www.ottawaconstructionnews.com $19.95 SERVING EASTERN ONTARIO MAY 2020 VOL. 30 NO. 5 PSPC further scales back construction projects, but work on Centre Block continues 70 per cent of sub-trade contractors denied work opportunities on $1 billion Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation: Merit Ontario Photo by Raymond Leveille 70 per cent of sub-trade contractors denied work opportunities on $1 billion Parliament Hill Centre Block renovation: Merit Ontario Ottawa Construction News staff writer An association advocating for open shop businesses says about 70 per cent of contractors who would otherwise be able to bid on sub-trade work for the massive Par- liament Hill Centre Block renovation are being denied access to the work work because they are not signato- ries to collective agreements with the major construction trade unions. A joint venture of PCL Construc- tors Canada Ltd. and EllisDon Cor- poration (PCL/ED) was the only Photo by Raymond Leveille Photo by Heavy Civil Construction • Road Construction • Building Excavation bidder for the project valued at more than $1 billion, following a re- Float Service • Heavy Equipment Rental • Topsoil & Aggregates • Winter Maintenance quest for qualifications initially re- leased in 2015. After years of planning and preparation – and work to complete the West Block renovation – the joint venture contractors began invit- ing bids from sub-trades earlier this year. Walter Pamic, Merit Ontario’s past board chairman, said after re- viewing the bidding documents, he T: 613.838.5042 found his business, Power-Tek Elec- www.goldiemohrltd.ca trical Services, along with dozens of other contractors that haven’t signed with the International Broth- Providing MOHR Value Since 1960 erhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) or others affiliated with the major construction trade unions, were shut out of the bidding opportuni- ties. Public Works and Government 103 Breezehill Ave. Ottawa, ON K1Y 2H6 Services Canada (PWGSC) de- Tel.: (613) 728-1819 Fax: (613) 728-0827 scribes the project as its “largest and most complex heritage rehabili- www.lenmurraysupply.com tation project ever” on its website. Our service is Only a phOne call away The work includes restoring the building envelope, a seismic up- grade, excavation of the basement, new mechanical and electrical sys- tems, new information technology, security upgrades, restoration of • GREENLEE • BOSCH • MILWAUKEE • heritage spaces and adjustments to • RIDGID • CADDY • UCAN • GENERAL WIRE • SASCO STRUT • allow additional seating in the • FEATHERLITE LADDERS • RAMSET • TEK SCREWS • LENOX • House of Commons and Senate • JET • MATERIAL HANDLING • ABRASIVES • SAFETY PRODUCTS • chambers. PAGE 2 – MAY 2020 – The Ottawa Construction News Both PCL and EllisDon are signatories to labour agreements with the trade unions, and are bound under provincial labour laws to observe their col- lective agreements. Generally this restricts them to using unionized subtrades on their projects. “We are all in this together,” Pamic said in a statement. “It is an extremely difficult time for workers and companies during the COVID-19 pan- demic, therefore governments should not be creat- ing an unfair system for local contractors and their workers,” he said. “If the companies they work for aren’t even al- lowed to bid on construction projects that their tax dollars are paying for, how can their company com- pete and how can they stay employed. In a time of a global pandemic and limited government funds, we all have a responsibility to hardworking Cana- dian taxpayers to ensure that every dollar the gov- ernment spends goes as far as possible. Closed tendering means lost opportunities and wasted tax siTe develOpmenT cOnTracTOrs dollars.” Pamic said Merit Ontario is “going to explore ev- ery option” to open up the project to all sub-trade contractors. “If errors were made, purchasing protocols not The Masonry Experts followed, and on federal laws, can these provincial legislation rules not apply, we need to look into this,” he said in an interview. “Parliament Hill belongs to all Canadians and all 613.728.2693 Canadian workers and companies should have a 100 Bayview Road, Ottawa shot at competing for this work,” he said in the www.merkleysupply.com statement. “The federal government needs to en- sure rules are followed to allow fair and open bid- ding on these projects. In a 2016 email to PostMedia (publishers of The Ottawa Citizen and Sun), the department said it so- licited construction industry feedback before devel- oping the evaluation criteria in the Request for Qualifications. “Despite these efforts, only one response was received,” it said, adding that the PCL/EllisDon re- sponse was “fully assessed and determined to meet the mandatory requirements,” Postmedia re- ported. While PCL/EllisDon was the only bidder, the work will still be “reviewed and assessed against • FABRICATION • BAR SUPPORTS well known industry benchmarks to ensure best value for Canadian taxpayers,” PWSGC said then. • DETAILING • WIRE MESH As well, the work is only for construction man- • PLACING • BAR SPLICES agement. The government said then that more • EPOXY COATING than 90 per cent of the contract’s value will be completed by subcontractors, whose work it said will be competitively tendered. PCL had the construction management contract call: 613 for the ongoing $863 million West Block renova- 836-8804 tion. Fax: (613) 836-8842 171 Cardevco Road, Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0 The Ottawa Construction News – MAY 2020 – PAGE 3 viewpointPublisher’s Ottawa Construction News is published Mark Buckshon monthly by 2650547 Ontario Ltd., 1554 Car- President, Construction News and Report Group of Companies ling Ave., Suite 57, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7M4. OCN is available free at selected building supply dealers. Mail subscriptions are available for As we make our way through the The African experience taught $150.00 per year plus GST. To change your pandemic, with some of the extra me about fear, perception, and in- address or cancel a subscription, please email subscriptions@ottawaconstruction news.com or free time from reduced commuting telligent risk-taking. In the ideal cir- fax your request to 613-702-5357. 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While I think we will try legal notice publications. have some very rough and chal- President and Group Publisher: Mark Buckshon It was a somewhat scary experi- lenging times ahead – all of the ence – but I found the risk/anxiety government stimulus money and Editor: Robin MacLennan quite manageable especially in light emergency benefits cannot take of my experiences four decades away the really radical shift in the Advertising Inquiries: Phone 613-699-2057 ext 224. previously, when I was in the midst world’s economy with forced social Toll Free: 888-627-8717 xt 224. of living through the final year of distancing – I know we can manage the Rhodesia/Zimbabwe civil war as this period by appreciating the ba- Production/Design: Raymond Leveille a journalist. sics of good business management Administration: Katherine Jeffrey, This time in 1980, I was on my and risk planning. Kathy O'Neil-Lepage way home from Africa; with a few One way to view the current situ- last-minute adventures including a ation is as an adventure. We are To subscribe to the Ottawa Construction News, week in Upper Volta (now Burkina heading into somewhat unknown or to report changes in your subscription, Faso) and another week in Liberia, a territory, but getting through the ex- please call 613-699-2057 or send a fax couple of weeks after a military perience will make us stronger and to 613-702-5357 coup that set the stage for a bloody more resilient. Reader comments are invited. civil war there. Crazy places for any- So I look forward to this time Call 613-699-2057, fax 613-702-5357 one to be – but I would celebrate next year, and many years into the e-mail: [email protected] my birthday (May 19) alone in Mon- future. ©2020 – 2650547 Ontario Ltd. rovia, looking over the Atlantic All rights reserved. ocean and thinking how, if I could Mark Buckshon is president of the Publications Mail Agreement #40035898 survive these experiences, I could Construction News and Report Group of ISSN 0845-8898 survive anything. Companies. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. OCN — Mission Statement Reach qualified The Construction News Group: respondants for Breaking new ground, Building new bonds your Bid, Tenders and and RFP invitations Delivering news you can use www.ontarioconstructionnews.com/tenders every day.