Metro Vancouver sewage could heat hundreds of buildings

/in , /by

Metro Vancouver hopes to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by using the region’s sewage to heat everything from hospitals to massive housing developments.  Read more

Conventional expansion joints could be a thing of the past in bridge construction

/in , /by

Expansion joints are a fact of life whether you’re building a rail line, a building facade or a bridge. Building materials expand in hot weather and contract when it turns cold. Highway bridges of any great length have expansion joints at each end. Drivers are usually aware of them because there’s often a small bump as you cross them. Read more.

Community benefits may not be beneficial to construction procurement

/in , /by

The social value of infrastructure is the infrastructure. Ken Gibson, executive director of the Alberta Construction Association, made that statement during an animated discussion pertaining to community benefits at the Industry Advocacy and Regulatory Affairs Committee meeting held recently during the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) 100th annual conference in Banff, Alta. Read more.

Watchdog calls out Liberals for lack of details in federal budget plans

/in , /by

The Trudeau Liberals are facing pressure from Parliament’s spending watchdog to come clean on billions in spending outlined in last month’s budget that have little or no explanation – be it on infrastructure, programs for Canadians, or the military. Read more.

CCA considers absorbing CCInnovations as technology focus ramps up

/in , /by

Canada’s construction innovation hub is looking to become part of a bigger industry picture. During the Canadian Construction Association’s recent meeting of its Innovation and Technology Committee in Banff, Alta., which took place at the 100th anniversary conference, Bockstael Construction president and CCInnovations (CCI) chair John Bockstael explained to members that in order to continue its mission of bringing innovation to the industry, the organization should join forces with the CCA. Read more.

Zey Emir takes CCA’s helm for its centennial year

/in , /by

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has appointed Zey Emir as chair of the 2018 board of directors at its annual general meeting. Zey takes over the position from Chris McNally, director of C & M McNally Engineering Corp. Read more.

Welcoming more women into skilled trades boosts business

/in , /by

As baby boomers retire, Canada faces a critical shortage of skilled workers in trades jobs. In the province of British Columbia, which leads the nation in economic and job growth, 70 per cent of job openings in the next 10 years will be due to retirements. Read more.

Operators can control this Samsung drone with their eyes

/in , /by

As drones continue to infiltrate jobsites, manufacturers like Samsung are developing increasingly sophisticated technologies around them. In December 2017, Amazon was awarded patents for drones that self-destruct in midair if something goes wrong, The Verge reported. Aerospace giant Boeing has a patent for a swimming drone that can launch from an aircraft, fly airborne, then lower itself into water, shed its wings and swim using propellors, according to IFL Science. Read more.

Japan wants more women in construction

/in , /by

The industry is scrambling to deal with a labor shortage, but some say a tone-deaf government recruiting effort can’t overcome serious workplace issues. Read more.