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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 2, 2012

Aluma Systems director Ian Steer to chair Toronto Construction Association

Birmingham native Ian Steer, director and general manager of Aluma Systems Inc., is the new chair for the Toronto Construction Association for 2012. He succeeds lawyer Glenn Ackerley, a partner with WeirFoulds.

February 2, 2012

Ottawa recognizes Westmount, Quebec for architecture, landscape

The City of Westmount, Quebec on the island of Montreal is recognized by Environment Minister Peter Kent and Parks Canada as a historically significant place due to the role of architecture in neighbourhood development before 1930. The Cataraqui cemetery in Kingston, Ontario was recognized as an example of a rural or garden cemetery.

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 1, 2012

New Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board law will level the playing field: OCS

Under new Ontario legislation, Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage is mandatory for independent operators and some other individuals carrying on business in the construction industry, beginning in 2013. The Ontario Construction Secretariat, Council of Ontario Construction Associations and Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario weigh in.

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

Timing is everything in faulty bid bond disputes, Newfoundland court rules

The tendering process does not typically permit owners to grant bidders the indulgence of making post-bid repairs to non-compliant tenders. The Newfoundland Supreme Court ruled in a decision in the province versus Magna Contracting and Management Inc. that a bond that was not signed by the person submitting it means the bond was not enforceable and the bid was not compliant as of the time it was submitted.

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 30, 2012

Factors to consider when purchasing by tender

The debate continues related to the use of the lump sum bid tender process, and when to score and evaluate an requests for proposals.

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 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 25, 2012

Ontario General Contractors Association reacts to Construction Sector Council profile

The Construction Sector Council profile, Understanding Contractor Capacity: Ontario general contractors profile, highlighted that more than 6,400 construction establishments identify themselves as general contractors in Ontario. The Ontario General Contractors Association says there are no surprises in the CSC report.

January 25, 2012

How the Calgary construction industry is improving its understanding of wind

High winds have always been a constant challenge facing construction workers in Calgary, particularly for those erecting high-rise buildings. They now employ a new early warning weather system, dubbed Envision, that can be so precise as to predict wind gusts within a city block. It was created by RWDI of Guelph, Ontario.

January 25, 2012

How British Columbia Supreme Court decided when low bidders sued over construction contracts

In its decision in Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. the province of British Columbia involving a highway construction project on Vancouver Island, the B.C. Supreme Court held that preferences for factors other than price were acceptable as long as those preferences were disclosed in the tender call. But in its decision in W.I.B. Co. Construction versus Central Okanagan School District No. 23, the court found that the owner was entitled to bypass the low bidder due to concerns with that bidder’s proposed site supervisor.

January 24, 2012

Outlook strong for Windsor, Ontario construction industry

Jim Lyons, executive director of the Windsor Construction Association, says projects such as the Windsor-Essex Parkway and aquatic centre bode well for the industry in Windsor, Ontario.

January 23, 2012

Autodesk software alliance with Pitney Bowes aims to combine engineering design, mapping software

Computer-aided design software maker Autodesk Inc. has announced an alliance with Pitney Bowes Software Inc. that will bring geographic information systems (GIS) from MapInfo to Autodesk users. The firms aim to provide software to construction professionals that will provide GIS, building information modeling (BIM) and asset management through all phases of projects.

January 20, 2012

International Builders Exchange Executives meeting attracts Canadian professionals

Construction association executives from Canada, including Martha George of the Grand Valley Construction Association, are among those attending an upcoming mid-year meeting of the International Builders Exchange Executives (IBEE) in Arizona.

January 18, 2012

New environmental regulations can create challenges and opportunities

Juli Aboucha of Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP and Dan Bunner of Environ Canada, talked about changes to environmental regulations, such as the Records of Site Condition in Ontario, during the annual Construction Superconference in Toronto.

January 17, 2012

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.

January 16, 2012

PCL expands into Australian market with Grocon, Plenary Health

The PCL family of companies and its Australian joint venture partner Grocon are part of a consortium headed by Plenary Health Australia that will deliver the $1 billion (AUD) Victorian comprehensive cancer centre in the city of Melbourne.

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 10, 2012

Canadian author aims to stimulate construction curiosity in kids

Look at That Building!: a First Book of Structures by Canadian illustrator-author Scot Ritchie, introduces young readers to basic construction concepts through the eyes of five friends who want to build a doghouse for their dog Max.

January 10, 2012

Grand Valley Construction Association of Cambridge, Ontario launches group to attract young industry leaders

With the aim of providing a forum for networking and other activities, the Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) is launching a young leaders’ group. Membership is open to individuals who are under 40 years of age and are employed by GVCA member companies. GVCA represents firms in the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, plus the counties of Brant, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington, Norfolk and Haldiman.

January 10, 2012

Alberta government reports workplace safety fines increase

Alberta is reporting a big jump in fines slapped on employers for worksite safety violations.

January 9, 2012

Ontario to extend workers’ compensation in construction

January 9, 2012

Ontario Society of Professional Engineers makes Feed-in Tariff program pitch

The Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE), the advocacy and member services body for Ontario’s engineers, has called for improvements to the Ontario government’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Program.

January 9, 2012

The procurement challenge in 2012

Municipal procurement is a challenging environment at the best of times, and 2012 will be just as difficult without changes to the process.

January 9, 2012

Expansion of “green” retrofits expected

Greening of existing “energy-hogging” buildings is expected to gain traction in coming years, says Windmill Development Group founder Jonathan Westeinde.

January 6, 2012

Radiant panel group joins International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials

The RPA (formerly known as the Radiant Panel Association, Inc.) will officially join the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), effective this month.

January 6, 2012

Workplace Safety and Insurance Act changes will hurt industry: critics

Critics say changes to Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act will kill construction jobs and drive more people into the underground economy.