Articles tagged with "Workforce"

A serious road accident in Cowansville, Quebec, involves three vehicles and results in one fatality and several injuries. The accident occurred during Quebec's construction holidays, a period known for increased road fatalities. A collision reconstruction expert is investigating, with speed potentially being a contributing factor. The construction holidays in Quebec frequently see higher traffic incidents, with a notable rise in fatalities this year compared to last.

The article highlights various hires, promotions, and retirements in the real estate and development industry in Ontario for July 2025. Key movements include Joseph Feldman becoming President and COO of Camrost Felcorp and Khan Tran joining Capital Developments as Executive VP of Investments. Prominent changes occurred across sectors such as development, brokerages, government, finance, and more. This rundown is part of a regular monthly feature by STOREYS to spotlight changes in the workforce.

The construction and real estate industry in Metro Vancouver continues to see significant job activity, with numerous hires and promotions being reported despite a market downturn. Key developments include appointments at major companies like Anthem Properties, Century Group, and positions within government and planning departments. Notable movements include Neil Martin joining Astria Properties as Head of Retail Investments, and Christine Boyle being appointed as Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. The industry shows resilience with these strategic workforce changes.

The construction industry faces a shrinking talent pool, prompting a call for new strategies to attract workers back to the sector. Industry expert Ratan Lal suggests various untapped sources to refill the labor supply. This is becoming crucial as the industry continues to witness workforce shortages.

AECOM has appointed Laurel Murphy as the vice-president and director of operations for water in Central and Western Canada, succeeding David Humphreys. With over 20 years of experience in consulting engineering, Murphy has contributed to infrastructure projects in various Canadian cities and is a registered professional engineer in multiple provinces. In her new role, she will lead strategic initiatives and oversee project delivery for water-related infrastructure. Murphy's appointment reflects her extensive background and strategic leadership in the water sector across Canada.

A report by Info-Tech Research Group highlights urgent risks facing the construction industry, including policy shifts, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and labor shortages. The report stresses the need for construction IT leaders to adopt a proactive, strategic approach to mitigate these risks and ensure project continuity. It provides a four-step framework to assess risk, align resources, develop critical response plans, and execute with confidence. The report aims to help construction organizations build resilience in the face of economic uncertainty.

A new survey conducted by Gusto reveals that nearly half of the workforce is proactively preparing for changes brought by AI, focusing on safeguarding their financial and vocational prospects. This proactive stance comes amid growing concerns about how AI technologies will reshape the professional landscape. The survey highlights a significant shift in employee attitudes towards technology and its impact on employment.

WorkSafeBC has announced that the preliminary average base premium rate for 2026 will remain unchanged at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. This rate has been consistent for nine years, allowing the agency to return surplus funds to employers due to strong financial performance. Approximately $570 million will be returned in 2026 through reduced rates, and changes in industry rates will see 39% of employers experiencing decreases, while 47% will see increases. The final rates will be approved in November by the board.

The recent increase in immigration enforcement on construction sites has led to a rise in worker absenteeism and potential delays in project timelines. Experts predict that there may be a shift in policies addressing this issue in the future. The crackdown is impacting the construction industry's labor pool significantly, with a focus on how it will adapt moving forward.

The Women’s Infrastructure Network held its 11th Annual Awards ceremony across six Canadian cities to honor female leaders in the infrastructure sector. Angela Clayton of Infrastructure Ontario was named Outstanding Leader, recognized for her impactful leadership in overseeing major infrastructure projects in Canada. Holynde Smiechowski from PCL Construction received the Emerging Leader award, praised for her innovative project management skills and dedication to mentoring others. The event highlights the importance of diversity and leadership development within the construction industry.

The construction industry is striving to enhance its diversity, but this effort might invite additional scrutiny from government bodies in Washington. The article outlines how companies can conduct a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) audit to navigate this aspect effectively. Conducting such audits can not only improve diversity but also help firms stay compliant with potential regulatory requirements. The article suggests best practices for conducting a DEI audit in the construction sector.

Doug Ford, Ontario’s Premier, recanted his initial statement about the province issuing work permits, emphasizing a need for greater immigration authority. Ford's comments followed frustration over long wait times for asylum seekers to receive permits, though federal data suggests shorter processing times. The federal agency clarified that claims can commence to acquire work permits shortly after necessary conditions like medical exams are fulfilled.