January 14, 2010
Construct Canada 2009
Industry must change its approach to operating commercial buildings: Canada Green Building Council
If Canada continues with a "business as usual" approach to managing commercial buildings, it will result in a 39 per cent increase in energy consumption, and an additional 26 megatons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by 2030, warns the chair of the Canada Green Building Council.
"We can turn it around, we know how to do it, we just have to do it," Lisa Bate said during a presentation at Construct Canada last month in Toronto. "And I think we have to realize that if we don’t do it, the government’s going to begin to slap on (regulations).
"So it’s better to be led from the market than to be led by government," she added.
Bate went on to discuss the CGBC’s Green Up program, which provides building owners with tools, performance standards and resources to achieve efficiencies in existing buildings.
"It’s about engagement and verification; it’s about setting benchmarks," she said. "And it’s really about reducing costs with energy and water usage."
Check back here in coming days for more video from Construct Canada.
Commemorative quilt gets permanent home
A quilt commemorating the Hogg’s Hollow tragedy was unveiled in its new permanent home at York Mills subway station in Toronto Wednesday, a moving tribute to the five men who lost their lives in a watermain tunnel 50 years ago.
Pursuit of LEED could result in professional negligence, insurance executive warns
By adhering to a “recipe” or “formula” in order to earn points toward LEED certification, design professionals might be at risk of neglecting their responsibility to clients, says an insurance company executive.
The head of the Ontario General Contractors Association is praising a report from Workers Safety & Insurance Board chair Steven Mahoney that looks at ways to reform the WSIB
‘You don’t create job opportunities by cutting off business:’ Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters CEO
The new Buy America agreement between Canada and the U.S. doesn’t offer Canadian firms access to stimulus contracts that have already “gone out the door,” says the head of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
WSIB shouldn't rush rate hikes to cover unfunded liability: COCA president
In its effort to eliminate the unfunded liability, the Workers Safety & Insurance Board should not hike premiums too quickly or it could make Ontario an unattractive place to do business, says the president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations.
Canadian Construction Association strengthening research and innovation efforts
The Canadian Constrruction Association has made progress in the past year in its efforts to nurture connections with educational and research institutions across the country, reports CCA chair Brad Greene.
Construction worker’s fatal fall didn't involve swing stage
A construction worker is dead after falling as much as six storeys from a building in east Toronto Thursday. Police say a piece of metal may have fallen and hit the worker, knocking him off the building.
Is the U.S. recovery sustainable?
The U.S. might be starting to mend its economy, but there are still a number of uncertainties about whether a recovery will be sustainable, says CanaData chief economist Alex Carrick.
Ontario Road Builders’ Association launches green award
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association has announced a new green award to recognize efforts made by the industry to protect the environment.
