News

As a sector that relies heavily on maintaining a controlled environment for optimal plant health, having a sustainable power source is critical. Greenhouses are considering new ways to operate and combined heat power systems (CHP) are growing in popularity because of…

The current pandemic has brought hidden aspects of modern life into sharp focus, upending so much we took for granted. It turns out that supply chains don’t function on autopilot and we can’t always get what we need — whether it…

As reported in the Regina Leader-Post, U.S. construction spending raced to a record high in December as historically low mortgage rates powered outlays on private projects. The Commerce Department said on Monday that construction spending increased 1.0% to $1.490 trillion, the…

Deere & Company has released its 2020 Sustainability Report. Built around John Deere’s higher purpose – “We run so life can leap forward” – the report features how the company creates more sustainable outcomes for its customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, shareholders and the communities…

Sustainable architecture and concrete are not always considered compatible. After all, the production of concrete is known as the cause for at least 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. It’s why many concrete producers nowadays are creating their own low-carbon concrete mixes.…

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the IAPMO Board of Directors has determined this year the Spring Technical Committee Meetings will be held as two weeklong virtual events. Attendees will still be required to register in order to participate.…

From subtle systemic racism in awarding contracts to outright hate-motivated incidents at job sites, a new Black builders’ association wants to lay the foundation for a fairer construction industry. Sephton Spence of Kubbie Construction Inc. says seeing racist graffiti on construction hoarding…

It looks good on paper, but that’s about it. That’s how representatives of Nova Scotia’s construction industry feel about Halifax Regional Municipality’s incoming living wage requirement. Effective April 1, the municipality’s contractors for solid waste services, custodial and janitorial services, snow and…

Contrary to popular belief, a profitable business model for reused construction steel is not nearly as impossible as one may believe. Steelmakers have almost perfected the “recycle” element of the four hierarchical elements of the circular economy — reduce, reuse, remanufacture…

Three companies who deal in renewable energy say the City of Whitehorse should cut them a break on taxes. Yukon Energy, Solvest and Chu Niikwan Development say “energy projects require an enabling and supportive structure [which] currently does not exist in Whitehorse,” according…

SBC is pleased to announce 2 new members to the Board, Sarah Keyes and Leith Moore. Sarah and Leith bring extensive experience in thought leadership, non-profit management and sustainable buildings solutions.  Sarah is a Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) with over a…

On Thursday, Cambridge City Council met for a special council meeting. The discussion was about the demolition of Preston Springs Hotel, the 132-year-old building that was vacant and exposed to the elements for 30 years.  During the meeting, the City’s Chief…

In Toronto’s financial district, three aging office buildings, two of them nearly a century old, were considered well worth the effort to restore for the needs of modern tenants as part of a large-scale redevelopment in the area. Meanwhile uptown at…

Cornwall’s future municipal works administration building and multi-use garage building took a step towards reality on Monday. City council agreed with the recommendation to award the request for proposal (RFP) for the design and construction administration of the buildings to Ottawa-based J.L. Richards…

Windsor and Detroit should establish a transportation, distribution, and logistics cluster to best reap the economic benefits of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge, says a new study out of the University of Windsor’s Cross-Border Institute. Building on existing regional expertise and capacity, the cluster would…