The Heavy News Weekly January 22, 2015 Provincial Support of Water Services Projects will Help Grow Rural Economies, Protect Environment The Manitoba government is investing nearly $12 million MANITOBA WATER SERVICES BOARD PROJECTS IN WESTERN to improve water and waste-water systems in 12 western MANITOBA: Oak Lake / RM of Sifton; RM of Pipestone; municipalities by upgrading and replacing local water supply Southwest Regional Water Co-op; Virden; RM of Wallace; and disposal services. “We are committed to supporting Wawanesa; RM of Miniota; Neepawa; Rapid City Russell and projects that strengthen economies in rural Manitoba,” said RM of Woodworth. Minister Caldwell. “These projects will provide people with For more info, visit: http://news.gov.mb.ca/news better access to clean water and waste-water disposal, In this edition: improve the efficiency of local water services, and help Provincial support of water services grow economy, protect attract businesses and families to these communities.” environment 1 Through the Manitoba Water Stewardship Board, the Welcome New MHCA Members! 2 Manitoba government will share the cost of the projects Stewart Endeavors and Maple Leaf Drilling with the rural communities on a 50-50 basis, said Minister Caldwell. MHCA Committee update - SAFE Roads 2 The total investment by the Manitoba government under The Chamber opposed to Oswald's pension plan 3 the 2014-15 Manitoba Water Services Board Capital Plan is more than $26 million. Increase in B-Train Double Trailer combo's 4 “The need for these types of infrastructure projects exist Manitoba Chamber presents Tom Renny, all across Manitoba and we are pleased that our members President & CEO Hockey Canada - January 29, 2015 6 can cost-share them with the provincial government,” Water Council seeks industry feedback 7 said Doug Dobrowolski, president, Association of Manitoba Municipalities. “It is only through partnerships that we Register now for EXPO 2015: North + South! 8 can promote further growth and development in our communities.” An Ebb Tide for Global Reform? 11 Minister Caldwell noted the Rural Municipality of Pipestone WORKSAFELY™ Training Schedule 13 is receiving $1.85 million for the expansion of the rural water Weekly Tenders (MHCA members only) 14 pipeline within the municipality. Tender Results (MHCA members only) 15 THE Heavy News Weekly 1 Welcome New MHCA Members! Stewart Endeavors Services: Gravel hauling company that repairs roads and snow removal, as well as sells gravel. Alex Stewart Box 916 Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 Telephone: (204) 365 - 0086 Email: [email protected] Maple Leaf Drilling Ltd. Services: Serving Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario, Maple Leaf Drilling Ltd. specializes in Wayne Laniuk geotechnical and environmental drilling, sampling 2024 Springfield Road and instrumental installation. Established in 1967, Winnipeg, MB Maple Leaf Drilling offers safe, competent, year- R2C 2Z2 round drilling services. Cel: (204) 224 - 3084 Fax: (204) 224 - 4700 Email: [email protected] Web: www.mapleleafdrilling.ca MHCA Committee Updates! The SAFE Roads Committee met at the MHCA offices on Thursday, January 15, 2015 to review the 2014 winter public awareness campaign, advertising and research, and membership efforts. The 2014 SAFE Roads Campaign was officially launched during the November 15, 2014 Santa Claus Parade; during the Parade approximately 60,000 attendees saw the SAFE Roads float, the first in the parade! The SAFE Roads Committee is a community initiative led by 16 key public/private stakeholders committed to educating and encouraging motorists to engage in respectful and safe driving practices. Established in 2004, The SAFE Roads vision is to educate motorists and the general public to follow respectful and safe driving practices - protecting the safety of construction, utility, emergency services personnel, equipment operators and others who work in or adjacent to our roadways. SAFE Roads is effectively delivering its key message, “This is my workplace. Slow down”, to its audiences. Our research shows that the 84 per cent of people who have seen and/or heard the SAFE Roads campaign are more considerate, empathetic and understanding of workers and their designated work zones. Visit www.saferoadsmanitoba.com for additional information THE Heavy News Weekly 2 Winnipeg Chamber Opposed to Oswald’s Pension Plan NDP leadership candidate Theresa Oswald’s proposed mandatory pension plan constitutes yet another setback to Manitoba's competitiveness and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses, which would see a significant increase in their costs, Winnipeg of Chamber Policy Vice-President Loren Remillard said yesterday. “Like the PST, it reflects the current government’s approach to act ideologically first, consult last, and dismiss legitimate concerns,” Remillard said. In the event this issue becomes official NDP policy, The Chamber will vigorously oppose it as ill advised and ill thought out. "At this time when government is facing massive deficits and needs to find efficiencies, this proposal would see additional bureaucracy, process and cost for a duplication of the Canada pension plan. It defies logic.' Of great concern is the continuing deterioration of the current government's relationship with the business community. The chamber will continue to follow developments and keep members up to date on our efforts. For more information please contact Loren Remillard at [email protected] or (204) 944-3318 Winnipeg Chamber BOLD Breakfast Recap Canada is missing the mark when it comes to what separates the most competitive countries from the pack, but we’ve given some thought on how we can re-establish our competitive edge. Our three panelists at last week’s BOLD breakfast suggested: • We need to develop a long-term national plan, 10-20 years, for government to engage the private sector in rebuilding and modernizing Canada’s infrastructure. This needs to be done in partnership with Canadian researchers, guaranteeing that new technologies are employed as part of the plan. – Kelvin Shepherd, MTS • We need to promote the “power of action” – to find ways to turn ideas into a political football, so the government cares enough to drive action. - Chris Johnson, Start Up Winnipeg • We need to totally revamp the tax system – especially fiscal incentives with respect to innovation and competitiveness – and lower tax compliance costs, which represent two per cent of GDP. - Scott Sissons, KPMG The discussion continued on our BOLD Radio show; click here to listen. THE Heavy News Weekly 3 Permit Services & Development Motor Carrier Division Unit C – 1695 Sargent Avenue Winnipeg, MB, Canada, R3H 0C4 T 1-877-812-0009 F 204-945-6499 January 20, 2015 NOTICE: INCREASE IN OVERALL LENGTH FOR B-TRAIN DOUBLE TRAILER COMBINATIONS TO 27.5m – PERMITS NOW AVAILABLE Dear Stakeholder; As part of the recent changes to the Memorandum of Understanding Respecting A Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreement on Vehicle Weights and Dimensions (MOU) between Canadian jurisdictions, Manitoba has agreed to extend the length allowed for B-train vehicle combinations (B-train) to a maximum length of 27.5 metres (m). B-train vehicle combinations are defined in the Vehicles Weights and Dimensions on Classes of Highways Regulation (Regulation) as: “A combination of vehicles composed of a truck tractor and a semi-trailer, followed by another semi-trailer attached to a fifth wheel coupler mounted on the rear of the first semi-trailer.” This increased length will assist industry in dealing with challenges faced in complying with the regulated overall length limit as tractors have become longer due to space requirements for emissions reduction equipment and improved driver comfort. The Regulation currently allows a maximum length of 26 m for B-trains. Until the Regulation is amended to reflect the new maximum length, Manitoba Permit Services will offer permits to enable legal maximum length travel at 27.5 m. These permits will be offered at no cost, and can be obtained for individual vehicles and for fleets. The permit is required until this new length is introduced into the Regulation and becomes legal. .../2 THE Heavy News Weekly 4 - 2 - Please note: The overall box length of 20 m has not changed. The allowable truck tractor wheelbase has not changed. The truck tractor wheel base for a single steer, tandem drive vehicle remains 6.2 m. The truck tractor wheel base for a single steer tridem drive remains 6.6 m to 6.8 m. Under the 27.5 B-train permit, aerodynamic devices are excluded from the overall length of the vehicle. Under the 27.5 B-train permit, wildlife collision devices mounted on the front of the truck tractor will be included in the overall length of the vehicle. Please contact the Permit Services office for further details and any other related questions you may have. Permit Services Contact Information: Phone: (toll free) 1-877-812-0009 Phone: (local) 204-945-3961 Fax: 204-945-6499 Email: [email protected] Sincerely, Janice Miller A/Director Motor Carrier Permits and Development Reference: http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/regs/current/_pdf-regs.php?reg=575/88 THE Heavy News Weekly 5 THE Heavy News Weekly 6 December 23rd 2014 Dear Stakeholder, The Manitoba Water Council has been charged with reviewing the range of water conservation and efficiency initiatives that are taking place in Manitoba and across Canada and would like to hear from your organization. The information gathered will enable the Council to put forward advice and recommendations to the Minister of Conservation and Water Stewardship to develop a strong and pro active water conservation strategic path. The Council defines water conservation as the policies, strategies and activities to manage fresh water as a sustainable resource, to protect the water environment, and to meet current and future human demand. Water efficiency is the smart use of our water resources through water-saving technologies and simple steps we can all take around the house. Using water efficiently will help ensure reliable water supplies today and for future generations.