November 5, 2010
CanaData Construction Industry Forecasts Conference
VIDEO: Canada must look beyond North America for market opportunities
With the U.S. continuing to struggle with its economic recovery, Scotiabank’s chief economist says it’s time for Canada to head farther afield in pursuit of new markets.
“The U.S. will still demand a huge amount of Canadian goods and services, but at the end of the day, the slower growth realities south of the border provide a wake-up call that we have to look beyond the North American shores for market opportunities,” Warren Jestin told Reed Construction Data during last week’s CanaData Construction Industry Forecasts Conference in Toronto.
The differences between the two countries “are profound,” he said. “Our banking system has been world class, while the U.S. has had enormous difficulty with its financial system. We have government deficits and debt levels that are much lower.
Jestin added that while the U.S. housing sector was at the “epicentre of (its) recession, in Canada housing prices held up remarkably well in general.”
What does Canada’s good stewardship of its economy mean for the country going forward?
“Canada on a longer term basis will be betwixt and between the developing world and the emerging world,” Jestin said.
“The U.S. market is still our largest – it takes roughly 70 per cent of overall two-way trade – but the emerging world is growing rapidly, and is a source of demand for commodities, which is very important to Canada as well.”
What’s going to drive construction industry in Canada in the coming years, Jestin said, will be the need to build better infrastructure and to expand existing infrastructure to “service the industries that have become much more globally focused.”
Check back in coming days for more coverage from the CanaData conference.
VIDEO: Lafarge's Harbour plant emphasizes conservation and sustainability
Lafarge Canada's Harbour plant is situated very near to a metro Vancouver residential community, and its unique placement means a different design is necessary to maintain harmony with its surroundings.
VIDEO: The ICBA CEO Breakfast at Buildex Vancouver
The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association held its annual CEO Breakfast at the Buildex Vancouver conference n February 8.
Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell named to Order of Ontario
The Province of Ontario appointed Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council to the Order of Ontario. Powell was recognized for building a world-class apprenticeship program and earning a reputation as a giving and compassionate organization, with the Order of Ontario.
VIDEO: Buildex Vancouver 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Buildex Vancouver brings together the construction, design and real estate industries on an annual basis into a giant, two day show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
VIDEO: Pre-Construction begins on the Evergreen Line
Pre-construction work has begun on the Evergreen Line, an extension of the Skytrain rapid transit system that currently spans Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and some of Coquitlam. The new line will extend from Coquitlam all the way to Port Moody, alleviating traffic and offering a green alternative to motorized vehicles.
VIDEO: The Vancouver Regional Construction Association's U35 initiative
Construction industry experts have long warned of an "experience gap" between senior management and young workers just entering the sector. Due to the bottoming out of the industry in the 1990s, the industry has lacked a core group of younger managers and executives to take over once the baby boomer generation retires.
Toronto IIDEX trade show to have renewed focus
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) will be a co-presenter of this year’s IIDEX/NeoCon Canada conference and expo, which has traditionally been a contract furniture show but will start placing a greater emphasis on construction products, architecture and technology, the event organizer has announced.
Brook Restoration safety training includes swing stage, hazardous materials
Brook Restoration recently opened its own safety centre. In addition to regular safety training like WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Brook offers training in aspects such as swing stage, boom and elevated work platform, asbestos, lead, Bobcats and confined spaces.
