Visit Trade Contracting at Journal of Commerce
LATEST NEWS
General and Trade Contracting
June 20, 2013
Trade infrastructure funding study could grow economy
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is planning to commission a study from a leading think-tank to show that strategic public sector investment in trade infrastructure increases international competitiveness and economic growth.
June 20, 2013
Plant, Prep and Serve
Construction is moving along for the design build of Whitby Phase 3 Expansion - Durham College Centre for Food in Whitby, Ont.
June 19, 2013
OCOT review panel proposing a ratio reduction for plumbers and steamfitters
The journeyperson to apprentice ratio for the plumber and steamfitter trades should be reduced, concluded the review panel at the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT).
June 19, 2013
Quebec construction workers on strike after failed negotiations
Quebec’s construction sites were idle on Monday because of a general strike called by unions. Negotiations broke down Saturday and the strike began at midnight.
June 18, 2013
Students strut their best at Skills Canada
Canada’s best skilled trade and technology students competed in the grueling two-day 2013 Skills Canada National Competition in Vancouver earlier this month.
June 17, 2013
Tribute Communities works on Royal Canadian Military Institute condos in Toronto
Material gets hoisted up the RCMI Residence Condo and mixed use project on University Ave. in Toronto, Ont.
June 17, 2013
CCA pushing for Canada Job Grant
The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is engaged in discussions with the federal government about the Canada Job Grant in order to help ensure this new program is successful.
June 17, 2013
New training centre comes at perfect time
The Carpenters’ Union Training Centre (Local 1946) in London celebrated its grand opening in style recently, with a number of union leaders from around the province and south of the border in attendance.
June 14, 2013
BuildForce Canada to tackle government funding cuts
A group of construction industry leaders from across the country have rescued the Construction Sector Council (CSC) by forming a new national organization called BuildForce Canada, in response to federal government cutbacks.
June 14, 2013
Canadian lawyer named top practitioner
When Who’s Who Legal released its 2013 edition of The International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers, it named Canada’s Bruce Reynolds as this year’s top practitioner.
June 14, 2013
Design team wins award for work on Evergreen Brick Works
A design team that included Halsall Associates was honoured for its work at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto with a 2013 Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) Charter Award. The awards are regarded as the urban design industry’s preeminent global awards for excellence.
June 13, 2013
Edilcan works on One Valhalla Condos in west Toronto
Window installation continues to move upwards on the Thunderbird Condominium, One Valhalla Condos phase two in Etobicoke, Ont.
June 13, 2013
Tolin Enterprises fined after worker death
Tolin Enterprises of King City, Ont., a general construction contracting business which employs workers directly as well as subcontracts with trades, was fined $95,000 after a worker was killed by a falling steel beam.
June 12, 2013
U.S. construction unemployment rate lowest May level in five years
Construction employment increased by 7,000 in May in the United States, helping to push the industry’s unemployment rate down to the lowest May level in five years, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the relatively positive jobs report for the sector underscores the need to address potential shortages of skilled workers.
June 12, 2013
École Lakay rebuild progresses with arrival of steel
Steel has arrived in Haiti to help in the rebuild of Haitian trades school École Lakay, reports the Canadian Construction Association (CCA).
June 11, 2013
Better understanding of holdbacks needed across the country
A better understanding of holdbacks reductions and the tools available to those in the construction chain to employ them is needed, concluded a recent Canadian Construction Association (CCA) forum.
June 11, 2013
Understanding authority levels
Often I am asked about the rules around authority levels. Every corporation, whether political or commercial in nature, must identify those persons who have the authority to contract on its behalf, and to specify the extent of the authority of each of those persons.
June 11, 2013
Work continues on Morguard’ s Heath + Tweedsmuir in Toronto
Construction is progressing on the Heath + Tweedsmuir rental towers Phase 1 and 2 in Toronto, Ont.
June 11, 2013
First tunnel boring machine goes underground for Eglinton Crosstown LRT project
The first of four tunnel boring machines started digging part of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT on Wednesday.
June 10, 2013
Flemming remembered for strong leadership
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) First District Canada international vice-president Phil Flemming passed away suddenly on May 25th at the age of 68.
June 10, 2013
Condo Crew
Construction progresses at the Ivory on Adelaide condominiums at 406 Adelaide St. E. in Toronto, Ont
June 7, 2013
Government calls for tenders on temporary causeway in St. Lawrence bridge project
The federal government has launched a call for tenders for the construction of a temporary causeway-bridge between île des Sœurs and Montreal as part of the new bridge for the St. Lawrence project.
June 7, 2013
Apprentice use on federal projects needs improvement
Improved employer apprenticeship tax credits and a better understanding of the national apprenticeship landscape are essential, say industry stakeholders, if the federal government intends to promote apprentice use on federal projects.
June 6, 2013
Economy has best quarter since 2011, analysts not convinced of staying power
Canada’s economy rebounded strongly from a half-year of sub-par growth, posting an above-consensus 2.5 per cent advance in the first three months of the year and setting the country on a stronger recovery path
June 6, 2013
Bird earns Builder Award with $200-million OPP modernization
Building an Ontario Provincial Police detachment is one thing, constructing 18 of them across Ontario concurrently is another matter altogether.
June 5, 2013
Construction continues on Tridel 49-storey tower in Toronto
Installation of balcony panels moves upwards on Three Hundred Front Street West mixed-use project in Toronto, Ont.
June 5, 2013
Tim Hortons expands electric vehicle charging station pilot
Tim Hortons has expanded its electric vehicle charging station pilot with six new charging stations at restaurants throughout British Columbia.
June 5, 2013
Building the Dogs’ House
Construction is moving along for the St. Catharines Spectator Facility at 55 McGuire St. in St. Catharines, Ont.
June 4, 2013
Salt Lake City airport slated for a revamp
Mountain views, faster takeoffs and workout equipment are a few things Salt Lake City officials are considering as they draw up plans for a nearly $2 billion remake of the city’s airport.
June 4, 2013
Construction continues on Oakville, Ontario hospital
Construction has reached the top floor of the new Oakville Hospital at Third Line and Dundas Street in Oakville, Ont.
June 4, 2013
Concerns over equivalent products
Over the years both manufacturers as well as contractors have been concerned with the products that are used when bidding projects.
June 4, 2013
Chapelview improves living environment
The Chapelview housing project in Brampton, Ont. recently added another award to its already impressive list of accolades.
June 4, 2013
Tableau Team Work
Concrete work progresses at the Tableau Condominium and mixed-use project on Peter Street in Toronto, Ont.
June 3, 2013
Low-quality imports caused by slow market, say steel experts
It may not be on the level of the recent building collapse in Bangladesh’s garment district, but those in the steel sector say low-quality imported steel could pose safety and cost concerns.
May 31, 2013
Pan Am Aquatics Centre swimming in steel
The Pan American Aquatics Centre (PAAC), field house and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) comprise a high-performance aquatics and athletics facility currently under construction on the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
May 31, 2013
Manitoba Hydro criticized for hiring New Brunswick firm to build worker camp
Manitoba Hydro is being criticized for hiring a New Brunswick firm to build housing for its workers building a new project.
May 29, 2013
OCOT officers ready to enforce compulsory trades
The first set of enforcement officers for the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) has been sworn-in and is set to enforce certification and training standards in the compulsory trades.
May 29, 2013
Non-residential construction composite price index unchanged in Q1: StatsCan
The composite price index for non-residential building construction was unchanged in the first quarter of 2013, following 11 consecutive quarterly increases, reports Statistics Canada.
May 29, 2013
Quebec construction exec describes how his car was blown up
Quebec's corruption inquiry has heard its fair share of explosive allegations. The latest one is about an actual explosion.
May 29, 2013
Pouring at the Waterfront
Workers direct a concrete bucket at the Ocean Club Waterfront Condominiums in Etobicoke, Ont.
May 29, 2013
Papers sought for conference on developing economies
Papers are being sought for an upcoming conference focused on the design, construction and operation of buildings in developing economies.
May 29, 2013
Line up at the Imperial
Workers get equipment ready at the Imperial Plaza Condominiums on St. Clair Ave. W. in Toronto, Ont.
May 28, 2013
U.S. construction employment declines in 32 states over last year, finds AGC
Construction employment in the United States declined in 32 states and the District of Columbia in April even as 29 states added jobs between April 2012 and April 2013, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of Labor Department data. Association officials noted that construction demand in a number of states appears to be slackening amid federal construction spending cuts and relatively weak private sector demand.
May 28, 2013
Manitoba Construction Career Expo a hit
The first-hand experience of welding, riding in a scissor lift or laying brick was something that few of the 1,700 high school students attending the recent Manitoba Construction Career Expo have ever done before.
May 28, 2013
Canada home to 1,000 LEED certified projects
One thousand Canadian building projects have now been LEED certified, representing the second largest number of certified buildings in the world after the United States.
May 27, 2013
Staffing levels and safety drive Ontario elevator worker strike
Elevator workers across Ontario are striking as they can’t come to terms on the language inside their agreement with four major elevator companies.
May 27, 2013
Provincial MPP supporters of prompt payment legislation excited at prospects
Proposed prompt payment legislation now heads to the Ontario legislature’s standing committee on regulations and private bills after passing second reading on May 16.
May 27, 2013
Concrete airplane in South Dakota takes flight
An 18-pound concrete airplane recently made aeronautical history by being the second known concrete plane to fly and the only one to stay intact upon landing.
May 27, 2013
Shop and Sleep
Glass installation is moving up on the next phase of the Southcore Financial Centre mixed-use project in Toronto, Ont.
May 24, 2013
Local 675 strike ends after new agreement ratified
Labour unrest has been settled between the Carpenters’ Union Drywall, Acoustic, Lathing and Insulation Local 675 and the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario (ISCA).
May 24, 2013
Fundraising campaign to reach target for new Shriners Hospital for Children
A $130-million fundraising campaign to help raise money for the construction of the new Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada has reached just over $111 million, according to fundraising co-chair Richard Renaud.
May 24, 2013
Prompt payment bill headed to committee
In what is being billed as a win-win for the province’s construction industry, landmark prompt payment legislation has been tabled at Queen’s Park.
May 23, 2013
Future tradespeople put to the test
The chair of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) said it is “thrilling” to see what the students and young apprentices accomplish at the annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC).
May 23, 2013
Ontario raiding season closes with a thud
The war is over but the ensuing legal battles over who signed who from which union local have barely begun.
May 22, 2013
New ETFO headquarters a benchmark design
The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) has set a benchmark in sustainable design with its recently completed headquarters.
May 22, 2013
Trying to define the “lowest price”
As we all know the “lowest price” at the start of each project is sometimes very different at the end of the project.
| MOST POPULAR STORIES |
- Concrete parking building repairs could save costs
- New Pickering airport to help move growing population
- Man fined in construction site death of 12 year old Nova Scotia boy
- SNC-Lavalin hopes Algeria police raid will help to shed light on wrong
- New venue in St. Catharines to be the city’s first Gold-Seal project
- 20 Most Popular Stories
| TODAY’S TOP CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS |
These projects have been selected from 544 projects with a total value of $1,665,691,502 that Reed Construction Data Building Reports reported on Tuesday.
$44,000,000 Sault Ste Marie ON Tenders
CONDOMINIUM APARTMENT TOWER, RETAIL BUILDING
$40,000,000 Toronto ON Negotiated
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, GOLF CLUB
$35,000,000 Newmarket ON Prebid
| CURRENT STORIES |
- Infrastructure funding will boost economy: RCCAO
- Plant, Prep and Serve
- McManus to increase interaction in new OSWCA role
- Trade infrastructure funding study could grow economy
- U.S. housing starts remain on the upswing after strong May
- First set of arches installed on precast network arch bridge
- Toronto and Hamilton area roads make up half of CAA's worst roads list
- Crystal Clear
- Regina looking to annex adjacent land
- Pipeline oil spill highlighted during twinning debate
- Consulting engineers gathering in Lake Louise, Alberta
- Biased specs grounds for RFP redraft
- Incoming chair looks to the future
- Foreign worker court case led to reforms
- Shell Canada gets approvals for pipelines and gas well
- B.C. building permits rise, but Alberta declines
- Electronic migration
- Unauthorized water system shut down in Alberta
| ALEX’S ECONOMICS BLOG |

Reed Construction Data Canada’s Chief Economist Alex Carrick discusses current developments in the North American economic environment with emphasis on the construction industry.
- An Overview of Prices and Sales in the Diverging U.S. and Canadian Housing Markets (April 25, 2013)
- Canada’s Precarious Dependence on the Commodity Price Super-Cycle (April 22, 2013)
- Twenty major upcoming residential and transportation terminal construction projects - April 2013 (April 15, 2013)
- More










