MHCA to meet with new provincial minister, deputy

The MHCA will meet on November 2 with the Hon. Lisa Naylor, the new minister of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, and her deputy, Ryan Klos, for an introductory discussion regarding the priorities of the provincial highways capital and water-control programs.

MHCA President & CEO Chris Lorenc told the October 25 meeting of the MHCA Executive Committee the association will review the commitments the NDP and now Premier Wab Kinew expressed during the fall election campaign, including a commitment to build upon the $500-million+ highways capital budget.

Also on the table will be the tender schedule, the need for a department-industry review committee for proposed specification changes, the Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan (CTIP) campaign, and the critical role that the transportation network and MTI play in the economy and the government’s strategy to grow the economy.

On the CTIP campaign, Lorenc noted that the coalition of six leading Canadian business groups, including the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association, is now taking the advocacy strategy to press the federal government to include the need for a national strategy for infrastructure investment within the 2024 budget.

The strategy includes setting up meetings with federal ministers, including regional ministers, and senior department officials.

Lorenc also reported on the success of the MHCA public messaging strategy during in the provincial election campaign. That included radio, billboard and social media advertising that highlighted the role of a strong transportation network in economic growth.

Other priorities discussed at the Executive Committee meeting included:

• Industry representatives met with Winnipeg Coun. Janice Lukes, who is Chair of the Public Works Committee, to discuss a number of issues regarding the local and regional street renewal program. See full story here.
• The association is awaiting the provincial government’s direction related to:
  • Assembling a working group to review the Builders’ Liens Act, for further regulations within prompt payment legislation.
  • Continuing the Construction Renovation Demolition Waste reduction task force
  • Hosting in November a proposed summit of stakeholders to review barriers to and solutions for access to education, training and careers in the construction industry
• MHCA’s Workforce Development Committee is working to refine approaches to recruiting new workers into the industry.
• MHCA and Winnipeg Construction Association have asked for a meeting between industry representatives and Winnipeg’s Social Procurement Liaison before social procurement requirements are written for inclusion into construction tenders.
• Dennis Cruise, Chair; Nicole Chabot, Immediate Past Chair; and, Chris Lorenc President & CEO MHCA will be present at the November 6 – 8, 2023 Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Hill Days in Ottawa during which industry representatives from across Canada will meet with federal minister, deputies, and MPs in the opposition parties to press for industry priorities.
• The Hill Days meetings will be followed by debriefing sessions and meetings of the CCA’s sectoral councils including the CCA Civil National Advisory Council Chaired by Nicole Chabot, Past Chair MHCA who is also member of the CCA Board of Directors