CCA Weekly - February 29, 2012

Economy

Small Businesses Set to Grow: BMO

Small businesses in Canada - the backbone of communities across the country - are positioned to prosper more than ever, including in the construction industry, according to BMO Economics. Read more

Public and Private Spending Intentions in Construction to Increase

Canadian public and private organizations reported that they intend to invest $394.1 billion in construction and machinery and equipment in 2012, up 6.2% from investment in 2011. More than half (56.6%) of the increase in 2012 is the result of higher investment intentions in the mining and oil and gas sector. This sector has reported steady increases every year since the economic slowdown in 2009. Read more

Innovation and Technology

Innovation is Necessary, Even if Somewhat Difficult

If the construction industry is going to be able to adapt and provide solutions for the future, it must innovate, even at the expense of short term difficulty. CCA Annual Conference speaker Rick Huijbregts explores this theme in his latest blog. Read more

A Failure to Innovate

For high-income economies, a prime driver of productivity growth over the long run is innovation. Canada, however, does not rank very high in this regard. The Honourable Kevin G. Lynch, vice-chair of the BMO Financial Group, explores what it might take to improve Canada’s innovation. Read more

Construction industry urged to innovate in uncertain times

Companies must be able to adapt quickly and innovate, if they want to grow, let alone stay afloat, in this unprecedented age of uncertainty, delegates heard recently at the Western Canadian Construction Superconference. Read more

Labour

Paperless Records of Employment Available Through Service Canada

Service Canada’s online service, ROE Web, can help save time and money by filing Records of Employment electronically, instead of filling out hard copies. Find out more