Podcasts about construction record

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes in part two of a two-part series looking at current challenges in the financial markets affecting not only construction but the wider economy as well as the unpredictable nature of federal politics both north and south of the border. Michael elaborated on current data which shows continued hesitancy towards investment in real estate due to high interest rates and continued fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and cautioned that even if the Federal Reserve lowers rates, current conditions take time to change. Alex pointed to real estate as still being a point of instability and spoke about how the borrowing rate at the consumer level post-pandemic in Canada is alarmingly high. As a federal election in the United States is due in November, Michael reflected on how economic policy could change depending on which party takes the White House, and Alex and Warren discussed how no matter who wins in November, Canada must set its policy to adapt to changing political circumstances in the United States. You can listen to the first part of our economic risks series here and our podcasts from World of Concrete are also available including a preview episode, a look at robotics and construction and an episode about women in construction and the potential of 3d printing with concrete. Make sure to tune in to part two of our economics podcast with Alex and Michael next week! Other episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes in part one of a two-part series looking at the geopolitical situation across the globe and how it affects the construction industry and the pressing need for labour at a level never been seen before in either the Canadian or U.S. economies. Alex lays out the current economic situation by laying out the latest construction starts data and pointed to risks such as the ongoing situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, climate change and pointed to a significant upsurge in Canada's population which will affect the economy in terms of new housing and access to skilled workers. He also pointed to the need for raw materials accessed through mining and the regulatory frameworks that make for slow approvals when the world is trying to move past fossil fuels. Michael also raised the effects of climate change on shipping, as the Panama Canal experiences drought which has a cascading effect on the economy as shipping slows and goods can't get where they need to be. Weather events across North America are also causing growing insurance claims which increases costs for commercial real estate as well as other industries. He referred to all these risks as “many small cuts” that cumulatively hurt the construction industry. Our recent interview with  CIRP executive director Vicky Waldron about pain relief without prescriptions for injured worker is available here and our podcasts from World of Concrete are also available including a preview episode, a look at robotics and construction and an episode about women in construction and the potential of 3d printing with concrete. Make sure to tune in to part two of our economics podcast with Alex and Michael next week! Other episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with BC Construction Industry Rehabilitation Plan (CIRP) executive director Vicky Waldron about its Opioid-Free Pain Clinic pilot program which approaches pain management after workplace injury without drug prescriptions. Waldron spoke to the importance of avoiding opioid use to mask pain and the clinic instead uses an innovative technique called myoActivation trigger point therapy which reduces pain without pharmacological intervention. She also said those who go through the therapy recover more quickly while avoiding drug use, and that the construction industry has collaborated extensively with the clinic resulting in workers getting back to work more quickly and at significantly lower cost than surgery and other treatments. Our recent interview with “Building Toronto's Skyline” author Nick Ainis is here and our podcasts from World of Concrete are also available including a preview episode, a look at robotics and construction and an episode about women in construction and the potential of 3d printing with concrete. Other episodes are available at the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™ from the World of Concrete in Las Vegas, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with both speaker and entrepreneur Rhonda Sargent Chambers and architect and designer Kaneshka Salehi. Chambers, who grew up in a construction family that ran a concrete staining business, spoke at a session titled Women Construction Business Owners: "Creating Your Legacy" where she addressed many of the challenges of running a business from a female perspective including imposter syndrome, outdated cultural attitudes and the similarities between her production business and those working in construction, including intense physical labour and high-stress environments. Kaneshka, the principal of Kaneshka Design Group, explained how 3-D printing has allowed him to express his visions in ways that simply weren't possible with standard technologies. He also addressed the current limitations of 3D printing and the real-world challenges of building organic architecture in California, where earthquakes and other hazards are all part of the design process. You can listen to our preview World of Concrete episode, our episode about robotics and construction, and check out our World of Concrete coverage on our Daily Commercial News, Journal of Commerce and Construction Record Linkedin sites along with the DCN, JOC and Construction Record Podcast Twitter accounts, as well as daily Reels on our Instagram feed. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey looks at the role of robotics in construction with DPR Construction robotics lead Henning Roedel and Rogers-O'Brien Construction chief innovation officer Todd Wynne from the World of Concrete conference in Las Vegas. Wynne and Roedel spoke to the many ways the construction industry is already utilizing robotics along with new innovations such as Hilti's JaiBot drilling robot, which drills over the shoulder holes and spares workers injury and exposure to silica, as well as the Dusty Robotics Fieldprinter, a “Roomba with a printer” as Wynne called it that plots lines across real-world floors. They also spoke to the role of robotics in not only drawing in younger workers but also allowing older workers to work in new ways and preserve their decades of experience. Wynne and Roedel also talked about how interest in robotics and technological innovation is rising throughout the industry as well as outside of it, as new sources of investment come to construction fueling more startups and innovation designed to automate and digitize the worksite. We'll be on the ground at the World of Concrete from Jan. 23 to Jan 25., and you can listen to our previous World of Concrete episode, watch our Daily Commercial News, Journal of Commerce and Construction Record Linkedin sites along with the DCN, JOC and Construction Record Podcast Twitter accounts, as well as daily Reels on our Instagram feed. DCN-JOC News Services Henning Roedel Linkedin profile Todd Wynne Linkedin profile

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with World of Concrete senior show manager Kevin Archibald about the history of the conference, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year in Las Vegas, as well as the many features of this year's event. Archibald said in 1974 the original conference was started by a small group of industry professionals with 71 exhibitors over 75,000 sq ft. and the event will tip its hat to the past with a “walk down memory lane” even as the current conference covers the breadth of the Las Vegas Convention Center with exhibits, educational sessions, large-scale product demos and a series of competitions. Archibald said a conference mainstay is the Bricklayer 500, also known as the “Superbowl of Concrete,” and there will be other features such as Get Tough challenge where attendees can drive Western Star trucks around obstacles and rock carvers from around the world situated throughout the conference practicing their craft. He added sustainability and aerated concrete are two of the major trends the conference sees both in exhibits on the show floor and educational interest, along with an emphasis on safety, noise reduction and the growing importance of data in driving company decisions. We'll be on the ground at the World of Concrete from Jan. 23 to Jan 25., so be sure to tune into The Construction Record and watch our Daily Commercial News, Journal of Commerce and Construction Record Linkedin sites along with the DCN, JOC and Construction Record Podcast Twitter accounts, as well as daily Reels on our Instagram feed. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with author Nick Ainis about his book, “Building Toronto's Skyline,” about the history and progress of development of apartment buildings and condominiums in Canada's largest city. Ainis broke down how Toronto developed multi-dwelling housing from boarding houses to apartment blocks and then after initial resistance and delays in the 1970s saw a boom of condominium developments in the 1980s and beyond. He also spoke to NIMBYism (Not In My Backyard) in Toronto even as far back as the early 1900s and the future of the condominium market in the Greater Toronto area. You can listen to other episodes on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our interview CAW Architects principals Mousam Adcock and Monique Wood about the Palo Alto architecture firm's accomplishments is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with CAW Architects principals Mousam Adcock and Monique Wood about the Palo Alto architecture firm's accomplishments in the institutional and educational sectors and the firm's shift to becoming a women-led organization. Adcock said one of the reasons the firm has succeeded is a meritocratic structure where anyone who wants to take on more or different work can do so, leading to eventual movement into leadership positions. She said the shift to a woman-led firm was gradual and “just reflects the diversity of the firm.” Wood said the firm's mission is to better communities through their work, which lends itself to building both educational and community projects. Adcock said other than medical facilities, CAW has built almost every other aspect of educational projects. She also said a key component of working with clients is “letting them know they're being heard,” which isn't always evident before the client asks questions. You can listen to other episodes on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our interview with John Tenpenny about ReNew Canada's 2024 list of Canada's top infrastructure projects is here and our recent special episode about the 43rd anniversary of the Bentall IV tragedy in Vancouver is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this special episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks to British Columbia construction and safety stakeholders about a rising number of work-related deaths as they observe the 43rd anniversary of the tragic accident at the Bentall IV building in Vancouver that claimed four lives on Jan 7., 1981. BC Building Trades executive director Brynn Bourke hosted the event and addressed startling statistics both at the event and afterwards in an interview. Fifty-four people died in 2022 at the workplace, 28 due to trauma and 26 due to exposure to harmful materials, representing a 74 per cent increase from the average number of annual construction worker deaths over the previous three decades. She also spoke to the need to address the opioid crisis and mental health, as well as cautioning all levels of government looking to quickly build affordable housing to not lose sight of worker safety while doing so. We also spoke with WorkSafeBC senior manager of prevention field services Suzana Pripic both about the 2022 statistics and new asbestos regulations that came into effect on January 1 and with asbestos reform advocate Lee Loftus about the good of the new rules along with more work still that needs to be done.   Thanks for listening to this special episode of The Construction Record Podcast. You can listen to other episodes on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our most recent interview with John Tenpenny about ReNew Canada's 2024 list of Canada's top infrastructure projects is here. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey discusses Renew Canada's 2024 list of Canada's top infrastructure projects with Renew editor John Tenpenny. As with previous years, health infrastructure projects made a strong showing due to pandemic-era spending increases to deal with the current health crisis and any future ones. Transit also continued to dominate the list across Canada, Tenpenny said, with over a quarter of the list's projects. He also noted most energy projects are focused on hydroelectric transmission and nuclear power rather than fossil fuels, and pointed to most highway projects as focused on maintenance and upgrades. Tenpenny added megaprojects such as Site C in British Columbia are so large that even as they near completion the “wind down” process still takes some time and other large projects are coming through the infrastructure pipeline in the next two to five years.    You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with CK DesGrosseilliers, a spokesperson for the Threads of Life victims group talking about recent changes by the Ontario government regarding mandatory inquests after construction-related deaths is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with CK DesGrosseilliers, a spokesperson for the Threads of Life victims group, about recent changes by the Ontario government regarding mandatory inquests after construction-related deaths. DesGrosseilliers has a personal stake in the issue, as her brother Tim DesGrosseilliers, a unionized elevator constructor, died in a Toronto mishap in September 2017.  She believes the government's failure to move on the thousands of recommendations that have come from construction inquests is a failure of the system that should be rectified, and said if recommendations were followed there would be less incidents to begin with. The move to a yearly review cadence has been received with cautious optimism but some stakeholders and have strongly expressed the need for families to be involved in the new process including funding for representation if needed. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes looking at 2023 through an economic lens is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Stakeholders cautiously support decision to scrap mandatory coroner's inquests into jobsite deaths

The Five Pods of Xmas – Journal of Commerce staff writer Sarah Rowland On the first of our Five Pods of Xmas, Journal of Commerce staff writer Sarah Rowland reflects on her new position reporting on Western Canadian construction and lets us know what she's looking forward to covering in 2024. Amongst Sarah's favorite topics is the changing Vancouver landscape as city council and the ABC party look into changing view protection plans, which restrict where a building in Vancouver's downtown can be built and how tall it can be in order to preserve views of the mountains, the Pacific Ocea and other natural features of the city. you can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Stay tuned to hear from Daily Commercial news staff writers Angela Gismondi and Don Wall, news editor Lindsey Cole and ConstructConnect news media director Vince Versace Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey looks back at 2023 and forward to 2024 through an economic lens with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes.  Chief amongst the big construction stories of 2023, Carrick said, is the increased number of megaprojects underway in both the United States and Canada, as well as an intense push to electrification of infrastructure on both sides of the border. However he cautioned that in order for this change to happen, the number of electric vehicles has to increase. There will be bumps along the way, Carrick said, but eventually this transition will occur. Guckes pointed to a weakening commercial and residential market in 2023, but said the movement of manufacturing back to the United States along with new construction opportunities including increased military spending as geopolitics around the world continues to fluctuate. Carrick said the biggest economic story in 2024 will be a decline in interest rates, resulting in more people looking to buy property and invest in businesses, and pointed to Canadian population growth as also impactful to the economy. He also said several new megaprojects such as the LNG facility in Kitimat and the completion of the Trans Mountain project will positively impact Canada's GDP. Guckes echoed that Canada, once these new projects are online, will be a viable alternative to Russian gas and other energy providers, and said in the United States water and sewage project while not glamourous have big implications for the construction industry. Both economists also agreed that an increasing use of data centers will mean further construction projects. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with highlights from a recent Buildings Show fireside chat style panel about artificial intelligence (AI) moderated by ConstructConnect director of news media Vince Versace, featuring LanadLogic CEO Arash Shahi and Doug Dockery, ConstructConnect's chief technology officer is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have highlights from a recent Buildings Show fireside chat style panel about artificial intelligence (AI) moderated by ConstructConnect director of news media Vince Versace, featuring LandLogic CEO Arash Shahi and Doug Dockery, ConstructConnect's chief technology officer. The trio discussed the current and future role of AI in the construction industry, where it can help companies do more with less and separated hype from reality in an ever-changing space. Dockery also emphasized the way to grasp AI's potential is to use it yourself and learn what the tools are capable of and how they can benefit your construction company. He also said one of thebest features of AI is its ability to get out of people's way and use tools in a straightforward and intuitive manner. Shahi, who has a background in real estate, said the combination of AI and open data could bring rapid change to the space, and while it wouldn't put realtors out of a job it would change their roles in the industry. He also said for the construction industry to adopt AI it has to address specific issues the industry needs fixed instead of being a “solution looking for a problem.” You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with Weather Network meteorologist Mark Robinson and Western University's Dr. Greg Kopp about the increasing dangers of extreme weather and how construction can create resilient building techniques to withstand climate change is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Simple interfaces a key to AI growth in construction: experts

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Weather Network meteorologist Mark Robinson and Western University's Dr. Greg Kopp about the increasing dangers of extreme weather and how construction can create resilient building techniques to withstand climate change. Robinson detailed the disaster areas he's seen across the planet ranging from Nepal to America's Tornado Alley and Ontario, and explained how climate change is creating mor extreme weather events, though recent wildfires have actually suppressed tornado activity to an extent. He also detailed how while some tornados are simply too powerful to mitigate against, there are measure that can be taken to reinforce buildings and property against more common and lower-intensity tornadoes. Kopp explained the mission and research focus of the Northern Tornadoes Project as well as his own role as the ImpactWX Chair in Severe Storms Engineering. He also talked about Canada's building code adapting to climate change and extreme weather events and highlighted structures such as nuclear reactors which are built to the highest impact tolerances possible and other structures which vary in their resiliency. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section.  Our previous podcast with Residential Construction Council of Ontario president Richard Lyall about the federal government's Fall Economic Statement is here. Thanks for listening.  Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Mark Robinson biography Greg Kopp biography Researchers call for storm resistant measures in provincial building codes Tornado hits Ottawa suburban neighbourhood, damaging 125 homes and scattering debris Mississippi tornado recovery tough for low-income residents

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Residential Construction Council of Ontario president Richard Lyall about the federal government's Fall Economic Statement, introduced by deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland on Nov 21. Lyall reflected on the parts of the statement of benefit to the residential construction industry, including a substantial focus on housing including billions committed to increasing supply. However he cautioned what's needed to truly see change is a housing ‘Marshall Plan' involving all three levels of government coordinated to identify where housing is needed and what sort of housing should be built. He also said the housing crisis is not an ideological problem but rather a reflection of market inefficiency and a tendency in previous decades to focus on high-rises when what's needed is additional mid and low-rise buildings in addition to high-rise stock. In Daily Commercial news and Journal of Commerce headlines, Construction stakeholders are calling for swift action from the Ontario government to address confusion over the health and safety responsibilities of municipal project owners in the wake of the controversial Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Greater Sudbury. We also have another story from the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships P3 conference in Toronto about a panel that examined both the successes and challenges of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project. From the west, we highlight the Wascana Pool in Regina, which is setting a new standard in Canada by focusing on inclusivity and accessibility, and in both publications John Bleasby's Inside Innovation column looks at both the advantages and risks of drones in construction and our Brownfield Remediation Feature includes a story from Dan O'Reilly about the Birchley Park development, termed a “brownfield gem” in Toronto's Quarry Lands. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with Angela Gismondi's interviews with Dara Calleary, Ireland's minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, about the launch of the Ireland-Canada Construction Network, an initiative to share products, skills, and innovations between the two nations is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Ontario stakeholders scramble in reaction to Sudbury SCC decision A deep dive into the successes, challenges of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Birchley Park development a brownfield gem in Toronto's ‘Quarry Lands' Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse Diving into inclusivity: Regina's Wascana Pool aims to set a new standard in Canada Inside Innovation: Office to residential conversions are just one option to avoid stranded assets

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi speaks with Dara Calleary, Ireland's minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, about the launch of the Ireland-Canada Construction Network, an initiative to share products, skills, and innovations between the two nations. Calleary said while Ireland has traditionally exchanged skilled tradespeople with Canada, technological progress now allows the country to also export innovation and knowledge to Canada, as well as share expertise between the two construction sectors. He said the Ireland-Canada Construction Network will allow construction leaders from both countries to cross-pollinate ideas and share similar challenges and added while Ireland hit economic hadwinds in 2008 and 2012 in the time since Ireland has expanded its construction footprint on a global level and has embraced technological change. Enterprise Ireland Americas regional director Aidan McKenna added over 300 of his organization's clients export to Canada at a monetary value of $2.8 billion. We also have the latest Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines as news editor Lindsey Cole updates us on growing concern over the number of temporary foreign workers asked to work at the planned NextStar battery plant in Windsor, Ont. Equally controversial in the Ontario construction space is a recent Supreme Court of Canada appeal ruling which decided the City of Sudbury can be considered a constructor in a 2021 dispute where a pedestrian was struck and killed by an employee driving a road grater. The issues at hand are who was responsible for safety on site, quality control and site supervision. The judgement is game-changing, Lindsey said as it raises questions as to who is responsible for site safety on any given project. Lindsey also highlighted a story from the recent Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships conference examining points of failure on the Ottawa LRT project and how future projects can take different approaches to achieve clarity and avoid problems.   From the west, a massive Saskatchewan potash mine project is making headlines with BHP setting and hitting gender targets far above the usual numbers seen in the construction and mining industry. The government of British Columbia has also issued a Request For Proposals for a new set of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes with the aim of speeding up construction and reducing costs for homeowners and builders. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews with Interact Analysis senior research director Alastair Hayfield about the downturn in the European heavy equipment market and Jacob Bros. president and CEO Scott Jacob about leadership in times of ongoing crisis are here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Concerns emerge over NextStar's plans to hire foreign workers for battery plant Supreme Court Sudbury appeal ruling shocks construction industry P3 2023: How did Ottawa's LRT project go off the rails? Panel explores lessons learned Massive potash mine being built in Saskatchewan breaks new ground for women B.C. issues RFP for new Standardized Housing Design Project DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with both Interact Analysis senior research director Alastair Hayfield about the downturn in the European heavy equipment market and what that indicates more broadly as well as an interview with Jacob Bros. president and CEO Scott Jacob about leadership in times of ongoing crisis. Hayfield detailed how demand for heavy equipment has ebbed in the European market has ebbed in the short term and may stay muted for some time, and explained how the current war in Ukraine is affecting the larger European economy.   Jacob explained how he and his company faced risk head-on during the early days of the pandemic by spreading out throughout the office while observing all necessary protocols. He also pointed to the new risks the construction industry is facing, the challenges of explaining how the industry works to those not versed in its intricacies and how technology should be approached on a case-by-case basis depending on its return on investment.  This week Daily Commercial News staff writers Don Wall, Angela Gismondi and digital media editor Warren Frey attended the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships conference in Toronto and our news roundup includes a discussion between CCPPP president and CEO Lisa Mitchell and Peter Fragiskatos the parliamentary secretary to the minister of housing, infrastructure and communities about the ongoing housing crisis, another session about Ontario's nuclear ambitions, and coverage of a panel analyzing why America's moves into the P3 space may be more of a learning opportunity than a threat for Canada. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews from the CCPPP P3 conference is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services P3 2023: Incentivizing private sector key to getting housing built, says Fragiskatos P3 2023: Ontario's nuclear sector a model for the world, delegates told American P3 projects less of a threat, more of a learning opportunity: Panel Innovative P3 award winners unveiled during CCPPP conference

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast™, we have interviews from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) 2023 annual P3 conference in downtown Toronto about the present and future of the public-private partnership (P3) procurement model. Digital media editor Warren Frey spoke with CCPP president Lisa Mitchell about both the conference and the current P3 climate and about a panel she moderated about what Canada can learn from P3 activity in the United States and conversely what the U.S. can learn from Canadian P3 practices. Warren also spoke with Infrastructure Ontario president Michael Lindsay about the progressive model, current P3 challenges and the state of procurement in a pre and post-COVID world. Daily Commercial News staff writers Angela Gismondi and Don Wall also relayed their experiences covering panels at the conference, and we've included links to their stories below. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast covering ConstructConnect's Fall 2023 Construction Economy Outlook podcast is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services P3 Conference Feature P3 2023: Incentivizing private sector key to getting housing built, says Fragiskatos

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have highlights from ConstructConnect's Fall 2023 Construction Economy Outlook podcast, featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes, American Institute of Architects chief economist Kermit Baker, Associated General Contractors of America chief economist Ken Simonson, and ConstructConnect vice-president of product strategy Claire Stubblefield. Baker looked at leading monthly indicators, the spend on construction of buildings and gave a forecast for the coming year, and Simonson struck an optimistic note and spoke about construction employment, including a declining unemployment rate for the industry. Stubblefield explained the latest non-residential building trends and project volumes in the US and Canada using ConstructConnect research data. Carrick said while he's still optimistic about the state of the economy, he does see some reasons for pessimism, and Guckes talked about the Project Stress Index and highlighted labour productivity concerns and post-COVID oversupply.   If you'd like to watch the entire presentation, go to https://www.constructconnect.com/economic-resources and register to view the video and presentation deck. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with an interview with All Nations United president Mary French is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Construction economists highlight positives amidst gloomy indicators  

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with All Nations United president Mary French about the current opportunities and future potential of Indigenous collaboration with the construction industry on major projects. French recently took part in the “From Reconciliation to Building Together — A Discussion on Building and Fostering Meaningful Business Relationships between Construction Companies and Indigenous Organizations” panel at the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association's (ICBA) 2023 Construction Innovation Summit held recently in Vancouver. She touched on the importance of boardrooms engaging in self-reflection as they engage in reconciliation practices, the need for Indigenous input on labour structures for major projects and her hope that Indigenous relations will one day be considered the same way occupational safety is today – a common-sense aspect of organizational governance. We also have the latest headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole including the possibility Ontario may have to take over operations of two light rail lines in Toronto as the city faces a budget shortfall, as well as a new name and leadership for the Carpenters' Union. We also have a story from Jean Sorensen about a group of explosive experts and how they tackle demolitions across Canada. From the west, the Journal of Commerce has a profile from staff writer Sarah Rowland of Ledcor's Marsha Gentiel, who is leading the company's sustainable construction initiatives, as well as a look at the resoration of Regina's Globe Theatre.   You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews from the recent Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. Innovation summit. is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services   Indigenous labour leader sees hope for reconciliation through meaningful collaboration  Ontario may have to operate two Toronto LRTs amid city budget crunch: documents Carpenters' confirm new leadership, jurisdiction Rakowski gathers crack-team of explosive experts to tackle demolitions Ledcor's Marsha Gentile: A trailblazer in sustainable construction and beyond Unravelling the curtain on Regina's Globe Theatre restoration

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor has two interviews from the recent Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. Innovation summit. The first interview is with Brad Burnett, the executive vice-president of ITC Construction Group and was on a panel titled “The Future of Construction is Pre-Construction.” He explained how he went from an estimator with the company to a one-man department and how over the ensuing years pre-construction has grown in importance and points the way forward for the industry. The second interview is with Amy Marks, the executive vice-president of technology firm Symetri USA and known on social media as the Queen of Prefab. Marks keynote was called “The Evolution of Industrialized Construction” and she pointed not only to the opportunities as construction becomes more modular, standardized and digitized but also the challenges on the way since large tech players such as Amazon and Google may involve themselves in both the data and supply side of the business. We also have headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including news about the Western Clean Energy Sorting and Recycling Facility, a new 42,000-square-foot facility in Kincardine, Ont. which was opened by Laurentis Energy Partners (LEP) in partnership with EnergySolutions Canada. John Bleasby's latest Legal Notes column says objective analysis determines contract repudiation and In U.S. news, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced its most frequently cited workplace safety standards for 2023 and fall protection — general requirements remains at the top of the list. From the west, Calgary's industrial real estate sector is gaining traction as a distribution hub. With distribution space asking rates considerably lower than those in Vancouver and Toronto, the past year has seen Calgary's industrial market maintain a robust health, notably in Q3 2023, and recent findings from the Fall 2023 Energy Sector Survey highlight a prevailing sense of optimism within the Canadian energy industry. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous Halloween podcast with Peter Kenter is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services New clean energy sorting and recycling facility will minimize waste Legal Notes: Objective analysis determines contract repudiation Fall protection remains top of OSHA list for most frequently cited workplace safety standards Calgary's industrial real estate sector gains traction as distribution hub Canadian energy sector sees ample opportunities in the near-term, reveals survey

It's that time of year again as digital media editor Warren Frey and correspondent Peter Kenter delve into the spooky and ghoulish side of construction with a look at their favorite structures that may or may not be host to unexplained apparitions and forces beyond life and death. Peter interviewed Haunted Walks director Jim Dean for an upcoming story about infrastructure hauntings around Ontario, including the tale of the tunnel monster of Cabbagetown, a legend from 1979 about a Gollum-like creature hiding underneath Parliament St in Toronto, a haunted bridge in Scarborough, and an investigation into the paranormal properties of the CN Tower. Warren also spoke to ghost stories and odd structures from Edmonton, including the University of Alberta, his alma mater, which sports both the spirit of a nurse wandering Pembina Hall and urban myths about the maze-like structure of the Biological Sciences Building, and spoke about the Winchester House in San Jose and Borley Rectory, allegedly the most haunted place in the entire United Kingdom. As is tradition, Warren and Peter also both gave their favorite haunted houses in literature and film to round out the podcast. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous with Dr. Jon Callegher about attracting young people to the construction industry is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Dr. Jon Callegher about attracting young people to the construction industry and then retaining them once they enter the field. Callegher, the executive director of the Job Talks research and media agency, spoke at the recent British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance Health and Safety Conference about what younger workers are looking for in a career path and how many of the traits regarded as “university-ready” are also well suited to the skilled trades. He added men and women have to be marketed to in different ways and that companies need to precisely target young workers instead of sending out large-scale advertising campaigns that may not reach them. We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce including a story from Angela Gismondi about an extension to an existing building at the University of Toronto's Innis College as well as columns from John Clinkard about the possibly costly implications for new homes within Ottawa's emissions reduction plan, and John Bleasby's Inside Innovation column which looks at how artificial intelligence adoption in  the construction industry is in his words, “all about the data.” From the west we have stories from Shannon Moneo about how two years after a devastating fire that wiped out the town of Lytton in British Columbia, the rebuilding effort is stuck in limbo with no construction as yet started and in Edmonton the long-delayed $1.8-billion, 13-kilometre low-floor line Valley Line Southeast LRT will open for passenger service on November 4th. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interviews with our new Journal of Commerce staff writer Sarah Rowland and WorkSafeBC's Trudi Rondou are here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Innis College addition ‘surgical,' connecting old and new buildings Inside Innovation: AI adoption in construction is all about the data Ottawa's Emission Reduction Plan Has Costly Implications for New Homes Lytton rebuild in limbo over two years after devastating fire Edmonton announces Valley Line Southeast LRT to open Nov. 4  

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Sarah Rowland, the Journal of Commerce's new staff writer, about her background in journalism including stints at the Georgia Straight in Vancouver and the Montreal Mirror, her time in communications and her hopes for her new role as she brings you news from western Canada's construction, architecture and engineering industries. We also have another interview from the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance's recent Health and Safety conference, featuring WorkSafeBC first responder mental health committee chair Trudi Rondou about mental health challenges for those in emergency services, many of which mirror conditions faced by those in construction. She also listed a number of resources both sectors can use to help with mental health issues. News editor Lindsey Cole joined the pod to list off the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce, including stories out of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada from their recent conference in Napa, Ca. concerning the need for mechanical contractors to adopt to changing industry conditions and the new strains on the supply chain system after it weathered the worst of COVID. Lindsey also pointed to an article on Toronto's continued domination of the latest biannual Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) Crane Index and an update on the US$1.23-billion Greenstone gold mine near Geraldton in northern Ontario as it nears completion. From the west, we have a story about 3D printing being used to create Star Lodges at Siksika Nation, a community of 7,800 in southern Alberta as well as the City of Calgary pausing development on intake for a development incentive program as the programs and services under review already exceed current available funding. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. You can listen to our previous podcast with interviews from the BCCSA Health and Safety conference here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services MCAC 2023: Legal panellists present solutions for an era of change MCAC 2023 conference: Suppliers' panel highlights paths to success Toronto dominates new North American crane index Final stretch for Greenstone gold project Returning to traditional journalism: Meet our new staff writer Sarah Rowland Alberta's largest 3D-printed housing project will create Star Lodges Calgary pauses development incentive program intake

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have interviews from the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance's 2023 Health and Safety Conference, including BCCSA president Mike McKenna and safety expert Michael Fears. McKenna gave an overview of both conference content and the importance of being able to network with one's peers and spoke to the importance of mental health work being done throughout the industry. He also pointed to Jan 1., 2024 as a significant date for construction as both asbestos certification and concrete pump operation certification regulations come into effect. He also said while the industry is booming, a growing labour shortages will continue to be a challenge along with insuring the work environment is conducive to worker retention.   Fears explained that the current system of safety rewards can actually be counter-productive as workers can hide injuries or errors and that the “external awards” approach leads to separating safety from the core of an organizational mission. He also encouraged companies to create safety rewards tailored to individuals and to not bring attention to safety initiatives but remain consistent in positively reinforcing positive employee safety behaviour. We also have a summary of the latest headlines on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce including staff writer Angela Gismondi's story about how offsite construction is a needed tool in addressing the housing crisis, WSIB's extension of its Health and Safety Excellence   program to the end of 2024, and the announcement by the B.C. government that three teams have been chosen to move forward to the Request For Proposals stage for the Massey Tunnel replacement project which will create an immersed eight-lane tube tunnel to replace the current aging infrastructure. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with VRCA president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Offsite construction a needed tool in the housing crisis toolbox: Bendersky Nova Scotia general contractor fined for using professional engineer's seal WSIB double rebates for smaller businesses extended Massey Tunnel replacement procurement process moves forward First of two tunnel-boring machines breaks ground at future Oak-VGH Station Winners revealed: Who took home a VRCA 2023 Gold Award of Excellence Michael Fears Energy Safety Canada

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Vancouver Regional Construction Association president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence, held Oct. 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Martin discussed the many projects involved in the awards, including impressive retail like the Pacific Centre Apple Store in downtown Vancouver, striking office complex The Stack all the way to large infrastructure projects such as the Highway 91/17 project. She also reflected on her first months as president of the VRCA and further challenges and opportunities ahead as the association moves forward, including the creating of a diversity and inclusion committee as the industry moves forward and aligns with changing demographics. News editor Lindsey Cole and Warren also do a special in-person roundup of the latest headlines, including two stories about the controversial Impact Assessment Act which came out four months ago and parts of which have been dialed back by Canada's Supreme Court. DCN staff writer Angela Gismondi has a story about Ontario mayors emphasizing the need for speed when dealing with the housing crisis at a virtual mayor's panel held by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario on Oct. 12. Grant Cameron looks into a Volkswagen EV battery plant planned for an industrial park southeast of London, Ont. and Don Procter has a story about the $6 billion Southwood Circle development, one of the biggest in Winnipeg's history. British Columbia premier David Eby also announced construction sites of 25 workers or more will now have flush toilets, a move praised by BC Building Trades Council executive director Brynn Bourke who has long advocated for a move away from porta-potties on worksites. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with ICBA president Chris Gardner is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Supreme Court ruling puts IAA ‘in the trash can, where it belongs' Canada's Supreme Court rules against federal environmental impact law Speed essential to addressing the housing crisis: Ontario mayors Volkswagen EV battery plant charged up for construction Flush toilets on construction sites now a legal requirement: Eby $6B Southwood Circle development unlike any other in Winnipeg's history

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) president Chris Gardner about the organization's upcoming Construction Innovation Summit. Gardner went into detail about how technology and innovation can help construction address an ongoing and worsening labour shortage as well as showcase how the industry is already innovating and adapting to digital technologies to improve productivity. He also addressed the need to improve perceptions of construction as a career path for young workers and pointed to sessions an Indigenous participation in the industry, leadership and updates on trends such as supply chains, pre-construction, and artificial intelligence. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with ConstructConnect senior economist Michael Guckes is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect senior economist Michael Guckes about his work with a new Project Stress Index tool, the current federal deadlock and its effect on the wider economy and the somewhat muddled state of office to residential conversions. Guckes gave a fulsome look at some of the trends he's seeing via the Project Stress Index, and explained the methodologies behind the numbers the index draws from and how it can help firms understand the dynamic tension between starts and current economic conditions.  Guckes also went into detail as to how the recent disruption in the U.S. Congress slows down the larger economy and explained how the U.S. government is a vital part of many economic sectors in particular the construction industry which is tied to many federal infrastructure projects and other large-scale builds. Furthermore, a shifting interest rate landscape makes governmental instability tougher to weather economically, regardless of which party is in power. He also explained how while there is continued interest in converting vacant offices into residential stock, the current and future spread in starts and completes indicates that multi-unit starts have fallen dramatically as well as in increase of rental vacancy rates, coupled with the complexities of changing offices into residential at what can be a high-cost premium. We also have a look at current Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole, including the RCMP beginning a criminal investigation of the Ontario Greenbelt land development, a multi-million reimagining of Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and a story from DCN staff writer Angela Gismondi that goes behind the scenes into the building of the Port Lands bridges. From the west we have stories about two B.C. companies and the University of British Columbia looking into ways to reduce steel corrosion, as well as news about a new NAFTA decision on the ongoing and contentious matter of softwood lumber duties. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview Thomas Strong, the president and CEO of Building Transformations is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services ConstructConnect's Project Stress Index - October 2 Construction Economics Brief - August 2023 RCMP launches investigation into Ontario's Greenbelt land swap The journey behind the Port Lands bridges Multimillion-dollar ‘reimagination' planned for Scotiabank Arena International Day of the Girl: Apprentice carpenter realizes her childhood dream B.C. companies seek how to reduce ‘the bane of steel buildings' B.C. and Ottawa applaud NAFTA decision on U.S. softwood lumber duties

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Thomas Strong, the president and CEO of Building Transformations, about the organization's upcoming industry summit focused on sustainability and ESG, as well as the challenges of getting to net-zero and the opportunities digital technology offers to reach sustainability goals. Strong said energy consumption, emission reduction and on-site power generation have to be addressed and that digital technologies can help improve adoption and accelerate innovation. He added COVID-19's net effect is that more people will work from home which will mean less consumption on site, but already-built assets can also be retrofit and repurposed as residential, vertical farms, data centers and other uses. He said the upcoming summit at the University of British Columbia campus on Oct 11-12 will bring together architects, engineers, builders and developers to examine how to improve building efficiencies. Additionally a closed-door session involving government, industry and other stakeholders looking at how to make meaningful change at present. We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including a look at TimberFever, the annual design-build competition in Toronto that teams up architectural and civil engineering students from various universities. It celebrated its ninth edition with the project theme of an accessible transit shelter connected to a protected bicycle storage space. Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi also has a story about how structural steel reuse is assisting with sustainability for the massive Centre Block rehab project, including taking steel from demolished structures and implementing it the new structure in order to take advantage of embodied carbon. From the west, Manitoba made history on Oct. 3 as it elected provincial NDP leader Wab Kinew as the first First Nations premier in Canada's history. Digital media editor Warren Frey also has a story about how an uptick in mental health and diabetes is driving benefits costs up featuring an interview with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association president Chris Gardner. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with Dr. Guido Wimmers, the new dean of the British Columbia Institute of Technology's School of Construction and the Environment is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Building Transformations: Reenvisioning Commercial Real Estate for a Net Zero Future TimberFever competition challenges students with transit shelter projects New funding supports Hamilton energy-efficiency studies Centre Block rehab a prime example of structural steel reuse Manitoba NDP to form majority government in historic win for First Nations premier ICBA warns mental health and diabetes crises driving benefits costs up

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Dr. Guido Wimmers, the new dean of the British Columbia Institute of Technology's School of Construction and the Environment. Wimmers talks about his initial impressions as he takes on his new role and his previous work both at the University of Northern British Columbia and in Europe, as well as his focus on wood design and sustainability. He also speaks to the partnership between trades training institutions and the wider construction industry and the potential of the school's Trades and Technology Complex, the largest project in BCIT's history. Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce editor Lindsey Cole also joins the pod with a series of headlines from across the country, including a story from DCN staff writer Don Wall about the Downsview community development in Toronto, a massive 30-year project that will when completed provide homes for 80,000 to 110,000 new residents and 47,000 workers. She also highlighted a recent talk at the Canadian Institute of Steel's Construction's conference in Toronto about prompt payment from Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc where he said that while there's a “scissor lift” for prompt payment, industry is still sticking to old habits or as he said is “still using a wooden ladder.” Lindsey also highlighted our Demolition feature, including an article from John Bleasby about the circumstances in which decommission, deconstruction and demolition should be implemented. From the west, she highlighted a story about a B.C. court rejecting a legal challenge by a resident's association to the large-scale housing development planned by the Squamish Nation at the foot of the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. She also provided an update on the latest developments, with the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program, as Metro Vancouver appointed a task force to review available options towards completing the troubled project. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc about prompt payment in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Downsview project will serve as transportation, building lab There's a scissor lift for prompt payment but industry still using a wooden ladder: Leduc Decommission, deconstruction, then demolition, in that order B.C. court rejects challenge to huge Squamish Nation housing project in Vancouver Metro Vancouver to form North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant task force

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc about prompt payment in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. Leduc said prompt payment is not working the way it should, largely because of contractors not being proactive in pursuing payment. He attributed some of the reticence to traditional relationships, corporate culture and the role of the pandemic in slowing down payments since little work was getting done at the time in comparison to pre-pandemic activity. He advocated for streamlining the invoicing process and acceleration of certification and reminded contractors attending his talk at the recent Canadian Institute for Steel Construction's annual conference in Toronto that if an owner does not provide notice explaining a delay in payment within the prompt payment parameters, adjudication is an option. We also have headlines from the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce including Angela Gismondi's story about how the long-delayed Eginton Crosstown LRT was expected to provide an opening date on September 27 but Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster instead said he can't commit to a solid timeline until issues with the system are ratified. The project began in 2011 and has experienced significant delays since. DCN staff writer Don Wall's also has an article about a sobering session this week held by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which is held Sept. 30.The session looked at the role of architecture in oppression of Indigenous Canadians over the centuries. Shannon Moneo has a story about Mining Association of Canada president and CEO Pierre Gratton's recent remarks at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade earlier in the month reminding attendees that with the world in the midst of an energy transition, huge quantities of minerals and metals will be needed. From the west, Warren has a story about clean energy tax credits and how different parts of the industry are split on the use of wage requirements. Progressive Contractors Association of Canada president Paul de Jong said his organization supports the credits, a wage rate requirement gives him pause, and Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske said labour supports the wage conditions as they will protect workers as Canada's energy economy shifts into a carbon-free future. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with Ball Construction president Jason Ball about the company's 100th anniversary is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services No firm end date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT as defects and deficiencies persist RAIC reflects on dark days during Truth and Reconciliation sessions Canada needs to build more mines now: MAC president Clean energy tax credits garner support, but a split on wage requirements B.C. releases housing targets for 10 municipalities Prompt payment evolving but still has room to grow: CISC speaker  

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi speaks with Jason Ball, the president of Ball Construction, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Kitchener, Ont. based firm. Ball reflected on recent 100th anniversary celebrations including speeches from some veterans of the company's earlier days, his own journey as leader of the company, and how the firm has adapted through the decades to different market conditions and construction needs. News editor Lindsey Cole also joined digital media editor Warren Frey to discuss the latest headlines, including the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ontario government's reversal of its Greenbelt plans and the subsequent resignation of labour minister Monte McNaughton, along with comment from industry stakeholders about the minister's construction initiatives. Lindsey also looked into an initiative in Nunavut looking to build and distribute modular homes throughout the North, a talk with a fire official about the role of mass timber in high-rises and an uptick in Kelowna in interest in steel construction after wildfires ravaged the region. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interviews  interviews with Progressive Contractors Association of Canada president Paul de Jong and Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske about clean energy tax credits is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Ontario to introduce new Greenbelt law soon, new housing minister says Crown withdraws charges against construction company in fatal Barrie crash Stakeholders praise McNaughton legacy after surprise departure The Construction Record – Episode 191: Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton Nunavut modular home factory changing lives in the Far North Words from a fire official: Using mass timber in highrises isn't cut and dry B.C. steel company sees major business spike after Kelowna fires Vain Attempts to Defang Food, Energy, and Rent in U.S. and Canadian Inflation Interest rates will stay high 'as long as necessary,' the European Central Bank's leader says

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey discusses the federal government's clean energy tax credit initiative and attached labour conditions through interviews with both Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCAC) president Paul de Jong and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) president Bea Bruske.   De Jong pointed to the hiring requirements as an impediment to competitive work on clean energy projects while stressing PCAC and other industry associations fully support skilled tradespeople getting high wages and benefits for the work they perform. Bruske stressed the importance of the transition to a clean energy economy but added workers should benefit from these changes and that the CLC fully supports the federal government's “strings attached” approach. In Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines, Richard Lyall, the president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, says the federal government's announcement that GST will be removed on construction of new rental apartment buildings as “a positive step in the right direction.” The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada has announced it will commemorate the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a two-part webinar series during the week of Sept. 25 to 29. The open access webinar sessions were created in partnership with the RAIC's Indigenous education provider NVision. the west, The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has announced $33 million in private funding has been raised for its new Trades and Technology Complex on its Burnaby, B.C. campus, and the Alberta government is investing $7 million through its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Fund to assist a Cenovus Energy study looking into how small modular nuclear reactors can be used in northern Alberta oilsands operations. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about the current housing crisis, how it affects construction and the wider economy is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services GST removal on new rental builds good news, but still ‘a long way from being out of the woods': Lyall RAIC presents Truth and Reconciliation webinars ACEC-Ontario elects six new board members with Holland as chair BCIT announces $33 million in private funding for Trades and Technology Complex Alberta invests $7 million in Cenovus SMR study

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about the current housing crisis, how it affects construction and the wider economy and what the differences are between the U.S. and Canada as housing prices climb higher and higher and supply shrinks. Michael explained that while there is a narrative of people moving from larger cities to smaller ones because of increased housing affordability, numbers don't explain other factors such as big-city appeal. He also said while starts are used to measure housing demand, completions add a layer of understanding to where the housing economy is going. Both Alex and Michael agreed that labor continues to be a deciding factor in slowing growth of housing stock, which Michael attributed partly to an overreliance on the baby boomer generation which has now led to our current labour crisis. Alex also pointed to automation and modular construction as a possible path out of a labour shortage. The latest headlines include Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi has a story about how Atlantic Canada is feeling pressure due to housing and immigration challenges in addition to a labour pinch, and a story about the recent Mass Timber Seminar Conference at George Brown College in Toronto which pitched mass timber technology as part of a collective solution to the housing crisis. From western Canada, Vancouver's city council recently approved a change to zoning that allows multiplex units in most neighbourhoods in the city, a move Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim praised. However, the British Columbia construction industry's push to get the provincial government to adopt prompt payment legislation has slowed, in addition to a “perfect storm” of inflation, interest rate hikes, supply chain issues and wildfires. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview featuring Angela Gismondi's interviews with Atlantic Canada construction stakeholders is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Atlantic Canada feeling the labour pinch amid more housing, immigration challenges Mass timber ‘part of a collective solution' to the housing crisis Vancouver council approves zoning to allow multiplex units in most neighbourhoods B.C. prompt payment moving slowly: ‘We keep getting pushed off' Are Too Many Contractors Making the Same Bet on Multifamily Development? United States Population Clock Canadian Population Clock U.S. National Debt Clock  

On this episode of the podcast Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi looks at the current state of the labour market in Atlantic Canada. She spoke with Construction Association of Prince Edward Island general manager Stanley Sanderson about the challenges faced by the industry that resonate around the country, such as shifting attitudes towards the trades as well as labour shortage issues inherent to PEI.  Angela also spoke to ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick about Atlantic Canada from an economic perspective and he reflected on how the pandemic contributed to people moving to the Atlantic provinces in search of more space and affordability. He also addressed how despite a rapidly rising population and the possibility of an increasing labour pool, construction will still have towards modular, automation and other technologies to meet demand. She also spoke with Duncan Williams, the president and CEO of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia about housing and immigration into the province, including residents of large Canadian cities moving during the COVID-19 pandemic to more affordable locations in the province. We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including Angela's story about Graham Construction's work on the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, a $117-million, four-storey, hybrid mass timber and concrete structure and The Independent Electricity System Operator launching its Save on Energy's BizEnergySaver in Ottawa to help industrial, commercial, institutional and multi-unit residential building owners and operators make equipment improvements that increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. Angela also has a story from the west about The Canadian Wood Construction Research Network's major initiative, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada-Alliance Grant Next-Generation Wood Construction research program, and digital media editor Warren Frey has a story about how B&B Contracting in Surrey, B.C. and LiUNA Local 1611 were able to train high school students right after graduation so they have a fast track into the construction industry. Economic stories highlighted include John Clinkard's look at how while Canada is welcoming more international immigrants than ever before, it may be imperiling the goal of improving housing affordability, and new Top 10 ConstructConnect project lists for both Canada and the United States.  You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with City of Vancouver green building manager Sean Pander and clean energy engineer Brenda Scott Castro about how Vancouver can adapt aging architecture to changing climate conditions is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Graham outlines what goes into constructing the $117M U of T Lawson Centre for Sustainability Local energy efficiency program launched for businesses in Ottawa Insurance Essentials: Liability risk mitigation tips for electrical contractors Ground broken on second Surrey hospital, new cancer centre Eliminating misconceptions, filling gaps focus of national mass timber research project Surrey high schoolers fast-track into apprenticeship roles Exceptional Immigration Imperils Goal of Improved Housing Affordability Top 10 major upcoming educational and medical construction projects - Canada - September 2023 Top 10 major upcoming Midwest and Northwest construction projects - U.S. - September 2023 The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 301: training the next generation of construction workers

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with City of Vancouver green building manager Sean Pander and clean energy engineer Brenda Scott Castro about how Vancouver can adapt aging architecture to changing climate conditions. Vancouver's older building stock was built in a more temperate environment but as the world heats up and the Lower Mainland experience heat domes and other temperature-related stresses it becomes necessary to retrofit where possible. Pander and Castro said heat pumps are showing promise in adapting older building stock to rising temperatures and said the first priority for the City of Vancouver is to ensure modifications are made  to residences and structures housing the city's most vulnerable residents. News editor Lindsey Cole also joins the pod with a look at the top headlines across the country, including more news and industry reaction to the ongoing Greenbelt saga and Doug Ford's cabinet shakeup following former housing minister Steve Clark's resignation. She also pointed to a project story about a Burlington lift bridge getting a $21-million overhaul which will extend the life of the structure by another five decades. In the west, Lindsey highlighted a story about Fastfrate Group, a major transportation and supply chain provider, which is building several facilities at CentrePort Canada, Winnipeg's 20,000-acre inland port and foreign trade zone. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research advisor Jill Engel-Cox and senior building energy research engineer Shanti Pless is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Where does the industry stand on Ontario's highly publicized cabinet ‘shakeup'? 'They were looking at the Greenbelt': Inside the deal from 2 developers' perspectives Vital overhaul of Burlington lift bridge pushes forward One of Canada's largest transportation companies first tenant in CentrePort's new rail park

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) research advisor Jill Engel-Cox and senior building energy research engineer Shanti Pless about the lab's work at helping the world get to net-zero through both new technologies and increased collaboration. Engel-Cox explained how the NREL works and gave a brief history as well as going into detail on how the lab travels the world and collaborates with other nations to accomplish sustainability goals, and Pless spoke to some of the technologies on the horizon for net-zero including increasingly efficient solar arrays and “virtual power plants” where utility users store and contribute energy into the system. We also have a roundup of the latest headlines including a story about a dog named Demon who patrols the Gordie Howe International bridge work site making sure birds and other animals are safe, and a story from Daily Commercial News staff writer Don Wall about the heavy civil sector grappling with diverse procurement visions. From the west, we have a story about how Simon Fraser University's new museum in Burnaby, B.C. is a mass timber tribute to its surroundings, as well as a story about the City of Edmonton telling residents of a northwest Edmonton condominium building they must evacuate after the city deemed it unsafe. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with LiUNA Local 1611 training plan administrator Tom Miller and B&B Contracting Group operations manager Peter Mihalech about an initiative to train Surrey School District students as construction craft workers is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services ‘Demon' the dog helps keep Gordie Howe Bridge site safe Heavy civil sector grapples with diverse procurement visions Calandra: Lands could be added or removed from the Greenbelt following review New SFU museum a mass timber tribute to its wooded surroundings City orders residents to evacuate northwest Edmonton condo With Construction Not Immune, Retail Sales Speak of Slowdown Except for Construction, Deceleration in U.S. Jobs Growth in August

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with LiUNA Local 1611 training plan administrator Tom Miller and B&B Contracting Group operations manager Peter Mihalech about an initiative to train Surrey School District students as construction craft workers right out of high school. Miller explained the origins of the program and gave an overview of what students experience as they move from high school to training to the work site, and Mihalech relayed his experiences teaching and managing the program as B&B Contracting introduced students to everything the construction industry has to offer along with what they need to be aware of while entering the industry. Mihalech said young people recognize the value of trades as a career path and added the program is more general and diverse in terms of the number of topics it covers, and Miller said while there are differences the Gen Z workers in the program have a positive attitude but due to their age simply don't know the ins and outs of the industry, though they're quick learners. News editor Lindsey Cole also joins the pod to discuss the ongoing Greenbelt scandal unfolding in Ontario, including the resignation of provincial housing minister Steve Clark and a subsequent cabinet shuffle by Ontario premier Doug Ford. She also highlighted a story from Daily Commercial News staff writer Don Wall about the recent Building Transformations conference where Ontario construction stakeholders including representatives from the Ontario General Contractors Association, Concrete Ontario, Skilled Trades Ontario and the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, who all spoke to the vital importance of tackling change. Finally, Lindsey also pointed to a compilation of articles we've prepared for Suicide Prevention Month, given the alarming statistics concerning suicide and skilled trades. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous celebration of our landmark 300th podcast is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services New housing minister Calandra to launch Greenbelt development review Stakeholders stress urgency of workforce issues at tech conference Changing the dynamic: Preventing suicide in construction

On this very special 300th episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Fey is joined by director of news media North America for ConstructConnect Vince Versace to both reminisce about past episodes and look towards the future of the podcast. Warren And Vince delve into the origins of the podcast and highlight notable news stories and episodes that shaped it into the form it takes today, including an interview with renowned architect Luis Vidal and the COVID-19 pandemic where the podcast became a vital link to making sense of an unprecedented and ongoing news event. They also looked at the lighter side of the pods, such as the annual Halloween-themed episodes with Peter Kenter, the work they put into the ConExpo episodes from Las Vegas and speculated on possible future directions for the podcast. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interviews with British Columbia Construction Association president Chris Atchison and BC Road Builders & Heavy Construction Association president Kelly Scott about the industry's role in fighting wildfires is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services The Construction Record Podcast: Episode 95 – An interview with architect Luis Vidal The Construction Record Podcast: Episode 80 – Industry response to COVID-19 The Construction Record Podcast – Halloween Special with Peter Kenter The Construction Record Podcast – CONEXPO-CON/AGG: Day One

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast. Digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with both British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) president Chris Atchison and BC Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association president Kelly Scott about what their membership is doing both right now and in the upcoming recovery phase after wildfire season has ended. Atchison said one of the top priorities is to rebuild residences and other structures burned down in the fire and stressed that members of both the BCCA and the Southern Interior Construction Association have been directly affected by the wildfires and are working to rebuild their own communities. Scott pointed to the BC Roadbuilders cooperation with areas affected by the wildfires in deploying heavy equipment and noted roads will need to be repaired post-wildfires as they were put under extra strain by firefighting vehicles, evacuations and extreme heat. We also have headlines from both the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce including about former EllisDon president Geoff Smith's new mission to embrace digitalization, the Residential Construction Council of Ontario's upcoming summit on the province's ongoing housing crisis, VIA Rail spending $80 million to renovate heritage train stations in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Halifax and Quebec City and Warren's own story about the B.C. construction industry's wildfire response. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes to discuss interest rates and their effect on the construction economy is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Geoff Smith's next mission: digitization RESCON's upcoming housing summit will provide update on Ontario's ongoing housing crisis B.C. construction industry steps up to wildfire threat and aftermath VIA Rail continues heritage station upgrades

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey engages in our monthly economic discussion with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes to discuss interest rates and their effect on the construction economy along with the conditions we'll need to meet to move towards an economy based on renewable energy. As interest rates continue to climb both economists warn increased capital costs will keep construction projects from going forward, and Michael pointed out the U.S. government has taken on so much debt since the Great Recession and the pandemic that there's very little wiggle room for the government to correct course.  We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including the RCMP looking into a potential investigation related to the Progressive Conservative government to Ontario's removal of some areas of protected Greenbelt lands for housing development. Doug Ford's government also ran into controversy recently with the overhaul of Ontario Place and Therme Canada has released an updated design for the West Island of Ontario Place which includes four more acres of public parkland and natural spaces alongside the waterpark and other attractions that are planned. From the west, The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is urging B.C. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming to consider building a second bridge over Okanagan Lake because of anticipated population growth in the region and we have ongoing news coverage from the B.C. Interior as wildfires continue to batter the region. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with Canada's Building Trades Unions executive director Sean Strickland about Canadian immigration policy is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services RCMP evaluating Greenbelt info for potential probe after referral from OPP Therme Canada updates design for Ontario Place Kelowna chamber urges second Okanagan Lake bridge before it's too late West Kelowna water treatment plant saved from wildfire damage Yellowknife mayor says it's too unsafe for residents to return to the capital city Children flee in time as B.C. wildfire destroys summer camp on Okanagan Lake

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Canada's Building Trades Unions executive director Sean Strickland about Canadian immigration policy and how it affects the construction industry. Strickland detailed how while the Canadian immigration system leans in on bringing highly educated individuals into the country, the focused has largely been on those with extensive post-secondary credentials and not skilled trades and other necessary workers, other than through temporary foreign worker programs. He also advocated for letting unions co-sponsor new immigrants in order to get them into apprenticeship programs and boost the number of skilled tradespeople available to address labour shortages and a need for more affordable housing. News editor Lindsey Cole also joined Warren for the Wednesday news segment, including a discussion of the significant wildfire activity in British Columbia, including the good news that a West Kelowna water treatment plant escaped damage despite intense fires nearby. Unfortunately, as of publication of the podcast over 60 buildings have been wiped out due to wildfires. She also pointed to a story about the John Hart Dam seismic upgrade project, which will be able to withstand a 1 in 10,000 year earthquake event. In the east Lindsey highlighted Ontario premier Doug Ford's extension of strong mayor powers to 21 municipalities along with announcing $1.2 billion in incentives for cities and towns to hit housing targets, as well as a recent story about how Toronto planning and housing committee chair Gord Perks is backing up new mayor Olivia Chow's housing initiatives. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with Gensler senior associate Duanne Render about the challenges and opportunities of converting office and commercial building stock into residential units is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Ontario adding more 'strong mayors,' creating $1.2B in housing incentive fund New Toronto planning chair Perks has Chow's back Survey: Sponsorship, not mentorship, the answer to advancing women in construction West Kelowna water treatment plant saved from wildfire damage Almost 60 buildings lost to wildfire in Kelowna, B.C., area, fire chiefs say John Hart Dam seismic upgrades: A massive earthworks undertaking     The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 293: U.S. immigration and construction with AEM's Kip Eideberg

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Gensler senior associate and regional associate lead for building transformation and adaptive reuse Duanne Render about the challenges and opportunities of converting office and commercial building stock into residential units. Render explained that much office building stock is simply not suitable for conversion but that some conversions can significantly improve the building and create a positive residential experience. He also said construction challenges are different for conversion than for a standard residential build and that developers also have to keep in mind where the property value ls for a building and whether that balances out with the costs of conversion. Headlines in our news segment include Daily Commercial News staff writer Don Wall's story about how the federal government recently released a document titled Powering Canada Forward promising a clean energy strategy to be released in 2024 but faces industry pushback and staff writer Angela Gismondi profiles the Parliament and Co. project in Toronto. We also have a story about how federal housing minister Sean Fraser saying the federal government should have never got out of the housing business, and Warren Frey has a story about new Vancouver Regional Construction association president Jeannine Martin's goals as she takes the helm of the association. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with Edmonton Construction Association president David Johnson about why he's optimistic about the construction industry's near-term prospects is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services New government regulations don't ‘help us build now': Electricity Canada Parliament & Co. project combines Toronto's old-world charm with modern living Housing minister says federal government should have stayed in housing game VRCA's new president names top issues as her tenure begins The Construction Record Podcast – Episode 240: PCL's Neoma affordable housing office conversion

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) president David Johnson about why he's optimistic about the construction industry's near-term prospects despite substantial headwinds. Johnson recently wrote an opinion piece in The Canadian Business Quarterly detailing why he thinks the Canadian construction industry still has reason for optimism. Among the reasons he cited in our interview is while labour shortages in Alberta and across Canada remain a concern, the ECA and other construction associations are in “violent agreement” in addressing the issue through advocacy at all levels of government. Johnson also said the industry has done a good job of advocating for improvements to the procurement process and transparency on the part of governments when initiating public infrastructure projects. He added his association and others are working to convince the federal government to revamp the points system currently used for immigration to Canada into something that addresses current conditions and concerns. Warren also spoke with news editor Lindsey Cole for our Wednesday check-in on the latest Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines, including the recent announcement during an unrelated press conference by Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster that opening dates for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT are expected to be released by the end of summer after much uncertainty surfaced earlier this year as a result of significant delays. Lindsey also went into detail on the latest developments in the ongoing Greenbelt saga in Ontario as the fallout continues from a scathing report from the province's auditor general. In the west the Canadian Renewable Energy Association  is worried a seven-month pause on new wind and solar projects in Alberta will cast a negative pall over the industry and undermine investor confidence, and in Winnipeg a developer intends to revamp Portage Place, a mixed-use shopping mall in the city's downtown, into a campus that connects a health care centre, affordable and family housing, a full-size grocery store, neighbourhood services and urban green spaces. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with new Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) president Jeannine Martin is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Service ‘Range of dates' for opening of Eglinton Crosstown LRT anticipated by the end of summer Ontario to establish working group to deal with Greenbelt probe fallout Ontario premier refuses to back away from plans to build on protected Greenbelt CanREA on renewables moratorium: ‘Reopen the Alberta market ASAP' Winnipeg's Portage Place shopping mall to be redeveloped Top 10 Major Upcoming Industrial and Water Treatment Construction Projects - Canada - August 2023 Top 10 Major Upcoming Medical and Educational Construction Projects - U.S. - August 2023 July's Job Creation Reports: Fed will be Accepting; BoC will be Pleased

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with new Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) president Jeannine Martin about her plans as she takes the helm of the organization. Martin discusses her previous construction industry experience, as well as how she intends to collaborate with the British Columbia Construction Association in the push for prompt payment legislation as well as working with other construction associations across the province and in Alberta. She also spoke to ongoing VRCA projects such as their Reconciliation Action Plan, operationalizing the association's strategic plan and preparation for the upcoming VRCA Awards of Excellence. The latest stories in the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce include Premier Doug Ford and his government facing heat after Bonnie Lysyk, the province's auditor general said the decision to open the Greenbelt region to housing construction favored “certain developers”. And Unifor National president Lana Payne is calling out SNC-Lavalin for firing the head of a union that represents hundreds of its engineers and other workers. From the west, WorkSafeBC is using AI to search for new risks using Risk Analysis Unit's software called Finding Risk in External News Data or FRIEND scans websites, journals, newsletters, databases and other online sources for signs of new and emerging industrial risks. Grant Cameron also has a story about the $455 million Portage Regional Health Centre project in Portage La Prairie in Manitoba. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with Association of Equipment Manufacturers senior vice-president of government and industry relations Kip Eideberg about the state of U.S. immigration is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Service UPDATE: ‘Certain developers' favoured in decision to open up Greenbelt, auditor general says Unifor president demands SNC Lavalin reinstate fired union head WorkSafeBC develops AI software to search for new risks $455M Portage Regional Health Centre takes inspiration from nearby Crescent Lake

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor speaks with Association of Equipment Manufacturers senior vice-president of government and industry relations Kip Eideberg about the state of U.S. immigration and how it affects demand for skilled tradespeople. Eideberg recently wrote an op-ed for The Hill placing the blame for stalled immigration reform on both parties in Congress. He said with 85,000 job openings in the equipment manufacturing industry there are regions  of the U.S. that simply don't have enough Americans to fill required positions. He added immigration can revitalize rural areas and that demographic shifts such as an aging population will only exacerbate the problem unless a bipartisan consensus is reached soon. We also have a summary of recent stories on the Daily of Commercial News and Journal of Commerce with news editor Lindsey Colle including the massive Whitby Sports Complex Community Centre Building as the costs to build the project spike to $159.4 million and second in a the two-part series about the Port Lands project in Toronto. From the west, Lindsey talks about the Lake Manitoba/Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project.and how the Manitoba Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has submitted and environmental assessment to the Impact Agency of Canada and where it's at currently as stakeholders wait to begin construction. She also pointed to the British Columbia Construction Association showing optimism as the government of British Columbia seems to be making steps toward prompt-payment legislation. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with CAWIC president Lisa Laronde is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Whitby Sports Complex moves forward following cost spike to $159.4 million Port Lands deep dive: Creating a new mouth for the Don River What's the status on the long-awaited Manitoba outlet channels project? BCCA sees signs of hope for creating prompt payment legislation

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) new president and board member Lisa Laronde. Laronde, who is also the first female president of the road safety group for the Powell Group of Companies addressed CAWIC's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as well as recent work with Habitat for Humanity and the association's push to establish a national presence. She also pointed out some of the continuing barriers to women in the trades and the need to focus on retention of women in construction. While more women have entered the industry, getting them to stay remains a thorny issue for a variety of reasons. We also have a summary of the latest headlines and a look at some recent economics-focused articles that have appeared on the Journal of Commerce and Daily Commercial News, including Niagara Parks launching a request for proposals for a new visitor transportation system, Bathurst Quay Common is brewing a new plan for the historic Canada Malting Co. property located in Toronto and Montreal's bad first day for its new light-rail transit system. From the west we have stories about the Site C project in northeastern B.C. meeting a major milestone with completion of its earthfill dam, a $20 million redevelopment of Stampede Trail in Calgary and Bird Construction selected as preferred proponent for the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's (SAIT) Campus Centre Redevelopment Project. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode's interview with Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) CEO Robert Bronk is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services New CAWIC board aims to be ‘national voice for women in construction' Niagara Parks launches RFP for new visitor transportation system Bad track record: Montreal's light rail system suffers 3 disruptions in first 3 days Bathurst Quay Common brews new plan for historic Canada Malting Co. property Burlington construction site fire knocks out power Site C hits milestone with completion of earthfill dam Stampede Trail redevelopment on the road to transformation Bird awarded $350M worth of projects in Alberta, Nova Scotia Artificial intelligence and the future of modular and pre-fab construction Construction Economic News – Michel Guckes

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) CEO Robert Bronk about that organizations efforts to increase apprenticeship in Ontario. Bronk detailed how OCS and the industry as a whole adapted to the pandemic and that certain benefits sprang from adapting to new circumstances, such as improved sanitation on-site as well as innovations in training born out of necessity, such as hybrid learning in-class and virtually. He also spoke to the continued efforts to rid the construction industry of its stigma as a second choice for the career minded, and to change pre-conceived notions while explaining how a job in the trades can be lucrative and satisfying. We also have the latest Journal of Commerce and Daily Commercial News headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole, including how the death of UA Local 71 business manager Ronald Maisonneuve of mesothelioma has left the Ottawa trades community reeling, renovation details for 100 Level at Rogers Centre in Toronto, and Defense Construction Canada ramping up projects to support an expanding defence mandate. From the west, Lindsey detailed stories on ongoing Port of Vancouver labour action and Grande Prairie employing a ‘firebreak' structure to keep wildfires at bay. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about recent strike actions and the ongoing labour crunch is available here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Latest Ottawa-area asbestos death leaves trades reeling Renovation details unveiled for 100 Level at Rogers Centre DCC ramps up projects to support expanding defence mandate Industrial board warns union bosses not to backtrack on new B.C. port deal Firefighters build guards to keep wildfires under control Global Market Scan: Energy transition — the future is here Housing Starts vs Economic Orthodoxy Top 10 largest construction project starts in Canada and Trend Graph - June 2023 Guckes: ConstructConnect's Project Stress Index - July 3, 2023

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about recent strike actions and the ongoing labour crunch affecting Canada and the United States. Michael cited a recent report from the National Federation of Independent Business which cites the need for labour as the number one concern for small businesses across the United States, and Alex pointed to increased immigration as one possible safety valve for the Canadian labour crunch with the caveat that more new arrivals to Canada means a need for more housing, infrastructure and services. Warren also looks into the latest headlines on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce, including a crane collapse in New York, a major cabinet shuffle for Justin Trudeau's liberal government and a big win for staff at an LNG Canada worker lodge in Kitimat, B.C. with an up to 40 per cent rise in pay. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous episode featuring Public Services and Procurement Canada senior director of construction Siavash Mohajer about renovation of the Centre Block of Parliament here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Asphalt contractor fined $125,000 after pedestrian killed in work zone Trudeau announces major cabinet shakeup, seven new ministers Fire on New York construction crane causes arm to collapse and hit a building as it falls Yorkville condo features unique flatiron design with a special twist Staff at lodge for LNG workers in Kitimat, B.C., win 40% pay bump, averting strike Truck explosion in Langley, B.C., felt like an earthquake: witness PCI proposes two 39-storey towers near Port Moody SkyTrain station