Topic
Law
VIDEO: Montreal suspends $75M in contracts following corruption allegations
October 4, 2012 On-Site staffThe City of Montreal has suspended approximately $75 million in new infrastructure contracts to allow the provincial government time to make changes to Bill 35, the law that states how public contracts are awarded, according to a recent CBC News…
College of Trades releases apprenticeship ratio reviews
October 1, 2012 On-Site staffThe Ontario College of Trades has published its first grouping of apprenticeship ratio review reports. Group A reports looked at journeyperson to apprentice ratios for the following compulsory trades: Group A – 1: Floor covering installer Group A – 2:…
Preparing for delays
October 1, 2012 Matthew Swanson and Krista JohansonA major challenge for all parties involved in a construction project is managing the schedule. Delays, if they occur, can result in increased expenses, compromised profits or other losses. Where there is delay, compensation may be available. However, because delay claims…
Bird Construction Inc. announces cancellation of $95M contract
August 31, 2012 On-Site staffBird Construction Inc. recently issued a statement saying that the company has been verbally notified that its $95-million contract with Alberta Infrastructure to build the Alberta Public Safety and Law Enforcement Training Centre in Fort Macleod, Alta. has been cancelled. The…
Top 10 ways to lose money to fraud
August 1, 2012 Chris Eagles and Ross McGowanThe construction industry could be described as perfectly constituted for commission of fraud. The contracts are typically unique and large value, the job sites are busy and sometimes chaotic and the opportunity for monitoring and controls are always challenging. Relationships between those that hand out the contracts…
Whose design is it anyway?
June 1, 2012 Chris Eagles and Brad WoodsA common feature of most construction contracts is the inclusion of a detailed specification, prepared by the owner or the owner’s consultant, describing the requirements for the work to be performed by the contractor. Where performance problems arise in connection…
Canada’s new Anti-spam & Online Fraud Act
April 1, 2012 Chris Eagles and Bradley FreedmanCanada’s new anti-spam and online fraud act (CASL) creates a comprehensive regime, of offences, enforcement mechanisms, and potentially severe penalties designed to prohibit unsolicited or misleading commercial electronic messages (CEMs) and deter other forms of online fraud. So, what are…
Pick your battles: Is ADR right for you?
April 1, 2012 Matthew Swanson and David ClaassenNo party enters into a contract with the intention of getting embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute, but disputes happen, and they can be costly. In recent years, processes for resolving disputes without recourse to traditional litigation, (dubbed “alternative dispute…
What’s keeping EllisDon CEO Geoff Smith up at night?
March 13, 2012 Corinne LyndsPart of a discussion panel at the 94th annual Canadian Construction Association conference in Savannah, Ga., Geoff Smith CEO of EllisDon identified several key issues that are scaring the sh– out of him!
NEB gives go-ahead for $324M Northwest Mainline Expansion Project
March 1, 2012 Andrew SnookThe National Energy Board recently gave NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd (NGTL) the green light for the Northwest Mainline Expansion Project. The $324-million project will comprise of the building and operation of three natural gas pipeline loops in northeast B.C. and…
Law: Resolve disputes out of court
March 1, 2012 Chris Eagles & Trish MorrisonConstruction disputes have increased dramatically in number and complexity over the past few years. As a result of the high cost and delay commonly associated with traditional litigation, and with recent mandatory requirements to participate in a dispute resolution process,…
Avoiding IP ownership surprises
February 1, 2012 Bradley Freedman and Chris EaglesConstruction contracts often include obligations related to the ownership of the intellectual property in work product (designs and other project documents) created in connection with the project. To fulfill those obligations, businesses often include intellectual property provisions in their agreements…
Mandatory workers compensation legislation draws criticism from CFIB
January 4, 2012 Andrew SnookThe Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has drawn criticism from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) after Ontario’s Ministry of Labour announced that mandatory coverage for independent operators within the construction industry will come into effect on Jan.…
The 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings now 25% more energy efficient
December 5, 2011 NRCSome 245 technical changes have been made to the 2011 National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings to accommodate new technologies and construction practices that have emerged in Canada over the past 15 years. “We are working with the provinces…
Neighbours can be a nuisance
November 1, 2011 Chris Eagles and Brad WoodsEveryone has the right to the enjoyment and use of their land. A wrongful interference with that right is called nuisance. A nuisance occurs when an act indirectly causes physical injury to property or substantially interferes with the use or…