MHCA acknowledges it is located on Treaty One land and the homeland of the Metis Nation

CCA asks Ottawa to make national infrastructure projects a priority again

Canada’s economy needs to see the federal government moving deftly to roll out an infrastructure economic stimulus program that is coordinated, balanced, and flexible, the Canadian Construction Association says in its pre-budget submission to Ottawa.

“This year’s submission reflects the economic impacts of our new reality and pushes for COVID-specific relief,” CCA President Mary Van Buren says, in a letter to all CCA members. “We have also added the banning of reprisal clauses in any federal public tendering in our recommendations on boosting investor confidence.”

Notably, among the recommendations the CCA reiterates a call for a long-term, stable 25-year infrastructure plan.

“The infrastructure deficit and needed investments represent an enormous challenge. CCA and a number of partner organizations raised this concern last fall via the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card (CIRC), an in-depth report that analyzed 7 categories of infrastructure assets using the data from the federally administered Canadian Core Public Infrastructure Survey,” the CCA submission explains.

“This challenge also provides an historic opportunity to replace our existing infrastructure and re-shape our communities in a more sustainable manner to combat COVID, the changing climate and future challenges alike. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a longer-term strategy that spells out the commitments of all levels of government.”

The Trudeau government’s national Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program parcels funding envelopes among green, transit and northern infrastructure funding categories. The large, nation-building transportation infrastructure funding portion has been hived into the Canada Infrastructure Bank, intended to leverage private-sector investment.

The CCA’s recommendation is:

That the government commit to a 25-year plan for infrastructure spending in Canada. The Investing in Canada Plan, which commits the federal government to $180 billion in investments in public infrastructure over the 12 years, and the flexibility added during COVID-19, is encouraging; a longer-term strategy is needed to strengthen Canada’s economic growth and promote stability.

Also tops among its recommendations is that the federal government fund the COVID-19 Cost Reimbursement Program, and remove the holdback on all federal projects to provide immediate liquidity to the construction industry.

“While COVID-19 has proven devastating to the Canadian economy, the construction industry demonstrated its ability to adapt safely, delivering critical infrastructure projects and benefiting communities across Canada,” the CCA says. “The industry absorbed significant costs with the understanding that reimbursement would follow. This reimbursement is essential to our member’s liquidity, many of whom are the trades and are small or medium size firms.”

To read the full CCA submission click here. It is expected to be considered this fall, during official budget consultations.

Chair’s Gala

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Close to 650pp attended from both industry, government and stakeholder partners.  It was the closing of Nicole Chabot’s two year term as Chair.  Dennis Cruise of Bituminex Paving was welcomed as the new Chair.

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2022 Heavy Santa

December 16, 2022
David Livingstone School

This event was made possible through fundraising at the MHCA Chair’s Gala and Spring Mixer.

104 goodie bags and presents were prepared for the grades 1-4 students at David Livingstone School. 

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Awards Breakfast & Annual General Meeting

November 18, 2022
RBC Convention Centre

Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure (MTI) Award Winner

  • Grading – Strilkiwski Contracting Ltd.: PTH 6 Grahamdale
  • Paving – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PTH 83
  • Urban Works – Coco Paving o/a Russell Redi-Mix: Bituminous Reconstruction PA 634 and Bituminous Pavement PTH 5
  • Special Projects – Mekhana Development Corp/Arnason Industries Ltd: Theresa Point Airport
  • Major Structures – D. Steele Construction: Bridge Replacement over the Red River Floodway on PTH 59N
  • Minor Structures – Moncrief Construction Ltd.: Reinforced concrete box culvert on PTH 5
  • Water Management – Brunet Ltd.: Flood response, Morris ring dike closure

200 members and guests gathered to hear greetings from Premier Heather Stefanson and the newly elected Mayor of Winnipeg, Scott Gillingham. Hon. Doyle Piwniuk, Minister, Manitoba Infrastructure, handed out the MTI Awards.

31 companies were recognized for their milestone membership commitments.

Matthew Neziol, of Bayview Construction, received the Safety Leader Award.

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