Government Electronic Tendering System

GETS III

GETS III was addressed in the Federal Government's 2004 budget as a topic where changes were deemed necessary. Following their public commitment, the CCA's e-Construction Committee reported in April 2004 that “effective June 1st this year, subscription and document fees will drop by approximately 30% for the next generation of the Government Electronic Tendering System, or GETS III,” and reiterated the government's promise to completely eliminate the monthly subscription fee by March 2005. They also reminded the industry that “to what extent our local planrooms will now be allowed to freely disseminate electronic plans and specifications is still to be determined, and of course, the elimination of fees is based entirely on the premise that federal departments using GETS will be supplying their documents in a digital format."

Merx Subscribers, Click here to see What's Changed

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Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations... Reminder for the summer season

In June 2003, WCA Executive VP Ron Hambley contacted Transport Canada's Road Safety & Motor Vehicle Regulation department in regards to changes that were proposed & have since come into effect within the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations. To provide guidance to members of the Manitoba construction industry, Mr.Hambley wrote to Transport Canada for clarification on the following situation that construction companies and their workers often find themselves in: “It is clear that these regulations are intended for the transport trucking industry and bus drivers however they may capture our [construction] industry as well. Is it possible for you to provide comments on our situation wherein a driver of a commercial vehicle (large ¾ ton or 1 ton truck) drives him or herself, and maybe a few others, to a job site in the morning, works for 10 hours, and then drives back to base? There is real potential – in an out-of-town job – for exceeding the 13 or 14 hour limit for commercial drivers. My question is this – if the driver was working throughout the day and not driving – will this regulation apply in that case?”

The reply from Mark Schauerte, Senior Policy Advisor – Motor Carrier, Road Safety & Motor Vehicle Regulation, Transport Canada : “A commercial vehicle is defined as a vehicle with a registered gross vehicle weight [GVW] in excess of 4,500 kg. This would include some, but not all 1 ton trucks which have a GVW in and around that weight. It is important to note that the emphasis is on the word “registered.” The HOS [Hours of Service] rules will only apply if your vehicle has been registered with the provincial motor vehicles at a weight in excess of 4,500 kg. The regulation will only apply to your drivers if the vehicle they are driving falls within the definition of a commercial vehicle as described above. If your driver is operating within a 160 km radius of your home terminal, he or she may be exempt from having to fill out a logbook, but at any rate, would still be subject to the rules. In that case, your driver will be required to follow the daily 13 hour driving limit and the daily 14 hour on-duty limit as described in the draft regulation.”

Appointment System for Industry Professionals:

The new service area which houses the "Registered Contractors & Developers Program" is next door to the existing Zoning and Permits Office at Unit 31-30 Fort Street. This new service is for registered contractors, developers, engineers, architects and lawyers involved in applying for building permit and development applications. Registration is open to members of WAA, MHBA, APEGM, CEM, MAA, Plumbers & Electricians licensed by The City of Winnipeg, Commercial Sign Contractors, Commercial Contractors & Developers (5 applications annually). 

According to the city department, registration cards containing a unique Rapid Services Number (RSN) have been mailed to industry professionals active in their records during 2003.

All applicants with an RSN are encouraged to call 986-8113 to arrange an appointment to drop off permit applications.  Permit pick-ups will continue to be available without an appointment. The dedicated "Registered Contractors/ Developers" appointment line for professionals is (204)986-8113.  Questions or for an RSN, contact Lori Cherniak at 986-5118.

New Internet Information for Industry Professionals:

Industry professionals looking for information on building permits can log on to the industry web page at: http://www.city.winnipeg.mb.ca/ppd/permits/contractor.stm.

For online information regarding the permit process and who to contact for service - log on at: http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/permits.stm.

For further information, contact Doug Holmes, Permits X-Press Project Manager, 986-3946, dougholmes@winnipeg.ca or Debra Wuziuk, Process Improvement Specialist, 986-8040, dwuziuk@winnipeg.ca.

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CCA Calls for EI Fairness

News Release > May 6, 2004

Ottawa - CCA President, Michael Atkinson presented the Canadian Construction Association's three-point plan for reforming the Employment Insurance regime.

In a special roundtable discussion hosted by the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social Development, and the Status of Persons with Disabilities, CCA presented the following proposals:

•  Introduce a Yearly Basic Exemption similar to that which exists for the CPP

•  Re-instate identical premium rates for employees and employers

•  Refund employers for EI over-contributions

The above recommendations are from a CCA submission to Finance Canada as part of the Federal Government's current review of the EI rate-setting process." As a major player in the Canadian economy, we are greatly interested in assuring that the Employment Insurance works for both employees and employers. We believe taking these steps will go a long way towards promoting a healthy environment for job creation," said Atkinson.

A copy of he recommendations can be found in CCA's Finance Committee submission listed on the organization's website or by contacting CCA's Ottawa office. The CCA is the National Voice of the non-residential construction industry in Canada representing some 20,000 firms nationwide.

For further information, please contact: Canadian Construction Association, Mark Buzan, Manager, External Communications/Quebec Membership Liaison, (613)236- 9455, ext. 430, mbuzan@cca-acc.com , www.cca-acc.com.

The following three articles have been provided by CCA News, Issue #59, May 2004, p 1, 400-75 Albert St., Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7, (613) 236-9455, Fax (613) 236-9526, www.cca-acc.com:

Federal Departments Moving to Digital Drawings and Specifications

Both Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and Defence Construction Canada (DCC) have advised CCA that they are moving quickly to provide all PWGSC and DCC construction tender information including both drawings and specifications in a digital format. Project drawings will likely be in cd format with each drawing a separate pdf file to facilitate downloading.

CCA Board Firm On Improving Mobility

The Canadian Construction Association Board of Directors recently endorsed a number of motions from its Human Resources Committee aimed at encouraging pan-Canadian mobility of skilled and professional construction personnel. First, the Board supported a call for national apprenticeship and training standards for our industry. Such an initiative not only provides common trades training programs but would also encourage common start and end times so apprentices could complete their training anywhere in the country.

Second, the Board passed a motion giving CCA a “green light” to lobby the appropriate federal authorities to provide financial incentives through the E.I. Program to assist in defraying the costs associated with temporary employment relationships (through mobility) that could fill skills shortages that may exist in other parts of the country. The CCA Board has been an ardent supporter of its Gold Seal Program, which has long been recognized as the Canadian industry standard of ‘construction management excellence'. Gold Seal Certification is recognized Canada-wide as the industry's highest qualification and as such, assists construction management personnel explore their careers throughout Canada. Broad industry input will be encouraged on both initiatives.

CCA-Federal Government to Establish Joint Task Forces

At the annual Joint CCA-Government of Canada meeting on federal contracting and tendering practices held April 26th, CCA and the various federal government contracting agencies jointly agreed to establish special task forces to examine issues of mutual concern.

One of the task forces will examine risk allocation under the standard federal government construction contract, including indemnity provisions and insurance requirements. A second will look at prequalification and best value selection. A current industry-government task force is looking at project cost predictability.

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LM Architectural Group Celebrates

50th Anniversary and New Office Location

Friday, April 30, 2004 will bemarked as an important day in the history books of the LM Architectural Group. Founded in 1954 upon the collaboration of Mel Michener and Gerald Libling, the firm chose this date to officially celebrate its mid-centennial anniversary and to also ring in their new offices at 500-136 Market Avenue.  LM has been involved in projects and roles such as the original designer for the Winnipeg Convention Centre and also for its recent envelope upgrade.  Other LM projects include Canada Safeway and the Brandon Regional Health Centre. They are also an integral part of the redevelopment of the Centennial Library Millennium Project.

  Additionally, on this same date,        April 30, 2004, LM was awarded

  the 2nd Prize in the City Crossing  

  Portage Avenue and Main Street

  Winnipeg International Design

  Competition 2004. The LM team

  was headed by Architect Terry

  Danelley and composed of team

  members Andrew Brimble, Mel

  Michener, Michael Farion, Richard

  Derksen, Darrell Sawatzky, Carson 

  McCance and Spencer Court .

LM's design, illustrated here, can also be seen via their website at:

www.lm-architects.com.

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Edited by Jackie Petrus, WCA Construction News Reporter. 

Comments or questions?  Email wca@wpgca.com.