Advocacy
WCA is consistently advocating on behalf of the ICI construction industry with all three levels of government. Have an issue you’d like more information on, or are you concerned about something going on in the industry? Get in touch with us here.
Here are just a few of the files we’re currently working on:
Manitoba Jobs Agreement
WCA supports workforce development, training, and inclusion objectives that preserve worker choice and promote open and fair competition. The current Manitoba Jobs Agreement framework falls short of that standard by creating structural barriers for contractors and subcontractors delivering public infrastructure projects.
Click here for more on the MJA.
Promoting Standardized Contract Documents
WCA continues to work collaboratively with private and public owners and procuring authorities to promote the use of standardized contract documents in procurement and project delivery. This includes educating stakeholders on the benefits of standard contract documents and supporting discussions on the impacts that non-standard supplementary conditions can have on fairness, transparency, competitive bidding, and project outcomes.
The Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) comprises owner representatives from the public and private sectors, together with national construction, architecture, and consulting engineering industry associations. Through this balanced consultative process, CCDC develops and maintains standardized construction contracts, forms, and guides that support clear and commonly understood contractual relationships throughout a project lifecycle.
CCDC contract documents are widely used by public and private organizations across Canada and are recognized as an industry best practice for promoting consistency, transparency, and predictability in procurement and contract administration. Compared with uniquely developed contract forms, standardized CCDC documents help improve bid comparability, reduce uncertainty during procurement and project delivery, and minimize unnecessary costs associated with unclear or unfamiliar contractual provisions, ultimately benefiting both owners and the construction industry.
Similarly, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) creates subcontracts for use by general and trade contractors which promote consistency and understanding in the subcontracting process, such as with CCA 1 – Stipulated Price Subcontract.
WCA supports the City of Winnipeg’s pilot initiative to expand the use of CCDC contract documents and views it as a positive step toward greater consistency and fairness in public procurement. We will continue to advocate for the expansion of this approach across all City projects in the near term and encourage other public sector owners throughout Manitoba to adopt standardized CCDC documents as their preferred form of contract.
Equally important, WCA advocates that all public owners limit supplementary conditions to those that are truly necessary and project-specific. Excessive or unnecessary supplementary conditions undermine the intent of standardized CCDC contracts, introduce avoidable risk and uncertainty, reduce bid comparability, and can ultimately increase project costs. Preserving the integrity of the CCDC documents through minimal, well-justified supplementary conditions is essential to maintaining the benefits of standardized construction contracts for both owners and the industry.
Click here to browse our document store
Construction Industry Wages Act
The construction industry has several minimum standards that are different from other industries. Employees performing construction work and their employers need to understand these standards, which encompass wage minimums, hours of work, termination provisions, general holidays, and other employment requirements.
The Construction Industry Wages Act (CIWA), adopted in 2022, establishes minimum wage rates for tradespersons and other construction workers in the Industrial, Commercial, Institutional sector (ICI) and the Heavy Construction sector.
The latest CIWA minimum wage update came into effect May 1, 2026.
The next minimum wage increase will take effect on May 1, 2027.
Click here to see the current CIWA Wage Schedule
Click here for WCA’s Breakdown of Minimum Wage Rates and Employment Conditions
WCA will continue to advocate for industry wage setting through an industry working group.
Maintaining a 2:1 Ratio in Apprenticeships:
Manitoba’s construction industry continues to face skilled labour shortages. Apprenticeship ratios play an important role in determining how many apprentices employers can hire and train, directly influencing opportunities for individuals to enter the skilled trades and the future supply of certified journeypersons.
In 2024, the Manitoba Government cut the apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio down from 2:1 to 1:1, limiting capacity to bring new apprentices into the industry. At a time when governments across Canada are investing heavily in skilled trades recruitment and workforce development, Manitoba should be creating more pathways into the skilled trades, not fewer.
We are advocating for the 2:1 ratio to be restored. This model continues to operate successfully in other jurisdictions, allowing appropriate supervision while supporting the growing industry demand.
Permit and Inspection Service Delivery
Timely permit reviews, approvals, and on-site inspections are essential for the industry’s smooth operation. WCA works with industry and municipal stakeholders to identify opportunities to improve development and permitting performance, informed by industry feedback, municipal reports, and emerging initiatives affecting these processes.
Our advocacy focuses on ensuring Planning, Property and Development (PP&D) funding and resources are aligned with industry service demands to support project delivery through timely permit issuance and inspections.
WCA continues to advocate for sustainable department funding and adequate staffing capacity, building on concerns and recommendations recognized by City Council since 2023, and works with City staff and elected officials to support efficient service delivery.