Tag : Ontario

Que. construction strike creates obstacles for home buyers

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:57 pm

As the province-wide construction strike enters its third day, Quebecers are dealing with the consequences of projects large and small being left at a standstill.

Kirkland resident Elena Trigiana was looking forward to moving into her new condo on July 1st, but the construction strike means she will have to wait.

“Everything’s being delayed. They said a week, but we all know that the strike may actually last much longer than that,” she said.

Trigiana’s unit is ready except for a few final touches, but she says the building’s shared areas, including stairs leading up to some of the floors, have been left incomplete.

“It’s a very very frustrating feeling. I can’t walk up to strikers or anyone protesting and give them a piece of my mind,” she said.

“I certainly would like to accelerate the negotiating process.”

‘Some people actually won’t have a home.’—Elena Trigiana, owner of a new condo

While Trigiana is living with family temporarily, she says some of her fellow condo-owners might be left homeless.

“Some people actually won’t have a home,” she said.

Trigiana says she thinks the strike is not the right move for construction unions.

“It’s an unnecessary pressure tactic. It’s hurting a lot more people than it’s meant to hurt.”

More than 175,000 construction workers are off the job as a result of the strike, and no plans for new negotiations have been scheduled.

The unions have said their main concern was employers attempting to reduce the amount of pay workers receive for overtime hours. Meanwhile, representatives for employers have criticized the unions for negotiating through the media and using pressure tactics.

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/06/19/quebec-construction-strike-third-day.html

Tough to swallow: Nests will delay Jockvale bridge for months

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:54 am

OTTAWA — The province has stalled construction of the Jockvale Road bridge until Aug. 31 because it would disturb the nests of barn swallows, an endangered species.

The project will replace a single two-lane bridge over the Jock River with two parallel bridges that will each carry two lanes.

One new section is open, carrying one lane of traffic each way for now. Next the old bridge is due to be demolished and replaced with a new two-lane structure. But because it has barn swallow nests, the Ministry of Natural Resources ordered a halt to demolition this week. And that stalls construction of the replacement.

The MNR protocol affecting bridge work throughout the province says work can’t proceed near nests during breeding season. Barn swallows usually breed between May and August, raising two sets of young.

And an angry email from the area’s councillor, Jan Harder, confirms that demolition has been delayed until September. She calls the delay “stupid.�

The Ministry of Natural Resources says the whole flap could have been avoided.

It told Ottawa the bridge could be swallow habitat, said spokeswoman Jolanta Kowalski.

“The city incorporated that into their contract for bridge construction,â€� she said. “They let the construction company know that … you need to keep an eye outâ€� for the nests.

“But for some reason there was no pre-construction survey that took swallows into account and construction started.�

The nests could have been moved before breeding season, but they can’t be moved during breeding season, she said.

“The city and the contractor have stopped the work. If that process had been followed properly, this wouldn’t have been an issue.�

There’s still a chance of continuing with limited work on site, but it almost certainly it won’t include demolition.

Barn swallows are native to Ontario. Historically they built cup-shaped nests of mud and grass on the sides of cliffs.

But they multiplied after settlers cleared land for farming because they prefer to nest in roofs of barns and under bridges.

Barn swallow numbers are generally stable or even expanding across North America but are falling in Ontario and Eastern Canada and in some Northeastern U.S. states. In Ontario, the province estimates a population of 350,000.

Since they are officially threatened, their habitat is now protected, even when it is artificial habitat built by humans.

No one knows why their numbers are declining. Possible reasons range from pesticide use where they winter in South America to changes in their food supply (insects).

The official Ontario assessment of barn swallows says that loss of nests from under bridges “may reduce populations locally, but is unlikely to explain the long-term decline.�

tspears@ottawacitizen.com

twitter.com/TomSpears1

Article source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Nesting+barn+swallows+endangered+species+Ontario+have/8543932/story.html

Brisbin leading Rideau-Carleton’s casino plans: sources

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:51 pm

Ritchard Brisbin
 of BBB Architects is described by some as a well-respected and powerful partner with a track record of securing the buy-in of approval authorities such as the city and National Capital Commission, as well as community groups for various past projects.

Rideau-Carleton’s bid to host a casino received a major boost earlier this month when Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said he’d ask councillors to support a motion that would only allow a new casino to be constructed if it’s built at the Rideau-Carleton Raceway.

Up until then, developers, casino operators and landowners elsewhere in the city had been informally aligning themselves in preparation for a request for proposals that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. was expected to release this summer.

With the option of a new casino downtown, at the airport, near Scotiabank Place, at the Ottawa Train Yards or elseswhere expected to be off the table, companies interested in developing a local casino are now looking to speak with Rideau-Carleton and Mr. Brisbin.

“Ritchard is my new best friend,” joked one industry source.

It is unclear who else – if anyone – is formally part of the BBB-Rideau-Carleton Raceway team.

In an interview last fall, Rideau-Carleton spokesperson Alex Lawryk said the raceway already had a specific casino operator in mind. However, sources told OBJ that as recently as this spring, no general contractor or casino operator had exclusively partnered with BBB or Rideau-Carleton.

Mr. Lawryk declined to speak publicly when reached by phone following the mayor’s announcement. Mr. Brisbin did not return calls seeking comment.

Article source: http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Construction/2013-06-18/article-3282872/Brisbin-leading-Rideau-Carleton%26rsquos-casino-plans%3A-sources/1

Strike shuts down Quebec construction sites

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:51 pm

OTTAWA — Construction in Gatineau and across Quebec shut down Monday following a provincewide general strike called by the unions representing more than 175,000 residential, industrial and commercial construction workers.

Negotiations broke down Saturday and the strike began at midnight.

Workers insist a main problem for them was an attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime they would get for extra hours worked.

The union also says they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages.

One group representing home builders had complained the unions bargained in bad faith and never intended to reach a deal.

“The offers we have received from them show a complete lack of respect for workers, they don’t reflect the quality of our industry, the quality of our workers,� union spokesman Yves Ouellet told a news conference. “We find this dishonest.�

The strike follows accusations from both the construction union and the builders’ associations of bargaining in bad faith.

Lyne Marcoux, the chief negotiator for the provincial construction association, said Saturday that the union was negotiating through the media and intended to send workers into the streets.

Eric Cherbaka, director general of Quebec’s residential home builders’ association, also criticized the union’s attitude.

“The union alliance leaves the table and once again prefers to use pressure tactics at the expense of negotiating,� he said in a statement on Saturday after talks broke down.

The construction association repeated its criticisms as it reacted to the strike announcement on Sunday. It insisted in a statement that it had continually showed respect during bargaining and had attempted to improve working conditions.

Ouellet called on workers Sunday to reject calls by employers to show up for work regardless and asked construction crews to respect Quebec’s first construction strike since the 1980s. He said it is an exercise of their rights.

He denied suggestions the unions had been greedy in the face of concessions requested to boost productivity and because of tough economic times.

“The Quebec construction workers are among the best in the world, the most productive in the world,� Ouellet said. “There’s no question of cutting acquired rights.�

The union spokesman said it’s a question of paying people what they’re worth. The unions had already made concessions and the offer from builders asked for more, he insisted.

“The strike will be a hit but why should everything be put on the backs of the workers?�

He said monetary offers had been for a one-per-cent increase with no retroactive pay. The union is seeking a three-per-cent increase in the first year and 2.75 per cent in the next two years of the contract.

One of the main contentions was an apparent attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime workers would get for extra hours worked, reducing it from double time to time-and-a-half.

The union has also said they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages although the construction association says it never made this demand.

Article source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Strike+shuts+down+Quebec+construction+sites/8536396/story.html

Gatineau’s rapibus caught in construction strike

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:43 am

Construction workers are exchanging their tools for picket signs in Gatineau.

More than 175,000 workers walked off the job as a part of the first Quebec-wide construction strike since the mid-1908s.

The sound of spring construction has been replaced with silence along the STO Rapibus line which is expected to be completed by mid-October.

“In the next few days there will be no major impact on our schedules and on our calendar to put the Rapibus in service,” says Celine Gauthier, STO spokesperson.

Gauthier admits a province-wide strike of this level is a rare occurrence and hopes it will not last more than a few days.

Construction workers also set up a picket line outside one of 25 Target locations across Quebec set to open this fall.

Target Canada released this statement:

Target is hopeful of a swift resolution to the dispute. In the meantime, we are monitoring the situation closely.

Labour talks broke down over the weekend, with the last offer by the Quebec Construction Association being rejected by the union.

Key issues include lowering overtime pay from double-time to time-and-a-half, using workers from outside the region on local projects, and changing and staggering start times.

“We won’t negotiate with a gun in the side of the head,” says Yves Ouellet, union spokesperson.

The Quebec Construction Association says the union is misinforming its members on the ground and is willing to head back to the table.

With a report from CTV’s John Hua

Article source: http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/gatineau-s-rapibus-caught-in-construction-strike-1.1329398

Graphic: 417/174 construction

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:36 pm

Graphic: 417/174 construction

June 14, 2013. 3:42 pm • Section: Graphics

• Increase Font Size
• Print Page
• RSS Feed

Posted by:
Robert Cross

To view other graphics visit our Graphics Blog.

Tags:174,417,construction,lane reductions,Ottawa,Queensway

Article source: http://blogs.ottawacitizen.com/2013/06/14/graphic-417174-construction/

Quebec construction workers on strike

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:36 pm

Negotiations broke down Saturday and the strike began at midnight.

The unions represent more than 175,000 residential, industrial and commercial construction workers.

Workers insist a main problem for them was an attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime they would get for extra hours worked.

The union also says they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages.

One group representing home builders had complained the unions bargained in bad faith and never intended to reach a deal.

“The offers we have received from them show a complete lack of respect for workers, they don’t reflect the quality of our industry, the quality of our workers,” Ouellet told a news conference. “We find this dishonest.”

The strike follows accusations from both the construction union and the builders’ associations of bargaining in bad faith.

Lyne Marcoux, the chief negotiator for the provincial construction association, said Saturday that the union was negotiating through the media and intended to send workers into the streets.

Eric Cherbaka, director general of Quebec’s residential homebuilders’ association, also criticized the union’s attitude.

“The union alliance leaves the table and once again prefers to use pressure tactics at the expense of negotiating,” he said in a statement on Saturday after talks broke down.

The construction association repeated its criticisms as it reacted to the strike announcement on Sunday. It insisted in a statement that it had continually showed respect during bargaining and had attempted to improve working conditions.

Ouellet called on workers Sunday to reject calls by employers to show up for work regardless and asked construction crews to respect Quebec’s first construction strike since the 1980s. He said it is an exercise of their rights.

He denied suggestions the unions had been greedy in the face of concessions requested to boost productivity and because of tough economic times.

“The Quebec construction workers are among the best in the world, the most productive in the world,” Ouellet said. “There’s no question of cutting acquired rights.”

The union spokesman said it’s a question of paying people what they’re worth. The unions had already made concessions and the offer from builders asked for more, he insisted.

“The strike will be a hit but why should everything be put on the backs of the workers?”

He said monetary offers had been for a one-per-cent increase with no retroactive pay. The union is seeking a three-per-cent increase in the first year and 2.75 per cent in the next two years of the contract.

One of the main contentions was an apparent attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime workers would get for extra hours worked, reducing it from double time to time-and-a-half.

The union has also said they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages although the construction association says it never made this demand.

Article source: http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Construction/2013-06-17/article-3282080/Quebec-construction-workers-on-strike/1

Quebec construction workers strike after negotiation breakdown

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:36 pm

Quebec’s construction sites will be idle on Monday because of a general strike called by unions.

Negotiations broke down Saturday and the strike began at midnight.

The unions represent more than 175,000 residential, industrial and commercial construction workers.

Workers insist a main problem for them was an attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime they would get for extra hours worked.

The union also says they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages.

Accusations of bargaining in bad faith

One group representing home builders had complained the unions bargained in bad faith and never intended to reach a deal.

“The offers we have received from them show a complete lack of respect for workers, they don’t reflect the quality of our industry, the quality of our workers,” union spokesman Yves Ouellet told a news conference. “We find this dishonest.”

The strike follows accusations from both the construction union and the builders’ associations of bargaining in bad faith.

Lyne Marcoux, the chief negotiator for the provincial construction association, said Saturday that the union was negotiating through the media and intended to send workers into the streets.

Eric Cherbaka, director general of Quebec’s residential homebuilders’ association, also criticized the union’s attitude.

“The union alliance leaves the table and once again prefers to use pressure tactics at the expense of negotiating,” he said in a statement on Saturday after talks broke down.

The construction association repeated its criticisms as it reacted to the strike announcement on Sunday. It insisted in a statement that it had continually showed respect during bargaining and had attempted to improve working conditions.

Union seeks pay increase

Ouellet called on workers Sunday to reject calls by employers to show up for work regardless and asked construction crews to respect Quebec’s first construction strike since the 1980s. He said it is an exercise of their rights.

He denied suggestions the unions had been greedy in the face of concessions requested to boost productivity and because of tough economic times.

‘The strike will be a hit but why should everything be put on the backs of the workers?’—Yves Ouellet, union spokesman

“The Quebec construction workers are among the best in the world, the most productive in the world,” Ouellet said. “There’s no question of cutting acquired rights.”

Ouellet said it’s a question of paying people what they’re worth. The unions had already made concessions and the offer from builders asked for more, he insisted.

“The strike will be a hit but why should everything be put on the backs of the workers?”

He said monetary offers had been for a one-per-cent increase with no retroactive pay. The union is seeking a three-per-cent increase in the first year and 2.75 per cent in the next two years of the contract.

One of the main contentions was an apparent attempt by the Quebec construction association to change the amount of overtime workers would get for extra hours worked, reducing it from double time to time-and-a-half.

The union has also said they were being asked to agree to a 14-hour day and six-day work week at regular wages although the construction association says it never made this demand.

© The Canadian Press, 2013

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/06/17/quebec-construction-workers-strike-negotiations-breakdown.html

Driver killed after plunging into construction pit

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:17 pm

Police pronounced a driver dead at the scene after he lost control of his car in the city’s west end early this morning, plunging into a construction pit.

The 41-year-old victim was travelling on Joe Shuster Way near King and Dufferin streets around 6:30 a.m. when his vehicle failed to negotiate a right turn properly and crashed through a fenced-off construction area, police said.

The man’s body remains in the vehicle, police said. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/06/16/toronto-construction-pit-death.html

Construction permits up 74.4%

Posted by Miracle Dream Homes at 1:03 am

The total value of construction permits issued by the city was $200.61 million, up from $115.81 million a year earlier. That’s the highest figure in at least five years.

The number of issued permits declined to 694 from 807 in April 2012.

This month’s permits were related to construction of new retail at Lansdowne Park, a condominium project in Little Italy and a federal government office building.

The top permits by value were:

Lansdowne Park

(1015 Bank St.)

Contractor: Unknown

Description: Construct the superstructure and foundation only for a three-storey retail building

Value: $19,695,880

Mastercraft Starwood Soho Champagne condominium

(125 Hickory St.)

Contractor: Unknown

Description: Construct an 18-storey, 160-unit residential building with five levels of underground parking (Soho 1)

Value: $17,370,000

Claridge retirement home project

(200 Lockhart Ave.)

Contractor: Claridge Homes

Description: Construct an eight-storey retirement residence

Value: $13,000,000

Federal government office building

(90 Elgin St.)

Contractor: Ron Engineering and Construction

Description: Interior alterations on floors 11 to 17 and P3-P1 in a 17-storey office building

Value: $7,061,486

Hunt Club Flats by Claridge Homes

(3249 Conroy Rd.)

Contractor: Claridge Homes (Conroy Inc.)

Description: Construct a four-storey, 24-unit condominium building with underground parking

Value: $7,000,000

Carleton University

(1125 Colonel By Dr.)

Contractor: Unknown

Description: Construct a three-storey addition on top of a portion of an existing five-storey building

Value: $3,821,400

307 De Niverville Priv.

Contractor: M Sullivan and Son Ltd.

Description: Construct a one-storey institutional building (30th Field Regiment)

Value: $3,355,460

2260 Walkley Rd.

Contractor: Unknown

Description: Interior alterations on the first and second floors of a two-storey office building

Value: $3,172,881

Article source: http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Construction/2013-06-14/article-3273406/Construction-permits-up-74.4%25/1