Bill 25, the amendments to the Workers Compensation Act come into force on January 1, 2006.  Several of these amendments will affect every employer covered under this insurance program.  We strongly recommend you review the summary document that you should have received in the mail from the WCB entitled Changes to Workers Compensation:  What you need to know.   This document can also be viewed here:

Changes to compensation board

2005 National Building Code in Effect April 1, 2006

Are you ready?

The new National Building Code (NBC) will be in force April 1, 2006 in Manitoba .  The NBC plus the Manitoba Code Amendments form what is affectionately known as the Manitoba Building Code.  Obtaining copies of the new code book is proving difficult and there is very little information in circulation as to what has changed in this version of the code.  The National Research Council, the body responsible, will be in Winnipeg on February 22 and 23, 2006 to deliver a two-day seminar on this new document.  Attendees can register for the full two days or choose half day sessions and hone in on their specific interest area.  More information can be found at:

http://www.nationalcodes.ca/seminars/index_e.shtml

The majority of WCA members may not be too concerned with the upcoming Code given that any changes will be incorporated into new project designs.   However, you should be aware that these changes are happening as they could impact installations etc.

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CCA Releases Newest 5-Year Forecast

CCA has just released its most recent 5-year economic forecast for the Canadian construction industry. Nationally, the industry is expected to grow only 1.2% in 2006, but this figure masks a sharp distinction between residential and non-residential construction. Following a very strong year in 2005, the non-residential construction sector is expected to continue this trend in 2006, recording growth of 3.3%, led largely by oil and gas, electrical engineering, and transportation projects. On the other hand, following a number of years of stellar growth, the residential construction sector will contract by 2.8% in the face of higher interest rates and high home prices. However, from a historical standpoint, the residential construction market is still very strong. The construction industry led the economy in job growth in 2005, recording employment gains of 5.4%. As the residential market slows, and with its greater labour intensity, construction employment is expected to grow by only 0.8% in 2006. However, the staggering employment gains over the past several years have increased the importance of construction to the Canadian economy. In 1998, 1 of every 19 jobs in Canada was in construction – in 2005, 1 of every 16 jobs was in construction. The full five-year construction industry forecast can be obtained from the CCA website at:

http://www.ccaacc.com/factsheet/factsheet.html .

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Upword Magazine Update

The Winter 2005 issue of the Winnipeg Construction Associations' Upword Magazine will be the last issue produced by MTS Media.  MTS Media recently announced that it was exiting the specialty publications business and one of the casualties was this magazine. WCA is exploring several options to continue this magazine which has a circulation of over 5000 issues.

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Christmas Pre-Paid Cards

Petro Canada, one WCA's Member Benefit Providers is offering the following holiday deal:

Christmas is coming! Prepaid Gas Cards are an excellent gift, incentive and promotional tool.

Great giveaway for employees, customers and suppliers. Anyone can use it. For gas, car washes, and store items. 

These cards are a welcome bonus for everyone.

To order cards contact: Doug Sargeant:

1-800-387-0955 ext. 2157 or 989-4405 or email to:dsargean@petro-canada.ca

DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE

Standard $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations.

Custom denominations available.

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Education Update

LEED FOR CONTRACTORS   was held Tuesday, November 22, 2005 at the Victoria Inn Conference Center. Forty-nine members attended filling the room for the half day seminar sharing information on the LEED rating system, sustainable design issues affecting General and Trade Contractors, managing a sustainable construction site, waste management, material choices and commissioning green buildings.

UPCOMING Seminar – “ Using the Building Design Summary” presented by the City of Winnipeg's Permits X-Press group is being held at WCA Thursday, December 15, 2005.  This seminar will introduce the new Building Design Summary checklist which is to be included with building permit applications (for new construction, alterations, partial permits) and is touted as a means to speed the process up.  This process will become mandatory within eight months.  

REGISTRATION - FULL - PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A SECOND OFFERING OF THIS SEMINAR.

Next GOLD SEAL EXAM is scheduled Friday, March 10, 2005.

ASSANTE GROUP   On January 31, 2006 Adam Levene, a Tax Lawyer with Aikins MacAulay & Thorvaldson, will be speaking at the Winnipeg Construction Association over a lunch hour.   He will be presenting a session entitled " Tax Planning for Small & Medium Sized Business."  Topics include limiting liability within your company,  tax reduction and deferral opportunities, Succession Planning. Watch for registration infomation.

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Membership 2006

WCA members will, by now, have received their membership renewal package.   Directory Listings, for your company as well as Personnel listings and contact information are included as well.  Please check this over carefully and fax any changes back to the WCA offices at 783-6446 ASAP.  This is the information that is published in our member directory. 

Membership Survey:

WCA will be asking for your input in our bi-annual membership survey.  Once again we will be conducting this survey online and it only takes a minute to fill it in – those completing the survey will be eligible to win a nice prize. Watch for more details.

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Comments or questions? 

Email: wca@wpgca.com

Visit our full website at www.wpgca.com

Winnipeg Construction Association is located at 290 Burnell Street , Winnipeg , MB R3G 2A7

(204)775-8664

Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2005.

Happy Holidays

from all the staff at the

Winnipeg Construction Association