March 2, 2009
Heads Up! PPD Likely to Increase Building Permit Fees!
The City of Winnipeg's Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Property and Development is anticipating an increase to all building and development fees and new charges for permits, inspections and other services this spring. According to a report published on Feb. 27, 2009, city building permit fees could go up 11 per cent on May 1, 2009. These matters will be discussed by the standing committee and city council later this month.
The increases are part of the Mayor's 2009 operating budget deliberations, and incorporated to help the city raise $1 million in additional revenue and regain Development and Inspections expenditures. The City of Winnipeg's 2009 Preliminary Operating Budget can be found HERE.
This comes after the committee increased fees by 21 per cent in May, 2008. We will continue to monitor this story and report on the city council's decision and resulting fee increases.
2009 Manitoba Construction Career Expo
With the increasing skilled trades shortage, NOW IS THE TIME to introduce students and youth to the variety of skilled trade occupations in the construction industry!
The first-ever Manitoba Construction Career Expo is designed to encourage Grade 9 and 10 students to learn more about the unlimited career opportunities in the construction industry. Students will explore their future in skilled trades with hands-on demonstrations in masonry, carpentry, roofing, concrete finishing, painting and more! 
Students and Teachers will also enjoy...
• Free Admission
• Complimentary Lunch
• Great Prizes
• Busing to and from school within a 30 km radius of the Red River Exhibition Park
• Reimbursement for Substitute Teacher(s)
• And lots more!
Let’s join forces to show students how profitable, fulfilling and fun a career in construction can be!
For more information, go HERE, or contact:
Ron Mark
Ready Event Marketing
Phone: (204) 219-4442
Fax: (204) 219-4443
Education Courses
Interpreting Construction Documents
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Presented by: Kurt Dietrich
Objectives: The key to properly interpreting construction documents lays in understanding the basic framework of a full set of documents. These are comprised of Specifications and Drawings. This session will provide a clear understanding of the requirements and information found in construction documents for use in bidding and field purposes. The session will explain where to typically find required information and how to interpret the documents towards the installation and performance of the item.
WCA Member Fee: $200.00 + GST
Gold Seal Information Session
Friday, March 20, 2009
Presented by: Kelly Thiessen / WCA Gold Seal Administrator
Objectives: Gold Seal Certification is a Canadian Construction Association National Program. Learn what you need to obtain your Gold Seal Certification as a Project Manager, Superintendent, Estimator or Construction Safety Coordinator. Certification is based on experience and education.
WCA Members: NO CHARGE!
Gold Seal Online Training 
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.
Online Planroom Tip of the Week: Logging Off the Online Planroom
Have you experienced problems logging in to the Online Planroom? Are you aware that you have to “log off” the Online Planroom?
Occasionally, members don’t log off of the Online Planroom when they have finished their session; instead they just click on the “X” in the top right corner. Unfortunately, if a user does not log off correctly, the system may not register the fact that they have closed their session. Then, when the user tries to log in again, the system will not let them in, as it thinks they have a session already open.
So, to avoid being locked out of the Online Planroom, be sure to always click on “log off” (located on the blue toolbar) when you want to end your Online Planroom session.