Home Featured Report Stay Connected: November 27, 2020

Stay Connected: November 27, 2020

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

November 27, 2020

INDUSTRY NEWS

P3 2020: Recruiters need to tell sector’s powerful stories

Spending billions on P3 projects won’t bring the economic recovery and social development that infrastructure stakeholders yearn for unless there is the skilled workforce in place to get the work done. A panel of workforce experts discussed how labour, governments and industry are working together to overcome Canada’s skilled trades gap on Day 2 of the CCPPP Virtual Conference.

P3 2020: Cory defines new role for Canada Infrastructure Bank

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) CEO Ehren Cory had his debut as the CIB’s new leader at the CCPPP Virtual Conference. He showed no reluctance in outlining a new path for the infrastructure bank.

Urgent action needed now to save 41,000 construction-related jobs in Ontario: RCCAO

The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) says it is grateful for the work that the federal and provincial governments have done to get funds to municipalities but maintains urgent action is still needed to ensure they can balance their budgets.

EllisDon receives Milestone Award from OGCA

EllisDon was recently presented with a Milestone Award from the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) for reaching over one million consecutive derived hours worked without a lost-time injury.

Crane collapse injures worker at Crosstown LRT construction site

The Ontario Ministry of Labour is investigating after a crane collapsed in Toronto last week at the Crosstown LRT construction site. The crane operator was able to get out of the crane safely with no injuries, said Kristin Jenkins, a spokesperson for Crosslinx.

REGIONAL FOCUS

NCC issues RFP for Lebreton Flats Library Parcel in Ottawa

The National Capital Commission (NCC) has issued a Request for Qualifications seeking proposals to build a mixed-use development at Ottawa’s LeBreton Flats Library Parcel.

TECHNOLOGY

Users clamour for proptech solutions

The construction sector has long been accused of resisting technological change, but there are increasing signs that is no longer true. Chief executives from the sector who served as panellists at a recent property technology webinar said they are embracing disruption these days.

70% of Canadian construction firms are as or more productive than before the pandemic: Procore research

More than 70 per cent of Canadian construction companies surveyed by construction management software provider construction software management provider Procore Technologies Inc. had as many or more projects during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before, the company says.

The Slow Revolution – Five Technology Trends In Construction 2020

Recent developments in AI technology mean that there are now multiple opportunities where AI can be utilised to aid technological advancements and innovations within the construction industry. Read further to learn about the 5 AI technologies that are likely to shake-up the construction industry over the next decade.

COVID-19

Business as usual for Ontario construction during increased COVID-19 measures

Ontario’s construction sector is completely open for business, contrary to a statement made by Ontario Minister of Health Christine Elliott Friday afternoon. Full details on the provincial announcement can be here.

Ontario opens $250 million COVID-19 fund to quickly advance critical local infrastructure projects

Ontario is now accepting applications from municipalities for local infrastructure projects under the new local government sub-stream of the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure stream to allow local governments to proceed with tendering and procurement as soon as possible.