Canadian economy posts surprise growth in January; reverses two monthly declines.

OTTAWA (Reuters) – The Canadian economy grew by a surprise 0.3 percent in January, reversing recent declines as the construction and manufacturing sectors picked up, and likely leaving the Bank of Canada on the sidelines over the coming months. Click HERE to read more.

$100-million Steel and Aluminum Initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) announced by the Government of Canada.

For more information and more details on program eligibility, click here and here.

A variety of federal programs are available that may assist qualifying business, employees, and stakeholders impacted by Canadian safeguards on global imports of certain steel goods. Click here.

There have been several revisions to the list of products that were initially under tariff as of July 1, 2018. Click here.

For reference, the original July 1, 2018 list of products included under Canadian countermeasures may be found here.

2019 Budget

On March 19, Finance Minister Bill Morneau introduced the federal government’s fourth and final budget prior to the election, titled “Investing in the Middle Class”. Budget 2019 earmarks $22.8 billion in new spending with a year-end deficit of $19.8 billion. Read more here.

“I feel like I would be intimidated”: New Australian study probes why girls don’t go into construction.

Despite the wide diversity of roles in construction, the industry is invisible to teenage girls considering career options, a year-long study in Australia has found. Click here to read more.

Budget 2019: Short on restoring investor confidence, strong on workforce development.

OTTAWA, March 19, 2019 – The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is disappointed that the federal government has not taken more concrete actions to restore investor confidence in Canada. Read more here.

CANS Toromont Cat & Battlefield Equipment De-Icer – Friday, April 26, 2019

Location: Cunard Centre, Halifax, NS
Registration: Click here to register.
Sponsorship: Click here to sponsorLESS THAN 2 WEEKS LEFT TO SPONSOR! OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE MARCH 29th!

Pro Networking tip: order nametags for yourself and colleagues when you buy your De-Icer tickets online. No added charge, LOTS of added benefit.

Delegates told future of construction contracts to include AI, blockchain.

The Canadian construction sector remains a ways away from adopting full-fledged “smart” contracts that contain AI-controlled automatic payment regimes or Blockchain markers, delegates attending the Ontario Bar Association Institute’s recent future of construction law symposium held in Toronto were told. Read more.

Help shape the new Vendor Performance Management Regime.

This facilitated in-person session will elicit discussion and feedback on Public Service and Procurement Canada’s draft Vendor Performance Management Policy. Your participation will help ensure that the new regime is evidence-based, incentivizes good performance, and properly addresses poor performance. Read more.

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum announces national strategy for supporting women in the trades.

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) announces its road map for the creation of a National Strategy for Women in the Trades in Canada. Informed by more than 350 participants at the 2018 Supporting Women in Trades Conference held in Halifax, the Road Map includes eight (8) concrete action items and areas of focus required to create a national approach to recruiting and retaining women in the skilled trades. Read more.

After school program gives kids a taste of the trades

A rural municipality in southwestern Ontario has taken an unusual step to deal with the growing shortage of skilled trades. Click HERE to read more.