ECA Breaking Ground - Summer 2017 by Edmonton Construction Association

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Summer 2017

Message from the ECA executive director, John McNicoll

Message from the ECA president, Alan Kuysters

Constant improvement for the common good The ECA Infrastructure Productivity Forum

Celebrating a legacy of giving back The ECA Builders Connect Luncheon

ON THE COVER 36

Vertical Edmonton How Canada’s little big city is bursting back on the scene

ECA Infrastructure Owners Forum

Unclogging the payment process

ECA education Developing and retaining your top talent

Industry update from the Alberta Construction Association

Trade Definitions in Alberta – A brief history

Ritchie Market: Third-wave YEG

On-ramps to industry Programs increasing diversity in Alberta’s construction industry 8

Edmonton Construction Association

The other Alberta advantage COOLNet Alberta

The YBG enters its fourth season – 1,200 members and growing

ECA member milestones

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ECA Breaking Ground Published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com

President David Langstaff Publisher Jason Stefanik Managing Editor Shayna Wiwierski shayna@delcommunications.com Advertising Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Toll Free: 1.866.424.6398 Advertising Sales Cheryl Ezinicki Brian Gerow Jennifer Hebert Michelle Raike Jay Richardson Anthony Romeo

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10215 - 176 Street Edmonton, AB T5S 1M1

Phone: (780) 483-1130 Fax: (780) 484-0299

Email: contact@edmca.com

Website: www.edmca.com

2017 ECA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Alan Kuysters • President Don Barr • Vice-President Jason Collins • Treasurer-Secretary Dave Bentley • Chair Shaun Arnault Jayson Barclay Roger Buksa Greg Burghardt Tim Coldwell Trevor Doucette Robert King Jillene Lakevold Alistair McBride Jason Mercier Sean Rayner Andrew Ross

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Message from the Executive Director As we build our future together, the ECA is proud of to be the hub of construction excellence in our city. Your association is working hard to enable the construction industry to accomplish exceptional outcomes in our community in the built environment. In this new chapter of vertical growth for our city, and an ever-modernizing culture of collaboration, all of us are adjusting to new expectations, particularly in the standard of respect we must show towards all crafts. In the past, there have been patterns of heaping stereotypes upon one another. We have used terms like: flakey, cheap, spoiled, indifferent, inflexible, thieves, snake-oil salesmen, and far worse – with more “colourful” language, as you know. I propose that all of us lead a change in our daily conversations. Together, we can elevate the level of mutual respect for every craft in our industry. Instead of recirculating negative caricatures, we can choose to act and speak professionally with one another, with the genuine respect that every craft deserves. Over time, this elevating and revaluing of “a respect for all crafts” will create an Edmonton vibe, a reputation, a culture. In the end, everyone will benefit as all boats rise. Please join me, my staff, our board, and your fellow members, and do your part to help us change the culture by imagining our very best professionals when we speak of one another. It is a great help to me that I have met so many who are truly exceptional at their craft, who take great pride in their work, and who are entirely worthy of respect. I encourage you to provide your association with input. If you have ideas or want to volunteer, please know that I am always interested in your input, insights, and suggestions for enhancing the ECA. Thank you for being a member. Thank you for your participation in the ECA community. Thank for you for your commitment to ethics and standards that elevate our industry’s reputation for integrity and character. Finally, a big thank you to our advertisers - you make this publication possible! Have a great construction season. I am, and will be, cheering for you and your company! Sincerely, and with warmest regards,

John McNicoll Executive Director Edmonton Construction Association 12

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Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message Greetings from the board of directors as we reach the midway point of the 2017 construction season. To say the least, the past couple years have been challenging. In 2016, we witnessed the effects of low oil prices, an increase in lien activity, prompt payment discussions, and new governments at the federal and provincial levels. Even though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s encouraging to see that infrastructure spending is projected to increase, 2017 will once again be a challenging year. To help our members overcome these challenges, the board, executive director, Leadership Team, and staff have continued to build the Edmonton Construction Association (ECA) by focusing our efforts on the activities that will greatest serve our members. These include enhanced procurement, meaningful networking, need-driven education, and a deep commitment to member care. We have seen great success with the Young Builders Group (YBG), which has grown to over 1,260 members in three years. With sell-out events and more members joining each month, the YBG is still gaining in influence with its ability to equip and strengthen the professional assets of those in the first half of their construction careers. In addition to reaching out to those in the first half of their careers, the ECA strives to provide programming of value to all its members, no matter where they are in their career. The ECA is committed to delivering events, like the Infrastructure Owners Forum, that align the interests and needs of all our stakeholders and provide a face-to-face venue in which they can connect. In 2016, the ECA took a number of steps to help the board better serve our members. Under the guidance of former president, Mr. Dave Bentley, we upgraded our governance processes and brought greater organization to our financial management and educational offerings. The combination of these steps allows the ECA to differentiate ourselves, our brand within the construction industry, and be seen as a leader across Canada. The board and I are committed to continuous improvement, and will endeavour to serve you with excellence in 2017. This commitment to excellence is only possible through the contributions of our executive director, Mr. John McNicoll, and the ECA staff. The entire team works diligently to forge lasting relationships and collaborates not only with each other, but with all ECA members to ensure continuing friendship and success. Your ECA team is ardently focused on providing value to its members, and for that, I thank them. In closing, the ECA wishes our members success in the face of a challenging economy. For those not yet familiar with all the great services the ECA offers, we encourage you to stop by the office to meet our team. Warmest of regards,

Alan Kuysters 2017 ECA President

Edmonton Construction Association

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ECA Director Andrew Ross (Clark Builders) does his best to hit the target, with help from ECA Board Chair Dave Bentley (Marsh) and Michael Mangum (FMI).

CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT FOR THE COMMON GOOD The ECA Infrastructure Productivity Forum explores the culture of productivity By Shayna Wiwierski

Especially in a challenging economy, it’s vital that construction firms and stakeholders be dedicated to constant improvement. No matter where you’re located in the project chain – architect, consultant, contractor, or trade – productivity is essential to your project performance. The Edmonton Construction Association held its second-annual Infrastructure Productivity Forum (IPF) on February 10,

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2017 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. The event included a breakfast and interactive presentations designed to disrupt paradigms, challenge the status quo, and inspire innovative change within the construction industry. The forum, which was sponsored by DIRTT, Graham, Stantec, and COOLNet Alberta, started off with an introduction from John McNicoll, (ECA executive director), and greetings from Neil McFarlane (Alberta

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Infrastructure Productivity Forum presenters. Left to right: John McNicoll (ECA), Dr. George Jergeas (University of Calgary), Michael Mangum (FMI), Simon O’Byrne (Stantec), and Tyler Waye (IN.FORM).

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This year’s forum presenters included Simon O’Byrne, vice-president of Stantec; Tyler Waye, president of IN.FORM; Michael Mangum, principal at FMI Corp. (who also hosted the event); and Dr. George Jergeas, professor from the University of Calgary. Each speaker presented for 15 minutes, culminating in a question that attendees discussed in small groups. Because the

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Michael Mangum followed upon O’Byrne’s presentation with a feedback illustration. ECA board member Andrew Ross (Clark Builders) was blindfolded and then tasked with throwing darts at a target. With each throw, the audience cycled through silence, then criticism (booing), then niceties (unrelated feedback). Finally, ECA board chairman Dave Bentley (Marsh Canada) was brought onstage to give Ross focused coaching. O’Byrne asked each table to debrief, and identify which of the four feedback styles is their preferred style. “Are you a critic or do you have terminal niceness? Are you in that coaching mood?” IN.FORM’s Tyler Waye discussed how work has evolved through human history. In the beginning of human development, work was about survival, then it became about food and trade, then building things, and finally, building organizations. “What we experience in work today will be much different in the next 50 years,” said Waye, who studies generations and their work values. Among millennials, for example, there has been a shift in thinking: away from duty to the organization, and towards duty to oneself. Waye suggested three ways that organizations can streamline productivity. First, they can get out of the way. The fundamental goal of work is to

solve someone else’s problem or needs, and organizations must be careful not to get in the way of this basic exchange. Second, Waye challenged leaders to become the mechanisms for change in their organizations, supporting the changes that their workers need. Finally, flipping the conversation can reveal ways for the worker to satisfy their needs and customer needs at the same time. “Work is not about organizations. Never has been, never will be. It’s about the people,” Waye said. “If an industry is stuck on one problem they need to ask how we are getting in the way of our people.” The forum host Michael Mangum talked about culture and adaptation. He started his presentation with a video clip of two NASCAR pit crews. In 1950, it took 67 seconds to change four tires, whereas in 2013 it took under 10 seconds. The difference in 2013 was that everyone had their own task and there was clarity around the roles; a deeper level of engagement which translated into greater productivity. He also touched on the evolution of the cell phone and how when the iPhone launched, it started a revolution that made other brands extinct, like Nokia. “[Nokia] is a company that made great telephones. The number-one employer in Finland, then poof! Gone,” said Mangum, who went on to say that in their prime

they had a 49.9 per cent market share, dropping to three per cent after the iPhone was released. “Culture had a lot to do with it. There was something about [Nokia’s] lack of agility that held them back.” The final presenter, Dr. George Jergeas, talked about the “benevolent dictatorship for major projects” and how every big project runs into big problems. Jergeas proposed that the solution lies in having two dictators on every large construction project: the project sponsor who represents the construction buyer, and the project executive officer. He stressed that both sides need to build a collaborative relationship and focus on common vision, goals, and objectives. Although each speaker had a different take on productivity, they opened up a conversation to the audience that made ECA members discuss, react, and think. Kyla Barry, CFO of long-time ECA member, Jen-Col Construction Ltd., thought the forum was very engaging and found the discussion with her peers beneficial. She mentioned that she will be taking what she learned back to the office. “Productivity is a term no one can nail down,” said Barry. “It’s not just about labour, it’s the challenge and how to get better productivity out of the team.” u

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Past Claude Alston Award recipients welcome 2017 recipient, Tom Fath of The Fath Group. Left to right: Henry Nimilowich (2009, Overhead Door), Bob Walker (2013 Ledcor; currently Tangent Project Management), Grant Duncan (1989, Reed Stenhouse), Tom Fath (2017, The Fath Group), Gord MacPherson (2005, Edmonton Construction Association), Stephen Mandel (2012, mayor of Edmonton), Bill McLean (2008, McLean Young Construction), Gino Ferri (2014, Read Jones Christoffersen).

CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF GIVING BACK ECA members gather for the Builders Connect Luncheon By Shayna Wiwierski

On February 10, 2017, members of the Edmonton Construction Association, senior government representatives, and industry stakeholders gathered together at the Edmonton Expo Centre for the Builders Connect Luncheon. The event has grown from its origins as the ECA Annual General Meeting, and now includes a luncheon, board and staff introductions, and the presentation of the Claude Alston Award. This year, Tom Fath was honoured with the award. “It’s a testament to how busy [the construction industry is] as you just need to look around our city,” said Brian Mason, minister of infrastructure and minister of

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John McNicoll, ECA executive director, addressing the crowd at the Builders Connect Luncheon.

transportation for Alberta. “As leaders in the construction industry, and as Edmonton Construction Association members, your efforts factor greatly into the growth and renewed vitality that Edmonton is experiencing. And despite the province’s economic downturn of late, the work underway in Edmonton is proof that it is still the right time to invest in infrastructure.” Edmonton mayor, Don Iveson spoke to the “spirit of teamwork and partnership that exists among builders, designers, clients, and governments – each of whom play an important role in city building. And this is a room absolutely full of great city builders from each of those sectors.” “It makes me feel proud to be contributing on the national platform,” said John McNicoll, executive director of the ECA. “Our board and members do expect us to contribute to the progression of the industry in every key frontier.” The luncheon started off with a series of fun videos introducing the 2017 board of directors, as well as the ECA staff. The association was founded in 1931 as the Edmonton Builders Exchange, and 86 years later is now the secondlargest local construction association in Canada. The highlight of the luncheon was the celebration of the 2017 Claude Alston Award recipient, Tom Fath, who is the co-owner and president of The Fath Group. Fath served on the ECA board of directors from 2006 to 2009 and is also very active in the Edmonton community. Aside from owning numerous successful construction businesses, The Fath 22

Edmonton Construction Association

Group also owns and operates the FC Edmonton professional soccer team. “The award recipient is decided by the ECA board. We keep a list of names of strong leaders in the community and every year the board discusses and selects an appropriate recipient,” said McNicoll, adding that the Claude Alston award is the ECA’s highest honour, given in recognition of an individual’s distinguished contribution to the Edmonton construction industry. “The idea is to elevate the finest of leadership in our community and inspire others to do the same.” Fath was born and raised in Edmonton and has been a member of the ECA for a number of years. He got the news that he was this year’s recipient around Christmastime and was surprised and honoured to receive the award. He says the ECA is an excellent vehicle for connecting with industry and government. Although he’s been working in the construction industry since 1968, he doesn’t see himself retiring anytime soon. For now, he wants to continue running The Fath Group and giving back to the Edmonton community. “One of the roles of [winning the award] is being a mentor,” said Fath, who also participates on numerous boards and committees in the city. “What is a meaningful life? Doing positive things. One of the most wonderful things in life is giving and helping others.” u

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ECA INFRASTRUCTURE OWNERS FORUM Building connections between industry stakeholders By Jay Summach

April 20th was an exciting day for the ECA, as we hosted our first Infrastructure Owners Forum, a gathering of 17 major public buyers of construction. Advancing the construction industry means bringing stakeholders together to discuss common-good solutions. That's what we mean when we talk about becoming the "hub of construction excellence". Of course, we can only do this with the participation and energy of major stakeholders, including those who participated in the owners forum: • Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Transportation • The Cities of Calgary, Edmonton, Leduc, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, and Strathcona County • COOLNet Alberta • Defence Construction Canada and 24

Edmonton Construction Association

Public Works & Government Services Canada • Edmonton Public and Catholic Schools • Grant MacEwan, NAIT, University of Calgary, and University of Alberta • The Calgary and Edmonton Construction Associations “This doesn’t happen very often,” says Neil McFarlane, assistant deputy minister with Alberta Infrastructure. “It was a great opportunity to bring together major public buyers of construction, to have a discussion about how we can participate in improving the productivity of the province as a whole.” “Participate” is the key word here, as industry improvement is always contingent upon buy-in from multiple stakeholder groups. For McFarlane, the owners forum was a step forward in “setting up our

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reach out to each other for advice or help – and that was happening in sidebar conversations.” The owners forum wrapped up after lunch, but several delegates and guests also participated in “Meet the Architects and Engineers,” an ECA networking event held at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club later in the afternoon. The event brought seven design and engineering firms together to meet ECA contractors, trades, and suppliers. For Stowkowy, who represented Stantec at the Meet and Greet, the event was unique because “typically, we only meet senior-level contractors; we don’t generally see the rest of the industry. I probably got 10 phone calls after that, from people wanting to make connections inside Stantec… to have their products included in specifications, and to

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get networked for future projects that we know of.” The benefit runs both ways, “We try to be aware of everything happening in the marketplace – but [the trades] are sometimes closer to the very latest in technologies and products.” Meet and Greets and the Infrastructure Owners Forum are just two examples of the work the ECA is doing to bring stakeholders together in the same room, building the relationships needed to keep work in the pipeline, projects on track, and industry moving forward. We look forward to seeing you at networking events like these throughout the summer! u

Alyssa Lefaivre and Cara DeLong from presenting sponsors, DIRTT, take Mike Roper (Ledcor) and Neil McFarlane (Alberta Infrastructure) through a virtual reality demonstration.

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NETWORKING EVENTS 2017-2018 FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2017

AUGUST, 2017

NOVEMBER, 2017

Welcome to Summer BBQ

YBG Site Series

YBG Wrap Up

Edmonton Construction Association

To Be Determined

THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017

FEBRUARY, 2018

Golf Tournament

End of Summer BBQ

Builders Connect Luncheon

Blackhawk Golf Club

Edmonton Construction Association

Edmonton Expo Centre

MONDAY, JULY 10, 2017

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2017

FEBRUARY, 2018

Golf Tournament

Infrastructure

Windemere Golf and

Edmonton Petroleum Golf

Productivity Forum

Country Club

and Country Club

Edmonton Expo Centre

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2017

SEPTEMBER, 2017

Night at the Races

SHIFT 2017

Northlands Park

Hotel Macdonald

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

OCTOBER, 2017

YBG Golf Tournament

YBG Site Series

The Quarry

To Be Determined

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2017

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2017

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ECA EDUCATION Developing and retaining your top talent The top performers in your company are most engaged when they're learning. That's what all the research tells us. So, in effect... investing time and money in education isn't only about talent development. It's about talent retention. When you send your team to an ECA course, they return to you energized, engaged, and better connected to the owners, consultants, contractors, trades, and suppliers that you want to work with. Our courses are taught by local experts in construction law, leadership, collaboration, productivity, finance, and project management – and we’re continually piloting new courses to address emerging needs. In 2016, a total of 972 students participated in 51 courses. That’s 7,985 hours of learning; a 23 per cent increase over 2015, and a 226 per cent increase over 2014. Wow!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Our course topics include: Project Management and MS Project Lean Construction MS Excel for Estimating Construction Documents Bluebeam Revu Scheduling and Earned Value Management Site Supervision Leadership, Strategy, and Execution Construction Industry Ethics CCDC Contracts and Contract Management Construction Law Risk Management Profitability & Cost Control Setting Up a New Construction Business Negotiation Communicating with the Media

Stay tuned for the launch of a brandnew Virtual Construction Collaboration curriculum, to be taught by REACH Consulting. Collaboration doesn’t happen magically, just because you sign a particular type of contract, or because you have flashy 3D-modelling software. To paraphrase Bill Gates, efficient process + technology = additional efficiency, but inefficient process + technology = additional inefficiency. We hope you’ll join us this year to discover new ways to bring together efficient business processes with emerging technology. It could change your future. u

ECA EDUCATION Equipping your team for outstanding results ECA supports continuous improvement with over 50 courses per year— in critical areas including project and schedule management, risk, profitability, leadership, and construction contracts. Learn more and register at edmca.com/education or email Jessica Kuhnel at jessica.kuhnel@edmca.com

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INDUSTRY UPDATE FROM THE ALBERTA CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION The Alberta Construction Association (ACA) had a number of key actions for the first quarter in 2017. Here are some of the initiatives. • The ACA equips members with speaking points to educate MLAs about the harm to businesses from adding costs and administrative complexity arising from potential changes to the WCB being considered by government’s WCB review. • The ACA lobbies Premier Notley for contractor compensation for fixedprice contracts currently in place but awarded prior to January 1, 2017 imposition of carbon levy. • The ACA is the only vertical construction association invited by Alberta Finance and by Alberta Infrastructure to the Budget Speech. Provincial Budget reflects ACA recommendations with an increase of $1.4 billion over 2017-2021. • Alberta Infrastructure seeks ACA input on further considerations about the government’s Procurement Policy Review. The ACA reinforces the message that procurement remain clear and transparent, and that apprenticeship promotion is a separate issue. • The Canadian Construction Association adopts ACA’s best practices approach

Edmonton Construction Association

in working with federal government on prompt pay. Paul Heyens and Chris Ambrozic lead a proactive and influential Alberta group of CCA directors. • Alberta Economic Development approves the ACA grant proposal to quantify the impacts of non-standard contract language, adding credibility to the ACA’s argument that government adopt standard contracts. • The ACA acts within hours to equip members to respond to the Employment Standards Review. The ACA reiterates the challenges of imposing new requirements on our project-based industry at an April 3 stakeholder consultation and in a subsequent submission to the government.

ACA Retreat Charts Course for 2017-2018 The ACA’s board and the chief operating officers of Alberta’s local construction associations came together April 7, 2017 to finetune the ACA’s strategic plan for the next two years. Dave Mowat, CEO for ATB Financial, laid out the challenge – to adapt to a new Alberta economy, and create the future you want. ACA’s management committee, chair Paul Heyens, senior vice chair Chris Ambrozic, vice chair Ian Reed, and past chair Paul Verhesen led the group to refocus the ACA on two key mandates: helping members seize market opportunities, and acting to reduce risks for members. The group outlined strategies to: • Promote infrastructure investment • Advance the use of standardized contracts • Promote preferred clients • Minimize the risk of onerous regulation The ACA is excited about our plan forward for the next two years. Together with our member construction associations, we’ll share expertise and best practices to better serve you - our members. u

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Against the backdrop of Edmonton’s ascending high-rise core, some of the stakeholders working together to make it happen. L to R: Brad Kennedy (Kennedy), Kalen Anderson (City of Edmonton), Simon O’Byrne (Stantec), and Suryaraj Panwar (Arpi’s North).

VERTICAL EDMONTON Coming back from a 20-year high-rise hiatus, Canada’s little big city bursts back onto the scene By Jay Summach, ECA Director of Communications and Education

“Edmonton is at a tipping point in its population,” says Kalen Anderson, director of planning coordination for the City of Edmonton. “There’s something that happens when a city hits a million. We’re kind of a big small town, and we’re turning into a small big city.” The view from the Planning Department – on the sixth floor of the new, 130-metre Edmonton Tower and overlooking the emerging Stantec Tower – reinforces her point. “We’re right in the middle of that adolescence. And thanks to the leadership of generations 36

Edmonton Construction Association

The Stantec Tower, to be completed in 2018, will be Canada’s tallest structure west of Toronto at 62 storeys high.

of people who were thinking this through beforehand, we just happen to be the generation who are here right at the apex of that transformation.” There’s no visitor to the Edmonton downtown core who isn’t astonished by the transformation that has taken place in just five years. The museum, art gallery, and arena are remarkable achievements in their own right – but even more so when you consider that the design and construction community has delivered so much in so short a time frame. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Edmonton is surging

forward with the next stage in its transformation, and isn’t pausing to catch its breath. Yes, there will be major horizontal projects underway over the coming years; the Valley Line LRT and Yellowhead upgrade, in particular. But the headline – from the perspective of global neighbours watching to see what Edmonton does next – is this: Edmonton is going vertical. “The skyline of our city is changing forever,” said Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, speaking at the ECA Builders Connect Luncheon in February. “Sometime in the summer, the next time you’re driving back from the lake or airport, you’re going to see

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the physical shape of this city changed forever. And then it will keep going for another 30 weeks, until we top out the tallest building, outside of Toronto, in this country. That speaks to the level of aspiration that this city now has.” Iveson was referring, in particular, to the Stantec (anticipated 260 metres tall) and JW Marriott towers (anticipated 192 metres tall), which are currently stretching skyward at the rate of a floor per week. But as the infographic shows (Page 37), these two projects are

only the leading indicators of a fresh profusion of residential and mixed-use super-high-rises in the Edmonton core. The Alldritt Tower, approved by city council on April 26th, could surpass 280 metres tall. Add to that several other approved and proposed developments, and the Edmonton skyline will have more in common with Chicago than with Saskatoon. Densification is at the heart of the downtown plan, approved in 2010. Expanding city infrastructure to serve

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Edmonton Construction Association

With a tower everything is on the critical path, because there’s only one direction, and that’s up.

an ever-spreading city footprint isn’t sustainable from any perspective: economic, sociological, ecological, or agricultural. Instead – with migration into Edmonton expected to continue over the coming decades – the plan is to double the residential population of the core, from roughly 14K to upwards of 26K. Simon O’Byrne, vice-president of community development Canada with Stantec, foresees that influx of newcomers to the core being housed “overwhelmingly in skyscrapers”. Demographic shifts have fueled a market ready for high-rise living. O’Byrne points to delayed family-building among millennials, alternatives to car ownership, divorce, and immigration as factors that make multi-family developments an attractive option for buyers and renters. But O’Byrne is quick to point out that most of the multi-family development in Edmonton, at present, is happening in the periphery. “We want to learn how to build more up than out. And in order to do that, we have to figure out how to make a condo in the core five to 10 per cent more expensive than the same condo in the suburbs. Not 50 per cent more.” When Blatchford Field Airport closed in 2013, the leash came off for vertical growth. And going tall is one of the solutions to the problem of affordability in the core. “The taller the building, the less the land price in terms of buildable square footage on that parcel,” O’Byrne explains – this, in addition to the fact that the high-rise building code requires roughly the same infrastructure systems

The Alldritt Tower, proposed to surpass 280 metres tall, was approved by city council on April 26th. The building is designed to be as transparent as possible with clear window glazing at the ground level.

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for an eight-storey and 15-storey building. “Why would you build eight?” Raw economics aren’t the only factor that favour going vertical. Brad Kennedy, architect and principal at KENNEDY, has worked on numerous Edmonton high-rises, including the Pearl and the proposed Alldritt Tower. Had the Pearl been built as an “11-storey chest freezer,” it would have cast an enormous shadow across Jasper Avenue. Instead, Kennedy’s team stood the freezer on end, creating a 24-storey tower. And then, without changing the useable floor area, they sculpted the tower upward into its slender, 36-storey form – leaving room for a publically-accessible pocket park. “When you go vertical,” Kennedy says, “it opens up much more useable space at the base.” So, towers need not be the enemy of a liveable core. O’Byrne explains, “what’s really critical is the first 10 metres of a building. Most of us walk with our chins level – all you’re really seeing is the first 10 metres of a building. So, you want to create a layered effect where you have a commercial or townhouse podium, then a bit of a step-back, and the tower goes up from there. As a pedestrian, you’re just interacting with the townhomes or commercial; you don’t even really notice that you’re on a street with lots of towers.” It’s a people-first design approach that has come to be called “Vancouverism”, and is now copied all over the world. Depending on your math, there’s a gap of 20 to 30 years since Edmonton was in the high-rise game. Prior to completion of the Icon II and Epcor Towers in 2010 and 2011, Edmonton’s most recent tower over 100 metres was Commerce Place in 1990; and most towers over 100 metres date back to the mid-‘80s. “It was a big gap,” says Peter Ohm, chief planner for the City of Edmonton. “People who worked on those projects moved on. We really needed to spend time to catch up, in terms of being ready for all this work.” Catching up is vital, O’Byrne points out, because of the dramatic societal changes

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Edmonton Construction Association

that have occurred: how much we shop online, how less car-dependent we’re becoming, the shift to a service-based economy, and so forth. “When you have an old plan, it makes it easy for developers to drive a truck through the plan rationale. If it has already been amended 40 times, why not more time?” says O’Byrne, adding that he’s sympathetic to the task before planners. “Edmonton is doing things better, but we need to throw more resources on planning.” Even with a contemporary plan in place (the Edmonton Downtown Plan is from 2010), planning is never a oneand-done exercise. “We have our city plan that says generally how we want to grow, for the million of us,” says Anderson, “and we define what kind of growth can go where.” But negotiations with developers remain just that: negotiations. “When a developer comes in and wants to do something different, the city planners don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. That’s city council’s decision. Planners help to shape that negotiation,” Andersen explains. “City building is a dance. A negotiated experience of trying to combine a bunch of private interests with a collective outcome. We’re dealing in feelings, cultural biases, and billions of dollars.” In Kennedy’s experience, it isn’t a competition between the plan and profits. “Most of the developers we deal with are residents of Edmonton. They’re not just flying in to do a couple of projects. They’re saying, “I want to do a project in my city that I can be really proud of, that works well with the community, and that stimulates some further growth.” Contractors and trades face their own challenges in the transition to vertical building – particularly around logistics and scheduling. Over the last 25 years, Pagnotta has been the concrete subtrade or construction manager for 40 to 50 towers in Edmonton. Together with his father, Mario, Alex Pagnotta has

The Pearl, seen on the left, is a 35-storey condominium tower that is currently the city’s tallest residential building.

The skyline of our city is changing forever.

been a major player in recent tower developments, including the Pearl. “Towers are becoming more complicated,” says Alex Pagnotta, “but the real challenges are speed and logistics.” When there’s a change or delay on a standard commercial or institutional project, it may be possible to shift attention to another aspect of the project. “But with a tower,” Pagnotta explains, “everything is on the critical path, because there’s only one direction, and that’s up”. Suryaraj Panwar represents Arpi’s North as project manager, mechanical on the Stantec Tower. “It’s a very different project from the arena. This project is all about logistics – being able to get your material here, get it up to the floors, do your work, and then move up to the next floor as quickly as you can.” The precise schedule requirements trickle down through the entire management chain. “For our subs, the big challenge is achieving the same level of detailed planning that we’re having to do – so that they’re able to keep up.” Effective planning, then, is becoming an even more critical competency for all construction stakeholders. O’Byrne has no doubt that local industry will meet the challenge of vertical construction. “If a generation from now, only 25 per cent of the growth in Edmonton is in the periphery and 75 per cent is in the core… then the people who made money doing suburban construction are going to figure out how to do urban construction, in earnest.”

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The Edmonton Tower is a 29-storey, 129.84-metre office tower, which opened in mid-December 2016. Currently, it is Edmonton’s fifth-tallest building.

Careful preconstruction planning is essential. Mario Pagnotta suggests, “It’s best to bring in the CM during the design stage.” Alex adds, “If you go to Toronto, they know exactly what they’re doing before they even ask for development permits.” Panwar’s advice to trades who would like to bid tower work is to “add overhead to your project team who will 42

Edmonton Construction Association

do the planning necessary to execute these jobs. The supervisor can’t be exclusively focused on managing their crew; they have to consider the overall big picture.” Although high-rise construction certainly demands focus at the project level, no one involved in Edmonton’s high-rise renaissance is blindly devoted to towers. No one sees towers as the

solve-all solution to urban growth. As Anderson puts it, “When we’re planning the city of Edmonton, we never forget who we’re planning it for. The shapes of the buildings will change, and the locations, and our mobility patterns. But we never lose the germ of the idea, which is to build our own habitat. It doesn’t matter how tall – if it works, it’s because it works for people.” u

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UNCLOGGING THE PAYMENT PROCESS By Melanie Franner

The ACA has partnered with construction associations across Alberta on workshops that will involve representatives of all affected construction stakeholders when it comes to prompt payment. Debbie Hicks, president of DSH Consulting, has been tasked with the job of organizing and creating the workshops.

In a November 2016 report, Prompt Payment Engagement Strategy, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) estimates that some $46 billion in payments remained unpaid after the conventional 30-day period. This, it went on to state, represented about 16 per cent of the estimated $285 billion in construction put in place nationally in 2015.

The report was prepared in collaboration with the CCA, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Defence Construction Canada. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While the data is necessarily high level, and there can be many valid reasons for payments to extend beyond 30 days in specific circumstances, in orders of magnitude, it does indicate a problem that is having a very significant negative

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impact on the ability of the construction

the introduction of new payment

industry to continue to thrive, grow and

rules by spring 2017 in response to the

contribute to our prosperity,” states the

recommendations of the Charbonneau

report.

Commission Report. Other countries such

According to the report, several

as United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New

construction associations in the provinces

Zealand and the United States (49 of the

(i.e., Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C.)

50 states) have enacted prompt payment

have been lobbying for prompt payment

legislation.

legislation. The Province of Ontario

The fact that prompt payment – or lack

has released its Expert Review on the

thereof – is an issue of utmost importance

Construction Lien Act and was proposing

to the Canadian construction industry is a

to introduce legislation in spring 2017. The

given. Legislation may provide part of the

Province of Quebec is also considering

answer. But some aren’t relying entirely on

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proposed regulation to fix the situation. These organizations are committed to finding answers in their own backyard. United we stand The Alberta Construction Association (ACA), for example, is well aware of the increasing significance of payment delays within the industry and is in the process of seeking out potential processes to address it. “This issue has become one of our major strategic outputs,” states Chris Ambrozic, president of Scorpio Masonry, and vice-chair of the ACA. “There have been many cases of construction companies that have gone under as a result of not getting paid on time.” The ACA has partnered with the Edmonton Construction Association, the Calgary Construction Association, the Lethbridge Construction Association, and the Medicine Hat Construction Association on determining how best to address the issue of delayed payment – an issue identified in a 2014 survey as one of the most important issues (after the economy) facing the Alberta construction industry. Some 66 per cent of the survey respondents stated that they had moneyflow challenges all or most of the time, and 86 per cent felt that current contractenforcement provisions were inadequate to address the flow of money. The associations will work together to facilitate two-part workshops that will involve representatives of all affected construction stakeholders – owners, architects, engineers, and contractors (including general contractors, tradespeople, suppliers and subcontractors). Each group will include project managers and accounting personnel. “This is a very complex issue and understandably, one that lacks a bit of awareness at the small and medium-sized business level,” states Ambrozic. “Our goal is to promote some of the best practices currently in use at the government and private levels.” Ambrozic refers to Alberta Infrastructure (AI) as an example of a

government agency that has shown great leadership and initiative in addressing this issue. In 2016, AI introduced four significant changes to its contracts: • AI specifies a maximum of 30 calendar days after the initial receipt of the application for payment, provided the contractor has properly completed their claim; • Contracts now specify that amounts which are not in dispute will be paid within those 30 days. Disputed amounts will be resolved during the next invoice period; • AI has committed to publicizing the date of payment so that subcontractors and suppliers will be aware of when the prime contractor was paid; and • Upon appropriate application, holdback funds will be released once the portion of the work is complete. The contractor will submit their certificate of substantial performance for their portion of the work performed, and follow normal procedures of posting the certificate at the job site. AI will verify substantial performance. After the 45-day period, the contractor then applies for release as part of the next progress claim. “Alberta Infrastructure is the largest public purchaser of construction in the province,” states Ambrozic. In fact, the amount of Capital Investment for Capital Construction alone in Alberta in 2017-2018 is estimated to be more than $132 million, according to the Alberta Government’s Infrastructure Business Plan for 2017-20. The target amount for 2018-19 is set for more than $134 million. Leading the way DSH Consulting has been tasked with the job of organizing and creating the workshops. Debbie Hicks, company president, admits that the project represents a big effort on behalf of the associations. “I will be facilitating workshops in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge,” she explains. “The respective associations will have the responsibility of filling the room

with the proper representatives.”

issues with two national owner groups:

The goal of the workshops has been

Public Services and Procurement Canada

defined as: “Collaborate to create best

and Defence Construction Canada,”

practices by committing to a schedule of

says Hicks. “The ACA collaborates with

activities to improve the payment process

the provincial bodies and the local

through a review of current processes

associations collaborate with owners

and identifying opportunities for future

within the municipality of Edmonton and

processes”.

surrounding area. We will be working

The workshops will operate

in tandem with what the CCA is doing

concurrently with work currently

federally.”

underway by the Canadian Construction

Two workshops will involve member

Association (CCA).

companies, CCA representatives,

“The CCA collaborates on procurement

and government, such as Alberta HEAD OFFICE

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Infrastructure and Defence Construction. “The first workshop will see participants discussing current processes when it comes to facilitating the payment of funds,” explains Hicks. “Each group will then go back to their own operation

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At the end of them, Hicks will have the basic foundation in place for the development of best practices. These will subsequently be rolled out across the province, with an anticipated date of early 2018. “These workshops will have dramatic consequences for the construction industry because money is king,” she states. “The flow of money is critical, especially in a province like Alberta, which is currently in an economic downturn. But just as important is the dialogue that will be going on among all the four groups – owners, engineers, architects, and contractors – in the room at the same

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time. The construction industry operates in silos so there are very few opportunities to have conversations like this, one where we will all be working together collectively to address a specific issue.” Hicks likens the workshops to mirroring lean construction methodologies. “It’s all about eliminating waste, in this case payment delays, and working on continuous improvement of our processes that affect the flow of money,” she states. Better days ahead Construction associations will undoubtedly play a major role in addressing the issue of payment delays within the entire Alberta construction industry. The fact that the workshops will gather input from all industry sectors will ensure a united resolution – one capable of making a difference for everyone. u

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TRADE DEFINITIONS IN ALBERTA –

A BRIEF HISTORY By Roger Buksa

The Alberta Construction Trade Definitions are a critical,

The intention of the Trade Definitions is to eliminate that

but widely misunderstood document. The document is not a

guesswork and put all subcontractors on an equal playing field.

tendering system, nor is it meant to alter the intent or content

It is important to recognize that without the inception of

of the tender documents. This document is solely intended

the tendering system there would be no Trade Definitions. The

to outline what costs each trade scope are to include or not

following is the first of a three-part article that will trace the past,

include in their tender submission so that all submissions can

present and future of the Trade Definitions. The Trade Definitions

be evaluated on an equal basis during a tender close. There are

were the direct result of a construction industry in dire need of a

many subcontractors in the industry who do not understand the

fair and equitable tendering process attempting to eliminate bid

entirety of their scope and what costs they should or should not

shopping and price fixing. To have an effective tendering system,

include. General contractors struggle every time they close a

it is essential to have accurately defined individual trade scopes.

tender trying to evaluate whether or not the subtrades’ pricing is complete. They usually have minutes to make a decision on how much to allow for the missing items as they review extensive “Not Included” lists on subtrades’ tender submissions.

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Moving the Industry Forward “Suppliers and subcontractors now have greater assurance of competing on a level playing field. General contractors are assured of completed bids that cover the entire scope of the project. Owners benefit because they can compare ‘apples-to-apples’ compliant bids on clear definitions. In the end, everyone wins.” —Ken Gibson, Alberta Construction Association www.tradedefinitions.com

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fixing that was running rampant through the United States and Canada at that time. However, it wasn’t until 1955 that the disputes between the general contractors and the subcontractors over unfair bid practices in both countries finally came to a head. The situation became so intense that subcontractors held protests in the streets of Toronto and New York that at times turned violent as protestors disputed the unfair and self-serving practices between many general contractors and subcontractors in the bid process. In Toronto, heating contractors went on strike and many other subcontractors refused to bid projects. The protests finally brought the two groups to the table. Working together, the general contractors and subcontractors developed a tendering code that was referred to as the “10 Commandments”. This was a set of rules developed for the tendering process and was the first attempt at a bid depository. At this point, there was still no definition of any trade scope. In April 1955, the board of directors of the Toronto Builders Exchange approved in principle the plan for the operation of a bid depository for use by general, mechanical, and electrical contractors on a trial basis from April 15th to December 31st. If the depository was found to be serving a useful purpose, it would be continued on a year-to-year basis. This was the beginning of the bid depository. In August 1956, responding to a request from the Edmonton Builders Exchange (renamed the Edmonton Construction Association in 1965), the Windsor Builders & Contractors Association in Ontario forwarded a copy of their Bid Depository By-laws to the Edmonton association, to be used as the basis for their tendering system. At that time, only the major subtrades – electrical, plumbing, and heating – were separate bids in their bid depository. There was no real trade definition or published outline for any scope, including the major subtrades. Even with

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the assistance of the Ontario association, another five years elapsed before Edmonton opened their bid depository. In 1961, the Edmonton Bid Depository Management Committee was formed to lay out the requirements, rules, and regulations for the implementation of the depository. Once established, the Edmonton Bid Depository (EBD) operated in Edmonton for two years. Several Alberta local contractor associations had also established tendering systems, and in 1963, all Alberta construction associations with bid depositories merged to form the Alberta Bid Depository (ABD), in an effort to standardize bid depository rules and procedures. At its inception, the Alberta Bid Depository recognized 17 different trades. The mechanical and electrical scopes were now outlined, and it was determined which subtrades were to be included in their respective tenders. For example, the mechanical contractor would carry the sheet metal, temperature controls, refrigeration, insulation, and sprinklers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and these are still the basis for a mechanical tender today. In 1967, in an effort to expand and improve, the Alberta Bid Depository requested trade scope outlines from its member subcontractors. Over the next three-and-a-half years, the Alberta Bid Depository gathered, compiled, and vetted the trade scope outlines provided by all contractors willing to assist in the process. Once complete, the final draft of the first Alberta Trade Definitions had 25 different trade scope outlines and underwent final review by the Alberta Bid Depository committee. On June 14, 1971, the definitions were ratified and the first version of the Alberta Trade Definitions was established, and issued for use on January 1, 1972. u Note: All information provided in the above article was taken from the historical archives at the Edmonton Construction Association.

Edmonton Construction Association

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RITCHIE MARKET: THIRD WAVE YEG By Scott Benoit

Strange and beautiful vessels of copper and stainless steel glint inside their glass house at the northwest intersection of the Four Corners of Ritchie, where neighbourhood renewal is being fueled by craft beer, thirdwave coffee, cycling culture, fresh food and butchery all under one roof. This is our city, and it’s both the same as it’s ever been, and yet so much more than we dreamed it could be. Remember the brain drain, when creatives fled YEG for

more fertile ground? We’ve weathered that and emerged stronger. As Monocle writer Megan Gibson observed recently, “The city formerly known as ‘Deadmonton’ has been reanimated – and its vital signs are good. With an entrepreneurial spirit that’s as strong as any, it seems the Big E is coming alive.” The Ritchie Market is home to Blind Enthusiasm Brewery and its associated brew pub Biera; YEG legend, ACME Meat Market; Velocity Cycle’s protégé, Creekside Cyclery;

The Ritchie Market is home to Blind Enthusiasm Brewery and its associated brew pub Biera; ACME Meat Market; Creekside Cyclery; and Transcend Coffee, plus a generous flex space able to hold various functions.

Greg Zeschuk, the founder and creative force behind the Ritchie Market, and Christine Sanford, chef at Biera, are among those who never stopped believing in YEG.

and Transcend Coffee, plus a generous flex

Market on the sunniest of days as the first

space which is your new favourite place to

batch of beer was coming out of the vats

host a function. Greg Zeschuk, the founder

and the charcoal grill was being fired up

and creative force behind the Ritchie

for the first time – it’s almost go-live time

Market, and Christine Sanford, chef at

for Blind Enthusiasm and Biera, and you

Biera, are among those who never stopped

can literally smell it.

believing in YEG. Zeschuk’s story of moonlighting as a

One of the joys ECA members share with each other is that of the built legacies

family doctor while he co-founded and grew

that we are all actively contributing to

BioWare for over two decades is Edmonton

each day on the job. Quite literally we

folklore by now. BioWare's vision is to create,

are all city builders. The Ritchie Market,

deliver, and evolve the most emotionally

built by Carlson Construction, is a bold,

engaging games in the world, which they

beautiful, responsible building which is

continue to succeed at to this day. In

responding to and advancing renewal

describing his shift to new passions, Zeschuk

in one of Edmonton’s most mature

admits it was not without its pain and

neighbourhoods. Group2 Architecture,

regret – but it’s clear that his story is merely

in response to Zeschuk’s “no drywall”

evolving, and that his passion to create a

mandate, envisioned and designed a warm

work environment that is hardworking and

industrially-informed series of spaces

fun will continue.

where authentic materials, transparency,

I toured the depths of the Ritchie

and permeability are held up as virtues.

In response to Zeschuk’s no drywall mandate, Group2 Architecture designed a warm industrially-informed series of spaces that features Douglas Fir, quarter-sawn oak, copper, schedule 40 pipe, stainless steel and more.

The art of production is not only a theme in the physical structure of the Ritchie Market. People are actually making things here.

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Edmonton Construction Association

Douglas Fir, quarter-sawn oak, copper, schedule 40 pipe, stainless steel, boardformed raw concrete, glass, galvalume siding, salvaged cask wood, tile, and brick constitute a diverse palette. Only materials that are real, that are durable, that have proven themselves, and that call us to touch them and instinctively trust them, make the cut. The spaces evoke and remix archetypical places that exist in our collective memory – great, discreet places now mashed-up together under one roof. The art of production is not only a theme in the physical structure of the Ritchie Market. People are actually making things here. Transcend’s roastery stands in the sun-flooded southeast corner; Alberta Malt is augured overhead, travelling through the restaurant on its way to alchemy in the brewery; bicycles are built and fitted; meat is respectfully butchered; cortadas and matcha are lovingly prepared. The space itself draws attention to the beauty in hard work. In the mid-1990s, troubling predictions emerged of a future where productivity and automation would lead to the destruction of jobs and the end

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Greg Zeschuk, the brainchild behind the Ritchie Market, is also a former doctor and the founder of BioWare, a video game company which was sold to Electronic Arts (EA) in 2007 for $860 million.

of work. Of course, we are very much still at work. Now, as we prepare for careers which don’t exist yet, a fresh fear is surfacing alongside advances in artificial intelligence – advances that will have implications for construction. But what if, instead of robots stealing our jobs (before we even get our promised jetpacks), we could instead imagine new ways to work that make us happier, healthier, and more connected to each other and our neighbourhoods.

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Ventures like the Ritchie Market are reminding us that how things are made matters – and that where things are made can matter, too. Greg Zeshuck and his partners, cohorts, customers, and allies are counting on it. u

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Edmonton Construction Association

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Some programs in Alberta are working toward building a more diverse construction workforce, hoping that indigenous, female, and immigrants to Canada will join. PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMEN BUILDING FUTURES.

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Edmonton Construction Association

The construction workforce is aging, and some educational organizations say that to mitigate attrition, industry needs to look to under-represented demographics to take their places. Some programs in Alberta are working toward building a more diverse construction workforce, hoping that indigenous, female, and immigrants to Canada will join. “It’s still predominantly men–it’s still predominantly white men who work in the construction field. There’s no question about it,” says Kristine Morris, project coordinator at Work Ready Pathway in Edmonton. Work Ready Pathway prepares high school students at Centre High Campus for careers in the construction trade. The campus is a high school in downtown Edmonton for fourth- and fifth-year students wanting to upgrade and explore post-secondary and career pathways. Work Ready Pathway is a relatively new program that initially received funding in July 2015. Merit Contractors Association of Alberta, who funded Work Ready Pathway, put out a call to schools across the province for proposals for a potential educational initiative, the purpose of which would be to promote careers in the trades, especially among underemployed or underrepresented youth, indigenous youth, and women. Work Ready Pathway received $400,000 from Merit to start the program. Students at Work Ready Pathway learn technical trade skills from industry professionals, as well as work readiness components like ethics and resume building. Morris says some of the lessons Work Ready Pathway teaches seem like common knowledge, but those lessons are the most valuable for underrepresented youth in the workplace. “The first thing we do is that everybody learns the handshake,” says Morris. “Because depending on where you’re coming from and what your background is, the handshake may not be something that you see as appropriate—

Thirty-four per cent of the women accessing WBF training are of indigenous heritage. Jacqueline Andersen of Women Building Futures says that “women and indigenous people are the largest labour source that’s right here.”

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especially when we have young men coming from different countries where shaking a woman’s hand or touching a woman at all would be seen as very inappropriate.” It’s difficult for newcomers to learn these skills without understanding their significance and role in Canadian society. At the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Constructing Futures students with engineering degrees and experience in construction project management learn the skills and customs necessary to get them hired. Constructing Futures offers an 18-week employment skill-building program, which is followed by an eight-week work experience practicum. Participants in the Constructing Futures program often come with international degrees in civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering. "Employers are able to harness the brainpower and professional experience newcomers bring to Canada. They have a wealth of experience and the necessary education and skills to perform well in

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In Canada, drastically fewer women hold trade certificates and positions than men. According to Statistics Canada, in 2015, only seven per cent of women in Canada held trade certificates versus 14 per cent for men in the same time frame.

a project management role,” says Jenny Park, coordinator at Constructing Futures. “It’s giving someone a chance who might not otherwise have had a chance to enter into their profession.” Similarly, Morris says the impact that Work Ready Pathway has on the lives of young people is consistently tangible. She says she has seen many young men and women who believed they had no prospects in life turn around and get good jobs in the trades. “This is real time. This is making a difference in these young peoples’ lives,” says Morris. “And in turn, these young people who’ve embraced it are really going to step in and make a name for themselves and have great careers and contribute to the construction industries. So it goes around.” In Canada, drastically fewer women hold trade certificates and positions than men. According to Statistics Canada, in 2015, only seven per cent of women in Canada held trade certificates versus 14 per cent for men in the same time frame. The results of the 2015 National Apprenticeship Survey shows that 86 per cent of trades apprentices are male. Jacqueline Andersen of Women Building Futures (WBF) says that if you remove occupations like hairdressing and baking, the number of women working in the trades drops even more. Women Building Futures’ mandate is to “empower women’s success through construction trades and construction maintenance,” says Andersen.

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Digitally signed by Darren McPherson DN: cn=Darren McPherson, o=Kehoe Equipment Ltd., ou, email=darren@kel-hvac.com, c=CA Date: 2016.06.24 18:45:20 -06'00'

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DarrenofMcPherson A maximum 3 proofs will be provided. _________________________________ A To: maximum of 3 proofs will be provided. Kehoe Eqipment At: _________________________________ Darren McPherson To: _________________________________ Wed Jun 22/16 Darren McPherson _____________________________ To:Date: _________________________________ Kehoe Eqipment At: _________________________________ 1 Kehoe Eqipment Page 1 of: _________________________ At: _________________________________ Wed Jun 22/16 Date:Wed _____________________________ Jun 23/16 Jun 22/16 Please return by: Thur ___________________ Date: _____________________________ 1 Page 1Erin of: Slobodian _________________________ 1 From: _____________________________ Page 1 of: _________________________ Jun 23/16 Please July return by: Thur ___________________ 2016 Thur Jun 23/16 Issue: _____________________________ Please return by: ___________________ Erin Slobodian From: _____________________________ 1/3Slobodian Vertical Erin Size:_____________________________ ______________________________ From: July 2016 Issue: _____________________________ July 2016 Issue: _____________________________ 1/3 Vertical Size: ______________________________ 1/3 Vertical Please Sign and Fax Back Size: ______________________________

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Your signature indicates you accept full responsibility for the final copy and ad layout. Please ensure the Your signature indicates you accept Your signature indicates you accept company name, address, phone full responsibility for the final copy full responsibility for the copy number, etc. are correct -final usethe the and ad layout. Please ensure and ad layout. Please ensure the provided checklist. company name, address, phone company name, address, phone number, etc. are correct use Every effort has been made tothe ensure number, etc. are correct - use the provided all detailschecklist. of your ad are correct. provided checklist. Every has been to ensure Odvodeffort Publishing doesmade not assume Every effortofhas been made to ensure all details your ad are correct. responsibility for any errors once the 780-482-5417 all details of your ad are correct. client has signed off onnot theassume proof. Pro-Western Mechanical specializes in construction of multifamily complexes, Odvod Publishing does Please Sign and Fax Back commercial institutional systems acrossfor does Odvod Publishing not assume Please Signandand Fax contracting Back of complete mechanical responsibility any errors once the 780-482-5417 Pleasewestern check: NOTE: Colour may not be exactly as Canada. responsibility for any errors client has signed off on the once proof.the 780-482-5417 shown in the final printed product. Dedicated to providing project owners and general contractors with an q Logo/Company Name client has signed off on the proof. schedules, Pleaseexperienced check: mechanical subcontractor while prioritizing project NOTE: Colour may not be exactly as q Address exceeding expectations and quality workmanship in every facet of our work. Please check: NOTE: be exactly as shownColour in themay finalnot printed product. q Logo/Company We work with our Name clients to source and install plumbing, heating, ventilation, q Phone Number shown in the final printed product. ❑ q Logo/Company Name air conditioning, refrigeration and gas fitting solutions for new construction and Address Spelling renovations. ❑q Address q Phone Number We maintain an accelerated, q Website/Email Address high efficient workflow and construction schedule, ❑ q Phone Number resulting Spelling in well-organized projects. These qualities assist in projects progressing smoothly with the many sub-trades involved during the project cycle.

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ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 67

Women Building Futures (WBF) is a leader in trades training for women, with extensive experience recruiting females into the heavy industrial workforce. The women who typically access training at WBF are between 18 and 60 years old. PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMEN BUILDING FUTURES.

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Edmonton Construction Association

The women who access training at WBF are between 18 and 60 years old, and they’re learning to break into the construction industry despite its inherent gender disparity. Some of the women at WBF are unemployed, but many are just underemployed, working jobs in hospitality and retail, and often feeling unfulfilled. According to Andersen, women simply don’t realize or recognize that trades are a viable option for their careers. “I think certainly there’s an issue in society in general around what I like to call the parity of the trades, which is that society doesn’t see trades careers as being equal professional careers oftentimes. There’s a sub-par idea that it’s for the kids that can’t make it academically, which is a shame because there’s a lot of academic requirements for certain trades.” Thirty-four per cent of the women accessing WBF training are also of indigenous heritage. The average age of trades workers continues to rise into the late 50’s, and once those workers retire, Andersen says the industry will need to seek labour elsewhere. “Women and indigenous people are the largest labour source that’s right here,” says Andersen. “So instead of bringing in temporary foreign workers when the need arises—which it will again—you’ve got your labour force right here if you just look at half the population. And indigenous people in Canada are the largest-growing population in Canada.” The Alberta Aboriginal Construction Careers Centres (AACCC) have been working to prepare indigenous job seekers for careers in construction ever since they received their initial $1 million in funding from the Alberta government in 2015. Ruby Littlechild is a manager at AACCC, and she says her job since the centres launched has been to bridge the gap between indigenous people and the construction industry. “A lot of our clients that come to our centres are coming from First Nations

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Thirty-four per cent of the women accessing WBF training are also of indigenous heritage. The average age of trades workers continues to rise into the late 50’s, and once those workers retire, the industry will need to seek labour elsewhere.

labour resource. All it takes to tap into it is a little investment in the individuals that compose it. “That’s the other piece,” says Morris. “It’s working with people who are doing

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communities where there’s little to no employment and much poverty,” says Littlechild. The barriers preventing indigenous workers from pursuing careers don’t stop at poverty and geographic isolation; they continue to burden indigenous job seekers even after they leave the reserves, says Littlechild. Many barriers stem from cultural differences that interfere with communication skills. What people don’t understand, says Littlechild, is that indigenous people do want to be a part of mainstream society. It comes down to education and making companies aware of the cultural differences and barriers that often inhibit indigenous people from finding and keeping jobs. “A lot of our men and women are humble and shy, so I have to get [companies] to understand where these people are coming from and why,” says Littlechild. At AACCC, indigenous men and women get job coaching support to assess qualifications and skill level, and can ultimately be matched with positions submitted by companies who are registered members of the AACCC. “I think it’s about creating shifts in society and both empowering indigenous people, but also educating industry so we can bridge the gap between the indigenous community and the construction industry and create more inclusive workplaces,” says Littlechild. When it comes to investing in young, underrepresented youth for trades and construction positions, there are benefits for both the job-seeking demographics and the industry. Kristine Morris of Work Ready Pathway says ignoring the potential in these groups of people is wasting an entire

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ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 69

THE OTHER ALBERTA ADVANTAGE By Curtis Griffith

Alberta is the envy of provinces and states across North America when it comes to construction procurement and tendering. Within our day-to-day hustle and bustle it is easy to take for granted the clarity and ease of access that exist when looking for construction opportunities and the information contractors need to bid. Through the ongoing work of Alberta’s eight local construction associations, together with the support of public and private owners, COOLNet Alberta is the hub of construction opportunities and information in Alberta. Step outside of our province and this clarity is lost amid multiple websites, multiple logins, competing for-profit softwares, missing information, and ultimately missed opportunities. To keep on top of opportunity information, contractors

south of our border monitor up to a dozen different sites daily, wasting time that could be spent elsewhere in the condensed tender process. Supporting your local construction association and COOLNet Alberta is supporting clarity, simplicity, and equality in the construction procurement space. Public Owners & Consultants – COOLNet Alberta is where your contractors find the work – we provide instant advertising and publishing of your documents. Join Alberta Infrastructure in receiving your submissions online through COOLNet and further increase the efficiency of bidding by removing cars, trucks, travel, couriers, and cumbersome public openings. General Contractors – Send invitations to bid using On Demand, our private bid management service. Access the largest

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Edmonton Construction Association

Curtis Griffith, COOLNet Alberta.

and most comprehensive directory of trade contractors in the province. Sub-Trades & Suppliers – Join our COOLNet Public Directory and start receiving invitations to bid from general contractors, get on project-specific bidders lists, and advertise your company to everyone using COOLNet. COOLNet Alberta has a very simple purpose – create ease of access to construction opportunities for the entire industry. We will continue to serve the entire industry as we always have, and can’t wait to help you and your business soon. u

COOLNET ALBERTA Etegri As an owner of construction, use COOLNet Alberta for all of your tendering needs. E-bidding and bonding, immediate bid tabulation, audit trail reporting, and document control are just a few of the features you will find. COOLNet On Demand A growing number of member companies are using COOLNet On Demand for free and private online plan rooms. You control the access to invite contractors, manufacturers and suppliers to bid on your project. Join the community, call for a demo today. For a demonstration of COOLNet and On Demand, call Curtis Griffith at 780.483.1279 or visit coolnetalberta.com

FMCA

FORT MCMURRAY CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

Spring weather and river-valley views from the patio at the Macdonald Hotel, during the 2017 Ed Talks networking reception.

THE YBG ENTERS ITS FOURTH SEASON – 1,200 MEMBERS AND GROWING Forging connections between the emerging leaders in every construction sector When the Edmonton Construction Association launched the Young Builders’ Group (YBG) in 2014, none of us imagined that we'd reach 1,200 members in just three years. We've been working hard this spring – with the support of ECA board members Andrew Ross and Alistair McBride – to evolve the YBG leadership structure into something more nimble and reactive, so that we can meet the demands of a YBG that is growing and becoming even more diverse. The mission of the YBG remains the same: to create meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, and industry involvement among construction leaders in the first half of their careers. We do that through

Edmonton Construction Association

The YBG Education Committee presents learning events that offer personal and career-development opportunities you can’t find anywhere else.

Ed Talks: Radical Reframe. One of five speakers, Jennifer Hancock (Chandos) discussed the fundamental importance – and the tangible benefits – of happiness at work.

our four pillars: Education, Networking, Industry Collaboration, and Member Engagement. The YBG Education Committee presents learning events that offer personal and career-development opportunities you can't find anywhere else. The 2017 YBG Ed Talks, “Radical Reframe” (May 17) featured short presentations from five outstanding Edmontonian leaders and entrepreneurs: Stephen Mandel (former mayor of Edmonton); Jennifer Hancock (Chandos); Shafraaz Kaba (Manasc Isaac); Jason Strudwick (NHL veteran); and Jared Smith (Incite Marketing). The YBG Lunchbox Series gathers groups of 15 to 25 emerging leaders in the boardroom of an Edmonton construction leader – the 2017 series kicking off with the management team of Carlson Construction. The YBG Networking Committee organizes events that help participants expand their connections across the construction industry: general contractors, trade contractors, insurers, suppliers, architects, engineers… everyone you need to know. And we have a lot of fun along the way. The networking committee is responsible for several highlights of the YBG calendar, including the annual YBG Golf Tournament (July 20th at the Quarry), the YGB Site Series, and the YBG Wrap-Up Party. The freshly renamed YBG Industry Collaboration Committee takes all of the fantastic energy, connections, and education & networking initiatives

Does your insurance program have structural problems? Put the proper framework in place with HUB. HUB International is a leading insurance and surety broker for the construction industry. We are known for our market-specific expertise, comprehensive programs, exceptional service and cost-effective pricing. HUB International has extensive resources, regional specialists, risk management professionals and personal insurance advisors who are expert in addressing the needs of businesses and business owners. If you are unsure whether your coverage is secure or properly priced or simply are not getting the responsive service you deserve, then it’s time to call HUB. HUB International ▪ www.hubinternational.com EDMONTON ▪ 800-563-5325 ▪ #201, 5227 - 55 Avenue, Edmonton, AB, T6B 3V1 Rick Steenbergen ▪ 780-732-9917 ▪ rick.steenbergen@hubinternational.com Randy Singh ▪ 780-453-8414 ▪ randy.singh@hubinternational.com Chris Creran ▪ 780-453-7757 ▪ chris.creran@hubinternational.com Daniel McAllister ▪ 780-453-9837 ▪ daniel.mcallister@hubinternational.com Barrie Latter ▪ 780-453-7759 ▪ barrie.latter@hubinternational.com GRANDE PRAIRIE ▪ 800-563-5325 ▪ 214 Place, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2V4 Brock Clement ▪ 780-513-5706 ▪ brock.clement@hubinternational.com RED DEER ▪ 888-309-3444 ▪ 203, 33 McKenzie Cres Red Deer County, Alberta T4S 2H4 Derek Johnson ▪ 403-309-3770 ▪ derek.johnson@hubinternational.com CALGARY ▪ 877-906-6637 ▪ 410-7220 Fisher Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2H8 Ryan Cushner ▪ 403-777-9240 ▪ ryan.cushner@hubinternational.com Ramy Dasuki ▪ 403-301-4790 ▪ ramy.dasuki@hubinternational.com

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ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 73

The YBG Leadership Team

Rob McGrath, YBG executive chair & manager of special projects, PCL.

Jennifer Michals, YBG industry collaboration chair & technical designer, Kasian Architects.

Greg Forsythe, YBG education chair & contract surety manager, Guarantee Company

Pam Gervais, YBG membership engagement chair & Canadian Sales Manager, Horton Automatics.

Participants in the 2016 SHIFT conference suffer the thrills and spills of coordinating a workflow, in a simulation exercise led by FMI.

Edmonton Construction Association

Dave Olson, YBG networking chair & project manager, PCL.

that exist within the YBG and extends those to the world beyond the YBG. There are other groups and individuals doing exciting things in our industry and city, and the Industry Collaboration Committee works to bring that energy together, multiplying our collective impact. Our flagship SHIFT conference is a focused, half-day learning event that brings together a crosssection of young professionals from all construction industry sectors: designers, consultants, builders, and buyers. Registration for SHIFT 2017 (Sept. 13) will open soon. Finally, the YBG Membership Engagement Committee works to help YBG newcomers and veterans find their way to getting involved. We reach out to new members with a personal phone call and welcome package. We reach out to ECA member-companies whose emerging leaders haven't yet connected with YBG. We track event participation, to help steer YBG towards the courses and events that members really want. And we work together with the ECA communications team to generate interest in the YBG through digital and social media. If your firm is an ECA member, joining the YBG is as simple as visiting www. edmca.com/ybg/sign-up/. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no cost to join. The benefits, however, are substantial. In an industry like ours, where personal connections make all the difference, the importance of finding your place in the YBG community canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be overstated. u

IN-HOUSE PRINTING READY WHEN YOU NEED IT Need a set of plans or specs printed? How about a poster or decal? On a deadline and can’t wait days for prints? ECA is there with in-house printing. Contact Dave Ross david.ross@edmca.com 780.483.1130

MEMBER PRICES MINIMUM INVOICE ORDER OF $8.50 ON PRINT SERVICES

POSTERS Regular Paper Max Order 25

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POSTERS High Quality Paper Max Order 25 DECALS Max Order 5

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BLACK & WHITE 22 cents per sq ft

COLOUR 50 cents per sq ft

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ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 75

ECA MEMBER MILESTONES

Carlson Construction: The Legacy Continues In 1927, Arthur Carlson and his father Victor created a construction company built to last. Carlson Construction’s legacy continues as they celebrate 90 years in the business of building up Edmonton and the surrounding region. Carlson is proud to have been a founding member of the Edmonton Construction Association in 1931. The local company pursued collaborative solutions during tough economic times, and was an original member of the Merit Contractors Association, which assisted the construction workforce through education and other initiatives. Carlson also supported the Certificate of Recognition (COR) safety program when it began, and continues to build on a legacy that puts safety front and centre on every project. Building on a solid foundation, Carlson dominated the industry in the 1970s and 1980s. Over the years, the company’s dedication to uncompromising standards resulted in numerous notable projects, including: Citadel Theatre, Edmonton Journal Building, South Edmonton Common, AMA Kingsway Building, Alberta Research Council Facility, and Enerkem’s Biomass Storage facility, to name a few. Today, Carlson fuses the legacy that started in 1927 with industry-leading innovation. From start to finish, the company is committed to delivering a remarkable construction experience. Carlson utilizes a partner-led approach which is instrumental in the success of every commercial, light industrial, or industrial project they construct. Carlson continues to look to their roots for inspiration and guidance. Through hard work, integrity, and a drive for exceptional results, Carlson continues to be a leader in the construction industry. Times have changed since 1927, but the company’s work ethic and dedication to achieving the best construction experience for their clients has not.

Edmonton Construction Association

The leader of the Pac 2017 marks Cdn. Power Pac’s 40th year in business. Starting in St. Albert as a service-based electrical contractor, our very first job was to remove a zipper from an old lady’s dryer. From these humble beginnings, we have gone on to build some of Alberta’s largest commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. As a family based business, Cdn. Power Pac is a relationshipfocused company. We look at every project and opportunity as a means to create long-term clients. We are sure to keep the next opportunity and the opportunity a decade away in mind with every decision made. Our people and their ongoing drive, loyalty, and dedication has played a pivotal part in our success. With more than half of our field staff with over a decade of service under their belt, they are recognized as the strongest in the industry. The engineers and designers we work with day in and day out are also seen as members of our contributing team. As we look toward the future, Cdn. Power Pac will set the benchmark in quality electrical installations and cost effectiveness by embracing our ongoing commitment to relationships, coupled with the latest in electrical preconstruction and preproduction methods. We have accomplished a lot together during our first 40 years and thank everyone who has played a part in making Cdn. Power Pac a fantastic company now and for decades to come.

As a family based business, Cdn. Power Pac is a relationship-focused company. We look at every project and opportunity as a means to create long-term clients.

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780.452.7720 avcarlson.ca Suite 100, 16011 116 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5M 3Y1

MANAGING MARIJUANA USE IN THE WORKPLACE

As legalization of marijuana is just around the corner, and medical cannabis is becoming more prevalent in Canada, employers are left with a series of unanswered questions revolving around the workplace. This leads us to the question, “what do employers need to know about managing cannabis in the workplace?”

By Kelsey Saunders

When will marijuana legalization take effect? Marijuana is expected to be legalized by July 2018. Once legalized, can employers continue to test for marijuana use? Yes. Marijuana use still carries significant risks to safety at work, and we therefore encourage employers to continue to test for cannabis use, even after legalization is implemented. How will marijuana impairment be detected? Currently, the saliva swab is the most time-sensitive test at an employer’s disposal. The saliva swab test has the ability to detect marijuana consumption within 12 78

Edmonton Construction Association

hours of the drug test. Unfortunately, the saliva swab does not test if an individual is actively impaired, which is one of the biggest concerns for not only employers, but law enforcement as well. The psychoactive chemical in marijuana, THC, metabolizes through an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body differently than alcohol, which means the current roadside impairment tests offer no assistance to agencies actively researching for an active impairment solution. The federal government is investing a significant amount of resources in this initiative in order to find a solution prior to the legalization in July 2018.

How should employers prepare for this legislative change? Employers should revisit their existing drug and alcohol policies and update them appropriately. It is important that all policy revisions are properly communicated to employees to ensure thorough understanding. All supervisors, team leads, and managers are to be

Can marijuana be treated the same way as alcohol in the workplace? To a certain extent, yes it can. Alcohol is a legal substance that poses significant safety risks in the workplace and has been carefully managed by employers over the past several years. Employers should have detailed policies governing the use of alcohol. Prohibiting impairment, use, and possession of the substance at the workplace, and outlining specific consequences for violation of those terms, as an example. It is important to note that cannabis and alcohol are two different substances and are metabolized differently in the body, with different effects on cognition

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and behaviour, and carry distinctive safety risks and health concerns. An employer must take these differences into account when drafting drug and alcohol policies.

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ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 79

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS ABS Trucking Ltd.

Allmar Inc.

Acuren Group Inc.

Alpha Adroit Engineering Ltd

17, 40 & 61

Asyma Solutions Ltd. ATS Traffic

78 IFC

AGRA 80

An-Mar Concrete Pumping Co. Ltd.

BDO Canada LLP 55

Alberta Blue Cross

AON Risk Solutions

Brock White Company, LLC 44

Alberta Masonry Council

Arrow Engineering

Brownlee LLP 63

Alberta Paramedical Services Ltd.

Arthur J. Gallagher

BURNCO Rock Products Ltd.

Alberta Wilbert Sales Ltd.

Associated Engineering Group Ltd.

Calgary Tunnelling

Carlson Construction Ltd.

Cdn. Power Pac Electrical Division

Valley Line LRT The South River Valley, Edmonton

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IBC

Cemrock Concrete and Construction

Challenger Geomatics Ltd.

Classic Landscapes Limited

Container King

Convoy Supply

Corix Control Solutions

CP Distributors

Crew Electrical Ltd.

Crystal Glass Canada

Cutting Edge Landscaping

Davmar Contracting

Decalta Consulting Ltd.

Donalco Western Inc.

EGM Drywall Systems Inc.

EllisDon Construction Services Inc.

Empire Mechanical Contractors Inc.

EPS Molders, Inc.

ESC Automation

EDMONTON

EWEL 65

CALGARY

Fenceline Rentals

SASKATOON

Field Law LLP 70

VANCOUVER

Garden Concrete Services Ltd.

Gemco Fireplaces & Wholesale Heating Products

80 Breaking Ground.indd 1

Edmonton Construction Association 6/7/2017 12:33:59 PM

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Go Nissan – Edmonton

Proform Management Inc.

Grant Metal Products Ltd.

Protint Inc.

HUB International Limited

Innovative Fall Protection Inc.

IVIS Inc.

Servicemaster Restore

Simple Shower Solutions

Pumps & Pressure Inc.

St. Albert Parking Lot Maintenance Ltd.

Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre

Star Mechanical Plumbing & Heating

Thermo Solutions Insulation Inc.

Rapid Concrete Ltd.

40 & 54

JLG Ball Enterprises

RDE Group

Western Weather Protector Ltd.

Kehoe Equipment Ltd.

Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited

Westgate Chevrolet Ltd.

Keller Canada

Kristian Electric Ltd

Leading Edge Roofing & Consulting Inc.

Ledcor Construciton Limited

OBC

LEDS 65 Lehigh Hanson Materials Limited

Lenbeth 35 Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Loadrite 59 Master Mechanical Plumbing & Heating

Master Paving Alberta Ltd.

McElhanney Land Surveys

McNish Steel

MHL Industries Ltd.

Miclex Construction Inc.

Midwest Caissons (2014) Inc.

Midwest Structural

Modern Niagara Alberta

Mor-Con Curbing Inc.

Master Mechanical Systems Ltd.

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NAIT 4 Onsite Group

Park-Aid Ashphalt and Maintenance Ltd.

Patcher Energy Management Ltd.

PCL Construction Management Inc.

Predictable Futures Inc.

Pro-Western Mechanical

Master Mechanical Plumbing and Heating (1986) Ltd.

2107 - 87 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6P 1L5 PH: 780-449-1400 mastermechanical-ltd.com

ECA Breaking Ground | Summer 2017 81

INSTITUTIONAL

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CCTV Construction Management

Data Termination & Testing

Directional Drilling Distribution Systems

Electrical Controls

Energy Appraisals Energy Retrofits

Fibre Optics

HEALTHCARE

Fire Alarm Systems Intercoms

Lighting Systems

Motors

Nurse Call Systems Radiant Heaters

Remote Utilities

Trenching

COMMERCIAL

Utility Coordination

Voice/Data Systems

INDUSTRIAL

Alberta’s Finest Electrical Contractor SINCE 1977

T 780.452.0467 F 780.452.1229 17221‐106 Avenue Edmonton AB T5S1E7 WWW.CDNPOWERPAC.COM

PROVEN. RELIABLE. FOR OVER 70 YEARS, THE LEDCOR GROUP HAS BEEN BUILDING WITH INTERGRITY. @ledcorgroup WWW.LEDCOR.COM