June 16, 2008

Canadian Construction Association

CCA develops P3 education program for members

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is setting up a task force to ensure its members are up to speed on public-private partnerships.

“The intent is to keep our members apprised as the process evolves and as more public-sector owners in Canada opt for this method of project delivery,” says CCA chair Paul Charette.

While terms of reference must be fleshed out, the task force will include representation from all four CCA councils. Establishment got a green light at the CCA’s recent board meeting.

P3 “is an important trend,” said Francis Pomerleau, vice-president of construction at Pomerleau Inc. in Ottawa and chair of the general contractors council. “It’s a train that is coming. We’d better be ready.”

His council spearheaded the initiative.

At a March meeting, concern was expressed on several fronts: that bundling of projects could exclude smaller contractors; that not all firms have the capacity, knowledge or experience to compete for these projects; and that significant costs are involved in preparing proposals.

The council appointed a group to gather information on use of P3s across Canada.

Speaking at a council meeting recently, Pomerleau said one issue facing contractors is risk management. Small and medium-sized contractors in particular need guidance in this area he said.

“Public-private partnerships present a lot of opportunities but also dangers,” he said, noting that the P3 procurement process differs across the country.

“This has created a gold mine for law firms.”

The task force is expected to hold its inaugural meeting this summer.

Charette, CEO of Bird Construction Co., said the association “is certainly not opposed” to public-private partnerships.

His firm in fact last year was selected by Infrastructure Ontario to build and finance a youth justice facility.

“We’re just more concerned about how our members can participate,” he said. “Obviously, participating means you have to have an understanding of how the process works. It is a very complex process.”

The newly minted task force will operate under the aegis of the CCA’s standard practices committee.

At the board meeting, Walter Strachan, chair of the Canadian Design-Build Institute, offered his organization’s assistance to the task force.

The institute has produced various guides, including one on principles for selection of a design-builder.

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