On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Weather Network meteorologist Mark Robinson and Western University’s Dr. Greg Kopp about the increasing dangers of extreme weather and how construction can create resilient building techniques to withstand climate change. Robinson detailed the disaster areas he’s seen across the planet ranging from Nepal to America’s Tornado Alley and Ontario, and explained how climate change is creating mor extreme weather events, though recent wildfires have actually suppressed tornado activity to an extent. He also detailed how while some tornados are simply too powerful to mitigate against, there are measure that can be taken to reinforce buildings and property against more common and lower-intensity tornadoes. Kopp explained the mission and research focus of the Northern Tornadoes Project as well as his own role as the ImpactWX Chair in Severe Storms Engineering. He also talked about Canada’s building code adapting to climate change and extreme weather events and highlighted structures such as nuclear reactors which are built to the highest impact tolerances possible and other structures which vary in their resiliency. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section.  Our previous podcast with Residential Construction Council of Ontario president Richard Lyall about the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement is here. Thanks for listening.  Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Mark Robinson biography Greg Kopp biography Researchers call for storm resistant measures in provincial building codes Tornado hits Ottawa suburban neighbourhood, damaging 125 homes and scattering debris Mississippi tornado recovery tough for low-income residents

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Residential Construction Council of Ontario president Richard Lyall about the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement, introduced by deputy prime minister and finance minister Chrystia Freeland on Nov 21. Lyall reflected on the parts of the statement of benefit to the residential construction industry, including a substantial focus on housing including billions committed to increasing supply. However he cautioned what’s needed to truly see change is a housing ‘Marshall Plan’ involving all three levels of government coordinated to identify where housing is needed and what sort of housing should be built. He also said the housing crisis is not an ideological problem but rather a reflection of market inefficiency and a tendency in previous decades to focus on high-rises when what’s needed is additional mid and low-rise buildings in addition to high-rise stock. In Daily Commercial news and Journal of Commerce headlines, Construction stakeholders are calling for swift action from the Ontario government to address confusion over the health and safety responsibilities of municipal project owners in the wake of the controversial Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Greater Sudbury. We also have another story from the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships P3 conference in Toronto about a panel that examined both the successes and challenges of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project. From the west, we highlight the Wascana Pool in Regina, which is setting a new standard in Canada by focusing on inclusivity and accessibility, and in both publications John Bleasby’s Inside Innovation column looks at both the advantages and risks of drones in construction and our Brownfield Remediation Feature includes a story from Dan O’Reilly about the Birchley Park development, termed a “brownfield gem” in Toronto’s Quarry Lands. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast with Angela Gismondi’s interviews with Dara Calleary, Ireland’s minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, about the launch of the Ireland-Canada Construction Network, an initiative to share products, skills, and innovations between the two nations is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Ontario stakeholders scramble in reaction to Sudbury SCC decision A deep dive into the successes, challenges of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Birchley Park development a brownfield gem in Toronto’s ‘Quarry Lands’ Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse Diving into inclusivity: Regina's Wascana Pool aims to set a new standard in Canada Inside Innovation: Office to residential conversions are just one option to avoid stranded assets

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi speaks with Dara Calleary, Ireland’s minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, about the launch of the Ireland-Canada Construction Network, an initiative to share products, skills, and innovations between the two nations. Calleary said while Ireland has traditionally exchanged skilled tradespeople with Canada, technological progress now allows the country to also export innovation and knowledge to Canada, as well as share expertise between the two construction sectors. He said the Ireland-Canada Construction Network will allow construction leaders from both countries to cross-pollinate ideas and share similar challenges and added while Ireland hit economic hadwinds in 2008 and 2012 in the time since Ireland has expanded its construction footprint on a global level and has embraced technological change. Enterprise Ireland Americas regional director Aidan McKenna added over 300 of his organization’s clients export to Canada at a monetary value of $2.8 billion. We also have the latest Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines as news editor Lindsey Cole updates us on growing concern over the number of temporary foreign workers asked to work at the planned NextStar battery plant in Windsor, Ont. Equally controversial in the Ontario construction space is a recent Supreme Court of Canada appeal ruling which decided the City of Sudbury can be considered a constructor in a 2021 dispute where a pedestrian was struck and killed by an employee driving a road grater. The issues at hand are who was responsible for safety on site, quality control and site supervision. The judgement is game-changing, Lindsey said as it raises questions as to who is responsible for site safety on any given project. Lindsey also highlighted a story from the recent Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships conference examining points of failure on the Ottawa LRT project and how future projects can take different approaches to achieve clarity and avoid problems.   From the west, a massive Saskatchewan potash mine project is making headlines with BHP setting and hitting gender targets far above the usual numbers seen in the construction and mining industry. The government of British Columbia has also issued a Request For Proposals for a new set of standardized designs for small-scale, multi-unit homes with the aim of speeding up construction and reducing costs for homeowners and builders. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews with Interact Analysis senior research director Alastair Hayfield about the downturn in the European heavy equipment market and Jacob Bros. president and CEO Scott Jacob about leadership in times of ongoing crisis are here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Concerns emerge over NextStar's plans to hire foreign workers for battery plant Supreme Court Sudbury appeal ruling shocks construction industry P3 2023: How did Ottawa’s LRT project go off the rails? Panel explores lessons learned Massive potash mine being built in Saskatchewan breaks new ground for women B.C. issues RFP for new Standardized Housing Design Project DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with both Interact Analysis senior research director Alastair Hayfield about the downturn in the European heavy equipment market and what that indicates more broadly as well as an interview with Jacob Bros. president and CEO Scott Jacob about leadership in times of ongoing crisis. Hayfield detailed how demand for heavy equipment has ebbed in the European market has ebbed in the short term and may stay muted for some time, and explained how the current war in Ukraine is affecting the larger European economy.   Jacob explained how he and his company faced risk head-on during the early days of the pandemic by spreading out throughout the office while observing all necessary protocols. He also pointed to the new risks the construction industry is facing, the challenges of explaining how the industry works to those not versed in its intricacies and how technology should be approached on a case-by-case basis depending on its return on investment.  This week Daily Commercial News staff writers Don Wall, Angela Gismondi and digital media editor Warren Frey attended the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships conference in Toronto and our news roundup includes a discussion between CCPPP president and CEO Lisa Mitchell and Peter Fragiskatos the parliamentary secretary to the minister of housing, infrastructure and communities about the ongoing housing crisis, another session about Ontario’s nuclear ambitions, and coverage of a panel analyzing why America’s moves into the P3 space may be more of a learning opportunity than a threat for Canada. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews from the CCPPP P3 conference is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services P3 2023: Incentivizing private sector key to getting housing built, says Fragiskatos P3 2023: Ontario’s nuclear sector a model for the world, delegates told American P3 projects less of a threat, more of a learning opportunity: Panel Innovative P3 award winners unveiled during CCPPP conference

On this episode of the Construction Record Podcast™, we have interviews from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) 2023 annual P3 conference in downtown Toronto about the present and future of the public-private partnership (P3) procurement model. Digital media editor Warren Frey spoke with CCPP president Lisa Mitchell about both the conference and the current P3 climate and about a panel she moderated about what Canada can learn from P3 activity in the United States and conversely what the U.S. can learn from Canadian P3 practices. Warren also spoke with Infrastructure Ontario president Michael Lindsay about the progressive model, current P3 challenges and the state of procurement in a pre and post-COVID world. Daily Commercial News staff writers Angela Gismondi and Don Wall also relayed their experiences covering panels at the conference, and we’ve included links to their stories below. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast covering ConstructConnect’s Fall 2023 Construction Economy Outlook podcast is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services P3 Conference Feature P3 2023: Incentivizing private sector key to getting housing built, says Fragiskatos

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have highlights from ConstructConnect’s Fall 2023 Construction Economy Outlook podcast, featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes, American Institute of Architects chief economist Kermit Baker, Associated General Contractors of America chief economist Ken Simonson, and ConstructConnect vice-president of product strategy Claire Stubblefield. Baker looked at leading monthly indicators, the spend on construction of buildings and gave a forecast for the coming year, and Simonson struck an optimistic note and spoke about construction employment, including a declining unemployment rate for the industry. Stubblefield explained the latest non-residential building trends and project volumes in the US and Canada using ConstructConnect research data. Carrick said while he’s still optimistic about the state of the economy, he does see some reasons for pessimism, and Guckes talked about the Project Stress Index and highlighted labour productivity concerns and post-COVID oversupply.   If you’d like to watch the entire presentation, go to https://www.constructconnect.com/economic-resources and register to view the video and presentation deck. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast with an interview with All Nations United president Mary French is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Construction economists highlight positives amidst gloomy indicators

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with All Nations United president Mary French about the current opportunities and future potential of Indigenous collaboration with the construction industry on major projects. French recently took part in the “From Reconciliation to Building Together — A Discussion on Building and Fostering Meaningful Business Relationships between Construction Companies and Indigenous Organizations” panel at the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association’s (ICBA) 2023 Construction Innovation Summit held recently in Vancouver. She touched on the importance of boardrooms engaging in self-reflection as they engage in reconciliation practices, the need for Indigenous input on labour structures for major projects and her hope that Indigenous relations will one day be considered the same way occupational safety is today – a common-sense aspect of organizational governance. We also have the latest headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole including the possibility Ontario may have to take over operations of two light rail lines in Toronto as the city faces a budget shortfall, as well as a new name and leadership for the Carpenters’ Union. We also have a story from Jean Sorensen about a group of explosive experts and how they tackle demolitions across Canada. From the west, the Journal of Commerce has a profile from staff writer Sarah Rowland of Ledcor’s Marsha Gentiel, who is leading the company’s sustainable construction initiatives, as well as a look at the resoration of Regina’s Globe Theatre.   You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous podcast with interviews from the recent Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. Innovation summit. is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services   Indigenous labour leader sees hope for reconciliation through meaningful collaboration  Ontario may have to operate two Toronto LRTs amid city budget crunch: documents Carpenters’ confirm new leadership, jurisdiction Rakowski gathers crack-team of explosive experts to tackle demolitions Ledcor’s Marsha Gentile: A trailblazer in sustainable construction and beyond Unravelling the curtain on Regina’s Globe Theatre restoration

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor has two interviews from the recent Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. Innovation summit. The first interview is with Brad Burnett, the executive vice-president of ITC Construction Group and was on a panel titled “The Future of Construction is Pre-Construction.” He explained how he went from an estimator with the company to a one-man department and how over the ensuing years pre-construction has grown in importance and points the way forward for the industry. The second interview is with Amy Marks, the executive vice-president of technology firm Symetri USA and known on social media as the Queen of Prefab. Marks keynote was called “The Evolution of Industrialized Construction” and she pointed not only to the opportunities as construction becomes more modular, standardized and digitized but also the challenges on the way since large tech players such as Amazon and Google may involve themselves in both the data and supply side of the business. We also have headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including news about the Western Clean Energy Sorting and Recycling Facility, a new 42,000-square-foot facility in Kincardine, Ont. which was opened by Laurentis Energy Partners (LEP) in partnership with EnergySolutions Canada. John Bleasby’s latest Legal Notes column says objective analysis determines contract repudiation and In U.S. news, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced its most frequently cited workplace safety standards for 2023 and fall protection — general requirements remains at the top of the list. From the west, Calgary’s industrial real estate sector is gaining traction as a distribution hub. With distribution space asking rates considerably lower than those in Vancouver and Toronto, the past year has seen Calgary’s industrial market maintain a robust health, notably in Q3 2023, and recent findings from the Fall 2023 Energy Sector Survey highlight a prevailing sense of optimism within the Canadian energy industry. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous Halloween podcast with Peter Kenter is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services New clean energy sorting and recycling facility will minimize waste Legal Notes: Objective analysis determines contract repudiation Fall protection remains top of OSHA list for most frequently cited workplace safety standards Calgary's industrial real estate sector gains traction as distribution hub Canadian energy sector sees ample opportunities in the near-term, reveals survey

It’s that time of year again as digital media editor Warren Frey and correspondent Peter Kenter delve into the spooky and ghoulish side of construction with a look at their favorite structures that may or may not be host to unexplained apparitions and forces beyond life and death. Peter interviewed Haunted Walks director Jim Dean for an upcoming story about infrastructure hauntings around Ontario, including the tale of the tunnel monster of Cabbagetown, a legend from 1979 about a Gollum-like creature hiding underneath Parliament St in Toronto, a haunted bridge in Scarborough, and an investigation into the paranormal properties of the CN Tower. Warren also spoke to ghost stories and odd structures from Edmonton, including the University of Alberta, his alma mater, which sports both the spirit of a nurse wandering Pembina Hall and urban myths about the maze-like structure of the Biological Sciences Building, and spoke about the Winchester House in San Jose and Borley Rectory, allegedly the most haunted place in the entire United Kingdom. As is tradition, Warren and Peter also both gave their favorite haunted houses in literature and film to round out the podcast. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous with Dr. Jon Callegher about attracting young people to the construction industry is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Dr. Jon Callegher about attracting young people to the construction industry and then retaining them once they enter the field. Callegher, the executive director of the Job Talks research and media agency, spoke at the recent British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance Health and Safety Conference about what younger workers are looking for in a career path and how many of the traits regarded as “university-ready” are also well suited to the skilled trades. He added men and women have to be marketed to in different ways and that companies need to precisely target young workers instead of sending out large-scale advertising campaigns that may not reach them. We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce including a story from Angela Gismondi about an extension to an existing building at the University of Toronto’s Innis College as well as columns from John Clinkard about the possibly costly implications for new homes within Ottawa’s emissions reduction plan, and John Bleasby’s Inside Innovation column which looks at how artificial intelligence adoption in  the construction industry is in his words, “all about the data.” From the west we have stories from Shannon Moneo about how two years after a devastating fire that wiped out the town of Lytton in British Columbia, the rebuilding effort is stuck in limbo with no construction as yet started and in Edmonton the long-delayed $1.8-billion, 13-kilometre low-floor line Valley Line Southeast LRT will open for passenger service on November 4th. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interviews with our new Journal of Commerce staff writer Sarah Rowland and WorkSafeBC’s Trudi Rondou are here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Innis College addition ‘surgical,’ connecting old and new buildings Inside Innovation: AI adoption in construction is all about the data Ottawa’s Emission Reduction Plan Has Costly Implications for New Homes Lytton rebuild in limbo over two years after devastating fire Edmonton announces Valley Line Southeast LRT to open Nov. 4

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Sarah Rowland, the Journal of Commerce’s new staff writer, about her background in journalism including stints at the Georgia Straight in Vancouver and the Montreal Mirror, her time in communications and her hopes for her new role as she brings you news from western Canada’s construction, architecture and engineering industries. We also have another interview from the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance’s recent Health and Safety conference, featuring WorkSafeBC first responder mental health committee chair Trudi Rondou about mental health challenges for those in emergency services, many of which mirror conditions faced by those in construction. She also listed a number of resources both sectors can use to help with mental health issues. News editor Lindsey Cole joined the pod to list off the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce, including stories out of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada from their recent conference in Napa, Ca. concerning the need for mechanical contractors to adopt to changing industry conditions and the new strains on the supply chain system after it weathered the worst of COVID. Lindsey also pointed to an article on Toronto’s continued domination of the latest biannual Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) Crane Index and an update on the US$1.23-billion Greenstone gold mine near Geraldton in northern Ontario as it nears completion. From the west, we have a story about 3D printing being used to create Star Lodges at Siksika Nation, a community of 7,800 in southern Alberta as well as the City of Calgary pausing development on intake for a development incentive program as the programs and services under review already exceed current available funding. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. You can listen to our previous podcast with interviews from the BCCSA Health and Safety conference here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services MCAC 2023: Legal panellists present solutions for an era of change MCAC 2023 conference: Suppliers’ panel highlights paths to success Toronto dominates new North American crane index Final stretch for Greenstone gold project Returning to traditional journalism: Meet our new staff writer Sarah Rowland Alberta’s largest 3D-printed housing project will create Star Lodges Calgary pauses development incentive program intake

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have interviews from the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance’s 2023 Health and Safety Conference, including BCCSA president Mike McKenna and safety expert Michael Fears. McKenna gave an overview of both conference content and the importance of being able to network with one’s peers and spoke to the importance of mental health work being done throughout the industry. He also pointed to Jan 1., 2024 as a significant date for construction as both asbestos certification and concrete pump operation certification regulations come into effect. He also said while the industry is booming, a growing labour shortages will continue to be a challenge along with insuring the work environment is conducive to worker retention.   Fears explained that the current system of safety rewards can actually be counter-productive as workers can hide injuries or errors and that the “external awards” approach leads to separating safety from the core of an organizational mission. He also encouraged companies to create safety rewards tailored to individuals and to not bring attention to safety initiatives but remain consistent in positively reinforcing positive employee safety behaviour. We also have a summary of the latest headlines on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce including staff writer Angela Gismondi’s story about how offsite construction is a needed tool in addressing the housing crisis, WSIB’s extension of its Health and Safety Excellence   program to the end of 2024, and the announcement by the B.C. government that three teams have been chosen to move forward to the Request For Proposals stage for the Massey Tunnel replacement project which will create an immersed eight-lane tube tunnel to replace the current aging infrastructure. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with VRCA president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Offsite construction a needed tool in the housing crisis toolbox: Bendersky Nova Scotia general contractor fined for using professional engineer’s seal WSIB double rebates for smaller businesses extended Massey Tunnel replacement procurement process moves forward First of two tunnel-boring machines breaks ground at future Oak-VGH Station Winners revealed: Who took home a VRCA 2023 Gold Award of Excellence Michael Fears Energy Safety Canada

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Vancouver Regional Construction Association president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence, held Oct. 17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Martin discussed the many projects involved in the awards, including impressive retail like the Pacific Centre Apple Store in downtown Vancouver, striking office complex The Stack all the way to large infrastructure projects such as the Highway 91/17 project. She also reflected on her first months as president of the VRCA and further challenges and opportunities ahead as the association moves forward, including the creating of a diversity and inclusion committee as the industry moves forward and aligns with changing demographics. News editor Lindsey Cole and Warren also do a special in-person roundup of the latest headlines, including two stories about the controversial Impact Assessment Act which came out four months ago and parts of which have been dialed back by Canada’s Supreme Court. DCN staff writer Angela Gismondi has a story about Ontario mayors emphasizing the need for speed when dealing with the housing crisis at a virtual mayor’s panel held by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario on Oct. 12. Grant Cameron looks into a Volkswagen EV battery plant planned for an industrial park southeast of London, Ont. and Don Procter has a story about the $6 billion Southwood Circle development, one of the biggest in Winnipeg’s history. British Columbia premier David Eby also announced construction sites of 25 workers or more will now have flush toilets, a move praised by BC Building Trades Council executive director Brynn Bourke who has long advocated for a move away from porta-potties on worksites. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with ICBA president Chris Gardner is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Supreme Court ruling puts IAA ‘in the trash can, where it belongs’ Canada’s Supreme Court rules against federal environmental impact law Speed essential to addressing the housing crisis: Ontario mayors Volkswagen EV battery plant charged up for construction Flush toilets on construction sites now a legal requirement: Eby $6B Southwood Circle development unlike any other in Winnipeg’s history

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) president Chris Gardner about the organization’s upcoming Construction Innovation Summit. Gardner went into detail about how technology and innovation can help construction address an ongoing and worsening labour shortage as well as showcase how the industry is already innovating and adapting to digital technologies to improve productivity. He also addressed the need to improve perceptions of construction as a career path for young workers and pointed to sessions an Indigenous participation in the industry, leadership and updates on trends such as supply chains, pre-construction, and artificial intelligence. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with ConstructConnect senior economist Michael Guckes is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with ConstructConnect senior economist Michael Guckes about his work with a new Project Stress Index tool, the current federal deadlock and its effect on the wider economy and the somewhat muddled state of office to residential conversions. Guckes gave a fulsome look at some of the trends he’s seeing via the Project Stress Index, and explained the methodologies behind the numbers the index draws from and how it can help firms understand the dynamic tension between starts and current economic conditions.  Guckes also went into detail as to how the recent disruption in the U.S. Congress slows down the larger economy and explained how the U.S. government is a vital part of many economic sectors in particular the construction industry which is tied to many federal infrastructure projects and other large-scale builds. Furthermore, a shifting interest rate landscape makes governmental instability tougher to weather economically, regardless of which party is in power. He also explained how while there is continued interest in converting vacant offices into residential stock, the current and future spread in starts and completes indicates that multi-unit starts have fallen dramatically as well as in increase of rental vacancy rates, coupled with the complexities of changing offices into residential at what can be a high-cost premium. We also have a look at current Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines with news editor Lindsey Cole, including the RCMP beginning a criminal investigation of the Ontario Greenbelt land development, a multi-million reimagining of Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and a story from DCN staff writer Angela Gismondi that goes behind the scenes into the building of the Port Lands bridges. From the west we have stories about two B.C. companies and the University of British Columbia looking into ways to reduce steel corrosion, as well as news about a new NAFTA decision on the ongoing and contentious matter of softwood lumber duties. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview Thomas Strong, the president and CEO of Building Transformations is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services ConstructConnect's Project Stress Index - October 2 Construction Economics Brief - August 2023 RCMP launches investigation into Ontario's Greenbelt land swap The journey behind the Port Lands bridges Multimillion-dollar ‘reimagination’ planned for Scotiabank Arena International Day of the Girl: Apprentice carpenter realizes her childhood dream B.C. companies seek how to reduce ‘the bane of steel buildings’ B.C. and Ottawa applaud NAFTA decision on U.S. softwood lumber duties

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Thomas Strong, the president and CEO of Building Transformations, about the organization’s upcoming industry summit focused on sustainability and ESG, as well as the challenges of getting to net-zero and the opportunities digital technology offers to reach sustainability goals. Strong said energy consumption, emission reduction and on-site power generation have to be addressed and that digital technologies can help improve adoption and accelerate innovation. He added COVID-19’s net effect is that more people will work from home which will mean less consumption on site, but already-built assets can also be retrofit and repurposed as residential, vertical farms, data centers and other uses. He said the upcoming summit at the University of British Columbia campus on Oct 11-12 will bring together architects, engineers, builders and developers to examine how to improve building efficiencies. Additionally a closed-door session involving government, industry and other stakeholders looking at how to make meaningful change at present. We also have the latest headlines from the Daily Commercial News and the Journal of Commerce, including a look at TimberFever, the annual design-build competition in Toronto that teams up architectural and civil engineering students from various universities. It celebrated its ninth edition with the project theme of an accessible transit shelter connected to a protected bicycle storage space. Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi also has a story about how structural steel reuse is assisting with sustainability for the massive Centre Block rehab project, including taking steel from demolished structures and implementing it the new structure in order to take advantage of embodied carbon. From the west, Manitoba made history on Oct. 3 as it elected provincial NDP leader Wab Kinew as the first First Nations premier in Canada’s history. Digital media editor Warren Frey also has a story about how an uptick in mental health and diabetes is driving benefits costs up featuring an interview with Independent Contractors and Businesses Association president Chris Gardner. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with Dr. Guido Wimmers, the new dean of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s School of Construction and the Environment is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Building Transformations: Reenvisioning Commercial Real Estate for a Net Zero Future TimberFever competition challenges students with transit shelter projects New funding supports Hamilton energy-efficiency studies Centre Block rehab a prime example of structural steel reuse Manitoba NDP to form majority government in historic win for First Nations premier ICBA warns mental health and diabetes crises driving benefits costs up

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Dr. Guido Wimmers, the new dean of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s School of Construction and the Environment. Wimmers talks about his initial impressions as he takes on his new role and his previous work both at the University of Northern British Columbia and in Europe, as well as his focus on wood design and sustainability. He also speaks to the partnership between trades training institutions and the wider construction industry and the potential of the school’s Trades and Technology Complex, the largest project in BCIT’s history. Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce editor Lindsey Cole also joins the pod with a series of headlines from across the country, including a story from DCN staff writer Don Wall about the Downsview community development in Toronto, a massive 30-year project that will when completed provide homes for 80,000 to 110,000 new residents and 47,000 workers. She also highlighted a recent talk at the Canadian Institute of Steel’s Construction’s conference in Toronto about prompt payment from Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc where he said that while there’s a “scissor lift” for prompt payment, industry is still sticking to old habits or as he said is “still using a wooden ladder.” Lindsey also highlighted our Demolition feature, including an article from John Bleasby about the circumstances in which decommission, deconstruction and demolition should be implemented. From the west, she highlighted a story about a B.C. court rejecting a legal challenge by a resident’s association to the large-scale housing development planned by the Squamish Nation at the foot of the Burrard Bridge in Vancouver. She also provided an update on the latest developments, with the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program, as Metro Vancouver appointed a task force to review available options towards completing the troubled project. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc about prompt payment in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Downsview project will serve as transportation, building lab There’s a scissor lift for prompt payment but industry still using a wooden ladder: Leduc Decommission, deconstruction, then demolition, in that order B.C. court rejects challenge to huge Squamish Nation housing project in Vancouver Metro Vancouver to form North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant task force

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, digital media editor Warren Frey speaks with Soloway Wright LLP partner Dan Leduc about prompt payment in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. Leduc said prompt payment is not working the way it should, largely because of contractors not being proactive in pursuing payment. He attributed some of the reticence to traditional relationships, corporate culture and the role of the pandemic in slowing down payments since little work was getting done at the time in comparison to pre-pandemic activity. He advocated for streamlining the invoicing process and acceleration of certification and reminded contractors attending his talk at the recent Canadian Institute for Steel Construction’s annual conference in Toronto that if an owner does not provide notice explaining a delay in payment within the prompt payment parameters, adjudication is an option. We also have headlines from the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce including Angela Gismondi’s story about how the long-delayed Eginton Crosstown LRT was expected to provide an opening date on September 27 but Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster instead said he can’t commit to a solid timeline until issues with the system are ratified. The project began in 2011 and has experienced significant delays since. DCN staff writer Don Wall’s also has an article about a sobering session this week held by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which is held Sept. 30.The session looked at the role of architecture in oppression of Indigenous Canadians over the centuries. Shannon Moneo has a story about Mining Association of Canada president and CEO Pierre Gratton’s recent remarks at the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade earlier in the month reminding attendees that with the world in the midst of an energy transition, huge quantities of minerals and metals will be needed. From the west, Warren has a story about clean energy tax credits and how different parts of the industry are split on the use of wage requirements. Progressive Contractors Association of Canada president Paul de Jong said his organization supports the credits, a wage rate requirement gives him pause, and Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske said labour supports the wage conditions as they will protect workers as Canada’s energy economy shifts into a carbon-free future. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview with Ball Construction president Jason Ball about the company’s 100th anniversary is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services No firm end date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT as defects and deficiencies persist RAIC reflects on dark days during Truth and Reconciliation sessions Canada needs to build more mines now: MAC president Clean energy tax credits garner support, but a split on wage requirements B.C. releases housing targets for 10 municipalities Prompt payment evolving but still has room to grow: CISC speaker

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, Daily Commercial News staff writer Angela Gismondi speaks with Jason Ball, the president of Ball Construction, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Kitchener, Ont. based firm. Ball reflected on recent 100th anniversary celebrations including speeches from some veterans of the company’s earlier days, his own journey as leader of the company, and how the firm has adapted through the decades to different market conditions and construction needs. News editor Lindsey Cole also joined digital media editor Warren Frey to discuss the latest headlines, including the ongoing controversy surrounding the Ontario government’s reversal of its Greenbelt plans and the subsequent resignation of labour minister Monte McNaughton, along with comment from industry stakeholders about the minister’s construction initiatives. Lindsey also looked into an initiative in Nunavut looking to build and distribute modular homes throughout the North, a talk with a fire official about the role of mass timber in high-rises and an uptick in Kelowna in interest in steel construction after wildfires ravaged the region. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interviews  interviews with Progressive Contractors Association of Canada president Paul de Jong and Canadian Labour Congress president Bea Bruske about clean energy tax credits is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Ontario to introduce new Greenbelt law soon, new housing minister says Crown withdraws charges against construction company in fatal Barrie crash Stakeholders praise McNaughton legacy after surprise departure The Construction Record – Episode 191: Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton Nunavut modular home factory changing lives in the Far North Words from a fire official: Using mass timber in highrises isn’t cut and dry B.C. steel company sees major business spike after Kelowna fires Vain Attempts to Defang Food, Energy, and Rent in U.S. and Canadian Inflation Interest rates will stay high 'as long as necessary,' the European Central Bank's leader says

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast, digital media editor Warren Frey discusses the federal government’s clean energy tax credit initiative and attached labour conditions through interviews with both Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCAC) president Paul de Jong and Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) president Bea Bruske.   De Jong pointed to the hiring requirements as an impediment to competitive work on clean energy projects while stressing PCAC and other industry associations fully support skilled tradespeople getting high wages and benefits for the work they perform. Bruske stressed the importance of the transition to a clean energy economy but added workers should benefit from these changes and that the CLC fully supports the federal government’s “strings attached” approach. In Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce headlines, Richard Lyall, the president of the Residential Construction Council of Ontario, says the federal government’s announcement that GST will be removed on construction of new rental apartment buildings as “a positive step in the right direction.” The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada has announced it will commemorate the 2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with a two-part webinar series during the week of Sept. 25 to 29. The open access webinar sessions were created in partnership with the RAIC’s Indigenous education provider NVision. the west, The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has announced $33 million in private funding has been raised for its new Trades and Technology Complex on its Burnaby, B.C. campus, and the Alberta government is investing $7 million through its Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Fund to assist a Cenovus Energy study looking into how small modular nuclear reactors can be used in northern Alberta oilsands operations. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music’s podcast section. Our previous interview featuring ConstructConnect chief economist Alex Carrick and senior economist Michael Guckes about the current housing crisis, how it affects construction and the wider economy is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services GST removal on new rental builds good news, but still ‘a long way from being out of the woods’: Lyall RAIC presents Truth and Reconciliation webinars ACEC-Ontario elects six new board members with Holland as chair BCIT announces $33 million in private funding for Trades and Technology Complex Alberta invests $7 million in Cenovus SMR study