January_8

January 8, 2010

Regional Pavement Cuts Restoration

The Public Works Department is proposing changes to the restoration of pavement cuts on regional streets for 2010.

Prior to commencing with any changes, PWD is seeking feedback at an informational meeting on Friday, January 15 at 106-1155 Pacific Avenue in Training Room "C" from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Please register your vehicle at the Front Counter upon arrival. Read the attached proposal here for your review.

If you have any questions, please contact Rolf Doerries at 986-4112 or Scott Payne at 986-3615.

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Automobile Deduction Limits For 2010 Announced

The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Canada's Minister of Finance, announced the automobile expense deduction limits and the prescribed rates for the automobile operating expense benefit that will apply in 2010. Read the full press release here for your review.

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Manitoba Closes Out Decade In Relative Economic Stability

Only Prince Edward Island bettered Manitoba’s economic performance in 2009. Manitoba’s Gross Domestic Product slipped only 1.6 per cent, trailing only PEI’s -0.8 per cent drop.

Elsewhere in the West, Saskatchewan showed a much larger GDP decline of
-5.5 per cent while BC weighed in at -5.1 per cent. Alberta had the steepest decline with a fall of 7.9 per cent. Ontario came in at -4.1 per cent.

Manitoba also closed out the decade with the second-lowest unemployment rate in 2009 at 5.2 per cent, slightly behind frontrunner Saskatchewan (4.9 per cent).

However, the provincial NDP government reported an expected $592-million deficit in its quarterly fiscal report announced prior to Christmas. Part of the shortfall was due to some $150 million that was spent fighting the H1N1 flu outbreak and flooding last April.

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Contractual Issues On Government Projects

The Ontario General Contractors Association (OCGA) is reporting some issues with projects that are financed in part by Federal Infrastructure Stimulus programs. At the heart of this issue is the insistence on the part of the federal government that the March 31, 2011 deadline is a firm one and that Federal dollars will not flow for work undertaken after that date.

OCGA is reporting seeing project tender documents containing penalty clauses that require the GC to pay (damages or make up the shortfall) if the project is not completed by March, 2011, when Federal funding ceases.

The Canadian Construction Association is bringing these concerns forward to the Minister responsible and will inquire about projects in Manitoba that may or may not be in this situation. If you are aware of a project like this, please let Ron Hambley at WCA know ASAP at rhambley@winnipegconstruction.ca

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Construction Industry Minimum Wage Increase

On January 1, 2010 both the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional wage rates and the Heavy Construction wage rates, established under the Construction Industry Wages Act, increased. The new province-wide rates apply on construction projects anywhere in the province.

"This increase maintains the new province-wide schedules established in June of 2009, ensuring construction minimum wages rates are the same for rural and urban construction regardless of where a building is being constructed," said Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard.

For a list of the trades and their respective increases, Click Here.

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Manitoba Construction News Online

Your No.1 source for upcoming project information is officially off-and-running at its online home, www.ManitobaConstructionNews.ca.

With this offer, WCA members gain access to an “exclusive” listing of pre-bid projects and reports, enabling them to create their own customized searches based on value, category, and proposed construction schedules.

To receive Tips and Tricks on this and other WCA Online products, please attend one of our next Online Training Sessions. A sign-up form is available here or contact the Construction Information Services Team at (204) 774-2431.

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WCA Education

BUILDING SUPERVISORS FOR TOMORROW

Beginning January 15, 2010

Location: WCA - 290 Burnell St.

Description: In response to the data collected and requests of the construction industry, Winnipeg Construction Association along with the Manitoba Construction Sector Council have developed and designed a Supervisor Training Program for experienced construction workers moving into or aspiring towards leadership positions.

"Building Supervisors for Tomorrow" has been designed to prepare first time supervisors for their journey into management. Understanding how busy people are juggling work and family, this program has been developed in module size chunks, with each module running anywhere from four to 12 hours depending on the topic. This delivery system is more flexible than any other program currently offered. It's affordable and upon completion of 80 module hours, a certificate will be earned and awarded.

Click here to register.

ONLINE ORIENTATION SESSION

WCA Online Planroom & Manitoba Construction News Online

Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 9-10:30 a.m.

Location: WCA - 290 Burnell St.

Description: This session will introduce you to the new Manitoba Construction News Online pre-bid service, as well as all aspects of the Online Planroom. This includes installation, project lists, plan viewing, specs and addenda, online booking, document searching, running bulletins, keyword search and self bidding.

Also receive instruction on the Plan Viewer, which features measuring and counting tools, printing options and tricks. This session will also show you how to use and edit reports, set up a quick launch button and export information into a spreadsheet.

The Online Planroom gives WCA members access to obtain full plans, specs and addenda for over 1,800 projects per year–24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Click here to register.

LEED FOR SUB-CONTRACTORS

Understanding the paperwork and getting it right!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 8-10 a.m.

Location change*: Hilton Suites Airport

Description: This session will be presented by local Prime Contractors with first-hand knowledge of LEED projects and experience with problems related to trade and supplier specific responsibilities. If you are a subcontractor or supplier to a LEED project, you simply must attend this seminar!

Click here to register.

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Gold Seal Reminder

The next Gold Seal exam is slated for January 22, 2010 (deadline is closed).

For more information on the program, visit www.goldsealcertification.com.

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WCA Membership Renewal Time

Membership renewal is almost midway complete. That means you've likely received your membership renewal invoices in the mail, complete with details on some new program offerings for 2010. It is our sincere hope that you find value in our association offerings and renew your membership.

If your company contact information requires changes, please complete the Buyers' Guide form with your updated information and fax it to (204)783-6446 no later than Jan. 29, 2010, in order to have the changes reflected in the WCA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide.

It is imperative that you notify the WCA offices of any changes within your company, including contacts, change of addresses, etc. so that we can keep our database and directories up-to-date.

If you would like to discuss membership renewal further, please call our MemberServices/Education/Gold Seal Administrator, Kelly Thiessen, at 775-8664 or via e-mail: membership@winnipegconstruction.ca

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Reminder: Don't Forget To "Seal The Deal"

CCDC Copyright Seals are required to be used with the printed electronic versions of CCDC documents. Failing to do so could risk a potential breach of contract later on in the proceedings.

A Copyright Seal’s application is a representation that the document has not been changed from its original form, with the exception only of additions or modifications as may be set forth in supplementary conditions.

A Copyright Seal must be used on all CCDC documents to be executed from printed electronic versions. For example, if there are three copies to be executed, such as one each for the contractor, the owner and the consultant, each copy must first have a Copyright Seal before being signed. A printed electronic CCDC Document with an affixed Copyright Seal is equivalent to an original CCDC hard-copy document.

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