Daily Commercial News – Reporting on the Canadian Construction Industry since 1927

DCN ARCHIVES

PREVIOUS ISSUE \| NEXT ISSUE
Stories for July 2, 2009

AECON

Dave Mackey, who began his career at Peel Construction, is currently in charge of crushing operations at the Aecon quarries.

Aecon honours two 50-year veterans

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

When Everett McIntyre and Dave Mackey joined Aecon Group Inc. back in 1959, they never imagined they would still be there 50 years later. More

Who’s in charge of the global economy?

When it comes to global economic leadership these days, who is in charge? That’s no longer clear, Reed Construction Data chief economist Alex Carrick says in his latest economic report. More

Twists and turns for U.S. housing markets

Despite the shaky economy, now might be a good time for Americans to buy a home, says Reed Construction Data’s chief economist Alex Carrick. More

Politics

Cautious optimism for Ontario's new Tory chief

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

The election of Tim Hudak as new leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives has been received with cautious optimism by some construction associations. More

Condo Cable Crew at The Republic condominiums in Toronto

Workers prepare for concrete pour at The Republic condominiums in Toronto.

WILLIAM CONWAY/PROGRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Work progresses for The Republic condominiums at Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave. in Toronto, Ont. Tridel Corp. has completion of the two-tower project scheduled for late 2011 and the work includes one 24-storey tower and one 27-storey tower with a total of over 400 units. The condos are part of the North Toronto Collegiate Institute redevelopment project which includes a four-storey school with a 600-seat theatre, library and a triple gymnasium. The project was designed by lead architects CS & P Architects Inc. and Burka Architects Inc. (condos). Consultants are: Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Ltd. (structural); MCW Consultants Ltd. (mechanical/electrical); RV Anderson Associates Ltd. (civil); Munge Leung Design Associates (interior); and NAK Design Group (landscape). Subtrades include: Forma-con Construction; Res Precast Inc.; Limen Masonry Ltd.; Torino Drywall Systems; Network Mechanical; Mayfair Electric Ltd.; Multiseal Paving Co. (waterproofing); Toro Aluminum (glass/glazing); and ThyssenKrupp Elevator Ltd.More

Canadian Construction Association secures partial victory on vehicle-use tax

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

CALGARY

As a result of lobbying from the Canadian Construction Association, the federal government will allow a reduced benefit calculation on employer-provided vehicles. More

Market Recovery Funds

British Columbia union amends its bylaws after judge’s ruling on dues

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

B.C.’s open shop construction association and an electrical workers union can’t agree on what a B.C. Supreme Court ruling on market recovery dues really means. More

Economy at a Glance — July 2, 2009

Office building construction markets in Toronto and Calgary

Prepared by Alex Carrick, Chief Economist, CanaData

The most recent peak for office building starts in Canada occurred two years ago, in 2007. At that time, 16.0 million square feet of work was initiated across the country. This is a category of construction that can be highly cyclical. The figure this year is expected to be only 4.4 million square feet. While this is quite a drop in activity levels, the recovery phase in this market is likely to be shorter than during previous times in history. More

Sidewalk work in Edmonton

A worker takes some level steps in preparation for the replacement of sidewalks on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton

STEPHEN DAFOE

A construction worker takes some level steps along the north side of Edmonton’s busy and trendy Whyte Avenue, between 104th and 105th streets. The work is part of the curb and sidewalk replacement project scheduled for completion in early July. The $1 million project is being built by O’Hanlon Paving Ltd. of Edmonton. More

At least eight killed in Nigeria building collapse

LAGOS, Nigeria

A fire department official says at least eight people were killed in the collapse of a three-storey building in the Nigerian capital. More

Canada unveils model Afghan village

DEH-E BAGH, Afghanistan

Canada recently took the wraps off its “model village” project in southern Afghanistan. More

Financing a go for Bank of America tower in New York

NEW YORK

Developers of one of the city’s tallest new skyscrapers says they have lined up a nearly US$1.3 billion loan, sealing what experts called one of the biggest real estate financing deals since the economic crisis began last fall. More

Just as in Canada, U.S. industry anxious to see stimulus roll

BOSTON

U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed hope that the spending of federal stimulus money can be speeded up — and a lot of Massachusetts construction-industry folks couldn’t agree more. More

Dubai eyes 2020 Olympic, World Expo bids

DUBAI

Dubai will set up a committee to decide whether to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games and the World Expo that year, state media reported, the latest effort by the Gulf emirate to attract international attention and business despite its financial woes. More

8% economic growth likely, says China’s central bank

HONG KONG

The head of China’s central bank said Monday the country’s economy was on the mend and expressed confidence that a government target of eight per cent growth this year would be met. More

Wind farm begins operations near Kingston, Ontario

CALGARY

Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc. says its 197.8 MW Wolfe Island wind facility has begun commercial operation. More

Restoration of fort a battle with nature in northern Manitoba

Building season on $5 million job limited to two frost-free months

Prince of Wales, Manitoba

For something that was supposed to be destroyed by the invading French military 227 years ago, and abandoned for most of the time since, the Prince of Wales Fort in northern Manitoba has proven remarkably resilient. More