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.

Inside a building, a man is interviewed by a reporter, showcasing a professional interaction between the two individuals.

Strategic investment in core infrastructure – highways, streets, bridges, waste and wastewater, and water control structures – instantly creates well-paying jobs. We all need strong, reliable core infrastructure.

Whether 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.

Advocacy Highlights

Recent Results

Working Together

In the Media

6 Principles For Infrastructure Investment

Latest Campaign

ADVOCACY

MHCA speaks for members of the heavy construction industry. Our advocacy is rooted in the proposition that economic growth is Job #1 of governments at all levels.

SEARCH NEWS

FILTER BY TOPIC

FILTER BY REGION

November 6, 2025

Federal Government presents budget, includes $115 billion infrastructure investment

Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne presented his first federal budget on Nov. 4. The budget includes big-ticket items to prop up an economy facing major disruptions...

October 23, 2025

Lorenc urges Council to prioritize, move forward on Route 90 improvements

Chris Lorenc, MHCA’s president and CEO, appeared before the City of Winnipeg’s Executive Policy Committee on Oct. 21, in support of Route 90 improvements. He...

October 9, 2025

MHCA supports the Route 90 improvements, recognizes it as a critical trade corridor

The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association (MHCA) supports the Route 90 improvements, recognizing it as a critical trade corridor essential to both provincial and national infrastructure,...

Advocacy Works

October 2, 2025

MHCA sets sights on 2026: Budgets, rates, and plans under review

MHCA’s board of directors met on Sept. 24 and considered an array of topics of importance to the heavy construction industry business health. Chief among...

July 3, 2025

MHCA meets with Minister Moses to discuss Mines Branch priorities, concerns

Chris Lorenc, MHCA President & CEO, Nicole Chabot, chair, MHCA’s Aggregate Producers Committee, Jamie Moses, Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation, Felicia Wiltshire,...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 12, 2025

MHCA to continue to work with MTI to achieve budget awarded = program

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...

May 22, 2025

Prime Minister sets out mandate for his ministers

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling on his cabinet to focus on seven priorities, including trade, in the face of crisis, in a mandate letters...

National

May 8, 2025

WCR&HCA calls on Prime Minister to announce vision, plan in western Canada

The Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (WCR&HCA) Board of Directors is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to share his vision for Canada,...

May 8, 2025

MTI specifications undergoing comprehensive review

MHCA is working with Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure and ACEC-MB to review all the current standard specifications, a process that will take many months and...

Manitoba

Highways

April 24, 2025

MHCA Board lays out priority areas for highways capital program

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...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

April 10, 2025

MHCA, WCA meet with Janice Lukes on social procurement

The MHCA, along with the WCA, met with City Councillor Janice Lukes to discuss challenges related to the City of Winnipeg’s Sustainable and Social Procurement...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 10, 2025

MHCA to identify ways to improve MTI tendering and prompt payment

An industry working group will craft recommendations for working with MTI to improve tendering, including the advertising schedule, and ensure more timely payments for work...

April 3, 2025

MHCA, industry groups ask province to establish locates working group

MHCA has joined other industry entities to ask the Minister of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure to take the lead in establishing a utility locates working...

Highways

March 27, 2025

Minister committed to investing full $515 million highways budget

Transportation & Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor says she and her department are intent on expending the entire highways capital budget for 2025, and will work...

Manitoba

Highways Winnipeg

March 20, 2025

Highways capital budget rises $15 million

The Manitoba 2025 budget has added $15 million to the highways infrastructure program, bringing the year’s total to $515 million. The increase was announced March...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

March 20, 2025

Social procurement policy to get a closer look: Lukes

Winnipeg Coun. Janice Lukes says she is working with the Mayor’s Office to review the administration of the social procurement policy, to ensure its requirements...

Winnipeg

Highways

March 20, 2025

Highways capital program review focus on budget, payments

More than 70% of the highways capital program for 2025/26 is committed and under contract already, Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure reported at a program review...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

March 13, 2025

Winnipeg working to accelerate tendering, awarding

Winnipeg’s Public Works department is using a qualification-based selection (QBS) process for consulting engineering firms, which will result in faster tendering of construction projects, particularly...

Winnipeg

March 6, 2025

Goods movement committee presses for regional planning

The provincial government should be working with Winnipeg and the Capital Region municipalities on coordinating investment in transportation routes to generate the greatest economic gains,...

Winnipeg

March 6, 2025

Study on Chief Peguis Trail proceeds to Executive Policy Committee

Extending the Chief Peguis Trail from Main Street to Brookside Boulevard holds real benefits to commuters, residents in Winnipeg’s northwest sector and the city’s economy,...

Winnipeg

February 13, 2025

Advocacy update

MTI asks industry input on trade war impacts Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure has asked MHCA to gather industry comments about the potential impacts from retaliatory...

Manitoba, National, Regional, Winnipeg

Winnipeg

January 22, 2025

You can’t invest, grow by scrambling for revenues: Lorenc to EPC

The City of Winnipeg’s Budget 2025 is evidence that elected officials and finance officials are scratching about for pennies to fund critical, core services, MHCA...

Winnipeg

January 16, 2025

MHCA salutes CentrePort Canada on 15 years of growing Manitoba’s economy

CentrePort Canada, created by provincial legislation in 2008, has for 15 years worked to grow Manitoba’s economy as a tri-modal inland transportation hub, straddling the...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

January 16, 2025

City needs new revenue sources to meet core service needs: MHCA

Winnipeg’s 2025 Budget is proof that annual property tax increases are not not sufficient to meet the fiscal challenge before the city, MHCA President &...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

January 16, 2025

Winnipeg tender ad schedules coming soon

Winnipeg’s Public Works and Water & Waste departments will be providing tender ad schedules as early as next week, the MHCA Executive Committee was told...

Highways

January 9, 2025

MTI outlines more than $5 billion in five-year highways investment plan

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure estimates investing some $5.25 billion on highways and structures over the next five years, according to its Multi-year Infrastructure Investment Strategy,...

Manitoba

December 19, 2024

Roadbuilding specs and tender schedule lead talk with deputy minister

A general review of the work of the MTI/industry spec review committee to date was a priority topic of an MHCA Highways Committee discussion with...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

December 19, 2024

Industry responds to Winnipeg social procurement pilots report

The MHCA has thanked the City of Winnipeg administration for its commitment to stop piloting social procurement clauses that require the industry to track the...

Winnipeg

December 12, 2024

Street renewal budget for 2025 rises to $164.6 million

The City of Winnipeg’s street renewal budget will increase by $26.3 million in 2025, to $164.6 million, according to the preliminary budget released by Mayor...

Winnipeg

December 5, 2024

City of Winnipeg pivots on social procurement in tenders

The City of Winnipeg will shift its social procurement pilot approach in 2025, and does not plan to ask the construction sector to track and...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 31, 2024

Winnipeg Accelerating Construction Tenders

Winnipeg’s Public Works department has begun using a qualification-based selection process to assign design engineering work of road projects, which will speed up tendering and...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 19, 2024

MHCA Presses Winnipeg to Put Federal Infrastructure Funding to Roads

The City of Winnipeg should use a portion of its shared from the federal the Canada Community-Building Fund to renew the now-expired accelerated regional roads...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 5, 2024

MHCA to Discuss Federal Infrastructure Funding with City of Winnipeg

The City of Winnipeg should see significant funding flow out of the Canada Community-Building Fund, that has been renewed for 10 years by the recently...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 4, 2024

Fall 2024 MTI Tender Ad Schedule

Click here for the Fall 2024 MTI tender ad schedule

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 27, 2024

MHCA Presses for Investment Plan for Highways from MTI

The MHCA, after repeated meeting with senior departmental leadership, has proposed to Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure that a long-term asset management plan be released publicly,...

Manitoba

June 4, 2024

Manitoba Chambers of Commerce – Ministers’ Dinner

View Chris Lorenc, President & CEO speaking notes

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

May 30, 2024

MHCA Tells Winnipeg Council to Reject Call for City-Owned Asphalt Plant

The private sector provides hot-mix asphalt for paving and for patching to the City of Winnipeg at very competitive rates due to the efficiencies inherent...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 28, 2024

Prompt Payment for Quarry Rehabs Top Priority of Advisory Council

Quarry rehab projects that are approved and complete should see prompt payout from a provincial fund designed to ensure spent pits and quarries are rehabilitated...

Manitoba, National

Highways

April 5, 2024

Good news, bad news provincial Budget 2024

Manitoba

Highways

April 4, 2024

MHCA, MTI meet to discuss 2024 budget, tender schedule

The MHCA and senior Board members will meet with the deputy minister and senior MTI staff to discuss the 2024 highways capital program, including the...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

March 21, 2024

City Moving to Accelerate Tendering in 2024, 2025

The City of Winnipeg Public Works department is working on internal processes to speed up the tendering of construction projects for 2024 and 2025, the...

Winnipeg

March 7, 2024

Province to Bring Back Option to Use Project Labour Agreements

The MHCA will be seeking meetings to understand fully the NDP government’s intent to repeal legislation, adopted by the Pallister government, that prohibited the use...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

March 7, 2024

City Tenders among Priorities of MHCA Executive Committee

MHCA is working intently with the City of Winnipeg Public Works department to speed up the tendering of street renewal tenders this year, with an...

Winnipeg

March 7, 2024

Winnipeg mayor supports working to speed up tendering

Mayor Scott Gillingham assured MHCA his office is committed to seeing tenders advertised and awarded earlier in the construction season. The MHCA met with Gillingham...

Winnipeg

February 29, 2024

City of Winnipeg clarifies social procurement requirements in tenders

Those bidding on construction tenders piloting social procurement clauses this year will not have to provide specific hiring targets for diverse workers employed on a...

Winnipeg

Highways

February 29, 2024

Trudeau Response to Roads Comment Falls Short: WCR&HCA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not answered the Western Canada Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association’s (WCR&HCA) request for a public statement indicating the federal government...

National

February 29, 2024

Federal, Provincial Ministers Commit to Strengthening Supply Chain, Trade Corridors

Strengthening the national supply chain and enhancing the National Trade Corridors Fund were top items federal, provincial and territorial transportation ministers discussed at their annual...

Manitoba, National

February 22, 2024

National Groups Call for Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan in Pre-Budget Submissions

Two leading business organizations have highlighted the need for a national, long-term trade infrastructure investment strategy in their submissions to federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland....

National

Highways

February 16, 2024

Letter to the Prime Minister on Road Infrastructure

National

Winnipeg

February 15, 2024

Industry wants meaningful response to concerns on Winnipeg social procurement clause

The MHCA is pursuing meaningful response to the numerous and substantive concerns industry members have expressed since the City of Winnipeg offered a sample of...

Winnipeg

Highways

February 15, 2024

Highways capital budget on track for full expenditure: MTI

Cynthia Ritchie, ADM, Infrastructure Capital Projects Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure has indicated 2023’s $557-million highways capital program is on track to be fully expended for...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

February 8, 2024

MHCA presses for street renewal budget working group

A working group should be set up quickly to look at a funding plan for the City of Winnipeg’s local and regional street renewal program,...

Winnipeg

January 31, 2024

The City of Winnipeg has circulated a hypothetical sample of what a social procurement requirement in a Public Works tender could look like in a soon-to-be released pilot project, to elicit feedback before such clauses are included.

To view the sample tender package, click here.

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

January 26, 2024

Highways Capital Tender Ad Schedule a Concern, MHCA Board

MHCA is meeting early February with the Deputy Minister of MTI regarding the highways capital program, including the plans to ensure the tender ad schedule...

Winnipeg

December 21, 2023

Industries Ask Winnipeg for Background Information on Proposed Changes to Asphalt Specifications

Representatives from ACEC-MB, MHCA and UDI to the spec review technical sub-committee have asked the City of Winnipeg’s Public Works department for background information before...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

November 9, 2023

Social Procurement Info Session with City November 30

The MHCA and the Winnipeg Construction Association have arranged for an industry meeting November 30 with the City of Winnipeg, to discuss the City’s plans...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 26, 2023

MHCA Asks for Formal Post-Season Debrief with Public Works

MHCA laid out a number of priorities regarding Winnipeg’s street renewal program in a meeting October 23 with Coun. Janice Lukes, Chair of the Public...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 26, 2023

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,...

Winnipeg

Highways

October 5, 2023

MHCA congratulates, welcomes Premier Kinew, NDP

The MHCA is sending letters of congratulations and welcome to Premier-designated Wab Kinew and his NDP caucus, which won a convincing majority of seats October...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

October 1, 2023

City of Winnipeg’s Sustainable Procurement Questionnaires

On October 31, at noon, the WCA and MHCA are hosting a seminar with the City of Winnipeg’s social procurement liaison, to talk about the...

Winnipeg

Highways

September 28, 2023

Spec Review and Working Group Proposed with MTI

MHCA and industry representatives will be meeting with Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure to discuss, amongst a list of priorities, a proposal for an MTI Spec...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

September 14, 2023

Advocacy Works!

The City of Winnipeg has agreed to establish a permanent specification review working group, where the industry will get early notice and submit concerns and...

Winnipeg

Highways

September 14, 2023

The City of Winnipeg Has Received Recommendation from an External Consultant to Formalize a Specification Review Working Group

The City of Winnipeg has agreed to establish a permanent specification review working group, where the industry will get early notice and submit concerns and...

Winnipeg

Highways

September 12, 2023

2023 Provincial Election – All Party Leaders Forum

Party leaders put infrastructure investment central to Manitoba’s economic growth plans at the September 12 All Party Leaders Forum, moderated by CJOB’s Richard Cloutier and...

Manitoba

Highways

September 7, 2023

MHCA Ads Put Infrastructure on Campaign Trail

Manitobans need good roads to connect to and through their communities, and to ensure the economy grows. That’s the message of a series of MHCA...

Manitoba

Highways

September 7, 2023

Party leaders commit to build on highways budget, support CentrePort

All three leaders of the main provincial parties have committed to building on the $500-million highways capital budget to strengthen Manitoba’s trade transportation network, according...

Manitoba

September 1, 2023

Growing Manitoba’s Economy

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

August 30, 2023

Road Investment Focus of ElectionCampaign Messages: MHCA

The MHCA will use radio ads, social media posts and regional road billboards to encourage people to vote for better roads, as part of the...

Manitoba

July 12, 2023

Premiers Focused on Actions to Support Economic Growth and Opportunities

National, Regional

July 12, 2023

Premiers Welcome Discussion of a Canada Trade Infrastructure Plan

National, Regional

July 6, 2023

Over 90% of Canadians Think Trade is Important to Canada’s Economy yet Only 9% of Canadians Think Canada’s Trade Infrastructure is In Good Shape

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 8, 2023

Industry Continues to Discuss Highways Capital Program with MTI

The MHCA Highways Committee is continuing discussions regarding highway projects delivery with senior MTI officials, focusing intently on ensuring that the full value of the...

Winnipeg

May 30, 2023

The Builders’ Liens Amendment Act (Prompt Payment) received Royal Assent

Manitoba

April 13, 2023

MANITOBA HYDRO LINE LOCATE MEETING

On April 3, 2023 MHCA, with Manitoba Home Builders’ Association and WCA, met senior Hydro officials re locates, specifically a potential strike and the impact...

Manitoba

April 12, 2023

Canada West Foundation Applauds Prairie Transport Ministers’ Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Economic Corridors

National, Regional

April 11, 2023

Manitoba Premier Champions Trade Corridor Investment for National Support

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said she will work with her premier colleagues to solidify support for a National Plan for Trade Corridor Infrastructure at July’s...

National, Regional

April 11, 2023

Manitoba Government Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Other Prairie Provinces to Advance Economic Corridors

Manitoba, National, Regional

Advocacy Works

April 6, 2023

MHCA Salutes Former Board Members, Welcomes Tina Larson

Former Board member James Kaskiw with Board Chair Dennis Cruise The MHCA Board of Directors saluted resigning Board member James Kaskiw at a Board meeting April 4....

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 6, 2023

Highways Capital Program to be Discussed with MTI

The MHCA has set 3 meetings with senior offices of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure this spring to discuss MHCA and Highways Committee representatives to discuss...

Manitoba

Safety

April 4, 2023

Ensuring Safe Excavation in Manitoba: Updates on ‘Click Before You Dig’ and Manitoba Hydro Locate Services

Click Before You Dig MB is a service brought to you by the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA), of which the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association...

Manitoba

April 1, 2023

Think BIG – The Last Mile is Always on the Road

Regional

March 30, 2023

Extend reach of prompt payment rules to Hydro, MTI contracts: Coalition

The MHCA, with four industry associations, has asked the provincial government to formalize prompt payment obligations within the construction contracts issued by Manitoba Hydro and...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

March 16, 2023

Budget 2023

MHCA called for Winnipeg City Council’s support for strategic investment in our transportation and core infrastructure, as a means of growing the economy. MHCA Council...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

March 16, 2023

Province Launches Five-Year Investment Plan for Highways, Corridors

MHCA’s Chris Lorenc and Minister Doyle Piwniuk with industry and government officials at the five-year capital investment plan press conference Monday Economic growth is driving...

Manitoba

Highways

March 7, 2023

Province hikes highways investment, five-year capital plan

Manitoba’s highways capital investment for 2023-24 will increase to $500 million, with an additional $57 million carried over in unspent dollars from last year. That...

Manitoba

Highways

March 1, 2023

Manitoba Capital Infrastructure Investment Plan

Budget 2023 introduced a five-year capital plan Capital Investment Plan – 2023 to 2027 Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Projects – 2023 to 2027 Manitoba interactive...

Manitoba

Aggregates

February 10, 2023

CELC-CIC RCA Workshop Presentations – Maximizing the Use of Recycled Aggregates for Road Construction in Canada – view PDF

National

Winnipeg

December 3, 2022

MHCA’s Submissions 2022 Winnipeg Operating and Capital Budget

City Council – view PDF IRPW – view PDF

Winnipeg

November 14, 2022

Emulsified Asphalt Cement Cost Adjustment for Micro Surfacing and Chip Seal

Due to unprecedented spikes in the price of oil, MTI has developed a cost adjustment mechanism for performance and penetration grade asphalt cements, which will...

Manitoba

Aggregates

November 4, 2022

Springfield’s Draft Zoning Bylaw to be Revised: Consultant

The RM of Springfield’s draft new zoning bylaw will be reviewed again by the municipal council, with suggested areas for revision, the MHCA heard at...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

October 30, 2022

Municipal Election Campaign

Civic priorities for the municipal election campaign – view pdf

Winnipeg

October 5, 2022

Civic election 2022: Mayoral Candidates forum

Growing Winnipeg’s economy – Job #1

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 22, 2022

Mayoral Candidate Commits to Create an Infrastructure Plan for Winnipeg

Winnipeg mayoral candidate, Coun. Kevin Klein, has pledged to create an infrastructure plan at City Hall, to remove political considerations from decisions around construction of...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 22, 2022

Talks Continue on Roll-out of Highways Capital Program

MHCA is following up on commitments by Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) to roll out tenders this construction season, to expend fully the $500 million...

Manitoba

Highways

September 1, 2022

MTI AC Price Index Update

MTI publishes each month a revised asphalt cement cost-adjustment clause, based upon an index. Click here to see the latest update. The MTI AC index...

Manitoba

Aggregates

September 1, 2022

Aggregate Mining and Transport Fees Set to Rise

The Province of Manitoba has amended the Aggregate Mining and Transportation Fees Agreement Regulation 48/97, effective August 15, 2022. Click here to see the provincial notice. The...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

September 1, 2022

Talks Continue with Province on Highway Infrastructure Tenders

The MHCA is continuing to watch the rollout of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s highways capital program, comparing it against the schedules issued to date. “We...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

September 1, 2022

Infrastructure Investments to be Tied to Evidence of Economic Return: Murray

Mayoral hopeful Glen Murray told the MHCA Board of Directors that if he becomes Winnipeg’s mayor October 26, he’ll work to see that decisions around...

Winnipeg

August 4, 2022

Fuel Cost Adjustment

Winnipeg Public Works department is adding a fuel cost adjustment clause as an addendum to road construction contracts, excepting any element of water and waste...

Winnipeg

August 4, 2022

Winnipeg Revises Fuel-cost Adjustment Clause for Bid-hourly Work

The City of Winnipeg Public Works department has issued its changes to the fuel-rate adjustment clause, revising the terms in place for many years. For...

Winnipeg

July 13, 2022

Winnipeg City Council Approved the New Social Procurement Action Plan

Winnipeg City Council’s Executive Policy Committee unanimously approved the new Social Procurement Action Plan. MHCA worked with Winnipeg Construction Association to see the plan recognize...

Winnipeg

Highways

July 1, 2022

Winnipeg Public Works has Issued a Series of Current Revisions and Future Updates to Roadbuilding Specifications

Winnipeg Public Works has issued a series of current revisions and future updates to roadbuilding specifications, including for base and sub-base aggregates, concrete, asphalt and...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

June 30, 2022

Winnipeg Roadbuilding Specifications a Top Concern: MHCA

The MHCA and the industries it represents remain concerned about the failure to date to reach resolution with Public Works related new roadbuilding specifications, including road...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

May 26, 2022

Winnipeg Fuel Cost Adjustment Clause Needs Work: Executive Committee

The MHCA Executive Committee has asked that the association seek discussions with the City of Winnipeg senior Administration on the scope of a proposed fuel-cost...

Winnipeg

May 10, 2022

MHCA and Partners Across the Country Pressing for Canada to Change Its “Shovel Ready” Approach to Trade Infrastructure Investment

If you can’t move it, you can’t sell it. Canada’s approach to investing in trade infrastructure is failing us. Read the Canada West Foundation report From Shovel...

National

Aggregates

May 9, 2022

Province Announces Third Intake for Quarry Rehabilitation Program

Manitoba

Highways

May 5, 2022

Industry presses for retroactive fuel price adjustment on provincial work

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure is including an updated fuel price adjustment clause for work it is tendering now, but MHCA is strongly pressing the department...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

April 28, 2022

ATV 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...

Winnipeg

Highways

April 28, 2022

Bell Commits to “Dramatic” Improvement in Locates Response in 2022

Bell MTS, a division of Bell Canada, has assured the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance it has taken steps that will see completion of locates requests...

Manitoba

Winnipeg

April 28, 2022

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...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 28, 2022

ATV 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...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 28, 2022

Bell Commits to “Dramatic” Improvement in Locates Response in 2022

Bell MTS, a division of Bell Canada, has assured the Manitoba Common Ground Alliance it has taken steps that will see completion of locates requests...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 28, 2022

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...

Winnipeg

April 17, 2022

Economy Job #1 for Our Government, Business Leaders: Lorenc

Manitoba and Winnipeg’s economic growth demands the dedicated attention and commitment of our political leaders and senior government offices, to ensure the revenues flow to...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 7, 2022

Fuel 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...

Winnipeg

Highways

April 1, 2022

MTI has revised its Fuel Price Adjustment specification

Posted on its website. Click here to view the spec.

Manitoba

Aggregates

March 31, 2022

1976 UMA Aggregate Resource Manitoba – View PDF

Manitoba

March 31, 2022

Fuel Price Escalation Remedy Proposals on the Table

The MHCA has received industry feedback on a provincial proposal to adjust for costs attached to fuel prices, which have risen substantially since January. The...

Manitoba

March 24, 2022

Prompt payment legislation introduced; MHCA to respond

The MHCA will be responding to the proposed Prompt Payment for Construction Act (Bill 28) tabled in the legislature, which is not as comprehensive as...

Manitoba

March 11, 2022

Investing in Trade Diversification – Protecting Our National Economic and Security Interests

National

March 10, 2022

CANADA MISSES THE BOAT ON TRADE, INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT: CCA PANEL

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...

National

March 4, 2022

MHCA is Pressing for Provincial Recruitment of Newcomers with Experience in Heavy Construction, as Part of Its Review of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Manitoba

Winnipeg

March 3, 2022

Winnipeg Approves Bid Requirements for Targeted Groups on Water Pollution Centre

Winnipeg City Council has approved a motion to attach procurement requirements for hiring from targeted equity groups on the North End Water Pollution Control Centre...

Winnipeg

March 1, 2022

WCR&HCA’s Proposal for a Western Canada Trade Gateway and Corridor Initiative has Gain National and Regional Support

It is included in the CCA’s pre-budget submission sent in February to the federal government.

National, Regional

March 1, 2022

MHCA 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

National

Winnipeg

February 22, 2022

MHCA Contributes to City of Winnipeg’s New Social Procurement Policy and Action Plan Framework

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...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

February 3, 2022

Trade 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 submission recommends....

Manitoba

Aggregates

February 1, 2022

Construction Specifications for Emulsified Asphalt Chip Seals

Manitoba

Highways

January 31, 2022

The Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis Reports on the Critical Links between Transportation, Infrastructure Investment and the Economy

National

January 20, 2022

Long-Term Infrastructure Investment Returns Higher Economic Dividends: CANCEA

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...

National

December 16, 2021

Western Canada Trade Gateway Initiative Picks Up Support

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...

Regional

Winnipeg

December 16, 2021

Winnipeg Council Approves 2022 Budget

Winnipeg City Council on December 15 approved, by a vote of 10-6, the 2022 Operating and Capital Budget which holds $164.7 million for local and regional...

Winnipeg

December 15, 2021

CCA/EDC/WCR&HCA Report

Regional

Aggregates

November 4, 2021

The MHCA is Engaged with the RM of Springfield on Its New Zoning Bylaw and Its Proposed Aggregate Resources Bylaw.

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.

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

October 28, 2021

Call 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...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 27, 2021

Highways Capital Program, Annual Review Top MHCA Priority

Manitoba Infrastructure and Trade has committed to reviewing the construction season’s experience with the highways capital tendering program, to work out challenges, the MHCA Executive...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

September 29, 2021

Manitoba Infrastructure Underspends Highways Budget by $60 Million

The Manitoba Infrastructure department underspent its 2020-21 budget for highways capital by about $60 million, largely due to good prices from the industry on their...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

September 23, 2021

Manitoba Infrastructure Hears Industry Concerns Over Scoping, Scheduling of Large Projects

Senior Infrastructure department officials say they have heard the concerns of the heavy construction industry regarding the scoping and scheduling of large construction projects, in...

Manitoba

Aggregates

September 18, 2021

Don’t Make Gravel Travel

Don’t make gravel travel – MHCA’s It all starts with aggregates pamphlet can be seen here

Manitoba, Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

August 26, 2021

MHCA Seeks Adjustment on Manitoba Outlet-Channel Proposed Scope

The heavy construction industry is sending its feedback on the way Manitoba Infrastructure wants to roll out the construction contracts for the Lake Manitoba/Lake St....

Manitoba

Aggregates

August 13, 2021

Quarry Rehab Program Relaunch – Letter to Minister Pedersen – view PDF

Manitoba

Environment

June 30, 2021

MHCA Advocates for Environmental Responsibility and Sustainable Resource Management in Construction

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...

Manitoba

Environment

June 30, 2021

Advisory Group Recommends Steep Hike in Biofuel Mandate

The provincial Expert Advisory Council has advised the government it could raise its biofuel mandates to much higher levels – 15% for ethanol and 10%...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 30, 2021

Manitoba Infrastructure Reworking Format for Tender ad Schedule

The provincial government is considering changing the information and formatting of its tender advertising schedules, which are produced four times a year starting with the...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 30, 2021

Price Fluctuations Spark Bid-Irrevocability Request to MI

The MHCA Board of Directors is requesting Manitoba Infrastructure to amend its bid-irrevocability provisions in its tenders, to reflect the volatility in materials prices in...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

June 24, 2021

Winnipeg Social Procurement Working Group in Progress: MHCA

The MHCA continues to take part in a City of Winnipeg working group to discuss the elements of a social procurement policy, setting out how...

Winnipeg

Aggregates

May 17, 2021

Manitoba’s Climate & Green PlanConstruction, Renovation & Demolition Waste Task Force – Towards a circular economy

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...

Manitoba

Highways Winnipeg

May 6, 2021

Streets and Water – Time for a New, Fair Deal on Infrastructure by Chris Lorenc

Winnipeg Free Press, Friday, May 6, 2021 – read article

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 29, 2021

MHCA Makes Workforce Diversity Higher Priority

The MHCA is making diversification of the heavy construction workforce a higher priority, announcing the appointment of Jackie Jones as its first Diversity Advisor. “Our...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 29, 2021

MHCA Engaging with Springfield on Zoning Bylaw Changes

The MHCA is reviewing changes to the RM of Springfield zoning bylaw and intends to participate in the municipality’s virtual ‘open house’ on it and...

Manitoba

Highways Winnipeg

April 20, 2021

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.

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

April 1, 2021

Province Lines Up Water & Waste Projects for 2021/22

The recent announcement of water and waste projects out of Manitoba’s economic re-start program holds about $30 million worth of work for the heavy construction...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 1, 2021

Manitoba Budget Expected to Boost Highways, Infrastructure Investment

Budget 2021, to be released April 7, is expected to see larger investment for highways capital and other infrastructure priorities, partly due to carryover of...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

February 11, 2021

Trade Gateways and Corridors Investment Proposal Gains Support in the West

Western Canada’s trade productivity and global profile is key to keeping Canada competitive in the global trade arena, a major Western think-tank organization says, in...

Regional

Advocacy Works

February 11, 2021

MHCA Board of Directors presses MI, City of Winnipeg to Harmonize Specifications

There is some “low-hanging fruit” among roadbuilding specifications that can and should be harmonized between the Winnipeg and Manitoba, the MHCA Board of Directors was...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

February 4, 2021

MHCA Asks for a Plan toward Increased Use of Recycled Aggregates in Winnipeg

The heavy construction industry will present to the Winnipeg’s Public Works officials their experience in 2020 working with new road-building specifications. It will also seek...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

December 3, 2020

MHCA Cautions Winnipeg Council on Road-Funding Challenges Ahead

The MHCA is to caution Winnipeg City Council that its forecasts for the streets budgets illustrate the need for an urgent rethink of its long-term...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 30, 2020

Premier Lends Support to Eliminate Restrictive Trade Practices

Premier Brian Pallister assured he would work toward removing restrictive trade practices in Canada, including and most immediately those in Saskatchewan, a signatory to the...

Regional

Highways

October 30, 2020

Roads, Infrastructure No. 1 Issue for Winnipeggers: City Survey

The condition of Winnipeg’s roads and infrastructure is the No. 1 complaint of Winnipeggers, the City of Winnipeg’s 2020 Citizen’s Survey indicates. The telephone survey,...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

October 30, 2020

MHCA Signs New Funding Agreement with WCB

A new agreement between the MHCA and the Workers Compensation Board provides for a new formula to fund the industry-based safety program. The new agreement,...

Regional

Advocacy Works

September 24, 2020

MHCA to Work with Winnipeg on Use of Recycled Concrete; Press for Free Trade

The heavy construction industry will continue pushing back on Saskatchewan’s use of ‘local preference’ clauses in tendering and construction documents, which effectively eliminate the ability...

Winnipeg

Aggregates

September 17, 2020

Winnipeg Public Works Committee Moves to Study Recycled Concrete

AWinnipeg City Council committee has voted to ask the city to study how to incorporate the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in road building,...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 17, 2020

MHCA Seeking Talks with Province, Ottawa on Outlet Channels Project

The MHCA will be seeking discussions with senior provincial and federal offices about the progress to date on the Lake Manitoba-Lake St. Martin outlet channels...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 18, 2020

CCA to Scope Environmental Benefits of Strategic Infrastructure Investment

The Canadian Construction Association has placed on its agenda a study of the environmental benefits of investing in strategic infrastructure, the MHCA Executive Committee heard...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

May 28, 2020

Advocacy Updates: Quarry Rehab, $513-million Investment Details Sought

Manitoba’s resource development division says industry will learn shortly what is to happen this year with the Quarry Rehabilitation Program, suspended since 2018. “We are...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 30, 2020

MHCA Board Calls on Pallister to Enhance Infrastructure Investment

Perfect Storm Blows in Favour Public Construction Procurement Extraordinarily low interest rates and an industry hungry for work has produced advantageous conditions for the provincial...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

April 23, 2020

MHCA Focused on Bolstering Infrastructure Investment Programs

The city and provincial governments are looking to the construction industry to help fuel economic recovery as Manitoba moves toward reopening the economy, the MHCA...

Manitoba, Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

January 30, 2020

MHCA to Meet on Winnipeg Roadbuilding Spec Changes

In Contrast, Provincial Engagement on Specs Constructive, MHCA Board Told The heavy construction industry will join with the engineer consulting sector to review and decide...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

January 24, 2020

MHCA Executive Concerned Winnipeg Budget Diverts Road Funding

The MHCA Executive Committee this week signaled it is ready to push back on any suggestion that Winnipeg city council should move revenue dedicated to...

Winnipeg

Highways

September 26, 2019

Changes to Road-Base Specifications Among MHCA Priorities

Association Top Priority is Sustainable Highways Funding Strategy The MHCA Board has asked that talks with Winnipeg be pursued on the outcomes of the two...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

September 26, 2019

MHCA Board Approves Action on Quarry Rehab Payments

The MHCA Board of Directors on Wednesday approved next steps in pressing the provincial government to fulfill its obligation to pay contractors who have rehabilitated...

Manitoba

August 1, 2019

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...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

June 27, 2019

MHCA Board Updated on New Winnipeg Construction Specs

The City of Winnipeg’s new specifications for base and sub-base materials in road construction were the focus of discussion at this week’s meeting of the...

Winnipeg

Advocacy Works

March 14, 2019

MHCA to City Council: Find a Better Plan ‘B’

MHCA President Lorenc speaks to City Hall’s executive policy committee Wednesday on the budget MHCA President Chris Lorenc told City Council’s executive policy committee this week Winnipeg...

Winnipeg

Environment

February 28, 2019

Manitoba’s Climate Change and Green Plan

MHCA response and recommendations – view PDF

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

February 28, 2019

MHCA Seeks Provincial Payments for Quarry Rehab Projects Completed

The MHCA will ask the provincial government to remit 85% of what is owed from a trust fund to contractors who have completed quarry rehabilitation...

Manitoba

Advocacy Works

January 23, 2019

MB Infrastructure, MHCA Meet to Review Operations

MHCA Board of Directors meeting January 23 The MHCA and Manitoba Infrastructure officials, at a meeting Tuesday to review general conditions, agreed to establish a...

Manitoba

Aggregates

June 5, 2013

CEL Proposal

A proposal for the establishment of a Consolidated Community Enhancement Levy (CEL) on aggregate extraction.

Manitoba

No Information available for selected filter.

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.

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):

VIEW ARTICLE

MHCA IN THE MEDIA

We speak loudly and proudly for the approximately 15,000 workers whose jobs directly or indirectly are attached to the heavy construction industry.

VIEW MEDIA

6 PRINCIPLES

FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
INVESTMENT

1

PERMANENT, STRATEGIC AND SUSTAINED

Infrastructure investment should be set out in a long-term plan, with predictable cost-sharing between governments

2

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)

3

EMBRACING
INNOVATION

Adopting new ways to sustainably build or maintain infrastructure will get more value out of the infrastructure budgets

4

HARNESSING PRIVATE-SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

The private sector is the source of ingenuity

5

FUNDED BY DEDICATED REVENUE STREAMS

Taxpayers must be able to follow the dollar, to know how much is invested, for what purposes

6

REVIEWED
ANNUALLY

Regular review of investment programs ensures accountability, discipline to purpose and allows for adjustment to benefit from lessons learned

RECENT CAMPAIGN

Roads Connect People to Places – Vote for Better Roads

Roads are so much a part of daily living, their use is often taken for granted. Roads and active transportation paths are important investments for Manitobans. Manitobans deserve better roads and want to feel pride in their province.

We asked election candidates for their long-term plan for better roads. Your small act of voting made a big difference in the October 3rd, 2023 General Election.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

If you work in heavy construction and have questions or concerns, fill out this form and we will contact you.