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Construction industry scandal

Fraud charges laid against former head of Quebec labour union

MONTREAL

Criminal charges against a former high-ranking union official and allegations of intimidation of workers vaulted Quebec’s much-maligned construction industry back into the spotlight Thursday. More

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NO FRILLS Trade Show

Pursuit of LEED could result in professional negligence, insurance executive warns

By adhering to a “recipe” or “formula” in order to earn points toward LEED certification, design professionals might be at risk of neglecting their responsibility to clients, says an insurance company executive. More

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Regulation

Province holding information sessions on new Ontario accessibility standard

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Although the deadline for private sector compliance with a provincial accessibility standard for customer service is 18 months away, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario is on the road getting the message out. More

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Project progress

Work continues on Market Wharf condo in Toronto

WILLIAM CONWAY/PROGRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Work is progressing on the Market Wharf condominium/retail project in Toronto. Bluescape Construction Management Inc. began the 35-storey project, which includes an eight-storey podium, in late 2009. Completion is scheduled for early 2011. More

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KASIAN ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN AND PLANNING

Twenty-five-metre-high panels were erected in January during construction of the Chilliwack Cultural Centre.

Chilliwack Cultural Centre project sets tilt-up concrete record

PETER KENTER

correspondent

The $22-million Chilliwack Cultural Centre project recently set a Canadian construction record for tilt-up concrete, as massive panels 82 feet (25 metres) in height were erected in January. The panels each weigh an average of 100,000 lbs. (45 tonnes) and represent the tallest ever erected in Canada. More

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2010 Ontario Construction Secretariat conference

WSIB report a clear response to ideas we submitted, Ontario General Contractors Association chief says

The head of the Ontario General Contractors Association is praising a report from Workers Safety & Insurance Board chair Steven Mahoney that looks at ways to reform the WSIB. More

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Economic Snapshot

Expect higher interest rates at mid-year, possibly before

JOHN CLINKARD

consulting economist, CanaData

Two recent developments point to higher interest rates in the not-too-distant future. First, according to Statistics Canada, the economy grew at a much faster pace (5.0%) in Q4/2009 than was expected by most analysts and, most important, by the Bank of Canada. More

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SNC-Lavalin subsidiary Profac under scrutiny over federal contract billing

OTTAWA

How many federal contract workers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Not clear, but they charged the government $5,266 to install six potlights and $1,000 to replace a light switch. More

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As prices surge, China may raise interest rates

BEIJING

China’s inflation spiked higher in February, adding to pressure on Beijing to prevent overheating and keep the recovery in the world’s third-largest economy on track. More

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Canadian soldiers repair blown-up bridge in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR

Canadian soldiers are repairing a key bridge on the road between Kandahar city and Pakistan after it was badly damaged by a suicide bomber’s blast earlier this month. More

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Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation offering Gold Seal course for supervisors

OTTAWA

Mechanical contractors’ associations in Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton have teamed up to host the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation’s (CMCEF) first Gold Seal supervisory program. More

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Slovak construction minister sacked amid corruption scandal

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic has fired the country’s construction minister amid a corruption scandal. An investigation revealed Igor Stefanov’s office misused at least $43,500 in a public tender. More

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JORDAN PRESS

The Kingston Dry Dock, a national historic site, is receiving a major facelift for the first time in generations.

FOCUS | Concrete & Masonry

Historic Kingston Dry Dock restored, enhanced

Workers remove aging concrete down to original cut-nose limestone

JORDAN PRESS

correspondent

KINGSTON, Ont.

Ann Blake has watched a piece of history crumble a little more each day she has walked into work. The executive director of the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes has seen the cracks in the concrete become worse over the years at the Kingston Dry Dock. More

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FOCUS | Concrete & Masonry

Centre for Energy Innovation in Windsor, Ontario built using Termobuild HVAC system

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

Low-tech precast concrete hollow core slabs will converge with leading edge sustainable technologies at a high-tech research and innovation centre now being built at the University of Windsor. More

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PJ MATERIALS CONSULTANTS LIMITED

This type of deterioration underscores the importance of a parking structure standard

FOCUS | Concrete & Masonry

Canadian Standards Association parking garage standard gets tougher

But technical details are taking time to filter into practice

PETER KENTER

correspondent

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) published a significant revision to its S-413 Parking Structures Standard in 2007, but some details of the new standard are taking time to filter into practice, says Paul Jeffs, President of PJ Materials Consultants Ltd. of Guelph, Ont. More

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FOCUS | Concrete & Masonry

Accelerated schedules a challenge for vinyl flooring

PETER KENTER

correspondent

Vinyl adhesive manufacturers switched from products containing volatile organic compounds to water-based products in the 1990s. The change was good for installers and the environment, but not so good for some installations involving concrete floors. More

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CONCRETE PROCESSING AND POLISHING TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

The move to sustainability has brought changes to the composition of cement.

FOCUS | Concrete & Masonry

Good materials, shoddy workmanship produces poorly performing floor

Communication, co-ordination needs to start at tender stage

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

New product developments and technical advances in technology aside, the traditional emphasis on communication remains paramount to produce high-quality concrete floors, says an industry expert. More

Construction/Building

Avis Aux Médias: SCHL-Annonce concernant la rénovation de logements sociaux (2010-03-12)

CMHC: Canada's Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Housing on Reserve in Quebec (2010-03-12)

Media Advisory: CMHC-Social Housing Renovation Announcement (2010-03-12)

SCHL : Le Plan d'action économique du Canada crée des emplois et améliore les logements dans les réserves au Québec (2010-03-12)

The Churchill Corporation Reports 2009 Financial Results (2010-03-12)

Bird Construction Income Fund announces strong 2009 annual financial results and March and April 2010 distributions (2010-03-12)

Bird Construction Income Fund announces intention to convert to a dividend paying corporation and dividend policy (2010-03-12)

Environmentally Friendly Soil Stabilizer Introduced to the Dominican Republic (2010-03-12)

Brampton Brick Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2009 (2010-03-12)

Governments of Canada and Quebec Invest in New Affordable Housing in La Peche (2010-03-12)

The Ultimate Design Tool for Segmental Retaining Walls Now Available From Allan Block(R) -- AB Walls 10 (2010-03-11)

Seacliff Awarded $8.4 Million Electrical Contract at Edmonton Clinic North (ECN) Bringing Total Work at ECN to $56.0 Million: Fourth Institutional Infrastructure Contract Win in 2010 (2010-03-11)

NorthGrid Solar Inc. opens regional offices in Ottawa and Sault Ste. Marie (2010-03-11)

Kids Crooked House Partners with Kinder Canada in Playhouse Giveaway (2010-03-11)

Media Advisory: Social Housing Renovation Announcement (2010-03-11)

SNC-Lavalin refutes misinformation published on federal building contracts (2010-03-11)

SNC-Lavalin awarded contract for the Junin 2 Block in Venezuela (2010-03-10)

Public Storage Canadian Properties Announces Fourth Quarter 2009 Operating Results (2010-03-10)

Waterfront Toronto unveils Underpass Park: A visionary design for a unique public park in the West Don Lands (2010-03-10)

Tarion unveils best of the new home building industry (2010-03-09)

Royal Laser Provides Update on Strategic Review Process (2010-03-09)

Ritchie Bros. moves Lower Mainland auction site to expanded location in Chilliwack, B.C. (2010-03-09)

International and local bidders compete for 1,800 equipment items in Toronto public auction (2010-03-08)

Empire Industries Ltd. Successfully Closes $17.5 Million Refinancing (2010-03-08)

SNC-Lavalin awarded contract for fertilizer plant in South Africa (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Toronto Housing Starts Bounce Back (2010-03-08)

SCHL : Mises en chantier au Québec en février (2010-03-08)

CMHC: Quebec Housing Starts in February (2010-03-08)

Media Advisory - Waterfront Toronto Unveils Design For Underpass Park - First Park of Its Kind to be Built in Toronto (2010-03-08)

BasicGov Systems, Inc. Reports Settlement with Harris Corporation (2010-03-08)

Economic News/Trends and Analysis

Consumer confidence may be turning the corner: Survey (2010-03-12)

Surprising new evidence on the impact of dollar volatility (2010-03-12)

The worst is over for Manitoba's economy: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

CFOs Report On Second Quarter Hiring Expectations (2010-03-11)

CIOs Report On Second Quarter Hiring Expectations (2010-03-11)

The Canadian Aerospace Industry praises the federal government for recognizing Space as a strategic capability for Canada (2010-03-11)

Quebec's economy on the mend: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Canada's economy shifts into recovery mode: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Ontario's economic recovery gains steam: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Alberta's slow recovery should speed up through 2010: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

British Columbia's economy expected to turn the corner in 2010: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Atlantic Canada's economy poised for growth in 2010: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Saskatchewan's economy set to rebound: RBC Economics (2010-03-11)

Rising benefit costs challenge employers to balance attractive programs with affordability (2010-03-11)

The cost of energy: A competitive advantage for companies - Natural gas more economical than electricity for the last 11 years (2010-03-10)

Ontario's infrastructure programs saved jobs and maintained economic activity during recession (2010-03-10)

XBRL Canada Welcomes the Announcement of the Red Tape Reduction Commission (2010-03-10)

Loonie could fly above par with U.S. dollar this summer: CIBC World Markets Inc. (2010-03-10)

Many Canadian parents not making the most of available tax savings: RBC poll (2010-03-10)

Surprise surplus confirms need for greater transparency at City Hall: Toronto Board of Trade (2010-03-10)

It's a 'wrap' - TD Comfort Portfolios a hit with investors this RSP Season (2010-03-09)

Manpower Employment Outlook Survey Reveals Canadian Employers Expect a Fair Hiring Climate for Second Quarter of 2010 (2010-03-09)

Home purchase intentions edge higher in British Columbia: RBC poll (2010-03-08)

Majority of Ontarians say buying a home is a good investment: RBC poll (2010-03-08)

RBC survey finds Albertans most interested in homebuying compared to other Canadians (2010-03-08)

Home purchase intentions full steam ahead: RBC poll (2010-03-08)

Homebuying interest increasing in Saskatchewan and Manitoba: RBC Survey (2010-03-08)

Homebuying intentions continue to edge higher in Atlantic Canada: RBC Survey (2010-03-08)

Quebec residents most confident in long-term stability of housing market: RBC poll (2010-03-08)

Federal budget a 'missed opportunity' for health system transformation (2010-03-08)

Canada's top 100 mining companies back with a vengeance: Ernst & Young (2010-03-08)

Federal Investments in Health System are Welcome (2010-03-06)

Environmental Services

Hybridyne Power Systems Canada's CEO returns (2010-03-12)

Plutonic Power Announces Energization Plans for Toba Montrose Transmission Line (2010-03-12)

Thermal Energy was headline sponsor of NHS Sustainable Development 2010 (2010-03-12)

Thermal Energy Receives Purchase Order from King's College Hospital in England (2010-03-12)

Thermal Energy Signs $4 million Contract with Kruger Products Limited to provide FLU-ACE(R) Heat Recovery Solution (2010-03-12)

Alcan Specialty Sheet introduces a comprehensive product portfolio of Automotive Body in White sheet specifications to meet European automotive industry's growing demand (2010-03-11)

British Columbia's clean energy industry welcomes Clean Power Call results (2010-03-11)

ENPAR commissions ammonia treatment system for a gold mine located in northeastern Ontario (2010-03-11)

Smurfit-Stone Partners With Emerald Waste to Provide Recycling and Waste Solutions in Gainesville, FL (2010-03-11)

U.S. Department of State Announces Winners of Global Online Video Contest: 'Change Your Climate, Change Our World' (2010-03-11)

Finavera Renewables Awarded Four Electricity Purchase Agreements in BC Hydro Clean Power Call (2010-03-11)

Cleanfield Announces Non-Brokered Private Placement for up to $480,000 (2010-03-11)

Maple Leaf Signs MOU for Waste Oil Collection and Processing (2010-03-10)

Sino-Forest to host Fourth Quarter & Year-end 2009 Earnings Call on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 (2010-03-10)

GE Energy Financial Services and Plutonic Power Corporation Issue Clean Power Call Update (2010-03-10)

Ballard Reports Audited Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009 Results (2010-03-10)

Finavera Renewables announces private placement and development loan (2010-03-09)

CEPA welcomes federal government changes to pipeline approvals process (2010-03-09)

Cleanfield Reports Record Revenue in Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 - Sales revenues almost four times the previous quarter (2010-03-09)

Large Hawaiian retailer buys into Smartcool savings (2010-03-09)

Sonic increases size of private placement to a maximum of $4 million (2010-03-09)

Ontario Power Generation reports 2009 financial results (2010-03-08)

Ballard to Receive DOE Funding to Advance Non-Automotive Fuel Cell Commercialization (2010-03-08)

Maple Leaf Signs MOU for Bio-Fuel Joint Ventures (2010-03-08)

Western Wind Energy Corp. - Steel Park and Mesa project update (2010-03-08)

Revolutionary Invention Allows Planting Without Irrigation (2010-03-08)

Government of Canada/Public Works

Government of Canada Increases Support for Young Musicians of the Morningside Music Bridge Program (2010-03-12)

Media Advisory/REMINDER: The Government of Canada Celebrates Women in Business (2010-03-08)

Real Estate

SCHL-Le Plan d'action économique du Canada crée des emplois et améliore les logements sociaux en Ontario (2010-03-12)

Canada’s Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Social Housing in Ontario (2010-03-12)

Le Plan d'action économique du Canada crée des emplois et améliore les logements sociaux en Ontario (2010-03-12)

GT Canada Capital Corporation announces completion of qualifying transaction (2010-03-12)

March Madness @ Promenade - Celebrate your March Break 'staycation' in Thornhill! (2010-03-12)

Gulf & Pacific Equities Corp. Announces Renewal of Normal Course Issuer Bid (2010-03-12)

CMHC-Canada's Economic Action Plan Creates Jobs and Improves Social Housing in Ontario (2010-03-12)

InnVest REIT Reports Fourth Quarter Results (2010-03-12)

Xceed Mortgage Reports Fiscal 2010 First-Quarter Financial Results (2010-03-11)

COMPASS Income Fund Rights Offering (2010-03-11)

Avis aux médias : Annonce concernant la rénovation de logements sociaux (2010-03-11)

Cominar REIT Achieves Another Year of Growth and Expansion (2010-03-11)

Energie renouvelable Brookfield voit un de ses projets hydroélectriques sélectionné pour une convention d'achat d'électricité (2010-03-11)

Brookfield Renewable Power Hydroelectric Project Selected for Electricity Purchase Agreement (2010-03-11)

First Capital Realty Announces 2009 Year End Results (2010-03-11)

Educators Financial Group Announces Filing of Amended Mortgage & Income Fund MRFP (2010-03-11)

Media Advisory: Social Housing Renovation Announcement (2010-03-11)

Huntingdon REIT Announces Binding Letter of Agreement to Sell Material Assets of CRESI (2010-03-11)

Fusion Homes Named Ontario Builder of the Year (2010-03-10)

Scott's REIT reports strong fiscal 2009 results (2010-03-10)

Xceed Mortgage Appoints Michael Jones Interim Chief Operating Officer and Jeff Bouganim VP, Finance (2010-03-10)

GT Canada Capital Corporation to close qualifying transaction following outcome of TSXV review of company's affairs and use of proceeds (2010-03-10)

C.A. Bancorp Canadian Realty Finance Corporation Announces 2009 Financial Results, Provides Market Update, Review of the Mortgage Portfolio and NAV Update (2010-03-10)

CAPREIT Announces March, 2010 Distribution (2010-03-10)

Zaio Launches Appraisal Based Social Network (2010-03-10)

Quebec Real Estate Market: Sales Reach Pre-Recession Levels (2010-03-10)

Marché immobilier au Québec : les ventes reviennent au niveau enregistré avant la récession (2010-03-10)

Cominar and Overland announce successful completion of take-over bid (2010-03-10)

Xceed Mortgage CEO Appearing Thursday on BNN (2010-03-10)

Empire Company Posts Q3 Results (2010-03-10)

Gazit America announces its first acquisition of a medical office building in Ottawa, Ontario (2010-03-09)

Lanesborough REIT announces closing of public offering of second mortgage bonds and warrants (2010-03-09)

Avison Young appoints prominent real estate executive Stephen Leopold to leadership role, Quebec operations (2010-03-09)

Huntingdon REIT Completes Sale of Surface Parking Lot (2010-03-09)

Whiterock REIT Announces $6.8 Million Exercise of Underwriters' Over-Allotment Option (2010-03-09)

Primaris Retail REIT Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual Financial Results (2010-03-09)

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust Announces Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Results for 2009 (2010-03-09)

Royal Host REIT Announces 2009 Financial Results (2010-03-09)

February Housing Starts in New Brunswick (2010-03-08)

PEI Housing Starts in February (2010-03-08)

St. John's Area February Housing Starts (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Ottawa's Housing Starts Grew at a Healthy Pace in February (2010-03-08)

February Housing Starts in Halifax (2010-03-08)

Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement : Hausse appréciable des mises en chantier d'habitations à Ottawa en février (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: February Housing Starts Higher in Kitchener (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: February Housing Starts Higher in St. Catharines-Niagara (2010-03-08)

Mises en chantier d'habitations en février (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Thunder Bay Starts Up Slightly from Last Year (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: New Home Construction Moved Up (2010-03-08)

Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement - Mises en chantier de maisons individuelles en février : égales à la moyenne sur dix ans (2010-03-08)

USA Property Investment Advice Site http://www.US-Property-Investment.com Launched by USA Invest Ltd for Foreign Investors (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Hamilton Starts Up in February (2010-03-08)

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Housing Starts Sarnia CA and Sarnia City (2010-03-08)

Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement : Les mises en chantier de logements collectifs ont augmenté en Ontario le mois passé (2010-03-08)

Scott's REIT closes previously announced purchase of Shoppers Drug Mart properties for $30-million (2010-03-08)

February Housing Starts (2010-03-08)

Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement : Hausse des mises en chantier d'habitations en février à Windsor (2010-03-08)

Whiterock REIT and ROI Awarded Investment Deal of the Year (2010-03-08)

Brookfield Asset Management Appoints Jeff Kendrew as Chief Development Officer of Its Global Infrastructure Platform (2010-03-07)

Transportation/Trucking

GO Transit making changes to meet increased demand (2010-03-12)

Canadian Helicopters Income Fund declares monthly distribution (2010-03-12)

Alstom Acquires Services Company Assets in the U.S. (2010-03-11)

NAV CANADA announces ratification of collective agreement with financial officers (2010-03-11)

Trimac Income Fund announces distribution (2010-03-11)

Trimac Announces Fourth Quarter, Year-End Results (2010-03-11)

Porter Airlines expands Boston service to 5 daily roundtrips (2010-03-11)

/R E P E A T -- Mercier Bridge: Lane Closure/ (2010-03-10)

/R E P E A T -- Jacques Cartier Bridge: Work on Bike Path/ (2010-03-10)

March Break Travel with VIA Rail (2010-03-10)

NAV CANADA announces new technology sales (2010-03-09)

Mercier Bridge: Lane Closure (2010-03-09)

Port of Montreal - The Montreal Port Authority buys its first green locomotive (2010-03-09)

/R E P E A T -- Bonaventure Expressway: Lane Closures toward Montreal - Weekday Roadwork March 9-19/ (2010-03-09)

/R E P E A T / -- Nuns' Island Bridge: Two Lane Closure from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. - Overnight Roadwork toward South Shore March 8-9 & 9-10 (2010-03-09)

Jacques Cartier Bridge: Work on Bike Path (2010-03-09)

BRP launches store.ski-doo.com (2010-03-08)

Hy-Drive developments (2010-03-08)

Nuns' Island Bridge: Two Lane Closure from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. - Overnight Roadwork toward South Shore March 8-9 & 9-10 (2010-03-08)

Bonaventure Expressway: Lane Closures toward Montreal - Weekday Roadwork March 9-19 (2010-03-08)

Media Invitation - Media Briefing Announcing Important Investments in VIA Rail Canada's Smiths Falls Station (2010-03-08)

Canadian Helicopters Income Fund awarded additional work in Afghanistan by the United States Transportation Command (2010-03-08)

Government of Canada and VIA Rail announce new station for Smiths Falls (2010-03-08)

Jazz Air LP announces tentative agreement with its dispatchers' union (2010-03-07)

Media advisory - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport terminal opening (2010-03-06)