👷‍♀️ Immigration renovation

Good morning! New Airbnb rules in Vancouver are creating ‘Bad Blood’ with Taylor Swift fans. B.C. MLA Selina Robinson fired back at critics who argued the crackdown will leave thousands of swifties without a place to stay when the pop star performs next year. Robinson argued that Vancouver residents should take priority.

In this issue:

✈️ Immigration updates

🏗️ 3D printing homes for First Nations

🏠 B.C. unveils zoning legislation

MARKETS

*Stock data as of last market close; currency, oil and crypto data as of 11:55PM ET November 6th, 2023.

Economy: Canada’s productivity is in decline. A recent report by BMO chief economist Douglas Porter suggests this decline is dragging real GDP per capita down with it. Porter concluded that the data is “stark evidence” that Canadians on average are worse off than prior to the pandemic

THE BIG STORY

Ottawa’s immigration overhaul

Are new Canadians part of the solution to construction’s labour crunch? More immigrants are coming to Canada than ever before. Ottawa just released its latest update on immigration plans which aims to reach and then maintain historic targets. 

How many: Officials plan to reach Canada's target of 485,000 permanent residents for 2024 and reach 500,000 in 2025. Starting in 2026, the government will stabilize permanent resident levels at 500,000.

Skilled workers: Over the last five years, close to 38,000 tradespersons have obtained permanent residency in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class, the Provincial Nominee Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades program.

Here are the targets for these programs under the new plan:

• 110,770 (2024)

• 117,500 (2025)

• 117,500 (2026)

Staying power: A recent study suggests a growing number of new Canadians aren’t sticking around. Onward migration has been steadily increasing since the 1980s, but it surged in both 2017 and 2019, reaching levels 31% higher than the historical average. If onward migration remains high, it could undermine Canada’s strategy to use immigration to drive population and economic growth.

Reaction: The Canadian Construction Association noted that while sustained immigration is essential to ease the labour crisis, a strategy is needed to ensure Canada has the capacity to support an influx of workers that goes beyond homebuilding and considers the foundational infrastructure needed. They added that there was no mention of accelerating the approval of those in high-demand construction jobs.

NEED TO KNOW

The week's headlines

🔥 With one final weld last month, the Coastal GasLink project achieved 100% pipe installation, connecting northeastern B.C. to the LNG Canada facility. All 670 km of pipe has been welded, coated, lowered into the trench, tested and backfilled.

💰 Ontario announced it plans to cut its portion of HST for new rental homes. Combined with recently announced federal cuts, this removes the full 13% HST on qualifying new purpose-built rental housing.

🏠 B.C. is proposing zoning requirements that would mandate more density for housing across the province. The new legislation would allow one secondary suite or one laneway home. Municipalities will also be required to allow up to six units on lots currently zoned for single-family or duplex use, depending on size.

⚒️ The province of Quebec plans to pay people to get training in high-demand trades. With the program, officials hope to train anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000 new carpenters, excavator operators, heavy machinery operators, refrigeration technicians and sheet metal workers.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Layers of support

The Siksika Nation in Alberta is harnessing 3D printing technology to rapidly build homes for Indigenous people fleeing domestic violence and those at risk of homelessness. The project, which includes 16 units across four buildings, is the first project of its kind in Alberta and the largest 3D-printed project in the country. The work is being carried out by Ontario-based Nidus3D. 

PROJECT UPDATES

Crews wrap work on Kicking Horse Canyon project 

Bosa Properties secures Legacy Pacific Industrial Park

160-acre Falcon Ridge Village site for sale near Ottawa

Toronto-area developer faces multiple stalled projects

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

VIDEO: 🚃 The First passengers step onto the Valley Line Southeast LRT

READ: 🚒 Vaughn townhouse project goes up in flames 

SURVEY:🛑 Quebec survey shows at least 25k housing units have been blocked 

READ: ✍️ Contract tips from a top construction lawyer

HOT JOBS

• Senior Estimator – Montreal, Que. – PCL

• Continuous Improvement Manager – Vancouver B.C. – Aecon Group

• EPCM Project Director, Minerals & Metals – Vancouver, B.C. – Wood

• Regional Director, Operations – Montreal Que. – BGIS

• Director, Rail Fleet Projects – Toronto, Ont. – Metrolinx

• Consulting Director, Impact Assessment (Director Level) – Calgary, Alta. – ERM Group

• Project Director – Vancouver, B.C. – Pomerleau

• Managing Principal – Vancouver, B.C. – HDR

• Vice President, Water Market Lead – Calgary, Alta. – Mott MacDonald

• Construction Manager, Water – Vancouver, B.C. – WSP

🔥 Check out all roles up for grabs right now at SiteNews Jobs or put your job post in front of tens of thousands of construction professionals here. Hurry up before our free trial ends!

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Here’s to a great rest of the week!