The MHCA and Board representatives have been working with the province to ensure full expenditure of the highways capital budget this year and in years to come, following a 3% increase to the program in Budget 2025.
“We understand the fiscal pressures the government faces, but the 3% increase to the highways infrastructure program falls well below what is required over a sustained period to bring Manitoba’s highways and bridges up to good condition and support needed new investment,” MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said.
“Further, the unfortunate decision by the province to halt the policy of carrying over unexpended budget dollars to the subsequent year’s program means, in effect, those amounts will be a first charge against the next year’s budget.”
Post-budget the MHCA and Board representatives:
- Met on March 27 with MTI Minister Lisa Naylor and Deputy Minister Ryan Klos to discuss critical areas requiring attention, to ensure each year’s capital program is fully expended.
- Met April 7 with DM Klos, to map out a process using the MTI-MHCA-ACEC working group to propose specific actions on the priority areas.
- On April 9, the MHCA Board of Directors directed that a memo be sent to DM Ryan Klos, requesting that each area critical to annual program delivery success be potentially referred to a subset of the working group, to identify specific steps required for each of the objectives to achieve measurable results. See the memo and its attachments here.
- In summary those areas for attention are:
- Early project design assignments – to allow for the next season’s construction projects tendered early, pre-season
- Reliable tender ad schedules – giving the industry the confidence to set up their business plans, including materials, supplies and hiring of workforce
- Tender 80% of MTI capital program between October and the end of February – allowing projects to begin and finish on time. This must be coupled with timely contract awards.
- Prompt payment – ensuring contractors are paid for work completed, according to the new prompt payment rules in the Builders’ Liens Act
- Post-project performance rating of owner, consultant and contractor – reviewing experience in individual projects to improve efficiencies for best outcomes
MHCA will work to pursue increases to the annual Highways capital program; ensure the full expenditure of that annual program budget; and press for the reinstatement of the policy of carrying over to the next budget year any unexpended funds, over and above the annual increase to the highways capital program.
