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.
Trucking association, heavy construction industry call upon election candidates to #FixOurRoads
Manitobans will start seeing prominent decals affixed to trucking trailers now and into the coming months, in a public advocacy campaign aimed at candidates in…
Keep readingWinnipeg roadbuilding specifications a top concern: MHCA
The MHCA and the industries it represents remain concerned about the failure to date to reach resolution with Public Works related new roadbuilding specifications, including…
Keep readingMTI releases transportation infrastructure strategy, long-term plan
The Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure department has created and posted publicly its long-term plan for transportation infrastructure investment, with an estimated schedule for the roll…
Keep readingWinnipeg fuel cost adjustment clause needs work: Executive Committee
The MHCA Executive Committee has asked that the association seek discussions with the City of Winnipeg senior Administration on the scope of a proposed fuel-cost…
Keep readingExperts call for more federal action on neglected trade infrastructure as Canada falls in international rankings
The Hill Times
May 24, 2022 – read article
Time for a new, fair deal on infrastructure
by Chris Lorenc, Winnipeg Free Press
Friday, May 6, 2022 – read article
‘You shouldn’t need an ATV to drive on our roads’
Listen here to Chris Lorenc on the long-standing problem with Winnipeg roads and why a pothole ‘quick fix’ is not the answer.
latest news
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
Highways and water
Budget 2022
- Province hikes highways investment, presents three-year capital plan – read article
- Manitoba presented its first three-year capital plan, setting out multi-year budget targets for programs including Highways Capital
- MHCA recently met with Finance Minister Cameron Friesen and also with Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk to discuss the coming 2022 provincial budget and the highways capital program.
- Click here to read MHCA’s pre-budget submission Dec. 23 2021 and here to read the summary of the meetings
- MHCA has made strong representations to the provincial government about the under-expenditure of the highways capital budget, especially in 2020-21, when a total of $60 million was unspent. Click here to read a letter sent to then-premier Kelvin Goertzen and click here to read a summary.
Prompt payment
- Prompt payment legislation introduced; MHCA to respond – read article
Specifications
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
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.
MHCA, as part of the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance, has sent a letter to Bell MTS asking for improved locates responses in 2022, failing which the MCGA will seek provincial legislation to address the problem. Read more here.
- The MHCA and the MCGA have partnered with the Locate Management Institute to offer an Underground Facility Locator Certificate Program. The locate training will assist contractors in developing knowledge and skills associated with locating underground utilities and to more easily comply with the ground-disturbance management process. This course details the necessary methods and procedures to safely perform utility locates as per applicable regulatory requirements, acts and industry best practices.
May 24 & 25 Winnipeg, MB Holiday Inn Express Airport
May 26 & 27 Winnipeg, MB Holiday Inn Express AirportThe MCGA will be covering the $100 cost of the training manual. Use coupon code MCGA2022 for discount.
Locate turn-around delays a high priority for MHCA – The MHCA as part of the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA) met throughout construction season 2021 with the primary Manitoba utilities to address delays in locate response times. The problems, while difficult in Winnipeg, were particularly acute in rural Manitoba, with delays stretching 6 to 8 weeks. – read story
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
Capital Budget
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.
City of Winnipeg Specifications & use of Recycled Concrete Aggregate
- 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
Social procurement
- 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
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
Highways capital program, annual review top MHCA priority
Manitoba Infrastructure and Trade has committed to reviewing the construction season’s experience with the highways capital tendering program, to work out challenges, the MHCA Executive…
Keep readingTalks continue on roll-out of highways capital program
MHCA is following up on commitments by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) to roll out tenders this construction season, to expend fully the $500 million…
Keep readingTalks continue with province on highway infrastructure tenders
The MHCA is continuing to watch the rollout of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s highways capital program, comparing it against the schedules issued to date. “We…
Keep readingWinnipeg roadbuilding specifications a top concern: MHCA
The MHCA and the industries it represents remain concerned about the failure to date to reach resolution with Public Works related new roadbuilding specifications, including…
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 readingTo 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.
WESTERN CANADA TRADE GATEWAY INITIATIVE PICKS UP SUPPORT
December 15, 2021
A new report out of Export Development Canada on the country’s potential for market growth in China adds urgency to the WCR&HCA’s call for the federal government to ramp up funding for trade-enabling infrastructure, the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association board heard December 9.
Keep reading
Read the CCA/EDC/WCR&HCA report here
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).
