Building Permits
The value of building permits totalled $6.6 billion in June, up 6.5% from May and a 24.9% increase from June 2009. The gain in June was due to the non-residential sector, which more than offset the decline in the residential sector.
QCCC Opens Training Centre
The Quality Control Council of Canada has increased the training opportunities for their members.
Click here for more information.
Group will Map New Brunswick's Energy Future
SAINT JOHN - An interim task force comprised of 11 notable business and community leaders has been charged with mapping out the future of the energy industry in New Brunswick.
The group - which is being described as a transition team - was hastily formed out of talks at a summit on the direction of the energy hub held over a day and a half in Saint John. About 90 representatives from industry, government, academia, community and labour were in attendance at the Delta Brunswick hotel on Friday for the meeting, which was hosted by the Department of Energy.
Labour Force Survey, July 2010
Employment rose by 93,000 in June, pushing the unemployment rate down 0.2 percentage points to 7.9%. This is the first time the rate has been below the 8% mark since January 2009.
Canadian economic accounts, first quarter and March 2010
Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.5% in the first quarter of 2010, after growing 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2009. Final domestic demand advanced 1.1% as spending on housing as well as consumer goods and services continued to grow. Real GDP increased 0.6% in March, a seventh consecutive monthly advance.
Investment in non-residential building construction
Investment in non-residential building construction totalled $10.3 billion in the first quarter, down 0.7% from the previous quarter and 5.7% below the first quarter of 2009.Click here for the entire Satistics Canada report released April 30, 2010.
Edmonton's Glenrose Hospital gets $2.5M donation from Building Trades of Alberta
EDMONTON — Trades workers who bought lottery tickets for charity on Alberta construction sites will see their money go toward a new facility that will use robotics, virtual-reality simulations and other high-tech treatments to rehabilitate disabled or injured patients. The Building Trades of Alberta Charitable Foundation announced Thursday that it is donating $1 million to the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital for its Courage Centre, which is under construction and set to open in the fall. Three affiliated unions -- the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 146; the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers; and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 488 -- are also donating $500,000 each, for a total of $2.5 million.
Let's Talk Politics February Edition
Rt. Hon Stephen Harper and Minister of International Trade Peter Van Loan had an enormous win in early February with the announcement of the exemption of Canadian firms in a protectionist “Buy American Deal” passed by the U.S House of Representatives earlier in 2009.
PM announces changes to the Ministry
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced changes to the Ministry in preparation for a Speech from the Throne and the implementation of Phase II of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
January's Let's Talk Politics
The House is PROROGUED until March 3 2010. The January edition of Let’s Talk Politics focuses on the recent Prorogation of Parliament - is this action a veiled attempt to avoid debate of the vital issues currently facing Canada or simply Parliamentary process?
Construction withstands impact of recession
Canada’s construction industry is emerging from the recession relatively unscathed, thanks to its pre-recession record levels of investment and the more recent government stimulus initiatives.
Let's Talk Politics 2009 Wrap Up Edition
The December edition of Let's Talk Politics looks back at the challenging year 2009 proved to be and discusses the Building Trades' role as your government compass.
Ontario unveils apprentice grants
Ontario has unveiled three new apprenticeship incentive measures it hopes will boost apprenticeship completions and strengthen its future workforce.
Knowledge Infrastructure Program Underway: Groundbreaking Celebration at Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) (Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario); Terence Young, Member of Parliament for Oakville; Mike Gallagher, Chair of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 Training Fund; and Harold McBride, Executive Director of the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario ( OETIO ), today celebrated the groundbreaking of the advanced training facility at OETIO 's Oakville campus. The project received $1 401 036 in federal funding through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
Government of Canada facilitating access to federal government contracts
To highlight the 30th anniversary of Small Business Week, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, today launched a guide entitled, Your Guide to Doing Business with the Government of Canada.
Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Investment to Help Train Trades-People in Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre Inc. (STSC) will strengthen economic opportunities in Saskatchewan through the construction of a new training facility for trades-people. The announcement was made by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon - Rosetown - Biggar, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, and the Honourable Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour.
Government of Canada rewards finalists at WorldSkills Competition
Four days of intense skills competition for Canadian and international youth concluded with medals being presented to finalists at the 40th WorldSkills Competition held in Calgary. The medals were presented by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), along with other government and industry leaders.