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INDUSTRY NEWS

Ontario, B.C. to lead the way in 2020 construction growth: report

Source: Daily Commercial News
BTY’s latest Market Intelligence Report is forecasting that Ontario will lead Canada’s construction industry in growth this year, followed by British Columbia and Quebec.

Visit https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/economic/2019/12/ontario-b-c-to-lead-the-way-in-2020-construction-growth-report to view the full article online.

What comes next?

Source: ReNew Canada
2019 was full of landmark stories in and around our industry, and 2020 will not be without its share of important infrastructure stories to track.

Visit https://www.renewcanada.net/feature/what-comes-next/ to view the full article online.

Federal scientists study how to adapt building codes to climate change

Source: Canadian Manufacturing
The National Research Council’s five-year program that looks at how changing weather will impacts stresses on buildings, roads, wastewater, transit, bridges and other infrastructure is coming to a close, which means new building codes are likely on the horizon.

Visit https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/environment-and-safety/federal-scientists-study-how-to-adapt-building-codes-to-climate-change-244577/ to view the full article online.

Encouraging women to choose the construction industry; remember to focus on the practical

Source: BuildForce Canada
It is important to focus on outreach and recruiting strategies to encourage women to enter the trades. Part of this is creating respectful and welcoming workplaces. With that said, it’s common for companies to overlook necessary practices, such as offering personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits women.

Visit https://www.buildforce.ca/en/blog/encouraging-women-choose-construction-industry-remember-focus-practical to view the full article online.

GBI seeks to pilot updated Green Globes for Existing Buildings 2019

Source: Construction Links Network

In early 2019, the Green Building Initiative began a revision process to create an update to its Green Globes program for in-use buildings called Green Globes for Existing Buildings 2019.

Visit https://constructionlinks.ca/news/gbi-seeks-buildings-to-pilot-the-updated-green-globes-for-existing-buildings-2019/ to view the full article online.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

Blockchain has powerful potential for some, not all: consultant

Source: Daily Commercial News
While blockchain, decentralized database technology giving permanent transaction records by chaining information, can be a great tool for some construction companies, an expert says it will not work well for all firms.

Visit https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/technology/2019/12/blockchain-has-powerful-potential-for-some-not-all-consultant to view the full article online.

Apps can address job site mobile distraction

Source: Daily Commercial News
According to a survey conducted by staffing firm OfficeTeam, the average employee spends almost five hours a week using their cell phones for non-work activities while on the job. The survey results show that these valuable hours are being used for personal calls, browsing the internet, social media, texting or emailing, online games, and news, weather and sports updates.

Visit https://canada.constructconnect.com/dcn/news/technology/2019/12/inside-innovation-apps-can-address-job-site-mobile-distraction to view the full article online.

Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada