history

Neilson Inc. was founded by Dante Fava in 1963. Its first contract was to execute municipal works for the City of Sainte-Foy in the Neilson Park, the company’s namesake. On September 18th, 1963, Neilson Inc. established itself in Bernieres on the south shore of Quebec City and was incorporated under chapter 27, article 11 of the Revised Statues of Quebec.

From the very beginning, Neilson made a name for itself by carrying out drilling and blasting works in remote regions. It carried out sewer and water projects as well as many major highway projects all across Quebec.

In 1978, Neilson embarked on a vast undertaking in James Bay, where it remained until the completion of Phase I in the mid-1980s. During that period, Neilson carried out road, camp construction, rock excavation, dike, and dam projects, and also built a mini-power station.

In 1981, Mr. Fava handed over the management of Neilson to his three sons, Jean, Franco and Mario, who transformed the company into a construction industry leader.

Neilson took on projects where the logistics and planning of remote job sites were its main challenges. It carried out airport and marine infrastructure rehabilitation projects, municipal works, and roadwork in mining region in Northeastern Quebec and the Basse Cote-Nord. It also built four airport facilities in Inuit villages in New Quebec for Transports Québec (MTQ) and the Kativik Regional Government.

When work resumed in James Bay in 1987, Neilson carried out major hydroelectric projects on the Laforge 1, Laforge 2, La Grande 1 et Eastmain complexes for the Société d’Énergie de la Baie James. It had a hand in major civil engineering earthworks and concrete work. In addition to its presence in James Bay, Neilson was a leading contractor for large-scale underground work and open pit site work on all hydroelectric projects. It helped to build complexes for the following hydroelectric projects: Sainte Marguerite-3 in the Sept-Iles region, Toulnustouc in Baie-Comeau, Péribonka in Lac St. Jean and Chute-Allard/Rapides-des-Cœurs in the La Tuque area.

At the dawn of the new millennium, Neilson focused its expertise on building the Laval subway, using new methods and processes developed in Austria to excavate the subway ramp and extension. Concurrently, Neilson executed major contracts for Transports Québec (MTQ) to extend Highway 73 in Beauce and Highway 50 connecting the Laurentian and Outaouais regions, as well as underground excavation work for Hydro-Ontario in Marathon, near North Bay, Ontario. In 2007, Neilson carried out tunnel work for the access road to a gold mine at Galore Creek in Northern British-Columbia. In 2008, Neilson’s expertise in hydroelectric works was a major asset in obtaining a contract on the Wuskwatim project for Manitoba Hydro.

Over the years, Neilson has developed expertise in various fields of construction by acquiring companies and training its personnel. Neilson is now a leader in shotcrete and injected concrete work, as well as in subgrade stabilization and the injection of concrete structures. Construction industry organizations often mandate its professionals to train other employees.

Neilson performs pipeline and fibre optic work for such organizations as Hydro-Québec, several municipalities and urban communities in Quebec, and cable and telecommunication companies.

Natural gas is another market niche for Neilson. It has developed conscientious and skilled personnel in the field of natural gas and became a certified contractor of Gaz Métro in Quebec. Neilson’s work in this field led it to perform work for Enbridge in New Brunswick.

In January 2007, after his two brothers retired, Jean Fava, who was previously President and their partner, acquired their shares and became the sole owner of Neilson Inc. After more than 45 years, Neilson Inc. remains a fully private Quebec company.