Search Results: construction

Following little change (-3,400 jobs) in February, employment in the Toronto census metro area dropped by an unprecedented -72,000 jobs in March. [These numbers significantly underestimate the actual drop in hiring.] The combination of this sharp drop in hiring and a 54,000 shrinkage of the labour force pushed the metro area’s unemployment rate up from 5.4% to 6.0%, a 10-month high. COVID-19-related; Construction

The Ontario government is increasing labour inspections at construction sites and supermarkets to ensure workers are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. >> Construction; Retail; COVID-19-related

Employers typically can’t impose temporary layoffs unless they have a contractual right to do so (through collective agreements in unionized workplaces or individual employment contracts) or, in some seasonal or cyclical industries such as construction, an implied right based on past practices. Without a contract, the law generally requires companies to pay fired workers a severance, not simply send them home with no pay and a promise it will be temporary. But legal experts say the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak could provide justification for employers to use temporary layoffs despite having no contractual right. >> COVID-19-related

Labour leaders are calling on the federal and Ontario governments to take immediate steps to protect the health and safety of construction workers across Canada during the coronavirus pandemic. The Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA) says there is no protocol for dealing with the pandemic on construction sites, including following the advice of health experts for hand hygiene and social distancing. >> Construction; COVID-19-related

When immigrants arrive in Canada, there’s a reluctance — and sometimes outright refusal — to recognize their professional credentials and experience. Going back to school to get that degree from scratch is out of reach for many, in terms of both time and money. Jan De Silva, president and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade suggested solution? A six-month set of refresher courses, followed by a co-op placement. >> Construction; Health care; IT (Information technology); Retail

An industrial company in Sudbury was desperate to fill positions until it hired 6 welders from Mexico. >> Construction; Welding; Manufacturing

A newcomer woman from Peru, now living in Toronto, is finding success after going through YWCA's Commercial-Residential Painter Decorator Pre-Apprenticeship program, part of its larger Women in Trades program. >> Construction; Women

A Canadian immigrant is breaking gender stereotypes on construction sites as she helps rebuild Quebec's largest interchange. The 35-year-old arrived from China in 2007, 'with two suitcases' and a diploma in computer sciences. >> Construction; Women

Ottawa has unveiled a new program that will offer both an immigration pathway for undocumented construction workers in Greater Toronto an help to address a labour shortage in the city. >> Construction

When he immigrated to Halifax a couple of years ago, the Iraqi engineer stayed in an Airbnb because he knew nobody. Now, he is building bridges and maintaining the roads of Cape Breton. >> Construction; Engineering