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Heavy Equipment
July 21, 2008
Vanbots oversees smooth progress of Bramalea City Centre Mall project
Construction manager Vanbots Construction Corp. began the two-storey, 325,000-square-foot Bramalea City Centre Mall project in July 2007. Completion has been scheduled for November 2009.
July 21, 2008
Lack of training blamed for death of Canada Line mobile-crane operator
WorkSafe BC says a mobile-crane operator who died while working on the Canada Line rapid-transit project wasn’t sufficiently trained to operate the equipment.
July 21, 2008
More Ontario workers register as apprentices, but rate of completion declines
Ontario apprenticeship findings in a recent labour market forecast for the province reveal polar opposite results in building the industry’s training capacity through apprenticeships.
July 18, 2008
Burnac puts finishing touches on Madison Avenue Lofts’ first phase
Outside work moves along on the old Toronto Hydro Building now being converted into the Madison Avenue Lofts phase I in Toronto.
July 18, 2008
Westport Innovations joins diesel research joint venture
Westport Innovations Inc. has announced a joint venture with Chinese heavy-duty engine maker Weichai Power Co. and Hong Kong Peterson (CNG) Equipment Ltd.
July 18, 2008
British Columbia’s new carbon tax will hit trucking industry hard, experts say
British Columbia’s new carbon tax is far from revenue neutral for the province’s trucking industry some say, because it imposes a tax burden that transfers wealth to other taxpayers.
July 18, 2008
Planning will help Ontario construction industry cope with looming labour shortage
Steady growth in Ontario’s construction industry will require 74,000 new hires over the next eight years, says the Construction Sector Council’s recent Ontario labour market forecast.
July 18, 2008
Korky Koroluk: Ottawa approves construction of high-density Longfields subdivision
The need for greater population density is proving to be a hard sell in Ottawa — so hard, in fact, that the city’s planning committee has approved construction of its own model subdivision, a sort of object lesson for the local development community.
July 17, 2008
Kwason Structures crews show fine form at The Parc condominium project
Workers guide a concrete form into place during construction of The Parc in Coquitlam, B.C.
July 17, 2008
H & R reaches the rooftop at Royal York Grand condominium project
Construction has reached the roof of the Royal York Grand Condominiums at Royal York Rd. and Eglinton Avenue West in Etobicoke, Ontario.
July 17, 2008
British Columbia’s ready-mix producers see threat in new carbon tax
The new carbon tax in B.C. may be revenue-neutral for taxpayers, but representatives of the concrete and cement industries say the tax threatens domestic producers.
July 16, 2008
OSWCA’s guide to combatting heavy equipment theft assists police
Combatting Heavy Equipment Theft, An Officers’ Guide to Proper Identification of Construction Equipment, is in its fourth edition. The guide is designed to assist law enforcement officers in the location of vehicle/product identification numbers (VIN/PIN) on construction equipment such as excavators, backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders and mini-excavators.
July 16, 2008
$50,000 tires just part of the high cost of oilsand extraction
Todd Dahlman gestures proudly to a 4,900-kilogram tire on display at the edge of Shell Canada’s vast oilsands mine north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
July 15, 2008
Shane B. keeps moving at St. Gabriel Village
A worker gives guidance at St. Gabriel Village condominium and townhouse project in North York, Ont.
July 15, 2008
Demolition brings demise of Detroit’s Tiger Stadium
Demolition crews smashed the historic walls of Tiger Stadium July 10, punching through to the interior of the ballpark that stood for decades.
July 14, 2008
Speed limiters on trucks offer cost-savings and environmental benefits, federal report finds
There are positive environmental gains from capping the speed of large commercial trucks at 105 kilometres per hour (km/h) through a speed limiter, says a federal report.
July 14, 2008
Sarnia construction trades suffer blow as Shell Canada cancels refinery project
Shell Canada’s cancellation of plans for a Sarnia refinery is a huge blow to prospective new apprenticeship and trades numbers for the area, says a Sarnia Construction Association (SCA) member.
July 11, 2008
Crews pour it on at Toddglen Avenue condominium project
Concrete pouring progresses at the Avenue Condos at Avenue Road and St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto.
July 11, 2008
“Green Shift” plan comes up short on transit, industry officials say
There is not enough transit infrastructure in place to accommodate Liberal leader Stéphane Dion’s Green Shift plan, says Frank Zechner, executive director, Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association.
July 11, 2008
Boom times mean no rest for portable restroom providers
Canada’s hot construction market is having an effect on an essential construction industry service — portable restroom operators.
July 11, 2008
Forklift fatality prompts calls for improvements to Alberta’s safety code
The death of a teenager working at a building material supply store near Edmonton last month is raising questions about the need to improve Alberta’s safety code.
July 10, 2008
Times Group crews take to the stage at Majestic Court
Work progresses at the Majestic Court condominium project on Clegg Road in Markham, Ontario.
July 10, 2008
Greenpark’s Rosewood rises
Construction progresses at the Wynford Drive site of The Rosewood condominium project in Toronto.
July 9, 2008
PCL Constructors begins cover-up of Durham Consolidated Courthouse project
PCL Constructors Canada Inc. began the five-storey, design-build Durham Consolidated Courthouse project in May 2007. Completion has been scheduled for late 2009.
July 9, 2008
DJ Campbell Construction keeps working at Dunfield Retirement Community
Construction manager DJ Campbell Construction Ltd. began the 17-storey, 179-suite Dunfield Retirement Community project in July 2007. Completion is expected in April 2009.
July 8, 2008
Crews dig deep at phase one of Boutique condominium project
The 16-storey, 333-unit Boutique building was designed by ZAS Architects for owner Simcoe Nelson Property Inc. The work includes guest suites, five levels of underground parking and retail on the ground floor.
July 8, 2008
City of Ottawa invites public input into greenbelt debate
A discussion paper circulating in Ottawa invites citizens to consider some limited development within the city’s treasured greenbelt.
July 8, 2008
Remington swings into next construction stage at Downtown Markham project
Owner/general contractor Remington Group Hi Rise Division began the Downtown Markham Phase One residential/retail project in May 2007.
July 8, 2008
Municipalities want cable, phone firms to share costs
The more money municipalities spend on repairs to roads caused by private phone and cable companies such as Rogers, Bell and Shaw, ultimately the less money there is for construction opportunities, industry officials say.
July 8, 2008
Sound engineers at Capitol recording studio fear impact of nearby building project
Capital Records’ large, three-room facility and its fabled subterranean echo chambers, whose sound, experts say, cannot be recreated, may soon be picking up some bad vibrations from an adjacent 16-storey condominium and office project, part of downtown Hollywood’s ambitious revitalization effort.
July 7, 2008
Tucker HiRise crews ready rebar at X condominium project
Workers toil tying rebar at the site of the X condominium project.
July 4, 2008
Korky Koroluk: Rising price of oil affects more than just the price of gas
With skyrocketing gasoline prices increasing the cost of the daily commute, it’s easy to forget that high energy prices are affecting everything, writes Daily Commercial News columnist Korky Koroluk.
July 4, 2008
High-school construction teacher fined after dispute with Ministry of Labour inspector
A high school construction co-op teacher has been fined after pleading guilty to an occupational health and safety charge.
July 4, 2008
Tower rises at DJ Campbell Construction’s Casa condominium project
The beginnings of what will eventually be a 47-storey tower rise at the Casa condominium project on Charles Street East in Toronto.
July 3, 2008
Bondfield makes progress at Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts project
Bondfield Construction Ltd. is the general contractor on the two-storey Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts facility. The building features 600-seat theatre and 150-seat rehearsal hall.
July 2, 2008
New tunnel safety regulation opposed by British Columbia unions
Two groups representing unionized construction workers in British Columbia are voicing their opposition to proposed changes to safety regulations for tunnelling.
July 2, 2008
Toronto Office Tower Construction
Work moves along on Wellington St. W. for the RBC Centre office tower in Toronto.
July 2, 2008
Manitoba sees construction trades pinch ahead
The executive director of the Manitoba Building Trades Council says the province will need 10,000 additional skilled tradespeople to keep up with demand by 2016.
June 30, 2008
Fuel Management: Ten ways for businesses to cut fuel costs
Any business can improve its fuel efficiency. It starts with a commitment from the head office and cooperation to your people on the road and at the job sites. More and more companies are making changes in their operating practices to cut costs now and to be prepared for even higher costs in the future, writes Jack Lee.
June 30, 2008
Operator injured as asphalt machine careers down St. John’s street
A heavy-equipment operator is recovering from his injuries after a large asphalt grinder slid out of control down a steep street in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
June 30, 2008
Toddglen Construction stirs up some rubble at iLoft condo site
Work has begun at the iLoft condominium project on Legion Road North in Toronto, Ontario.
June 25, 2008
Caterpillar and Navistar join forces to pursue global truck opportunities
Caterpillar Inc. and Navistar International Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to pursue global highway truck business opportunities and co-operate on a variety of engine platforms.
June 25, 2008
Crystal Blu Construction
Below-grade work moves along on the Crystal Blu condominiums on Balmuto Street in Toronto.
June 25, 2008
Davies Smith Developments gets the scoop at Onyx project
Excavating work is underway at the Onyx condominiums on Webb Drive in Mississauga.
June 24, 2008
PCL’s Maple Leaf Square project takes off
Construction manager PCL Constructors Canada Inc. began the 48-storey, 872-unit Maple Leaf Square project for owner York Bremner Developments Ltd. in January 2007. Completion is scheduled for December 2009.
June 23, 2008
Transportation ministry backs McMaster plan for chair in heavy construction
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has thrown its support behind a proposal to establish a chair in heavy construction at Hamilton’s McMaster University, pledging $125,000 over five years.
June 23, 2008
Crews dig in at Eastern Construction’s Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute project
Excavation and shoring work continue at the future site of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.
June 23, 2008
Montreal construction worker dies in crane accident
A 44-year-old construction worker is dead after having his head pinned in the metal structure of a crane at a work site in Montreal.
June 23, 2008
Ottawa construction worker dies in paving machine accident
An employee of Torus Construction Limited, a firm subcontracted to Ottawa Greenbelt Construction, died after being crushed at an Ottawa area project site on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.
| MOST POPULAR STORIES |
| CURRENT STORIES |
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- China’s construction market offers opportunities, challenges for contractors
- FER Building Solutions plans restoration for Prince Rupert’s historic CN building
- Vanbots oversees smooth progress of Bramalea City Centre Mall project
- Use of dispute resolution services rises in competitive construction market
- TransCanada and ConocoPhillips plan to extend Keystone pipeline to U.S. Gulf Coast
- Refurbishment of Dahla dam could make it a target: defence analyst
- Lack of training blamed for death of Canada Line mobile-crane operator
- Quebec teen dies in collapse of garage under construction
| ALEX’S BLOG |

Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Alex Carrick discusses current developments in Canada's economic environment. He also shares light-hearted reflections on life and current events.
Economics Blog More 
- Some Other Keys to Commodity Pricing (2) (July 18, 2008)
- Some Other Keys to Commodity Pricing (1) (July 17, 2008)
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Lifestyle Blog More 
- Taking Somebody Else’s Child to the Cottage (July 14, 2008)
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| PROJECT NEWS BRIEFS |
Updates on Canadian construction projects from Reed Construction Data’s research team. More 
- George Brown College wins $61.5 million in provincial funds for Toronto Waterfront campus (Jul 14, 2008)
- Plans get underway for Saline Creek Plateau and Parsons Creek communities (Jul 14, 2008)
- Life Construction seeks trade prices for 500 on Sherbourne condominium project (Jul 14, 2008)
- Working designs nearly complete for Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Jewish Community Campus (Jul 11, 2008)
- Alberta commits $200 million to Federal Building renovation and redevelopment (Jul 10, 2008)


