MHCA pursues prompt payment with MTI

The MHCA is asking Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure for a discussion about prompt payment.

“We are asking questions, given that industry members continue to experience lengthy delays in payment on MTI contracts,” MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc said.

The province introduced Bill 38 – The Builders’ Liens Amendment Act in March this year, to ensure payment moves expeditiously to all involved in infrastructure projects.

While MTI and Manitoba Hydro were not caught under the Bill’s provisions, due to time constraints and legislative complexities, the province has committed to ensuring both government entities comply with the rules, once the bill is passed. MHCA and others in the industry have asked that the obligation be formalized within contracts issued by Hydro and MTI.

Recent communications with provincial offices indicated substantial improvement has been made reducing a payments backlog at MTI.

“We appreciate the recent work by the department. The impression among industry members is that some invoices continue to take too long to be approved and we want to address any systemic issues there,” Lorenc said.

He said he has asked MTI for further background on the issue.