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General and Trade Contracting

February 13, 2012

Ontario College of Trades will drive up infrastructure costs: Conservative leader Tim Hudak

At the Ontario Road Builders’ Association’s (ORBA) 85th annual convention, provincial Conservative leader Tim Hudak reiterated his calls to disband the College of Trades and establish one-to-one apprentice ratios

February 13, 2012

Procurement needs to be fair, open and transparent

Procurement needs to be fair, open and transparent Procurement expert Stephen Bauld spoke at the recent 12th Annual Contractor/Consultant/Owner conference and workshop in Kelowna, British Columbia. The event called “Project Success Foundations – Fair, Open, and Transparent processes” was truly all of that and more.

February 10, 2012

Masonry contractor Limen Group suspends site work for safety training day

Today masonry contractor Limen Group will simultaneously suspend work at every one of its project sites across the country and the company’s clients are on board with the decision. About 50 personnel received Competent Person Training as mandated by the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard Z797-09 (Code of Practice For Access Scaffold).

February 10, 2012

$196 million in construction work for Churchill Corp.

The Churchill Corporation, a big construction company with a focus on Western Canada, has won about $196 million of new contracts in the last quarter of 2011 and in January. The industrial division of Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd. won the new work on oilsands projects in Alberta, a potash mine in Saskatchewan and a mine in Ontario. The Churchill companies involved are Laird Electric and Fuller Austin.

February 10, 2012

Toronto employer fined over worker using metal pliers in electrical panel

An Ontario court has fined the Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel and Conference Centre $70,000 for violating the Occupational Health and Safety Act over a May, 2010 incident. A maintenance worker attempted to use metal pliers to remove a fuse from an electrical panel, resulting in an explosion and the worker suffered first, second and third-degree burns.

February 10, 2012

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.

February 10, 2012

London & District Construction Association to study information and communication

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) is embarking on a groundbreaking project that will assess the use of information and communication technology (ICT) throughout the entire five phases of a construction project.

February 9, 2012

Toronto Construction Association presents ‘Best of the Best’ awards

The Toronto Construction Association (TCA) has saluted outstanding achievements by both member companies and individuals in its 14th annual “Best of the Best” Awards. Two PCL Constructors projects, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind residence in Muskoka and a 38-storey high-rise in Toronto were winners.

February 9, 2012

Brazil World Cup venue workers threaten strike

Construction workers building and renovating Brazil’s stadiums for the 2014 World Cup are threatening to go on strike if employers don’t agree to their demands for unified salaries and benefits.

February 8, 2012

Ontario court finds privilege clause in tender permits bypass of lowest bidder

In a formal binding bidding process, owners are under an implied duty to award to the low bid. However, this duty remains subject to exceptions, particularly where the owner includes reserved rights and privileges in its tender call that permit a bypass of the low bid or the cancellation of the tendering process.

February 8, 2012

Glass installation continues on Paint Box condos in Toronto

Construction is moving up on the Paint Box condominiums, part of the Regent Park revitalization project in Toronto. Daniels Corporation has completion of the 26-storey, building scheduled for early 2013. The owner is Toronto Community Housing Corp. and the project was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.

February 7, 2012

Ottawa construction firm fined after worker receives electric shock

The Ministry of Labour announced that an Ontario court fined Marathon Drilling Co. Ltd. $65,000 over charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act relating to an incident in October, 2010. During a drilling project, a worker was holding chains attaching an auger to hook of a boom truck when the truck came into contact with an overhead electrical conductor. The worker received an electric shock and was seriously burned

February 7, 2012

Steel key for CF-5 fighter jet monument at Toronto defence facility

In 2009, Western Mechanical Electrical Millwright Services Ltd. of Barrie, Ontario was contracted to mount a Canadian Forces CF-5 Freedom Fighter, formerly in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and made by Canadair, outside of the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) building near former Canadian Forces Base Downsview in Toronto. Western was called in on the contract after a previous contractor had failed to successfully mount the aircraft.

February 7, 2012

World Plumbing Day gets promotion nod from Canadian senator Don Plett

For Manitoba senator and former plumbing contractor Don Plett, World Plumbing Day is an event near and dear to the heart.

February 6, 2012

Carillion Canada progresses on Ontario Coroner’s building in Toronto

Work is ongoing for the Forensic Services and Coroner’s Complex at 1201 Wilson Avenue in Toronto. Project manager Carillion Canada began the six-storey, design/build project with basement and mezzanine in August 2010. The project was designed by Stantec Architecture Ltd. and McLaren, Wilson & Lawrie is lab architect

February 6, 2012

Ontario labour blitz to focus on musculoskeletal disorders

Hazards involving manual materials handling that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the focus of an Ontario Ministry of Labour blitz this month. Inspectors will target workplaces in the construction, health care, industrial and mining sectors.

February 6, 2012

Benson Steel faces transport challenge on Toronto Yorkdale Mall construction project

At Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Benson Steel faced a challenge: how to transport nearly 30 tonnes of steel girder over a 300-foot stretch atop the roof of one of Toronto’s busiest shopping malls. The general contractor is Carillion.

February 6, 2012

Knowing the bid rules essential for contractor success

Government buyers make sure they follow the rules that apply when dealing with non-compliant bids. In both tenders and Request for Proposals (RFP), bids or proposals may be accepted only if they are compliant. It follows that the first step in reviewing the bids that have been submitted is to determine whether they are compliant with the terms and conditions of the tender.

February 6, 2012

GDP down 0.1 per cent in November: Statistics Canada

Real gross domestic product unexpectedly edged down 0.1 per cent in November after showing no growth in October, Statistics Canada recently reported.

February 3, 2012

ASHRAE, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials plan to cooperate on codes, standards

ASHRAE and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifically detailing ways in which the two organizations can work together to advance and promote mutual interests in built environment codes and standards. A memorandum of understanding was signed during ASHRAE’s 2012 Winter Conference in Chicago.

February 3, 2012

BML Multi Trades president Jim DiNovo takes helm of Hamilton-Halton Construction Association

Incoming Hamilton-Halton Construction Association (HHCA) president Jim DiNovo, president of Brantford’s BML Multi Trades Group Ltd., has put a commerce degree to good use in a career that has spanned several industries.

February 2, 2012

Ontario should review Municipal Class Environmental Assessment criteria: Report

A review of Ontario’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) concluded that the province should review certain criteria that will help determine projects likely to have fewer rather than larger environmental impacts. The report, by environmental lawyer Frank Zechner, was commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO)

February 2, 2012

Lamb Developments works on Flat Iron Lofts in Toronto

59 Project Management Inc. began the 10-storey Flat Iron Lofts in June 2010. Designed by Core Architects Inc., the owner is Lamb Developments Corp.

February 2, 2012

Ontario 2011 construction fatalities decline, safety improvements made, report shows

The number of workplace fatalities and critical injuries in the Ontario construction sector declined in 2011, compared to the year before, an Ontario Ministry of Labour report says.

February 2, 2012

Windstream Energy ready to invest and build in Kingston, Ontario offshore wind power

Windstream Energy has announced preliminary agreements with Anchor Concrete Products Ltd., George A. Wright & Son Ltd. and M. Sullivan & Son Ltd. for its 300 MW Wolfe Island Shoals offshore wind power project in eastern Lake Ontario.

February 2, 2012

National Building Trades support federal regulatory reform

The Canadian Building Trades, which is affiliated with unions representing construction and manufacturing workers, announced Jan. 26 it is “encouraged” by remarks made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper about regulatory approval for construction projects.

February 2, 2012

Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities opens nominations for apprenticeship awards

Nominations are now open for the Minister’s Awards for Apprenticeship Training through Ontario’s Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities. The annual awards highlight employers who show leadership in training apprentices and promote careers in the skilled trades.

February 1, 2012

Migrating Landscapes architecture competition explores Canadian identity

Migrating Landscapes, a nationwide competition and exhibition series, is exploring the influence of migration and immigration on Canadian architects and designers. The Canadian competition for architects is organized and curated by 5468796 Architecture + Jae-Sung Chon. Team Canada will be selected at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and will represent that nation at the 13th annual Venice Biennale in Architecture from Aug. 29 to Nov. 25, 2012 and compete for the Golden Lion for Best National Participation.

February 1, 2012

Construction continues on Tridel mixed-use 49-storey tower in Toronto

Work is progressing for Three Hundred Front Street West on the mixed use building in Toronto, Ontario. Deltera Inc. has scheduled completion of the 49-storey, 676-unit project for the end of 2012.

January 31, 2012

Construction equipment sales up 45 per cent for Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) reported a 45 per cent increase in construction equipment sales, from $13.572 billion in 2010 to $19.667 billion in 2011. Sold under the Cat brand, Caterpillar’s construction equipment includes trucks, pavers, excavators, loaders and dozers.

January 31, 2012

Engineering professor takes a close look at mechanical contractor use of building information modeling

Awad Hanna, chair of construction engineering and management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is conducting a research project on the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the mechanical contracting industry in both Canada and the United States. His research is supported by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC).

January 31, 2012

Former Stantec consultant to head environmental review for Kincardine, Ontario radioactive waste site

Environment Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission announced a joint panel will examine the environmental effects of an underground facility for radioactive waste storage and management that Ontario Power Generation wants to build near Kincardine, Ontario. The panel chair is Stella Swanson, owner of Calgary-based Swanson Environmental Strategies Ltd. and a former consultant for Stantec. The other members are Queen’s University mining engineering professor James F. Archibald and Gunter Muecke, a retired Dalhousie University geology professor who worked for Shell Canada as a field geologist in the early 1960s.

January 30, 2012

Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens time capsule included construction details of arena

A time capsule was found by a masonry company during the renovations of the Maple Leaf Gardens into a Loblaw grocery store and an athletic centre for Ryerson University, behind the 1931 cornerstone at the corner of Church and Carlton streets in Toronto. It includes including a letter describing the design and construction details of the new arena.

January 30, 2012

Caterpillar dispute a factor in CAW-CEP union merger talks

The lockout of workers at a London, Ontario plant owned by Caterpillar Inc. is one factor in merger talks between the executive boards of the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions.

January 27, 2012

British Columbia asbestos removal contractor Arthur Moore sentenced to 60 days in jail

Arthur Moore of Vancouver was found guilty of contempt for ignoring court orders to halt his asbestos and drywall removal business. The British Columbia Supreme Court case heard Moore exploited young recovering addicts and did not provide employees with adequate training or equipment.

January 27, 2012

Construction union wage rates remain unchanged: Statistics Canada

The December 2011 Construction Union Wage Rate Index for Canada remained unchanged from the previous month, says Statistics Canada.

January 26, 2012

Construction continues on Queenston Lewiston Bridge plaza near Niagara Falls

Work on the third phase of the Queenston Lewiston Bridge plaza redevelopment project continues in Niagara-on-the-Lake, north of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Scott Builders Inc. is the general contractor.

January 26, 2012

United States construction firms expect fewer 2012 layoffs

Significantly fewer construction firms in the United States are planning to make layoffs in 2012 than at any point in the past few years, according to survey results released by the Associated General Contractors of America and Computer Guidance Corporation.

January 26, 2012

Questions swirl over Ontario offshore wind power generation projects

In February 2011, the province announced a moratorium on offshore wind projects but Windstream Wolfe Island Shoals Inc., which holds a feed-in-tariff contract with Ontario Power Authority, says it signed a turbine supply agreement with Siemens Canada. Ontario Conservative energy critic Vic Fedeli is asking Chris Bentley, Ontario’s energy minister, for clarification.

January 26, 2012

Steel on target in Milton, Ontario warehouse construction

Minneapolis-based retail chain Target will open numerous stores across Canada by 2013. K.C. Welding Ltd., an Angus, Ontario-based steel erector, is putting up a 1.3 million-square-foot steel joist, truss and girder box frame for the distribution centre in Milton, west of Toronto.

January 26, 2012

Community centres funded by Building Canada plan open in Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories

The Town of Fort Resolution, on the shore of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, officially opened two community buildings. Federal funding was provided through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, which is part of the Building Canada plan.

January 25, 2012

Javlee continues construction on Five Thirty St. Clair Avenue West Condos in Toronto

Construction has moved above-grade on the Five Thirty St. Clair Avenue West Condos in Toronto, designed by E.I. Richmond Architects Ltd. Owners The Goldman Group and LASH Development Corp. along with construction manager Javlee Construction Co. Ltd. have completion of the 19-storey, 155-unit project scheduled for late 2012.

January 25, 2012

Anchorage Contracting inks $1.9-million agreement for Colonial Building work in St. John’s, Newfoundland

The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced Wednesday it has awarded a $1.9-million contract to Anchorage Contracting Ltd. of St. John’s for interior improvements and upgrades to Colonial Building.

January 25, 2012

Plans to build Canada’s first public electric charging network announced

The locations for the first 90 240-V charging stations for plug-in electrical vehicles have been announced and will be available to the public this spring.

January 24, 2012

Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell appointed to Order of Ontario

Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario, has been appointed to the Order of Ontario. CDCO represents more than 20,000 workers in skilled trades including carpentry, drywall and resilient flooring.

January 24, 2012

Dominus continues construction of Pier 27 Condominiums in Toronto

Work is moving along for the Pier 27 Condominiums phase one and two in Toronto. Dominus Construction Group Ltd. is construction manager of the two towers, owned by Fernbrook/Cityzen Development Corp. and designed by architectsAlliance.

January 24, 2012

PCL works on Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto

Exterior work is progressing on the Bridgepoint Health Campus of Care at the Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto, formerly known as Riverdale Hospital. PCL Constructors Canada Inc. have completion of the 10-storey, design-build project with over 500 beds scheduled for March 2013. It was designed by HDR Architecture Associates Inc./Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.

January 24, 2012

Toronto council approves $1.1 billion in capital projects

Toronto City Council has approved a capital budget that was essentially unchanged from that recommended by the executive and budget committees recently.

January 23, 2012

The procurement issue with over-budget bids

Poor specification can cause budget problems on construction projects.

January 23, 2012

Plans in the pipe for World Plumbing Day March 11

Plumbing organizations across Canada are teaming up with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) to celebrate World Plumbing Day. The March 11 event is dedicated to helping the general public better understand the vital role the plumbing industry plays in protecting public health and safety.

January 23, 2012

Deltera works on Ventus at Metrogate in Toronto

Glass work moves upwards at Tridel Corp.’s Ventus at Metrogate condominium towers in Toronto. General contractor for the two 30-storey towers, located near Kennedy Road and Highway 401 in the former City of Scarborough, is Deltera Inc.

January 19, 2012

EllisDon works on exterior of Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute in Toronto

Work is moving along on the exterior of the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute in Toronto. EllisDon Corp. is general contractor of the 21-storey facility and the architects are Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc. and HDR Architecture.

January 19, 2012

Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games construction off track, says lobbyist

Construction plans and contracts for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games are woefully bloated and running behind schedule says former Olympian sailor Paul Henderson, who has written to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. But officials from Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario General Contractors Association and Toronto Construction association are not worried.

January 18, 2012

Aecon plant in Cambridge, Ontario gets nuclear accreditation from American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Aecon Group Inc.’s (TSX:ARE) fabrication facility in Cambridge, Ontario has been awarded nuclear accreditation. Known as the N-Stamp, from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the accreditation confirms Aecon.’s capability to produce nuclear-grade components in accordance with the applicable codes and standards. The N-Stamp is an internationally recognized U.S. industry standard in quality assurance for the construction, inspection and maintenance of nuclear facilities.

January 17, 2012

CVTech lands Hydro Quebec construction contracts

Le Groupe CVTech Inc. of Drummondville, Quebec announced Monday it has been awarded more than $38 million worth of contracts, including a $6.8-million electrical transmission line construction project with Hydro-Quebec. Its subsidiary Thirau ltee will build a transmission line connecting a wind farm to the Bolduc substation. Another subsidiary, Riggs Distler & Company, has been awarded a US$9.5-million contract for the installation of two rapid-start coal-fired boilers at Veolia Energy North America's Grays Ferry power plant in Philadelphia.

January 17, 2012

Toddglen continues work on The Palm Condos in Toronto

Toddglen Group of Companies has completion of the 23-storey, Palm Condos in Toronto scheduled for late 2012. The owner is Castle Group Ventures and the project was designed by HCA Architecture.

January 17, 2012

Standardized certification for Canadian plumbers

Certification for Canadian plumbing officials will soon be standardized to ensure consistent enforcement and quality nationwide.

January 17, 2012

Ontario government makes property tax changes for green energy

Property tax amendments in will help Ontario property owners who install renewable energy technologies, states the provincial government.

January 17, 2012

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.

January 16, 2012

Cornwall, Ontario invites bids for wastewater plant construction

The City of Cornwall, Ontario is taking bids for a construction project at its wastewater treatment facility. Bids are due February 14 and an information session is scheduled Jan. 18.

January 16, 2012

Ontario Federation of Labour demonstrates at London, Ontario Caterpillar plant

The Ontario Federation of Labour announced two of its executive officers planned Monday to visit the picket line outside a London, Ontario plant owned by heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. OFL has asked workers to mobilize for a massive rally Jan. 21 in London, where CAW says members of its Local 27 are locked out of the Electro-Motive Canada plant.

January 16, 2012

Government owners need to work with contractors to reduce construction project risk

Government procurement officials need to ensure all qualified bidders are properly briefed and put in a position to submit a competitive bid in relation to that project. Their ability to do so should not be assumed as a matter of course.

January 16, 2012

Mike Holmes show looking for plumbers, electricians, carpenters

The television show Make it Right, with Mike Holmes, is casting. SMS Concepts is conducting the casting and is looking for a licensed plumber, a licensed electrician, a licensed carpenter and a contractor/production supervisor. Applicants can be men or women in their 20s to early 40s.

January 13, 2012

TMG Builders works on King West condos in Toronto

Work is moving upwards at the King West condominium project in Toronto. Construction manager TMG Builders along with Plazacorp Properties Ltd. began the three- tower project, designed by Quadrangle Architects Ltd./Gabriel Bodor Architect Inc., in 2010.

January 13, 2012

Alternative Financing and Procurement key for Ontario government construction

Infrastructure Ontario’s principle method for most project management has been Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP), which allows IO to transfer risk to the private sector and thus deliver value for money. Since its merger with the Ontario Realty Corporation, IO manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in the country and requires a strategic focus to manage it.

January 13, 2012

$150,000 in federal funds for Helmets to Hardhats

The Canadian arm of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) applauded the federal government’s financial support for the Helmets to Hardhats program, which connects military veterans with training and employment opportunities in the construction industry. TransCanada, which is the only private sector partner in the program, is committing $1 million over the next five years.