Socially and Environmentally Responsible Aggregate (SERA) is developing a certification system that offers the building industry an opportunity to identify and purchase construction materials that meet international best practices.

Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) president, Thomas Mueller, is joining the group’s Founding Board.

As part of a major campaign to raise awareness about the country’s deteriorating public infrastructure and the importance of building more sustainably in the future, the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) is sponsoring the Award for Government Leadership in Sustainable Infrastructure.

Randy Pickle, CSCE president, says around 80 per cent of the public infrastructure in the country is close to the end of its useful life.

Stephen Carpenter, president of Enermodal Engineering, and a contributor to Construction Canada, has been named a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Fellow by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

“When thinking of the many professionals who have contributed to the success of LEED in Canada, Stephen Carpenter ranks among the most dedicated and instrumental experts in this field,” said Mark Hutchinson.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) forecasts the country’s housing industry to remain steady for the next two years.

In its third-quarter report, “Housing Market Outlook, Canada Edition,” the crown corporation predicts 2011 starts will be in the range of 166,300 to 197,200 units, with a point forecast of 183,200 units.

A durable, net-zero solar-powered home has been built by the University of Calgary as the only Canadian entry in this year’s Solar Decathlon competition, hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

“We chose to enter the competition in part because of our experience in 2009, which saw Team Alberta’s SolAbode best numerous returning competitors to a sixth place finish out of 20 international teams,” the team’s Johann Kyser told Construction Canada Online.

A survey commissioned by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) shows almost one-quarter of Canadian executives feel energy is not being consumed efficiently within their organization.

The study, conducted by Leger Marketing, also reveals more than half of the participants feel it is important to take part in programs that improve the energy or sustainable performance of their organization.

Architectural Testing Inc.’s (ATI’s) first Canadian laboratory opened in Winnipeg last week, enabling the country’s window and door manufacturers, architects, and specifiers to perform more locally based testing of fenestration products and systems.

All testing facilities, personnel, and methodologies will be fully accredited to International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.

A new aquarium, opening at the base of Toronto’s CN Tower, will boast more than 5.7 million L (1.5 million gal) of water, depicting marine and freshwater habitats from around the world.

Scheduled to open in 2013, the 12,500-m² (135,000-sf) Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is set to include more than 13,500 species of animals in exhibits ranging from tropical reefs and Atlantic Ocean habitats to the Great Lakes.

Reed Construction Data (RCD) and several local construction associations (LCAs) in Ontario have formed a strategic alliance to enhance the communication between construction owners, bidders, and design professionals.

“We listened to what the industry needed through engagement with industry stakeholders,” explained Craig Roberts, RCD’s director of business development.

A Montréal project won first place in the “Open” category in the 2010-2011 Steel Design Student Competition by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

“Lacing the Gaze: Public Library and Cultural Centre for NGD, Montréal, Canada,” was submitted by Yekaterina Artemchuk from McGill University, with faculty sponsor Martin Bressani.