2BY4GTA Newspaper Issue 3

WORKERS

CONTRACTORS

COMPANIES

Volume 1/ Issue 3/ December18, 2017 / GREATER TORONTO AREA

HOMEOWNERS

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Issue 4 / January 29, 2018 - Ad Submission Deadline January 23, 2018

Honouring trades workers: those who build the world around us

Will a $15 minimum wage help or hurt the construction industry?

By David Goldberg With their approval numbers sliding towards the single digits, the Ontario Liberals are trying to win the favour of voters by promising to increase the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2019.

Ontario is the latest province to jump on board.

Alberta plans to hit the magic number by next year and British Columbia has begun to study the idea. The increase breaks down like this: On Jan. 1 the minimum wage will jump from $11.60 to $14.00 and then by 2019 every employee in this province will be making $15.00/hour. Some have argued this will lead to general job losses. An independent study by Ontario’s Financial Accountability Office (FAO) guesse. it could be as many as 50,000. “[The] increase is both larger and more rapid than past experience, providing businesses with a greater incentive to reduce costs more aggressively,” according to the FAO report.

Continued on page 3

By Jag Michaels Being a tradesperson is not easy. The hours can be long, it can get physically gruelling, and it’s a challenge sometimes to find the right work-life balance. As tough as it can be, the satisfaction that comes from getting the job done is something to take pride in.

Continued on page 5

Why Ethical Standards in Construction are a Must

By Jag Michaels There are no debt about it. Ethical standards in construction are highly valued by employers, contractors, and clients.

They ensure that safety standards are being properly adhered to. They also play a role in hiring and ensuring that the rights of workers are always protected. There is a movement across Canada to further emphasize ethical standards in construction, including the creation of a new ethics course being taught today in Vancouver.

Continued on page 7

Will Home Prices Rise or Fall in 2018?

By Andrew Dabrowski Home buyers and sellers in the GTA have gone through a roller coaster this year. Prices soared quickly in the fall of 2016 and continued into the spring of 2017. Some areas saw prices rise by $100,000, or even more, month over month.

Speculators rushed to buy and sell. Buyers were often caught in multiple offer situations.

Continued on page 9

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Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017

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City news Editor-In-Chief Joey Clavette Editor@2by4gta.ca | (613) 668-5527 Contributing Editor Rowan Walters Contributors Bahar Faizi Carina Simniceanu David Goldberg Denis Langlois Jag Michaels Sarah McGoldrick Cartoonist Adrian Bienias Photographers Petronella Duda Matthew Dabrowski President, Director of Business Development Sławomir Haluszka Slavo@2by4gta.ca | (647) 297-0847 CEO, Production Manager, Multi-Media Sales Matthew Dabrowski Matt@2by4gta.ca | (647) 771-1691 John P. Robarts Research Library at the University of Toronto downtown campus. Photo credit: Olya Tkachenko

Universities in the GTA are expanding

By Carina Simniceanu Construction crane sightings and drilling noises are commonplace throughout the Greater Toronto Area as condominiums and homes are being built at staggering rates. However, as of late, those same noises have been heard within university campuses throughout the city.

The current campus expansions, albeit inconvenient for students trying to get around campus, will ultimately help improve the student and faculty experience and expand learning opportunities.

A major campus capital project taking place in the downtown core is the revitalization of the John P. Robarts Research Library at the University of Toronto downtown campus.

This prominent university landmark is being upgraded with the construction of an additional five-storey structure which will add 1,200 study and workspaces for current students.

In order to support the project, certain areas of the library will be cordoned as required. The project was funded through the generous donations of Drs. Russell and Katherine Morrison, as well as donations from over 1,000 individual donors. The library addition will be open to students in the fall of 2019.

Another large-scale campus expansion taking place within the downtown core is the construction of the new Centre for Urban Innovation at Ryerson University. The building site at 44 Gerard Street East will be a hub for research and the development of solutions to various urban infrastructure issues.

More specifically, the 40,000 square foot space will provide resources for students who are researching alternatives for energy production, water management, as well as food production. The centre aims to integrate new elements while preserving historical aspects, as the building design will conserve the original building that was built in 1891, as well as the addition constructed in the 1940s.

The centre’s construction has been made possible by a $19.8 million investment from the federal government, and the construction grant has been awarded to PCL Constructors. The library will be open to students and faculty in September of 2018, just in time for the commencement of the new school year.

Another key development north of the downtown core is the much anticipated large-scale expansion of York University.

The university is expanding into Markham, just north of Highway 407 and Kennedy Road, with a brand new state-of-the-art campus which will support a minimum of 4,000 students across eight fields of study ranging from arts and media to business.

The land was donated to the university by the city of Markham, while the university has

budgeted $45 million for the construction.

In addition to the university’s financial commitment, the City of York Region allotted an additional $25 million for the project.

Although no construction date has been set as of yet, the expansion is already much anticipated by prospective students and faculty alike.

Marketing and Social Media Manager Christine Szapiel Cs.szapiel@gmail.com | (416) 206-2334 Operations Manager Anastasia Nabokova operations@2by4gta.ca | (416) 628-6254 Sales Representatives Glen Noronha glen@2by4gta.ca | (647) 986-7825 Graphic and Newspaper Designer Advertising Coordinator Olya Tkachenko design@2by4gta.ca Web Designer and Developer Gurpartap Singh Web Developer Damian Sobkowiak Legal Team Sebastian Szemplinski (905) 602-5100 Publishers Slawomir Haluszka Matthew Dabrowski Published by 2BY4GTA and 2BY4 NEWSGTA, divisions of DoubleGen Corp.

2017 All Rights Reserved.2BY4GTA 1295 Eglinton Ave E, Unit 19, Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 3E6 info@2by4gta.ca |(416)628-6254 www.2by4gta.ca

EVERYTHING FOR CONtractors & HOMEOWNERS IN the GTA

Centre for Urban Innovation at Ryerson University Photo credit: Olya Tkachenko

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 3

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Job focus

Will a $15 minimum wage help or hurt the construction industry?

Started on page 1

By David Goldberg Some experts disagree, however. Dr. Allan MacNeill, a professor of political economy at Webster University says there’s no guarantee that these layoffs would happen.

“It’s possible for companies that are highly profitable to afford to pay their workers more and reduce profits. However, numerous studies have shown that increasing minimum wages reduces turnover and lowers costs. Workers may also work harder if they are paid more because they don’t want to lose their jobs.”

Unifor boss Jerry Dias agrees and equates any talks of job losses to mere fear-mongering.

“The reality is that 50,000 workers are not

expected to lose their jobs,” said Dias in response to the Liberals’ plan. “This figure is not a projection of actual lost jobs but rather a combination of estimates that includes potential, but not actual, future job creation and jobs lost to increased automation.”

But is the stress of a 32 per cent wage increase in just over a year’s time too much for employers to bear? It’s certainly unprecedented. Between 2012 and 2016, the average hourly wage of part-time and full-time construction workers went up by only 12 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

Here’s another thing to consider: It’s not just people making minimum wage who will get a bump. What about all the

Photo credit: KMR Photography

tradespeople who already worked their way up from minimum wage? They might have worked their butt off to get to $15/hour so what kind of fair raise can an employer give them to adjust to the new normal?

And in the end, it won’t be the employers or the workers hurting the most. It will be their customers. The wage increase will affect the number of clients who can afford their services once companies inevitably jack up rates to pay those puffed up wages.

Tiffany manages a GTA landscaping company and says these changes will hit a particular demographic of customers the hardest.

“We have a lot of elderly clients. These are the people who hire us because they physically can’t do the work themselves. Most of them

Minimum wage supporters have good intentions. They hope to improve people’s lives by increasing wages. The issue is that minimum wage policy affects a lot more than simply wages.

Workers Specialists

Business Owners

A wage is a tacit agreement between employer and employed. If your wage is low, it’s likely because the supply for your labour is high. Being a cashier, for instance, may take skill but it’s a skill that can quickly and cheaply be taught to anyone. If your wage is high, you’re likely able to do something that not many people can do, yet demand is high for.

Minimum wage laws restrict business managers from paying less than a certain amount for labour. If an employee used to only bring in $15/hour or less in net profit, with this law that job is now unfeasible. They will likely be fired, the position will be retired, or a more skilled worker will do two jobs at once. Minimum wage restricts low-skilled workers from entering the job market.

How minimum wage affects business and workers Construction Business Owners

live on fixed incomes so we might lose their business,” she says.

So if Bob and Mary have to choose between paying the hydro bill on time or getting their grass cut, you can guess what gets slashed from the budget first.

In conclusion, Dr. MacNeill says there is no way of knowing the end result of the Liberals’ economic experiment.

“People on both sides of the issue will make predictions, but who predictions turn out to be correct will depend on a whole array of other variables. Experiences with minimum wages in the U.S. have been mixed...Industry always claims there will be job losses, inflation, and stagnation. But it’s rarely the case and it’s never that simple.”

A business could also reduce operating hours to stay afloat. The effect of increased wages would be negated by a decrease in hours for employees. Consumers might suffer longer lines as well because the window of opportunity to make purchases has decreased.

Home Owners

Most absurdly, employers might raise prices to keep their books balanced. If prices are raised because wages increase, then the $15 isn’t really worth $15 now. For instance, the current $11.25 wage has similar purchasing power as the eight dollar wage from 2007.

What use are higher minimum wages when the cost of living soars as a result?

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Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017

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Traffic Watch

Is an App to Avoid Road Construction in Toronto a Bad Idea – a Discussion

Traffic Watch Dec - Jan 2017

By Jag Michaels December sees the holiday season arrive while January is on tap to have some of the coldest days in Toronto this winter.

Throughout this, a number of construction projects across the GTA continue to move along slowly through the cold. Everyday road users can expect delays and possible road closures throughout the following areas.

Kipling Avenue from the Queensway to Warnica Culnan-Queensway, BrawleyQueensway, and parts of Trueman Avenue Northbound and southbound lanes will be closed due to ongoing placement of conduit until December 26th.

The Queensway from High Street to South Kingsway A single eastbound and single westbound lane will remain occupied due to ongoing bridge rehabilitation ongoing until December 28th.

Jane Street-Eglinton and Eglinton from Jane to Weston Northbound and southbound lanes will be closed due to construction set to conclude on December 31st.

Hillhurst Boulevard, from Alexandra Wood to Bathurst Westbound lane will be closed for water main and water services replacement from November 3rd to December 31st.

Lakeshore Boulevard-Park Lawn Eastbound and westbound lanes will be reduced to single lanes due to the reconstruction of a TTC track set to conclude on December 31st.

1070 Yonge Street The northbound and southbound passing

lanes have been closed due to emergency sewer main repair. The work is set to conclude on December 31, 2017.

Eglinton from Sutherland to Don Avon, from Braemar to Oriole A single eastbound and a single westbound lane continues to be closed due to monitoring instruments. They are expected to be re-opened on December 31, 2017.

Adelaide-Ontario Street The northbound sidewalk and curb lanes are currently closed due to construction, set to be re-opened on December 31, 2017.

Gerrard Street east of Bay The sidewalk and curb lane on the south side is closed due to construction set to conclude on December 31, 2017.

Yonge-Yorkville The westbound curb lane is currently closed due to construction and is set to re-open beginning end-of-day December 31, 2017.

Eglinton east of Kennedy Due to overhead and underground hydro lines relocation and replacement, eastbound and westbound lanes are currently closed only set to re-open on December 31, 2017.

Keele from Arrowsmith to Flamborough George Anderson Drive Redbank Road Amesbury Drive Arrowsmith Avenue Flamingo Crescent Fairweather Road Some lanes may be occupied due to the installation of new conduit from November 2nd until January 2, 2018.

Eglinton Avenue East-West of

Spectrum Way The eastbound curb lane will be closed for bridge rehabilitation over Etobicoke Creek set to conclude on January 31st.

Gardiner Expressway Off-Ramp York/ Bay/Yonge and Eastbound Curb Labe from Bathurst to York The eastbound Gardiner off-ramp at York/ Bay/Yonge and the eastbound curb lane remains closed until January, 31, 2018 as construction crews continue work on a new ramp to Lower Simcoe Street.

Bloor Street from Dunbloor to Green Lanes The eastbound and median lanes will be closed in this area due to the ongoing reconfiguration of the Six Points interchange.

Work is expected to continue until approximately April 30, 2018.

Richmond Street from #604 to #618 Richmond Street’s northbound sidewalk, cycle track, and curb lane are closed due to construction until March 31, 2018.

Bathurst-Front The eastbound curb lane is currently closed due to construction, set to be completed on July 31, 2018.

York Street from Lakeshore to Harbour Due to construction, the southbound curb lane continues to be closed with work set to conclude on July 31, 2018.

Blue Jays Way from Mercer to King The eastbound curb lane is currently closed due to construction and is set to re-open on August 31, 2018.

John Street from Adelaide to Pearl The eastbound sidewalk and curb lane are currently closed due to construction. This work is set to conclude by January 31, 2019.

By Jag Michaels Any Torontonian has been frustrated at one time or another by the constant road construction. Whether navigating TTC redirects or driving in your own car, avoiding road construction is an art in and of itself.

This is a problem not restricted solely to Toronto. Though we don’t often think of Winnipeg as the mecca of construction delays, the City’s transportation department is seeking to develop and implement a lane closure app that would contain up to the minute info on any blocked routes. If this initiative is implemented, construction firms and Winnipeg utilities would be mandated to communicate with drivers via the app.

There is no lack of evidence for the functionality and demand of such an app in the GTA. There is already a long list of GPS and live traffic apps available for download on your device’s app store. In 2014, CityNews launched its own Toronto traffic app meant to service the entire GTA. It has, however, been met with mixed reviews since its initial release.

Most recently, Google Maps has been the standard for almost any Torontonian.

Though it is easy to use, Google Maps has been notoriously inaccurate about a range of data it features on its maps. At times, this has left motorists stranded in areas with road closures.

There are also other apps that have attempted to map out road closures and road construction in Toronto. These include Navmii, Beat the Traffic, CP24 Traffic Alert, CoPilot, and Waze. Each of these has their own unique charm and features to them.

If you are searching for a reliable road construction or traffic app in Toronto, any of the options mentioned in this article are worth a look. Unfortunately, the accuracy of these apps is often questionable.

Toronto has yet to adopt any official cityfunded road construction app, providing real-time information to motorists, and that would include aspects of travel such as TTC routes and biking lanes.

Depending on how successful the Winnipeg pilot project is with their road construction app, it might be possible to see something similar adapted to the GTA within the decade.

At least, that is what many of us would hope.

VORTEX Demolition • Residential • Gutting Houses • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Interior • Exterior • Renovation Preparation

(647) 771 1691 sirbrowski@hotmail.ca

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 5

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City news

Honouring trades workers: those who build the world around us Started on page 1

By Jag Michaels What a tradesperson builds has an effect on a person’s life for a long time. If you are working on road maintenance and repair, let’s say, the work you put in on that day is going to provide a service to anyone who drives on it for months. It’s also going to be there the next time that maintenance comes around.

Let’s say it’s a condo development or it’s renovating a kitchen in a semi-detached home. The work that a tradesperson puts in serves the community. They leave behind

a legacy that lays silent in the building materials for decades and even centuries.

Think of the tradespeople who built up neighbourhoods like Liberty Village and the Distillery District in Toronto. Their work has lasted for years. Perhaps more importantly than that, the result has given people places to live, work, and play.

Through the generations, these materials and designs are passed down. As parents pass these homes down to their children, there’s a lot that can be said for how a tradesperson’s work can impact someone over the course of their life. Even going

back to something like a childhood home.

There were tradespeople who built that.

As a tradesperson, you’re providing the community around you with a service and you’re developing a real skill that makes you valuable in the marketplace.

As expertise is acquired, a tradesperson then has the opportunity to train apprentices, passing down the knowledge from generation to generation. Not only is what you are building going to last but to those who you pass this knowledge to, your philosophies and tricks of the trade will be transferred as well.

Blue collar workers form the backbone of Canada. They’ve built our roads, our homes, and our places of work. They’ve built buildings that have lasted for over a century and they’ve been providing safe places for families to enjoy each other’s company for decades.

Be proud of being a tradesperson. The work you put in today is going to last for decades, in time and space, as well as in the memories of those who live in these spaces. No matter what trades category you are in, dealing with the hardships on the job is almost always worth the result.

It’s tough work. It’s also honest work.

Building Your Social Media Presence: For Contractors

By Bahar Faizi Social media is for more than sharing endless memes and shamelessly watching viral cat videos. Social media’s true potential exceeds its most common uses. It is the most powerful marketing tool. Social media, when properly used, can land contracting gigs and increase your network.

It can also do the opposite. A few poorly thought out posts can tarnish a professional reputation beyond repair.

The lack of an online presence will leave you ignored by consumers. Quality assurance is everything. In today’s world, a contractor with quality content and reviews will take the jobs. So get on top of it instead.

Here are five ways to effectively market with social media: Branding Remain consistent with branding. Don’t create an inauthentic persona. Promote aspects of your life and personality that you’re comfortable with sharing.

While you should keep professionalism in mind, there’s no reason to limit your posts to job-related material. Posts about trending topics and likeable content are fine as long as it remains tasteful and inoffensive to a wide audience.

Scheduling Posting norms vary across sites. While it’s acceptable to send over 20 tweets daily, similar amounts are considered spam on Facebook. Regardless of the medium, daily posts are crucial to maintaining followers.

Luckily, many sites allow users to schedule posts in advance. There are apps which track when your followers are most active allowing you to schedule your posts then. HootSuite is a popular option. Post in real time when there is something interesting happening, particularly if a local event or situation is garnishing attention.

Marketing Market your skills and successes. Ask clients if they are okay with you sharing before and after photos of your work.

Consider writing a post or photo caption explaining an aspect of your profession such as the difference between low and highquality renovations. Include high-quality pictures and short videos from the job site.

Blurry, low-grade photos are unappealing and less likely to receive positive feedback.

Cross promote by adding links to your other profiles on each site. Rather than sticking to the most popular social media sites, try to capitalize on niches by using newer sites.

Connecting Connect with others in your network and take part in the online community.

Leaving thoughtful comments will draw more attention to your profile and services.

People are more motivated to like, retweet or comment on the content of those who have done the same for them.

While connecting should be a daily habit, it takes very little time and effort. A few genuine comments can leave a lasting impression.

Reviews Set up a business Facebook account so

clients have the option to rate and review your services. Don’t shy away from asking clients to like your page. There they can rate your services from one to five stars and leave a comment explaining why.

Another important tool to use is Google’s business ratings. Make sure to list or claim

your listing on Google and keep track of Google reviews.

Have you ever used social media to contact a professional? Share your experiences with us on twitter @2by4gta or email us at editor@2by4gta.ca. We’d be happy to share some helpful stories in our next issue.

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Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017

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Jobs

Vandalism & Theft on

Construction sites

By Sarah McGoldrick Rising above the Toronto skyline are hundreds of cranes and condo developments with construction yards filled with tools and building materials. As a result, opportunist thieves and vandals have been taking aim at equipment and materials on construction sites.

Theft Hydro One reports that more than $40 million worth of materials are stolen every year. This estimate is conservative because the exact number of thefts in Toronto is hard to gauge.

Many incidents go unreported and in the case of small tools, thieves often pawn the items before police can ever catch up to them. In addition, the kind of theft and vandalism is changing as the construction industry becomes more tech savvy.

Peter Smith, executive director of the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto told 2BY4 that “organized theft of large construction equipment is down because many large machines have GPS tracking devices”.

Thieves are no longer looking to steal heavy machines but are instead looking for a quick turn-around, according to Smith.

Many incidents of theft in the construction industry are drug motivated and executed by unsophisticated thieves who want to

quickly unload what they have stolen. “Small tools sell cheaply. Most incidents now are for items that are in the $2,000 to $5,000 range,” said Smith. Criminals aim for this range because punishments for theft under $5,000 are significantly less than more expensive crimes, according to Canadian law.

He added that thieves find it much easier to take off with something small than to try and steal a large forklift or backhoe.

“Generators and compressors are easier to take off with,” he said. These types of thefts make it difficult to recover stolen items because the thieves work so quickly and those buying the materials often don’t question the source. “Recycling companies don’t ask questions.”

According to Smith, this is why theft of construction materials like copper wire leave construction sites enticing targets for

Photo credit: Matthew Dabrowski

thieves. It’s easy to steal and unload in a very short amount of time.

Vandalism The prevalence and vulnerability of construction sites also make them a target for vandals, though the exact number of incidents is difficult to determine.

“Kids break windows or spray paint a $2 million crane that has company artwork or colours and do not realize it’s expensive to have it redone,” Smith commented.

He added that companies can’t rely on locally provided security. Toronto Police Services are kept busy investigating thefts and vandalism across the city. Companies should seriously consider investing in private

security for added protection, he suggests.

Director of Corporate Communications for Toronto Police Services, Mark Pugash agrees. “I would suggest to them, as we would to any other businesses, that they review their security arrangements regularly, ensure they have good-quality security cameras, and the ability to store security camera footage,” he said.

He also recommends that construction companies report any suspicious activity or criminal act to help police monitor the situation and find those committing the crimes. “I’d invite them to contact their local police who are able to assist with any other crime-prevention information,” he said.

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 7

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Job focus

Why Ethical Standards in Construction are a Must Started on page 1

By Jag Michaels There are no doubt about it. Ethical standards in construction are highly valued by employers, contractors, and clients.

They ensure that safety standards are being properly adhered to. They also play a role in hiring and ensuring that the rights of the worker are always protected. There is a movement across Canada to further emphasize ethical standards in construction, including the creation of a new ethics course being taught today in Vancouver.

The Canadian Construction Association’s Gold Seal Certification program has adopted a new ethics course developed by BuildForce Canada. Regional construction associations across Canada are looking at ways to provide these courses to members in online and in-class settings.

The Vancouver Regional Construction

Association has already committed to course delivery on both counts. Michael Atkinson, CCA President, emphasizes the need to create a visible set of ethical standards for the construction industry.

“We wanted to find a way to partly change the image of construction, after inquiries like the Charbonneau Commission in Quebec,” he said. “A more ethical approach to business practices was seen as an important part of leadership training.”

Ethics is about being proactive in ensuring fairness and respect in the workplace.

Consider it a form of self-policing.

Maintaining ethical standards in the workplace signifies to stakeholders the high standards that you hold your business to. Among the most problematic areas in the construction behaviour that results in unethical behaviour is said to be bidding.

This puts a construction company under

pressure from day one and when efficiency is upheld as the highest priority, it is not uncommon to see some take shortcuts towards that efficiency. It is instances and opportunities such as these that make discussing ethics all the more important.

There are times when ethical standards end up being left behind unknowingly, such as in the unauthorized uses of equipment and/or the misappropriation of supplies.

The momentum towards higher ethical standards in construction increased throughout the past decade and a half, as more studies came to be published on the matter. According to a survey of construction managers, contractors, consultants, engineers, architects, and business owners in the construction industry, a 2005 FMI survey showed how 84 percent of respondents said they had seen an act on the job considered

unethical in the past year.

In urban centres such as Vancouver and Toronto, ethics are even more important.

These city centres are dependent upon construction to drive road maintenance, condo development, affordable housing, and industrial/commercial building renovations or new builds. There is so much opportunity for stakeholders even up to the city government to cut corners on projects.

The pledge towards ethical construction is a necessity in such an environment.

Any construction firm in Canada should review this Code of Ethics and adhere to them. As more studies are conducted on ethics in Canadian construction, we all want to ensure that the industry is represented accurately. More importantly, we want to ensure that every stakeholder is protected on the job and operating in the most ethical of ways.

Construction Etiquette: Home Renos & Expectations

By Bahar Faizi Imagine carrying a full basket into your laundry room only to find the machine is already running. That’s what Mrs. Jones walked in on when she discovered the hired house painter running a full load while on the clock.

He casually explained that his own laundry machine was broken, as if that justified his actions. Not surprisingly, he wasn’t called back or recommended to others.

While this scenario is unique, it represents a common issue in residential trades work—a lack of clear-cut guidelines regulating behaviour.

In some cases it’s the homeowners who behave poorly or expect too much. Trades workers are often asked to stay after they finish their job, solely to provide extra work in a different part of the house. Sometimes this will involve an entirely different trade. Often clients expect trades workers to provide cleaning services free of charge.

Most jobs are done in neutral professional locations. Construction is often different because it takes place in someone’s home.

This can lead to awkward encounters.

While contracting companies have rules for contractors to follow, they vary among companies. Small businesses may not have any at all. This leads to a complete lack of cohesion. Lack of regulations can leave clients and contractors alike confused.

Homeowners aren’t obligated to offer

anything to workers. Yet, depending on how extensive the services are, offering beverages is appropriate. Unfortunately, some contracting companies restrict employees from accepting anything from clients. Though the simple gesture is always appreciated and a little common courtesy can go a long way.

On October 2, the Ontario College of Trades attempted to rectify some of these issues by releasing its first Code of Ethics. It is an attempt to improve the situation by presenting a set of established guidelines for certified tradespeople. It will allow anyone to make complaints to the Complaint Committee against trades workers who are alleged to have violated the Code. This would lead to a trial at the Discipline Committee.

In 2013, the College created the Professional Conduct Regulation which lists a variety of unacceptable behaviours. The Code of Ethics is meant to supplement those earlier regulations.

The College Of Trades states that the Code of Ethics will improve the status of trades workers, putting them in line with other professions. More established professions, they explain, already have such codes of conduct which allows them to be taken more seriously. Although, as mentioned earlier, construction work is peculiar because it often involves workers being inside the home of their clients. This may lead to an unfair

imbalance between clients and contractors.

The Code is six chapters long and outlines duties and behavioural standards to follow. Yet, its effectiveness in reducing the vagueness of construction etiquette is difficult to predict. The Guide to the Code of Ethics for Members explains that: “The Code of Ethics has been drafted as a general document that does not contain

language or clauses specific to any single trade or sector. Some obligations may apply to members in some trades or sectors but not in others.”

A general document lacking specific clauses does little to rectify the original predicament.

As well, many trades such as painters are not yet compulsory. Nevertheless, it is worth the read for Ontario’s licensed trades workers.

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Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017

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Condo

Meet ‘The Livmore’, a Purpose-Built Rental Project in downtown Toronto

By Jag Michaels Spearheading purpose-built luxury rental units in downtown Toronto, GWL Realty Advisors are leading the way with the development of The Livmore. The company’s flagship rental project will be located at Bay-Gerrard intersection. The building will be an apartment building rather than a condominium.

The Livmore is set to feature 595 residential units, including someone, two and three bedroom units alongside studio and twostorey penthouse lofts. It will also feature several leisure areas for games, fitness, barbecue, and even a dog spa. The architecture was designed by Page and Steel with IBI group, and the interior design is the work of Cecconi Simone.

Like most condominiums popping up in the GTA, The Livmore is surrounded by a shield of glass. But The Livmore does not look as generic as many of the newer buildings in Toronto. The structure has many differently textured blocks stacked on top of each other and looks something like a postmodern sculpture that you can live in.

The design plans seem to feature a large green space on a veranda which wraps around the entire perimeter of the building at the sixth floor. Some of the design photos show green walls on both the inside and the outside of the building. All considered, the look of the building promises to be an attractive and refreshing addition to the city.

Though there is much ongoing condo development happening in the city, the amount of purpose-built rentals is low in Toronto. This is the niche which The Livmore is attempting to fill. The enterprise hopes to replicate the positives of the condo living experience without the expenses of maintenance fees and property taxes.

The area where the Livmore is being built is conveniently nestled in between Toronto’s

financial district and Queen’s Park.

The nearby amenities are world-class, including the Eaton Centre, the ROM, and the numerous boutiques in Yorkville.

Though prices have not yet been released, it is reasonable to assume that the rental cost will be higher than average.

The University of Toronto and George Brown College are in close proximity. The College subway station is also nearby. The value of these rental units will no doubt be strong and could help provide the area with some much-needed living space.

At a time when the City is experiencing record growth, the rental market has been struggling to keep up.

A recent joint report from the Ryerson City Building Institute and Evergreen stated that in order to achieve a healthy rental vacancy rate in Toronto at three per cent, 8,000 purpose-built rentals would have to be developed every year. That’s in addition to the purpose-built rental development ongoing now. In the third quarter of 2017, there were proposals for 30,980 purposebuilt rental units in Toronto.

The Livmore is currently under construction and is on track to be opened the summer of 2018. The 43-storey tower has been in various stages of construction since late 2016. As of late October, The Livmore had just another seven residential floors and a penthouse level to be developed before reaching its total estimated height of 139 metres.

As the average monthly rent for a leased condo has risen to $2,200 per month, according to October 2017 data, the Toronto region is in dire need of more units.

Perhaps The Livmore won’t be a bargain living space but hopefully its construction will help the supply reach the demand for residential units in the city, and as a result, prices will start to fall.

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Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 9

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Condo

Will Home Prices Canoe Landing: Rise or Fall in 2018?

Started on page 1

By Andrew Dabrowski Multiple offers became the norm at the beginning of 2017. Real estate agents were burdened with making or receiving multiple offers but often blessed with lots of business.

Sellers were pleasantly surprised to receive offers which at times were hundreds of thousands over the asking price.

The beginning of 2017 had been a challenging time for many buyers who often bid on properties, without any conditions, and rarely any clue as to what price the seller would accept. Low interest rates and a low supply of properties pushed buyers to make these risky decisions.

In April of this year, Kathleen Wynne made an announcement regarding 16 measures affecting housing in Ontario. The measures were geared towards increasing housing availability, improving rental conditions, and curbing real estate speculation; especially for non residents. As with many financial markets driven by fear and greed, the Ontario housing market was gripped by fear.

Housing sales slowed down and prices dropped. Multiple offers went from being the norm to being rare again. Between the housing price peak in April and the market today, home prices in many parts of Ontario have dropped by close to 20 per cent. Year after year, average selling prices from TREB show that November 2017 is lower ($761,757) than November 2016 ($777,091). In April 2017 the average home price peaked at $918,138. As of this November, the average

price is 17 per cent lower. Sales, however, have increased in past weeks due to the anticipation of a new lending regulation.

In January of 2018, Canada’s banking regulator is expanding stress tests on mortgage qualification. Despite rates still being low (around three per cent), buyers seeking mortgages will have to show that they can afford a property if they were paying five per cent interest on the mortgage instead of three per cent. This will significantly reduce affordability by 10 to 20 per cent. Buyers who, for example, would have qualified for a mortgage on a property priced in the $700,000s will only be able to qualify for a mortgage on a home priced under $600,000.

Mortgage qualification will vary per individual, their credit rating, amount of savings and the rate that they are able to obtain.

In effect, the stress test will lower the buying power for Ontarians. If buying power is lower, many sellers will be forced to lower their prices. Therefore, home prices are likely to go down in 2018.

Families who can’t afford homes will probably compete for condos. This may raise condo prices. Speculators will pounce on low priced homes, this in turn may bump prices up a little bit, but not like in 2017.

The bank of Canada has already increased its interest rate by 0.5 per cent this year, and is likely to continue increasing its rate in 2018. The stress test itself appears to be designed to prepare us for higher interest rates. The new year will likely bring higher interest, but lower prices.

ICE Condos. Photo credit: JasonParis

Constructing A community among condos

By Bahar Faizi Public demand for livable communities has grown alongside the GTA’s condo expansion. As such, Canoe Landing park opened in 2009 in a high-density neighbourhood between Bathurst and Spadina. The park offers a vast public space amidst the condo rich downtown and is equipped with a namesake red canoe and various other art sculptures.

While the park — with its bike trails and soccer fields — adds a sense of community, access to public facilities remains lacking for the 20,000 residents of the area. A few blocks away, the creation of Canoe Landing Community Centre is currently underway to provide the city dwellers with more viable resources.

The Canoe Landing Community Centre is a joint project between the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School board and The Toronto Catholic School Board and has been in the planning stages since 1994 when the three blocks of land were donated to the city by CN Railways. Construction began on Sept.

18, 2017. The total cost of the Canoe Landing Community Centre is expected to be around $78.2 million. Such costs are necessary to make Toronto a more livable and functional city.

For residents of the Fort York Boulevard and

Brunel Court neighbourhood, there are no schools in walking distance right now. The upcoming Canoe Landing Community Centre complex will consist of both a public and a Catholic elementary school, as well as childcare and rec centres.

The complex will include sustainable features like LED lighting, solar panels and an active green roof. The roof will also consist of a basketball court in addition to gardens, fields and green space. By spring 2019, parents can begin enrolling their children into the schools which will be open by the fall. The facilities will also create potential jobs and provide leisure activities for residents of the vertical community.

Apartment buildings account for 70 per cent of homes built in Toronto in the past 10 years. Although condo layouts are often better suited for singles and elderly couples, sometimes families with young children also call them home. As of 2011 “32 per cent of households with children... lived in mid and high rise buildings...” as reported by the City Planning Division.

These families are often faced with limited access to child-friendly amenities.

As the population and high rises continue to increase, accessible facilities and recreational options will provide a stronger sense of community and a wellbalanced city.

10 Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017

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Home

DIY: Turn your den into a bedroom

By Bahar Faizi DIY’s often consist of crafty projects resulting in creations that have more sentimental value than practical use. For Amy Diaz who purchased a one bedroom condo with a den during the summer’s intense real estate market, DIYing was necessary to make her home more livable.

Diaz, who was looking to purchase a two bedroom, noticed that prices grew

significantly with the addition of a second bedroom - even when the total square footage barely increased. Throughout the ordeal of searching for the perfect condo to call home, she discovered that the closer to downtown, the smaller the spaces were.

A one bedroom condo downtown costs an average of $404,522 which increases to $636,847 for a two bedroom. A second bedroom, despite how small they often are,

brings the price up by around $200,000.

Most second bedrooms downtown are so small they are no larger than a den in other parts of the city. The average price of a one bedroom with a den is $489,605.

After becoming disillusioned with downtown options, Diaz found a one bedroom with a den located in Etobicoke. She realized that the den could be utilized more effectively.

With the right additions, she envisioned

How to be a good tenant

By David Goldberg Congratulations! You’ve just managed to sign a lease on the Toronto rental property of your dreams. You created an outstanding application package and endured three interviews. You beat out seven other suitors and your new landlord has just handed you the keys to your humble abode. So how do you make sure this is a long and happy relationship?

Treat it like you own it. Every rental property is some landlord’s investment.

In many cases, it could be a nest egg for retirement, so it’s always good to keep that in the back of your mind.

Keep it clean. That means regular scrubbing and proper use of appliances.

It’s not a hotel, and unless a cleaning service is part of your rental agreement, you better head to the dollar store and pick up some supplies. Paper towels, a bottle of all-purpose cleaner and some scrubbing sponges should go a long way.

Even if you don’t care about appearances, you should care about mold and insects.

And speaking of cleaning, we should talk about decluttering. If you want to keep every issue of the Toronto Star archived in your hallways, that’s fine, but make sure your landlord has easy and uninhibited access to important utilities such as the furnace, circuit breakers and water main.

See something, say something. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a weird stain on the ceiling or a funky smell in the basement, don’t wait for your landlord to stumble onto the problem. If you flag something early enough it could be an easy fix. Wait too long and it could mean damage to your personal property or even losing your home temporarily.

And if there is a problem, don’t try to fix it yourself. You might be very handy and

watched several YouTube videos educating you on the finer points of replacing a cracked shower tile, but it’s not worth the risk. It’s your landlord’s job to take care of those things and you don’t want to turn the issue into a much bigger problem.

Your attempted reno may even become a legal issue. Almost all electrical work requires a permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). And although a lot of homeowners will tackle the job anyway, you definitely don’t want

to mess around with that if you’re just renting.

And that goes for accidents as well. Let’s say you just hosted your best friend’s birthday party and the limbo contest got a bit out of hand, leaving a sizeable hole in the drywall. Don’t go to Home Depot. Contact your landlord and be honest about what happened. This is what your security deposit is for. If you try to patch it up yourself, you are likely to do a poor job. They will find out and it will have to be redone anyway.

herself DYing her way to a second bedroom.

If you are in a similar situation and have found a condo with a decent sized den with reasonable distance from the living room, here’s how to convert it into a bedroom.

The first thing to work on is the entrance to the den, which most likely will not have a door.

Depending on your living situation you can add a curtain but if you need more privacy install a door. A bi-fold door can be purchased at Rona for only $68! Installing the door involves measuring and sizing the door post, positioning the door, drilling and assembling the handle.

To make a room appear more spacious, stick to one accent colour along with white.

Diaz used black and white for everything from the decor to the bed and linens. To brighten the walls use white paint which can be purchased at Home Depot.

The bed, purchased from the Brick, has three drawers capacity with room for storing clothing. The vanity table, purchased at Home Depot doubles as a desk as the mirror can be closed to give it multipurpose functioning. Diaz used wall decals instead of a headboard to save space. Decals are artistic designs mounted on the wall to make the room look furnished.

Condo living involves an emphasis on decluttering and only keeping the things you truly want to make space for. Diaz also got rid of the TV stand and mounted the TV directly on the wall to save space.

Wall space can be used for effective storage as well. Wooden boards can be fastened to make shelves using a drill and hammer.

On top of this, Diaz added a jewellery rack directly pinned to the wall.

These simple to follow steps not only allowed Diaz to own a two bedroom, they also can potentially increase the unit’s resale value.

Now, with all of that in mind, it’s time to have some fun. If you plan on staying in one place for a while, you might want to paint the walls and hang some art to personalize your space. Most lease agreements include a section on this which will allow you to get a little creative.

Most of the time, however, you’ll be required to restore the walls to their original colour before you move out. If the lease doesn’t say anything, talk to your landlord about it and make sure any agreement you come to is done in writing.

Respect the space, be honest and communicate clearly. That’s the formula for a long and harmonious relationship between a landlord and a tenant.

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 11

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Home

Outdoor Christmas Decorations: Carina Simniceanu Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! From falling snow to eggnog by the fire, Christmas time is defined by so many delightful sights, sounds and scents.

However, the holiday atmosphere would be incomplete without outdoor decorations for the home.

As in prior years, the wreath remains a favourite holiday decoration staple.

Fresh takes on traditional wreaths include monogramming your wreath with the first letter of your family name, including more than one wreath on the same door, as well as utilizing unorthodox flowers such as magnolias and roses which are not often incorporated into holiday decorations.

Another timeless outdoor decoration is, of course, outdoor lights. If you are tired of the standard string Christmas lights, do not despair. There are plenty of fresh alternatives which are easy to install and

What’s Hot for 2017 will not break the bank. One such alternative includes white solar lights, which help save money on the electricity bill and do not require any detangling of wires. These lights also offer a clean and modern look, compared to the traditional colourful lights. A possible unique use of Christmas lights is to wrap them in a ribbon-like fashion around gift boxes which can be placed on your porch. These decorative gift boxes make for a fun and inexpensive outdoor decoration.

If you are looking to go all out this holiday season, there are plenty of extravagant outdoor decorating ideas as well. One that remains a popular, albeit a labour-intensive choice, is the recreation of Santa’s workshop. For this decorative concept, pretty much anything goes, as it’s about quantity rather than quality.

Indeed, the more details that are included in the display, the better the overall montage will look. For instance, fun details such as signage indicating where various workshop areas are located will provide the extra touch for a truly well executed outdoor decoration.

Another large-scale decorating concept that is inexpensive and involves less labour, is centred around using outdoor fixtures such as piping and bins in creative ways. Indeed, with some creativity and effort, any drain pipe can easily become a large candy cane, or any mailbox can become an enticing gift box.

Before you embark on any large scale decorating, it’s always a good idea to ensure that you are adhering to proper decorating etiquette. Following appropriate outdoor Christmas decoration etiquette will ensure

that you are being a considerate neighbour, which will go a long way when you need a favour from your neighbours!

The first rule of outdoor Christmas decorating is an obvious one. It is important to remove your Christmas decorations in a timely manner after the holidays are over.

The last thing you want is the residue of Christmas decorations littering your lawn in the middle of July! Secondly, it is important to be mindful of your neighbour’s floor plan in order to ensure that your lights are not shining directly into their bedroom and impacting their sleep. Another consideration that most people don’t think of, is ensuring that your lights do not shine onto a neighbouring driveway as it could block visibility for vehicles entering the garage.

Once you take these key precautions into account, you are all set to commence decorating. Happy holidays and happy decorating!

that your guests can try in conjunction with the cheeses, such as port, prosecco, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and a Malbec.

In addition to offering your guests delicious food, festive DIY decorations and music will complete your holiday ambience. If you are sick of hearing “Jingle Bells” playing on repeat, there are fresh musical alternatives available from current artists such as Sia, Gwen Stefani, Lindsey Stirling and Josh Groban. In terms of decorations, there are many DIY options that are easy and fun. Consider creating a fun advent calendar which counts down to Christmas, whereby each day in December

is represented by a stocking. You can cut out these mini stocking from old sweaters or scarves. Another fun idea is to create a photo wreath which is a unique way to welcome your guests into your home. Glue various family photos around a circular material or fabric and adorn it with a bow.

Feel free to add additional creative touches such as fun family mementos or even candy.

However you decide to host your guests this holiday season, keep in mind that it’s not the party that is important but rather, those in attendance. Happy holidays and happy hosting!

H a p p y Hosting: How to Wow your Guests

t h i s H o l i d ay S e a s o n Carina Simniceanu Christmas does not feel like Christmas without the gathering of family and friends over delicious food. If you are considering hosting some guests this holiday season, the following tips and tricks will make your life a little easier during this hectic, albeit happy, time of the year.

A true gathering would not be complete without a delicious meal that is accentuated by a well-paired wine. Before offering your guests a hearty main course, consider preparing some delicious holiday appetizers. An easy and crowd-pleasing starter which is sure to wow your guests is a Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus dish. All this dish requires is some asparagus with the ends cut off, prosciutto and a drizzle of olive oil. Consider pairing this posh appetizer with a dry white wine that will not overwhelm the strong flavour of the asparagus.

After your guests enjoyed their appetizer, they will be able to dive into a delicious meal which offers a modern take on traditional Christmas favourites. For those who prefer

a meatless dinner, a wild mushroom lasagna is a unique option which pairs well with a light pinot noir or a merlot. Meat lovers can enjoy a cherry bacon wrapped pork loin which is a refreshing take on a traditional pork roast. All this meal requires in addition to the loin and bacon, are dried cherries, parsley, whole grain mustard, currant jelly and red wine vinegar. This scrumptious main course can be paired with a dry Riesling or a chardonnay for maximum flavour.

For those who are considering adding in a cheese course or platter, there are plenty of options available that will suit a variety of preferences. Consider including three to five cheeses with different tastes and textures.

Popular varieties include a soft cheese such as goat or brie, aged cheese such as cheddar, a firm cheese like Mimolette, a semi-soft cheese like burrata, as well as a flavourful cheese like blue cheese. Additional cheese board additions can include pomegranates, persimmons, pistachios, olives, prosciutto, pears, and a variety of crackers. For maximum flavour, consider including a variety of wines

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 13

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Women In Construction

Considering Construction?

7 Reasons

Why Women Should

By Bahar Faizi Women make up nearly half of the Canadian workforce, yet, often find themselves in lower paying positions than their male counterparts. Today, women want careers that pay well, challenge them, and offer room for growth. Whether strapped with student loans, or a single mom juggling part-time jobs to make ends meet, there is an overlooked profession that can permanently improve your situation.

Looking outside the notion of the ‘right’ job can change your financial situation for the better. Construction jobs are experiencing some of the highest growth in the nation.

Here are seven reasons for women to consider construction: Challenges are rewarding Statistically, the majority of women are employed in retail. While this is fine, why not think outside the mall and try something completely out of your comfort zone?

Working in construction will provide you with unique skills and experiences. Challenge is essential for growth and development.

Assistance is available There are an array of programs, bursaries and scholarships to train and help applicants find permanent work. Just a few resources to consider include Women Building Futures, General Contractors Section, Toronto and Female the Leadership Bursary. There are also government-sponsored programs to assist students willing to learn while also working on site on the side.

Mentoring offered Along with bursaries, you can apply to get your very own mentor through organizations like The Canadian Women in Construction program. Unlike many jobs where you start at the bottom, a mentor can tell you what to expect and offer specific advice.

Positions available Skilled trades diplomas provide specific training that can be applied to jobs that actually exist. Most programs even help graduates find jobs. In fact, there are hundreds of thousands of related positions available, and they are expected to grow.

Physical strength Although it’s not as physically demanding as it once was due to modern machinery, the construction field will nonetheless make you use your muscles. There is zero risk of a sedentary lifestyle.

Opportunities for growth Construction management jobs are listed as the fourth most likely to experience growth in the nation. On top of that, many skilled trades workers transition to successfully opening their own business after they master the necessary skills.

Pays well!

Rather than compete with millions of applicants for the same few and far between office jobs while your diploma collects dust, you can begin making money right away. Pay off debts, invest, spend on your family - or even spoil yourself.

By gaining financial independence you will never have to ask for handouts.

These reasons make it clear that construction work is something to seriously consider. So what if you’ve never seen a woman at (or even near) a construction site? That’s all the more reason to defy the norms. After all, the benefits of doing so can upgrade your entire lifestyle.

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2BY4 Girl

agnes the painter Each issue we will be featuring a photo from our photo shoots courtesy of Anita Surma. The compete gallery for each 2BY4 Girl will be featured across our social media platforms and on our website in the near future, www.2by4gta.ca 2BY4 Girls consist of participants directly or indirectly involved in construction and trades, or who have close ties with the industry.

DISCLAIMER: 2BY4 Girls are artistic and model type photographs meant for the appreciation and enjoyment of the readers and/or viewers.

These photographs should neither be taken as instruction for completion of specific task or trades, nor the proper use of tools and equipment.

Volume 1, Issue 3, December 18, 2017 15

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Hobbies and Leisure

Sudoku

Sudoku is a puzzle in which players insert the numbers one to nine into a grid consisting of nine squares subdivided into a further nine smaller squares in such a way that every number appears once in each horizontal line, vertical line, and square.

Hunting with Hare, a rewarding sport Denis Langlois Rob Hare encourages tradespeople to give hunting a shot.

“There’s so many things I like about hunting,” he says. “First and foremost the camaraderie – being out there with friends.

“I don’t care if I even harvest an animal most of the time. It’s about being with friends, being outside and in nature. It’s a very rewarding sport.”

Hare is the chairman and director of the 11,000-member Zone G of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. The area includes a large section of the Greater Toronto Area – from downtown Toronto to the southern shore of Lake Simcoe near Barrie and from Mississauga to Ajax.

Hare says hunting is a sport that just about anyone can learn and enjoy. He says the key to getting off on the right foot is doing your research.

“It should start there,” he says. “You need to research what you’re going to hunt, what you’re going to use to hunt, where you’re going to hunt and what gear you need before you hunt. First and foremost, you have to do enough research to make sure that you stay safe.”

There is plenty of game to hunt in and around the Greater Toronto Area, he says, including waterfowl like ducks and geese, birds like grouse and partridge, small mammals like

rabbits and large mammals like deer.

There are several areas in the region where hunting is permitted, including parts of the York Regional Forest Tracts in Georgina. Some private property owners also grant hunters permission to use their land for hunting.

The first step to becoming a legal hunter in Ontario is to take the Ontario Hunter Education Course and pass the written examination.

The course, which is administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, teaches new hunters about things like hunter responsibilities, hunting rules and regulations, hunting and identifying big game, small game and waterfowl and using hunting equipment.

Those who pass the exam can buy their first hunting version of the Ontario Outdoors Card, which is required to hunt in the province.

Hunters must take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and receive a Possession and Acquisition Licence in order to have, register and use a firearm to hunt and obtain ammunition. Hunters must also get all the required tags and seals for the game they wish to hunt.

Hare recommends that new hunters go out with an experienced hunter or group when they first take up the sport.

Hunters must consult the province’s hunting regulations to find out when species can be hunted in Ontario, where hunting limits are

Angry Steve the Contractor

and what the tag and seal requirements are for each species.

When it comes to equipment, gun and tackle stop owner Drew Watson says there are many options for beginner hunters.

Watson, who has owned his shop north of Toronto for decades, recommends purchasing a basic rifle package with a .243-calibre rifle and scope if hunting deer.

They cost about $600.

A 12-gauge shotgun would suffice for hunting birds, he says.

Hunters must also wear the proper gear, he says. During gun seasons for deer, moose and elk, solid hunter-orange clothing and hunter-orange head cover is necessary.

Watson says hunters should also carry a knife for notching hunting seals and zip-ties to affix the seal to their kill.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry spokeswoman Maimoona Dinani says for big game like deer, the person who holds the seal must immediately affix it to the animal at the site of kill and notch it to indicate the month and date of kill. The seal must remain affixed to the animal while it is being transported.

“As a conservation officer’s best practice, we recommend that the seal be protected from damage during transport and that hunters keep the seal readily available for inspection while the carcass is being transported,” she says.

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If you send us photos from your job site, projects you’ve worked on, funny work stories or helpful advice from your trade, we will feature staff picks in our newspaper and on our website. The funniest stories can be turned into cartoons by our artist. Any and all submissions can go through our website or you can email Joey editor@2by4gta.ca Matthew – matt@2by4gta.ca Slavo – slavo@2by4gta.ca.

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Continued on page 7

e

On May 30th a proposal was submitted to allow for a longterm mixed use plan for the Yorkdale site. This included three

d

3

units as well as an internal private street network.

The development would include 3401 Dufferin Street and 1 Yorkdale Road. Toronto Community Planning Manager for the West Section (Ward 8, 9, 15 and 16), Al Rezoski said the city is in the preliminary stages of the planning process.

“The site is in both the Lawrence Allen Secondary Plan and Dufferin Street Secondary Plan. Both of these City Council approved documents provide the vision for the area,” said Rezoski.

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Crews manhole by October 31st. safety harness ard aping in to conclude Octobe employees. to its streetsc d It is mandatory s to Shepp completed expecte to provide personal protective nnor Drive from Steele Work is Rd, e-O’Co y equipment that a Bell to prevents ine Avenu d due to Oc- Brimle Kennedy falls if the workers are Woodb E, from be occupie g until following circumstanc working under the lane will is ongoin Finch Avenue es: Ave The right rebuild. Work •yThe Rd site where structures Markham manhole Inabove recent years nearly every sector of the industry has seen a drop in available skilled labour. While new along Bellambeing built and 7 feet are the chances Street or Blvd, provided tober 16th. to the or worker workers are trending towards the techworker sector baby boomers are continuing to retire, leaving a significant ing an to BenBanmo at Clark fall- kind along with another McCow are high.

Avenue, of personal fall shortage in skilled labour relative high market demand.

• Thrust outs, ings to Howie lows Cres, from protection systems themtotothe trusses, beams, positioning Perivale from Cumm in time before A recent Canadian Job Bankdevices Market to Report for Construction Helpers stop and Labourers (Toronto le or Trades plates purlins, ground. at heights hitting the However, Avenue, or When ensure safety.

Periva Sometimes it dale over 15 feet an• to Boulton it comes number also includes Region), indicates that a significant large construction projects fuel employment growth the in If the height ensuringofsafety yard, a will deceleration lan- seem thereno matter how safe they from McCow of sloped roof ine to Oak for the employees against development Clark e to construction in Toronto, anddevice, across Canada. falls combination may Woodb surfaces is are always a lifeline or a Rosander, Avenu15 at the construction feet thabove e, from of all these in such a condition chances of fails and aredon’t “People are retiring there and we skilled labour to replace Merissa Preston, Training site, two have n Avenu kindsenough from Danfor In order to prevent heightthem,” of personal at which worker depending on the used safety nets must Lumde will be tion systems accidental fall 2by4.

Gage Ave, protecto ensure the Liaison the LiUNA Local 506 Training Centre told “We Personal are having a lot of trouble finding conis working. construction that falls for a company at the are safety of the worker. be Park ound lanes to Lawsite, industrial Restraint Brimley Remember that Crews and Fall heavy equipment operators.”

System safety equip- Personal Fall Arrest System can use.crete finishers mentere Ellesm r and southb traffic.

A personal like guardrails it’s the duty of from north local Octobe fall restraint system Rd, This type of and toe boards All er to ensure that the employan effective barriers personal fall for all but resurfacing until preventing falls or other is used there on page 3 McCow closed as itContinued restrains the worker for set up with toe boards,are temporary floors road where Chandler should be used. In areas stops the worker from hitting arrest system getting too rence from barriers guardrails, physical undergoing close to k Blvd to guardrails the lower el or any structure an to and barriers are these roads. and more to sible, not feaMcCow proper safety in the fall situation. lev- Apart from the full the unprotected edge. for from Hiscoc , ensure fall protection 20th on from kind harnesses should E Janray inole Ave, the workers. body of system comes This Avenue and southbe full body with an anchorage, tem comes with full body harness, this sys- Fall conditions c- DrSemy in north St. Clair harness and belt, anchorages and connectors. working ting road resurfa Brimle a connector , serious injuries at work may lead to some will be Lifelines, that al- lanyards Crews which may bring daily, comple can also be added rope grabs and pleasant lanes very unbound attention and r 20th. to this system.

Octobe mat also lead quiry against A CBC poll found that 48% of respondents stated they were ing until to inthe employer. planning to conduct home renovations this year, nearly a 10% increase from the previous year. Interior design and Bahar Faizi, Journalist home renovations have grown increasingly common for a The construction industry relies variety of reasons. First time buyers have long anticipated labour which their picture perfect home and are willing to put their eventually wears on manual the most efficient down posure to chemicals hands to work for their dream home. of workers. Physical even and risk of explosions tion, extreme exeroutdoor temperature Continued on page 17 are potentially fatal risks. notes and medical noise and use s, chronic Depending on records. This of the circumstanc will prove useful information tribute to imminentheavy machinery all coners are legally es employin protecting worker’s expected to should legal disputes rights, industry. Moreover, risk in the construction provide ployment options arise.

Emotional pain repetitive physical for injured workersre-emcan contribute lost their job is more tasks challenging to who due to onsite nize than physical recogand its associatedto emotional exhaustion injuries as per The Workplace injury but it is Safety health risk for a common creased emotional health risks such as de(WSIB). Commercial and Insurance Board construction p h o t o c r e d i t : P e t r o n econstruction lla Duda well being and workers. The seasonal nature blood pressure. increasedIf you commute just north of Toronto you can look pose health risks. of can also pressure to perform employment as well as During According to forward to the Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension homeowners and trades a home renovation well in strenuous a health report tions can lead condifrom Statistics Canada, 49% to mental (TYSSE). Set for completion by the end of the year, a sub- cuss insurance policies workers should disof injuries are sequent absenteeism exhaustion and subprior to beginning the direct of overexertion way extension will connect directly to Toronto from beyond project, and should result . The high risk a and falls, which is stress inducing both of injury roofing has one is likely itself. citywhy boundaries for the first time. The new route will extend tion. Licensed contractorsask to see verificaof Across all professions, are likely ities. The report the highest rates of fatal- to York Region through an additional six stations. by their company, goes on to document annually on absences $3.5 billion is spent while homeowner insured trades, transport York s insurthatUniversity campus, which also includes Seneca Col-ance can protect the due to employe’ levels according stress workers are over and equipment operation check the policies clients. It’s important to to four times more lege at York, is a transit hub and is considered a commuter search Networks. the Canadian Policy Reand understand be injured on likely school for students in the GTA. It is also just one of thebefore it’s too late. the risks to the job than those ronment, frequent Providing a safe work envivarious office employed in extension’s destinations.To feel even more breaks, jobs. access to healthy Photo credit: food options protected trades-work Matthew Despite the and hydration Besides York University the additional fiveDabrowski stations arecan make note associated health might of developments can improve want toPark, the circumstanc Condominium typicallyers need emotional wellbeing. people prefer consider risks many an injury locatedthe at Downsview Finch West, Pioneer Village, es when Since all occupations the dangers. Preparation ways to mitigate It is prudent aboutoccurs.

3 years of construction to com-include associated job market there trades. In the current and Vaughan to photograph Three of these the area and preventative measures areMetropolitan Centre. record emotional triggers, health risks and inherent plete.andThis timetheperiod provides date and continue working are financial reasons to stations willeffective include ways significant parking space. site will time a landcoping mechanisms to reduce Despite construction. entirely how cautious slideappear of jobs throughout varietyasofthe fields.strong support systems alteredaafter and So people ever, workers remain, risk. tions are complete. renovaoutside of work a poor working howKeep a are record ofon Continued pagepain 6 and related Continued page 14 fundamental aspect of maintaining conditions injury, includingonexStress relieving occurrences directly health. ing from a work options include accident, including resulteating well, going having a pet, on walks, and doctor’s emotionally supportive maintaining relationships.

WORKERS

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block master plan options that will occur over the next again on the horizon for 20conceptual years. The development includes retail, office, hotel and resident

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