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  April 29, 2026

CANS Updates:

Education: Register today for The Role of the Modern Construction Leader on May 20

Events: 2 weeks left! Register for CANS 2026 Arrow Construction Products Spring Fling

Events: CANS 2026 Gil-Son Construction Golf Tournament registration selling quickly! 

BFY: Become a BFY host employer this summer!

Projects: Members, get your CCDC 9 signed for free through CANS!

 

 

Industry News:

News: New grant enhances federal work-sharing program

News: Province launches skilled trades strategy for African Nova Scotians

Event: CSNS member connection, May 5

Event: Registration open for East Coast Industry Summit

Statistics: Building Construction, February 2026



CANS PROGRAMS & SERVICES  



Register for The Role of the Modern Construction Leader, starting May 20

 

The Role of the Modern Construction Leader is a one-day course designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s construction industry. The program provides practical leadership training that goes beyond task management, reflecting the changing expectations placed on supervisors and managers. Participants learn how modern leadership shapes workplace culture, strengthens communication, and supports high-performing teams. The course emphasizes actionable strategies leaders can apply immediately to build trust, reinforce accountability without micromanaging, coach talent effectively, and lead teams through change with confidence.

 

The Role of the Modern Construction Leader

  • Date: May 20
  • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Format: In-person (CANS office)
  • Member price: $715 + HST (WIPSI discount $357.50 + HST)
  • Gold Seal: 2 credits

Register now for The Role of the Modern Construction Leader

 

 

 

Only two weeks left to register for CANS 2026 Arrow Construction Products Spring Fling!

 

Don’t miss the chance to connect with CANS Members at CANS 2026 Arrow Construction Products Spring Fling on May 28! This event is a fantastic way to celebrate the industry in Cape Breton, giving you a chance to build your network while you enjoy great food and local entertainment. Golf is sold out, but spots are still available for the dinner/evening reception. Registration closes May 15.  

 

CANS 2026 Arrow Construction Products Spring Fling 

 

 

Register now for CANS 2026 Gil-Son Construction Golf Tournament!

 

Now spanning two full days and four courses, the CANS 2026 Gil-Son Construction Golf Tournament is one of our most anticipated summer events. Golfers can choose to play at one of three premier courses—Glen Arbour Golf Course, Oakfield Golf and Country Club, or Chester Golf Club—and enjoy a full day of golf, networking, sponsor giveaways, food and prizes. Click here for more event details. 

 

CANS 2026 Gil-Son Construction Golf Tournament 

  • Dates: Thursday, June 18 and Thursday, June 25 
  • Time: 7:45 a.m. check-in | 8:30 a.m. shotgun start 
  • Golfer registration: Click here to register your team today! Only Chester Golf Club (June 18) and Oakfield Golf & Country Club (June 25) registration available!

Sponsorship available! Looking to build relationships in the construction sector? Connect with golfers throughout the day as a golf hole sponsor! Learn more and connect with Justin Blakeney, Sponsorship Lead, at jblakeney@cans.ns.ca

 

 

 

Start addressing your future workforce needs this summer as a BFY Host Employer

 

How are you planning for your workforce’s future? A recent report from BuildForce Canada estimates that by 2033, the construction industry may need to recruit and retain as many as 10,600 additional workers to keep pace with expansion and replacement demands.

 

Start addressing your workforce needs today — become a Building Futures for Youth (BFY) Host Employer. Learn more about Building Futures for Youth here.

 

BFY Students are:

  • Pre-screened through a rigorous application process,
  • Registered as a pre-apprentice,
  • Issued temporary work permits for compulsory certified trades,
  • Provided safety training at NSCC (certified in OH&S, WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, Fall Protection, and Staging and Scaffolding Awareness),
  • Outfitted with their own PPE (safety boots, hard hat and safety glasses). 

Become a BFY Host Employer

If you would like to take on a student this summer, connect with one of our BFY Program Leads.

 

Employers in Cape Breton, please contact Tanya Reddick Clayton about taking on a student this summer. For all other regions, please contact Barbara Minard.

 

 

 

CANS Commissioners of Oaths are available to sign Statutory Declarations

 

CANS has multiple Commissioners of Oaths on staff to sign CCDC 9 Statutory Declarations at no cost to Members. The Dartmouth office offers drop-in service during regular business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and no appointment is required.

 

The Sydney office is available by appointment only.



INDUSTRY NEWS & UPDATES:



New worker retention grant builds on work-sharing program

 

The Government of Canada is strengthening job protection efforts through the Work-Sharing Program and the new Worker Retention Grant for Work-Sharing Employers, designed to help businesses retain skilled workers during periods of temporary reduced work.

 

Employers with approved Work-Sharing Agreements who provide training opportunities during non-working days may be eligible for funding that increases employee income replacement from 55% to approximately 70%. The grant supports flexible upskilling and reskilling options aligned with business needs, including online learning and informal training, helping workers maintain income while building skills.

 

 

Province launches skilled trades strategy for African Nova Scotians

 

The Government of Nova Scotia’s new African Nova Scotian Skilled Trades Strategy aims to recruit, retain and support youth in the sector.

 

Developed in partnership with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and The PREP Academy, the strategy is supported by a $480,000 investment over two years to help strengthen the province’s skilled workforce.

 

Read more here: Click here to read Province Skilled Trades Strategy

 

 

 

Construction Safety Nova Scotia member connection, May 5

 

Construction Safety Nova Scotia will be hosting a CSNS Member Connection: Cape Breton event as the industry prepares for the upcoming construction season. The event provides an opportunity for members to connect with CSNS staff, meet local safety advisors, and learn about the latest safety resources tailored to Cape Breton’s workforce. CSNS is also seeking member feedback on training priorities for the year ahead to ensure supports are aligned with local needs. 

 

 

Rising Tides of Innovation: Embracing Digital Change in Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO)

 

Building Transformations is hosting an East Coast Summit in partnership with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia and buildingSMART Canada.

 

Rising Tides of Innovation will bring together AECO professionals for site walks, educational sessions, technology demonstrations and networking opportunities, all focused on advancing digital innovation across the built environment.

 

Interested in presenting? The call is now open for non-commercial presentations that align with the summit theme and share practical insights, lessons learned or forward-looking perspectives. Learn more about presentation opportunities here.

 

Event details:

  • Dates: August 11 – 13, 2026
  • Location: Halifax Convention Centre 

Register now and secure your seat.

 

 

Building Construction, February 2026

 

The following statistics were shared by the Economics and Statistics Division. Click for more highlights from this dataset.

 

Building Construction, February 2026 vs January 2026

  • Investment in Nova Scotia building construction edged down 0.1% in February 2026 to $567.7 million.
  • Halifax building construction rose 0.7% to $292.1 million, while construction outside of Halifax declined 1.0% to $275.5 million.
  • Provincially, residential construction declined 0.7% to $428.2 million, while non-residential construction grew 1.9% to $139.4 million.
  • Nationally, investment in building construction declined 2.1%, with decreases reported in seven provinces.













Construction Association of Nova Scotia | 134 Eileen Stubbs Ave., Unit 103 Dartmouth NS | B3B 0A9

Tel: (902) 468.2267 Fax: (902) 468.2470 www.cans.ns.ca

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