April_26

Planroom Tender Volume Hits a High

WCA's Planroom topped a tender record, with 150 projects online on April 25, 2007. Never before in Winnipeg Construction Association history has the Planroom reached such high numbers. The WCA Planroom is unparalleled in volume to almost all other Planrooms across Canada.

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Reminder: Information Updates

In order to keep WCA members up-to-date with the latest information on education, events, etc., please inform the WCA office of any changes to your company such as address, phone and email addresses. Email holly@wpgca.com with current changes.

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Trade Contractor Members – Important Notice

The Trade Contractors Division meeting scheduled for Friday, April 27 has been rescheduled for Friday, May 4 at Noon at WCA. All WCA TC members, and their staff, are welcome.

Last month Bruce Cochrane resigned as TC Division Chair, after leaving a WCA member firm and we need to elect an interim TC Division Chair. This position includes a seat on the WCA Board of Directors.

Following our original meeting notice, TC members Harry Loewen (Loewen Drywall Ltd.) and David Wiebe (Security Decorating Co. Ltd.) indicated that they would allow their names to stand for election. If there are any additional names to come forward, please contact us BEFORE May 1, 2007. If we do not have a significant turn out for the May 4 meeting we will be conducting an election by email ballot.

Please click here for registration / nomination form.

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Building and Site Design Summary Coming Soon

As of May 22, 2007, completion of the Building and Site Design Summary (BSDS) will be mandatory for all commercial building permit applications for new construction or additions.

The BSDS is an integral part of the permit process and must be submitted with all necessary information, including:

Site Plan(s)
Development Design Summary
Building Design Summary
Construction Drawings

NOTE: Items 1-3 are contained in the BSDS

Completing and submitting all information helps reduce the number of incomplete permit applications that can clogg up the system. Also, correct and complete information is critical to permit issuance. If information is missing or code deficiencies are noted, these issues should be addressed as quickly as possible so that permit issuance is not unduly delayed.

Electronic versions of the Guide for Building Permit Submissions for Commercial Projects and the BSDS are available at www.winnipeg.ca/ppd or by following the links below.

Building and Site Design Summary

Guide for Building Permit Submissions for Commercial Projects

For questions regarding BSDS, contact:

Application Information / Intake Process

Martin Grady - 986-5147

Site Plan Checklists

Site Plan Checklist - 986-4113
Lot Grading / Site Servicing - 986-3484

Development Design Summary (Zoning)

Zoning Inquiries - 986-5140

Building Design Summary

Plan Examination - 986-5268

BSDS Format

Patti Regan - 986-8040

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Joint CCA Luncheon a Success

The Canadian Construction Association presented their priorities for 2007 at a lunch forum on April 24, 2007.

Held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre, and presented by both WCA and the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, the forum was attended by 80 WCA and MHCA members and industry representatives and featured speakers Barry Brown, President of the Confederation of International Contractors' Associations (CICA), Michael Atkinson, CCA President, and Raymond Brunet, newly-elected Chair of the CCA Board of Directors.

Brunet detailed some of CCA's objectives, which included promoting national apprenticeship standards, improving the immigration system in order to facilitate the entry of construction workers to Canada, expanding the Gold Seal Program and working with PWGSC and Environment Canada to combat construction related environmental issues.

(L-R: WCA President John Bockstael, Barry Brown, Raymond

Brunet, and Gord Lee, MHCA Board Chair)

During the event, Barry Brown was acknowledged for his continued committment to serving the national and international construction community.

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Education News

WCA proudly presents the following seminar sessions:

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

This two-day course will cover the basics of construction estimating. Initial topics will include processes and procedures for measuring quantities and standard industry formats for organizing the data. What about pricing the estimate? What is the difference between unit pricing and assembly pricing? What should be included in the project indirects or general expenses? There will be numerous examples to illustrate or support the topics, but be prepared to participate. Groups will discuss a variety of related problems or case studies.

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

WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST

June 5 & 6, 2007 (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Blueprint Reading Level 2 (Quantity Takeoffs)

Red River College

Blueprint Reading Level 2 Registration Form

WCA Member Fee: $330.00 + GST