New–home prices continue to rise
Statistics Canada reported Dec. 21 that new-home prices rose 0.6 per cent in November at the national level, with prices up in 21 of the 27 census metropolitan areas surveyed. New single-family house prices have risen 3.7 per cent nationally since the beginning of the pandemic in March. In July, Statistics Canada reported a shift in buyers’ demand towards single-family homes such as singles, semis and row houses, mostly due to more Canadians working from home during the pandemic. Detached homes have been the preferred choice for 70 per cent of new home buyers in 2020, up by 25 per cent since 2015, according to the latest survey by the Canadian Home Builders’ Association.
Webinar to review changes to U.S. procurement
U.S.-based law firm Peckar & Abramson PC has announced it will hold a webinar Jan. 14 titled Federal Government Contracting, Year in Review. The forum will offer an overview of “significant changes” to how contractors do business with the U.S. federal government.
Faster broadband coming to Waterloo
On Monday the governments of Canada and Ontario announced that construction of up to $11.6 million in broadband infrastructure in Waterloo Region will move forward, connecting 1,000 more homes and businesses to faster internet. All contracts are now signed in Waterloo Region through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology project. Both levels of government have each committed $3.9 million and internet service providers will also contribute $3.9 million.
