Professional Services

March 22, 2010

Safety issues raised as Vancouver hires chief electrical inspector

Electrical contractors and an electrical inspector in Vancouver are concerned about public safety after the role city electrician was combined with other positions. Chief building official Will Johnston assumed the duties of chief electrical inspector in January.

March 22, 2010

Canadian Construction Association awards highlight excellence

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has recognized outstanding contributions of both individuals and companies in the non-residential construction industry at its annual awards.

March 22, 2010

Buildex Edmonton seminar to examine worksite safety on green building projects

LEED projects may be on the cutting edge of environmentally friendly construction, but worksite safety on these projects is a topic up for debate.

March 17, 2010

Canadian Construction Association chair bids farewell

As he criss-crossed the country meeting with partner associations during the past year, outgoing Canadian Construction Association (CCA) chair Brad Greene routinely was peppered with questions about the federal infrastructure stimulus programs.

March 17, 2010

Wood being considered as preferred building material for federal projects

Earlier this month, a private member’s bill asking that wood be the preferred construction material for federal projects briefly held the parliamentary floor for second reading and debate.

March 15, 2010

Government takes over Northwest Territories P3 bridge project

A bridge being built as a public-private partnership (P3) is being taken over by the government of the Northwest Territories after an extensive redesign of the superstructure and a new contractor was hired to complete construction.

March 15, 2010

Weighing in on the Tercon Contractors appeal decision

Egregious behavior - an affront to the integrity and business efficacy of the tendering process was cited by the Supreme Court of Canada in its reasons for judgment in the Tercon Contractors Ltd. appeal.

March 10, 2010

Eastern, central focus of federal budget a concern to industry

Construction leaders in Western Canada believe the 2010 federal budget is focused on stimulus spending in Eastern Canada, despite a need for a long-term plan to address infrastructure needs across the country.

March 8, 2010

Federal contracts may require fully bilingual documents

A proposed move by the federal government to expand requirements for posting of bilingual contract documents on the MERX electronic tendering system is creating concern in design industry circles.

March 3, 2010

Infrastructure gets funding increase in B.C. Budget 2010

The 2010 B.C. budget contains increases in capital spending and maintains investment in stimulus and municipal projects, but no new major infrastructure projects were announced.

March 3, 2010

Terrane Metals Corp. set to start construction on mine near Fort St. James, British Columbia

Terrane Metals Corp. is considering options for financing construction on the Mount Milligan Mine project, as the company moves forward with one of the first major mines to be developed in British Columbia in a decade.

March 3, 2010

In wake of toddler death, committee will study Calgary construction safety

In the aftermath of a toddler’s death from falling construction debris, the City of Calgary and the local construction industry have formed a committee to study safety.

March 1, 2010

Construction Sector Council unveils mentoring program

A new Construction Sector Council (CSC) mentorship tool will help the industry retain the skills and expertise found at jobsites, as large retirement numbers loom over the next eight years.

March 1, 2010

New engineering association forms in Fort McMurray, Alberta

The newest chapter of a national association for plant and facility maintenance has been established in Fort McMurray, Alberta, to meet the needs of the oil and gas industry in the region.

February 17, 2010

B.C. government breached own contract on highway project, court rules

A Kelowna-based civil construction contractor won its case in the Supreme Court of Canada against the Province of B.C. which breached its own tender contract on a highway project.