Topic
Labour
Construction employment falls by 12,000 in July, but remains up year-over-year
August 13, 2018 by David KennedyOTTAWA—The number of construction jobs coast to coast declined in July even as employment in the overall Canadian economy ticked up. According to Statistics Canada, employment in the construction industry dipped by 12,000, or about 0.8 per cent, over the…
Managing risk: Getting your workforce on board
August 9, 2018 David BowcottTo be truly effective at managing risk, you must master the complex world of risk controls. Put in place before incidents occur, risk controls are the contractual agreements, the operational practices and the tools and technologies used to prevent or…
Construction job vacancies at 3.8 per cent, CFIB report says
August 9, 2018 by David KennedyTORONTO—Vacant positions continue to plague employers in the construction industry. The rate of job vacancies among private sector construction firms now sits at 3.8 per cent—the second-highest level among industries tracked—according to a new report from the Canadian Federation of…
Construction firm, equipment operator fined after worker run over by grader
July 23, 2018 by David KennedyHAMILTON, Ont.—A worker injury on a road construction site in Hamilton, Ont. has resulted in fines for Dufferin Construction Co. and the owner/operator of a equipment rental business based in Stoney Creek, Ont. CRH Canada Group, Dufferin’s parent company, and…
B.C. government sets out new hiring rules for provincial infrastructure projects
July 17, 2018 Terri Theodore, The Canadian PressThe province says the initiative will add more under-represented groups to the workforce, but critics say it will simply benefit unions and drive up costs
Construction employment jumps after two months of decline
July 9, 2018 by David KennedyThe industry roared back to life in June, adding tens of thousands of new jobs
Quebec crane operators return to work after ‘illegal’ one-week strike
June 27, 2018 The Canadian PressMONTREAL—Thousands of crane operators returned to work June 26 after taking part in what authorities described as an illegal strike that lasted one week and disrupted construction sites across Quebec. Crane operators were protesting new training requirements allowing workers to…
Ambassador Bridge company ad urges Trump to block new Gordie Howe bridge on ‘America first’ grounds
June 22, 2018 by David KennedyWINDSOR, Ont.—In a transparent appeal to the increasingly pervasive “America first” rhetoric emerging from Washington, the company that controls the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, Mich. and Windsor, Ont. released a television ad earlier this week calling on President Donald Trump…
Quebec crane operators continue strike despite order to return to work
June 22, 2018 The Canadian PressMany of the province’s nearly 2,000 crane operators walked off the job earlier this week, disrupting work at job sites across Quebec
Quebec premier urges crane operators back to work as ‘illegal’ strike continues
June 20, 2018 The Canadian PressMONTREAL—Premier Philippe Couillard warned Quebec’s crane operators June 19 there will be consequences for what he called an illegal strike, as construction sites were paralyzed across the province for a second consecutive day. The premier said workers who refuse to…
Construction industry hits second monthly decline with 13K job losses
June 8, 2018 by Jillian MorganOTTAWA—Construction employment has dipped for the second consecutive month, with a loss of 13,000 jobs in May. Statistics Canada reported the decline in its latest monthly Labour Force Survey. Combined with a loss of 19,000 jobs in April, gains observed…
Sudbury, Ont. contractor fined $50K after worker injured in fall
May 29, 2018 by David KennedyTHUNDER BAY, Ont.—A northern Ontario contractor has been handed a $50,000 fine for a worker injury on a Thunder Bay, Ont. jobsite in July 2016. The incident took place at the Thunder Bay International Airport, where Pioneer Construction Inc. had…
Canadian construction industry sheds 19,000 jobs in April
May 11, 2018 by David KennedyDespite the monthly decline, employment in the industry is up 2.3 per cent from the same time last year
Alberta ads tie Trans Mountain pipeline construction to increased jobs
May 11, 2018 by Jillian MorganALBERTA—The Alberta government has launched a $1.29 million national advertising campaign to promote the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion. “Keep Canada Working” includes billboards, television, radio, search engine marketing, online display and social media. Viewers are directed to…
Manitoba introduces bill to end forced unionization on construction projects
May 11, 2018 by Jillian MorganMANITOBA—The Manitoba government has tabled a bill to eliminate collective labour agreements on major public construction projects. Introduced by the former NDP administration, collective agreements required employees and contractors to hire from specific unions. If an exception was made, dues…
Minimum wage act passes in Ontario
May 9, 2018 by Jillian MorganONTARIO—Ontario has passed minimum wage legislation, introduced in April, for private-sector contractors in construction, building cleaning and security services. Under Government Contract Wages Act, 2018, minimum pay-rates will be established for work on government-owned contracts and buildings. It will cover…
Ontario introduces minimum pay-rate legislation for contractors
April 24, 2018 by Jillian MorganLegislation to establish minimum pay rates for Ontario private-sector contractors has been introduced. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the proposed Government Contract Wages Act, 2018, at the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local 46, in Toronto. If passed, the province…
Trade contractors summit held on federal, provincial prompt payment
April 16, 2018 by Jillian MorganTrade contractors and associations from across Canada came together on April 4, 2018 in Toronto, ON to discuss payment legislation. The National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) Prompt Payment Summit included member presentations on new developments and discussion on…
Changes to Ontario Labour Relations Act could impact worker rights: LiUNA
April 16, 2018 by Jillian MorganAmendments to Ontario’s Labour Relations Act could see over 4,000 concrete form workers lose bargaining rights, according to the Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Changes to the act would allow The Carpenters’ Union to represent other trades in…
PCL Constructors names new director of business development
February 21, 2018 by Jillian MorganTerry Olynyk is the new director of business development for PCL Constructors Canada, Toronto district office. In this role, Olynyk will focus on business development and strategic growth. He will manage district business development, including market research, planning and relationship…