Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/255289
February 2014 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 47 Regions (continued on next page) Western Canada Forestry Gaining Ground, While Infrastructure Gets 10-Year Backing GARRY FRELICK AED Regional Director President, Douglas Lake Equipment, Surrey, British Columbia The Federal Canadian government still has plans to elimi- nate the deficit by the next election in 2015 and return back to a surplus position by 2016-2017. The Bank of Canada predicts that overall economic growth will rise to 2.3 percent in 2014. That prime lending rate still remains at a record low and has been at this level since September 2010 – no change is expected into the foreseeable future, while the Canadian dollar has recently weakened compared to the U.S. dollar. The federal government announced a new Economic Action Plan as part of their 2013 budget platform, and this plan will include significant funding over the next 10 years for new and current infrastructure projects as well as a New Building Canada Fund, which will provide 10 years of guaranteed funding to support major projects. The Western Canadian region has a resource-base economy, and as long as commodity prices remain relatively strong and global demand continues then market growth should remain stable. Dealers continue to be actively recruiting for service technicians to support increased product support activity, and experienced technicians are in great demand throughout the region; this trend will continue. All levels of government are promoting and growing skilled trade appren- ticeship programs to attract youth, women, aboriginals and foreign immigrants to the workforce. The federal government has introduced a new Federal Skilled Trades Program as a method to attract new skilled workers to Canada. At Vacuworx, the objective is very simple – to provide the safest, most efficient heavy-duty lifting equipment in the industry. Vacuworx lifters increase load and unload cycles 7-12 times, with a fraction of the number of ground personnel vs. conventional methods. Vacuworx offers financing and rental options, and our service and parts departments are available 24/7 365 days a year. With 14 years of proven track record, no one offers a better selection or quality than Vacuworx. Phone 1-918-259-3050 | requests@vacuworx.com | www.vacuworx.com 10105 East 55th Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74146 USA ...the global leader in innovative lifting solutions. Leverage your bottom line... with every lift!