September 20, 2018 March 23, 2018 The Heavy News Weekly INSIDE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2-3 AFFIRMS PLAN TO PRESS PROVINCE ADVOCACY WORKS ON HIGHWAYS CAPITAL BUDGET Association says industry needs 3 commitments by October 31 4 he MHCA’s Board of Directors at its Wednesday meeting affirmed the executive com- Tmittee’s approval of the association’s advocacy plans to see the Manitoba highways CALL TO ACTION capital budget restored to the pledged $500-million annual minimum. The association’s pre-Budget 2019 submis- President Chris Lorenc said. “It is damaging 5 sion, sent to Premier Brian Pallister on Sep- our industry — jobs and earning power are FINANCE MINISTER tember 7, seeks immediately these three lost — and it is having a definable impact on commitments from government: Manitoba’s economy. INVITES MHCA • Restoration of the highways capital TO TALK budget to a minimum annual $500 mil- “This is something all Manitobans need to lion, for the next five years hear — the lost economic benefit because we are not investing in our trade-transportation 17 • Acceleration of Manitoba Infrastruc- infrastructure.” “BRING YOUR ture’s service-delivery review and ten- The message was carried to the province in ADVISOR TO WORK“ dering out of inhouse services to the competitive market the MHCA’s pre-budget submission. DAY: BACK TO YOU • Release of the highways infrastructure Failing assurances by October 31 that the deficit report (about $6 billion), with three critical commitments will be made, the an annual and 5-year rolling budget to association will proceed with its fall public support a highways capital-asset man- messaging campaign in November and De- agement strategy cember. The pre-budget submission also recommends The budget submission was the highlight of that government undertake a comprehensive an advocacy update given the Board of Di- review of the way it funds infrastructure, with rectors (see Page 2-3 Advocacy works). the intent of formulating a core infrastructure investment strategy. This review should be in- Further, the board was also told of efforts to formed by an updated analysis, by an institu- speed resolution of problems delaying pro- tion such as the Canada West Foundation, of vincial approval of projects and funding from the return on investment from a trade-trans- the Quarry Rehabilitation Program (see story portation investment, and the lost value in Page 7). delaying this strategy (compounding the in- frastructure investment deficit). MHCA and five other business groups have been invited by Finance Minister Scott Field- “Our industry — through our board and ex- ing to meet with him and ministers responsi- ecutive — has spoken clearly and firmly: we ble for strategic infrastructure (see story Page cannot see another year of depressed invest- 5). ment in the highways capital budget,” MHCA Advocacy works he MHCA Board of Directors met Wednesday, Sept. 19 and heard a synopsis of the association’s advocacy Twork through the summer. The highlights of the update included: MI HIGHWAYS CAPITAL BUDGET CITY OF WINNIPEG MULTI-YEAR BUDGETS In addition to the association’s work regarding Budget MHCA has encouraged the use of multi-year budgeting 2019, meetings have and will be held with provincial at all government levels. We congratulate Finance Chair ministers and senior officials on other items. Among the Scott Gillingham and council colleagues who supported items presented, MHCA has suggested merging infra- this motion in their foresight. structure and trade into one ministry — Trade & Infra- structure — with strategic trade supporting/enabling in- MHCA OPPOSED TO OTTAWA’S NEW COMMUNITY vestment part of the overall focus and delivery mandate. EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS INITIATIVE The CCA and the MHCA asked members to email their PROVINCIAL CORE INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET MAN- local MPs to outline concerns with the new federal re- AGEMENT PLAN quirements for community employment benefits on con- MHCA is seeking input from the engineering commu- struction contracts and Infrastructure Canada projects. nity on a valuation of the cost of deferring investment The concerns include the lack of clarity for reporting on in core infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation legacy community benefits arising from construction (compounded infrastructure investment deficit). Those projects. discussions include the imperative of a capital asset man- agement plan, utilizing an annual & 5-year rolling bud- FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL $1.1 BILLION INFRA- get backed by an infrastructure investment deficit report STRUCTURE FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT and, also, an asset management template. Manitoba signed a bilateral funding agreement in June with the federal government to cost-share projects tar- FIPPA REQUEST geting, mostly, public infrastructure projects for transit, Manitoba Infrastructure has refused to release what it renewable energy, water and wastewater systems. would cost the provincial government to bring its high- The $1.1 billion is to be enhanced by provincial and mu- ways to good condition. The MHCA requested any re- nicipal dollars over the next 10 years. ports or documentation of the valuation of the transpor- tation infrastructure investment deficit. WINNIPEG ACCELERATED REGIONAL STREETS The Ombudsman’s Office has extended the deadline for RENEWAL PROGRAM its report to December 1, 2018. Winnipeg city council approved on September 20 an accelerated regional roads renewal program, arising GROUP OF 6 NOW 10 from federal and provincial government agreement to MHCA has been since pre-2016 a member of the ‘Group flow $100 million from the New Building Canada fund, of Six’ business organizations which championed 7 pil- over the next 5 years. The federal dollars will increase by lars to ‘Growing the Economy’. Joining the original six 1/3rd the regional program’s forecasted budgets, 2019- — Business Council, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, ‘23 (city and provincial dollars were already in the fore- Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturers & Ex- casts). porters, Manitoba Home Builders and the MHCA — are MI SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW Winnipeg Construction Association, Manitoba Mining MI presented to industry an overview of service-delivery Association, Manitoba Real Estate Association, and the model review. MHCA comments included: Manitoba Trucking Association. • Make all highways RTAC standard Leading economic growth with a trade investment strat- • Simplify, rationalize permits egy is emerging as an area of consensus. • Government should be procurement expert; industry is delivery expert • Invest upfront in right design, specs and life- CITY OF WINNIPEG/MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS cycle benefit will follow MHCA sent questionnaires to Winnipeg mayoral and council candidates, and to candidates for reeve’s offices THE PLANNING ACT AMENDMENTS & AGGREGATE in Capital Region municipalities. Candidates were asked ADVISORY COMMITTEE to rank the priority they place on infrastructure invest- ment, and whether they support the concept of a new Bill 19 — Amendments to the Planning Act — passed fiscal deal to open new revenue sources to municipali- on June 4. Bill 19 introduces a mandatory technical re- ties. view of applications, to ensure they meet the technical MHCA will be sponsoring mayoral forums organized by requirements of environmental and land-use rules and stakeholder organizations in Winnipeg. regulations. Further, it would give the applicant a right of appeal where a proposal is rejected by a municipal coun- cil in a conditional-use application. The appeal provision will be proclaimed into law in October. 2 PROVINCIAL AGGREGATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE agreement with its new publisher (Kelman). 2019 Direc- (PAAC) tory will highlight WORKSAFELY’s 30th anniversary year. PAAC’s 1st meeting was held September 10. Member- ship includes: RMs of Springfield, Hanover, Rockwood, WORKSAFELY™ WEBSITE Advocacy works Rosser; the AMM; the MHCA; MI; Municipal Relations; WORKSAFELY is working with the IT provider to redevel- Sustainable Development. op the WORKSAFELY component of the MHCA website, PAAC’s mandate is to advise the minister on: expected to be done by the end of October. • Municipal aggregate mining and WORKSAFELY STAFFING transportation fees under the Municipal Act WORKSAFELY welcomes Delaney Kunzelman, who has • Mines Quarry Rehab Program including been hired on a one-year term, to fill in for Client Ser- updating rehab standards and the associated vices Advisor Sarah Craig who will be a one-year mater- extraction fees dedicated to purpose nity leave. • The Technical Review Committee (TRC) reports • Operational issues UTILITY LOCATES • Legislative, regulatory and land-use matters We understand that Bell/MTS is making progress in ad- affecting the aggregate industry, community, dressing locate backlog by adding locator capacity by councils and province contracting out locates to a private company and by • Such other matters as the committee may adding Bell/MTS staff. WORKSAFELY continues to work suggest or minister require with utilities to improve response times. A follow up meeting in October is planned. WORKSAFELY E-NEWS The latest edition of the e-Newsletter was to our compa- CITY OF WINNIPEG LAB TESTING ON BASE AND nies and safety contacts on June 27 MATERIALS FOR 2018 The City of Winnipeg introduced, without notice to in- E- COR™ dustry, changes in frequencies associated with lab test- Site-Docs has created an e-Audit feature to supplement ing on base and materials for 2018. MHCA met with the its existing digital safety program. A limited, audit-only city in May;