February 19, 2010

February 19, 2010

Would WCA members be interested in an

educational offering on Revit training?

In order for us to gauge interest, please e-mail WCA's Kelly Thiessen

2010 AGM and President's New Year's Reception

Winnipeg Construction Association marked the beginning of the 2010 construction year in fine fashion with its Annual General Meeting and President's New Year's Reception at the Convention Centre on Tuesday, February 9.

The AGM kicked things off with a review of 2009 and a look ahead to the organization's plans in 2010, with newly-appointed president Randy Clegg addressing members at the conclusion of the event.

WCA members were then treated to an evening complete with cocktails, buffet, and jazz music, courtesy of Class Act Music Productions.

The event gave members the chance to mix and mingle with one another and the WCA's board of directors, including newly-elected members Peter Grose (Chair, General Contractor Division), Jim Phillips (Chair, Manufacturers & Suppliers Division), Devyn Rolke (Director-at-Large) and Jan Simons (Director-at-Large).

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Space Still Available Aboard CCA Cruise

Looking for a way to break free from the winter doldrums? Well, the Canadian Construction Association may just have the remedy for that winter chill that ails you.

The CCA's 92nd-Annual Conference will sail the seas of the Caribbean aboard the Mariner of Regent Seven Seas from March 16-22. Rooms aboard the ship are still available, but this is your last chance act now to ensure your spot. Click here to register.

If you have any questions as the conference draws close, please do not hesitate to contact Lynn Perrault or Chantal Montpetit at CCA.

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LEED Gold Achieved on Aboriginal House Project

WCA would like to extend its sincere congratulations to Dominion Construction, Prairie Architects Inc., and the University of Manitoba for achieving prostigeous LEED Gold status on the Aboriginal House project.

The project earned 39 points on the LEED checklist, factoring in such elements as sustainability, water efficiency, innovation and design, and energy and atmosphere, among other factors.

Some of those design elements include landscape that requires no permanent irrigation system by using a combination of xeriscaping and native, drought tolerant prairie species, and maximum water efficiency by the use of aerator faucets, automatic faucet shutoff devises, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals.

During construction, 65 per centof construction wastes were recycled or salvaged. Of the materials used in this project. including carpet, concrete
and steel, 14 per cent contained recycled content and 23 per cent of building materials used were extracted and manufactured within an 800km raduis of
the project site or transported by rail within a 2400km radius.

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Skills Canada Young Women's Conference Seeking Volunteers

On April 8, 2010, Skills Canada will be hosting their annual Young Womens' Conference for Grade 8 girls at Red River College.

Skills Canada is seeking women tradespeople who might be interested in being a mentor for the day. The mentors would spend the day with approx 8-10 girls in a conference-like setting. The event will consist of exposing young women to careers in skilled trades.

A questionnaire for those interested in being a mentor can be accessed here.

For further information, contact Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, via e-mail at mariapa@skillscanada.com

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WCA Education

BUILDING SUPERVISORS FOR TOMORROW

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.

**Winter session has been filled. Keep an eye out for Spring registration.

ONLINE ORIENTATION SESSION

WCA Online Planroom & Manitoba Construction News Online

Date: March 3 from 9 to 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.

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Supreme Court of Canada Issues Judgment on Tendering Law

On Friday, February 12, the Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment in Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Transportation and Highways) restoring the ruling of the trial judge.

The court found that the respondent “province breached the express provisions of the tendering contract with Tercon by accepting a bid from a party who should not even have been permitted to participate in the tender process and by ultimately awarding the work to that ineligible bidder. [The ineligible bidder had entered into a pre-bidding agreement with another unqualified bidder as a joint venture, allowing it to prepare a more competitive proposal]. The exclusion clause, which barred claims from compensation ‘as a result of participating’ in the tendering process, did not, when properly interpreted, exclude Tercon’s claim for damages”. Read the judgment here.

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Non-residential Building Construction Price Index

The composite price index for non-residential building construction decreased 0.4% in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter. The quarterly drop in the price index was mainly due to a slight decline in the price of construction materials. Among the seven census metropolitan areas surveyed, Edmonton posted the largest quarterly decrease (-1.6%), while only Montréal (+0.2%) and Halifax (+0.1%) registered increases. Read more.

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Toronto Symposium Discusses Solutions to Labour Shortages

The Toronto Workforce Innovation Group and the Canadian Urban Institute believe that looming labour shortages in the construction industry and other sectors won’t be solved by the few available strategies designed to encourage adequate human resources. Read more.

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Saskatchewan Apprentices Take Advantage of Grants

More than 630 Saskatchewan apprentices have taken advantage of the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and another 5,800 are receiving the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant. By combining the two apprenticeship grants, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade could receive a total of $4,000. Read more.

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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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2010 AGM and President's New Year's Reception Space Still Available Aboard CCA Cruise LEED Gold Achieved on Aboriginal House Project Skills Canada Young Women's Conference Seeking Volunteers WCA Education CCA Weekly: Supreme Court of Canada Issues Judgment on Tendering Law Non-residential Building Construction Price Index Toronto Symposium Discusses Solutions to Labour Shortages Saskatchewan Apprentices Take Advantage of Grants Reminder: Don't Forget To Seal The Deal WCA OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Do You Expect Building Permit Activity to Increase in 2010? VOTE HERE WCA Curling Bonspiel February 26, 2010 Heather Curling Club REGISTER HERE 2010 Calendar Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for full schedule details or call Kelly Thiessen at 775-8664 x 2225 Most courses can be used toward the Gold Seal Program WCA welcomes its newest members: CTD Contracting Terry Williams Pinnacle Flooring & Renovations Darryl Friesen Eurohaus Franz Felnhofer Visit www.winnipegconstruction.ca for membership information or call Kelly Thiessen at 775-8664 x 2225 For technical difficulties regarding the Online Planroom or Manitoba Construction News Online, please contact: Eric Sigurdson Online Planroom and MCN Online Training Session Dates: March 3 March 24 April 7 April 21 Sign up NOW! ********************* Add Me To The List * Please note: WCA members are already on the list to receive this newsletter * Take Me Off The List *********************	February 19, 2010 Would WCA members be interested in an educational offering on Revit training? In order for us to gauge interest, please e-mail WCA's Kelly Thiessen 2010 AGM and President's New Year's Reception Winnipeg Construction Association marked the beginning of the 2010 construction year in fine fashion with its Annual General Meeting and President's New Year's Reception at the Convention Centre on Tuesday, February 9. The AGM kicked things off with a review of 2009 and a look ahead to the organization's plans in 2010, with newly-appointed president Randy Clegg addressing members at the conclusion of the event. WCA members were then treated to an evening complete with cocktails, buffet, and jazz music, courtesy of Class Act Music Productions. The event gave members the chance to mix and mingle with one another and the WCA's board of directors, including newly-elected members Peter Grose (Chair, General Contractor Division), Jim Phillips (Chair, Manufacturers & Suppliers Division), Devyn Rolke (Director-at-Large) and Jan Simons (Director-at-Large). Top of page Space Still Available Aboard CCA Cruise Looking for a way to break free from the winter doldrums? Well, the Canadian Construction Association may just have the remedy for that winter chill that ails you. The CCA's 92nd-Annual Conference will sail the seas of the Caribbean aboard the Mariner of Regent Seven Seas from March 16-22. Rooms aboard the ship are still available, but this is your last chance act now to ensure your spot. Click here to register. If you have any questions as the conference draws close, please do not hesitate to contact Lynn Perrault or Chantal Montpetit at CCA. Top of page LEED Gold Achieved on Aboriginal House Project WCA would like to extend its sincere congratulations to Dominion Construction, Prairie Architects Inc., and the University of Manitoba for achieving prostigeous LEED Gold status on the Aboriginal House project. The project earned 39 points on the LEED checklist, factoring in such elements as sustainability, water efficiency, innovation and design, and energy and atmosphere, among other factors. Some of those design elements include landscape that requires no permanent irrigation system by using a combination of xeriscaping and native, drought tolerant prairie species, and maximum water efficiency by the use of aerator faucets, automatic faucet shutoff devises, dual flush toilets and waterless urinals. During construction, 65 per centof construction wastes were recycled or salvaged. Of the materials used in this project. including carpet, concrete and steel, 14 per cent contained recycled content and 23 per cent of building materials used were extracted and manufactured within an 800km raduis of the project site or transported by rail within a 2400km radius. Top of page Skills Canada Young Women's Conference Seeking Volunteers On April 8, 2010, Skills Canada will be hosting their annual Young Womens' Conference for Grade 8 girls at Red River College. Skills Canada is seeking women tradespeople who might be interested in being a mentor for the day. The mentors would spend the day with approx 8-10 girls in a conference-like setting. The event will consist of exposing young women to careers in skilled trades. A questionnaire for those interested in being a mentor can be accessed here. For further information, contact Maria Pacella, Executive Director of Skills Canada Manitoba, via e-mail at *mariapa@skillscanada.com* Top of page WCA Education BUILDING SUPERVISORS FOR TOMORROW 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. *Winter session has been filled. Keep an eye out for Spring registration. ONLINE ORIENTATION SESSION WCA Online Planroom & Manitoba Construction News Online* Date: March 3 from 9 to 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. Top of page Supreme Court of Canada Issues Judgment on Tendering Law On Friday, February 12, the Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment in Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Transportation and Highways) restoring the ruling of the trial judge. The court found that the respondent “province breached the express provisions of the tendering contract with Tercon by accepting a bid from a party who should not even have been permitted to participate in the tender process and by ultimately awarding the work to that ineligible bidder. [The ineligible bidder had entered into a pre-bidding agreement with another unqualified bidder as a joint venture, allowing it to prepare a more competitive proposal]. The exclusion clause, which barred claims from compensation ‘as a result of participating’ in the tendering process, did not, when properly interpreted, exclude Tercon’s claim for damages”. Read the judgment here. Top of page Non-residential Building Construction Price Index The composite price index for non-residential building construction decreased 0.4% in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter. The quarterly drop in the price index was mainly due to a slight decline in the price of construction materials. Among the seven census metropolitan areas surveyed, Edmonton posted the largest quarterly decrease (-1.6%), while only Montréal (+0.2%) and Halifax (+0.1%) registered increases. Read more. Top of page Toronto Symposium Discusses Solutions to Labour Shortages The Toronto Workforce Innovation Group and the Canadian Urban Institute believe that looming labour shortages in the construction industry and other sectors won’t be solved by the few available strategies designed to encourage adequate human resources. Read more. Top of page Saskatchewan Apprentices Take Advantage of Grants More than 630 Saskatchewan apprentices have taken advantage of the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and another 5,800 are receiving the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant. By combining the two apprenticeship grants, apprentices who complete their training and become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade could receive a total of $4,000. Read more. Top of page 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. Top of page
Comments or Questions? Email: wca@winnipegconstruction.ca • Visit our Web site at www.winnipegconstruction.ca Winnipeg Construction Association is located at 290 Burnell Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 2A7 • (204) 775-8664 Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2010.