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General and Trade Contracting

May 17, 2012

Construction continues on the Fly Condominiums in Toronto

Work is moving up at the Fly Condominiums on Front Street in Toronto. Empire Communities is owner/builder of the 24-storey project, designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc., located north of the Rogers Centre sports stadium on Front Street in Toronto.

May 17, 2012

PCL Constructors works on Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto

Concrete work continues at the Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute care complex in the Toronto neighbourhood of Downsview. Plenary Health Care Partnerships includes firms such as PCL Constructors Canada Inc.Johnson Controls LP, HDR Architects/C.F. Møller Architects (design) and RBC Capital Markets.

May 17, 2012

Disclosure bill an attack on unions, says organized labour

Bill C-377, a private member’s bill introduced into the House of Commons by Conservative member of parliament Russ Hiebert, would demand trade unions publicly declare salaries and expenditures every year. The Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (labour organizations) is opposed by the American Federal of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations.

May 17, 2012

Merit Canada’s call for C-377 support from MPs

The following is a letter that Merit Canada sent to all Canadian members of parliament seeking support of Bill C-377.

May 17, 2012

Merit Canada, skilled trades launch campaigns on opposite sides of Bill C-377

Stakeholders on both sides of Bill C-377 are renewing their efforts to make their voices heard. Merit Canada recently launched a national television advertising campaign urging financial disclosure while hundreds of skilled trades workers descended on Parliament Hill on May 15 to ask their locals MPs to vote against Bill C-377, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act (labour organizations), which is a private member’s bill sponsored by MP Russ Hiebert, who represents the British Columbia riding of South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale.

May 16, 2012

Westray disaster 20th anniversary a call to safety action

As recent somber ceremonies marked the 20th anniversary of the Westray Mine explosion that killed 26 men, labour groups used May 9 as a renewed call to action to hold negligent employers criminally liable for worker deaths.

May 16, 2012

Ontario courts rule against owners rejecting low bids using undisclosed criteria

Owners do not enjoy an unfettered discretion when it comes to relying on privilege clauses to avoid awarding to the low bidder. In three cases, Ontario courts have found owners liable for bypassing the low bidders for construction projects based on undisclosed criteria, such as preferences for local contractors, preference for unionized firms or because an employee of a bidder had sued the owner.

May 16, 2012

Construction continues on the MaRS Centre Phase II in Toronto

Work is progressing on the MaRS Centre Phase II in Toronto. PCL Constructors Canada Inc. is general contractor of the 21-storey facility MaRS Centre Phase II in Toronto, designed by B + H Architects.

May 15, 2012

London and District Construction Association launches awards to recognize best in ICI

The London and District Construction Association (LDCA) has recognized the best in industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) construction in the region in an inaugural awards program.

May 15, 2012

Ontario Technological Skills Competition in Waterloo a “pressure cooker”

1,900 students from across Ontario competed in 63 career fields at the 23rd annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC) in RIM Park and Manulife Sportsplex in Waterloo. Most gold medal winners will advance to the Skills Canada National Competition in Edmonton May 13 to 16. Winners will form Team Canada to participate in the 2013 WorldSkills International Competition in Leipzig, Germany.

May 14, 2012

Life Construction works on Eden Park Towers Phase II in Markham, Ontario

Times Group Corp. along with Life Construction Inc. is working on Eden Park Towers in Markham, Ontario, designed by Kirkor Architects & Planners and Life Construction Inc.

May 14, 2012

Cliffs Natural Resources to invest $3.3 billion in Ring of Fire

The board of directors at Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. has approved advancing its proposed chromite project in Northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire area from pre-feasibility to the feasibility study phase.

May 14, 2012

Environmental assessment starts for St. Catharines, Ontario sewage pumping station overhaul

Cole Engineering Group Ltd. has started an environmental assessment to identify “ suitable alternatives” for deficiencies at the Cole Farm Sewage Pumping Station in St. Catharines, Ontario. The Regional Municipality of Niagara says the pumping station requires removal and replacement of the existing raw sewage pumps, process piping and valves, installation of a new valve chamber and upgrades to the existing electrical system and building.

May 14, 2012

Ontario government aims to stimulate development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

On behalf of he Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), Infrastructure Ontario (IO) has issued a request for information on electric vehicle charging, with a deadline of submissions of June 4. The province aims to devise a strategy for expanding the availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and identify opportunities to partner with the public and private sectors to build, test and expand it.

May 14, 2012

Stakeholders react to Ontario College of Trades proposed membership fees

The Ontario College of Trades is seeking feedback from the province’s trades community about membership fees but many are opposing the fees. The president of Merit Ontario called the membership fees taxation without representation.

May 14, 2012

Professional British diver dies during maintenance work at German offshore wind farm

A German utility says a professional British diver has died during maintenance work at an offshore wind farm in the North Sea.

May 11, 2012

Deltera works on Ventus at Metrogate in Toronto

Glass installation progresses up the second tower of the Ventus condos at the Metro Gate Community in Scarborough, Ontario. General contractor for the 30-storey towers is Deltera Inc. The project was designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects.

May 11, 2012

Revenue up for Montreal engineering firm Genivar

Montreal engineering firm Genivar Inc. released its first-quarter financial results Wednesday, reporting revenues of $163.736 million, up 9.7 per cent from the first quarter of 2011. New contracts awarded since January include an impact study for the railway interconnection between Labrador and the St. Lawrence River port of Sept-Iles, as part of the Plan Nord in Quebec.

May 10, 2012

Toronto studies construction of new islands

The City of Toronto, Waterfront Toronto and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority will lead the Waterfront Landforms Environmental Assessment Study on a new landform south of Ashbridges Bay.

May 9, 2012

Nova Scotia drafts regulations mandating LED highway lights

The Nova Scotia energy department has announced it has published draft regulations that, if implemented, would mandate the use of LED (light-emitting diode) roadway lighting.

May 9, 2012

Owner can bypass low bidder when appropriate

While the duty to award to the low bid remains an implied rule of the tendering process, the courts have recognized circumstances where owners can legitimately bypass the low bidder.

May 9, 2012

Stantec reaches out to Atlantic Canada

Stantec Architecture Ltd. is putting down roots in Atlantic Canada with the pending acquisition of the PHB Group, a full-service architectural and interior design firm based in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

May 9, 2012

Worker’s choice bill introduced by Hillier

MPP Randy Hillier, Ontario Progressive Conservative labour critic, recently introduced legislation to defend a worker’s choice to be part of a union or not.

May 9, 2012

Hatch Group acquires Brazilian engineering firm MEK Engenharia

The Hatch Group has acquired Brazilian engineering firm MEK Engenharia, which has designed nearly 70 hydroelectric power projects. Based in Rio de Janeiro, with offices in Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre, MEK Engenharia has also invested in the wind power market

May 9, 2012

Bockstael celebrates 100 years

Construction is not just about assembling bricks and mortar, it is about building relationships. It is that attitude that has kept Bockstael Construction in business for 100 years.

May 8, 2012

Revenue decline but stronger resource performance: Aecon

Aecon Group Inc. announced May 2 it lost $19.5 million during the first three months of 2012, but noted provincial governments have included “substantial capital spending” in their budgets.

May 8, 2012

PCL Constructors works on Markham, Ontario community centre

Work has reached the top floor on the East Markham Community Centre and Library in Markham, Ontario, north of Toronto. General contractor of the two-storey project with basement is PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and the construction manager is MHPM Project Managers Inc. The centre, designed by Perkins + Will Canada, will be linked to the Markham Stouffville Hospital.

May 8, 2012

Witmer nominated as next Workplace Safety and Insurance Board chair for Ontario

Various construction industry stakeholders are pleased but astonished that former Progressive Conservative MPP Elizabeth Witmer has been nominated to chair the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Merit Ontario, the Council of Ontario Construction Associations and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Construction Council of Ontario (CCO) react.

May 7, 2012

Granite blocks from Ambassador Bridge used for Ojibway centre in Windsor, Ontario

The new $1.5 million Ojibway Nature Centre in Windsor, Ontario made liberal use of granite blocks or “sets” that originated with the construction of the 80-year-old Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit. The installation was overseen by DeAngelis Construction Inc.

May 7, 2012

Newfoundland to renovate, replace RCMP detachments

Newfoundland and Labrador plans to repair or replace five police detachments, some of which area nearly 60 years old. The replacement of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment at Twillingate will begin this year while renovations at St. Anthony have already started. The other three detachments scheduled for renovation or replacement are Rocky Harbour, Clarenville and Whitbourne.

May 7, 2012

Construction continues on Tridel 49-storey tower in Toronto

Work is moving up at Three Hundred Front Street West mixed use building in Toronto. Deltera Inc. has scheduled completion of the 49-storey mixed use building, designed by Wallman Architects, scheduled for 2013.

May 4, 2012

SNC-Lavalin hears an “earful” from shareholders over internal issues

SNC-Lavalin is getting an earful from its largest shareholders about the engineering giant’s handling of internal problems that have sullied its reputation.

May 4, 2012

Ontario Labour official reveals details of enforcement blitzes targetting construction sites

At the Partners in Progress conference and exposition hosted by Health and Safety Ontario in Mississauga, the Ontario Ministry of Labour plans several enforcement blitzes over the next year, where inspectors will be sent to workplaces in target industries, including construction.

May 4, 2012

Construction begins on Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario flight centre

Construction is underway on a 622-square-metre flight training centre for water bomber aircraft, which will be the first of its kind in Ontario.

May 4, 2012

Borden, Ontario military base to have $4 million of construction work

Over $4 million worth of infrastructure projects were recently announced by the federal government for Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden, west of Barrie, Ontario. Conctracts were awarded to A-Con Construction Ltd. and Solid General Contractors Inc. Monteith Building Group Ltd. will upgrade the ventilation and air conditioning system in the Food Services School.

May 3, 2012

Manitoba government increases apprenticeship tax credits

The Manitoba government announced its Rural and Northern Apprenticeship Training Strategy, which increases the tax credits available to companies that hire apprentices and journeypersons. It is also contributing to mobile training labs operated by Red River College and offering online courses for prospective plumbers, carpenters and refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanics.

May 3, 2012

Utility pole maker RS Technologies reports jump in Q4 sales

RS Technologies Inc., which manufactures utility poles at a Tilbury, Ontario plant, released its financial results Friday, reporting a 36-per-cent increase in fourth quarter sales and a $7.8 million loss in 2011. Customers include Hydro One and wireless cellular carrier Public Mobile. Its target customers include power transmission utilities and telecommunications service providers

May 2, 2012

Labour Market Opinions to benefit from federal changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will speed up some Labour Market Opinions (LMO) to a few days instead of endless weeks.

May 2, 2012

Aecon contracted by Northland Power to build six solar projects in Ontario

Miwel Construction Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aecon Group Inc, has been awarded a contract to construct six 10MW solar photovoltaic (PV) generation projects in Ontario.

May 2, 2012

Owner liable for faulty past experience assessment

An owner is typically expected to diligently review a bidder’s submission. In fact, the failure to ensure the proper review of bidder submissions has in certain instances been found to constitute a breach of the tendering rules.

May 2, 2012

Work continues on Markham, Ontario hospital redevelopment

General contractor PCL Constructors Canada Inc. began the four-storey Markham Stouffville Hospital, north of Toronto, Ontario, in 2010. The owner is Markham Stouffville Hospital and the project was designed by B + H Architects.

May 1, 2012

Construction Sector Council forecasts shift to resource projects

This year’s Construction Sector Council (CSC) labour market forecast highlights a major shift in non-residential construction in projects such as mining, oil and gas, pipelines, and electrical generation and transmission. The Canadian Construction Association president notes the work environment will not appeal to everyone.

May 1, 2012

TMG Builders work on Tower at King West condos in Toronto

Construction is moving up on the King West Condominiums in the Liberty Village area of Toronto. Construction manager of the 30-storey project is TMG Builders Inc. The owner is Plaza Corp. The architects are Gabriel Bodor Architect Inc. and Quadrangle Architects Ltd.

May 1, 2012

Osgoode Hall Law School transformed after renovation at York University in Toronto

A newly transformed Osgoode Hall Law School has officially opened at York University in Toronto following an extensive renovation and expansion of the 43-year-old facility that adds study and administrative space and brings an infusion of natural light to the building. The project was undertaken by a team that included construction manager Bird Construction.

May 1, 2012

Electricity distributor Westario fined over fatal safety violation

Westario Power Inc. was fined $110,000 over an incident in September, 2010 in which a worker was killed due to electrocution. The utility pleaded guilty to failing to provide the information, instruction and supervision required to protect the health and safety of a worker in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

April 30, 2012

Ottawa funds Quebec open pit mine review

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has announced it has allocated $39,992 to seven applicants to support their participation in a review of Mine Arnaud Inc.’s proposed open pit apatite mine near Sept-Iles, Que.

April 27, 2012

Ontario Liberals survive provincial budget vote

Ontario’s minority Liberal government survived a provincial budget vote, when the New Democratic Party chose to abstain.

April 26, 2012

Canadian construction industry will need 319,000 new workers by 2020

Construction employment will remain at all-time record high levels in Canada for the next decade as resource projects peak and retirements continue to rise, according to a new forecast of labour supply and demand published by the Construction Sector Council (CSC).

April 26, 2012

Construction steps up for Emily’s House in Toronto

Donations of various types have been made by construction firms to Emily’s House, a children’s residential hospice being undertaken by the non-profit Philip Aziz Centre for Hospice Care. Located adjacent to a landscaped park on the grounds of the former Don Jail, the project involves renovation of the 5,200-square-foot, three-storey Governor’s House, which was constructed in 1888.

April 26, 2012

EllisDon continues construction on Go Transit parking garage in Oakville, Ontario

EllisDon has completion on the six-level parking lot at the GO Transit station in Oakville, Ontario scheduled for late 2012. GO Transit, a division of Metrolinx, and the project was designed by The Walter Fedy Partnership.

April 25, 2012

Lamb Developments works on Flat Iron Lofts in Toronto

Concrete work continues on the Flat Iron Lofts in Toronto. 59 Project Management Inc. began the 10-storey, building, owned by Lamb Developments Corp. and designed by Core Architects Inc., in June, 2010.

April 25, 2012

Nova Scotia court rules against province where government awards construction contract against staff advice

A fairly run process is key to the integrity of the tendering system. In a formal binding bidding process, owners are required to conduct a fair competition and fair evaluation process.

April 25, 2012

George Brown College tops at student bid challenge

A team of construction management students at George Brown College in Toronto collected $1,000 each in two separate prize categories in the Simulated Student Bid Competition, an annual event led by The Construction Institute of Canada, which is affiliated with the Toronto Construction Association (TCA).

April 25, 2012

Construction reaches the roof top on Amexon South Beach Condos in Toronto

Construction has reached the roof top at the South Beach Condos and Lofts Phase Two on Park Lawn Road in the former city of Etobicoke, now part of Toronto. Toddglen Construction Ltd. has completion of the 27-storey tower, owned by Amexon Development Corp. and designed by Arsenault Architect, scheduled for late 2012.

April 24, 2012

CVTech unit inks $39 million in Quebec construction contracts

Le Groupe CVTech Inc. of Drummondville, Quebec announced its Thirau subsidiary has been awarded a total of $39 million worth of contracts from Hydro Quebec and Bell Canada.

April 24, 2012

Cegertec of Chicoutimi, Quebec forms engineering consulting joint venture with WorleyParsons

Chicoutimi, Quebec engineering consulting firm Cegertec announced Wednesday it has entered a joint venture with WorleyParsons Ltd. of Sydney, Australia. They plan to handle large construction projects under Plan Nord in Quebec, including energy, mines and metals, transportation, infrastructure and buildings.

April 24, 2012

Merger of Ontario energy agencies would eliminate duplication

Ontario is proposing the merger of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) into a single organization.

April 23, 2012

Ontario Ring of Fire prospects and players huge

Some 35 companies hold approximately 25,000 claim units in the Ring of Fire region of Ontario, exploring for minerals as diverse as chromite, nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, gold and diamonds.

April 23, 2012

One Call bill gets hearing in Ontario Legislature

A single, mandatory one-call locate program for underground utilities will enhance worker and public safety and improve the province’s productivity, Union Gas representatives told a legislative hearing on Bill 8, the proposed Ontario One Call Act, at Queen’s Park recently.

April 23, 2012

Northern Ontario First Nation leaders and mayors unite

Northern Ontario First Nations leaders and mayors recently held a summit to demonstrate solidarity in their belief that opportunities and benefits of resource development related to the Ring of Fire remain in the area.

April 20, 2012

Glass work reaches the top floor on California condos in Toronto

Glass work has reached the top floor of the California Condominiums in Toronto. Toddglen Construction is general contractor for the 30-storey, 354-unit project. The owner is Camrost-Felcorp. and the project was designed by OneSpace Unlimited Architects.

April 20, 2012

Haiti school rebuild gains momentum

Steady progress is being made on the Ecole Lakay trade school rebuild the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has tackled in earthquake-stricken Haiti.

April 20, 2012

Tucker Hi-Rise continues work on X2 Condos in Toronto

Below-grade work continues for the Great Gulf Homes and Lifetime Developments X2 Condos in the Mimico area of the former city of Etobicoke, now the city of Toronto. Tucker Hi-Rise Construction Inc. is construction manager of the 49-storey, project, designed by Wallman Architect Ltd.

April 19, 2012

Toddglen continues work on The Palm Condos in Toronto

Workers survey at The Palm Condos on Yonge Street in the former City of North York, now in Toronto. General contractor Toddglen Group of Companies has completion of the 23-storey, project scheduled for late 2012. The owner is Castle Group Ventures and the project was designed by HCA Architecture.

April 19, 2012

Honeywell rolls out Attune cloud computing service for building automation systems

Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) recently announced a set of services in which it uses cloud computing to remotely monitor customers’ meters and analyze buildings’ use of gas, steam and electricity. Attune Advisory Services is one example of the use of information technology in building automation, says an analyst for IDC Energy Insights.

April 19, 2012

Ontario government denies City of Toronto request for nine Air Rail Link stations

A request by Toronto city council to add nine stops to Toronto’s Air Rail Link has been killed by the province’s transportation minister.

April 19, 2012

Bartlett Electric inks heating system replacement contract for Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland school

The Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education announced that the province has awarded a $231,895 contract to H.J. Bartlett Electric Inc. to replace the heating system at St. Peter’s Elementary School in Upper Island Cove.

April 18, 2012

Seven people sentenced in Slovenian construction corruption trial

In the Clean Shovel trial, the District Court in Ljubljana, Slovenia convicted a group of seven people for giving and taking bribes during a 2007 public bidding for construction of the air control tower at the airport. One person was acquitted.

April 18, 2012

LeBer ready to lead London and District Construction Association as new president

James LeBer, a lawyer with Advocates LLP, is the new president of the London and District Construction Association (LDCA).

April 18, 2012

Carillion Canada progresses on Ontario Coroner’s building in Toronto

Construction has reached the top floor of the Government of Ontario Forensic Services and Coroner’s Complex at 1201 Wilson Avenue in the Downsview neighbourhood of the former city of North York, now in Toronto. Project manager Carillion Canada began the six-storey project, designed by Stantec Architecture Ltd. and McLaren, Wilson & Lawrie, in 2010.

April 17, 2012

Varcon starts work on $86 million project in Markham, Ontario

Varcon Construction has started work on the estimated $86 million Phase 1 of the King Square International Centre & hotel development in Markham, Ontario. The project is being undertaken for owner King Square Ltd. by a team that includes architects IBI Group, mechanical-electrical engineers MCW Consultants Ltd. and structural engineers Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.

April 17, 2012

United States architecture needs more minorities and women, says architect

African-American architect Dina Griffin, the sixth black woman to become a registered architect in the State of Illinois and only the 125th in the United States, is a woman with a mission: to attract more minorities and minority women to the field.

April 17, 2012

Ontario trades college a “stumbling block”, PC critic says

April 1 marked the beginning of the Ontario College of Trades first journeyman to apprentice ratio reviews but Garfield Dunlop, Ontario Progressive Conservative critic for apprenticeship reform, says the college is another level of bureaucracy that’s completely not required in Ontario today. OCOT represents more than 150 skilled trades in the construction, industrial, motive power and service sectors.

April 17, 2012

Work continues on Heath + Tweedsmuir Rental Towers in Toronto

Construction manager PCL Constructors Canada Inc. began the work in May 2011 on the Heath + Tweedsmuir rental towers in the Toronto neighbourhood of Forest Hill. Comprised of two 30-storey towers, the owner is Morguard Investments Ltd. It was designed by Page + Steele/IBI Group Architects.

April 17, 2012

Darlington nuclear refurbishment drives Ontario construction worker demand

The plan to refurbish four reactors at the Ontario Power Generation Darlington nuclear generating station east of Toronto is one project that will increase the demand for labour, according to exhibitors at the recent Future Building job fair. Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) hosted Future Building at the Better Living Centre on the Canadian National Exhibition grounds.

April 17, 2012

Canadian mechanical contractors association kicks off fundraising

The Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC) is kicking off a campaign to raise funds to finance an ambitious membership recruitment drive. It currently represents 130 firms in the mechanical service, repair and retrofit sectors.