2010 Canadian Construction Association Accomplishments

Infrastructure Investment

Canadian Construction Association (CCA) launched an intensive lobby campaign prior to the January 2009 Federal Budget to ensure that any stimulus measures in that Budget included infrastructure investment. The result was some $12 billion in infrastructure measures of which $11 billion was new money in addition to the Government’s previous $33 billion commitment.

Since the Framework Agreements were signed with the Provinces and the Territories in 2007-08, the Federal Government has announced the following funding (as of May 2010):

  • $3.89 billion for some 3,983 “shovel-ready” projects worth close to $10 billion under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund;
  • Close to $1.6 billion for over 1,400 projects for small communities under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund;
  • Almost $5 billion for 128 major projects funded under the Major Infrastructure Component of the Building Canada Fund;
  • $563 million for 18 projects under the Green Infrastructure Fund; and
  • $1.97 billion for 536 projects at post-secondary educational institutions under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

As well, over the life of the Framework Agreements, which end in 2014, the federal government will provide municipalities with their per capita share of some $11.7 billion from the Gas Tax Fund.

Wood Preference Bill Defeated

CCA successfully worked with a Coalition of industry organizations to defeat at the Report Stage a Private Members’ Bill that passed on Second Reading that sought to amend the Public Works and Government Services Act to cause PWGSC to give preference to designs that favor wood.

Infrastructure Stimulus Deadline Extended

 

CCA closely monitored the implementation and roll-out of the stimulus infrastructure programs introduced in the 2009 Federal Budget and was a key voice leading to the December 2010 announcement extending the March 31, 2011 deadline to October 31, 2011.

Federal Contracting Issues

 

Limitation on Contractor Liability for Damage to Existing Federal Property  During 2010, CCA was able to successfully negotiate with PWGSC revised contract wording that limits the Contractor’s liability for damage to existing Crown property in a similar fashion to the approach used in CCDC2-2008. The new provisions are expected to be in place for PWGSC projects in the very near future. Defence Construction Canada (DCC) has also agreed to adopt this language. A CCA priority now is to see this implemented as soon as possible and expanded to other federal departments and agencies and to contracts let by PWGSC’s AFD Subcontractor SNC-Lavalin O&M.

Other

  • CCA successfully negotiated with SNC-Lavalin O&M the use of CCDC2-2008 as its contract for construction work at federal facilities; and 
  • CCA developed the proposed model bidding instructions for fixed priced construction projects in Ontario and B.C. that straddle the HST effective date. CCA’s recommended approach was subsequently adopted by both PWGSC and DCC.

Gold Seal Program

The CCA Gold Seal Certification Program has gained considerable momentum in recent years, and is proving to be a timely and cost-effective investment for construction employers in terms of corporate HR recruitment, employee retention and professional development strategies. 2010 was another record year for Gold Seal. There are now some 7,000 Gold Seal certified individuals!

LEED Courses for Contractors

This past year CCA negotiated with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) an agreement that allows CCA Integrated Partner Associations be the lead deliverer of LEED courses for contractors, including the selection of course instructors and their compensation, the establishment of the course registration fees and the location and promotion. The first of these courses is entitled Contractor’s Toolbox for Projects Seeking LEED® related Certification. The course meets the criteria established by the USGBC’s Education Provider Program.

CCA Standard Documents

A major part of what CCA does is the development and promotion of national industry best practices, including standard construction forms and industry guides.

New documents published/to be published in 2010 include: •   Through the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC), a full suite of new CCDC Construction Management Contracts; •   New and updated version of the Trade Contractors Council’s A Trade Contractor’s Guide and Checklist to Construction Contracts; and •   The new P3 Guide mentioned earlier.

CCA early in 2010 through its regional and provincial Integrated Partner Associations made available to all CCA member firms at no cost to them a set of the most widely used CCA and CCDC standard forms and guides as a clear and tangible benefit of CCA membership.

Other priority documents that CCA and CCDC are working on include: •   New CCDC Design-Build Contracts •   CCDC guide on prequalification •   CSA Standard on Building Commissioning

Conclusion

CCA looks forward to continue working with its Partner Associations to advance and enhance the construction industry in Canada.