December 5, 2008
2008 Building Permit Levels on Par with 2007 - The Sky is NOT Falling
Don't believe the doom and gloom -- building permit levels aren't plunging, they're right on par with 2007s all-time highs.
Despite various news media outlets reporting that building activity is declining, Statistics Canada's year-to-date figures show that permit values in Manitoba were actually running 11.5 per cent ahead of last year's record-high numbers, due to growth in the multi-family and residential sector. Year-to-date permit values in the ICI sector remained the same as last year's record levels, after the first 10 months of 2008. YTD permit dollar values for Manitoba are $1.42 Billion.
The negative reports are largely based on month-to-month statistics - which vary widely at the best of times - and poor performance in Eastern Canada resulting in a national building permit drop of 2.3 per cent - down to $60.9 billion.
To view Statistics Canada's Building Permits chart, click HERE.
* Statistics courtesy of Statistics Canada.
It's membership renewal time of year again and WCA would like to thank you for your continued support in 2008. We recently mailed out membership renewal invoices, and we want you to know that there haven’t been any changes to membership dues or structure for 2009.
It is our sincere hope that you find value in our association offerings and renew your membership in 2009. If you would like to discuss membership renewal further, please call our Member Services/ Education/Gold Seal Administrator, Kelly Thiessen at 775-8664 or e-mail: membership@winnipegconstruction.ca.
Directory listings for your company as well as contact information and logo update requests were distributed to all WCA members in October 2008. Please check the listings over carefully and fax any changes back to the WCA offices at 783-6446 ASAP. This information will be published in our 2009 Membership Directory & Buyers' Guide.
WCA Office and Planroom - Early Closure
Please be advised that the WCA Office and Planroom will CLOSE at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 and re-open the following morning, December 11, 2008 at 8 a.m.
Get your message in the hands of engineers, contractors, developers, architects, civic officials and business leaders with your WCA membership magazine, Upword.
Filled with features on Manitoba construction projects and columns on industry developments, Upword is the voice of construction professionals in Manitoba.
Support your industry-accredited association publication by advertising in an upcoming issue.
View the 2009 Upword Media Kit HERE.
For more information on advertising in Upword magazine, contact Sharon Komoski at MediaEdge Publishing at 480-4400 ext. 433 or sharonk@mediaedgepublishing.com.
Gold Seal Experience Requirement to Increase
Citing “a tremendous increase in the scope and complexity of construction management
challenges,” John Schubert, P.GSC, CCA Gold Seal Committee Chair, announced this summer
that the minimum experience level for Gold Seal certification will move to five years beginning
January 1, 2009.
“Technical knowledge, new building and management techniques, regulatory compliance and safety and environmental legislation have introduced challenges we had never heard of in the past – today’s managers are forced to be at the top of their game,” said Schubert. Applications received before January 1, 2009, will not be affected.
* Article courtesy of CCA's Trends in Gold Seal newsletter.
Gold Seal Online Training
Gold Seal Online Training
for Managers, Supervisors & Estimators
(5 Gold Seal Credits for each course)
Communication, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Objectives: This course is designed to help improve the written, oral and negotiating skills for estimators, superintendents and project managers who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers and their employees. This course is self-paced and is approximately 8 hours in length.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
Construction Project Management
Objectives: This course is designed for project managers, superintendents and estimators. The course covers business case development, procurement, contracting, risk management and project close-out.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
Construction Law
Objectives: This course will provide managers with the tools to help them understand construction contracts, write contracts, identify simple errors in construction contracts, understand the process claim and learn to solve construction disputes effectively. A final mark of 75 per cent is required in order to receive a certificate of completion.
WCA Member Fee: $90.00 + GST
For more information, visit www.goldsealcertification.com or contact Kelly Thiessen, Gold Seal Administrator, Winnipeg Construction Association, at kellythiessen@wpgca.com or 775-8664 x 2225.