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September 9, 2010

AGC finds July drop in U.S. construction spending

An Associated General Contractors of America analysis of American Census Bureau data found that construction project investments dropped one per cent in July, to an annualized US$805 billion.

September 2, 2010

Manitoba introduces new farm building code

Manitoba announced last week it will be introducing a new farm building code in an effort to make buildings safer, with increased fire protection for livestock and property.

September 1, 2010

Halifax farmers’ market project a testament to local skills

For RCS Construction and Lydon Lynch Architects Ltd., the recent opening of the $12 million Halifax Seaport farmers’ market marked the successful completion of what is being called one of North America’s most environmentally sustainable buildings.

September 1, 2010

Four companies short-listed to renovate London, Ontario hospital

Four companies have been shortlisted to build and finance the final phase of renovations at three London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and St. Joseph’s Health Care sites.

August 30, 2010

U.S stimulus saved jobs, report finds

U.S. President Barack Obama’s massive stimulus measure has created or saved as many as 3.3 million jobs and continues to boost economic growth in the second half of 2010, but it’s come at a higher pricetag than originally billed.

August 30, 2010

Ontario General Contractors Association adds new member to safety team

The Ontario General Contractors Association has bolstered its WSIB and health and safety expertise with the recently announced addition of David Frame to its safety team, says its president.

August 30, 2010

Barrie Construction Association partners with Georgian College on courses

The Barrie Construction Association (BCA) and Georgian College are partnering to offer BCA members a series of continuing education courses. First up this fall is a 30-hour, Gold Seal-certified construction law course.

August 27, 2010

British Columbia to share New Afton mine royalties with aboriginals

For the first time in more than a century of mining in British Columbia, the provincial government has agreed to share the taxes it collects from a new mine with the aboriginal people on whose traditional territory the mine will operate.

August 26, 2010

Accessibility compliance focus of Ontario General Contractors Association seminar

With an accessibility standard for customer service in force in the province’s public sector, the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) has scheduled a full-day seminar to bring firms up to speed when doing business with government agencies.

August 25, 2010

Stimulus boosts China Construction Bank profit

China’s state-owned China Construction Bank Ltd. reports that its first half profit rose 27 per cent due to its fee-based businesses and the country’s stimulus program.

August 25, 2010

Billionaire to finance Los Angeles art museum

Billionaire Eli Broad has chosen to build a museum for his contemporary art collection in downtown Los Angeles.

August 25, 2010

Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario pushes for full-cost water pricing

A province-wide framework for developing water and wastewater infrastructure that includes full-cost pricing would improve Ontario infrastructure and construction planning, says the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario.

August 25, 2010

British Columbia signs P3 deal to build Fraser River perimeter road

The B.C. government has signed a major public private partnership (P3) agreement to build a road south of the Fraser River in Delta and Surrey.

August 25, 2010

Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant project split into two contracts

Two Mississauga-based contractors are working side by side on a massive $200-million expansion of Peel Region’s Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant in the heart of Mississauga’s Jack Darling Park on the shores of Lake Ontario.

August 24, 2010

Consulting engineering association calls for ‘discretion’ on stimulus deadline enforcement

The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada has urged Ottawa to “exercise discretion” in enforcing a requirement that construction of stimulus-funded projects be completed by the end of next March.

August 24, 2010

‘Education over prosecution,’ Construction Industry Task Force urges

To kick-start a change in Ontario’s safety culture, a combination of prevention and responsibility improvements coupled with mandatory entry-level training are needed, says the Construction Industry Task Force.

August 23, 2010

Barrie Construction Association lobbies for local subtrades on Penetanguishene health centre

The Barrie Construction Association (BCA) hopes local subtrades will be awarded a piece of the pie on construction of a new mental health centre in the town of Penetanguishene.

August 23, 2010

Potash in demand as global economy strengthens

Much can be learned about the economy by analyzing shifts between the five major asset classes — stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities and real estate. These investment vehicles are linked together in complicated ways, often moving in tandem, but at other times inversely.

August 23, 2010

Ontario stand-alone infrastructure ministry should focus on long-term planning: Industry leaders

A focus on long-term infrastructure planning should be the main priority of Ontario’s recently minted stand-alone infrastructure ministry, say construction industry leaders.

August 17, 2010

Survivor of swing-stage accident that killed 4 men files lawsuit

The sole survivor of a swing-stage accident in Toronto last Christmas Eve that killed four men has reportedly filed suit seeking $16.3 million in damages.

August 17, 2010

U.S. builders win battle on timing of income tax

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) welcomed the introduction of the American Job Builders Tax Reform Act of 2010, a bipartisan bill that will modify the tax code to help small construction contractors who are facing increased costs in energy, labour and materials.

August 16, 2010

RFP stage closes for Windsor-Essex Parkway

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and Infrastructure Ontario have announced that the request for proposals (RFP) stage has closed for short-listed bidders to submit proposals to design, build, finance and maintain the Windsor-Essex Parkway.

August 16, 2010

Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Guild of Ontario names new executive director

David St. Louis has been appointed executive director of the Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Guild of Ontario, Inc. (TTMGO), the Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Trade School and The Toronto & District Marble, Tile & Terrazzo Contractors’ Association.

August 12, 2010

London & District Construction Association to publish BIM guides

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) is poised to publish a series of simplified Building Information Modeling (BIM) guides.

August 12, 2010

Awareness about qualifications-based selection still lacking, survey finds

A survey commissioned by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies-Canada shows considerable work still needs to be done when it comes to educating clients on qualifications-based selection (QBS).

August 10, 2010

Firms deploy young professionals to promote engineering careers

Young professionals employed in consulting engineering firms in five provinces have mobilized to promote career development within their ranks as well as to boost engineering students’ awareness of potential careers in the industry.