Advocacy
MHCA’s advocacy serves our communities and our industry because it recognizes that without a vibrant and growing economy, Canadians could not enjoy the standard of living that is envied globally.
Strategic investment in core infrastructure – highways, streets, bridges, sewer & water, and water control structures – instantly creates well-paying jobs. We all need strong, reliable core infrastructure.
Whenever you:
- turn on the tap, or flush the toilet
- walk, cycle or ride to work or school
- stay high and dry when flood waters threaten
you’ve been served by our industry.
Sustainable, long-term and incremental core infrastructure programs support our economy because strategic infrastructure investment has been verified in repeat economic analyses to hold amongst the highest returns to our GDP. A healthy GDP reliably generates the revenues governments depend on to provide the social programs Canadians expect and deserve.
We speak loudly and proudly for the approximately 15,000 workers whose jobs directly or indirectly are attached to the heavy construction industry.
Winnipeg accelerating construction tenders
Winnipeg’s Public Works department has begun using a qualification-based selection process to assign design engineering work of road projects, which will speed up tendering and…
Keep readingMHCA presses Winnipeg to put federal infrastructure funding to roads
The City of Winnipeg should use a portion of its shared from the federal the Canada Community-Building Fund to renew the now-expired accelerated regional roads…
Keep readinglatest news
Highways and water
Budget
- MHCA, MTI meet to discuss 2024 budget, tender schedule – read here.
- Good news, bad news provincial Budget 2024 – read here.
- Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure has indicated 2023’s $557-million highways capital program is on track to be fully expended for that fiscal year. Read here.
- Manitoba’s Budget 2023 has laid out highways capital investment at $500 million for 2023-24. Click here to read the details.
- Manitoba capital infrastructure investment plan
Prompt payment
- Prompt payment for quarry rehabs top priority of advisory council – read here
The Builders’ Liens Amendment Act (Prompt Payment) received Royal Assent May 30, 2023
MHCA asks that Manitoba Hydro, MTI adhere to prompt payment legislation; Bill 38 introduced in the legislature – read article
- Prompt payment legislation introduced; MHCA to respond – read article
Specifications
MHCA is working with MTI to formalize a specification review committee. MHCA is seeking, as well, a review to clarify process language in Construction Specifications for Bituminous 801 and the Specification for Quality Control 110.
MTI publishes each month a revised asphalt cement cost-adjustment clause, based upon an index. Click here to see the latest update.
The MTI AC index is based on the price, excluding taxes, of asphalt cement grade PG 58-28.
The index will be used to establish and calculate the cost adjustment for projects with performance and penetration grade asphalt cement.
Updates to the table shall be posted on the Tendering & Contracts site under the link “MTI Asphalt Cement Price Index (PDF)”.
MHCA is meeting with MTI mid-June regarding its proposed asphalt cement cost-adjustment clause. An index will be used to establish and calculate the payment adjustment for all grades.
The MHCA is continuing to work with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure toward harmonization of roadbuilding specifications with the City of Winnipeg. Click here to read the latest update.
Construction Specifications for Emulsified Asphalt Chip Seals – view
Fuel price adjustment
- MTI has revised its Fuel Price Adjustment specification, posted on its website. Click here to view the spec.
- Industry presses for retroactive fuel price adjustment on provincial work – read article
2023 provincial election
MHCA congratulates Premier-designate Wab Kinew on his historic win. Read here.
All party leaders – Stefanson (PC), Kinew (NDP), Lamont (Liberal) – commit to building on the $500 million annual highways infrastructure budget, invest in trade corridors and continue the buildout of CentrePort Canada. Read their responses to the MHCA election priorities questionnaire here.
Party leaders put infrastructure investment central to Manitoba’s economic growth plans at the September 12 All Party Leaders Forum, moderated by CJOB’s Richard Cloutier and Probe Research partner Mary Agnes Welch. To listen to the Forum, click here.
MHCA launches full media advertising, to put infrastructure investment on the campaign trail.
Click Before You Dig MB is a service brought to you by the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA), of which the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is a member.
This service provides underground facility screening and notification for safe excavation for contractors who intend to disturb the ground in Manitoba and the utility operators who register their buried utilities.
To submit a locate request please click here.
MANITOBA HYDRO LINE LOCATE MEETING
On April 3, 2023 MHCA, with Manitoba Home Builders’ Association and WCA, met senior Hydro officials re locates, specifically a potential strike and the impact it will have on locate requests/provision of service.
MB Hydro committed to working with industry to ensure any strike does not significantly impact locate service
- Training contingency workers on line locates
- Many are same contingency workers called in to help during 2021 strike
- Will follow same model as in 2021, with some improvements
- Hydro confident impact on industry will be mitigated
On general issue of locates
- Industry associations want to review definition of turnaround time for locates
- Allows industry to measure Hydro against expectations
- Hydro and industry agree may be beneficial to have Hydro customer service rep on Manitoba Common Ground Alliance
Budget 2024
- Winnipeg mayor supports working to speed up tendering – read now
- MCHA presses for street renewal budget working group – read now
Budget 2023
MHCA called for Winnipeg City Council’s support for strategic investment in our transportation and core infrastructure, as a means of growing the economy.
Social procurement
Social procurement pilot tenders – update. Click here to see all City of Winnipeg tenders piloting social procurement clauses.
Awarded a contract? MHCA wants to hear from contractors about their experience with the social procurement requirements, for feedback to the City. Please contact MHCA Policy & Communications Manager Catherine Mitchell at catherine@mhca.mb.ca.
- City of Winnipeg clarifies social procurement requirements in tenders – keep reading
- The MHCA is pursuing meaningful response to the numerous and substantive concerns industry members have expressed since the City of Winnipeg offered a sample of what its social procurement requirements will look like in Public Works tenders. read more
- The City of Winnipeg has circulated a hypothetical sample of what a social procurement requirement in a Public Works tender could look like in a soon-to-be released pilot project, to elicit feedback before such clauses are included. To view the sample tender package, click here.
- Social procurement requirements are coming soon to City of Winnipeg heavy construction tenders. The MHCA and WCA will host an industry meeting with the City of Winnipeg social procurement liaison so you can learn and ask questions about when, and how, the requirements will be part of tender and construction documents. Keep checking this space for details.
- On October 31, at noon, the WCA and MHCA are hosting a seminar with the City of Winnipeg’s social procurement liaison, to talk about the new social procurement and environmental questionnaires, which will be part of RFPs in the near future. Click here to see how you can register.
- Winnipeg City Council’s Executive Policy Committee unanimously approved the new Social Procurement Action Plan. MHCA worked with Winnipeg Construction Association to see the plan recognize industry’s record in training and employing individuals from the equity target groups in heavy construction, and to ensure it respect the need for open, fair and transparent tendering. Click here to read MHCA and WCA’s letter of endorsement to the EPC.
- Click here to read the plan.
- The MHCA is contributing to the framing of a new City of Winnipeg social procurement policy and action plan. In February, 2022, City Council, in absence of an action plan, approved social procurement requirements as part of the North End Water Pollution Control Centre project.
- Report – Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and
the Environment – February 2, 2022 – view PDF - Winnipeg approves bid requirements for targeted groups on water pollution centre – view story
- Report – Standing Policy Committee on Water and Waste, Riverbank Management and
City of Winnipeg Specifications & use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate
- Representatives from ACEC-MB, MHCA and UDI to the spec review technical sub-committee have asked the City of Winnipeg’s Public Works department for background information before they can offer informed comments and concerns to proposed asphalt paving specification changes. read more
- The City of Winnipeg has received recommendation from an external consultant to formalize a Specification Review Working Group, giving industry notice and input to roadbuilding specifications. To read more, click here.
- A third-party consultant, Dave Krahn, has been selected to facilitate a specification working group – composed of the City of Winnipeg’s Public Works Department, UDI, ACEC and MHCA – to set the way new or revised roadbuilding specifications are proposed and introduced.
- Winnipeg Public Works has issued a series of current revisions and future updates to roadbuilding specifications, including for base and sub-base aggregates, concrete, asphalt and surface works. Click here to see the department’s summary presentation.
- Presentation to IRPW Feb. 8, 2022 – view PDF
- Shvarzman report – view PDF
- Base Specifications Working Group – view PDF
- RCA Public Policy Presentation to IRPW Sept 16, 2020 – view PDF
Budget 2022
- Winnipeg City Council approved the 2022 Operating and Capital Budget on December 15, 2021. Click here to read the Heavy News article.
- MHCA’s submissions 2022 Winnipeg Operating and Capital Budget
Economy is Job #1 for government, business leaders
- MHCA President Chris Lorenc delivered an address at the April 7 Civic Leaders Dinner, calling on the political and business leaders to make growing the economy their No. 1 priority. Click here to read the Heavy News article and here to read the full text.
Civic election 2022: Mayoral Candidates forum
Growing Winnipeg’s economy – Job #1 Wednesday, October 5, 2022
Municipal election campaign
Civic priorities for the municipal election campaign – view pdf
Fuel cost adjustment
Winnipeg Public Works department is adding a fuel cost adjustment clause as an addendum to road construction contracts, excepting any element of water and waste work in those contracts.
Click here to see an example of such an addendum.
Also:
- Water & Waste has decided against including such a clause in its contracts. The MHCA continues to press senior City administrators to change that decision
- Fuel price adjustment clause for bid-hourly work (such as snow clearing) has been revised and a template can be seen here.
To read the details of the Public Works fuel adjustment clause, click here.
Industry seeks fuel price adjustment clause with City of Winnipeg
- The MHCA has sent the City of Winnipeg its suggestions on adjusting street renewal construction project contracts, recognizing bids were submitted on tenders from December on could not have contemplated fuel prices now in effect. Click here to read more
Streets and Water
- Time for a new, fair deal on infrastructure by Chris Lorenc
- Winnipeg Free Press, Friday, May 6, 2021 – read article
Province announces third intake for Quarry Rehabilitation Program – view release
- Manitoba’s finite aggregate resources are the foundation of every infrastructure project built. They need to be carefully managed – the last study of resource reserves was done in 1976 – and access to these resources must be protected from development pressures in our rural municipalities. This is why the MHCA is pressing for a broad recycling policy for construction waste materials, including recycling of crushed concrete.
- The MHCA currently is engaged with the RM of Springfield on its new Zoning Bylaw and its proposed aggregate resources bylaw. Click to read the latest here.
- Don’t make gravel travel – MHCA’s It all starts with aggregates pamphlet can be seen here
- 1976 UMA aggregate resource manitoba – view PDF
- CELC-CIC RCA Workshop Presentations – Maximizing the use of recycled aggregates for road construction in Canada – Feb 10, 2022 – view PDF
- Quarry rehab program relaunch – letter to Minister Pedersen Aug 13, 2021 – view PDF
- CEL Proposal – A proposal for the establishment of a Consolidated Community Enhancement Levy (CEL) on aggregate extraction – June 5, 2013 – view PDF
The MHCA’s advocacy principles require our positions be consistent with the public interest, which implies environmental responsibility and resource management.
MHCA promotes meaningful policy and regulation regarding the industry’s carbon footprint, and champions the recycling of construction, renovation and demolition (CRD) waste, including the reuse of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) in roadbuilding.
- CRD policy task force proposal – May 17 2021 – view PDF
- Heavy Construction sustainable practices – view PDF
- PDHDD submission CRD waste – June 8, 2021 – view PDF
- Strength, resilience, sustainability – Canada’s construction sector recommendations
on adapting to climate change – view PDF - Letter to Hon. Guillemard – Waste Management and Recycling Review – March 4, 2021 – view PDF
Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Plan
MHCA response and recommendations – Feb 2019 – view PDF
Advocacy works
Winnipeg accelerating construction tenders
Winnipeg’s Public Works department has begun using a qualification-based selection process to assign design engineering work of road projects, which will speed up tendering and…
Keep readingMHCA presses Winnipeg to put federal infrastructure funding to roads
The City of Winnipeg should use a portion of its shared from the federal the Canada Community-Building Fund to renew the now-expired accelerated regional roads…
Keep readingMHCA to discuss federal infrastructure funding with City of Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg should see significant funding flow out of the Canada Community-Building Fund, that has been renewed for 10 years by the recently…
Keep readingMHCA presses for investment plan for highways from MTI
The MHCA, after repeated meeting with senior departmental leadership, has proposed to Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure that a long-term asset management plan be released publicly,…
Keep reading- Federal budget fails on economic growth, infrastructure needs – read here
- Federal, provincial ministers commit to strengthening supply chain, trade corridors – keep reading
- Trudeau response to roads comment falls short: WCR&HCA – keep reading
- National groups call for Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan in pre-budget submissions – keep reading
- Letter to the Prime Minister on Road Infrastructure, February 2024 – read now
- Premiers focused on actions to support economic growth and opportunities – keep reading
- Premiers welcome discussion of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan- keep reading
- Over 90% of Canadians think trade is important to Canada’s economy yet only 9% of Canadians think Canada’s trade infrastructure is in good shape – keep reading
- Manitoba government signs memorandum of understanding with other prairie provinces to advance economic corridors – keep reading
- Canada West Foundation applauds prairie transport ministers’ Memorandum of Understanding to advance economic corridors – keep reading
- Manitoba premier champions trade corridor investment for national support – keep reading
- MHCA and partners across the country pressing for Canada to change its “shovel ready” approach to trade infrastructure investment
May 10, 2022
If you can’t move it, you can’t sell it. Canada’s approach to investing in trade infrastructure is failing us.- Read the Canada West Foundation report From Shovel Ready to Shovel Worthy
- CANADA MISSES THE BOAT ON TRADE, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT: CCA PANEL
March 10, 2022
Canadians must become alarmed and engaged in the push for greater and wiser investment in trade-enabling infrastructure because our economy is suffering and so will our national security interests, a panel discussion at the Canadian Construction Association conference this week in Vancouver heard.
Keep reading- To view the full panel discussion on trade, diversity and our economic, social and national security click here.
- LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT RETURNS HIGHER ECONOMIC DIVIDENDS: CANCEA
January 20, 2022
A recent analysis by a respected economic analysis group has found that long-term, predictable investment in transportation infrastructure delivers bigger economic returns than sporadic bursts of funding even where funding levels are similar.
Keep reading- The Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis reports on the critical links between transportation, infrastructure investment and the economy.
- MHCA is working with the Canadian Construction Association to press the federal government to significantly recapitalize its trade corridors fund – read the February 2022 letter to Transport Minister Omar Alghabra
- WCR&HCA’s proposal for a Western Canada Trade Gateway and Corridor Initiative has gain national and regional support, and is included in the CCA’s pre-budget submission sent in February to the federal government.
- Premiers focused on actions to support economic growth and opportunities – keep reading
- Premiers welcome discussion of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan- keep reading
- Think BIG – The last mile is always on the road – keep reading
- Manitoba government signs memorandum of understanding with other prairie provinces to advance economic corridors – keep reading
- Canada West Foundation applauds prairie transport ministers’ Memorandum of Understanding to advance economic corridors – keep reading
- Manitoba premier champions trade corridor investment for national support – keep reading
- Western Canada trade gateway initiative picks up support – December 15, 2021 – Keep reading
- Read the CCA/EDC/WCR&HCA report here
- Manitoba Chambers of Commerce – Ministers’ Dinner, June 4, 2024 – View Chris Lorenc, President & CEO speaking notes
- Province to bring back option to use project labour agreements – keep reading
- MHCA ads put infrastructure on campaign trail – keep reading
- Party leaders commit to build on highways budget, support CentrePort – keep reading
- Growing Manitoba’s Economy – view
- Over 90% of Canadians think trade is important to Canada’s economy yet only 9% of Canadians think Canada’s trade infrastructure is in good shape – keep reading
- Manitoba takes the lead – keep reading
- Manitoba government signs memorandum of understanding with other prairie provinces to advance economic corridors – keep reading
- MANITOBA HYDRO LINE LOCATE MEETING
On April 3, 2023 MHCA, with Manitoba Home Builders’ Association and WCA, met senior Hydro officials re locates, specifically a potential strike and the impact it will have on locate requests/provision of service.MB Hydro committed to working with industry to ensure any strike does not significantly impact locate service- Training contingency workers on line locates
- Many are same contingency workers called in to help during 2021 strike
- Will follow same model as in 2021, with some improvements
- Hydro confident impact on industry will be mitigated
On general issue of locates
- Industry associations want to review definition of turnaround time for locates
- Allows industry to measure Hydro against expectations
- Hydro and industry agree may be beneficial to have Hydro customer service rep on Manitoba Common Ground Alliance
- Training contingency workers on line locates
- Emulsified Asphalt Cement Cost Adjustment for micro surfacing and chip seal
Due to unprecedented spikes in the price of oil, MTI has developed a cost adjustment mechanism for performance and penetration grade asphalt cements, which will be included in upcoming tenders. MTI is extending the cost adjustment specification to emulsified asphalt cement used in the construction of micro surfacing and chip seal. Click here to see the adjustment.
The emulsified asphalt cement cost adjustment specification that will be included in upcoming tenders. The cost adjustment will be calculated based on MTI price index, residual asphalt cement content and the quantity of work placed in the month. Click here to see the worksheet MTI will be using to calculate cost adjustments throughout construction.
For clarification or concerns, please contact:
Andre Dupuis, B.Sc.
Surfacing Program Manager
Pavement and Materials Section
Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure
920- 215 Garry Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3P3
Tel. 204-391-3803
- MHCA has pressed for immediate fuel-price relief in discussions with senior Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure officials; MTI has said it will propose a price relief, including retroactive adjustment, soon.
- MHCA is pressing for provincial recruitment of newcomers with experience in heavy construction, as part of its review of the Provincial Nominee Program.
GROWING THE ECONOMY – MORE TO BE DONE
Economic growth is Manitobans’ top priority. The overriding challenge for the next five years is diversifying our agricultural, manufacturing, resource, financial and service sectors to strengthen the capacity for export and to create jobs. Prudent investments within a climate of confidence and certainty enable growth, leading to more jobs, greater prosperity and a higher
quality of life.
Recent results of MHCA’s advocacy
- Right to appeal for when applicants are denied requests to open pits or quarries
- MHCA worked with the province to introduce an appeal mechanism in the Planning Act. Lilyfield quarry owner Colleen Munro won her appeal at the Manitoba Municipal Board in September 2020, after the RM of Rosser rejected her conditional-use application.
- Core infrastructure investment rises, construction declared an essential service in pandemic
- MHCA and WorkSafely pressed to ensure our industry’s work was declared an essential service in March 2020 when most businesses closed
- MHCA’s advocacy saw Manitoba’s economic restart plan add an additional $265 million, over two years, to core infrastructure investment, securing more work for the industry
- Winnipeg Council committee directs the Public Works department to work to ensure recycled concrete aggregates are used in road-building projects
- In September 2020, the Public Works department was directed to work with MHCA, the Specification Review Committee and U of M Prof. Amed Shalaby to compile best practices and recommendations, including a cross-jurisdictional analysis, for increased use of recycled concrete aggregate.
- Quarry rehabilitation work restarts
- Manitoba has approved applications for rehab work on spent pits and quarries, after vigorously work by the MHCA to reactivate the Quarry Rehabilitation Program. The program was halted in 2018, pending review by the Auditor General.
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6 PRINCIPLES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
The MHCA has developed 6 fundamental principles for sound investment in core infrastructure – streets, highways, bridges, land drainage, water distribution and wastewater treatment systems. We propose infrastructure investment programs that are:
- PERMANENT, STRATEGIC AND SUSTAINED
Infrastructure investment should be set out in a long-term plan, with predictable cost-sharing between governments - FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Evidence shows that investment in strategic infrastructure has defined returns to the economy, $1.60 for every $1 invested (Finance Canada, 7th Report to Canadians, 2011) - EMBRACING INNOVATION
Adopting new ways to sustainably build or maintain infrastructure will get more value out of the infrastructure budgets - HARNESSING PRIVATE-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS
The private sector is the source of ingenuity - FUNDED BY DEDICATED REVENUE STREAMS
Taxpayers must be able to follow the dollar, to know how much is invested, for what purposes - REVIEWED ANNUALLY
Regular review of investment programs ensures accountability, discipline to purpose and allows for adjustment to benefit from lessons learned
Working together to serve our members better! FOCUS on MHCA
Across Canada, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) represents more than 20,000 member firms drawn from 63 local and provincial integrated partner associations. These firms join CCA through their local or provincial construction associations; and enjoy CCA-provided services through this partnership.
View the article highlighting Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA).
