Chair’s Message
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I
would like to begin by wishing everyone a happy holiday season! 2016 has been a whirlwind from the perspective of the CIQS, as I imagine it has been for many of you. Most notably, we bade adieu to our matriarch Lois Metcalfe, and welcomed our new executive director Sheila Lennon. Our new ‘Explore CIQS’ video series was released in September, drawing more attention to the work we do. Many productive board meetings have helped us chart a path for the next five years, a path that will ensure growth and prosperity for the Institute and our profession. Planning and organizing for the 2017 PAQS Congress is in full swing as we promote our profession across Canada and around the globe. At the same time, the Construction Economist magazine has gone through a major transformation through the leadership and hard work of Arif Ghaffur. For the benefit of our designation holders, I am happy to report that our financials are in order and that ongoing costs of marketing and upcoming initiatives will be balanced by current membership fees. Membership continues to grow, especially internationally where we have seen significant increases in our membership at large. This is a clear indication of our international reach and recognition. We are excited to see that our profession is growing as rapidly as the industry we advise. In light of this, I want to dedicate the rest of my message to something I believe we cannot ignore. It is simultaneously a grave concern and an extraordinary opportunity. Globally, the total output of the construction market in 2015 was $8 trillion. By 2025, this will grow to $15 trillion, fueled mainly by
Matt Weber, PQS(F)
We are excited to see that our profession is growing as rapidly as the industry we advise. development in Asia and North America. Canada is one of seven countries accounting for 72% of this growth. By 2050, 6.3 billion people will live in cities, an increase of more than 60% from the current urban population of 3.9 billion. Furthermore, this massive shift comes at an unprecedented time in human history with respect to our environment. Whatever the causes, the consequences of global climate change are real, observable, and increasing in severity and scope. Now, more than ever, sustainability must be at the heart of every stage in a project’s life cycle. We know this will take time and effort, and we are ready to help. Noting recent major political developments, I believe there is an opportunity for the CIQS to make a measurable difference. As construction economists, we advise on the majority of the world’s wealth. But the quantity surveyor’s role in the construction process affects much more than the budget – our recommendations have a direct impact on the quality of people’s lives for years to come. We are all connected. This will be the focus of the next PAQS congress. It will dovetail into a special, three-day conference titled, “Green Developments: The New Era”, where all aspects of sustainable development will be explored. David Suzuki and Sarika Cullis-Suzuki will speak to the urgency with which this must be undertaken,
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while industry experts will present solutions and demonstrate emerging technologies, many of which are already in practice around the world. Drawing heavily from the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan, the conference will show that not only is a renewable city good for the planet, it makes economic sense as well. The conference will be attended by representatives from various sectors of the construction industry, from lenders and developers to consultants and builders. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to promote our profession directly to our most relevant audience. Under our marketing slogan, “Quantity Surveyors: Canada’s Construction Economists”, the PAQS2017 congress will usher in a new era of development for a rapidly changing world, in which our profession is universally recognized as a vital part of every project. The PAQS2017 Congress and Green Developments: The New Era conference will be held in Vancouver at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, from July 21–26, 2017. We promise it will be an exciting, information-packed, star-studded and fun event – not your typical industry conference! I strongly urge you all to attend and sponsor. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you the best of times during the holiday season. We look forward to an amazing 2017. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! To return to Table of Contents CLICK HERE
