New legislation introduced by the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on May 6, would create a single-window entity that would cut red tape and make the skilled trades and apprenticeship system more efficient, accessible and easier to navigate.

The $34-million project will create a community-wide smart grid that can lower electricity costs for customers, and improve system reliability.

The increase of 5.6 percent in the cost of residential construction is the largest on record, and is largely due to rising demand and material shortages. Non-residential building construction prices, meanwhile, rose by 1.5 percent.

The federal funding will go toward building or renovating nearly 6,300 units in the city, many of which will be targeted for priority vulnerable groups, including seniors.

Two permits, worth a combined $31 million, helped propel permit values to over $52 million for the month, and put 2021’s year-to-date total beyond 2020’s running total.