Infrastructure Bank Just One Tool to Ensure the Right Investment

The concept of a Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) is one tool that if designed and structured properly could help build on the federal government’s plan to spend $125-billion over the next 10 years on infrastructure, a new report suggests. Read more

CANS WINS GOLD SEAL ASSOCIATION AWARD AT CCA CONFERENCE!

NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                         For immediate release
Construction Association of Nova Scotia wins CCA Gold Seal Association Award at Canadian Construction Association Annual Conference

HALIFAX, March 9, 2016 ‐‐The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) was thrilled to take home the CCA Gold Seal Association Award at the Construction Association of Canada’s (CCA) Annual Conference taking place March 4-11th in New Orleans.

“As part of our Strategic Plan we set out to be the leading provider of industry education and training to the construction industry,” says CANS President Duncan Williams. “Over the past 4 years we have continued to increase the sophistication of offerings and have been promoting Gold Seal Certification as the industry standard.”

The CCA Gold Seal Association Award recognizes outstanding achievements by CCA partner associations to promote and support the CCA Gold Seal program.

“Our entire course catalogue is Gold Seal Accredited,” says Williams. “This translates to over 80 courses, and approximately 44 Gold Seal credits or 220 hours of training, that members can then take and apply towards their Gold Seal Certification.”

Through a variety of communications channels, including Lunch and Learn sessions, CANS provides members with the benefits of Gold Seal Certification, the certification process, the paths to certification, and the process to apply for certification. CANS also works directly with individuals and organizations to develop customized training plans designed to help individuals become certified.

“In 2015-2016 CANS had over 100 members engaged in one of the phases of the Gold Seal process,” adds Williams. “Looking forward to 2016-2017 we are continuing to see growth as more and more members understand the benefits of Gold Seal Certification.”

To-date the construction industry in Nova Scotia has through CANS invested over 2.5 million in training and education. CANS has also assisted members pursuing their Gold Seal Certification in securing funding through the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and an initiative of the Canada-Nova Scotia Job Grant Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive (WIPSI). To date CANS has helped member companies secure more than $400,000 in government funding for training.

The Canadian Construction Association’s National Awards Program recognizes the important contributions of individuals, organizations and projects that promote and enhance the Canadian construction industry, whether through innovation, projects, or dedication to the industry.

“We are always working to find new ways to engage our members and increase value and this Award is really the icing on the cake,” says CANS President Duncan Williams.” It is always great to be recognized for your achievements, especially on the national stage.”

“On behalf of CANS, we’d like to extend huge thank you to all of those who have had a hand in making this happen and to our membership for their support and commitment to the enhancement of the construction industry,” says Williams.

More information about the Canadian Construction Association’s National Awards Program can be found at http://cca-acc.com/en/about-cca/awards.

CANS represents more than 760 large and small companies that build, renovate and restore non-residential buildings, roads, bridges and other engineering projects. We are an industry trade association representing the interests of contractors, suppliers and service providers throughout Atlantic Canada and across the country. Construction is a $2.8 billion a year industry in Nova Scotia and employs nearly 30,000 men and women from across the province. For more information about the Construction Association of Nova Scotia visit www.cans.ns.ca.

 

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For more information, contact:

Janet Tobin
Communications and Marketing Lead
Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Ph: (902) 468.2267 x. 713
Cell: (902) 818-0835
jtobin@cans.ns.ca

Provincial Budget 2016-2017 – Looking For Your Input

As Budget 2016-2017 approaches, the province wants to be able to invest in the things that matter most–quality health care, classrooms and ensuring our young people stay here. At the same time, we also must ensure we are positioned to address the challenges that threaten the sustainability of our services and the quality of life we enjoy. The public is encouraged to share your opinions and thoughts by sending in a submission via Facebook, email, Twitter, and mail (P.O. Box 187, Halifax, NS  B3J 2N3) or by calling 1-844-358-7514.  Please pass this message on to your network — colleagues, friends, family members, and neighbours.

For more information on the budget process and how you can participate, click here. The deadline for input is February 26.


Building Permits, December 2015

In December 2015, Nova Scotia building permits were up 5.7 per cent compared to the previous month at $76.8 million with increases in both residential (+1.2%) and non-residential permits (+16.1%). Compared to December 2014 permits were down 11.7 per cent with a decline in residential permits (-19.3%) offsetting an increase a 8.8 per cent increase in non-residential permits. Read more


The Dotted Line: How to navigate ‘the 3 Cs’ of construction bonding

Experts say that payment and performance bonds aren’t exclusively for public projects anymore, and contractors’ character, capacity and capital play a crucial role in securing the necessary bonding. Read more

The Cube residential tower features stacked units that maximize outdoor space

This residential tower in Beirut is made up of 14 stacked volumes that function as individual villas and maximize outdoor space. Orange Architects designed the tower as a collection of slightly shifted floors, each housing one or two units with 360-degree panoramic views of different areas of Beirut. Named “The Cube,” the project aims to become an iconic building in the city’s panorama. Read more

Net-zero energy buildings: Is construction ‘at the tipping point’ of a new green building era?

“The built world produces about 40% of the waste that goes into landfills, so if we in the construction industry can’t change it, then who will?” said DPR Construction’s Mike Humphrey. Read more

A new superpower? Construction companies near ‘X-ray vision’ with 3-D laser scanning technology

Laser scanning — you might have seen the term pop up on your surveyor’s business card or referenced in the feature notes of your latest Building Information Modeling (BIM) software releases. It sounds intriguing, but it’s really only for the big guys, right? According to industry experts, that isn’t the case. Read more

You’re Invited – ABSDA Building Supply Expo Contractor Afternoon

The ABSDA Building Supply Expo is the largest show of it’s kind in Atlantic Canada and for the very first time, contractors are being invited to attend the expo. This is your opportunity to see all the new products that are hitting the market and network with your industry peers.

Location: Moncton Coliseum
Date: March 3
Time: 12:00pm to 4:30pm

Download the flyer

WGBC study: Green buildings may bolster customer experience, profits for retailers

The World Green Building Council report also provides retailers with a framework to determine how sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives affect their bottom lines. Read more