September 20, 2010
Economic update
VIDEO: Canada’s economy is slowing down
As fall approaches, the Canadian economy is slowing down, but this dip in growth is due to factors beyond the nation’s control, says CanaData Chief Economist Alex Carrick.
“It’s things like the fact that the U.S. is mired in a situation where job creation is weak and residential real estate markets continue to be very depressed,” he says.
In addition, “Europe is hunkered down in austerity to try and deal with its debt problems. And there’s even talk of growth in China slowing down on account of credit tightening,” says Carrick.
Canada depends on two forces to drive its economy, he notes: trade with the U.S. and demand for the commodities we provide.
“In neither of these cases is there a busting out of the gates,” Carrick says.
“So Canada is going to suffer along with the rest of the world in terms of a moderation in growth into the fall.”
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.
VIDEO: Remembering the Bentall Four
On January 7, 1981, Gunther Couvreux, Brian Stevenson, Donald W. Davis and Yrjo Mitrunen fell thirty-six floors to their deaths when a fly form attached to the Bentall building in downtown Vancouver came loose.
Efficiency is Ontario trades college goal
Ontario’s current apprenticeship system has failed the province’s youth, says the Ontario College of Trades new chair, Ron Johnson.
Ontario College of Trades chair hopes ratios will be reviewed in first two years
Ron Johnson, the new Chair of the Board of Governors of the Ontario College of Trades and Deputy Director of Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario and the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre, said every individual who has an issue with a compulsory certification and ratio review application will have an opportunity to represent their arguments to a review panel.
VIDEO PROFILE: The Peace Bridge in Calgary, Alberta
The Peace Bridge, a pedestrian and cycling bridge crossing the Bow River in Calgary, Alberta is both a bold project in terms of aesthetics and design and a magnet for controversy.
