ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ CORNER

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Board of Directors: July 2022 update

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s Board met on July 14-15, 2022 in Quebec City, QC for their first full business meeting, in-person, of 2022. Here are the highlights of the meeting:

Advocacy efforts making an impact

While a significant amount of work has been undertaken to advance investment in infrastructure, workforce and procurement, there are three initiatives of note:

1. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ funded in part the recently released Shovel Ready/Worthy report, in support of securing investment in trade-enabling infrastructure.
2. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ delivered a report to the federal government on procurement issues and why they are not receiving bids. The government has committed to working on these issues through working groups.
3. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is working with Atlantic Canada partner associations to help flow the uncommitted dollars from the Investing in Canada Plan. We are seeing some movement, with New Brunwick recently making some positive announcements.

Creating new value – Workforce capacity support

As recently announced, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is partnering with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and other partners to deliver a program to incent the hiring of first-year apprentices, with up to $10,000 per apprentice, as well as support to find apprentices and free training through BuildForce. .

Partner association reports – Keeping us informed on issues across the country

The Board greatly appreciates the reports from partner associations that help keep the Board informed about issues and accomplishments across Canada.  You can find the summary and individual reports here.

National Advisory Councils – New focus on standard practices

The Board listened to feedback from the council members who indicated a desire to actively engage in advancing standard practices. Each NAC discussed potential projects and deliverables, and the following are in progress:

1. Review/expand analysis of immigration points by province and fit with construction, and make recommendations.
2. Prepare a material/supply cost escalation and inflation best practices paper. Review and comment on Quebec’s approach for national application.
3. Prepare an overview of current procurement models and a webinar.
4. Prepare a ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Guide: How to read a contract.
5. Develop a webinar on the top five risk areas in projects and mitigation strategies.
6. Cost escalation language and guide.
7. Review provided material and deliver a guide on onerous clauses.

Strengthening the link between ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ and LCAs – Three new initiatives

1. Following a meeting with members of the LCA NAC last fall, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ developed an MOU to better define the services ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ provides to our integrated partner associations and mutual expectations to foster a collaborative culture. These are being introduced in a measured approach to allow time for discussion and feedback with each association.
2. Beginning this fall, ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ will be seeking nominations directly through COOs for open positions on ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s NACs. More consideration will be given to allocation by association size, in addition to diversity, skills and experience considerations. An open nominations process will remain in place to complement the COO-vetted nominations. More information will be forthcoming.
3. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ is establishing a working group to look at the question of associations as members of the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. More to come on this in the next few weeks.

CCDC digitization service

The Board endorsed the move toward a digital CCDC service, paving the way for the delivery of trusted, smart electronic documents that are the industry standard, through a secure and simple to use digital platform. A pilot project is underway and updates will be provided through ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ channels, including ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ PLUS+ and calls with COOs.

New ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Strategic Plan

Following a robust engagement process with over 190 completions of a survey, 1:1 interviews, and two planning sessions with the Board, NAC and Board committee members, and observers in March, a draft strategic plan was shared with the Board – see here. The final plan will be approved by the Board at its September meeting.  

ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ policy review

The Board conducted an in-depth review of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ’s policy statements to ensure they align with industry and social priorities. ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ will be developing three new policies; one on industry data collaboration; and two for ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ: Truth and Reconciliation, and the environment.  

Upcoming meetings

• ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Board meeting
  The next meeting of the ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Board will take place in Calgary, Alberta on September 7-8, 2022.

• National Advisory Council meetings
  The National Advisory Councils will be meeting in Ottawa, Ontario on November 14, 2022.

• Hill Day
  The ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Hill Day will take place in Ottawa, Ontario on November 15, 2022

• Annual Conference
  The ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ Annual Conference will take place in Tucson, Arizona, from March 7-10, 2023.

As always, we are happy to participate in your AGMs, Board or member meetings. Reach out to Deanna Young at [email protected] to schedule us!