April_17

WCA / MHCA / CAA Luncheon - Space still available!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.)

Winnipeg Convention Centre

Winnipeg Construction Association and the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association invite you to a lunch forum on National and International Construction Issues with representatives from the Canadian Construction Association. Hear about the critical issues and priorities facing the construction industry nationally and internationally and how they are affecting Manitoba's construction industry.

WCA / MHCA / CAA Luncheon Registration Form

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MFA Unveils Construction Tender Plan

In preparation for the upcoming summer construction season on the Red River Floodway Expansion Project, the Manitoba Floodway Authority (MFA) unveiled its upcoming Construction Tender Plan.

The Government of Canada and Manitoba recently announced a joint funding commitment of $341 million, bringing total funding to the floodway project to $655 million. As a result of the recent announcement, the MFA is planning to tender approximately $150 million of work over the spring and summer months.

Click HERE for MFA's 2007 Construction Tender Plan.

In addition to these tenders for work along the floodway channel, MFA recently announced that ten tenders will be issued for construction of the West Dike as part of the 2007 Aboriginal Set-Aside Initiative.

For more information, contact Ronuk Modha at the Manitoba Floodway Authority, 945-4178 or 945-4900.

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WCA Promotes Skilled Trades at Youth Career Events

Rotary Career Symposium

Winnipeg Construction Association promoted skilled trades in construction to Manitoba youth at the Rotary Career Symposium on April 11 and 12. The event, held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, is designed to provide valuable information about various education and employment options available to students in Senior 1 through Senior 4.

WCA's "Explore Your Future in Skilled Trades" booth was very busy over the course of the two days with students, parents, teachers and jobseekers of all ages interested in finding out more about a career in construction. On a very positive note, teachers and guidance counsellors were also very interested in the career opportunities in skilled trades this year and in learning how they can better educate their students in this area.

We also had the opportunity to speak with at least three people who are currently working in Alberta in the construction industry and are planning on moving back to Manitoba!

The symposium proved to be very successful in reaching people of all ages and informing them about the career possibilities in construction. Thank you to all who helped and volunteered their time.

Skills Manitoba Competition

On Thursday, April 12, WCA once again organized the Carpentry and Cabinetry Competition at Skills Manitoba, an event designed to improve the public perception of trade-based careers by bringing students, employers and educators together for a friendly day-long competition.

Twelve high school students participated, with six students building an enclosed garbage container in the Carpentry Competition and six students building a drawer in the Cabinetry Competition. The following competitors took top prizes:

Carpentry Competition:

1st Place - Jakob George, Steinbach Regional Secondary School

2nd Place - Tyler Unger, W.C. Miller Collegiate

3rd Place - Jemmie-Ray Vergara, Tec Voc High School

Cabinetry Competition:

1st Place - Andreas Esau, Steinbach Regional Secondary School

2nd Place - Trevor Lunsted, Dauphin Regional School

3rd Place - Jon Klassen, Steinbach Regional Secondary School

A big thank you to Bob Rezansoff from Bockstael Construction and Chris Strachan from PCL Constructors for judging the Carpentry Competition and to Mich Williams from Grant Park High School for judging the Cabinetry Competition.

WCA would also like to thank the following sponsors for contributing towards the Skills Manitoba Carpentry and Cabinetry Competition:

Material and building supplies courtesy of Star Building Supplies Ltd.

Sponsors include Bockstael Construction (1979) Ltd., All Fab - Building Components Ltd., Concord Projects Ltd., WBS Construction, Cornerstone Construction, Winwood Millwork Inc., F.C. Woodworks Inc., Penn-Co Construction Canada Inc., SWS Detention Group Inc. and Parkwest Projects Ltd.

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Manitoba Bid Depository Suspended

The Manitoba Bid Depository Inc. held its AGM on April 4, 2007, and voted to suspend operations of this bid collection service. Though the MBD bid closings are suspended, the incorporated entity remains and the group envisions a process whereby the suspension decision can be reviewed from time to time.

Winnipeg Construction Association is considering assuming responsibility for the maintenance of the Manitoba Trade Definitions and creating some guidelines for their use outside of the bid depository system.

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Red River College Launches CARSI

On April 2, 2007, Red River College and private industry officially opened the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI). The $1.6 million state-of-the-art research facility, located at Red River College's Notre Dame Campus, will position RRC as a leader in developing advanced technologies and products to address important infrastructure issues in our province and around the world.

More specifically, CARSI will focus on leading edge construction and building technologies that result in longer lasting roads, lower construction costs and more energy efficient buildings.

CARSI Brochure

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Education News

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 (12 noon to 2 p.m.)

A Guide to LEED

for Manufacturers, Distributors and Product Representatives

Norwood Hotel, 112 Marion Street

Presented by: Canada Green Building Council - MB Chapter

The Manitoba Green Building Policy goes into full effect April 2007. Learn what LEED is all about. Get practical instruction on what is needed from manufacturers and their agents. Find out how best to represent your product for a LEED registered project.

A Guide to LEED pdf

Please RSVP to manitobachapter@cagbc.org

Admission: $20 ($10 with Student ID)

WCA proudly presents the following seminar sessions:

April 19, 2007 (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. NO CHARGE!)

Building Site and Design Summary Orientation

Winnipeg Construction Association

Presented by: City of Winnipeg Permits X-Press Project

The session will cover the project’s background, the purpose of the document, steps and requirements for completion and submission, and the implementation process. Participants will receive a copy and walk through of the Building Site Design Summary, and the companion Guide.

Building Site and Design Summary Registration Form

May 2, 2007 (Registration & Hot Buffet: 7:45 a.m., Seminar: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.)

Employment Standards

Hilton Suites Winnipeg Airport

Presented by: Aikins MacAulay Thorvaldson

This seminar is for business owners, all contractors, Human Resources and Accounting. Find out about the New
Rights and Obligations under:

Employment Standards Code
Construction Industry Wages Act
Workplace Safety and Health legislation

Employment Standards Registration Form

WCA Member Fee: $75.00 + GST

May 7 & 8, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Construction Law & Contracts

Red River College

Instructor: Jason Coreau

What constitutes a contract? What are the rights and responsibilities of the parties to the contract? What are liquidated damages? How are disputes resolved in construction contracts? Answers to these questions and many others will be provided in this workshop style course, which consists of an overview of the Canadian legal system with an introduction to Canadian Contract Law using local case studies and industry standard documents. Also included in the course will be an overview of the tendering process, along with a look at contract dispute resolution, risk and damages and changes and extras to the contract.

Construction Law & Contracts Registration Form

WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST

May 14 & 15, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Construction Estimating

Red River College

Instructor: Jason Coreau

Construction Estimating Registration Form

WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST

May 23 & 24, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Project Scheduling MS Project 2003 (Level 1)

Red River College

Project Scheduling Registration Form