November 5, 2009
CanaData Conference 2009
Jump in existing home sales not sustainable, Canadian Real Estate Association says
Existing home sales in Canada have rebounded sharply in the past few months, but Canadian Real Estate Association chief economist Gregory Klump doesn’t see the surge lasting much longer.
“The big jump we’ve seen is housing activity in recent months is not sustainable, in fact it’s already shown signs it’s leveled out,” Klump said during a video interview with Reed Construction Data at the CanaData Construction Industry Forecasts Conference in Toronto Sept. 24.
“A leveling out and indeed a fading in the second half of 2010 is baked into CREA’s forecast.”
Klump also challenged the notion that there is a significant gap between existing home sales and new housing starts.
“It’s a little bit overplayed that there’s this big inventory overhang to be drawn down before housing starts pick back up significantly,” he said.
Check out the executive summary from the 2009 CanaData Conference.
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The head of the Ontario General Contractors Association is praising a report from Workers Safety & Insurance Board chair Steven Mahoney that looks at ways to reform the WSIB
‘You don’t create job opportunities by cutting off business:’ Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters CEO
The new Buy America agreement between Canada and the U.S. doesn’t offer Canadian firms access to stimulus contracts that have already “gone out the door,” says the head of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters.
WSIB shouldn't rush rate hikes to cover unfunded liability: COCA president
In its effort to eliminate the unfunded liability, the Workers Safety & Insurance Board should not hike premiums too quickly or it could make Ontario an unattractive place to do business, says the president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations.
Canadian Construction Association strengthening research and innovation efforts
The Canadian Constrruction Association has made progress in the past year in its efforts to nurture connections with educational and research institutions across the country, reports CCA chair Brad Greene.
Construction worker’s fatal fall didn't involve swing stage
A construction worker is dead after falling as much as six storeys from a building in east Toronto Thursday. Police say a piece of metal may have fallen and hit the worker, knocking him off the building.
Is the U.S. recovery sustainable?
The U.S. might be starting to mend its economy, but there are still a number of uncertainties about whether a recovery will be sustainable, says CanaData chief economist Alex Carrick.
Ontario Road Builders’ Association launches green award
The Ontario Road Builders’ Association has announced a new green award to recognize efforts made by the industry to protect the environment.
Canadian Construction Association eyes international reciprocity for Gold Seal
The Canadian Construction Association plans to explore the idea of negotiating international reciprocity agreements for its Gold Seal certification.
What the latest U.S., Canada GDP numbers mean for the recovery
New gross domestic product figures for the U.S. and Canada are strong, says CanaData chief economist Alex Carrick. But what do they say about the state of economic recovery in both countries?
