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May 27, 2013

Opposition tackle Harper government on lack of youth employment

Whether jobs are created or lost on any given month, the one constant in Canada’s post-recession employment record has been that for young people, the news has always been bad.

May 27, 2013

Provincial MPP supporters of prompt payment legislation excited at prospects

Proposed prompt payment legislation now heads to the Ontario legislature’s standing committee on regulations and private bills after passing second reading on May 16.

May 27, 2013

Proposed wood-frame use meets opposition

The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) declared their opposition to proposed changes in the Ontario Building Code (OBC) that would allow construction of six-storey wood-frame buildings.

May 24, 2013

NDP says it will support Liberal budget, averting spring election

Ontario won’t be plunging into an election any time soon, as the New Democrats agreed Tuesday to pass the budget and prop up the minority Liberals.

May 24, 2013

A return to core values a must for banks: Carney

Banks must regain the public’s trust in order to ensure economic recovery, said Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney in one of his last public addresses recently.

May 24, 2013

Prompt payment bill headed to committee

In what is being billed as a win-win for the province’s construction industry, landmark prompt payment legislation has been tabled at Queen’s Park.

May 23, 2013

Ontario raiding season closes with a thud

The war is over but the ensuing legal battles over who signed who from which union local have barely begun.

May 21, 2013

ACEC’s input helps develop global engineering guidelines

When the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada (ACEC) met recently with the executive committee of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), issues affecting the global engineering market were on the table for discussion.

May 21, 2013

World Trade Center developer’s plan for a 926-foot tower moving ahead

World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein’s plan for a hotel-condo tower is moving forward after a London-based investment firm has agreed to provide a $660 million construction loan.

May 21, 2013

Clerk of works position gives peace of mind on projects

Despite its popularity among construction circles in the U.K., the clerks of works (CoW) position has been more obscure in Canada’s construction industry, notes a professional currently holding that position here.

May 21, 2013

CanBIM reschedule June session

The Canada BIM Council (CanBIM) has rescheduled its upcoming Halifax regional session to June 12 from June 13.

May 21, 2013

Witness recants testimony in Montreal corruption case

A witness who has delivered bombshell testimony at Quebec's corruption inquiry detailing decades political graft admitted Monday a part of his testimony was a lie.

May 17, 2013

Vimy Ridge memorial gets new visitor centre

The federal government has set aside $5 million to help in the construction of a permanent visitor centre at the Canadian war memorial in Vimy, France.

May 17, 2013

Minnesota Vikings unveil new multi-use stadium plan

Opening the roof over the new home of the Minnesota Vikings would have forced planners of the $975 million project to eliminate some of the fancy features.

May 17, 2013

Construction on pedestrian tunnel to Billy Bishop Airport continues to make progress

Seven six-foot drift tunnels are now complete as construction continues on the 800-foot pedestrian tunnel that will connect Toronto Island airport and the mainland.

May 16, 2013

Streamlined standards a focus for CIPH and MCAC in Ottawa

Anti-counterfeiting issues and streamlining of industry standards in North America were front and centre on the agenda when the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) met recently with federal politicians.

May 16, 2013

Ontario prompt payment bill to get second reading today

In what is being billed as a win-win for the province’s construction industry, landmark prompt payment legislation has been tabled at Queen’s Park.

May 15, 2013

Provincial road funding requires close eye: ORBA

Despite the continued commitment toward public infrastructure funding that was shown in the recent Ontario budget, the province’s road building industry still has some questions about the government’s ability to deliver on all of its spending announcements.

May 14, 2013

Veterans battle barriers into the trades

Creating a link between military qualifications and provincial apprenticeship requirements is one of the ways Helmets to Hardhats Canada (H2HC) is trying transition military veterans into civilian construction careers.

May 13, 2013

London association withdraws from COCA

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) has withdrawn from the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) because it has not taken a position opposing the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT).

May 13, 2013

PCL Constructors works on Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto

Work is moving along at the Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute care complex in Toronto, Ont.

May 13, 2013

Hockey legend Jean Beliveau surprised to hear his name dragged into Quebec corruption inquiry

Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau was surprised to hear his name come up on May 1 during the Quebec construction corruption inquiry testimony of a crooked political organizer who shmoozed celebrities.

May 10, 2013

U.S. employment rate reaches four-year low

U.S. employers added 165,000 jobs in April, and hiring was much stronger in the previous two months than the government first estimated.

May 9, 2013

Construction cautious on 2013 Ontario budget

The Ontario government’s plan to make a significant investment toward public infrastructure has left industry leaders cautiously positive.

May 9, 2013

Keep an eye out for mandatory requirements

Many times contractors will get disqualified by missing one of the mandatory requirements set out in the procurement documents.

May 9, 2013

LEED specified for all U.S. General Services Administration buildings

A green building advisory committee established by the General Services Administration (GSA), has officially recommended that the LEED certification system be used for all GSA buildings as the best measure of building efficiency. The committee also conveyed that LEED should be the primary way to show how agency buildings use energy and water and that LEED standards are the most conducive to meet the Energy Independence and Security Act.

May 8, 2013

Future of the building envelope discussed in forum series

Planned as a first in a series of forums on sustainable development, Sustainability, Durability, and Design: The Future of Building Envelope, kicked off the series organized by Holcim Canada, the University of Toronto’s Department of Civil Engineering and the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

May 6, 2013

Annette Bergeron the new president of Professional Engineers Ontario

Professional engineer Annette Bergeron, who has twice served as president and chair of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers has been installed as president of Professional Engineers Ontario, the licensing and regulating body for professional engineers and engineering in the province.

May 6, 2013

CanBIM issues call for presentations

The Canada BIM Council (CanBIM) has issued a call for presentations for an upcoming regional session in Halifax in mid-June. The theme of the event is the state of BIM in Canada: past, present and future.

May 3, 2013

CivicAction Your32 campaign secures pledges and support

With less than a month until Metrolinx has to submit its Big Move investment strategy, CivicAction’s Your32 campaign to tackle gridlock has secured pledges from over 700 residents and elected officials to “get a move on” and find the money needed to build an efficient, affordable and accessible regional transportation network.

May 3, 2013

Upcoming provincial budget to boost infrastructure in small-town Ontario

The provincial government plans to create a $100 million fund for 2013-14 to help small, rural and Northern Ontario municipalities build roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

May 2, 2013

$13.5 billion for infrastructure in 2013 Ontario budget

The Ontario government has reaffirmed in its 2013 budget its commitment to building and improving roads, transit and municipal projects by investing $13.5 billion in infrastructure.

May 2, 2013

Ontario earmarks $3.4 billion in transit funding for 2013

Ontario’s Liberals are set to establish a greater commitment to reduce road congestion and improve public transit throughout the province. Transit funding is expected to increase to $3.4 billion in 2013-2014, according to the provincial budget which was delivered today at Queen’s Park by finance minister Charles Sousa.

May 2, 2013

Remediating Windsor brownfield a learning experience

Andre Abouasli knew a few things about construction before he purchased a long vacant property at a major south Windsor intersection.

May 2, 2013

Day of Mourning about reflection

About 150 people from a variety of professions and trades, including Carpenters’ Local 27, attended the Day of Mourning ceremonies at the memorial in front of the Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena recently.

May 2, 2013

Ontario 2013 budget by the numbers

The 2013 Ontario budget projects an $11.7 billion deficit for 2013-14 however the province has confirmed its commitment of $35 billion over three years for infrastructure. Charles Sousa, Ontario’s finance minister, stated that in order for the province to grow its competitive edge it will need to invest in infrastructure.

May 2, 2013

Ontario unveils $295 million Youth Jobs Strategy

Core to Ontario’s 2013 budget is a $295 million Youth Jobs Strategy designed to drive employment among 15 to 24 year olds in the province.

May 2, 2013

Ontario rolls out economic revival plan, deficit at $11.7 billion

Ontario will eliminate this year’s projected $11.7 billion deficit in five years and a six-part economic renewal plan will help reach that goal and drive job creation, stated the province’s finance minister.

May 2, 2013

Construction asks: How much for infrastructure?

Despite encouraging talk from the Ontario government about the importance of sustained infrastructure investment, construction industry leaders are waiting to see how the numbers break down in today’s budget before they get their hopes up.

May 1, 2013

As WSIB nears 100 years its revamp continues, says Witmer

As the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) reaches the 100-year milestone in 2014, it has plans to revamp its business model to help cut costs and deliver its services more effectively.

May 1, 2013

Manitoba unveils new strategic plan to improve workplace safety

Manitoba has a new five-year strategic plan to prevent workplace injury and illness that includes doubling the funding for prevention services.

May 1, 2013

Alberta labour group calls for probe into construction industry donations

A union group and opposition political parties want a review of donations to the Alberta Progressive Conservative party by a coalition of construction companies seeking changes to labour laws.

April 30, 2013

Gold Seal certification turns 20

Gold Seal certification of construction management professionals has lasted for 20 years, in part, because it is a program built by the industry for the industry, says a former committee chair.

April 30, 2013

Earnings for non-farm employees on the rise

Statistics Canada says average weekly earnings of non-farm payroll employees were $909 in February, up 0.9 per cent from January. On a year-over-year basis, earnings increased 3.1 per cent.

April 30, 2013

Arbitration is top alternative to going to court: law specialist

According to one of Canada’s top specialists in construction law, arbitration is a tried, tested option to settle legal disputes and it has evolved over time to make the process more efficient and fair.

April 29, 2013

Key Quebec corruption inquiry witness once courted for Montreal mayor job

As Quebec’s corruption inquiry awaits to hear from ex-Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay, his former right-hand man explained he never wanted the top job in his final day on the stand.

April 29, 2013

Engineer faces charges in Elliot Lake mall collapse

A professional engineer faces charges under health and safety laws in connection with last summer's deadly mall collapse in a northern Ontario town, the province's Ministry of Labour announced Monday

April 29, 2013

Muskrat Falls project receives Moody’s AAA credit rating

The financing of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric development in Labrador has received a AAA credit rating from Moody’s Investors Services.

April 26, 2013

CDK Holdings Ltd. fined for labour safety violation in Saskatchewan

A Saskatoon construction company has been fined for violating a labour safety law.

April 26, 2013

Demolition of Windsor’s worst eyesore intricate

It has been a long time coming but abatement and demolition of arguably Windsor’s worst eyesore began in late February and will be completed by summer.

April 26, 2013

William Goodings receives engineering award for commitment to industry

Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) has presented its inaugural chairman's award for career commitment to industry veteran William Goodings.