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Professional Development/Skills Training

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, 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

Where does labour law stand on ladder safety?

The Ontario Ministry of Labour recently issued a new position paper on the use of ladders in construction, and workplace safety experts warn employers need to train their workers and assess their sites for risk.

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 15, 2012

American construction organizations aim to create a drug- and alcohol-free industry

Five of the largest construction trade associations in the United States have teamed up to form the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace (CCDAFW). The coalition’s mission is to create a drug- and alcohol-free construction industry by providing companies and organizations with the resources necessary to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies into their business practices.

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

The team approach to procurement

The team approach is helping to solve some of the issues in government procurement.

May 11, 2012

Occupational health and safety week across North America

American Occupational Safety and Health Week, led by Canadian Society of Safety Engineering aims to remind people that safer workplaces must remain a priority.

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 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

20th anniversary of Nova Scotia Westray disaster

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Westray mine disaster, which killed 26 workers in an underground methane explosion.

May 8, 2012

Architecture — what is it good for?

The definition of what an architect is and the work they do seems to be a strong unifying question across the industry.

May 7, 2012

U.S. construction spending inches up in March 2012 says contractor association

Construction spending in the United States inched up in March 2012 to an annualized rate of $808 billion, up 0.1 per cent compared to the previous month and is now six per cent above year-ago levels, according to a new analysis of federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

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 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

Moriyama gets Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) lifetime achievement award

Considered one of Canada’s most respected architects, Raymond Moriyama is the recipient of the 2012 lifetime design achievement award from the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).

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

Grand Valley Construction Association recognizes building excellence

The Grand Valley Construction Association (GVCA) has recognized the best in construction in the region with presentation of its 2012 Building Excellence Awards. It represents firms in and near Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, Ontario.

May 3, 2012

Witmer nominated to chair Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Elizabeth Witmer has been nominated to chair the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Witmer, the former Progressive Conservative MPP from Kitchener-Waterloo, takes over from outgoing Chair Steve Mahoney, who announced his retirement in March.

May 3, 2012

Hockey magnate Graeme Roustan proposes $325-million sports centre north of Toronto

A group of companies led by GTA Sports and Entertainment chairman Graeme Roustan has submitted a proposal to partner with the Town of Markham in funding the construction of a $325-million, 20,000-seat sports, entertainment and cultural centre near the community of Unionville north of Toronto. The group includes developer Remington Group Inc., PCL Constructors Inc., BBB Architects, Stadium Consultants International, Arena Design Services, Adamson Associates and Calthorpe Associates.

May 2, 2012

U.S. highway work-zone crashes a major concern

Sixty-eight per cent of highway contractors in the United States had motor vehicles crash into their construction work zones during the past year, according to the results of a new highway work-zone study conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America.

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.

April 30, 2012

Bot Construction tops in ORBA green awards

Bot Construction Group is the winner of the 2012 ORBA Green Leadership and Sustainability Award.

April 27, 2012

Day of Mourning a call to workplace safety action

The nationwide annual Day of Mourning is not just about attending a ceremony this Saturday but also about taking action and addressing workplace safety, says George Gritziotis, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer. It was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress.

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 25, 2012

Sheppard recognized as 2012 top young Canadian architect

Lola Sheppard, a founding partner in Toronto’s Lateral Office and an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo’s school of architecture is the recipient of Architecture Canada’s 2012 Young Architect Award.

April 24, 2012

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating launches new website in honour of Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) launched a website created to educate Canadians about the crucial role plumbing plays in water conservation and to highlight trends and technology in the plumbing industry.

April 23, 2012

Clarity is key in managing risks of government procurement

When we talk about procurement and risk management on large capital construction projects, we all have differing perspectives and opinions.

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

Manitoba budget includes rapid transit funding, $4 billion over 10 years on highway renewal

The Manitoba provincial budget includes $4 billion over 10 years on highway renewal, funding of one third of future phases of rapid transit in Winnipeg and an increase in the gas tax to support extensive rebuilding after last year’s floods.

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 19, 2012

Stepping up for Helmets to Hardhats

Helmets to Hardhats, which helps military veterans transition to the construction trades, is expected to run “full blast” by January 2013. A fund raising dinner is scheduled at the Paramount Conference and Event Centre. Employer responses have been positive, says an executive with the Canadian Executive Board of the Building and Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The Interior Systems Contractors Association (ISCA) is a lobbyist for the Canadian program.

April 18, 2012

Federal skilled worker program revamp

There will be a separate and streamlined program for skilled tradespersons under the modernized Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), said Jason Kenney, Minister of Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. The director of Canadian affairs for the Building and Construction Trades Department of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organization (AFL-CIO) is pleased with this announcement.

April 18, 2012

U.S. Green Building Council hits LEED milestone

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that the 12,000th commercial project has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The project is the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

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 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

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

Toronto to host Canada Green Building Council conference

The full program is now available for the Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) National Conference and Expo taking place in Toronto from June 11-13. This annual event brings together speakers and over 30 continuing education sessions with over 1,000 attendees and an expo with more than 100 booths.

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.