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Professional Services

March 15, 2010

Weighing in on the Tercon Contractors appeal decision

Egregious behavior - an affront to the integrity and business efficacy of the tendering process was cited by the Supreme Court of Canada in its reasons for judgment in the Tercon Contractors Ltd. appeal.

March 3, 2010

Terrane Metals Corp. set to start construction on mine near Fort St. James, British Columbia

Terrane Metals Corp. is considering options for financing construction on the Mount Milligan Mine project, as the company moves forward with one of the first major mines to be developed in British Columbia in a decade.

March 3, 2010

Infrastructure gets funding increase in B.C. Budget 2010

The 2010 B.C. budget contains increases in capital spending and maintains investment in stimulus and municipal projects, but no new major infrastructure projects were announced.

February 10, 2010

Critics call public-private partnerships report biased and flawed

A recent study by the Conference Board of Canada on public-private partnerships (P3s) is seriously flawed and biased, according to some critics of this procurement method.

February 3, 2010

Public-private partnerships working as intended, new report finds

Public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure projects are delivering savings in costs and time compared to conventional procurement approaches, according to a recent Conference Board of Canada report.

February 1, 2010

Alberta bucks trend as EI numbers rise

The number of people receiving regular employment insurance benefits in B.C. and Canada declined in November, while beneficiaries rose in Alberta for the third consecutive month

January 27, 2010

Public-private partnerships for infrastructure save time, money: Conference Board report

Public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure projects are delivering savings in costs and time compared to conventional procurement approaches used by Canadian governments.

January 6, 2010

Undocumented workers must be protected by same laws that apply to Canadians

The unfortunate Christmas Eve tragedy in Toronto clearly illustrates the consequences that a policy vacuum can have on society which in this case, the worst possible scenario, the tragic loss of human life.

January 4, 2010

Law enforcement part of job for construction superintendents

Regulations governing job site health and safety are constantly being scrutinized and revised as the legislative landscape evolves, said veteran Vanbots superintendent and project manager Ian Campbell.

December 28, 2009

In tough economic times, understanding construction liens is essential

In today’s turbulent economy, it is even more important contractors and subcontractors fully understand their lien rights if they want to survive. This message was delivered by Bruce Reynolds, a partner with Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, at a recent Canadian Institute Construction Superconference.

January 22, 2007

Calgary's Deerfoot Trail to have Alberta's first post-and-cable barrier safety system

Imagine the pressure. You have to design the first post and cable barrier system in Alberta—the first significant installation in Canada—while the media howls for blood because of the blood being spilled on Calgary’s Deerfoot Trail.

January 22, 2007

Non-compliance a sticking point

In 1981, the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in Ontario v. Ron Engineering changed the legal landscape of invitations to tender.

January 22, 2007

Rainscreen requirement tops building code changes

A change in its basis and a new format are complicating the transition to B.C.’s new building code.

January 22, 2007

Finding insurance coverage

What insurance coverage does a contractor really have under a standard policy?

January 22, 2007

Architects still want solution to liability issues

The professional liability insurance (PLI) issue that posed a crisis for British Columbia architects only a few years ago has eased but it is far from over, says Barry Weih, chairman of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia’s (AIBC) insurance committee.

January 22, 2007

APEGBC issues second set of earthquake guidelines

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) has issued in November 2006 its second set of Bridging Guidelines for earthquake-proofing British Columbia schools, an initiative that has been set forward by the British Columbia government.

January 22, 2007

Calgary construction companies collaborate

PCL, Graham, EllisDon, Ledcor, Cana, Stuart Olson and Revay and Associates have joined forces with the Calgary Construction Association and the Canadian Construction Research Board to fund a $1.1 million Construction Productivity Improvement research project at the University of Calgary.

January 22, 2007

Business isn't done on a handshake any more

When is a letter not a letter? In some construction industry contracts, a letter is not deemed to be a communication if it’s an e-mail and in today’s digital realm that’s a puzzle for lawyer Lori Roth, of Cassells Brocks who specializes in construction law.

January 22, 2007

Industry welcomes changes

Representatives of industry groups are welcoming the latest version of the B.C. Building Code, though they acknowledge the transition to the new objective-based approach will take time.