International Battle for Private Dollars to Supplement Public Funds Becomes Heated

The man tapped to build an experimental agency to finance the construction of roads, bridges, and transit systems says the new infrastructure bank will help Canada better attract private dollars even as our closest neighbour promises a massive construction plan that relies heavily on private investment. Read more

Builders’ Lien – General Information

This page gives general information about liens which apply to construction projects, such as building or renovating a house, and the basic steps to enforce a lien if money is owed.  It is not intended to replace legal advice from a lawyer. Read more.

*CANS has received permission from the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia to re-post this information.

Canada: Medical Marijuana and Health Benefit Plans

On January 30, 2017, a Board of Inquiry, formed as part of the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia, issued its decision in Skinner v. Board of Trustees of the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Fund, which found that the denial of an employee’s request for coverage of medical marijuana under a health benefit plan amounted to discrimination under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Read more.

Computational Mathematics Could Transform Building Site Decisions

CREAM Architects and the University of Gothenberg have teamed up with Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenberg, Sweden to develop a mathematical solution for optimizing the placement of buildings within a landscape, according to Phys.orgRead more

Virginia Tech Researchers Develop Small, Portable Vibration Damper

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a micro-sized, portable mass tuning damper weighing in at 275 pounds that can reduce structural vibrations in bridges and buildings by up to 75%. Read more

Cities Looking at More Deconstruction and Salvaged Materials

The City of Vancouver (CoV) is pushing for more home deconstruction and salvaging of reusable materials such as first-growth wood and architectural features with its Green Demolition Bylaw in place and Habitat for Humanity has launched a deconstruction crew to pick up on the growing trend. Read more

Staffing, Retention an Ongoing Employer Challenge, Hays Finds

Employers in the construction sector continue to have difficulty with staffing and retention, indicate the findings of a recent Hays Canada report. Read more

Holiday Office Closure

PLEASE NOTE: CANS offices in Dartmouth & Sydney will be closed Monday, February 20, 2017 to observe the statuatory holiday. The office will reopen Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 8 am.

Invisible Factors Impact Post-injury Return to Work Timing

It used to be that bio-medical — physical — factors were thought to be the only variables which impacted the timing and condition of an injured person’s return to work. However, it is being increasingly recognized that other invisible factors — social and psychological — can be important too. Read more

BuildForce Canada Releases 2017 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward Highlights Reports

BuildForce Canada’s annual Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecasts offer a 10-year scenario of workforce supply and demand by trade, province and region. These forecasts help industry, training providers and government decision makers manage workforce requirements. Read more