MHCA’s board of directors met on May 29, and considered an array of topics of importance to the heavy construction industry business health.
Chief among them is the ongoing concern about the lag between the MTI tender ad schedule and actual project tendering. That places pressure on the industry to build projects in the back half of the season, making it more likely to be carried over into the following year. If unspent funds were also carried forward, this would not be as big an issue.
However, Manitoba has decided that unspent funds in any given budget year are not carried forward but are a charge against the following year program. This further minimizes the value and impact of the annual programs which have, for far too many years, not benefited by increases linked to the asset condition and are well below any definition of inflationary impacts. Frustration within industry is both growing and palpable.
Several items were raised with MTI in late April, which if acted upon would effectively close the gap and allow budgets set to be awarded and completed in the contemplated budget year. The advice has not yet received a response. The Board directed that the MHCA follow up with the department.
Other items included:
- Meet with the relevant provincial government and department related to delays in quarry leases, renewal and permits; the flow, program amount and project criteria associated with the quarry rehab program
- Conduct a review and update of the rental rates database, which will be completed in time for the 2026 guide.
- Draft information for the Ministers of Finance and MTI on tariff relief measures for the construction industry, using the Alberta government’s measures as a guide.
- Review membership payment options and explore new ideas, like a subscription model.
- Work with Relish Ideas on communications tactics, like building a website, for WorkForce.
