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Cision Canada
21-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
QUANTUM NOW: Cover the Rise of the Quantum Economy Français
MONTRÉAL, May 21, 2025 /CNW/ - McKinsey projects quantum technologies could unlock over $2 trillion USD in global value by 2035 (McKinsey Digital 2024). The National Research Council of Canada estimates quantum could contribute over 3% of national GDP (Doyletech 2020)—surpassing the economic footprint of Canada's aerospace sector. QUANTUM NOW is an official Industry & Innovation Global Event of the United Nations' International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Hosted by Quantum Industry Canada in partnership with Distriq, Quantum Innovation Zone of Sherbrooke, and with The Quantum Insider as lead market intelligence partner, this executive forum is designed as a primer for decision-makers navigating the rise of the quantum economy. Over two days, leaders from business, government, and finance will explore how quantum technologies are beginning to reshape global industries, economic infrastructure, and strategic advantage. From capital markets to supply chains to secure communications, QUANTUM NOW offers a front-line view of where the quantum economy is headed—and what leaders need to know now to prepare. Media highlights: Full access to the QUANTUM NOW main program and Tech Expo Interview opportunities with key speakers and startups Press materials and multimedia access
National Observer
12-05-2025
- General
- National Observer
‘Build, baby, build.' Some conditions apply
Shall we begin with a story this week? One from the genre of great Canadian inventions. It's not as well-known as insulin, pacemakers or zippers, not as delicious as peanut butter, Nanaimo bars or poutine (you're welcome, world). But it's newly relevant as our new PM sets off to 'Build, baby, build.' Our story begins, as of course it must, once upon a time — at a time of grave energy crisis. And in a land that now seems far away: that land of great energy foresight: Saskatchewan. Oil prices had doubled during the 1970s energy shocks and the public was panicking. Governments were panicking too — these days we remember the old pictures of drivers lined up for gas but, at the time, another crucial question was how they were going to keep homes warm through Canadian winters. The government of Saskatchewan sent out a plea for help, and a hero emerged. Harold Orr learned to build houses by age 12, swinging hammers alongside his father, a preacher who moved the family around Western Canada. By the energy crises of the 1970s, Orr had credentials to back up the know-how; he'd trained as a mechanical engineer at the University of Saskatchewan and been hired by the National Research Council of Canada, working on obscure topics like infiltration and leakage in homes. And then, the call: 'The government asked (us) to design and build a solar house appropriate for Saskatchewan,' Orr explains matter-of-factly. And so they did. The team turned conventional design upside down. Instead of asking, how do we heat and cool this thing, they designed a home that needs as little energy as possible. The Saskatchewan Conservation House was built in 1977 by a provincial crown corporation with Orr as lead engineer. It used 85 per cent less energy and cost about $30 to $40 in electricity per year. No furnace at all but still appropriate for frigid winters in Regina. It even had an early heat exchange system. And it's still there, its building envelope still functioning as designed, all these years later. (Fun fact: As part of the project, Orr invented the blower door test, another unsung Canadian invention you will have encountered if you've ever had any home efficiency work done.) 'How we build matters,' says Efficiency Canada. The organization calculates the most effective way to minimize additional carbon pollution comes from adopting the most ambitious tier of Canada's building codes (the net-zero energy ready standard). 'So the idea of a passive house was born, and as it turns out the model also inspired the net-zero energy home movement as well. While solar modules cost $77 per watt in 1977, they are a hundredth of that price today, which means solar-powered super-energy-efficient homes are suddenly very doable,' writes David Dodge at Green Energy Futures. There's some dispute whether Orr and the team in Saskatchewan truly 'invented' super efficient or passive house design (there are even killjoys who contest Canada's claim to the zipper). But in the late 1970s, up to 1,000 people were visiting the Saskatchewan Conservation House every week, including many curious Germans. Today, Germany is the global epicentre of Passivhaus construction techniques. Orr received a lifetime award from Germany's Passive House Institute. And he was finally named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2017. At 92 years old, he is still spreading the gospel. It's probably too much to expect the Carney government to require full Passive House standards for the promised surge in home construction. But some conditions should apply. The Liberal platform promised 'to get the federal government back into the business of home building … and double the pace of construction to almost 500,000 new homes a year.' It will be 'Canada's most ambitious housing plan since the Second World War,' we heard repeatedly. Canadians are demanding new homes but those big promises could also lock in megatonnes of new carbon pollution, and a sprawling network of new hookups for methane gas. A pace not seen 'since the Second World War' is definitely ambitious, but it also coincides with 'the Great Acceleration' — the point in the mid-20th century when human disruption of the Earth surged, and the trajectory of heat-trapping gases skyrocketed. Buildings are already the third-largest source of fossil fuel pollution in Canada and cutting those emissions has proven miserably difficult. New buildings last for decades, so today's big plans can lock in new carbon emissions for decades. 'How we build matters,' says Efficiency Canada. The organization calculates that the most effective way to minimize additional carbon pollution comes from adopting the most ambitious tier of Canada's building codes (the net-zero energy ready standard) and implementing full electrification. If new construction proceeds under those conditions, 'Canada can reduce emissions by two-thirds and reduce household spending by $5 billion per year.' Certain uncooperative premiers would fight full electrification, and the gas industry would go berserk. But you might recall that all provinces and the feds have already agreed to adopt the highest tier of building codes. So 'build, baby, build' could come with conditions. Maybe call it the 'Prairie Passive' or 'Saskatchewan Energy Innovation,' standard to grease the skids. But, if we're giving credit where it's due, any gobs of cash would be subject to 'The Orr Code.' April: the second cruellest month For those keeping track at home, the results are in for April. Global temperatures continued the hot streak above 1.5 C, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The streak was expected to subside as El Niño — a warming phase of the oceans — faded, but temperatures have stayed near record levels. "And then comes 2025, when we should be settling back, and instead we are remaining at this accelerated step-change in warming," Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, told AFP. "And we seem to be stuck there. What this is caused (by) — what is explaining it — is not entirely resolved, but it's a very worrying sign." Twenty-one of the last 22 months have exceeded 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. "Globally, April 2025 was the second-hottest April on record, continuing the long sequence of months over 1.5 C above pre-industrial,' said Samantha Burgess, Copernicus' strategic lead for climate. She added a veiled dig at the Trump administration's decision to stop tracking disaster costs of climate change: 'Continuous climate monitoring is an essential tool for understanding and responding to the ongoing changes of our climate system.'
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Experts of Steel Stud Framing in Vancouver Highlight Anti-Corrosion Strategies
vancouver steel stud framing logo Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd. introduces comprehensive corrosion prevention standards to maintain building durability and lower maintenance costs. The strategies include effective moisture management, protective coatings, proper ventilation, and the use of advanced materials. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are necessary to prevent corrosion and preserve the longevity of commercial buildings in Vancouver. Vancouver, BC - March 24, 2025 - Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd., a leading provider of steel stud framing in Vancouver construction, presents a set of corrosion prevention standards to improve building durability and reduce maintenance costs. The company's strategies address the industry's most pressing challenge: Corrosion. Extreme humidity, heavy downpours, and exposure to multiple elements make Vancouver's environment a serious problem for building projects. Implementing effective prevention measures is important for the longevity of infrastructure in the region. Understanding Corrosion in Metal Stud Framing Corrosion occurs when steel framing interacts with its environment and undergoes chemical or electrochemical reactions that produce rust. This process can expand the material by up to seven times its original size, change structural integrity, and cause stress on surrounding materials like concrete or wood framing. According to a study by the National Research Council of Canada, the time of wetness is one of the most important factors influencing metal breakdown, particularly in humid and coastal environments. Time of wetness is the percentage of moisture that remains on a metal surface and facilitates electrochemical reactions that result in corrosion. Data from similar Canadian coastal regions show time-of-wetness levels as high as 59% during peak humidity periods, compared to 33.7% in inland cities like Ottawa. According to drywall contractors at Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd., the resulting damage can include cracks, surface delamination, and compromised structural components like beams, girders, and columns. Comprehensive Prevention Strategies Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd.'s standards focus on a multifaceted approach to corrosion prevention. The company emphasizes that no single method is sufficient; for optimal results, a combination of moisture management, surface protection, ventilation, and regular maintenance is required. Moisture Management Systems 'Effective moisture management is important. These approaches keep moisture away from metal components to preserve integrity over time,' said the founder of Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd. Bulk Water Management: Designing buildings with effective rain deflection systems and proper foundation drainage to prevent water infiltration. Vapour Retarders and Insulation: Using high-quality vapour retarders to control moisture within drywall installation, combined with insulation services to reduce thermal bridging and condensation. Air and Vapour Barriers: Sealing building envelopes with air and vapour barriers to prevent moisture-laden air from reaching components. Continuous Insulation: Provides a seamless thermal barrier to reduce the risk of moisture accumulation. Protective Coatings and Surface Treatments While Vancouver has benefited from declining pollution levels over the years, pollutants like sulphur dioxide (SO₂) still pose a threat. SO₂, when combined with high humidity, accelerates the degradation of metals. Vancouver's urban density and traffic contribute to localized sulphur dioxide concentrations. Applying protective coatings is a direct and effective method to shield steel studs from environmental elements. Various coating options available: Barrier Coatings: Prevents metal from coming into contact with moisture, oxygen, and other corrosive agents. Materials include polymers, epoxies, and metallic coatings such as zinc and aluminum. Inhibitive Coatings: Chemicals slow down the degradation process. Use in combination with barrier coatings for better protection. Sacrificial Coatings: Metals like zinc protect the underlying material from damage. Combination Coatings: Integrates multiple protection types for superior performance in challenging environments. Ventilation Solutions for Corrosion Control Proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup within buildings. Two types include natural and mechanical ventilation systems. Windows, louvres, and framed openings promote airflow and reduce moisture accumulation for natural ventilation. Drywall and ceiling contractors may opt for mechanical ventilation like turbine vents, ridge vents, exhaust fans, and HVAC systems for controlled air exchange. Innovative Materials and Technologies In addition to traditional methods, advanced materials and technologies improve degradation resistance. Some of these technologies include: Corrosion-Resistant Alloys: Development of nanomaterials, amorphous metals, and high-entropy alloys that offer superior performance in harsh environments. Surface Treatments: Environmentally friendly coatings that provide multifunctional protection, wear resistance, and biocompatibility. Graphene Coatings: Application makes steel up to 100 times more resistant to breakdown. Achieve Building Longevity Through Corrosion Prevention The team at Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd. as a leading commercial contractor set a new benchmark for building durability in the construction industry with their corrosion prevention standards. Combining advanced moisture management, protective coatings, ventilation systems, and innovative materials, commercial buildings remain strong, safe, and cost-effective over time. 'Our goal is to provide and choose steel stud framing solutions that are perfect for Vancouver's environmental needs. We help our clients build durable, resilient structures that withstand challenges,' concluded the company's founder. About The Company Vancouver Steel Stud Framing Ltd. is a trusted provider of steel stud framing services in Vancouver. The company provides expert design, installation, and maintenance services. Durability, resistance to corrosion, fire resistance, and cost-effective options are solutions the company tailored for the local construction services industry, be it commercial or residential construction. Media Contact Contact Person: Ricky R Email: Send Email Phone: 604-200-4708 Address:4214 Miller St City: Vancouver State: British Columbia Country: Canada
