Last year, $346 billion—20 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP)—was spent on housing-related activities, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

As stated in its 2011 report, “A Solid Foundation for Generations, ” the national agency itself provided $2 billion in support for housing programs, which includes $1.7 billion for federal funding in support of almost 605,000 families living in existing social housing under long-term arrangements.

The Manitoba government is proposing changes to the Contaminated Sites Remediation Act, improving site investigation and management.

“These changes will ensure sites that might affect the health of Manitobans will now be reported, investigated, and dealt with by those responsible for the contamination,” said Gord Mackintosh, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister.

The findings of a U.S. study could have implications on Canadian pavement design. Using stiffer pavements on roadways could reduce vehicle fuel consumption by three per cent, and decrease carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 46.5 million metric tons, saving up to 237 million barrels of crude oil annually.

Late last month, at the Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) National Conference in Ottawa, Paul Bertram Jr., CSC, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP, and Ian J. Manser, LEED GA, were honoured with the F. Ross Browne Award for writing excellence.

Named after the late CSC president (and “Curmudgeon’s Corner” columnist), the prize goes to Construction Canada authors based on originality, relevance, and style.

An Ottawa bridge has won the Outstanding Infrastructure Project award in this year’s American Shotcrete Association (ASA) competition, celebrating projects that use pneumatically applied concrete or mortar.

The 2010 structure rehabilitation project of Portage Bridge, designed by Genivar & National Capital Commission, won for its innovative and effective use of the shotcrete process in the arena of infrastructure repair.

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) Canada has appointed Jay Nordenstrom as the new executive director.

As previous executive director of the Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers (CARS), Nordenstrom was responsible for the overall strategic direction, including all aspects of advocacy with the federal and provincial governments and railways.

A Toronto lakefront development, an arena-turned-supermarket, and the Earth Rangers Centre were among the winning projects in the 10th annual Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) awards.

“Most Ontarians don’t realize the built environment of our cities, towns, and villages has been shaped by a team of consulting engineers,” said CEO’s Barry Steinberg, P.Eng.

The submission process for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Regional Priority (RP) credits is being revised.

Currently, detailed narrative and supporting material preparation is needed for Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC’s) RP credit applications to explain credit importance in the given region.

A research centre in subarctic Manitoba has been honoured for showing high-performance buildings can operate in particularly harsh conditions.

A Prairie Architects project, with mechanical/electrical design by Enermodal Engineering, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC) has won an Award of Excellence from the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies (ACEC) Manitoba Chapter.

Architecture Canada has chosen this year’s winners for emerging and experienced architects.

A teacher and architect, Lola Sheppard, MRAIC, was honoured with the Young Architect Award for her passion about the relationship between architecture and nature.