Professional Services

May 6, 2013

Federal legislation rankles unions, but pleases open shop

If a divisive bill forcing Canadian labour unions to make public their finances and activities gets through the Senate and into law, expect a court challenge, says the second-in-command at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).

April 29, 2013

New student residences to take shape in Regina

The construction of a new $73.7 million residence for students at the University of Regina is scheduled to begin this spring, but current financing doesn't cover the cost of the project.

April 22, 2013

Resilient communities start with homes

The deeper one delves into the related concepts of resilience and sustainability of buildings and cities, the more apparent contradictions one finds.

April 22, 2013

Manitoba budget slightly increases capital spending

The Manitoba Budget 2013 will change balanced budget legislation to increase the provincial sales tax (PST), in order to boost spending on critical infrastructure including flood prevention measures.

April 17, 2013

Judicial review of foreign worker permits wraps up

A federal court judge has ended a judicial review and will soon decide on whether or not to quash a government decision to allow a mining company to import Chinese nationals for the construction of a coal mine in northeastern B.C.

April 15, 2013

Weighing the merits of P3 infrastructure

As aging water, transportation and public facilities across Canada cry out for rebuild or repair, the value of public-private partnerships (P3s) continues to be debated, with no clear answers as to when they're the right tool for the job.

March 25, 2013

SNC Lavalin VP admits to political financing schemes

Canada's largest engineering company has admitted it helped raise money for Quebec political parties despite a three-decade-old law that made corporate donations illegal in the province.

March 25, 2013

Construction buyers beware: surety association

Steve Ness, president of the Surety Association of Canada (SAC), says his organization has encountered a small group of general contractors and brokers who are trying to convince construction buyers they can get protection from the risk of subcontractor default by taking out a subcontractor default insurance (SDI) policy instead of surety bonds on the head contract.

March 4, 2013

Weighing the benefits of security guards against cameras

Whether or not an insurance company requires it, many owners and contractors think it fiscally and legally prudent to have some sort of security on a construction site.

February 25, 2013

Crowdfunding can be a building tool

It's been flying under many people's radar for the last year or two, but crowdfunding seems to be an idea whose time has come.

June 27, 2009

For businesses, job coaching is the way to grow

Business coaches can use a variety of approaches to help construction companies reach their objectives and take their businesses to the next level.

June 27, 2009

Insurer victorious in latest liabilty coverage battle

Do you find the scope of coverage under your general liability policy confusing? If you do, you’re not alone. Courts in Canada have struggled for years to pin down exactly what coverage is provided by these policies on construction projects.

June 27, 2009

With fall-arrest equipment, an effective rescue plan is critical

Sophisticated fall-arrest equipment has resulted in increased survival rates in worksite falling incidents. But surviving a fall is only half the battle. Workers waiting for rescue can experience suspension trauma, known otherwise as orthostatic intolerance. This means an effective rescue plan is critical.

June 27, 2009

Alberta Metis set to begin heavy equipment training

Eighteen members of the Métis Nation of Alberta are about to begin a 12-week course that will train them to become heavy equipment operators. The session, which begins July 6 and runs until September 25, will teach them how to operate heavy equipment in the oil and gas, construction and road-building industries.

June 27, 2009

Definition of 'confined spaces' needs simplification: expert

Mention the term 'confined space' on a job site and everyone will have some idea of what you’re talking about. The problem is, they won’t necessarily agree on what it means from province to province and across jurisdictions.

June 27, 2009

B.C. Construction Association program helps Aboriginals get jobs

The B.C. Construction Association (BCCA) has developed a program to help an underutilized segment of the workforce get jobs in the construction industry. "We are trying to enable Aboriginal people to get a job in construction, while helping construction companies with labour shortages," said Randy Garon, project manager of the Aboriginal Skilled Trades Employment Program (ASTEP).

June 27, 2009

Higher education minister insists trades college panels must come first

Apprenticeship ratios and compulsory certification panels will roll out before an Ontario College of Trades is up-and-running because they are issues that need immediate attention, said the minister responsible.