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.
Time for a new, fair deal on infrastructure
by Chris Lorenc, Winnipeg Free Press
Friday, May 6, 2021 – 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.
Roads a hot mess – MHCA tells public to call their elected officials
The potholes have grown to craters on our roads and the MHCA is reminding taxpayers to speak to their politicians about a permanent fix. MHCA…
Keep readingATV required to drive these streets: Lorenc
The inadequacies of the street repair funding model have created a road system so badly pocked you need an ATV to drive on it, says…
Keep readingBudget 2022 moves infrastructure planning beyond short-term, to multi-year vision
Manitoba’s Budget 2022 gives the heavy construction industry a meaningful based to build upon, toward longer, multi-year investment plans for the provincial trade transportation network,…
Keep readingProvince hikes highways investment, presents three-year capital plan
Manitoba’s Budget 2022 sees the highways capital program increasing to $407.954 million, with an additional $60 million carried over from an under-expenditure of last year’s…
Keep readinglatest news
Fuel price adjustment
- 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
- 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), which the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is a member of.
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 Airport
May 30 & 31 Brandon, MBThe 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
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
- 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
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
Social procurement
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
- Social procurement EPC report Jan 19 ’22 – view PDF
- Social Procurement working group submission Jan 19 ’21 – view PDF
- Winnipeg social procurement seeks assistance of outside expert – Heavy News article January 20, 2022 – view story
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
Fuel price escalation, workforce development top of mind: MHCA
The City of Winnipeg is considering the MHCA’s suggestions on adjusting street renewal construction project contracts, recognizing bids were submitted on tenders from December on…
Keep readingFuel prices, timely locates, prompt payment top discussion by MHCA Board
The MHCA is awaiting feedback on its suggested changes to fuel price adjustment clauses it has received from the City of Winnipeg and Manitoba Transportation…
Keep readingTrade corridor investment key to Manitoba’s economic growth: MHCA
The provincial government should focus on promoting regional trade corridor investment to secure economic growth for Manitoba now and in future years, the MHCA’s pre-budget…
Keep readingCall for strategic infrastructure plan for city growth
The MHCA has joined a call from the development sector for the City of Winnipeg to be strategic in the planning of its infrastructure investment…
Keep reading- 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
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).
