November 5, 2009
CanaData Conference 2009
Will economically sound Canada be forgotten about after the recession?
Canada has garnered worldwide attention for its sound economic stewardship, which has helped the country weather the downturn better than other industrial nations. But will we be forgotten about when things go back to normal?
“I don’t think it really matters,” said Linda Nazareth, an economist with the Business News Network and a keynote speaker at last month’s CanaData Construction Industry Forecasts Conference in Toronto. “I think the fact that we have relatively sound fundamentals is what’s going to help us over the long term.
“The other thing that helps us compared to other nations, and probably leaves us in a better place, is that we didn’t run gigantic deficits this time around,” she added.
Lou Schizas, a talk radio business analyst, co-keynote speaker – and Nazareth’s husband – discussed what he thought the greatest threat to the economic recovery in Canada may be.
“The biggest threat I see is confidence,“ Schizas said. “The other thing is that we have to make sure that banks put available credit into the marketplace.”
Check out the executive summary from the 2009 CanaData Conference.
Pursuit of LEED could result in professional negligence, insurance executive warns
By adhering to a “recipe” or “formula” in order to earn points toward LEED certification, design professionals might be at risk of neglecting their responsibility to clients, says an insurance company executive.
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.
