February 3, 2009
CCA Report: 2009 Federal Budget gets High Marks 
According to a Canadian Construction Association (CCA) news release, the national association is giving Budget 2009 high marks for providing much needed stimulus to the flagging Canadian economy through investments in traditional infrastructure, college infrastructure and green technologies, as well as new incentives to help retrain Canada’s unemployed.
The Minister of Finance, James M. Flaherty, presented the 2009 budget on January 27, 2009 and announced approximately $34.8 billion in spending over two years in an attempt to stimulate economic growth. The largest component is infrastructure spending, with $12 billion in new infrastructure stimulus funding. Some of the infrastructure highlights include:
Immediate Action to Build Infrastructure:
- Investments in Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Infrastructure - includes funding for a new Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, investment in the Green Infrastructure Fund, funding to build and renew community recreation facilities across Canada and support of "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects.
- Investments in First Nations Infrastructure - support for "ready-to-go" First Nations projects in three priority areas: schools, water and critical community services.
- Investments in College and University Infrastructure - includes repairing, retrofitting and expanding facilities at post secondary institutions.
- Investments in Federal Infrastructure Projects - significant funds will go towards federal public infrastructure, including improving railways, bridge rehabilitation projects, restoration of federally-owned buildings and highway projects.
Included in the 2009 budget are programs to support businesses, communities, and individuals such as tax and tariff relief, changes to small business income and access to credit, enhancements to Employment Insurance and more funding for skills and training.
To read the entire CCA release and detailed budget report, click on the links below.
CCA News Release - January 27, 2009 (PDF)
Budget 2009 - Measures Impacting the Canadian Construction Industry (PDF)
Budget 2009 - Government of Canada Web Site
WCA Directory Listings - LAST CHANCE
Please send us your company contact and address changes by Friday, February 13th, 2009. This information will be published in our 2009 WCA Membership Directory & Buyers' Guide. Please fax any changes back to the WCA offices at 783-6446 or send to Holly at holly@winnipegconstruction.ca ASAP.
Share Your Construction Photos
WCA is compiling a construction photo library and we'd like your photos! We're looking for construction site photos, finished project photos or professional project photos for featuring in Upword, and in other WCA marketing materials. Send low-res images to Twila Driedger at tdriedger@winnipegconstruction.ca or send high res images on CD to Twila at WCA, 290 Burnell St, Winnipeg, MB, R3G 2A7.
The Planning and Land-Use Division has drafted up a set of guidelines to assist applicants in hosting open houses when consulting with the neighbourhood on controversial land developments. The guidelines provide helpful information for applicants not familiar with public consultation.
The guidelines are available on the City of Winnipeg Web site at http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/planning.stm or http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/whatsnew.stm.
Online Planroom Tip of the Week: HP Instant Print
If you have a Hewlett Packard printer you can quickly download and print with a few clicks of the mouse. In the HP Print column, click on the checkboxes beside the pages you want to print.
- Scroll to the bottom of the HP Print column and click on the HP icon.
- Select the paper size you want the output to be printed on and click Print.
- The print results are displayed when the process is complete.
To receive training on this and many other WCA Online Planroom features, please attend one of our next Online Training Sessions. Complete the form HERE, or register by contacting the Planroom at 774-2431.
EcoSmart "Green Concrete" Workshop
The EcoSmart Foundation is holding a "Toward Better and Greener Concrete" workshop for future users of the "SOS" software, an online tool currently in development that will assist those involved in concrete construction projects, such as architects, engineers, contractors and suppliers. The workshop is free and will include a light breakfast and/or lunch.
Toward Better and Greener Concrete (Space is limited!)
SOS User Consultation Workshop
Fort Garry Hotel, La Verendrye Room
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
To register, please contact Christina Olsen of EcoSmart at (604) 689-4023, ext 123 or christina@ecosmart.ca.
Education Courses
Fundamentals of Design-Build - February 5, 2009 - FULL
Presented by: WCA and Canadian Design-Build Institute (A committee of CCA)
Objectives: Fundamentals of Design-Build is a full day interactive tutorial which is part of CDBI’s continuing professional development program. This course offers an in-depth introduction to design-build that is a must for practitioners, owners, decision-makers and those wanting greater knowledge of this growing project delivery practice. 1 FULL DAY.
WCA Member Fee: $350.00 + GST
RRSP Update ...Where to Invest? - February 6, 2009
Presented by: Darren Cale, Senior Financial Planning Advisor, Assante Wealth Management
Objectives: Get your questions answered… What am I going to do this year? Is it safe to invest in the stock markets? How do I take advantage of the downturn? Where are the risks hiding now? Get all the answers and updates your looking for.
WCA Member Fee: FREE
Gold Seal Update
New Gold Seal Web site
No more writing! The new Gold Seal Web site features digital application forms, among other things. We invite you to visit this much improved site at: www.goldsealcertification.com.
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.