COVID-19 Info: NS government support announced for individuals and businesses

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March 24, 2020

The province has made the following announcements to support businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Government will defer payments until June 30 for all government loans, including those under the Farm Loan Board, Fisheries and Aquaculture Loan Board, Jobs Fund, Nova Scotia Business Fund, Municipal Finance Corp. and Housing Nova Scotia.
  • Government will defer payments until June 30 for small business renewal fees, including business registration renewal fees and workers compensation premiums (a list of fees will be posted online early next week).
  • Changes to the Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, administered through credit unions, include deferring principal and interest payments until June 30, enhancing the program to make it easier for businesses to access credit up to $500,000, and for those who might not qualify for a loan, government will guarantee the first $100,000.
  • Small businesses which do business with the government will be paid within five days instead of the standard 30 days
  • Suspending payments on Nova Scotia student loans for six months, from March 30 to Sept. 30 and students do not have to apply
  • Ensuring more Nova Scotians can access the internet to work from home, by providing $15 million as an incentive to providers to speed up projects under the Internet for Nova Scotia Initiative and complete them as soon as possible

The Government of Canada has funding and other resources available for Canadians and businesses.

COVID-19 Info: Health Protection Order helps clarify gathering limits

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Tuesday, March 24

Clarification: NS Construction sites among services exempt from 5-person limit 

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang issued a Health Protection Act Order on Monday, March 23, 2020, that helps to clarify the government’s measures and limits on gatherings.

Effective March 23, 2020, at 6:00 a.m., all persons residing in or present in the Province of Nova Scotia who:

3.1. enter Nova Scotia; or

3.2. are identified as a close contact of a person who has or has been diagnosed with COVID-19; or

3.3. are identified as a person diagnosed with COVID-19; or

3.4. have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting the results of their test

must:

(a.) Remain in self-quarantine or self- isolation, as the case may be, for: (i) the period commencing on the day you enter Nova Scotia if you have crossed the border into Nova Scotia as per 3.1, or (ii) the first day of close contact, or first day of symptoms, testing, or diagnosis as per 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.

and continuing thereafter for 14 consecutive calendar days or as directed by a medical officer of health

At this time, the construction sector is still considered an essential service and remains exempt from self-isolation requirements under clause 2. Regardless of exemptions, “ALL persons present and residing in Nova Scotia must maintain social distancing of two metres or six feet and keep social gatherings to 5 persons or less.”

We’ve included some key sections related to exemptions below, but those looking to read the full order can click here.

2. Workers who are essential to the movement of people and goods are exempt from the requirement to self-isolate or self-quarantine set out in clause 3.1.

3. Workers exempt under clause 2 must practice social distancing of two metres or six feet to the best of their ability, closely self-monitor, and must self-isolate or self-quarantine should they exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms (onset of cough, fever, or shortness of breath).

4. All persons present and residing in Nova Scotia must maintain social distancing of two metres or six feet and keep social gatherings to 5 persons or less.

5. Subject to specific closures or limitations directed elsewhere in this Order, all not-for-profit and for-profit businesses and organizations operating or carrying on business in 5 Nova Scotia may continue to operate but must implement social distancing of two metres or six feet.

7. For greater clarity, the 5-person rule referred to in Clause 6 does not apply to:

(a.) businesses and organizations who can maintain social distancing requirements such as grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, construction sites, financial institutions, and agri-food and fish plants. 

(b.) Canadian Blood Services blood collection clinics.

On 22 March, the Province of Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency to help contain the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency will be in effect for 14 days and may be renewed. The emergency order is valid until noon on 5 April 2020.

clarify gathering limits

COVID-19 Info – Message to Members from CANS President

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March 18, 2020: Message to Members from CANS President, Duncan Williams

CANSTech Exhibitor Spotlight: Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council (NSCSC)

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“Technology is constantly changing and becoming an integral component of the productivity and success of the construction sector. Not only does it play a role in the lifecycle of a construction project – everything from design, build, through to testing and commissioning, it can also be used as a tool for career awareness and recruitment of tomorrow’s workforce. It can provide real-life experiences to those who are unable to get the opportunity to visit an active job-site.”

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CANSTech Exhibitor Spotlight: Servant Dunbrack McKenzie & MacDonald (SDMM) Limited

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“It’s crucially important to host and attend these types of events in Atlantic Canada. It’s inspiring and productive to come together as an industry and collectively “raise each others’ bars,” especially during this transitional time of digital transformation. We understand that digital transformation will result in time savings, increased quality, improved safety, greater sustainability and waste reduction. CANSTech is a venue that supports innovation that will drive economic growth and prosperity for our Region.”

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WEATHER // UPDATED: CANS Office CLOSED on January 8, 2020

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UPDATE – 9:00 am: CANS office in Burnside will remain closed for the FULL day on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. CANS Sydney office WILL be open for the morning; however, it will close early at 11:30 am.

6:45 am: Please be advised that due to snow and stormy weather conditions, CANS office will delay opening until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Keep an eye on this space for further updates!

CANS 2019 Holiday Hours

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STATS // GDP by Census Metropolitan Area (2016)

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GDP BY CENSUS METROPOLITAN AREA, 2016

Today, Statistics Canada released Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for Canada’s Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) and the areas outside of CMAs for 2016 and revised previous estimates for 2009-2015. All data are benchmarked to provincial nominal GDP at basic prices.  

These results continue to show that just over half of Canada’s GDP is generated in the six CMAs: Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa–Gatineau. Like population, economic activities primarily focus in cities. In 2016, CMAs accounted for 71.1 per cent of Canada’s population and generated about 74.4 per cent of Canadian GDP.  In Nova Scotia, Halifax accounted for 43.9 per cent of provincial population and 54.4 per cent of provincial GDP.

Overall in 2016, GDP per capita in reported CMAs was $54,683.  Halifax’s GDP per capita was $49,638.  Across Canada, the largest GDP per capita among CMAs is reported in Calgary, Regina, Edmonton and Toronto.  However, results may be sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices.  The lowest GDP per capita among reported CMAs was observed in Oshawa ($32,259). 

Outside CMAs, GDP per capita was $46,217.  The highest non-CMA GDP per capita was observed in Alberta at $77,383 (higher than CMA GDP per capita) while the lowest was reported for Nova Scotia ($32,613).  Per capita GDP outside Canada’s reported CMAs averaged 85.6 per cent of CMA GDP per capita. 

From 2009-2016, GDP growth has averaged 3.9 per cent inside CMAs and 2.9 per cent outside CMAs.  Halifax’s GDP grew by 2.4 per cent on average over this period, the same pace of growth for Nova Scotia outside Halifax.  The fastest growing economies over this period were observed in Guelph, St. John’s, Kelowna and Lethbridge.  GDP growth outside CMAs was faster in Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia.  

Nova Scotia’s GDP in 2016 was $37.80 billion, of which $20.55 billion was generated in Halifax and $17.25 billion was generated outside of Halifax.  GDP has been rising in both Halifax and the rest of the province, but growth outside the city has been faster for all years except 2012, when two paper mills were shuttered.  

On a per capita basis, GDP in Halifax remains significantly higher than in the rest of Nova Scotia.  However, except for 2012, per capita GDP growth outside Halifax has been faster than inside Halifax, narrowing the gap in GDP per capita between urban and rural areas of the province.

Source: Statistics Canada.  Table  36-10-0468-01   Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by census metropolitan area (CMA) (x 1,000,000); Table  17-10-0135-01   Population estimates, July 1, by census metropolitan area and census agglomeration, 2016 boundaries; Table  17-10-0005-01   Population estimates on July 1st, by age and sex

CCDC 11 – updated document coming December 6, 2019

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Did you know that CCDC 11- Contractor’s Qualification Statement was just updated? Effective December 6, 2019, CCDC 11 – 2019 will be in circulation.

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National Codes Overhaul: participate in the review process

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The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) and the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) are encouraging all members to voice their opinions in the review process of national codes, National Building Code (NBC), National Fire Code (NFC), and National Plumbing Code (NPC) of Canada that is currently underway.

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