The WCA Newsletter - Social Procurement Update

The latest industry news, events and education opportunities from the Winnipeg Construction Association.

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In this issue:

Update on Social Procurement
Rapid COVID-19 Tests available through Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
New National Standard for Respirator Filters
Retrain Manitoba Program
Happy Holidays from WCA
Happy Retirement to Kelly Thiessen!
Membership Renewal
New Members
BuildWorks Canada Featured Projects
*Cancelled* Cocktails and Candy Canes
CSAM Safety, Health, and Leadership Event
WRLA Building and Hardware Showcase
Santa's Education Wishlist
Happy Holidays from MWC

Update on Social Procurement

Last week Darryl Harrisson, WCA's Director of Stakeholder Engagement, attended a City of Winnipeg Executive Policy Committee meeting to speak on social procurement.

The City has been working on a policy framework for how social procurement will look in Winnipeg. WCA is part of a working group advising the city on this framework and has asked for a third-party expert to come in and help bring some specificity to the policy so all stakeholders know exactly what it will look like.

EPC agreed to delay its vote on the issue for 30 days, and is considering bringing in a third-party expert.

For more, see this story from CBC.

Rapid COVID-19 Tests available through Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce

With COVID-19 cases on the rise and the Omicron variant causing concerns, demand for rapid tests is increasing.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce has partnered with the provincial government to provide rapid tests at a low cost (no charge for the tests, just pay for shipping) to Manitoba businesses. The PanBio COVID-19 antigen tests provide COVID-19 results within about 20 minutes.

For more details and to order, click here.

New National Standard for Respirator Filters

The CSA has released a new national standard for respirator filters. Some of these key changes affect fit testing; air flow resistance and breathability; fluid and flammability resistances; and shelf life. The Construction Safety Association of Manitoba has purchased the new standard and is currently reviewing the changes. In the meantime, you can find a summary here .

Retrain Manitoba Program

The Retrain Manitoba program is still accepting applicants until they run out of funding - if you haven't applied you should do so ASAP!

Employers can apply for reimbursement up to $2,500 per employee up to a maximum of $75,000. Companies can be reimbursed for a range of in-person and online industry-recognized training courses provided by a third-party trainer (including WCA), both inside and outside of Manitoba. Employers who have already paid for courses with start dates from April 1, 2021, to Aug. 31, 2022, will be eligible to apply for the grants.

You can apply for the program here. The program is open until the money is gone - so we encourage our members to apply ASAP.

Happy Holidays from WCA

Happy Retirement to Kelly Thiessen!

After 18 years, WCA is saying goodbye to our Member Services Manager, Kelly Thiessen, who's retiring at the end of the year. We'll miss Kelly's brilliant smile and infectious laugh around the office (along with her constantly singing "Happy Holidays", even in July). Best wishes Kelly - enjoy your retirement! Don't be a stranger, and make sure to bring Gus around for a visit every once in a while.

Kelly also wanted to send a message out to members:

"After almost 18 years at WCA it's my time to retire and move on to my next phase.

I have met some amazing people, worked with many incredible companies, made great friends and helped a lot of individuals obtain their gold seal certification. I could literally go on forever with stories and good memories from my time helping WCA members get the most out of their membership.

Thank you to every WCA member, my co-workers, my boss, and the many good times along the way. It has been a great ride!

Happy Holidays and all the best to everyone in the New Year. Stay Safe and well!"

Membership Renewal

Membership renewal is underway!

By now you should have received your renewal email and invoice. If you haven't received it, have any questions about renewal, or would like to pay for your invoice please get in touch with us at membership@winnipegconstruction.ca or 204-775-8664.

New Members

DOLL Plumbing & Heating
Residential/Commercial Service, new builds, renovations, maintenance, installs/service

BuildWorks Canada Featured Projects

The following projects are available to view by WCA Regular Members through the BuildWorks Canada platform. Not currently a member, but interested in using BuildWorks Canada to increase your business? Get in touch with us at cis@winnipegconstruction.ca to go over membership options.

Victory Building – Bathroom Refresh (WCA #39858)

Location: Winnipeg, MB

Status: Open

Closing Date: December 22, 2021

Prime Opportunity: Open

Scope: Upgrade of the existing washrooms to include finishes, millwork, washroom partitions and ceilings. Existing lighting to be replaced with LED fixture.

Construction Start: 2022 Construction End: 2022

Owner: Public Works & Government Services Canada

Architect: Architecture49

Electrical Engineer: WSP Canada Inc.

Click here for more information

Teulon Elementary – Envelope Upgrade (WCA #39855)

Location: Teulon, MB

Status: Open

Closing Date: January 6, 2022

Prime Opportunity: Open

Scope: Envelope upgrades on the north and south façades of the existing 1959 Teulon Elementary School Building, and on the west and east facades of the existing 1975 edition.

Construction Start: 2022 Construction End: 2022

Owner: Interlake School Division

Owner’s Representative: Public Schools Finance Board (PSFB)

Architect: pico ARCHITECTURE inc.

Structural Engineer: Crosier Kilgour & Partners Ltd.

Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: SMS Engineering

Click here for more information

Cancelled Cocktails and Candy Canes

After consulting with public health officials, we've made the difficult decision to cancel Monday's "Cocktails and Candy Canes" event due to rising COVID-19 cases and diminishing ICU capacity in the province.
We were looking forward to seeing everyone, but the health and well-being of our members, friends and staff is obviously of the utmost importance to us. We can't wait to see everyone in the new year!

CSAM Safety, Health, and Leadership Event

Join the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM) on February 15 at the RBC Convention Centre for the Safety, Health, and Leadership Event sponsored by CSAM: THE Safety Conference.

The day will include four sessions that will help you improve the culture of safety in YOUR company from the top down:

Leveraging the Safety Leadership Triangle!
Coaching to Motivate: Influencing People to Do What They Need to Do
Rip off the Band-Aid! Say What People need to Hear!
Getting to Better: Leader Strategies to Optimize Motivation, Performance, and Safety

For more information on sessions/speakers and registration, visit CSAM’s website.

WRLA Building and Hardware Showcase

The 2022 Western Retail Lumber Association (WRLA) Building & Hardware Showcase is taking place in Winnipeg at the RBC Convention Centre on January 20 and 21. Click here for details and registration.

Santa's Education Wishlist

Whether you've been naughty or nice, we're more than happy to welcome you into the Construction Education Centre in 2022 for WCA Education - check out these stocking stuffers below: