February 10, 2010
Ontario Road Builders’ Association convention
Government should be more flexible with stimulus project deadline, outgoing ORBA president says
Stimulus infrastructure spending would have a greater impact if government were more flexible with its March 2011 deadline for projects to be completed, says the past-president of the Ontario Road Builders’ Association.
“The one thing we can’t forget about is the seasonality some of the works, and some of the works can’t be done possibly (on time),” Tom O’Callaghan said in an interview with Reed Construction Data during the association’s annual convention in Toronto Feb. 1.
“That’s what he big concern is – that the March 2011 date will be sort of a guillotine shut.
“It would just be nice if there was a little more flexibility on that date – I think you’d see probably a whole bunch of benefits – some even better pricing and also the opportunity for people to plan their works out better over the next two years and get the true benefit from the infrastructure stimulus spending.”
Check back here in the coming days for more video from the ORBA convention.
Commemorative quilt gets permanent home
A quilt commemorating the Hogg’s Hollow tragedy was unveiled in its new permanent home at York Mills subway station in Toronto Wednesday, a moving tribute to the five men who lost their lives in a watermain tunnel 50 years ago.
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.
