Home Featured Report Stay Connected: October 23, 2020

Stay Connected: October 23, 2020

These are this week’s top stories, regarding the construction industry in Ontario, that you need to know.

October 23, 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

Ontario building trades ‘will be there to ensure economy comes roaring back’: Ford

“We are doing everything in our power to prevent another provincial shutdown. Even as we weather the storm, we must see the opportunities amid our present challenges,” Ford said during his address in Toronto. “Now is the time to train our young people, reskill workers looking for their next career and inspire the next generation of tradespeople. When so many students are worried about their future, the trades can offer a good paying career for life.”

Construction unemployment sounds alarm, Strickland says

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) new executive director Sean Strickland has cited new and worrying employment statistics in the construction sector in calling on the federal government to boost infrastructure spending beyond its announced pandemic recovery packages.

The future of skilled trades in Ontario Part 1: Why did OCOT fail? What should come next?

Stakeholders believe the future of skilled trades in Ontario’s construction sector lies in responsiveness to changes in the industry as the demands for a skilled workforce and spaces for apprentices to learn their crafts continue to grow.

Click here for Part 2 and click here for Part 3.

Indigenous involvement in infrastructure involving along with pathways for negotiation: Sharon Singh

Indigenous involvement in building out Canada’s infrastructure may still be in its infancy, but it is fast-growing and will likely play a significant role in raising Canada’s productivity, reducing our carbon footprint and adapting to climate change, says Bennett Jones partner Sharon Singh.

Roundtable holds first meeting to fight acts of racism in Ontario’s construction industry

The Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON) and 21 industry partners have joined forces to address racism in the construction industry.

They have formed a roundtable with employers, unions, employment agencies, educators, organizations representing contractors, the provincial and municipal governments, and the health and safety sector.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Quebec, Canada: The heart of mass timber construction

Modern timber construction is nothing short of breathtaking. The wooden arches and unique curves delight even the most creative architects. The scale and perception of a wooden building make it blend in with the decor while still remaining noticeable. The inspiration and the possibility of achieving this type of construction are now trending upward, but who has the knowledge and expertise for these projects? The province of Quebec does, a world leader in mass timber construction.

COVID-19

Hamilton reaches $1 billion construction activity for the year despite COVID-19

Hamilton has surpassed $1 billion worth of construction activity in 2020, an accomplishment that the city says was possible with alternative service delivery options during the pandemic, including online building permits and virtual meetings with development applicants.

Skills Ontario: Technology helping to overcome barriers that prevent young people from learning about careers in the skilled trades.

Ashley Pszeniczny, diversity, and inclusion manager at Skills Ontario, says she sees a silver lining to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the health crisis has undoubtedly disrupted the way we live and work, the move to greater remote learning and increased use of digital technology has helped the organization connect with young people it may have missed in the past.

Show us the money: when will infrastructure money flow?

Spending infrastructure dollars in Canada is never simply a matter of getting legislation approved then cutting a cheque, spokespersons for Infrastructure Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure explained recently in statements provided to the Daily Commercial News.

FROM THE OCS

Coronavirus Contractor Survey Spotlight on Civil/ Engineering Sector

This survey was conducted via telephone with a sample of 300 ICI and civil/engineering contractors from across Ontario between September 8-18, 2020. This is the fourth in a series of surveys by the Ontario Construction Secretariat examining the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the construction industry. Among these contractors, 100 do work in the Civil/Engineering sector. Forty-six percent (46%) of the civil/engineering contractors in the survey were trade contractors and 47% were general contractors. The margin of error for a sample of 100 is +/-9.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. This report is based on the responses of the 100 civil/engineering contractors.