Industry Pembina celebrates its 40th anniversary. The company is a senior Canadian oil and gas producer, Alberta’s largest owner/operator of crude oil and liquids feeder pipelines and is the largest oil and gas producer in Ontario.
1995RedcliffEmerald Properties Inc., a property management company, was established in 1995 and later renamed Redcliff Realty Management Inc. (RRMI).
The advisory arm began its business in 1976 as a unit of Royal Trust. It was subsequently named RT Realty Advisors Inc. and it became a subsidiary of the Royal Bank Financial Group in 1993. RT Realty Advisors was purchased in 2001 by Redcliff Realty Management Inc. to take advantage of its real estate knowledge and experience, and to help achieve the objectives of building a full-service real estate advisory group. With this acquisition, Redcliff Realty Group Corp. (RRGC) was formed in 2002.
Under RRGC, the company structured three entities - Redcliff Realty Advisors Inc. and Redcliff Realty Management Inc. A third licensed mortgage brokerage entity was later formed called Redcliff Realty Capital.
1997Sale of Energy AssetsA decision was made to divest most of the Group’s energy assets. Manalta Coal, Pembina Pipeline, and Pembina Resources were sold to the public markets via an income trust, a royalty trust and an asset sale respectively.
Mr. Ron Mannix then established Coril Holdings Ltd. to continue the railroad activities and pursue real estate and other investments.
2000A New Calgary Hotel Balboa Land Investments, under the direction of Mr. Randy Provost as President and CEO, Mr Kevin Beingessner, as Senior Vice President, and Mr. Henry Neufeld as General Manager, is involved in the real estate business, owning and managing properties in Alberta. They open the new Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Calgary.
2001TonkoTonko Development Corp was taken private and rebranded as Tonko Realty Advisors.
2007A Historic Landmark In 1891, as business moved toward downtown, a new frame structure was started on Stephen Avenue. The sandstone structure, known as The Hudson Block, was initially built for the third Hudson’s Bay Store. In 1905 the store expanded to include the site of James Lougheed’s former home and law offices. The site was sold to the Royal Bank in 1912, and restored by the Royal Bank in 1977, and designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1982. In April of 2005 Balboa purchased the building as part of a strategic plan to acquire the southeast quarter to allow an adequate amount of contiguous land for potential office/retail development or, alternatively, expansion of the Hyatt Hotel.
2007RedcliffRedcliff Realty Group Corp acquired Montreal-based Métivier and Associates. This acquisitions expanded Redcliff’s portfolio and coverage in Quebec.
Redcliff Realty Advisors provided acquisition, disposition, development, portfolio and asset management services. Redcliff Realty Management was responsible for the leasing and property management functions for the office, industrial and retail properties under its management. Redcliff Realty Capital
Redcliff Realty Group was a wholly owned subsidiary of Osmington Inc., a real estate investment company, owned by David Thomson. During this period Osmington was a private Canadian real estate company that provides deal sourcing and the ability to co-invest with Redcliff clients.
2010A Historical Building is Given New Life Cantos, working with Dr. Roger Jackson as Chairman, Andrew Mosker as President and CEO, and Ron Mannix as a Director, works on the redevelopment of the old King Eddy Hotel in East Calgary to create Canada’s National Music Centre. When complete, this cultural icon (a $130-million-dollar project) will be 110,000 square feet.
2010The Keynote Project The Keynote project, a 1.4-million-square-foot multi-use project next to the Stampede grounds, opens. Keynote is a mixed-use development which includes a 14-storey office tower, a 26-storey condominium tower and significant retail space, including a boutique grocery store.
2010A Focus on Health and Wellness One of Coril’s strategic focuses has been in the health and wellness industry with the purchase of Foothills Health Consultants in March 2008 and in December 2009 with the acquisition of Innovative Health Group to expand and further develop these initiatives The Company is rebranded as “INLIV” and prepares to move into new premises in the Arriva Tower in late 2011.
2011The Ghost River CrossingCoril’s most recent acquisition, is a retreat and conference Centre with a 33 year history, located 30 minutes west of Calgary. The organization is committed to enhancing lives through connection - experiences based in nature, music, art, and relationships. Briefly owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, The Ghost river crossing has served as an emblematic corporate retreat center to connect the visitors with nature. In the 1970’s is served as a retreat center, which has now developed in to a place where intentions and actions are uniform, as they are enveloped in the breath –taking scenery of the Alberta plains.
2011TonkoTonko Realty Advisors was acquired by Coril and began operating as a subsidiary of Balboa Investments Inc.
2012TriovestTriovest represents the merger of Redcliff Realty Group Corp. and Calgary-based Tonko Realty Advisors Ltd. The two companies became unified in October 2011 when The Coril Group of Companies announce the acquisition of Redcliff. Coril had acquired Tonko in June 2011. As a result of the amalgamation, a national full service real estate company branded as Triovest Realty Advisors was created in June 2012.
2012Gemini CorporationCoril acquires a controlling position in Gemini Corporation, providing an opportunity for continued growth into the oil and gas infrastructure sector.
2014Industrial Development in Montreal In the past year, Balboa expands its Calgary holdings with the strategic acquisition of key properties associated with its downtown and East Village land assemblies. Balboa also diversifies its operations into the Greater Montreal Area, by co-investing in a multi-phase industrial development in a partnership to be managed by Triovest. The industrial development in Montreal by Triovest is a strategic acquisition of major importance to Triovest as it is the first purchase made by Triovest. The Montreal industrial site occupies around 279 231 m^2(69 acres) as well as may offer around 120 774m^2 of industrial space.