Boomtime for Canada's civils sector

With the smell of recession in the air the Canadian government has moved to stave off a downturn by committing more funding to capital and municipal construction projects.
At a meeting in Ottawa at the beginning of November, the federal Canadian government and provinces said it would accelerate infrastructure spending to remedy the country's ailing economy. At the First Ministers' meeting, Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to push for quicker action on the construction front as a means of stimulating job creation. And with an array of major construction schemes already through the planning stages, the prospects for construction jobs in Canada, particularly jobs in Canada’s civils industry look relatively bright.

A recent study released by the Canadian municipalities claims that $1bn dollars spent infrastructure, "would produce more jobs and a greater economic stimulus than a combined $2-billion tax reduction." The fact that country's bridges, roads, sewage and water pipes are in bad shape and need the investment also means the government’s commitment is very timely.

Hundreds of municipal infrastructure projects are already set to go in to construction phase and they can be financed by a fund of $3bn in the federal Building Canada Fund.

Key projects that will drive the infrastructure boom include plans to further develop transit networks in several Canadian cities. These are all ready to go to site, once funding is approved. Ottawa’s city council has also just approved $1.7 billion transit plans that include a 12-kilometre light rail line east-west across the city, with a tunnel under a section of downtown.

Unlike other countries that have cut back on their capital spending, the Canadian government’s decision to spend, spend and spend should be a welcome boost for those considering emigrating and seeking construction jobs in Canada.

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Canada’s Top 10 construction, oil and gas trade jobs

Although Canada’s economy has fared reasonably well during 2008 when compared to many other economies, the country expects to suffer somewhat during 2009. Because of its close ties with the US economy, it is practically unavoidable. On only one occasion it did not follow the US in to recession.

However, the outlook for Canada's construction, oil and gas jobs is relatively positive as the country has been suffering a shortage of skilled cionstruction, oil and gas tradesmen for a number of years now. With vast natural resources, many construction projects and an aging workforce, Canadian construction firms are looking to Europe to hire skilled foreign tradesmen.

Skilled tradespeople are in demand in many sectors in all 10 provinces and three territories of Canada. And, if you have the required amount of work experience in order to be certified and to work, maybe Canada has the right job and lifestyle for you.

In terms of wages, Canada has some of the highest paying construction jobs in the world. And when it comes to visas, Canada has significantly less stringent criteria and processes than is the case in the US. Its immigration laws allow foreign workers to bring their family to Canada, and apply for Permanent Residency status.

The Top 10 Construction trades that are regularly sought are outlined below. And while demand changes from month to month for the trade, the actual trades being sought rarely do

Canada’s Top 10 most in demand construction, oil and gas trades

1. Bricklayers
2. Carpenters
3. Tower crane operators
4. Electricians
5. Welders
6. Gasfitters
7. Gas utility operator
8. Iron and Sheet Metal Workers
9. Plumbers
10. Oil and gas rig technicians

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