Autumn 2026 · 1–3 October · Halifax, Canada
94th General Assembly — Halifax
A Canadian Perspective
- Meeting
- 94th CEEC General Assembly
- Place
- Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Dates
- 1–3 October 2026
- Host
- Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)
Working together across borders
CEEC’s first General Assembly outside Europe brought delegates from 16 countries to Halifax. Hosted by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) from 1 to 3 October 2026, members compared Canadian and European practice and formed five working groups.
Vice-President Ludovic Jean led the meeting. President György Spányi and General Secretary Egemen Çam joined remotely. Together with Board Member Erik Schulte Fischedick, they make up CEEC’s Board.
Canada’s connection with CEEC’s European associations gives this work a wider base of experience. At a time of geopolitical tension, understanding different professional approaches helps colleagues find common ground and work together.
Reducing emissions within real constraints
Gordon Bourque of ThermaCity Energy addressed decarbonisation — reducing carbon emissions — where electricity networks have limited capacity. His talk considered what this means for lower-carbon construction.
Shared challenges, different markets
How do colleagues approach the same professional questions in a different market? The Canada–Europe panel made those differences a starting point for exchange.
The QS Renaissance
Prof. Janaka Ruwanpura of the University of Calgary explored how the quantity surveyor — the professional who manages construction costs — can develop as a strategic adviser. Digital technology, sustainability and changing client expectations are reshaping the role. His message: digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) should support professional judgement and better decisions.
Download Ruwanpura’s presentation: The QS Renaissance (PDF) ↓
Mass timber: location changes the comparison
Mykola Pulnyev of Hanscomb presented Sustainable Buildings Canada’s Mass Timber Costing Guide. It compares the same 12-storey building in mass timber — engineered structural wood — and concrete in Calgary, Ottawa and Moncton. Neither system was less costly everywhere: local conditions matter when comparing materials.
Download Pulnyev’s presentation: Mass Timber Costing Guide (PDF) ↓
The visit to architecture firm FBM’s timber building on Cunard Street gave delegates a built example to discuss alongside the study.
Five working groups for the year ahead
The groups will compare experience across countries and develop shared data, guidance and tools, with first results planned for the spring meeting. They aim to coordinate directly with one another between assemblies, sharing progress and connecting related work. This practical cooperation should make CEEC more attractive to associations in other countries and widen the exchange of professional experience.
Comparing construction costs and carbon
This group will compare the cost and carbon footprint of the same residential building across Europe and Canada. A building model has been chosen; the next steps are to document it and agree how to price it consistently. At the spring meeting, the group plans to present the model with costs from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Canada, Ireland and France.
Exploring artificial intelligence
Nicolas de Coster’s presentation in Zadar in 2026 opened the discussion on artificial intelligence. The working group formed in Halifax will explore support for publications, reports, archive access and answers to members’ questions. By sharing information and testing applications, members can learn from one another and help shape how AI is used in their profession. The group plans to present its proposed system at the spring meeting.
ICMS: making costs and carbon comparable
The International Cost Management Standard (ICMS) provides a common framework for reporting construction costs and carbon emissions, so that projects can be compared across countries. The group will develop guidance, assess how the standard is used nationally and work on translations. A European survey and draft communications material are planned for spring.
Understanding each other’s qualifications
What does it take to qualify as a construction cost professional in each country? The group will compare training and professional requirements, identify common ground and gaps, and explore how qualifications could gain recognition across borders. A survey of national requirements is planned for spring.
Economic Report: understanding construction activity
The Economic Report brings together building permit data to compare construction activity across Europe and the Americas. The group plans to refine the data and develop a members-only dashboard — a visual overview for comparing national trends.
Environmental rules and regulations
Environmental rules and regulations were also identified as a topic for CEEC’s future work. No team was formed for this sixth topic in Halifax.
Presentations
Prof. Janaka RuwanpuraThe QS Renaissance Download PDF ↓
Mykola PulnyevMass Timber Costing Guide Download PDF ↓
95th General Assembly · 6–8 May 2027
Next stop: Istanbul
Dr. Levent Sümer will host CEEC in Istanbul, a metropolis of 15.8 million residents (2025). Turkey joined CEEC at the Zadar Assembly in May 2026.
We look forward to meeting again in Istanbul.
