Ottawa Unveils 2025 Budget with Focus on Transportation and Affordable Housing

The City of Ottawa has released its draft budget for 2025, focusing on transportation improvements and expanding affordable housing options. This budget reflects the city’s commitment to maintaining essential services while addressing current financial challenges.

Over the past two years, the city has implemented strong financial planning, conducted service reviews, and adopted innovative solutions. The 2025 draft budget identifies $54.2 million in savings through service reviews and efficiency measures, bringing total savings since 2023 to $207.7 million.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe stated, “This budget has been difficult to prepare, especially with the affordability crisis facing many residents. In order to invest in what matters most—emergency services, public transit, affordable housing, roads, and supports for the most vulnerable—we’ve had to make tough decisions. This budget strikes a responsible balance, keeping tax increases low while addressing Ottawans’ top priorities.”

The draft budget includes significant investments in affordable housing to address Ottawa’s housing crisis. Key initiatives include funding from various programs to support shelters, housing loss prevention programs, and supportive housing initiatives. The City is also working to streamline housing development through zoning updates and faster approvals.

In terms of transportation, the draft budget includes major investments in transportation infrastructure to improve mobility across the city. Investments in road rehabilitation, resurfacing, pedestrian and road safety initiatives, and public transit are highlighted. Public transit improvements include the opening of new O-Train lines, replacing aging buses with zero-emission vehicles, implementing service efficiency programs, and expanding Para Transpo service.

The draft budget will be reviewed by city council committees in the coming weeks and could be approved by city council on December 11. City Manager Wendy Stephanson sees the budget as a pivotal step in addressing the city’s most pressing issues, showcasing the city’s commitment to tackling challenges and making prudent investments in the city’s future.

Residents can visit ottawa.ca for more details on the 2025 draft budget and its impact on the city’s development and growth.

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Federal Budget to Bolster Housing Market at Expense of Other Industries

In the wake of Canada’s unemployment rate hitting a 25-month high in March, it is crucial to understand the factors at play and how they will impact the job market in the near and long term. The surge in international migration over the past year has contributed significantly to the increase in the nation’s population, with a large percentage of this growth coming from both permanent and temporary migrants.

As a result of this population influx, job vacancy rates have declined, leading firms to put their hiring plans on hold. Many census metro areas have seen a rise in their unemployment rates, with notable increases in places like St. Catharines-Niagara, Barrie, Kelowna, Trois Rivieres, Kingston, and Lethbridge. The Toronto census metro area, which received a third of the permanent residents settling in Canada over the past year, has also experienced a rise in its unemployment rate.

Looking ahead, the hiring outlook appears to be overshadowed by cooling labor demand, as indicated by decreasing job vacancy rates reported by Statistics Canada and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. All sectors and sizes of firms have seen job vacancy rates either decline or remain flat, suggesting limited plans to hire additional staff in the near future.

However, there is some hope for job creation in the construction industry, thanks to measures outlined in the budget aimed at boosting housing demand. Investments in housing needs for low-income Canadians and refugees, as well as initiatives to increase housing supply, are expected to support construction jobs in the short term.

On the flip side, the decision to increase the capital gains inclusion rate is likely to have a negative impact on investment and hiring in the longer term. Foreign and domestic investors may delay their investment plans to avoid the higher inclusion rate, which could lead to a slowdown in non-residential investment projects. This, in turn, may impede employment growth and exacerbate the effects of declines in gross fixed capital formation seen in recent years.

In conclusion, while there are challenges ahead for the job market in Canada, understanding the current trends and policy implications can help individuals and businesses prepare for potential shifts in employment opportunities. It is essential to stay informed and adapt to the evolving economic landscape to navigate the complexities of job market dynamics.

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MHCA President criticizes Budget 2024 as being filled with rhetoric and lacking substance

The recent federal budget has left many construction leaders in Western Canada feeling disappointed with the lack of focus on infrastructure and the solutions for falling productivity and weak economic growth. The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association President, Chris Lorenc, described the budget as a political document that lacks substance and meaningful solutions.

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) expressed similar sentiments, criticizing the excessive spending, high taxes, and lack of measures to improve Canada’s economic productivity and competitiveness. The ICBA Alberta President, Mike Martens, emphasized the need to address underlying issues such as debt financing and government expansion to improve the standard of living for Canadians.

The Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) President, Paul de Jong, highlighted the need for a major overhaul of the Impact Assessment Act to provide greater certainty for project owners and investors. Similarly, the Calgary Construction Association President, Bill Black, stressed the importance of addressing the housing crisis beyond just monetary investments.

The British Columbia Construction Association President, Chris Atchison, expressed concerns about the lack of focus on infrastructure in the budget and highlighted the need for additional funding to support essential housing-enabling infrastructure. Despite the criticisms, the BC Building Trades Director, Brynn Bourke, showed optimism towards the budget’s approach to apprenticeships and foreign worker credentialing.

Overall, immigration reform was identified as key for the construction industry, with calls for more flexibility in the immigration system to attract skilled workers. While there were criticisms of the budget’s shortcomings, there were also acknowledgments of positive movements towards infrastructure projects and apprenticeship programs. The construction industry will continue to monitor the government’s actions and advocate for meaningful changes to support growth and competitiveness.

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Progressives must now promote a budget they believe will assist younger citizens in bridging the gap

The 2024 federal budget proposed by the Liberal government aims to address economic fairness for younger Canadians, particularly millennials and gen-Z voters. The budget includes initiatives such as investing $8.5 billion in building millions of homes, allocating $2.6 billion for student aid and grant programs, and funding the first phase of a national pharmacare program and federal standards for long-term care. These commitments are crucial as younger Canadians feel the economic deck is stacked against them, with traditional markers of middle-class security no longer guaranteeing economic stability.

Despite the government’s efforts to address these concerns, the budget has faced criticism from opposition parties. New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh has not confirmed if his party will support the budget to keep the minority Liberals in power. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois have expressed skepticism and opposition to the budget, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre describing it as exacerbating inflation.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland defended the budget as necessary to address generational economic disparities, emphasizing the need to ensure fairness for every generation. The projected spending in the 2024 budget will increase to $535 billion, with a deficit of $39.8 billion. Freeland aims to maintain fiscal anchors by keeping the deficit below $40 billion and less than one percent of GDP by 2026-27.

To finance the budget, Freeland announced changes to the capital gains tax, increasing the tax rate on capital gains for corporations, trusts, and individuals with incomes exceeding $250,000. While this tax adjustment is expected to affect a small percentage of Canadians, it is projected to raise over $19 billion over the next five years.

Despite the anticipated blowback from the tax increase, Freeland urged the top earners to consider the kind of Canada they want to live in. The budget’s fiscal approach has clear implications for the future economic landscape of Canada, with ongoing debates and disagreements among political parties about its effectiveness and impact. The budget’s success in achieving economic fairness for younger Canadians will ultimately depend on its implementation and effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by this demographic.

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Optimizing Current Resource Initiatives and Enhancing Indigenous Participation: Budget 2024

The latest federal budget for 2024 focuses on enhancing efficiencies for current resource-based initiatives rather than introducing new projects. The government is prioritizing streamlining the impact assessment process and increasing Indigenous participation in major projects as equity stakeholders.

To improve the efficiency of impact assessment and permitting processes for major projects, the federal government has established a Ministerial Working Group on Regulatory Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects. Measures included in the budget to expedite project timelines include providing $9 million over three years to the Privy Council Office’s Clean Growth Office, creating a federal permitting co-ordinator position, setting targets for completion timelines, and developing a federal permitting dashboard to track project statuses.

Additionally, the Impact Assessment Act will be amended in response to a Supreme Court of Canada decision to ensure its constitutionality and facilitate efficient project reviews while advancing clean growth and environmental protection.

The 2024 budget also introduces the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program with up to $5 billion in loan guarantees to enable Indigenous communities to access capital for natural resource and energy projects. This program aims to promote economic reconciliation and self-determination, prioritizing Indigenous governments and their entities for applicant eligibility.

Although no new major resource projects were announced, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland highlighted the progress of skilled tradespeople on the Trans Mountain pipeline project, which is set to be completed in May. She emphasized the government’s role in getting the project built and the positive economic impact it will have on the country.

Overall, the 2024 federal budget focuses on improving efficiencies in project assessment processes, promoting Indigenous participation in major projects, and celebrating the achievements of ongoing initiatives like the Trans Mountain pipeline project.

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Senior Contract Manager to performs formal management of equipment supply contracts with high complexity, so that projects and ongoing operations are delivered safely, with quality, within budget, and on time – S.i. Systems – Canada



Company: S.i. Systems

Location: Canada

Job description: Our client is looking for a Senior Contract Manager to performs formal management of equipment supply contracts with high complexity, so that projects and ongoing operations are delivered safely, with quality, within budget, and on time. – 203081 year contract, possible extension (Hybrid in Greater Vancouver)Requirements:

  • 8+ years experience with contract management work experience.
  • 5+ Experience with post-award contract management experience on equipment supply (Construction, Oil and Gas, Mining) contracts
  • Experience with pre-award early activities, such as the review of supply chain strategies, contracting plans, scopes of work, specifications, draft RFx documents the final contract document.

Responsibilities

  • Day to day contract management activities including, but not limited to, chairing progress meetings, monitoring contract schedules, managing contract scope, expediting, managing contract changes, managing claims and disputes, accrual reporting, validation of payment requests, tracking of contract submittals and other deliverables, contract interpretation and close-out.
  • Collaborate with project teams to ensure contract performance meets the needs of the project.
  • Manage contract and resource budgets through the development and management of work packages.
  • Execute pre-award early involvement activities, such as the review of supply chain strategies, contracting plans, scopes of work, specifications, draft RFx documents and the final contract document. Identify areas of improvement that enhance vendor performance, under the contract
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to assist in the design and implementation of innovative strategies to improve internal processes, and to enhance vendor management while optimizing contract spend.
  • Monitor, analyze and provide reporting, to the project stakeholders, around the performance (financial and otherwise) of the contract.
  • Perform contract management activities by applying expert knowledge of contract management practices while working effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • Ensure the company and suppliers fulfill their contractual obligations by monitoring contract performance, identifying issues, taking timely action to resolve issues, and communicating with stakeholders to minimize risk and maximize supplier performance.
  • Establish and maintain a meaningful relationship between suppliers, stakeholders, and the company’s supply chain organization through activities such as timely communication, resolution of issues, and relevant reporting enabling the successful implementation of sourcing initiatives.
  • Forecast, monitor, and report on contract usage to ensure the company’s contract and finance control policies and budget requirements are met.
  • Provide guidance and advice to client groups in the sourcing, procurement, and management of goods and services contracts using expert knowledge of public sector procurement law, and the application of supply chain concepts to get the best value for the company.

Our client is seeking a Senior Contract Manager with at least 8 years of contract management experience, specifically in post-award contract management on equipment supply contracts in industries such as Construction, Oil and Gas, and Mining. The role involves day-to-day contract management activities, collaboration with project teams, budget management, and implementation of innovative strategies to enhance vendor performance. The Senior Contract Manager will also be responsible for monitoring contract performance, resolving issues, and communicating with stakeholders to minimize risk. This is a 1-year contract with a possible extension, located in Greater Vancouver.
Position: Landscape Maintenance Labourer

Location: Edmonton, AB

Salary: $18 – $22 per hour, based on experience

Job Description:

– Perform landscape maintenance duties including mowing, edging, trimming, weeding, planting, and watering
– Use tools and equipment safely and effectively, including lawn mower, trimmer, blower, and hand tools
– Assist with landscape construction projects as needed
– Work efficiently and effectively to meet deadlines and quality standards
– Follow all safety procedures and protocols to ensure a safe work environment
– Communicate effectively with team members and supervisors
– Maintain a clean and organized work environment

Qualifications:

– Previous experience in landscape maintenance is an asset
– Knowledge of landscaping tools and equipment
– Ability to work in various weather conditions
– Strong work ethic and attention to detail
– Reliable transportation to job site
– Ability to work independently and as part of a team

If you are a hardworking and dedicated individual with a passion for landscaping, we want to hear from you! Apply now to join our team.

Expected salary:

Job date: Wed, 10 Apr 2024 22:56:38 GMT

North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant set to resume construction with $3.86B budget

The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program in North Vancouver is set to resume construction after undergoing a comprehensive review by a Metro Vancouver Board task force. The program will come with a new multibillion-dollar price tag, estimated at $3.86 billion to complete, with the construction of the treatment plant expected to be substantially complete by 2030.

The necessity of this program is clear, as building a new wastewater treatment plant is essential to comply with federal regulations and protect human health and the environment. The decision to restart construction comes after Metro Vancouver terminated its contract with Acciona Wastewater Solutions Ltd. and worked tirelessly to address design and construction deficiencies.

The significant increase in cost since the initial estimate 13 years ago can be attributed to various factors such as market conditions, inflation, and labor costs. Metro Vancouver is committed to finding solutions to ensure that the program is completed successfully and that residents are not unduly burdened by increased property taxes and utility rates.

Moving forward, Metro Vancouver will confirm a contract to complete the plant construction, with PCL continuing early works and AECOM finishing the plant design. The region is also working on a long-term financial plan to demonstrate the need for financial support from provincial and federal governments for infrastructure projects like these.

Overall, the restart of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program signifies a commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance, while also addressing concerns around costs and financial impact on residents. With careful planning and strategic partnerships, Metro Vancouver is paving the way for a successful and sustainable future in wastewater treatment.

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