Construction opportunities and practices in Canada

The signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between Canada, the United States, and Mexico has created increased opportunities for construction through a borderless trade union. As a growing country of approximately 28 million people and covering a vast area of land, Canada has become an attractive market for new ventures in the construction arena. This is evident by the resurgence of U.S. construction firms which are increasingly expanding their operations into Canada. New firms interested in construction opportunities in Canada must adhere to various rules, regulations, standards, and codes pertinent to the Canadian construction industry. A group of key individuals in the Canadian construction industry have been gathered to serve on a panel to discuss the opportunities and practices relevant to construction in Canada. The panel includes representation from government, contractors, legal council, and labor relations. Issues to be addressed by the panel include; 1) potential legal ramifications, 2) labor relations/laws, 3) types of contractual agreements, 4) successful marketing strategies, and 5) short-term & long-term forecasts. This paper is intended to provide an overview of the topics to be discussed by the panel which will be held in a question/answer format.