In its monthly report on wholesale trade, Statistics Canada finds that while overall sales by Canadian wholesalers rose by 0.4 percent to $71.5 billion in April, demand for building materials and supplies grew by almost 9 percent—to $13.1 billion.

Just two of five shortlisted entities responded to the request for proposals issued by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx for work on the Lakeshore East – Central Corridor Expansion project.

The federal government has provided more than $6 million in funding to help get the nearly-$17 million station built. So far, the province hasn’t committed any funding for the work.

Six projects created in part by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario will share in $4 million in funding from the province’s Skills Development Fund.

The funding will be used to train as many as 150 people in trades such as construction craft workers, heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, crane operators, welders and millwrights. The workers will be given opportunities to help build and run the Greenstone Gold Mine.