Infrastructure Minister ‘laser-focused’ on construction projects for 2019

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau built a successful 2015 election platform around a core promise: Short-term deficits will boost the economy through a massive increase in infrastructure spending.

With less than a year to go before voters cast their judgment in the next federal election, the deficits have materialized. The promised return to balance by 2019 has not. Whether the Liberal government fully delivered on the infrastructure front remains an open question.

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Who will rebuild after a climate disaster as workers retire and weather worsens?

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When flood waters recede and hurricane-force winds die down, Canadians can expect it will take longer for their homes to be rebuilt or their power to be restored if the country’s labour market doesn’t soon catch up to the realities of climate change. Read more.

Top 10 Canadian construction trends to watch in 2019

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There is no shortage of changes, both positive and negative, the industry faces as 2018 comes to a close.

On-Site caught up with Mary Van Buren, the president of the Canadian Construction Association, to discuss the trends the industry association will be watching closest over the next 12 months.

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Hire ‘mad scientists’ to spark change in construction firms

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When technology comes into play in the construction industry, it’s often associated with the word disruption. But it’s important to define the term to truly understand its effect. In a recent webinar, “Fostering Mad Scientists: How Construction can Create a Culture of Innovation,” JBKnowledge CEO James Benham borrowed Brett Young’s definition: Disruption is a business model change within a particular industry to which specific companies or segments cannot adapt. Read more.

Industry slams Trudeau on ‘gender impacts’ comment about male construction workers

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A comment made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the recent G20 Summit in Argentina has caused a stir in the Canadian construction industry, with several stakeholders taking to social media to voice their views and opinions on the matter. Read more.

Give the gift of access this holiday season

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Donate your used phones to CNIB’s Phone It Forward campaign. Read more.

CANS members: Help enact prompt payment legislation

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Our province needs a prompt payment solution that works for everyone including tradespeople, contractors, government and consumers. While this serious problem is being felt now in our industry, there is a serious risk to Nova Scotia’s competitiveness long-term if we do not take action to fix the issue. Read more here: http://nspromptpayment.ca 

Beet juice to cover slick streets as Winnipeg expands pilot program throughout city

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The City of Winnipeg is expanding a pilot program that will see beet juice sprayed on slippery city streets this winter. The public works department started a trial run in 2015 using beet juice as an ingredient to help melt ice on Winnipeg roads. Read more.

Contractor panel suggests ways to evolve P3 model

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As public-private partnership (P3) projects get bigger and more complex, owners must be prepared to relax requirements on risk transfer and ought to be willing to spend more time on the collaboration process, recommends a panel of experts. Read more.

Lost for 325 years: Quebec City fortifications found

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Archaeologists in Quebec City have discovered the first fortifications built in 1693 to protect New France from a major attack, in what is considered the first reinforced palisade of that era. Read more.