Industry News
ACTS Trade Definitions update – March 2017
ACA has responsibility to maintain Trade Definitions on behalf of the industry. As you may be aware, with the exception of minor changes in one scope in 2011, the Trade Definitions have not been comprehensively reviewed and updated since before 2004.
The Edmonton Construction Association, as a member of the ACA, has undertaken a comprehensive review to align the Trade Definitions with current practice and are inviting all trade associations to review the update and suggest any needed improvements prior to final ratification.
* A full copy of the updated Trade Definitions draft can be found here:
National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada – September 2013
NTCCC Meets in British Columbia
ATCC
When Prompt Payment was progressing in Ontario, representatives from the NTCCC visited various provinces to propose that Provincial Trade Associations should also be formed. The first so called Alberta Trade Contractors Coalition (ATCC) meeting took place October 18, 2011 in Edmonton followed by a second meeting in Red Deer on February 21, 2012. Most recently, a session was held on September 17 in Red Deer with a number of trade associations represented. This joint task force presented recommendations to setup a Trade Coalition in order to address various issues, for example the current prompt payment issue. The focus at this time is in Ontario where the legislation has gone through the 1st and 2nd reading and is currently at committee. Once it goes through committee, it will go to 3rd reading which tends to be the most difficult to obtain approval. If it goes ahead in Ontario, it will set a positive precedent for the other provinces. There are similar laws in the US and UK, but nothing like this in place in Canada so it would be a positive initiative for industry.
The ATCC are hoping for a memorandum of understanding between the involved groups to create this Trade Coalition Association. APCA has indicated their support of this initiative and that they would agree to be involved. We will keep you updated as things progress.
Trade Definitions Promotional Video
The ACA and the ECA along with our Alberta local construction association partners are pleased to present this video to members. This video complements the 2016 Trade Definitions, and offers further insight into the Definitions and their usage.
ACA Chairman Paul Verhesen and a number of others were interviewed for the video which explains the benefits of Trade Definitions. Our hope is that the Trade Definitions will continue to be adopted by the Industry, and we encourage our members to both view and share the video amongst their networks.
| Links: | Trade Definitions Video |
| Alberta Construction Trade Definitions |
ACA, its member local construction associations and the 3000 plus member firms endorse adoption of the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions as a best practice. We encourage all tender authorities and their design consultants, specification writers, and contractors and suppliers to cite and utilize the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions for their projects.
Trade Definitions provide clarity to all construction project stakeholders as to the allocation of work to be bid and performed. This clarity in turn reduces confusion, error, disputes, and litigation.
The 2016 Trade Definitions represent a comprehensive update to reflect current technology and business practice, and are the consensus result of input from many industry volunteers. They are not a tendering system. Trade Definitions are a guideline and the allocation of work amongst trades on any given project remains the responsibility of the tender authority and general contractor.
All member companies and trade associations may request changes to any or all trade definitions by providing their request in writing to the Alberta Construction Association or the Edmonton Construction Association, care of the Trade Definitions Committee, before January 1st of each year. The request must include the change, reason for the change and the effect on the other scopes. The Trade Definitions Committee will review and rule on all requests. Changes to the definitions will be finalized and published on March 1st each year.
You may wish to put a reminder in your calendars to check the end of February each year for the latest edition.