WINDSOR, ON, July 8 /CNW/ – Ontario’s construction industry could weather
the economic downturn better than many other sectors as proposed government
infrastructure spending provides a soft landing according to figures released
today in the Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) fifth annual edition of
“Construction Looking Forward,” a detailed industry outlook scenario of labour
market trends from 2009 to 2017 in Ontario.
While the recession has weakened housing and industrial activity, other
construction sectors are expected to see employment gains in 2009 and 2010
associated with increased government infrastructure (highway, bridge and other
engineering) spending that potentially offsets employment losses.
Over the remainder of the outlook the overall economy recovers and the
expected increase in construction activity and the need to replace retiring
baby boomers translates into the demand for 135,000 new jobs over the next
decade.
“Due to the size and complexity of the Ontario market, there are varying
degrees of positive construction employment across the province, with the GTA
expecting to realize important gains in the short term,” said George
Gritziotis, Executive Director of the Construction Sector Council. “Despite
the downturn, employment numbers should remain steady as several proposed
major infrastructure projects across Ontario come on-line.”
The CSC report breaks down employment needs across five Ontario regions:
Northern, Eastern, Western, Central, and the Greater Toronto Area and each
have specific circumstances. The GTA will lead the province in construction
employment over the next few years as growth remains steady. Other regions of
the province however will feel the effects of the recession more strongly over
the next three years.
“Transportation and other infrastructure related projects will keep our
industry moving in the next few years,” said Rob Bradford, Executive Director
of the Ontario Road Builders Association. “Meeting industry’s demand will
require a workforce that is flexible as opportunities occur across the
province and workers will need to move to where the jobs are.”
Overall construction employment in the CSC trades is expected to increase
slightly from 2009 – 2011. From 2012 to 2017, growth in construction
employment will average 2.7% annually. These additions to the workforce will
come as the overall growth in the Ontario labour force slows to 1% or less.
Construction employers will be competing for a steadily growing share of the
provincial workforce.
“We need to continue to plan for our existing and future workforce
needs,” said Pat Dillon, Business Manager of the Ontario Building and
Construction Trades Council. “Governments need to step up apprenticeship and
recruitment programs, and put in place measures that include tax relief to
facilitate the mobility of our current displaced workforce to ensure that we
have the skilled labour ready to take on new projects and replace retiring
workers.”
“For Ontario’s construction industry, it remains imperative to promote
construction careers, attract youth and enhance training programs,” said Mark
Arnone, Director, Projects and Modifications, Ontario Power Generation
(Nuclear). “Future major industrial and engineering projects will need a
skilled work force to sustain growth and build Ontario’s future.”

The Construction Sector Council is a national organization committed to
developing a highly skilled workforce – one that will support the future needs
of the construction industry in Canada. Created in April of 2001, and financed
by both government and industry, the CSC is a partnership between labour and
business.
The CSC’s “Construction Looking Forward” national and regional forecasts
provide colleges, labour and industry with accurate information on labour
supply and demand to support the future needs of the construction industry in
Canada.
For a copy of the Ontario labour market forecast visit our website:
www.csc-ca.org.

http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/nw/12938/cb

viewed by Moishe Alexander, Canadian Funding corp CEO

“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Ontario and across Canada for those who need it most,” said  Senator Nicole Eaton, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. ”The creation of these new units will provide women and their children with access to safe housing and the support they need to help them to start a new page in their lives.”

Through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Government of Canada provided over $600,000 to Sandgate Women’s Shelter through SEED funding and the Shelter Enhancement Program. The SEP program assists in repairing, rehabilitating and improving existing shelters for women and their children, youth or men who are victims of family violence, and provides financial assistance for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second-stage housing where needed.

This is Sandgate’s second shelter offering confidential 24-hour assistance to women and their children, including emergency crisis shelter, counselling, and transitional support and housing. The other location is Jackson’s Point.

“Abuse is a reality many women face silently,” said the Executive Director for Sandgate, Jehan A. Chaudhry. “The shelter in Richmond Hill will give women another choice to end abuse in their lives.”

Sandgate is a not for profit, charitable organization, that is dedicated to providing women and their children shelter, support and information so they can take steps to end violence in their lives.

The Canadian Funding Corporation notes that the CMHC has been Canada’s national housing agency for more than 60 years. CMHC is committed to helping Canadians access a wide choice of quality, affordable homes and making vibrant and sustainable communities and cities a reality across the country.

Last fall, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over the next five years for housing to improve and build new affordable housing and to help the homeless. Canada’s Economic Action Plan builds on this with an additional one-time investment of more than $2 billion over two years in new and existing social housing and lending of up to $2 billion for housing-related infrastructure.