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October 13, 2008

Peter Kiewit Sons Co. wins $392-million contract for six run-of-river hydroelectric projects

Cloudworks Energy Inc. awarded Peter Kiewit Sons Co., a subsidiary of Kiewit Corporation, a $392 million contract to design, procure, build and commission six separate run-of-river hydroelectric projects.

October 13, 2008

British Columbia government provides bridge workers with emergency funds

Temporary foreign workers who walked off the job at the Golden Ears Bridge project received a temporary reprieve from some of their money troubles.

October 13, 2008

BC Hydro meets with VRCA members to present $5.3-billion expansion plan

BC Hydro is in the midst of a capital expansion program that will have a major impact on the construction industry in the province.

October 8, 2008

Developer begins to pick up the pieces after Quattro condominium fire

Charan Sethi, owner of Tien Sher Development Group Inc., is picking up the pieces after part of Surrey’s largest multi-phase condominium burnt to the ground while still under construction.

October 8, 2008

Winnipeg Centre MP decries use of foreign trades on portions of airport expansion project

A Winnipeg MP claims temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are displacing local tradesmen on an airport expansion project, while the subcontractor who hired the workers says the MP is electioneering.

October 6, 2008

Communication key at busy Queen’s University in Ontario

Co-ordination of almost $300 million in capital construction projects at Queen’s University heavily relies on one thing — communication, says the university’s construction director.

October 6, 2008

Battle brews over green-rating systems for high-rise residential buildings

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction rating system is facing competition from the Built Green Society of Canada’s Built Green Multi-Storey and Residential Tower, which began as a pilot program in 2006.

October 6, 2008

Intertech brings international flavour to Espana high-rise project

Construction manager Intertech Construction Managers Ltd. expects to complete the project, which is part of the International Village development, in 2009.

October 6, 2008

Once again, CanaData conference addressed the big economic questions

The following is based on remarks made by Mark Casaletto, VP and General Manager of Reed Construction Data – Canada, at the opening of the 23rd Annual Construction Industry Forecasts Conference, which started, Sept. 25.

October 1, 2008

Onni Group moves forward at Carlyle at Victoria Hill project

The Onni Group of Companies is the owner/general contractor on the Carlyle at Victoria Hill project.

October 1, 2008

Federal government should full comply with local bid depository rules, CCA says

The federal government should fully comply with the rules of any bid depository it may use, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) has decided.

October 1, 2008

Bilfinger Berger says funds for temp labour were paid to broker Baulex Projects

Although Bilfinger Berger provided the funds to pay the 80 temporary foreign workers employed on the Golden Ears Bridge project, the workers have not received a paycheque from labour broker Baulex Projects Ltd. in two weeks.

September 29, 2008

Public-private partnership model risks squeezing out smaller firms, delegates say

The public-private partnership (P3) procurement model for major infrastructure projects in B.C. is negatively impacting small and medium sized contractors, delegates at the recent Canadian Construction Association board meeting agreed.

September 29, 2008

British Columbia government caves on Porteau Bluff stabilization project

A rock slide that blocked the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Whistler and Vancouver for several days has led to a rock stabilization project along the route, despite premier Gordon Campbell’s assertion that the work was not needed.

September 25, 2008

Construction forecasts conference offers answers to tough questions about Canada’s economy

The following is based on remarks made by Reed Construction Data – Canada’s VP and General Manager Mark Casaletto at the opening of the 23rd Annual Construction Industry Forecasts Conference underway today, September 25, 2008.

September 24, 2008

Fire extinguished at Yaletown station

A small fire broke out underground at Canada Line’s Yaletown station, which is currently under construction in Vancouver.

September 24, 2008

Cost of Alberta schools’ P3 partnerships could rise 50 per cent, critics claim

The cost of building 18 Alberta schools under a P3 contract could be 50 per cent higher than traditional methods.

September 24, 2008

Apprentices join together at Ships Point for National Apprenticeship Contest

Victoria’s Ryan O’Hara wields his hammer during the National Apprenticeship Contest for carpentry, drywall and millwrights at Ships Point in Victoria B.C.’s

September 24, 2008

Parent company of BBPP Alberta Schools Limited suffers financial losses

The Australian-based investment group awarded a contract to build schools in Alberta under a public-private partnership is experiencing financial difficulties.

September 24, 2008

Unpaid foreign workers walk off the job at Golden Ears Bridge project

A group of temporary foreign workers from Serbia walked off the job at the Golden Ears bridge construction project, after not being paid by a European sub-contractor.

September 22, 2008

Manley McLachlan: British Columbia’s new drug testing policy emphasizes health and safety

The recent announcement by the Construction Labour Relations Association of B.C. (CLRABC) and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions (BCBCBTU) on the ground breaking policy for workplace drug testing in construction is noteworthy, writes Manley McLachlan, president of the British Columbia Construction Association.

September 22, 2008

Bantrel makes significant progress on Shell Scotford Upgrader Expansion 1

Just five years after opening a heavy oil upgrader near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Shell Canada is well on its way to completing its first expansion.

September 15, 2008

Unions hiding behind privacy and rights

This letter is in response to a story entitled Unionized Workers Subject to Drug Policythat appeared in the Journal of Commerce on August 27, 2008.

September 15, 2008

Residential electrical work in British Columbia performed without permits

Contractors operating in the underground economy are undertaking more than one-third of all residential electrical installations in B.C.

September 15, 2008

Effectiveness of unions in Canada criticized

A survey released by Canadian LabourWatch Association found unions are irrelevant and their leaders out of touch, but one union leader believes this view of the results is biased and distorted.