The Finance, Surety and Bonding Issue

VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4

JULY // AUGUST 2020

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE G RAND VALLEY CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION

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2020 THE

FINANCE, SURETY AND BONDING ISSUE

With stories on getting back to work during the COVID pandemic, calls for financial relief, and the future of the surety landscape.

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VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 JULY - AUGUST 2020

FINANCE, SURETY AND BONDING ISSUE

PUBLISHER Martha George EDITOR James Raiswell

CONTRIBUTORS

Kimberly Aitken Dave Brune Ted Dreyer Tim Gorman

PHOTOGRAPHY GVCA Staff

CONTRIBUTORS and Members

LAYOUT & DESIGN Janet Day

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FEATURES

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TO THE EDITOR

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©2020 Grand Valley Construction Association. ll rights reserved. The contents of this publication A may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part without prior written consent of the publisher

12 OCS RETURN TO WORK SURVEY 15 OGCA, OAA OFFER GUIDANCE ON PUBLISHING CSPS 16 CASH FLOW CRISIS COULD BE COMING

4

WELCOME

Messages from the Chair and the President

5

CRYSTAL BALL REPORT

Brain Sciences Project, Long-term Care Home, and OPP Facility

6

SIGHTINGS

18 COVID-19: SHOULD I EXPECT CHANGES FROM MY SURETY?

Were you spotted?

7

SAFETY

20 LiUNA TO PILOT TEST DIGITAL CONTACT-TRACE TECHNOLOGY

IHSA Issues new COVID-19 resources

21 SEPARATED, NOT DIVIDED

for construction

8 LEGAL The new CCDC 2–2020 is almost here: Are you ready for takeover?

22 CANADA’S COVID-19 RESPONSE PLAN AND YOUR BUSINESS

10 FINANCIAL

23 CCA OPENS APPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCED CONtact MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

24 GVCA EDUCATION COURSE

OUTLINE 2020

Cash flow through COVID

31 GVCA EVENTS &

EDUCATION CALENDAR 31 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

3

WELCOME TO JOURNAL A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER Construction is back to full capacity (at the time I’m writing this, anyway), and for that I am thankful; but that said, now is not the time to be complacent about our operations.

Business is not as usual and there are a host of considerations that each of us as construction industry professionals and owners needs to think about as we proceed.

One of the big issues confronting us all is cost. Whether in terms of lost productivity, enhanced safety measures or schedule delays, this pandemic has—and will—cost us all a great deal of money. The natural temptation will be to find ways to pass those extra costs along to anyone else who can bear them, that’s not necessarily the right thing to do. We have to act fairly and own our share of these cost burdens and look for new ways to deliver projects with as much efficiency as possible to allow us to remain

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

relevant. The last thing any of us needs as we return to normal is to be embroiled in contractual battles with our jobsite partners, and to shrug off as much liability as we can.

Cost escalations have other implications beyond just those each of us is confronting.

Municipal governments are in particularly challenging positions, deficits are high and will continue to climb, cutbacks are rife, and services have been suspended. It’s my hope that relief comes to those organizations— ones that so many of us depend on for so much of our workloads—soon, so that they may resume their operations to full capacity as soon as possible, and so that they can

Mike Reid, GSC

continue to keep the pipeline of construction projects and opportunities flowing. This is especially critical now, when the provincial and federal governments are looking for shovel-ready projects to fund through infrastructure stimulus programs.

We’ve all heard the line: we’re in this together.

It’s true. It’s vital that our industry work as one to share the burdens placed on us, and to help each other and our partners recover as quickly as possible. There is no “they” to look after our future. That task rests with us. Let’s all do our part to lead the effort in overcoming what we are now facing and come out the other side stronger than ever.

EMBRACE CHANGE! There’s a funny meme making its way around the Internet these days. It’s a poll that asks which of the following led to your company adopting work-from-home technology.

Martha George, GSC 4

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

The poll options are: your company CEO, your CTO or COVID-19. No points for guessing that the most popular answer recorded on this fake poll was COVID-19.

put in place to improve. Review all your processes. Question every one of them.

How can you prepare your company to be even more successful in this new normal?

Seriously, though: the pandemic has forced us all to change our business models, and in a hurry. We’ve had our challenges in doing this, but we’ve mostly responded well. So now that we’re confronting the new way of doing business, ask yourself what further steps you can

Our industry has been criticized time and again for its perceived inability to change quickly. The last few months have proven that’s not the case. The time is now to build on the change momentum that has been forced on us all. Embrace the opportunity!

CRYSTAL BALL REPORT

Crystal

Ball

PRE-BID REPORT

UNMATCHED CONSTRUCTION INTELLIGENCE

GVCA’s Crystal Ball Report is a unique and insightful member service. Updated daily by GVCA staff, the report tracks planned projects during the pre-bidding phases, following them from concept to design to prequalification, construction and completion.

Brain Sciences Project • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Project details: The project will construct a new mental health facility for inpatient and

OPP Facility

ambulatory patient care at the Sunnybrook Bayview Campus.

Orangeville

The new building will occupy 115,000 square feet of new construction, along with renovations to 5,000 square feet of existing space. Construction will deliver a four-storey structure inclusive of one storey below grade. Construction will also include the structural capacity to accommodate future building growth. The basement level will include all new mechanical and electrical space. The ground and first floor levels will be new inpatient space. The first and second floor levels house new ambulatory space. Construction will also redevelop the adjacent parking lot from staff parking spaces to landscaping and short-term parking.

Long-term Care Home • Meaford

The Town of Orangeville is seeking to prequalify general contractors to submit bids for the retrofit of an existing facility to be used as an OPP police station. The proposed facility is an existing two-story building located at 390 C Line in Orangeville. The estimated construction value for this project is $500,000.

Project details: A new 128-bed long-term care home will be constructed on an existing

6.3-acre parcel at 186 Cook Street in Meaford. Construction of the home will require the demolition of an existing 3,800 square metre single-storey brick building. The proposed long-term care home will comprise two storeys with a gross building area of 7,155 square metres. The home will be constructed of ICF walls and precast floor slabs with a mixed masonry and aluminum façade.

For more information or to have your project profiled, contact GVCA’s pre-bid reporter Rob Agley at rob@gvca.org

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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SIGHTINGS

WERE YOU SPOTTED? At a time when there is so much negative and tragic information flooding us on all news media, we thought this would be a good time to share some positive news during this COVID-19 pandemic.

GVCA members have done amazing things to help their communities – whether it is donating PPE equipment to health care workers and first responders, to helping local businesses, to keeping staff safe at work – even celebrating achievements. Here are just a few things we wanted to highlight.

Stubbe’s Precast donated 3,000 N95 masks to the Woodstock Hospital, local old age homes and first responders. They also supported a local greenhouse by buying 400 flowered plants which they gave to their employees to take home to enjoy. A win-win for community, local business and staff!

COVID-19 screening is the new normal on job sites, and Melloul-Blamey Construction has some enthusiastic employees who have taken on the role. Phil Rawn is a Carpenter Apprentice on the Holland Christian Homes project in Brampton, and he was ready for the part. Phil took over the day for Josh Woods, who was unable to be there but who is the usual “screener” for Melloul. Love that shirt Phil!

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

The pandemic didn’t dampen celebrations for Keith Shantz, a Site Supervisor with Frey Building Contractors. Keith celebrated 50 years with the company on April 24 and while a typical celebration couldn’t be held, the company paid tribute to him in a unique way.

Keith and his wife Liz woke up to find massive signs on their front lawn, and then were treated to a parade of vehicles with their many friends from Frey offering congratulations. Keith says “I was touched by seeing 25 trucks parade by. Thanks to Bert and Mahol Frey for taking me on as their first employee in 1970. I got a chance to do what I love to do build, alongside many great people, both co-workers and customers!”

SAFETY

IHSA ISSUES NEW COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR CONSTRUCTION As part of its effort to restart the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Ontario has released a series of more than 90 safety guidance documents to help employers and employees remain safe in the workplace.

emergency rescue procedures, workers’ responsibilities with COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, construction facility hygiene, fuelling vehicles and cleaning site trailers and personal protective equipment.

The documents were prepared by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development in conjunction with the province’s four health and safety associations.

The IHSA and the province have also released a series of free posters for use in the workplace that remind all site staff about proper practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Available in English and French, the posters address such subjects as physical distancing, conducting meetings outdoors, staggering breaks, and cleaning tools and other commonly touched items.

Those pertaining to the construction sector were released by the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA). They include best practices for responding to a suspected COVID-19 exposure, as well as guidance documents on a number of issues, including

Protect against COVID-19

Protect against COVID-19

Protect against COVID-19

Protect against COVID-19

Protect against COVID-19

Wash your clothes as soon as you get home

Wipe equipment before and after use

Practice physical distancing and stay 2 metres from other people.

Conduct meetings outdoors

Increase space by staggering lunch breaks

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

Protect against COVID-19

2m

Clean work surfaces often

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007) For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

Protect against COVID-19

Protect against COVID-19

Clean regularly touched items

Clean tools before and after use

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

If you have symptoms, take the self-assessment at ontario.ca/coronavirus.

Or call your primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 416-797-0000 (TTY: 416-797-0007)

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

For more information, visit ontario.ca/coronavirus

The posters and documents are available on the GVCA’s COVID-19 page at gvca.org.

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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LEGAL

THE NEW CCDC 2–2020 IS ALMOST HERE:

ARE YOU READY FOR TAKEOVER? over. Ready-for-Takeover largely replaces Substantial Performance of the Work as the key milestone at the back-end of the contract.

The CCDC 2 is the most widely used form of general contract in Canada. It was last updated in 2008, but the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) is on the cusp of releasing an updated version.

Fortunately, for those of us who know and love the CCDC 2–2008, the draft CCDC 2–2020 being circulated by the CCA is not a wholesale reinvention of the contract. The changes are subtle. The

Ready-for-Takeover is more than just substantial performance but something less than 100 percent completion. Paraphrasing GC 12.1.1, you need to do the following to achieve Ready-for-Takeover:

vast majority of the CCDC 2–2008 concepts and language have been preserved intact.

The biggest change in the draft CCDC 2–2020 is the concept of Ready-for-Take-

• obtain a Certificate of Substantial Performance;

Ted Dreyer

Be confident in the resolution of your dispute.

Certified Adjudicator edreyer@kw-law.com 519-744-4491

Ted Dreyer has been certified by the Ontario Dispute Adjudication

226-339-3714

for Construction Contracts (ODACC) as an adjudicator for the purpose of the Construction Act.

Serving Clients Throughout Ontario C O N S T R U C T I O N L I T I G AT I O N

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

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• obtain an occupancy permit; • perform final cleaning; • deliver operations and maintenance manuals; • deliver as-built drawings; • perform such start-up and testing that are required for occupancy; • hand over keys and security access codes; and • schedule demonstration and training.

The key milestone in the contract schedule will now be Ready-for-Takeover. Under the CCDC 2–2008, the Contract Time ran from the commencement of the Work until Substantial Performance of the Work. In the draft CCDC 2–2020, the Contract Time runs until Ready-for-Takeover.

Ready-for-Takeover will also mark the beginning or end of other important contract obligations. For example, the

contractor will need to maintain project specific insurance until Ready-for-Takeover has been achieved. Furthermore, the contractor’s warranty obligations will not start to run until Ready-forTakeover.

As they have done in the past, a contractor will need to apply to the consultant to certify Substantial Performance of the Work and publish the resulting certificate in a construction trade newspaper like Link2Build.

I do not expect that Ready-for-Takeover will make much of a practical difference to contractors. First of all, many contractors will already be familiar with Readyfor-Takeover because it is a frequently used supplemental condition. Secondly, if an owner takes early occupancy before Ready-for-Takeover is achieved, then GC 12.2 provides that Ready-for-Takeover is deemed to have been achieved even if all of the requirements of GC 12.1.1 have not yet been met.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, the CCDC 2–2020 only exists in a draft form at this point. It may yet change. However, my expectation is that Ready-for-Takeover will remain in the final draft of the CCDC 2–2020, and, furthermore, that it will be adopted in updated versions of other CCDC contracts such as the CCDC 5 A and B Construction Management Contracts, CCDC 14 Design Build Contract, and the CCDC 3 Cost Plus contract.

Substantial Performance of the Work still has a limited role to play in the CCDC 2–2020. It is still the milestone that triggers the release of the holdback.

Ted Dreyer is a lawyer and adjudicator at Madorin, Snyder LLP in Kitchener. This article should not be relied on as legal advice.

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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FINANCIAL

CASH FLOW THROUGH COVID The saying “cash is king” has never been as relevant as during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

With so much uncertainty, preserving cash flow is more important than ever while also balancing the need to retain your skilled workforce, increase safety and social distancing measures, all while trying to keep your business afloat. At the time of writing this article, Ontario was just starting to reopen—and much uncertainty remained.

Covid funding and benefits As the pandemic hit Canada, the federal and provincial governments released details of benefits and funding to help individuals and businesses through the crisis. As many of these programs were released in March 2020, they have just been highlighted here but more details can be found on the CRA website (Canada.ca) or by talking to your accountant.

They include: • wage subsidies provided to help companies keep staff on payroll, • the Canada Emergency Business Account loan up to $40,000 with 25 percent forgiven if certain criteria are met, • extension of the work share program, • emergency commercial rental assistance,

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

• deferrals allowing payments for corporate tax, personal tax, HST and WSIB to be deferred from their initial due dates amid the Ontario shutdowns, and • increase of the EHT exemption to $1,000,000 for the year.

As applications for many of these programs extend into the fall, there is still time to consider if any are right for your business.

If your business is eligible for a program, you should carefully consider if accessing the benefits now to boost cash flow could help you through what could be months before we return to a new sense of normal.

There has been talk of a second wave of this pandemic and history tells us that wave is often far worse than the first, so keeping cash flow strong before a second wave hits could make or break your business’ future.

Additional costs As we try to assess what the new “normal” will look like, there are additional costs that businesses have and will continue

to face. These costs need to be front of mind as you consider your cash flow position throughout the pandemic and beyond: • Increased safety costs to ensure your staff and customers are not put at unnecessary risk (e.g., plexiglass shields, spreading out workers and customers for social distancing, an increased cleaning schedule, additional PPE).

• Potential delays in construction projects which will at least delay cash flows but could also trigger cost overruns.

• Potential increases in absenteeism and sick days due to illness and mental health issues stemming from the pandemic.

• Increased interest costs if you needed to take on additional financing to maintain operations.

Cash flow considerations When putting all the above items into your cash flow projections, you should be sure to consider the following: • Will you have enough cash to make the necessary payments that you deferred? Not having the cash available will increase the interest and penalties your business is charged.

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• Do you have sufficient cash to repay any additional loans obtained based on the loan terms?

• Have you accessed all the available funding and financing needed to help your business through the pandemic and the rebuilding of the economy thereafter? Institutions like the BDC have announced additional financing packages to provide further cash flow above the government funding.

• Have you included multiple scenarios in your cash flow projections? Budgeting and projections are estimates in the best of times but are extremely difficult in the current landscape. By including a best case, expected and worst-case scenario (at least), you will be able to be better prepared should the worst happen.

As Ontario starts the slow process of re-opening, I am hopeful that we will have returned to a new sense of normal at the time this article is published; but even so, many businesses will not have survived or will be struggling. To safeguard your business as much as possible, you must focus on your cash flows and forecasting. Without any forecasting, it will be difficult to make the tough decisions while also making decisions that are best for your business, employees and customers.

Written by Kimberly Aitken, CPA, CA, Co-Leader of RLB LLP’s Construction Team. Contact her at 519-822-9933 or visit rlb.ca.

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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FEATURE

PRODUCTIVITY, SAFETY ARE CONTRACTORS’ MAIN CONCERNS AS THEY RETURN TO WORK: OCS SURVEY The second in a series of surveys conducted by the Ontario Construction Secretariat reveals contractors’ concerns about returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their worries about costs, schedules and worker safety.

Productivity and the health and safety of construction workers are among the top concerns raised by contractors in the second of a series of surveys about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic prepared by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS).

Released on May 25, the Coronavirus Contractor Survey 2: Restart & Recovery captured the opinions of more than 200 industrial, commercial and institutional contractors across Ontario during the week of May 11 to 15. It shows that, as they return to

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

work, contractors’ two principal concerns are ensuring health and safety of workers and staff, and maintaining productivity while meeting physical distancing requirements. But, they say, meeting these goals won’t be easy.

More than three in ten respondents (31 percent) believe it will be highly difficult or impossible to ensure work sites are adequately sanitized, 75 percent said maintaining physical-distancing requirements would have a medium or high impact on project costs, and 73 percent worried

about the impact of distancing on project schedules.

Other prominent concerns for respondents included reduced demand for, and in investment in, construction projects, the government’s capacity to quickly roll out infrastructure stimulus spending, and disruptions to their supply chains.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected contractors’ bottom lines. More than three quarters of respondents said their firms have less revenue compared to the same period last year—although that figure

MORE THAN THREE IN TEN RESPONDENTS BELIEVE IT WILL BE HIGHLY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO ENSURE WORK SITES ARE ADEQUATELY SANITIZED

is down slightly from the 83 percent in a similar OCS survey conducted in late April.

On average, firms reported a loss in revenue of about 33 percent, which again was improved from the 42 percent recorded in the April survey. Overall, 73 percent of respondents said they expected to earn less revenue over the course of 2020 as a whole, and the average expected drop in revenue was 26 percent.

Despite this news, and the fact that four in ten respondents said they needed government support to stay in business, 82 percent of respondents said they were absolutely or moderately certain that their firms can stay in business over the long term.

Firms are ready to work, says the OCS report. Eighty-six percent said they will have the capacity to take on extra work as and when shovel-ready projects are brought forward. This fact may be a function of reduced bidding opportunities, however.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said they have bid on fewer projects since the pandemic began; one in three said their

bidding volume has not changed. Nearly 70 percent said they have seen fewer projects available to bid on.

Forty-three percent of respondents believe it will take them six months or fewer to get back to business as usual, while 9 percent don’t believe they will ever get there.

Supply chain disruptions are still a concern for builders. Two-thirds say they are facing medium to high impacts to their supply lines—that total is up somewhat from the April survey when 63 percent worried about disruptions. Such shortages are causing impacts on project costs and schedules. Sixty-eight percent said supply chain shortages will have medium or high impacts on project costs, while 65 percent worried about supply impacts on project schedules.

As a result of the pandemic, 62 percent of respondents said they intended to source more material locally or domestically.

What are some of the steps contractors are taking to maintain workplace health and safety? A large percentage of respondents

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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said they will or have introduced measures such as offering more hand-sanitizer and hand-washing stations (97 percent), creating procedures to report unsanitary conditions (92 percent), and sanitizing washrooms more frequently (89 percent).

Other measures being put in place include establishing contact tracing procedures (71 percent), having only one trade or Top Contractor Concerns subcontractor on site at a given time (67 percent), using technologies to manage Top 5 Contractor Concerns

the number of workers on site at a given time (48 percent) and checking workers’ temperatures (42 percent).

Respondents were split on who should bear the cost of the additional personal protective equipment being used on sites.

One in three suggested owners should carry that cost, one in four said governments should, while 18 percent and 16 percent indicated these costs should be carried by general contractors and subcontractors.

TOP 5 CONTRACTOR CONCERNS

Ensuring health and safety of workers and staff

Maintaining productivity while meeting physical distancing requirements

Demand for construction / investment in construction

Quick approval of shovel-ready projects

Project cost over-runs due to sanitation, safety and social distancing protocols

Eighty-three percent of respondents said they expect workplace sanitation practices to change permanently as a result of the pandemic.

On average, contractors said they expect PPE and physical distancing requirements to increase project costs by 28 percent; 39 percent expect physical distancing to have a high impact on project completion times.

“This second survey show us that contractors are adapting to the constantly evolving environment,” said Katherine Jacobs, director of research with OCS. “As anticipated, the gradual re-start of the construction industry is seeing more contractors and workers back on jobsites across the province and therefore reporting a reduced impact on their firms’ activity, financial impact and need for government assistance. Return to work, however, has created new challenges in terms of costs and productivity as contractors adapt to comply with requirements for PPE and physical distancing.”

Intensity of Concern (Mean score on 7-point scale)

4.9 4.9 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.0 3.7

Ensuring health and safety of workers and staff Maintaining productivity while meeting physical distancing requirements Demand for construction / investment in construction Quick approval of shovel-ready projects Project cost over-runs due to sanitation, safety and social distancing protocols Government’s ability to quickly roll out infrastructure stimulus spending Supply chain disruptions Ability to get skilled labour Ability to source the required PPE over the long term Convincing construction workers that it is safe to return to work Clients’ ability to stay in business Access to capital or debt / financial liquidity / cash flow Ability to be flexible, diversify worksite practices to maintain physical distancing Ability to adapt to new health and safety expectations

Buy CSPs and other certificates FOR JUST $199

firm’s restarting construction activity and recovery, how much of a concern Q “When it comes Link2Build.ca istoayour new construction-industry portal owned and are the following on a 7-point scale where 7 means a major concern, and 1 means not a concern at all?”

operated by seven of Ontario’s local construction associations.

In addition to publishing daily news articles about goings-on in and around our industry, Link2Build will be a hub for plans and specifications posted across the province, and will offer

PAGE 2 CORONAVIRUS CONTRACTOR SURVEY 2: RESTART & RECOVERY | MAY 25, 2020

contractors and owners a new forum to publish mandatory legal notices, such as Certificates of Substantial Performance—at a price of less than half of what other publications charge.

All the fees charged for publishing CSPs on our site are returned directly to the seven members of the Link2Build alliance.

Learn more at www.link2build.ca

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

Turn to Link2Build.ca first for publishing: • Certificates of Substantial Performance • Notices of Non-Payment of Holdback • Notices of Termination • Certificates of Completion of Subcontract • Notices of Intention to Register a Condominium

FEATURE

OGCA, OAA OFFER GUIDANCE

ON PUBLISHING CSPs GVCA supports the groups’ proposed solution to clarify any perceived marketplace confusion.

Two of Ontario’s leading industry associations have weighed in on perceived marketplace confusion surrounding the publication of certificates of substantial performance (CSPs).

The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) and the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) issued a joint statement on May 15 regarding best practices for publishing CSPs and other government notices.

In their note, the associations are careful not to recommend one publisher over another. Instead, they suggest that the responsibility for clarifying where a CSP is published should be resolved at the tender stage of the project.

Specifically, the groups’ advice is as follows: …we are recommending to OAA members that when preparing bid documents, the general contractors be required to identify which publisher will be used, or when general contractors are issuing their purchase orders or contracts to sub trades that they identify where they will be publishing their CSPs. This should be included in writing in these documents.

That’s the right approach, says GVCA president Martha George.

“Some in the industry have expressed concern that because the marketplace for CSPs and other government notices is now open to more competition among publishers, there may be some confusion over where these notices are published,” she says. “We’re supporting the OAA/OGCA joint statement with the expectation that clarifying these actions at an early stage of procurement will simplify the process for all participants.”

Link2Build is among those organizations that publishes CSPs and other government notices. To date, hundreds of firms from across Ontario have published their CSPs on this website with the confidence of meeting all legal requirements described in Ontario’s Construction Act. Just as importantly, this website offers the functionality of allowing CSP publishers to complete forms that notify all affected contractors, subtrades and suppliers the instant a CSP or other notice is published.

“We understand that fragmenting the market among a number of competitors may cause confusion with those who publish CSPs and those who need to know these dates of publication to preserve their essential lien rights,” says George. “Offering this notification service from the outset was a key consideration of ours. We wanted to make sure certificate publishers could use our service with confidence.”

Construction Insurance & Surety Specialists Industry Specific Programs Tailored Insurance and Surety Solutions Dedicated Risk Management Team cowanconstruction.ca

For more information on how to publish a CSP or other government notice on Link2Build for a fee lower than those charged by other organizations, please visit link2build.ca/certificates.

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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FEATURE

CASH FLOW CRISIS COULD BE COMING Cash crunches and unfair contract conditions—the construction industry could be in for a challenging year ahead as it manages its way through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The construction industry could be headed for a massive cash crunch this summer if more isn’t done to give builders access to cash and credit.

Sandra Skivsky, chair of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC), spoke on a webinar on the future of construction after COVID that was hosted by McMillan LLP on March 14. One of the subjects she discussed in detail was the industry’s absolute reliance on cash flow. She warned that site shut downs and project cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic will slow or all but stop the industry’s cash flow at a time when it most needs liquidity.

In a normal year, construction ramps up in March or April and peaks in October or November before slowing as the year closes. Assuming that most contractors collect their receivables 60 days after work is completed, cash typically starts flowing through the industry in April and May for work started in January and February.

This year, however is anything but typical.

While construction started the year at its usual pace in January and February, activity took a major hit in March and April because of project delays, lost productivity and government-mandated site shut downs. The decrease in activity—and its scheduled resumption in mid-May—

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

means that cash flow in the industry won’t start trending upwards much before the middle of July.

The challenge for many smaller contractors, said Skivsky, is that this will be the time at which they are expected to perform their highest volumes of work, and when payments for work performed in March and April come due.

“Contractors are going to see a steep ramp-up in work at a time when their receivables are due and their cash flow is at its lowest point,” she said. “That’s bad news for subtrades who need money to take on new work, to hire people, to take on apprentices.”

This will not be a business-as-usual situation for companies, and she hopes banks and other financiers will take into account the industry’s particular challenges as companies appeal for increased credit.

“This summer and fall will be a big test for Ontario’s new prompt payment regime,” she added. “Increasing the velocity of money will help contractors come through this difficult period, but any hiccups in projects could spell disaster for some companies.”

Ontario General Contractors Association present Clive Thurston, who also participated in the webinar, agreed with Skivsky.

He suggested that the industry cannot be expected to resume its operations with the flip of a switch. Workforces have to be mobilized, supply chains restored, subtrades redeployed, and workers given the assurance that the sites they’re working on remain safe.

“Our industry needs support from the banks and the government to steer us through this pandemic,” he said.

Especially concerning for Thurston is the fact that while projects have been cleared to resume construction after layoffs of as much as six weeks, some owners are refusing to give contractors any recognition for the government-mandated delays or show any willingness to compensate contractors for additional, unexpected costs.

He added that the industry is seeing more and more one-sided clauses in contracts that place the onus of dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the contractors. Some have even gone as far as to specifically exclude COVID-19 from among the pandemics that may influence contract terms.

“A number of owners don’t care about the impact of the pandemic on the industry,” he said. “They want their projects completed for the prices they were quoted six or eight months ago. The government has to step in to get rid of things like reprisal

to tender construction projects, he asked.

clauses and clearly define force majeure clauses so people understand what they mean and how they apply.”

“It will be critical to maintain expertise and capacity across all municipal governments so that they can bring projects to that shovel-ready status and take advantage of the dollars that flow for stimulus projects,” he said.

John Gamble, president & CEO of Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada, said his concern coming out of the pandemic is how the resources of municipal governments will be stretched, and what capacity they will have remaining to tender new works.

The news across the webinar was not all bad. Mary Van Buren, president of the Canadian Construction Association, spoke about the extent to which the industry has come together to share ideas and strategies for managing workplaces and jobsites during the pandemic.

He suggested that while larger municipalities have been largely able to weather the storm caused by the pandemic, smaller ones have all but closed their doors. If this remains the case, what capacity will these towns and cities have to apply for federal and stimulus infrastructure programs, and

“To date, there has been no record of transmission of COVID-19 on any Canadian construction site,” she said. “The

Construction Activity Pre and Post COVID-19

industry has placed an extreme focus on health and safety during the pandemic, and that has helped instill confidence in the workforce that construction sites are safe.”

Thurston agreed that going forward, construction sites will be cleaner and safer than ever before. That, he said, is down to the collective acceptance of the requirements imposed on the industry and a positive attitude of getting things done.

The webinar concluded with a look at other issues facing the industry, including the need for qualification-based procurement, the need for a stable, long-term infrastructure strategy from government, and barriers to innovation.

Cash Impacts on COVID-19 Cash Flow Flow Impacts on COVID-19

Construction Activity Pre and Post COVID-19 140

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These slides do not represent actual values, or forecasts, but were created for the purposes of illustrating the potential impacts of reduced construction activity due to Covid 19 on cash flow in the construction industry for 2020. There are many variables that can affect the assumptions behind these illustrations and change the timing and magnitude of the impact

These slides do not represent actual values, or forecasts, but were created for the purposes of illustrating the potential impacts of reduced construction activity due to Covid 19 on cash flow in the construction industry for 2020. There are many variables that can affect the assumptions behind these illustrations and change the timing and magnitude of the impact

mcmillan.ca l 3

mcmillan.ca l 4

Navigate Uncertainty Everyone has a role to play to help others through this pandemic.

Ours is providing insights and strategies to guide you and your business to move forward.

Contact Jeff Riediger, CPA, CA at 519.725.7700 or jeff.riediger@mnp.ca

MNP.ca

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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FEATURE

COVID-19:

SHOULD I EXPECT CHANGES FROM MY SURETY? Not surprisingly this has been one of the more commonly raised inquiries asked by Petrela Winter clients since March when industry first became affected by COVID-19.

If we step back and look at how Canadian surety was faring leading into the pandemic, we see after an unprofitable year in 2018 that the bonding business rebounded in 2019 with profitable results posted by most individual sureties and the industry overall.

Surety results through March 31 show premiums in 2020 on pace with the prior year and the claim ratio up just a tick from 2019, so it’s fair to say that the surety industry was in a relatively healthy state entering the crisis.

While we will have to wait until future periods to see what effect COVID-19 has had on surety results, what we do know now is the economic disruption had an immediate impact on underwriting philosophy and imparted a more cautious approach from bonding companies. This mood has lifted only slightly since the economy re-opened.

Our observations and feedback from strategic partners suggests a tightening surety marketplace, with a withdrawal of capacity happening particularly amongst large global

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

surety players. There is also consensus that some sureties are scaling back branch office authority. This is relevant for Canadian contractors whose surety may be a branch of a larger multi-national firm.

Sureties of all sizes have been asking more questions of existing clients and are being more selective in the new clients they take on.

For well performing and financially sound construction companies, things may seem “business as usual” —aside from perhaps a little extra scrutiny and questions around how the contractor has been managing the disruption.

However, for contractors that push the limits of their bond programs, have struggled to generate consistent profits, are weighed down with high debt levels, or have historically struggled to get adequate bond support, dealings with your surety have likely become more difficult in the current environment. This can be expected to carry forward into future quarters as underwrit-

ers monitor the financial impact of the crisis on contractor balance sheets.

Some may even face restrictions in bond support. For these contractors, having an experienced bond broker in your corner who can offer creative solutions and privileged surety market relationships will be a difference maker.

We are also seeing a move away from financial and payment guarantees, and on demand and forfeiture type bond instruments. The surety market has been aggressive in this space in recent years in an effort to compete with letters of credit, but in the current environment sureties are taking a dimmer view on these aggressive bond wordings, reserving them for absolute best in class credit accounts only.

What can contractors do to ensure no adverse changes to their bond program?

As we look ahead to the balance of 2020, one area of focus for surety underwriters will be the approach contractors are taking

A WELL-INFORMED SURETY IS MORE INCLINED TO OFFER EXTRA SUPPORT THAN ONE WHO HAS BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK.

Further, contractors should also have stepped up their contract review practices and stress tested their financial liquidity, which includes having discussed options with lenders to ensure adequate credit facilities are in place for the coming six to 24 months.

We also recommend (in any economic climate) that contractors be communicative and transparent with their surety partners about financial reporting and your business in general. This lends itself to a strong surety relationship. A well-informed surety is more inclined to offer extra support than one who has been kept in the dark.

to re-build their backlog following the early year pause, and whether they are remaining disciplined with their margins.

Finally, the role a specialized surety broker with exposure to numerous bonding companies can play in ensuring uninterrupted bond support cannot be understated. Your broker should be in direct and consistent contact with your surety and your underwriter specifically, gauging their comfort not just on your business, but also on the surety’s overall approach and temperament in the current marketplace. A well-informed broker can provide perspective as to how different markets are behaving and how they would react to your account in the event alternative options need to be considered.

Petrela, Winter & Associates are bond and insurance brokers specializing exclusively in the construction industry. Author Tim Gorman (tgorman@petrela.com) is a partner with the firm, and has been a bond broker for over 15 years. For more information, visit www.petrelawinter.com.

We remind contractors who may be aggressively bidding in attempt to catch up for lost time coming out of the pandemic of FMI’s wise maxim that, “Contractors don’t starve to death; they die from gluttony. They get too much work, too fast, with inadequate resources, and then they get into financial trouble and run out of cash.”

A measured approach to bidding and acquiring new work is likely to be favoured by your surety provider and will ease their concerns about stretching resources too far.

Sureties also expect contractors to have learned from the difficult start to 2020.

Contractors should now have a thoughtful strategy in place to manage project delays, supply-chain issues and reduced productivity in anticipation of any future bumps in the road.

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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FEATURE

LiUNA to Pilot Test Digital Contact-Trace Technology

A new solution developed in Waterloo may help members of the Labourers International Union of North America track and control the spread of the novel coronavirus on construction jobsites.

The Labourers International Union of North America (LiUNA) has partnered with a developer in Waterloo to deploy technology that will help to track COVID-19 contacts among site workers.

Created by Facedrive Health and the University of Waterloo, TraceSCAN is a contact-tracing app that communicates with wearers through devices such as their phones to notify workers when they have come into proximity with someone carrying the novel coronavi-

rus. The technology keeps a secure and encrypted record of contact frequency and duration among workers for a period of 14 days.

If a worker who uses the technology tests positive for, or begins showing symptoms of, COVID-19, he or she will notify a site supervisor or other authorized user who can then de-encrypt the worker’s contact history data, and notify other workers with whom he or she was in contact over the past two weeks.

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rayfaust@riceinc.ca • chrisrice@riceinc.ca

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

Because TraceSCAN operates over Bluetooth technology, devices can communicate with one another within a range of 10 metres. Based on the strength of the signal it records, the app can give a sense of the distance between a COVID-positive worker and other workers. The site supervisor or authorized TraceSCAN user can use that strength-of-signal data to send out different types of notifications to contacted workers.

For example, a contact showing a low signal strength may only require a notice to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and self-assess. A contact showing a high signal strength may require a notice to workers to self-quarantine and get tested by public health officials.

The result, says Joseph Mancinelli, LiUNA International vice president and regional manager of central and eastern Canada, is a solution that offers peace of mind for the union’s many workers.

“The safety and well-being of LiUNA members remains our highest priority,” he said. “Beginning with this important pilot project, we are pleased to have TraceSCAN available to the membership of LiUNA and their families, working together to ensure heightened protection amid the progression of COVID-19.”

LiUNA will pilot-test the technology on a site in Ottawa, the details of which are not yet available.

Privacy, says Facedrive COO Suman Pushparajah, has been paramount in the development and testing of the app.

Participation in the program is entirely voluntary, and TraceSCAN will collect minimal personal information—such as phone numbers—so participants can be notified of any potential contacts. Additionally, if a site worker tests positive for COVID-19, he or she must provide consent to access his or her encounter logs.

“Privacy concerns are critical,” he said.

“The Facedrive team in partnership with researchers at the University of Waterloo have retained the legal services of

McCarthy Tetrault to ensure that all data security and private information remain protected.”

With construction in Ontario back at full capacity, contractors and workers are on high alert to control the spread of the novel coronavirus on work sites. Under guidance from public health officials, the industry has embraced best practices such as pre-site access screening, physical distancing measures, increased site hygiene and personal protective equipment to not only comply with the law, but also ensure worker safety.

“Amid the rapid progression of COVID-19, we heard concerns from our members and their families about high-levels of anxiety about exposure to the virus on job sites and fear of contamination from the job-site to the home,” says Mancinelli. “Although we continue to work with industry and government to enforce the highest level of safety protocols on-site, there remains a possibility of a second surge in infections. The TraceSCAN app is a preventative tool to mitigate this risk and assist in ensuring the safety of our members.”

Contact tracing, which is the practice of logging contacts among workers, is emerging as a new strategy to document the potential spread of the novel coronavirus on worksites. It is not without gaps, however. In most cases, it depends on a worker’s ability to recall his or her encounters and actions on jobsites in the past 14 days. That’s not ideal, says Pushparajah.

FEATURE

SEPARATED, NOT DIVIDED How one Maple Reinders employee is leading a drive to support a Mississauga hospital with 3D printed ear savers and face shields, and connect isolated patients with family members.

In the last couple of years, Kevin Dreyer, Maple Reinders’ IT Director, picked up a hobby in 3D printing.

A friend recently asked if Kevin was capable of making ear savers—devices that help protect a user’s ears from chafing when wearing a medical face mask—with his home machine. He was, and he printed some for Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga where his wife works. While frontline workers hugely appreciated the ear savers (they have ordered more than 3,000 so far), the staff also had a need for face shields.

Kevin and his one machine weren’t able to meet anything like the kind of demand that the hospital workers required. So he set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to buy two more 3D printers. The fundraiser has now raised enough to buy three printers, and cover some of the cost of materials to date, and Kevin plans to donate the units to various charitable causes when his project is complete.

Meanwhile, word about Kevin’s work is getting around. Four more volunteers have joined with Kevin, and the group has opened an online forum through which people can volunteer to sew face masks, create ear savers, and make pickups and deliveries as needed.

“Thank you to Maple Reinders and everyone else who has supported us throughout this process,” says Kevin. “The demand keeps growing daily and without all the support and donations, it would have been near impossible to meet all these orders.”

“TraceSCAN supplements manual contact tracing and current screening measures by addressing its key limitation: an infected person can only report contacts they are acquainted with and remember having met. It can also enable more scalable and less resource-intensive contact tracing.”

LiUNA hopes the pilot project will reveal important findings about the practical use—and further adoption—of TraceSCAN on construction sites.

KEVIN DREYER

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

21

FEATURE

CANADA’S COVID-19

RESPONSE PLAN AND YOUR BUSINESS Our day-to-day lives have certainly been changed since the advent of COVID-19 months ago. “Social distancing” has become part of the lexicon, lockdowns necessary, and seeing people in masks now common place.

The uncertainty of the situation has placed a great amount of fear and anxiety among many families and businesses. While we all work together to flatten the curve, it is important to know that in these stressful times, there are programs available to businesses disrupted by the pandemic. The federal and provincial governments have prepared a comprehensive response plan and we wanted you to know some of the many programs that are available to you.

The federal government has created a co-lending program for small and medium-sized enterprises. Through this program, Business Development Canada (BDC) is working with financial institutions to co-lend term loans to small and medium-sized enterprises for their operational cash flow requirements. This support at present time is available until September 30, 2020.

BDC has also created a midmarket financing program

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which will provide commercial loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million to medium-sized businesses whose credit needs exceed what is presently available through the Business Credit Availability Program. While terms aren’t explicit yet, BDC anticipates that qualifying companies will have annual revenues in excess of $100 million.

Canada’s Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will provide interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where revenues have been temporarily reduced. This program has been implemented by banks and credit unions in concert with Export Development Canada.

Business owners can apply for support from this program through their respective banks and/or credit unions.

The government has also

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

implemented the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program for small businesses. This program will lower rent by 75 percent for small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

The program will provide forgivable loans to qualifying commercial property owners to cover 50 percent of three monthly rent payments that are payable by eligible small business tenants who are experiencing hardship during April, May and June. These loans will be forgiven if the mortgaged property owner agrees to reduce the small business tenants’ rent by at least 75 percent. The small business tenant would cover the remaining 25 percent of the rent.

Applications to this program will be accepted through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation website beginning May 25.

It is important to note that there are support measures

in place should you be unable to access the aforementioned support measures. The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund is designed to provide close to $1 billion to help businesses and organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, technology, tourism, and others that are key to regional and local economies.

For entrepreneurs and innovators that have been disrupted through this pandemic, the government will invest $250 million to assist these early-stage companies that are unable to access other COVID-19 business support programs through the Industrial Research Assistance Program. This program provides advice, connections, and funding to help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses increase their innovation capacity and bring ideas to market.

While we navigate through these unprecedented times, it is at the very least comforting to know that the government has acted swiftly and decisively

in order to ensure small and medium-sized businesses have access to credit so that they can hopefully continue to function.

While there are still many unknowns about how long this crisis will last and how our government will respond, we

encourage you to keep updated by checking the government of Canada’s economic response website: https://www.canada. ca/en/department-finance/ economic-response-plan. html#businesses

This article was written by Dave Brune, a CFA Charterholder and Vice-President and Portfolio Manager at The RaeLipskie Partnership in Waterloo. He can be reached at 519-578-6849.

CCA opens applications for enhanced CONtact mentorship program The program connects innovators and entrepreneurs with experienced industry mentors in an effort to bring novel solutions to the construction marketplace.

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is now accepting applications for its 2020/21 CONtact Innovator Mentorship program.

Now into its third year, the program matches innovators and entrepreneurs who are creating new solutions for the construction industry with experienced industry leaders to help refine their products and services—from start-up to scale-up for fast-track adoption.

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“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the construction industry has a renewed interest and desire to fast-track innovation,” said CCA president Mary Van Buren. “The CONtact Innovator Mentorship program provides the perfect first step to identifying new innovative solutions.”

Last year, the program received more than 30 applications from innovators and entrepreneurs, and attracted a list of prominent mentor partners that included EllisDon, BIRD, Flynn Group of Companies and Associated Engineering—among others.

New to the program for 2020 is a Contractors Den-style pitch where three mentees will travel to the CCA’s 2021 annual conference, and be given an opportunity to pitch their solutions to a panel of industry experts.

“One of the biggest challenges for innovators and entrepreneurs developing new solutions is gaining access to executives in the industry to get feedback on their solutions. Equally, it can be difficult for the industry to learn about leading-edge solutions that can dramatically improve their businesses,” says Van Buren. “While CONtact provides the platform to overcome that challenge, we are adding further value to the program by offering the top three mentees the opportunity to attend the 2021 CCA conference, and pitch their solution to industry experts.”

CCA is now inviting applications from innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as construction experts who have five or more years of industry practice, or who have experience bringing innovative solutions to market, to apply for the program. Applications for both are being accepted at cca-acc.com/contact through August 30.

RAE & LIPSKIE INVESTMENT COUNSEL INC. WATERLOO • BURLINGTON 1 888 578 7542 www.raelipskie.com

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

EDUCATION 2020

course outline

These are different and difficult times, and GVCA has adjusted our education and training programs to make it easier for you throughout this COVID-19 pandemic.

We are offering private corporate training depending on the number of registrants you have—through virtual classrooms and online courses.

Webinars on topics pertinent to our members in the ICI Industry are being offered regularly.

This segment contains details of some of our courses, and a listing of others.

Don’t hesitate to contact education@gvca.org if you have any questions. Please also contact us if there is something we don’t offer, and you would like us to provide.

For more information visit www.gvca.org or call 519-622-4822

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

Stay educated—and stay on top of the competition!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Gold Seal Certification Gold Seal Certification is a nationally recognized standard of excellence established by the Canadian Construction Association. It is earned through industry experience, education and by successfully completing a final exam. There are six designations you can apply for:

• Estimator • Foreman/Woman • Owner’s Construction Manager • Project Manager • Safety Coordinator • Site Superintendent

Certification enhances your professional development, improves your job mobility and recognizes your skill, competence and experience in general contracting, electrical or mechanical contracting, roadbuilding and heavy construction or speciality trades. It is recognized and valued across the country.

To apply for one of the six designations, you need to have a minimum of five years’ work experience in that category. (There is also an Intern option if you do not have the required experience.) Your educational background is taken into consideration, and you receive credits by completing Gold Seal certified courses. A minimum of 100 credits must be achieved in order to apply to write the exam.

In-class courses are now being offered in an online format via virtual classroom.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for all courses. To register, or to request additional info, contact education@gvca.org, call 519-622-4822 x120, or visit www.gvca.org

gvca.org

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Gold Seal Certification

In-Class Gold Seal Courses Construction Industry Ethics This two-part program is mandatory for anyone seeking Gold Seal Certification (GSC). Due to our current circumstances, the former in-class portion is now be offered in an online format via virtual classroom.

Whether you are seeking GSC or not, the ethics course will help you understand ethical boundaries and responsibilities and enhance your contribution to your company. It is intended for owner/clients, contractors, supervisors, project managers, etc. who must deal effectively and professionally with employees, sub-trades, owners, clients, engineers, employers and the public. GVCA offers this course several times a year.

Other Gold Seal Courses (Via virtual classroom) • Construction 201 • Close-out of a Construction Project • Responding Successfully to a Request for Proposal • Prompt Payment, Invoicing Properly and Mechanics of Adjudication • Prompt Payment and Adjudication for Certification Professionals • Effective Contract Administration-Building your Contract Terms to get Performance on Site

Construction 101 and Beyond

This is a newly revamped version of the former Construction 101 course, developed by the Canadian Construction Association.

It is a comprehensive two-day program ideal for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and administrative staff. It is mandatory for the Foreman/Woman Gold Seal accreditation.

This is an ideal program for new members to the construction industry, and it is also extremely applicable to seasoned members who would like a refresher and keep up-to-date with changes in industry processes.

No matter how long you have worked in the business you simply can’t know everything – or remember everything!

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

Gold Seal Online Courses • Communication, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution • Construction Industry Ethics • Construction Law • Construction Project Management • First Level Supervisor Training Program • Introduction to Building Information Modeling • Introduction to Construction Estimating

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Gold Seal Certification Gold Seal Computer Courses (Via virtual classroom)

Advanced MS Project for Construction

This workshop is designed for project managers, estimators, site superintendents, and those who have used MS Project in the past. It focuses on using advanced MS Project for better communication with site staff and trades within your company and with your customers.

You will learn how to create a master template to streamline project planning and tracking processes. You will be better able to keep track of change orders, equipment and trades, and update work calendars quickly. “Look Ahead” reports and checklists can be developed for site supervisors. This class will keep you on top of everything with accurate records of cash flow and other costing reports.

Other virtual computer classroom courses include: • Excel for Construction (Basic & Intermediate) • Excel for Construction (Advanced & Macros) • In from the Site: Office Computer Skills • Microsoft Project for Construction

NEW ONLINE LEADERSHIP SERIES A new series of Leadership online courses is being offered by Richard Zondag, MBA, B.S.M.E. of Invenio Business Consulting. Take them all, or select the ones you find most relevant:

Leadership: Personal Productivity and Time Management – 1 Gold Seal Credit Increase your time-management skills to reduce stress, stay organized, keep a clear mind and increase your productivity in work and life. Develop successful habits and strategies to create balance in life areas that are important to you through a practical approach of managing goals, ideas, commitments, projects and tasks.

Additional courses in the Leadership series include: • Negotiations • Managing Change • Motivation

Leadership: Conflict Management and Personalities – 1 Gold Seal Credit This course covers the sources, management and prevention of conflicts in the workplace. You will get a deeper understanding of sources and costs of conflicts and develop effective skills to manage them. The course further explores the various personality types and effective ways to manage them.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for all courses. To register, or to request additional info, contact education@gvca.org, call 519-622-4822 x120, or visit www.gvca.org

• Problem Solving and Decision Making • Leadership Theories & Styles • Power, influence and authority • Effective Meetings • Communication • Team Building/Team Assembly and Evaluation

gvca.org

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Supporting Employers Through Changing Times The past few months have forced all of us to deal with change on many different levels. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us look at and do things differently. The ability to adapt and change has been critical for everyone.

At Conestoga College, we have also had to adapt and change but one thing that hasn’t changed is our position as a leader in skilled trades training. We recognize the need for highly skilled tradespeople and, as a polytechnic institution, we want to help to meet this need.

Conestoga College offers 22 different apprenticeship programs and a wide variety of full-time construction trade programs including HVAC Technician, Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing, Carpentry and Renovation Technician, Heavy Construction Equipment Operation, Brick and Stone, Electrical Techniques and Construction Engineering Technology. We also offer part-time evening classes and certification courses.

We are here to support the workforce needs of the construction industry.

Contact us at trades@conestogac. on.ca to discuss your training or hiring needs and how Conestoga can assist you as your company continues to evolve during this unique time in our history.

WORKING TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A SKILLED WORKFORCE Send your apprentices for training; enhance the skills of existing employees or recruit from our full time programs.

❚ GRADUATE CERTIFICATE • Construction Project Management ❚ APPRENTICESHIP • Brick and Stone Mason • Electrician Construction and Maintenance • General Carpenter • Plumber • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic • Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer • Roofer ❚ CONTINUING EDUCATION • Backflow Prevention • Gas Technician 2 and 3

www.conestogac.on.ca/trades www.conestogac.on.ca/trades

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trades@conestogac.on.ca

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Training for Today’s Workforce Training needs to address not only the specific needs of experienced tradespeople, but also those just beginning their careers in the construction trades.

Ropp says the LIUNA Local 1059 Triston Gagnon, a graduate of the Training Centre allows apprentices apprenticeship program, agrees. to learn how to work safely using the “The instructors have so much latest technology, tools and materials. experience. They teach you tips you “It’s a controlled environment our can’t find in the textbooks to make “Employers know that when they call members can really learn from. You it easier and safer for you and others us to fill a position on a crew, it will be can’t duplicate the job site any closer. around you.” with someone who is highly competent There’s an indoor sandbox to perform and trained with safety in mind,” says Members get a comprehensive level excavations, scaffolding to practice Mike Ropp, Training Director at LIUNA of safety training and certification working at heights, overhead cranes Local 1059 Training Centre in London, Publication: GVCA Journal so Inc they are not only valuable in the Client: LIUNA 1059 Agency: ON Communication and even a sewer and water main Ontario. “That confidence is a Job result Project: Day One: Ready Size: 7.125" x 4.625" Agency Contact: Jen Grozelle labour market, but return home system to learn how to work in Date: to June 2018 Bleed: none Telephone: 519-434-1365 xt 220 of our commitment developing a safely at the end of each work day. confined place Designer: JM Colour: CMYK spaces. It’s a great Email: jen@oncommunication.ca training program focused on results.” to learn the safest way to do the job.”

DAY ONE: JOB-READY Thanks to training programs that are delivered in conditions that replicate the job site and meet the specific needs of today’s employers, LIUNA Local 1059 members are safe, productive workers as soon as they arrive on-site. Each year, experienced trainers at the LIUNA Local 1059 Training Centre and the mobile classroom instruct hundreds of apprentices and journeypersons in more than 15 different sectors and 40 different trades.

We’re committed to delivering well-trained workers because on-the-job training is too late for your business.

For more information, please visit www.liunalocal1059.com

The Union That Works 6657 GB Recruitment Ad-GVCA-FINAL.indd 1

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

GVCA Education Supplement // 2020

Health & Safety We will continue to offer courses via virtual classroom during July and August. Our other online courses continue to be accessible at any time as well.

In-Class Courses* (As of Summer 2020) • Approved Working at Heights (Full) • Approved Working at Heights Refresher

Online Courses • Aerial Lift • Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities • Confined Spaces Safety Awareness Training • Manager Due Diligence • Fire Safety Training • H2S Awareness • Incident Investigation Training • Ladder Safety • Forklift and Lift Truck Training • Lockout – Tagout Training • Manual Material Handling Training • Office Ergonomics Training • Pipeline Construction Safety Training • Transportation of Dangerous Goods Training

In-class Working at Heights and WAH Refresher sessions are beginning again on a monthly basis.

JUL

Class sizes will be capped at six participants in order to respect social distancing and keep our members and staff safe. Policies and procedures have been put in place by both GVCA and Total Rescue to ensure all equipment and classroom areas are sanitized thoroughly, and disposable gloves and masks will be available:

7 Approved Working at Heights 10 Approved Working at Heights – Refresher

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Training • Workplace Inspection

If you have a need for training, please don’t hesitate to contact education@gvca.org.

We will work with our provider to find a solution that is compliant with all current restrictions, and considerate of the safety of all participants.

Additional courses we typically provide are: • Standard First Aid • Emergency First Aid/First Aid Refresher

AUG

• Book 7 Traffic Control

11 Approved Working at Heights 14 Approved Working at Heights – Refresher

Further information and registration can be found on our online calendar at www.gvca.org. While no one can predict how things will look in the fall, rest assured we will continue to offer a variety of courses to meet your Education and Training needs.

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GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

• Confined Spaces Entry * We look forward to resuming our other in-class Health and Safety training when regulations permit.

gvca.org

CALENDAR

EDUCATION & EVENTS JULY - AUGUST 2020

Under our new normal, most of our education offerings are now being done via webinar or in virtual classrooms. You can still earn Gold Seal credits with many of them. We are adding to our schedule regularly, so please visit our online Calendar at www.gvca.org for updates, or give us a call.

Approved Working at Heights and WAH Refresher sessions are beginning again on a monthly basis, but class sizes will be capped at 6 participants in order to respect social distancing and to keep our members and staff safe. Policies and procedures have been put in place by both GVCA and Total Rescue to ensure all equipment and classroom areas are sanitized thoroughly, and disposable gloves and masks will be available.

SEP

Approved Working at Heights

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Approved Working at Heights – Refresher

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Approved Working at Heights

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Approved Working at Heights – Refresher

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Approved Working at Heights

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Approved Working at Heights – Refresher

All education courses and training courses take place at GVCA, 25 Sheldon Drive, Cambridge (unless noted otherwise). The safety of all participants for in-class training is important to us. Special protocols are in place for instructors, staff and participants to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

Gold Seal Exam Date October 23, 2020 Apply by September 11, 2020

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EVENTS

SEP

AUG

JUL

EDUCATION

Please note that all GVCA events are subject to change due to COVID-19.

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Women in Construction (WinC) Golf Tournament – Galt Country Club, Cambridge

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GVCA Golf Tournament – Conestoga Golf and Conference Centre, Conestogo

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX ACL Steel.............................................11 Baywood............................................ 13 Conestoga College ....................... 28 Conestoga Roofing......................... 17 Cowan Insurance Group................. 15 Cushman Wakefield ...................... 32 Duncan Linton.................................. 13 Gallagher..............................................2 Jones Deslauriers.............................. 5 JDI........................................................ 31 Link2Build..........................................14

LiUNA.................................................29 Melloul Blamey ..................................2 Miller Thompson LLP........................7 MNP LLP ............................................ 17 Modorin, Snyder LLP ...................... 8 Petrela Winter ..................................19 Rae Lipskie ...................................... 23 Rice Insurance ................................20 Stecho..................................................11 Strassburger Windows & Doors................................................ 9

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for all courses a nd events.

To register, or to request additional info, c ontact education@gvca.org or call 519-622-4822 x131 o r visit www.gvca.org/calendar

Your first choice in construction intelligenc

GVCA Journal // VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 4 // JUL-AUG 2020

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