CCA Overview

Accomplishments

What Have We Done For Our Members?

In the wake of another strong year for the non-residential construction industry in Canada, CCA has taken the lead on a number of key issues of interest to the non-residential construction sector. Those accomplishments include:

LABOUR SUPPLY / IMMIGRATION REFORM

Seeking Enhancement of College Training Infrastructure

CCA forged a partnership with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) to seek enhanced government funding for college training infrastructure. CCA also worked with its Partner Associations in assisting local community colleges in getting the green light for construction management degree programs.
In addition, CCA was instrumental along with the ACCC in establishing the national Investing in Skills Coalition to ensure that industry labour supply challenges become a national priority for the federal government.

Labour Mobility

CCA has long called for the elimination of interprovincial barriers to construction labour mobility. First Ministers announced over the summer their intent to introduce legislation by January 1st, 2009 to eliminate interprovincial barriers to labour mobility. CCA worked with federal officials to ensure this objective.

Immigration Reform

CCA has been pressing federal government for reforms to Canada’s immigration system to facilitate the entry of foreign construction workers both on a temporary and permanent basis. Some success was achieved over the past year as follows:

The introduction of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which was first announced in Budget 2007 and came into force this year, permits foreign construction workers already in Canada under temporary visas to apply for permanent residency without having to challenge the point system under the Skilled Worker program;
Reforms have been made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program over the past year that has facilitated the entry of temporary foreign construction workers.
Through an arrangement between Canada and Mexico and participating; and provinces, there is a new facility by which Mexican workers can work on a temporary and seasonal basis in certain sectors including construction.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

CCA has long been calling for major changes to the structure of the EI Program and the premium rate-setting process. For years the Federal Government has been siphoning off hefty surpluses in the EI Fund and using them for general purposes or to balance annual budgets. In addition, the rate-setting process has not allowed the Chief EI Actuary to set future rates based upon the past performance of the EI Fund thus ensuring structural surpluses. The Federal Budget of 2008 introduced significant changes to the governance and management of the EI Fund which go a long way in addressing those concerns, including the establishment of the EI Funds as a separate and distinct fund from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

STANDARD DOCUMENTS

One of the more important roles of CCA is the development of standard industry forms and guides. Here are some of the new standard forms and guides:

CCDC2 2008 - Stipulated Price Contract - CCA, through its participation in the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC), was instrumental in influencing important changes in the long-awaited new version of CCDC2, last updated in 1994, and the flag-ship standard construction contract used in Canada;
New version of CCA 1 Standard Stipulated Price Subcontract to complement the new version of CCDC2;
New Guide to Calling Bids and Awarding Subcontracts ( i.e CCA 51);
New Code of Ethical Conduct for Staff, Directors and Volunteers, applies to CCA’s own operations and the conduct of its staff and volunteers. The second, entitled Model Code of Ethics for a Construction Firm, is a template or model Code that can be used as a starting point by individual industry firms wishing to develop their own corporate code. The latter goes beyond the scope of traditional industry codes in that it does not deal exclusively with bidding and contracting practices but also touches on such matters as environmental practices, safety, and financial disclosure; and
New Guide for the Construction Industry When Doing Business in the United States.

SUPPORTING PARTNER ASSOCIATION PLANSROOMS-CANet

In March, CCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) that recognizes the importance of construction association operated plansrooms in the procurement process. It commits both to work together to promote and support the Construction Association Network (CANet), a network of electronic and physical plansrooms operated by construction associations across Canada.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Municipal Gas Tax Fund Made Permanent - Building on earlier TRIP Canada initiatives, CCA was able to persuade the federal government to make permanent the $2 billion Gas Tax Transfer to municipalities beyond fiscal year's 2013-2014. This money will provide municipalities with the predictability they have requested to help them fund municipal infrastructure renewal.
At the urging of the CCA, the federal government concluded the signing of federal-provincial framework agreements this fall. These agreements make joint funding of infrastructure projects between the federal government and the provinces possible. Of the $33 billion included in the Building Canada plan, more than half or $17.6 billion is earmarked for municipal governments through transfers from the Gas Tax Transfer and rebates of the GST.
As a result of CCA’s infrastructure lobby, Budget 2008 introduced approximately $1 billion in additional federal infrastructure spending. This is on top of the $33 billion federal infrastructure commitment of Budget 2007.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (P3s)

The CCA Board of Directors has established a Task Force on Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) under the aegis of the Standard Practices Committee.

The creation of the Task Force has been prompted in part by the following:

The increasing trend by Canadian governments to use the P3 approach.
The need to educate the CCA membership, particularly SMEs as to the different contractual arrangements, risks, responsibilities, and practices associated with P3s.
The need to ensure the opportunity and ability for Canadian firms to participate in P3 projects and to ensure an on-going Canadian capacity to meet the demand for this project delivery method.
To ensure that Canadian governments opt for the P3 method of delivery when it is the best option.

HOURS OF SERVICE

Working through the CCMTA, a provincial and federal exemption process has been established to provide relief from the regulations. The CCA Road Builders Council submitted in June an application proposing an exemption for all winter maintenance, an increase in the gross weight of vehicles, and a full exemption for short-haul drivers that operate within a 160 km radius per day. The application was one of four received and is still with Transport Canada for a decision.

Board Approves New Partnership Program

CCA established a new Partnership Program that permits CCA to co-fund Partner Association initiatives that have a clear national benefit.

Environmental Initiatives

CCA and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) have been working on a variety of initiatives designed to increase the availability of LEED workshops and training course materials in Canada. As part of this process, CCA is looking to import similar materials developed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and sanctioned by the USGBC for use in the United States. Once imported, these materials will be customized for Canadian use and sanctioned by CaGBC. CCA is also in negotiations with the AGC over the rights to use their materials. CCA anticipates their availability in Canada by the middle of 2009.

Fees for CAD Files

CCA has established a Joint Task Force with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) and the Association of Canadian Engineering Companies (ACEC) to deter any practice that would require contractors to pay fees for CAD files.

CCA Website

CCA has revamped its website with a special focus on visual impact, clarity of information, user friendliness, and site navigation. CCA has also won an international award for best website at a World Free Zone Convention held in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition, CCA has established a collaboration website to facilitate the work and participation of Board, Council and Committee members at CCA.

Exports Directory

In cooperation with Export Development Canada, CCA has begun work for the establishment of an Exports Directory which will enable Canadian companies to profile themselves world-wide. CCA has also facilitated access to funds made available by the Federal Government (through its Program for Export Market Development - PEMD) for Associations wanting to undertake activities that would promote their members’ products and services internationally.

CCA Strategic Plan

CCA is delivering on all its strategic objectives that were identified in 2006 when it renewed its 5-Year Strategic Plan. Specific activities have been undertaken in areas such as Communications, Partnership, Value of Membership, Operational Focus, Profile/Presence & Public Influence, and Ethics.