A week-long, North American-wide union movement to combat tax fraud and underground activities in construction kicks off on April 14.

Several recent announcements from the federal and provincial governments will lead to the renovation of a series of community, recreational and cultural infrastructure projects in three Ontario communities.

'Construction will be unaffected and remain wide open,' says the Council of Ontario Construction Associations in an email to its members.

A recent report prepared for the Canadian Automobile Association finds that poor road conditions costs drivers billions annually. It recommends government be more proactive in repairing even good roads before they deteriorate.

The total permit value of $26.4 million is about $10 million higher than the value of permits issued in February of this year, but still off the pace set a year ago.