MCAM
Collaborative Advocacy
For Manitoba’s infrastructure
By Ramona Coey, Executive Director, Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba
Back by popular demand, Roger
Phaneuf of Wes-Man Mechanical
is back in the seat as president
of the Mechanical Contractors
Association of Manitoba (MCAM). At
MCAM’s first-ever online annual general
meeting, Dan Olson of ABCO Supply and
Service passed the gavel back to Phaneuf.
After serving as president from 2016–18
and past president from 2018–20, Phaneuf
is back at the helm.
Under the pressure of a global pandemic,
it may appear the gavel is a hot potato;
nothing could be further from the truth.
MCAM leadership has embraced the
responsibilities an association provides
its membership in times of crisis and
chaos. Membership is from throughout
Manitoba, and includes union and
non-union, residential, institutional,
commercial and industrial constructors and
service contractors.
“As we continue to work for mechanical
contractors in Manitoba, we will never
miss an opportunity to align ourselves
with standout associations such as CARM
and experience the benefits of its synergy,”
said Pheneuf. There is no better time to
work together.
MCAM regularly asks its membership,
“What are you hearing out there? What is
keeping you up at night?” This is what they
are saying:
• Travel cards
• Labour shortage
• Apprenticeship
training
• Delayed payment
• Prompt payment
• Advocacy
• Safety
• Health screenings
• Delay claims
• Education
• COVID-19
• Infrastructure
spending
• Investing
in Canada
Infrastructure
Program funding
• Economic stimulus
• Collaboration
• Multiplier effect
• Q3/Q4
uncertainty
• Security for key
employees
• Insurance
premiums
• Cross-border
competition
(including
provincial)
• Lobbying
PHOTO COURTESY OF MCA MANITOBA
• Energy
efficiency
• Partnerships
• Mental health
• Mobility
• Vaccine
availability
• Harmonization
• Buying local
• Budgets
• Built
environment
• Carbon
reduction
strategy
• Change Order
protocols
• Community
education
• Political
education
• Staff education
• Gasfitter
certification
• Inspections
• Safety protocols
• Building
Information
Modelling
(BIM)
• Bonding
Are these issues relatable? If so, read on.
Prompt payment legislation
MCAM saw Bill 218, the Prompt
Payments in the Construction Industry
Act pass second reading in the Manitoba
Legislature in 2018, followed by Bill 245
passing first reading in 2019; championed
by MLA for Brandon West, Reg Helwer.
Experiences from the pandemic have
tightened cashflow and delayed payments
have increased by up to an additional 30
days beyond the historical 70-plus. With
the success of neighbouring provinces
achieving Prompt Payment Legislation,
MCAM and the Manitoba Prompt
Payment Coalition (MBPP) – a coalition
of 32 trade associations and unions – is
hoping government will re-introduce
Bill 245. MBPP will be meeting with
the Official Opposition in hopes of
gaining their commitment to support
the re-introduction of a Prompt Payment
Bill. MCAM and MBPP have continued
working with industry partners to review
and refine industry recommendation
to Bill 245.
Quality of drawings, change
order, clashes & BIM
Upfront investment in drawings and/or
quality of drawings is a growing concern
between industry partners. Success has
been realized in construction communities
worldwide using BIM technology.
Partnering with industry members and
the Manitoba BIM Council, MCAM
is advocating Manitoba’s Minister of
Central Services for the adoption of
BIM technology requirements within
provincial government tenders. Broader
adoption of BIM technology happens
when government ownership groups adopt
the technology.
The Minister’s mandate letter
speaks to the justification for BIM
adoption citing benefits, including “save
taxpayers’ dollars … shopping smarter
… expand our procurement strategy …
strategic infrastructure investment ….
Expediting capital planning and project
delivery through innovative project
delivery approaches …. Improving the
management of government-owned
properties … implementing best practices
… coordination of maintenance resources
… asset management data….”*
MCAM believes BIM adoption is the
transformational type of initiative this
Ramona Coey
BUILDING RURAL MANITOBA | 51