Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships 2014 P3 Conference Page Break Report

January 14, 2014

Page Break Report Contents MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE AT THE P3 2014 CONFERENCE 4

CANADIAN BUSINESS JOURNAL FEATURE STORY 77

P3 CONFERENCE COVERAGE 17

CHAMPION AWARD COVERAGE 159

AWARDS FOR INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE COVERAGE 164

                                                   

                                             

Media in Attendance at the P3 2014 Conference

                                     

 Outlet   Journalist Bloomberg Greg Quinn BNN / CTV Kevin Kowbel

Greg Bunnell Canadian Business Journal Angus Gillespie Canadian Press David Friend

Nathan Denette CBC Michael Hernan CityTV James Tumelty CPAC Jean-Marc Lazara

Justin Harris Ken Tierney Lee Germaney Richard Sinha Trever Hegge

Daily Commerical News Peter Kenter Elvert Mission Cam Thompson Globe and Mail Dave Parkison IJ Global David Samuel Information Group Brett Birman

Daniel Davies Krank Communications Joel Krank Lexpert Jean Cumming

Sandra Rubin Listed Magazine Brian Banks

Martin Tully Media Planet Ian Solnick

Martin Kocdrle Midas Letter James West Municipal World Lou Milrad National Post PJ Thompson OMNI News Candy Chan

George Joseph James Ma

P3 Bulletin Dan Colombini Paul Jarvis

P3C Media Eric Iravani Public Sector Digest Tyler Sutton Public Works Financing Dan Westell Reuters Solarina Ho ReNew Canada Andre Voshart

Chris Tully Sun News Ike R

Kevin Hoppler Toronto Star Dan Crane Wall Street Journal Don Curren Other Ken Mark                                                                

                   

Canadian Business Journal Feature Story

                                         

                                                                                           

Table of CONTENTS DECEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 12

Marketing coach Joe Connelly – discusses HABITS AND HYPER PERFORMANCE 054

Owen Shapiro examines FIVE REVOLUTIONS THAT WILL SHAPE THE FUTURE OF MARKETING 062

LIBERAL LEADER JUSTIN TRUDEAU – and his endorsement of the P3 business model 070

M&A EXPERT MARK BORKOWSKI calls for a National Salesperson Month 078

WHY B2B & LINKEDIN SHOULD SAY “I DO” – by Melonie Dodaro 090

CBJ FEATURES

068

090

070

                                                                                           

TRUDEAU ENDORSES P3 MODELBy Angus Gillespie

                                                                                           

                                                                                           

Trudeau Endorses P3 Model72

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has made it abundantly clear that he is a big proponent of the public-private partnership model during his keynote address at the annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships National Conference in Toronto last month. As with any politician, he also managed to take a few verbal jabs at Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the ruling Conservatives as the main reasons why Canada’s current infrastructure is in the mess that it is in now.

“UNFORTUNATELY, WE KNOW the fiscal update

is about how this government will confront the

challenges of the next election, rather than about

how Canada will confront the challenges of the

next decades,” Trudeau begins.

By all accounts the Conservative government

is running with a mild surplus at this point, and so

the question on the minds of many people is how

and where that surplus should be invested.

“We already know the government has com-

mitted to spending it on immediate tax credits that

are designed to get people to vote Conservative,”

Trudeau lashes out. “But is that what we need to

build our country’s future? I humbly offer that

Justin Trudeau addresses a large audience at the annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships National Conference in Toronto. CBJ Photo

                                                                                           

73DECEMBER 2014 « The Canadian Business Journal

a much better thing for the government to be

focusing on is investing in infrastructure.”

Whether Liberal, Conservative, NDP, or other,

it stands to reason most would agree that invest-

ing in infrastructure needs to be a top priority that

will lead to a better and stronger Canada in the

coming years. One needs to look no further than

the mess in Toronto regarding how transporta-

tion infrastructure has gone horribly wrong, and it

began showing signs as far back as 30 years ago.

Unbearably gridlocked traffic congestion has led

to increased commute times for thousands of

individuals to the point now where there is tangi-

ble proof it’s having a direct effect on productivity

lost revenue. But it’s not just Toronto. A number

of other urban centres across Canada are grow-

ing by leaps and bounds, and smart infrastructure

planning is going to be required in order to have

those other centres avoid many of the pitfalls

Toronto now faces.

As Trudeau noted in his address, there are

numerous challenges that have emerged and they

need to be confronted – now. It requires respon-

sible integration of a sustainable environment into

a prosperous economy. Facing it all is our infra-

structure – the very thing we rely on every day

to ensure our safety and comfort, and our high

quality of life.

“Solid, strategic infrastructure will help

our economy grow, help create jobs, and help

Canada remain competitive,” Trudeau says.

“This is why over the past two years I’ve already

engaged with many of the people in this room

on multiple occasions.”

Canada’s infrastructure and asset man-

agement sectors have been bright spots of

economic growth in the last two decades.

“Canada is a pretty great place to live,”

Trudeau remarks. “But we should aim to make it

even better.”

He says that while the Canadian government

may be in a relatively strong position overall, it’s

not an accurate barometer for gauging the suc-

cess of regular, everyday Canadians.

“The Conservative government has offered

tax credits to a handful of Canadians – a little

bit here and there, but not enough to help most

middle class families,” he continues.

Trudeau took this platform opportunity to

once again press on about how such tax credits

from the ruling Conservatives is nothing more

than a classic election strategy. His argument is

that it doesn’t do much, fundamentally, to help

build Canada for the future.

“I think all the sacrifices Canadians have made

to achieve a federal surplus should leave them

with more to show for their hard work, like long-

term investments in their communities,” he notes.

There is no doubt that job creation and con-

tinued, sustained economic growth is a priority

“Solid, strategic infrastructure will help our economy grow, help create jobs, and help Canada remain competitive.”

– Liberal leader Justin Trudeau

                                                                                           

Trudeau Endorses P3 Model74

to ensuring the health of the nation. A strong

middle class is what keeps a country’s economic

engine running on all cylinders. Investing in

infrastructure isn’t just a tool to boost economic

growth and create jobs now. It’s a way to con-

front major challenges we will face in the future.

Trudeau then worked back to the subject of

congestion, which is an emotional hot topic and

growing with each passing day.

“I don’t know how long it took you all to get to

work today, but no doubt you’re familiar with sit-

ting in traffic,” he says. “It’s not just an annoyance. It

actually costs us – about $15 billion each year.”

Trudeau also took the opportunity to touch

on climate change. What were once deemed

to be freak weather patterns or unexpected

extreme storms are now becoming more com-

monplace. Will it continue in the future? We

don’t know with any degree of certainty, but

there’s no indication to think otherwise anytime

soon. Just recently, Buffalo, NY was slammed

by more snow in a 24-hour period than it usu-

ally gets throughout an entire winter – and

Buffalo is no shrinking violet when it comes to

Investing in infrastructure isn’t just a tool to boost economic growth and create jobs now. It’s a way to confront major challenges we will face in the future.

“I think all the sacrifices Canadians have made to achieve a federal surplus should leave them with more to show for their hard work, like long-term investments in their communities.”

– Justin Trudeau

                                                                                           

75DECEMBER 2014 « The Canadian Business Journal

snow storms and seasonal accumulation. Prior

to 1996, there had only been three natural disas-

ters in Canada that did more than $500 million

worth of damage. Since then, on average, we’ve

had one such natural disaster almost every sin-

gle year. Last year’s flash flood here in Toronto

cost over $1 billion to clean up. The tally for the

flooding a year ago in Calgary and surrounding

area was about $6 billion.

Trudeau doesn’t believe we can somehow

avoid these disasters in the future – but rather he

wants to be as prepared as possible, which will

help limit the damage and reduce costs. He says

it’s the kind of disaster preparedness math other

countries are doing.

“They are working to attract investment and

business for the future while building an infra-

structure legacy. Meanwhile, here in Canada, the

Conservative government’s inaction and lack of

leadership is increasing our infrastructure deficit.”

The Canadian Council for Public-Private

Partnerships is always the leading voice on edu-

cating Canadians about the benefits of investing

in our country’s infrastructure through these

types of partnerships. While it is true Canada

was not hit nearly as hard as many other coun-

tries during the massive international economic

meltdown beginning in 2008, we were still hit

nonetheless, and since then our economic

recovery has been slow, and our GDP continues

to lag. However, interest rates remain at record

low levels and the Canadian dollar remains

relatively strong compared with the American

greenback. Seeing it drop below 90 cents is

something exporting companies love to see, as it

makes it far easier to sell Canadian goods to our

neighbors to the south when they are getting a

bigger bang for their buck.

With record low interest rates, Trudeau

believes we can incorporate long-term financing

as a way to provide lasting and sustainable fund-

ing for projects that will take years to complete.

The thought is that it will create well-paying jobs

and growth today in the process.

“This is a historic moment for us to do

what previous generations of Canadians have

always done: invest in the future of this country,”

Trudeau says. “Every single day we benefit from

the bridges and subways, highways and ports

that past generations built for us.”

The Liberal leader then shifted towards

talk about how the government is focused too

much on tax credits such as income splitting, or

schemes like their small business E.I. tax credit.

Instead, he feels the government should be

investing in our collective prosperity and increas-

ing productivity.

Another concern that is often raised is that the

federal government typically holds about 50% of

“Every single day we benefit from the bridges and subways, highways and ports that past generations built for us.”

– Justin Trudeau

                                                                                           

Trudeau Endorses P3 Model76

revenue capacity but contributes a notably smaller

percentage in annual infrastructure spending.

“The Conservatives don’t plan on boosting that

anytime soon,” Trudeau says. “In fact, in its last bud-

get, this government decided to slash the Building

Canada Fund by nearly 90%. It dropped from $1.7

billion down to just $210 million this year. Not just

for one project – but for the entire country.”

Regardless of ones political stripes, most

everyone seems to agree that greater invest-

ment is needed for infrastructure projects.

Private capital is critically important in achieving

this, because the federal government and the

provincial governments simply don’t have the

wherewithal to cover the costs alone. On the

other hand, businesses cannot take the entire

responsibility because basic infrastructure costs

threaten bottom lines. It’s why the P3 model

with its unique partnership possibilities is being

Seeing the Canadian dollar dip below 90 cents is something exporting companies love to see, as it makes it far easier to sell Canadian goods to our neighbors to the south.

“For generations, Canadians have left their children with a better country than the one into which they either arrived or were born. I see no reason why we should be the generation that stops that pattern.”

– Justin Trudeau

                                                                                           

77DECEMBER 2014 « The Canadian Business Journal

accepted more and more as time goes by.

“Together, we can seize this opportunity to

embark upon a new kind of nation building,”

Trudeau remarks. “The challenges ahead are multi-

faceted, but as we have done in the past, Canadians

can work together to meet them.”

The private sector has lots of experience build-

ing and operating housing in various ways. The

government should harness that knowledge and

ability to make finding a home easier for Canadians.

“We can also fix the shameful lack of invest-

ment in our First Nations communities, because

this isn’t just about laying new roads or putting

down tracks; it’s about all of us, the country we

want to live in, and the one we want to pass down

to our children,” Trudeau forcefully states.

The government needs private enterprise to

help in identifying new and more innovative mecha-

nisms to finance and build public infrastructure.

Here, we can learn from the provinces. It’s esti-

mated that investing $1 billion in infrastructure could

boost Canada’s GDP by as much as $1.6 billion.

“For generations, Canadians have left their

children with a better country than the one into

which they either arrived or were born,” Trudeau

says. “I see no reason why we should be the

generation that stops that pattern. We cannot be

passing along unpaid bills to our children because

we refuse to invest now.” CBJ

Following his keynote address, Justin Trudeau took several questions from Mark Romoff, President and CEO of Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. CBJ Photo

                                         

P3 Conference Coverage              

   

                                                                                           

The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partner-ships (CCPPP) held its 22nd annual conference in Toronto and welcomed more than 1,200 senior public and private sector participants to what is recognized as the world’s largest event on public-private partner-ships.

Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national organiza-tion with broad representation from the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships (P3s) with all levels of government.

The council is a proponent of evidence-based pub-lic policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices and educates stakehold-ers and the community on the economic and social benefits of P3s. The annual P3 event attracts a wide range of participants from the public sector at the municipal, provincial/territorial and federal levels in Canada as well as from aboriginal communities.

The private sector delegates at the conference represented a cross-section of P3-related professions, including law, finance, construction, engineering, project management, architecture, consulting, com-munications, real estate development and building services. There were also a number of attendees from other countries looking for Canadian opportunities and best practices.

One of the social highlights of the conference was the annual First Night Reception. This year’s recep-tion took place at the Four Seasons Centre for the Per-forming Arts and saw all the movers and shakers in the infrastructure sector in Canada and abroad come together for an evening of networking and friendship.

“With more than 900 guests from 25 countries enjoying great cuisine, great entertainment and great networking, there is no better way to celebrate Can-ada’s global leadership in the P3 world.” said Mark Romoff, president and CEO, CCPPP.

Bright lights in attendance included Dale Rich-mond, chair, CCPPP and president and CEO, DERX Inc.; Amanda Farrell, president and CEO, Partner-ships British Columbia; Donald J. Atchison, mayor of Saskatoon, Sask.; John McArthur, president, Kiewit Canada Development Co.; Rupen Pandya, president and CEO, SaskBuilds; Michael Marasco, CEO, Plenary Concessions; Hugo Blasutta, CEO MMM Group Limited; Mark Bain, partner, Torys LLP; Ricet Nadeau, vice-president for Public-Private Partnerships WSP Canada Inc.; and Steve Nackan, president, Aecon Concessions.

Financial Post

FP12 financialpost.com NATIONAL POST, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2015

A M O RY N E N G E L

AFTER HOURS

Photos courtesy of Kristen Ferkranus, Amberlight Productions

C C P P P A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E

Celebrating P3 leadership

Canadian trade commissioners with Foreign Affairs Trade & Development Ashley Jean-Marie and Asmae Amrouche.

Amanda Farrell, president and CEO, Partnerships British Columbia, Rupen Pandya, president and CEO

SaskBuilds and Dana Hayden, board chair, Partnerships British Columbia.

Lars Anderson, counsellor to the administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Tom Sparrow, chief

project officer, Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Mark Romoff, president & CEO, CCPPP, Leif Dormsjo, deputy secretary of transportation planning &

project management, State of Maryland, and Anthony Karakatsanis, president & CEO of Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

Dave Jull, executive, MMM Group Limited and Daniel Haufschild, vice-president, urban mobility

at MMM Group Limited.

Hugo Blasutta, CEO, MMM Group, Ricet Nadeau, national VP, PPP/Design-Build, WSP Global Inc.,

Steve Nackan, president, Aecon Concessions and Mark Bain, partner, Torys LLP.

Dale Richmond, chair, CCPPP and president and CEO, DERX Inc., Donald J. Atchison, mayor of Saskatoon and

Mark Romoff, president and CEO, CCPPP.

Wilf Wakely, principal, Wakely P3 Advisory Tokyo and Mark Morita, manager, Bechtel Enterprises.

                                                                                           

   

PUBLIC RECORD          

Public Record P3 National Conference Global Infrastructure The Annual CCPPP National Conference on a diversity of P3 projects, issues and best practices from Canada and other countries. In the opening session John Manley, President & CEO, Canadian Council of Chief Executives moderates a discussion with Bryn Jones, Managing Partner & Head, Global Development Infrastructure, InfraRed Capital Partners and Michael Bailey, General Counsel & Senior Vice President, Bechtel Group Inc. about the latest global infrastructure trends and opportunities in an environment of fiscal restraint. ( November 3, 2014 )    Please find this video online below: http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/public-record/episodes/35916197/  

          Public Record P3 National Conference Building World Class Cities The Annual CCPPP National Conference on a diversity of P3 projects, issues and best practices from Canada and other countries. In the second session Mayor Donald J. Atchison, City of Saskatoon, Mayor Brad Woodside, City of Fredericton and Mayor Jeff Lehman, City of Barrie discuss the challenges they face and how they are addressing their infrastructure needs ( November 3, 2014 )     Please find this video online below (scroll down to find): http://www.cpac.ca/en/digital-archives/?program=218#

     

                                     Public Record P3 National Conference Provincial Ministers The Annual CCPPP National Conference on a diversity of P3 projects, issues and best practices from Canada and other countries. In the third session Michael H. Wilson, Chairman, Barclays Capital Canada Inc moderates a discussion with Manmeet Bhullar, Minister of Infrastructure, Government of Alberta, Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, Government of Ontario and Gordon Wyant, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Government of Saskatchewan about the challenges and priorities of public private partnerships in their provinces. ( November 4, 2014 )        Please find this video online below (scroll down to find): http://www.cpac.ca/en/digital-archives/?program=218#

                                             Public Record P3 National Conference P3/AFP Agency Roundtable The Annual CCPPP National Conference on a diversity of P3 projects, issues and best practices from Canada and other countries. In the fourth session P3 stakeholders discuss public infrastructure expenditures planned across Canada over the next few years. (November 4, 2014)                  Please find this video online below (scroll down to find): http://www.cpac.ca/en/digital-archives/?program=218#

            TORONTO - Finance Minister Joe Oliver says the Ontario government is causing delays in the federal government's plan to devote nearly $11 billion to infrastructure investments in the province over the coming years. Oliver said Monday that he was still waiting for the Liberal government to submit its list of preferred infrastructure projects under the Building Canada Plan, which is designed to give predictable long-term funding to provinces and territories. In a speech at a public-private partnership conference, Oliver said provincial governments must submit their list of priority projects before the money can roll out as part of an 11-year funding plan.

"Unfortunately we are experiencing a delay under the provincial-territorial component of the Building Canada Plan," he told the conference in Toronto. "The Government of Ontario has yet to put forward its submission. We hope to receive it soon." The federal government doesn't have an official deadline for submissions, although Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Manitoba have put forth their lists of preferred projects. The Ontario government has been "working diligently" to produce a list of priority projects, though officials have called on the federal government to increase infrastructure funding, said Ontario Economic Development and Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid. The Liberals promise to spend $130 billion on infrastructure over a decade — including $29 billion for public transit and transportation projects. They also plan $2.5 billion in corporate grants to lure and keep businesses in the province and $1 billion to build a transportation route to the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in northern Ontario. Duguid said the federal government's commitment to spend $70 billion across the entire country is "short-changing provinces." "The federal minister's complaints about the slowness of the system, which he set up in the first place, are just a smokescreen for the fact they're just not investing enough in infrastructure." Advocates of public-private partnerships, which the

industry calls "P3s," see them as a cost-effective way to deliver infrastructure to the benefit of taxpayers, governments and businesses. Critics have argued that they aren't necessarily good for the public sector over the long term even if they bring down government costs in the short term. "Our government's commitment to P3s has never been stronger," Oliver said Monday.   Please find this article online below: http://www.thecanadianpress.com/english/online/OnlineFullStory.aspx?filename=DOR-MNNCP.e4101746426c4ad5b887a45440bd53c4.CPKEY2008111303&newsitemid=30547402&languageid=1   Please see this article reposted online below:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ontario-is-holding-up-infrastructure-plan-funding-joe-oliver-says-1.2084298

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/11/03/ontarios-government-to-blame-for-delays-in-ottawas-11b-infrastructure-investment-plan-says-joe-oliver/

http://globalnews.ca/news/1650787/joe-oliver-says-ontario-is-delaying-11b-in-infrastructure-funding/

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/11/03/joe-oliver-infrastructure-plan-funding_n_6094440.html

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/ontario-government-holding-infrastructure-plan-funding-oliver-160748743.html

http://www.brandonsun.com/national/breaking-news/ontario-government-is-holding-up-infrastructure-plan-funding-oliver-281314211.html?thx=y

http://www.ipolitics.ca/2014/11/03/finance-minister-says-ontario-government-obstructing-federal-infrastructure-program/

http://www.mywebmemo.com/politics/joe-oliver-ontario-government-holding-up-11b-infrastructure-funding_272319.html

http://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2014/11/03/ontario-government-is-holding-up-infrastructure-plan-funding-oliver/#.VFvKkL6cPzd

http://newsbritishcolumbia.ca/2014/11/03/joe-oliver-ontario-government-holding-up-11b-infrastructure-funding-plan/

http://newsmaritimes.ca/2014/11/03/joe-oliver-ontario-government-holding-up-11b-infrastructure-funding-plan/

http://newsontario.ca/2014/11/03/joe-oliver-says-ontario-is-delaying-11b-in-infrastructure-funding/

http://newssaskatchewan.ca/2014/11/03/joe-oliver-ontario-government-holding-up-11b-infrastructure-funding-plan/

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ontario-government-is-holding-up-infrastructure-plan-funding-oliver-1.1492762

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/4957860-ontario-government-holding-up-funding-oliver/

https://ringoffirenews.wordpress.com

http://toronto.cityandpress.com/node/8611708

Oliver hails 'unprecedented' P3 model 3 November 2014 Canadian Finance Minister Joe Oliver has backed the country's P3 model and confirmed that more deals will hit the market over the next year. Speaking at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) conference in Toronto this morning, Oliver hailed the government's P3 plans as 'unprecedented' and confirmed a new "stream of projects from where a stronger P3 market will emerge". Oliver also hailed government agency PPP Canada for winning the Best Government Agency award in October's inaugural P3 Awards in New York last month. "The recession taught us all a valuable lesson," said Oliver. "We cannot take prosperity for granted. We will continue to optimize the potential of P3 in Canada and continue to strengthen our country in this era and the next.                   Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83908

           

Ontario facing dealflow delay 3 November 2014 Several potential new P3 deals are being held back in the province of Ontario, warned Canadian Finance Minister Joe Oliver. Speaking in Toronto at the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships' (CCPPP) National Conference, Oliver said that the Ontario government has yet to submit its list of new projects, meaning federal funding cannot be released. "We are experiencing a delay," said Oliver. "Provinces must submit their preferred projects to the federal government before our money can roll out. The [Ontario] government has yet to put forward its submission. We hope to receive it soon, so building new infrastructure can begin."                                  Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83909

   

Public-private battleship: Oliver, Wynne trade barbs over funding by PETER KENTER Nov 12, 2014 Federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver says he’s a big fan of public-private partnerships. Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is a staunch defender of the province’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model. But that didn’t prevent the two politicians from trading barbs at the 22nd annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships conference in Toronto.   Oliver told audiences recently that the federal government has about $11 billion in infrastructure funding ready to be delivered to the province of Ontario — but it's waiting on Wynne to provide it with a list of the province's preferred infrastructure projects. "Unfortunately we are experiencing a delay under the provincial-territorial component of the New Building Canada Plan (NBCP)," he said. "The government of Ontario has yet to put forward its submission. We hope to receive it soon." Under the NBCP, the federal government plans to invest more than $53 billion in infrastructure across the country in the 10-year period from 2014 to 2024. Ontario stands to collect $11 billion in dedicated federal funding, including more than $2.7 billion under the New Building Canada Fund (NBCF) launched in March, and an estimated $8.12 billion under the federal Gas Tax Fund. NBCF projects are subject to a P3 screen if they are budgeted at more than $100 million in eligible costs.

However, to qualify for funding under the NBCF, provinces and territories are required to identify priority projects to Infrastructure Canada. The program website notes here are no submission deadlines. In response to Oliver's comments, Wynne countered the finance minister's contention that the province is dragging its feet. "While it's great to hear he's suddenly eager to get on with the job, rhetorical enthusiasm does not build bridges, nor does it ease congestion," said Wynne. "Worse, suggestions that Ontario is holding up $11 billion worth of infrastructure projects has him playing some sort of blame game that really is not necessary." Wynne said the province had sent the federal government a missive in June "to formalize how we will access these funds" but had heard nothing back. "Although I understand that after Minister Oliver's speech and after Minister (of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, Brad) Duguid responded, that we actually did get some response after four months," she said. "And we've moved quickly on the municipal gas tax and the Small Communities Fund, both of which would need to be counted to reach the $11 billion plane and on neither of which Ontario has wasted a day." Wynne called federal infrastructure programs targeted at Ontario "inadequate" to meet the province's needs. While the provincial government has recently come under fire by critics and debt rating agency Moody's for failing to reduce the flow of red ink at Queen's Park, Wynne has set her eye on projected federal government surpluses. "With every delay, Canada's persistent infrastructure gap widens and economic growth narrows," she said. "So the sum total of that is we need a federal partner that gets this, and gets serious,

because with low interest rates and a federal surplus next year, the time to act is right now." Wynne also touted her recent China trade mission and its potential benefits to the construction sector. "We're telling our story, we're spreading our model, and we're opening doors for new markets for our construction companies, our engineers, architects, and financial service providers," she said. "Your expertise is literally in global demand. And we're committed to helping you to sell it."                                                        Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Government/News/2014/11/Public-private-battleship-Oliver-Wynne-trade-barbs-over-funding-1003749W/

A daily rundown of the economic reports and corporate earnings that will be grabbing the market's attention in the week ahead. Monday, Nov. 3 China tentatively scheduled to release manufacturing PMI. The non-manufacturing PMI and HSBC manufacturing PMI is also due out. Euro area releases manufacturing PMI. This is a catch-all ASF view; only displays when an unsupported article type is put in an ASF drop zone (930 a.m. ET) RBC Manufacturing PMI. (945 a.m ET) U.S. Market manufacturing PMI. (10 a.m. ET) U.S. manufacturing ISM. Consensus is for 56.4. (10 a.m. ET) U.S. construction spending for September, forecast to rise 0.7 per cent. U.S. and Canadian auto sales for October tentatively scheduled. (1235 p.m. ET) Bank of Canada Governor Poloz speaks to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto, with a press conference scheduled for 2 p.m. (ET). Earnings include: Absolute Software; Agrium; Alleghany; AngloGold Ashanti; Claude Resources; Detour Gold; Enbridge Energy Partners; GuestLogix; Herbalife; Loews; Marathon Oil; Nautilus; Noranda Aluminum; PrairieSky Royalty; Sprint; Savanna Energy Services. Please see this article online below: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/inside-the-market/market-updates/calendar-what-investors-need-to-know-for-the-week-ahead/article21404320/

Governor Poloz steps up to the podium. Just before 1:00 p.m., Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz will deliver a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto, which will be followed by a press conference. Don’t expect much new information from the governor; the previous round of speeches from members of the governing council in late September was quite illuminating, and we’re just coming off the publication of a monetary policy report. Given the topic of the speech (the legacy of the financial crisis), Poloz will likely emphasize the extent of the damage attributable to the recession and stress that this recovery requires the continuation of stimulative monetary policy. The central bank has begun to draw more attention to labour market slack in their speeches and communiqués; we’ll see if this trend continues when the governor’s remarks are published this afternoon. Please find this article online below: http://www.macleans.ca/economy/business/tsx-gold-loonie-poloz-barrick-gold-agrium-manufacturing-pmis/  

         

                 

Mon, Nov 3, 2014 - 12:30 PM Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz is holding his first news conference since officially dropping the bank's neutral language on interest rates. Greg Bonnell reports.   Please find this video online below: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=483135

       

Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) - Speech Stephen S. Poloz Toronto, Ontario 3 November 2014

The legacy of the financial crisis, what we know and what we don’t - Stephen S. Poloz, the Governor of the Bank of Canada, speaks before the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) (12:50 (ET) approx.)     Please find this article online below: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/multimedia/canadian-council-public-private-partnerships-ccppp-speech-3-november-2014-video/  

Bank of Canada Policy Appropriate in the Face of Uncertainty, Says Governor Stephen S. Poloz FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Relations 613 782-8782 Toronto, Ontario 3 November 2014 The Bank of Canada’s monetary policy is appropriate to return Canadian inflation to its 2 per cent target as worldwide economic uncertainty lingers, Governor Stephen S. Poloz said today in Toronto. The global economy is facing significant headwinds that could restrain growth for a prolonged period, including efforts by households and financial institutions to reduce their debt and those by governments to bring their fiscal situation back toward balance, Governor Poloz told attendees at the annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. “Probably the most important headwind is lingering uncertainty about the future, whether from geopolitical developments, market volatility, or just the trauma that companies have been through,” he said. “We are confident that these headwinds will dissipate in time, but in the meantime interest rates will remain lower than in the past in order to work against those forces.” The Bank of Canada has adopted a risk-management approach to incorporate these elements of uncertainty directly in its policy decision-making and clearly communicate them to Canadians, Governor Poloz said, citing the ranges the Bank now provides when it presents forecasts of key variables like growth, inflation, the output gap and the neutral rate of interest.

The prolonged global economic cycle has taken its toll on Canada’s export sector, the Governor also said. After studying more than 2,000 categories of underperforming non-energy exports, the Bank found that for about a quarter of them the value of shipments fell by more than 75 per cent since 2000, creating a shortfall of about $30 billion relative to the historical norm and destroying the associated jobs. “The good news is that these destructive effects of the recession and slow recovery should be reversible over time,” Governor Poloz said. “A sustained expansion in our exports will not only represent new demand, it will ignite the rebuilding phase of our business cycle, which through increased investment will create new supply and new jobs. This virtuous cycle will continue until the excess capacity in the labour market is reabsorbed.” While some fear that keeping interest rates low will sow the seeds of the next financial crisis, Governor Poloz observed that the alternative would be much worse. The Bank estimates that if the policy interest rate had been at 3.5 per cent in both Canada and the U.S. since the beginning of 2011, Canada’s unemployment rate would be 2 percentage points higher today and core inflation would be well below 1%. “From this monetary policy-maker’s perspective, that’s an unattractive alternative,” Governor Poloz said. “Our primary job is to pursue our 2 per cent inflation target, with a degree of flexibility around the time horizon of its achievement; that flexibility permits the Bank to give due consideration to financial stability risks, provided they do not threaten macroeconomic performance.”   Please find this release online below: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2014/11/bank-canada-policy-appropriate-face-uncertainty/  Please find this release reposted online below:

http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=899499

   

Bank of Canada head says worried about downside inflation risk Mon Nov 3, 2014 7:05pm EST    

  By Solarina Ho TORONTO (Reuters) - The Bank of Canada is more concerned about the risk of weaker-than-expected inflation and soft growth than it would be about a jump in inflation and strong growth because such upside moves are easier to manage, Governor Stephen Poloz said on Monday.

His comments were perceived as dovish by market players and weighed on the Canadian dollar as they suggest the central bank is in no hurry to tighten policy. "If we realized a downside risk, that would be a more significant event, since interest rates are already very low and we've done everything we think we are capable of doing," Poloz told reporters, while noting the bank has other tools available. "The downside risk would be a much harder challenge for policymakers anywhere, not just here in Canada." With inflation in Canada returning to around 2 percent from near the bottom of the Bank of Canada's target range of 1 to 3 percent, the bank has referred less to downside worries lately. However, Poloz attributed some of the rise in inflation to temporary factors, and said labor conditions point to economic slack. TD Securities senior Canada macro strategist Mazen Issa said even though Poloz has emphasized neutrality, "he's choosing to err on the side of caution as opposed to looking at what are the positives that have been happening in the economy". Global rates will remain lower than in the past for a prolonged period because of restraints facing the economy, Poloz said, recognizing that some critics are asking if this lengthy period of low rates is sowing the seeds of the next financial crisis. "I might ask in response: What is it you would have us do, then?" he said, adding that if Canada and the United States had moved their policy rates back up to neutral in

2011, the jobless rate would be two percentage points higher and core inflation would be between zero and 1 percent. Some commentators say Canada's post-recession housing market boom, fueled by low rates, could result in a U.S.-style crash. Poloz said household imbalances appear to be edging higher but these should eventually ease. Canada's household debt and housing situation is "very different from what we saw in the United States just before the (2008 financial) crisis" because of a number of steps taken by the government and the banking supervisor, and because of high-quality underwriting. He reiterated his forecast that it will take around two years to soak up Canada's excess capacity. Asked if the bank's decision generally to abandon forward guidance on rates increased market volatility, he said natural volatility stemmed from economic data and it was not up to the central bank to cut off that channel of adjustment. (Additional reporting by Leah Schnurr in Ottawa and Andrea Hopkins and Alastair Sharp in Toronto; Writing by Randall Palmer; Editing by Peter Galloway)

               Please find this article online below: http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCAKBN0IN1QU20141104?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true

Bank of Canada still fears low inflation despite balanced outlook DAVID PARKINSON - ECONOMICS REPORTER The Globe and Mail Published Monday, Nov. 03 2014, 1:39 PM EST Last updated Monday, Nov. 03 2014, 7:25 PM EST

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz said the central bank remains more worried about too-low inflation even though it believes the upside and downside risks are balanced, sending another signal that interest-rate hikes are more likely to come later than sooner. “If there were a realization of an upside risk, that actually would be good news, given where we are. However, if we realized a downside risk, that would be a more significant event,” he told a news conference following a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships annual conference in Toronto.

This is a catch-all ASF view; only displays when an unsupported article type is put in an ASF drop zone “So in that sense, the risks are imbalanced from a policy perspective, even though they look symmetric as a forecast. The downside risk would be a much harder challenge … Policy makers are understandably preoccupied with those concerns. And if they’re wrong and things turn out to be stronger, that would be just fine,” he said. Mr. Poloz also indicated that alternative measures of the slack in the labour market, most notably the central bank’s recently developed Labour Market Indicator, have taken a more prominent role in the bank’s assessment of how much excess capacity there is in the economy – a key to determining when rate increases become appropriate. “We can’t ignore the labour market measures at a time when we know that they’re likely to tell us more [about slack in the economy],” he said. The news conference followed a speech in which Mr. Poloz defended ultra-low interest rates as necessary to support an economy still facing numerous headwinds in the wake of the financial crisis and Great Recession. While critics worry that too-low rates for too long could over-inflate the economy and fuel debt and asset bubbles, Mr. Poloz insisted that “the consequences of an upside risk would be more manageable than those associated with a downside risk.” In the speech, he reiterated the bank’s position that it will take “around two years” before Canada’s output gap closes and its economy is back to operating at full capacity, and that if the headwinds persist, “continued policy stimulus may still be needed to offset them even after our excess capacity has been absorbed.”

Mr. Poloz’s comments build on a message the central bank has delivered in several speeches and publications over the past two months, after market speculation had percolated over the summer that the bank might be ready to raise rates sooner than expected, in light of rising inflation and a strengthening economy. This was Mr. Poloz’s first news conference since the release of the central bank’s quarterly Monetary Policy Report on Oct. 22. Normally, the governor holds a news conference the day of the MPR release, but it was cancelled due to the fatal shootings that day on Parliament Hill, just steps from where the news conference was to have taken place.

                 Please find this article online below: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/bank-of-canadas-poloz-defends-use-of-low-interest-rates/article21425516/

OTTAWA — When Stephen Poloz took the reins at the Bank of Canada in June of last year, he brought a cache of export knowledge that many thought would provide a steady hand on the bumpy road of recovery. That much he has done. But the road has been longer and more winding than most could have ever charted. On Monday, Mr. Poloz said the economy still has a long way to go before a true recovery takes hold.

“That just requires more patience than I thought when we first sat down at this job . . . close to 18 months ago,” he said Monday. “And it’s, basically, now being fed by . . . a richer understanding of what the underlying forces are.” The global outlook has been even more difficult to predict as geopolitical tensions — like those between Russia and Ukraine — add to the uncertainty over new recession threats in Europe and a slowdown in China. While the United States is picking up and showing strong signs of sustainability, Canada’s economy has been struggling through meager growth and inconsistent job creation. For Mr. Poloz, this has amounted to “serial disappointment,” a phrase the governor has often used to describe the inconsistent flow of recent economic data. “That serial disappointment has two legs. One is that the world has not performed as strongly as we expected — and that includes the U.S.,” said Mr. Poloz, who previously headed Export Development Canada, the federal financing and credit agency. “And secondly, that even given that global performance, Canada’s exports have underperformed what you would predict,” he told reporters in Toronto, following a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnership. Mr. Poloz also sees headwinds continuing to stir concerns over the global recovery in general, but added in his luncheon address that these will “dissipate in time.” “Probably the most important headwind is lingering uncertainty about the future, whether geopolitical developments, market volatility, or just the trauma that companies have been through,” he said. “We are confident that these headwinds will dissipate in time, but in the meantime, interest rates will remain lower than in the past in

order to work against those forces.” For now, Canada’s wavering recovery from the 2008-09 recession has kept policymakers stuck in a neutral position with their main monetary policy lever: the trend-setting overnight lending rate to commercial banks, which has been unchanged at 2% for more than four years. “As a central bank, we only have one real channel of influence, which is to set short-term interest rates,” he said. “Right now, we are providing monetary stimulus sufficient to bring inflation sustainably to our target within a reasonable time frame, around two years from now.” That is also when policymakers are forecasting the output gap in the economy — the difference between production capacity and actual out levels — will be closed. Those two elements are necessary to provide “not-too-hot, not-too-cold” conditions for sustainable growth. “In the meantime, continued monetary policy stimulus is need to keep the process in motion,” Mr. Poloz cautioned in his speech. And if headwinds persist, “continued policy stimulus may still be needed to offset them after our excess capacity has been absorbed.” Most economists are expecting the central bank to keep its key interest rate on hold until mid-2015, depending on economic output and the level of inflation, for which policymakers have set a 2% target, between a comfort range of 1% to 3%. “We know certain sectors are starting to grow, connected to the U.S. investment recovery,” Mr. Poloz told reporters. “I think that the most important thing is, historically, in these kinds of situations, we’ve begun to create new companies. And we have been creating new companies, but the net population of companies seems not to have begun to rise yet,” he said. “So, a true, self-sustaining recovery will have that characteristic — growth in the population of companies, and many of them will be

exporting companies.” Meanwhile, Mr. Poloz acknowledged there are also lingering fears of a housing bubble in Canada — fears fueled by ultra-low interest rates that are a hangover from the recession-fighting binge. “Financial stability risks are clearly on our radar,” he said in his Toronto speech. “In particular, housing activity is showing renewed momentum and consumer debt levels are high, so household imbalances appear to be edging higher. “A sustained expansion in our exports will not only represent new demand, it will ignite the rebuilding phase of our business cycle, which through increased investment will create new supply and new jobs,” he said.

Please find this article online below: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/11/03/stimulus-may-be-needed-even-after-economy-recovers-bank-of-canadas-poloz-says/

Surviving exporters of financial crisis must grow operations, Poloz says Andy Blatchford, The Canadian Press  

 

  OTTAWA - Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says he's not expecting a recovery by Canadian exporters that succumbed to the financial crisis, but he remains optimistic replacements will eventually step up to fill the void. For it to happen, Poloz is counting on companies that pulled through the turmoil to expand their operations and for the emergence of new exporting firms. "Canada's export sector not only cut back on production and laid off workers, many companies restructured, many simply

disappeared," Poloz said in prepared remarks of a speech he delivered to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto. "When companies downsize, relocate or close their doors, the effects on the economy are permanent. Those specific lost exports will not recover." Poloz highlighted recent Bank of Canada data that found exports from more than 500 underperforming, non-energy categories tumbled in value by more than 75 per cent since 2000. The sale of those products, the bank said, would have added $30 billion worth of exports last year had they instead grown along with foreign demand over that period. The central banker's address also touched on some of the "headwinds" Poloz believes are holding back the global economic recovery, such as the presence of uncertainties like market volatility, geopolitical problems and companies still hobbled by the crisis. Poloz told a news conference after his speech that he's still expecting bump in new export businesses. "We have been creating new companies, but, net, the population of companies seems not to have begun to rise yet," he said in response to a question about his "serial disappointment" while waiting for Canadian exports to re-emerge. "So, a true, self-sustaining recovery will have that characteristic: growth in the population of companies. And many of them will be exporting companies and they will be the ones that fill that bucket back up again... "I think that just requires more patience than I thought." The Bank of Canada estimates it will take two years for the Canadian economy to reach full capacity, Poloz said.

His speech also pointed to how the crisis inflicted long-lasting, negative effects on Canada's labour market, pushing the job-creation rate well below what should be expected from a healing economy. The consequences have included little change in total hours worked while more than 900,000 part-time workers in Canada are hoping to find a full-time position, he said. Meanwhile, he said some 200,000 young people are out of work, underemployed or back in school trying to improve their employment prospects. "I bet almost everyone in this room knows at least one family with adult children living in the basement," said the prepared speech. "I'm pretty sure these kids have not taken early retirement." Poloz said he's confident, however, that the damage to Canada's job-market can recover over time, as the expected demand for exports grows and uncertainty about the future fades. "The good news is that these destructive effects should be reversible over time," said Poloz. Last month, the Bank of Canada's monetary policy report warned the bulk of Canadian economic activity must start moving from the households to business investment and exports. The report cautioned about the "renewed vigour" it detected in the housing market and consumer spending since the summer, due to the central bank's low trendsetting interest rate. The Bank of Canada has maintained its key interest rate at one per cent for more than four years.

In Monday's speech, Poloz offered an explanation why companies have so far been hesitant to make investments, even as the economy shows signs of gaining traction. "In this uncertain economic climate, companies actually feel like they are taking a lot of risk," he said. "And until the recovery is more certain, especially in export demand, for many, it is too risky to expand their businesses." In a report released Monday, The Conference Board of Canada predicted sunnier days ahead for Canadian exports — an improvement it predicted would encourage business investment and more hiring in the new year. It found Canada's trade sector had been performing better thanks to boosts from the stronger U.S. economy and the weaker Canadian dollar. The Conference Board found exports "increased sharply" in this year's second quarter and approached pre-recession levels. "The outlook for Canada's trade sector is bright," said the Conference Board's autumn outlook. "After acting as a drag on overall economic activity in recent years, the sector is set to be a driver of economic growth, at least in the short term." The report predicted the growth of Canada's real gross domestic product to rise to 2.6 per cent in 2015, improving on this year's increase of 2.2 per cent.   Please find this article online below: http://www.thecanadianpress.com/english/online/OnlineFullStory.aspx?filename=DOR-MNN-CP.eb68036deda14ba89bf7c31344c742df.CPKEY2008111300&newsitemid=30548675&languageid=1

Please find this article reposted online below (highlights):

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/stephen-poloz-says-it-s-a-slow-recovery-for-export-sector-1.2822537

http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/surviving-exporters-of-financial-crisis-must-grow-operations-poloz-says-1.2084530

http://affaires.lapresse.ca/economie/international/201411/03/01-4815361-les-exportateurs-doivent-croitre-juge-stephen-poloz.php

http://www.timescolonist.com/business/surviving-exporters-of-financial-crisis-must-grow-operations-poloz-says-1.1492867

http://www.thestar.com/business/2014/11/03/surviving_exporters_of_financial_crisis_must_grow_operations_poloz.html

http://www.breakingnews.ca/2014/11/03/general-canadian-news/politics/stephen-poloz-says-its-a-slow-recovery-for-export-sector/

http://www.brunchnews.com/ctv-news/business/exports-lost-during-financial-crisis-unlikely-to-recover-boc-governor-says-1950986

http://inkblot.ca/2014/11/03/stephen-poloz-says-its-a-slow-recovery-for-export-sector/

https://www.integratedcarriers.com/?p=2467

http://thenewsgazette.org/stephen-poloz-says-its-a-slow-recovery-for-export-sector.html

http://newsmaritimes.ca/2014/11/03/stephen-poloz-says-its-a-slow-recovery-for-export-sector/

 

Business In Canada Bank Of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz Takes Questions From The Press    

   This afternoon, Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz delivered a speech in Toronto on the legacy of the financial crisis; what we do and don’t know. “I’m sure it won’t be a surprise that the first part will be shorter than the second part,” he said. The governor praised the coordinated policy response to the Great Recession, which helped the global economy avoid another Depression. While much damage was done after the United States’ housing market crashed, Poloz is confident that the destructive effects will be reversed over time. The governor took a few questions from the audience following his speech, and is now fielding questions from the media. Poloz testified before the Senate last week, but this is his first time taking questions from the press since the release of the Monetary Policy Report on October 22.    

2:05: Greg Quinn asks if the BoC should publish minutes. 2:06: Poloz: I welcome discussion about this, but best practices vary from country to country. The idea of transparency is a good thing, and we’ve enhanced this, but personalizing policy is not necessary, may not be helpful. We prefer to work as a team. 2:07: Why aren’t you worried about “serial excitement” in the housing market? 2:08: We aren’t concerned that we’re building far too many houses in Canada – that would be part of a speculative trend. The edging higher of risks come from three cities in particular (Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver), in most places, it’s in line with the fundamentals. 2:09: Don Curren asks if he’s concerned about the auto market. 2:10: Poloz: there’s been vigour; we need to worry about lending standards, underwriting, but it’s so much smaller than housing in terms of how a disruption would hurt the financial sector. 2:11: David Parkinson asks about the traditional output gap versus the labour gap. What should we be focusing on? Labour measures, or the production output gap? 2:12: Poloz: there is no single measure, there never was. There are lots of methodologies one can bring to estimate slack, and we do. We try to see which one explains inflation the best, and that’s hard to do. That’s why we express our forecasts as ranges. In some recessions, labour and output gaps look the same. When there’s structural damage, they diverge. That’s what we’re going through. The labour market gap becomes more the ultimate measure of how much slack is in the economy; that capacity that’s been lost can be rebuilt – kids pulled out of the basement, and such.

2:15: Q about the labour market indicator. Poloz suspects it’ll be made publicly available come time, but it will be part of a range of measures that affect decision-making. 2:16: Question: are you dovish? Poloz: the risks are balanced, but through the policymaker’s lens, we can deal with and welcome upside risk; downside risks become more significant events since interest rates are so low. Risks are unbalanced from a policy perspective; balanced from a forecast perspective. 2:18: Is there danger that markets will become more volatile since you’ve removed forward guidance? Poloz: that’s kind of the point. 2:19: Poloz: in my mind, what we had with the neutral bias wasn’t guidance at all (see here). 2:20: Question on how persistently low oil would affect nationa’s finances. Governor says that should be directed to Finance Department. 2:22: Greg Bonnell: two years to use up excess capacity – will you be on the sidelines for that long? 2:23: We’ve laid out all our thinking, and our forecasts. In a couple years, we think we’ll be there. The next conclusion is up to the market to understand and grind out. 2:25: There’s something very structural happening (with certain non-commodity manufacturing segments). Model can’t cope with that kind of underlying change. We keep adjusting our views based on that. We’re not frustrated; we just want to know why. We do have a better understanding of why now. Historically, we’ve typically created new companies — we need the population of new companies to grow, and some of these will be exporting companies. It requires more patience than I thought when I first took the job. 2:28: Question on yuan trading hub. Poloz: very positive possibility – it’s a significant cost to exporters to have to use U.S. dollars to convert to yuan. It’s good for trade, good for business.

2:29: The longer it takes for jobless youth to get a job, the more likely it is that new graduate takes the kid in the basement’s place, and he’s scarred by it. We need job market to be running pretty hot; we need to be patient. Poloz suggests having something unpaid on your CV if you’re an unemployed graduate. Keeps a gap on resume from being filled, prevents scarring. 2:32: And with that, we’re done. Thanks for stopping by.         Please find this article online below: https://businessincanada.com/2014/11/03/bank-of-canada-governor-stephen-poloz-takes-questions-from-the-press/

         

   November 4, 2014 By Andy Blatchford  

   OTTAWA – Advocates for young workers took Stephen Poloz to task Tuesday after the Bank of Canada governor recommended that jobless university graduates beef up their resumes by working for free. Speaking to a House of Commons committee, Poloz suggested young Canadians and others struggling to find work should acquire more experience through unpaid internships or volunteering until the country’s hobbled job market picks up. He predicted it would improve over the next two years.

Poloz told the committee that when a young person asks for advice on getting through the tough times, he says, “‘Volunteer to do something which is at least somewhere related to your expertise so that it’s clear that you are gaining some learning experience during that period.'”    The central banker made the remarks a day after he told a Toronto business audience that 200,000 young Canadians are out of work, underemployed or back in school trying to improve their job prospects. “I bet almost everyone in this room knows at least one family with adult children living in the basement,” he said in the prepared speech he delivered Monday. “I’m pretty sure these kids have not taken early retirement.” Later that same day, he elaborated. “Get some real-life experience even though you’re discouraged, even if it’s for free,” Poloz said he tells young people. “If your parents are letting you live in the basement, you might as well go out and do something for free to put the experience on your CV.” The contentious subject of unpaid internships recently landed in the House of Commons. Last summer, an NDP MP tabled a private member’s bill aimed at protecting those who agree to work for free. And for recent graduates like James Tobin, Poloz’s remarks show he’s out of touch with the reality young would-be workers face every day. “I don’t think it really works because you have to live, right?” said Tobin, who’s been trying to land a full-time teaching job since 2012, when he graduated from Bishop’s University in Quebec. “Not everyone is living at their parents’ house rent-free … so how are they going to make ends meet?” Tobin, who lives in suburban Montreal, had to move to England for a year after finishing his degree because he couldn’t find work in Quebec. These days, he routinely wakes up at 5 a.m. in hopes of finding a day’s work as a substitute teacher. During his studies, Tobin said he spent a lot of time building experience in his field before he earned his certificate — by working 700 hours as a

student teacher. Andrew Langille, a Toronto labour lawyer, says he’s pleased the Bank of Canada is aware of the labour-market hurdles young Canadians are trying to overcome, but he calls Poloz’s comments “incredibly tone deaf.” “He shouldn’t be saying stuff like that — it’s a very dangerous precedent to set,” said Langille, who noted the governor’s recommendation seemed to encourage people to “subvert” minimum-wage laws to gain experience. “We have employment-standards laws in this country for a reason.” Langille said there simply aren’t enough jobs for young people coming out of college in Canada. Statistics Canada’s latest job numbers said the unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 was 13.5 per cent in September, almost double the country’s overall jobless rate of 6.8 per cent for the same month. The president of the Canadian Intern Association described Poloz’s comments as “extremely problematic.” Claire Seaborn said the comments mischaracterize existing employment laws, devalue the abilities of young people and show no sympathy for the socioeconomic issues related to unpaid internships. She added that people from more modest backgrounds are less likely to be in a position where they can work for free. “Mr. Poloz’s comments seem to suggest that all young people are extremely inexperienced and live in their parents’ basements and don’t have anything to contribute to the workforce,” said Seaborn, who appeared before the same finance committee last March and again last week to make submissions aimed at helping to protect the rights of interns. On Tuesday, Liberal MP Scott Brison asked Poloz at the committee hearing whether he thought unpaid internships benefited wealthier young people because those from lower-income backgrounds can’t afford to work for free. “I acknowledge that there are issues like the ones you are raising,” Poloz replied. “I wasn’t trying to go deeply in this and it’s not a monetary-policy matter.”

The controversial issue of unpaid internships has been under scrutiny since Andrew Ferguson, a student in Alberta who was interning at a radio station, died in 2011 while driving home after a 16-hour day. Earlier this year, the Ontario government cracked down on the practice at several Toronto-based magazines, prompting the publications to stop offering unpaid internships. Bell Mobility, one of the most-profitable telecommunications firms in Canada, also scrapped a contentious program — at least temporarily — that recruits hundreds of interns each year to work for free. A report released in June by the same parliamentary committee recommended Ottawa work with provinces and territories to ensure unpaid interns were protected under labour laws. It suggested the federal government examine the impact of unpaid internships on the job market.   Please find this article online below: http://metronews.ca/news/canada/1203069/bank-of-canada-governor-urges-jobless-young-canadians-to-work-for-free/ Please find this article reposted online below (highlights):

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Bank+Canada+governor+Stephen+Poloz+suggests+jobless+youth+work/10355293/story.html

http://newsalberta.ca/2014/11/04/bank-of-canada-governor-urges-jobless-young-canadians-to-work-for-free/

http://newssaskatchewan.ca/2014/11/04/bank-of-canada-governor-urges-jobless-young-canadians-to-work-for-free/

http://www.reddit.com/r/nottheonion/comments/2lb8i5/bank_of_canada_governor_urges_jobless_young/

Business oddities: Fish tale raises stink at U.S. Supreme Court    

   Mutual admiration society Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz took part in a Q&A session with host Mark Romoff, president of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, at a luncheon in Toronto on Monday, where they both expressed how impressed they were with each other’s accomplishments. Romoff: “I knew you before you were the Governor. I can’t believe you became the Governor.” Poloz (referring to the audience): “I can’t believe you have 1,200 friends.”                    Please find this article online below: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/rob-disclosures/business-oddities-fish-tale-raises-stink-at-us-supreme-court/article21486323/

Poloz says true economic recovery still far off

BY GORDON ISFELD, POSTMEDIA NEWS NOVEMBER 4, 2014

When Stephen Poloz took the reins at the Bank of Canada in June of last year, he brought a cache of export knowledge many thought would provide a steady hand on the bumpy road to recovery. That much he has done. But the road has been longer and more winding than most could have charted. On Monday, Poloz said the economy still has a long way to go before a true recovery takes hold.

"That just requires more patience than I thought when we first sat down at this job ... close to 18 months ago," he said Monday. "And it's, basically, now being fed by ... a richer understanding of what the underlying forces are." The global outlook has been even more difficult to predict as geopolitical tensions - like those between Russia and Ukraine - add to the uncertainty over new recession threats in Europe and a slowdown in China. While the United States is picking up and showing strong signs of sustainability, Canada's economy has been struggling through meagre growth and inconsistent job creation. For Poloz, this has amounted to "serial disappointment," a phrase the governor has often used to describe the inconsistent flow of recent economic data. "That serial disappointment has two legs. One is that the world has not performed as strongly as we expected - and that includes the U.S.," said Poloz, who previously headed Export Development Canada, the federal financing and credit agency. "And secondly, that even given that global performance, Canada's exports have underperformed what you would predict," he told reporters in Toronto, following a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnership. Poloz also sees headwinds continuing to stir concerns over the global recovery in general, but added in his luncheon address these will "dissipate in time." "Probably the most important headwind is lingering uncertainty about the future, whether geopolitical developments, market volatility or just the trauma that companies have been through," he said. "We are confident that these headwinds will dissipate in time, but in the meantime, interest rates will remain lower than in the past in order to work against those forces."

For now, Canada's wavering recovery from the 2008-09 recession has kept policy-makers stuck in a neutral position with their main monetary policy lever: The trendsetting overnight lending rate to commercial banks, which has been unchanged at two per cent for more than four years. "As a central bank, we only have one real channel of influence, which is to set short-term interest rates," he said. "Right now, we are providing monetary stimulus sufficient to bring inflation sustainably to our target within a reasonable time frame, around two years from now." That is also when policymakers are forecasting the output gap in the economy - the difference between production capacity and actual out levels - will be closed. Those two elements are necessary to provide "not-too-hot, not-too-cold" conditions for sustainable growth. "In the meantime, continued monetary policy stimulus is need to keep the process in motion," Poloz cautioned in his speech. And if headwinds persist, "continued policy stimulus may still be needed to offset them after our excess capacity has been absorbed." Most economists are expecting the central bank to keep its key interest rate on hold until mid-2015, depending on economic output and the level of inflation, for which policy-makers have set a two per cent target between a comfort range of one to three per cent. "We know certain sectors are starting to grow connected to the U.S. investment recovery," Poloz told reporters. Please find this article online below: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Poloz+says+true+economic+recovery+still/10351381/story.html#__federated=1

Bank of Canada says country can return to "natural growth" by PETER KENTER Nov 13, 2014 Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz is bullish on the prospects of the world economy in general and the Canadian economy in particular.  

 "Our conservative assessment is that global momentum is building, Canada is beginning to benefit, and with the assistance of continuing monetary stimulus, we can return to natural growth at full capacity over the next two years," he says.  

An aggressive response by policy-makers in 2008 saw interest rates effectively reduced to zero and the application of unconventional monetary policy. "We will never know how bad things would have been without that aggressive, co-ordinated policy response," says Poloz. "But as a student of economic history, I can say that all of the ingredients of a second Great Depression were present."

Critics have charged that "aggressive and prolonged monetary stimulus" might encourage excessive borrowing and financial risk-taking, the same conditions that brought about the 2008 financial crisis. Poloz argues that the central bank has only one major policy tool — setting interest rates — and that the global financial system has been stabilized and strengthened in the intervening years to prevent a relapse. However, unlike citizens in other countries, Canadians continue to leverage their debt. "In particular, housing activity is showing renewed momentum and consumer debt levels are high, so household imbalances appear to be edging higher," he says. "But it is our judgment that our policy of aiming to close the output gap and ensuring inflation remains on target will be consistent with an eventual easing in those household imbalances." Poloz notes that current policy by G-20 countries is designed to collectively boost global GDP by two per cent over the next five years. "Success will hinge on such policy actions as reforms to improve the functioning of labour markets, international trade liberalization and investment in infrastructure," he says. "These things are clearly worth doing, and that boost to global GDP will be worth having." Considering the prolonged stimulus of near-zero interest rates, what's holding Canada back? Poloz says that both deleveraging by the private sector in addition to a reverse course on government fiscal stimulus programs are creating economic headwinds that are preventing a full-fledged economic recovery. Meanwhile, uncertainty about recovery, particularly in the export sector, is holding back business expansion.

"It seems to me that we must allow for the possibility that the combined effects of deleveraging, fiscal normalization and lingering uncertainty will continue to restrain global economic growth for a prolonged period," says Poloz. "We are confident that these headwinds will dissipate in time, but in the meantime interest rates will remain lower than in the past in order to work against those forces." Poloz notes that high growth rates before the financial crisis were based on unrealistic leveraging. However, current lower growth rates of around two per cent are primarily the result of the retirement of baby boomers during the past six years, not the crisis itself. While the export sector is recovering, these companies are relying on excess capacity, not expansion, to meet demand. "By our estimation, it will take around two years for us to use up our excess capacity, at which point inflation will be sustainably at our target," he says. "In the meantime, continued monetary stimulus is needed to keep the process in motion, and if the headwinds discussed earlier persist, continued policy stimulus may still be needed to offset them even after our excess capacity has been absorbed." Poloz spoke at the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto on Nov. 3.                Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Economic/News/2014/11/Bank-of-Canada-says-country-can-return-to-natural-growth-1003778W/

Poloz Headed for Longest Rate Pause Since WWII By Greg Quinn Dec 1, 2014 9:27 AM ET

Stephen Poloz is poised to extend the Bank of Canada’s interest-rate pause to the longest since World War II, helping Canadian bond yields resist the pressure of prospective tightening by the U.S. Federal Reserve. Poloz will keep his benchmark overnight rate at 1 percent Dec. 3 according to all 22 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News through Nov. 28, stretching the pause that began with Mark Carney in 2010.

That would make it the longest since February 1944 to September 1950, exceeding the October 1950 to January 1955 hiatus. The period of unchanged rates “does say something about the depth of the financial crisis and the anemic recovery,” said Eric Lascelles, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada Global Asset Management in Toronto. Yields in Canada “can remain below the U.S. and that spread can even widen a little bit,” as Poloz lags the Fed in tightening policy, he said. Diverging interest rates in 2015 would help Canadian bonds outperform the U.S. for a fourth straight year, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch data. Ten-year Canadian yields will rise to 2.5 percent over the next year from 1.86 percent Nov. 28, less than the U.S. increase to 3 percent from 2.16 percent, according to Lascelles. While Fed policy makers debate the language they might use to flag potential policy-rate increases, their Canadian counterparts say they remain focused on providing stimulus to bring the world’s 11th-largest economy back to full output over the next two years. Canada’s economic growth slowed to a 2.8 percent annualized pace in the third quarter from 3.6 percent the prior three months, Statistics Canada reported Nov. 28. In contrast, U.S. growth came in at 3.9 percent. Dollar Boost Raising rates ahead of the Fed would also risk hurting exports by boosting Canada’s dollar, Lascelles said. “Canadian rates exist in a global context,” he said. “As we saw over the last several years, to do anything out of line with the U.S. behemoth is to introduce remarkable currency strength that is quite undesirable for Canada.” Canada’s dollar has depreciated by about 10 percent since Poloz took office in June 2013, in part because he dropped Carney’s language

about the potential need for tighter policy. Poloz won’t raise rates until the fourth quarter of next year, according to a Bloomberg economist survey. The quarter-point increase forecast for Canada compares with an estimated Fed move to 1 percent from 0.25 percent over that time. The anticipation of rising Fed rates has is already helping keep Canadian bond yields lower than Treasuries. Canada’s five-year bonds had a 1.35 percent yield at 9:25 a.m. Toronto time today, while similar Treasuries yielded 1.46 percent. Performing Better Still, there are signs Canada’s economy is performing better than Poloz forecast. Unemployment has fallen to a six-year low and inflation has exceeded the central bank’s projections. “Our judgment is that we have considerable excess capacity and that continued monetary stimulus is needed to close the gap and bring inflation sustainably to target,” Poloz told the House of Commons Finance Committee Nov 4. The recovery still needs monetary policy support, particularly because of the impact from the falling price of crude oil, a top Canada export, said Sebastien Lavoie, assistant chief economist at Laurentian Bank Securities in Montreal. “The Bank of Canada is likely to stay very cautious in its statement next Wednesday,” Lavoie, a former central bank researcher, wrote in a research note. Postwar Period Today’s 1 percent policy rate is lower than the 1.5 percent rate set in 1944, when then-Governor Graham Towers cut it from 2.5 percent. Carney lowered Canada’s key rate to a record 0.25 percent in 2009

during the global financial crisis and raised it to 1 percent in September 2010. The longest period of unchanged rates was from January 1935 to January 1944, when the key rate was 2.5 percent, according to Bank of Canada records. The period from 1944 to 1950 was pivotal for Canada, from its participation in the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France to the postwar economic transformation. Poloz said in an interview last year that he’s more concerned about restoring the economy’s health than avoiding a prolonged pause. “We’ve got a job to do,” Poloz said at the time, speaking in a boardroom with portraits of former governors over his shoulder. “We’re going to do what we can to make sure inflation gets back to normal, the economy gets back to normal.” “We’re not going to do something silly here just because it’s been a long time.”    Canadian consumer confidence increased last week as views about personal finances rose to the highest in more than a month. The Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index increased to 58.0 in the week ended Nov. 28, up from 57.4 the previous week. Sub-indexes tracking views of the economy and real estate also rose, while sentiment about job security dropped. Consumer confidence is hovering around its 12-month average amid mixed signals about the strength of the world’s 11th largest economy. While output grew faster than economists forecast in the July-September period, growth still slowed from the second quarter’s 3.6 percent pace. “Forward views on the strength of the Canadian economy remain net negative,” Nanos Research Group Chairman Nik Nanos said of the consumer confidence data.

Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz has said a shift to growth powered by exports and business investment is key to erasing economic slack. Exports grew at a 6.9 percent annualized pace in the third quarter, while business gross fixed capital formation expanded 5.9 percent, Statistics Canada reported Nov. 28. The Canadian dollar has slumped about 6.5 percent this year amid a selloff in crude, Canada’s biggest export. Canadian energy stocks fell 7.7 percent this year through November, amid an 8.3 percent increase in the nation’s benchmark Standard & Poor’s/TSX Composite Index. The Bank of Canada will make its next interest-rate announcement Dec. 3. All 22 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News expect the central bank to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 1 percent, where it has been since September 2010. Jobs, Trade Statistics Canada will report employment figures for November and merchandise trade data for October on Dec. 5. The Nanos gauge has two sub-indexes. The Expectations Index, which is based on responses about the outlook for real estate and the national economy, rose last week to 55.3 from 54.7. The Pocketbook Index, based on responses about job security and personal finances, increased to 60.7 from 60.1. The share of Canadians who think the economy will improve over the next six months climbed to 19.0 percent in the week ended Nov. 28 from 18.8 percent. The gauge has averaged 20.6 percent this year. The percentage of those who think home prices will increase in the next six months rose to 38.5 from 38.4 the prior week. That measure has averaged 40.2 this year. Those who see prices falling accounted for 12.1 percent of respondents, down from 12.2 the previous week.

The proportion of respondents who say they’re better off financially in the past year increased to 19.7 percent from 19.2 percent. The gauge has averaged 19.6 percent this year. Respondents who describe their jobs as at least somewhat secure dropped to 69.6 percent, from 70.1 percent. The 2014 average is 67.6 percent. The Nanos index is derived from weekly polling based on phone interviews with 1,000 people, using a four-week rolling average of 250 respondents. The results are accurate to within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Please find this article online below: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-01/poloz-headed-for-longest-rate-pause-since-wwii.html Please find this article reposted online below (highlights):

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/12/1/Bank-of-Canadas-Poloz-headed-for-longest-rate-pause-since-WWII.aspx

http://calgaryherald.com/category/news/crime/page/8

http://montrealgazette.com/business/bank-of-canada-poised-to-extend-longest-interest-rate-pause?__lsa=c53f-1007

http://www.newsgb.com/business/interest-rate-pause-likely-to-become-longest-since-second-world-war-toronto-star-h17053.html

http://www.thespec.com/news-story/5165984-poloz-headed-for-longest-rate-pause-since-second-world-war/

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/12/01/Poloz_Headed_for_Longest_Rate_Pause_Since_WWII/

     

 

Justin Trudeau’s speech at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships November 4, 2014 • Justin Trudeau      

     

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, we are expecting a fiscal update from the government very soon. Unfortunately, we also know that fiscal update will be about how this government will confront the challenges of the next election, rather than about how Canada will confront the challenges of the next decades. A case in point: that fiscal update is expected to herald a surplus for the first time in many years of this Conservative government’s tenure. The question that should be asked is this: What should that surplus be invested in? We already know the government has committed to spending it on immediate tax credits that are designed to get people to vote Conservative. But is that what we need to build our country’s future? I humbly offer that a much better thing for the government to be focusing on is investing in infrastructure. That ought to be the priority. Indeed, investing in infrastructure needs to be high on a list of things we can start doing right now that will guarantee a better Canada in the coming years. For ourselves, and for our children. As you may have noticed, there are a lot of new challenges emerging lately that need to be addressed. Responsible integration of a sustainable environment into a prosperous economy. Stalled incomes for the middle class, and greater barriers for those who look to join the middle class.

More extreme weather events, occurring more frequently. And the rapid growth of our cities. Facing it all is our infrastructure – the very thing we rely on every day to ensure our safety and comfort, and our high quality of life. It’s something the Liberal Party has been thinking about for some time. Solid, strategic infrastructure will help our economy grow, help create jobs, and help Canada remain competitive. This is why over the past two years I’ve already engaged with many of the people in this room on multiple occasions. Canada’s infrastructure and asset management sectors have been bright spots of economic growth in the last two decades. You have been busy. You have been figuring out how to build better, adaptive infrastructure – and more of it. What you need is a government as ambitious as you are. Let’s talk about why that’s important, and how we can make it possible. You’ll forgive me for stating the obvious: Canada is a pretty great place to live. But we should aim to make it even better. Thanks to tough decisions Canadians made in the 1990s, our federal fiscal position is strong. But even if the federal government is in a good position, Canadians aren’t. Indeed, too many are still waiting to get their share of the growth they’ve been promised for years.

The Conservative government has offered tax credits to a handful of Canadians – a little bit here and there, but not enough to help most middle class families. It’s a classic election goodie strategy. But it doesn’t do much, fundamentally, to help build Canada for the future. I think things should be different. I think all the sacrifices Canadians have made to achieve a federal surplus should leave them with more to show for their hard work, like long-term investments in their communities. It is essential that job creation and continued, sustained economic growth be a priority, so that we can strengthen our middle class and make it accessible to those who wish to join it. One of the ways to do both is to invest in our infrastructure. But investing in infrastructure isn’t just a tool to boost economic growth and create jobs now. It’s a way to confront major challenges we will face in the future. Take congestion, for instance. I don’t know how long it took you all to get to work today, but no doubt you’re familiar with sitting in traffic. It’s not just an annoyance. It actually costs us – about $15 billion each year. Or climate change. What used to be freak weather patterns or unexpected extreme storms are now becoming more common. And will continue to be so in the future. Before 1996, there had only been three natural disasters in Canada that did more than $500 million worth of damage.

Since then, on average, we’ve had one such natural disaster almost every single year. But I don’t need to tell you this. Every corner of the country has seen its fair share of examples, and maybe you already know the costs involved. Last year’s flash flood here in Toronto cost over $1 billion to clean up. The tally for the flooding a year ago in Alberta was $6 billion. But the point is not that we can somehow avoid these issues in the future – it’s about being as prepared as we can be when they arise. If we are prepared now, we can reduce some of the future costs. Just last month, the CEO of Waterfront Toronto estimated that to properly protect the lower Don River from flooding, it will cost $1 billion. But at the same time, he estimated that that investment would save the government $5 billion in total down the road. This is the kind of math other countries are doing. They are working to attract investment and business for the future while building an infrastructure legacy. Meanwhile, here in Canada, the Conservative government’s inaction and lack of leadership is increasing our infrastructure deficit. Most frustrating of all, for those of us who understand the benefits of future investments, is that now is the right time to make them. We’ve heard a lot from the Conservatives about Canada’s economic performance. They say Canada is doing well, but the story is more complicated than

talking points would have us think. Our economic recovery since the depths of the recession has been slow, and our GDP is lagging. But at the same time, interest rates have fallen to levels not seen in decades, and the dollar is still relatively strong. All of which, combined, means we’re staring at a historic opportunity – if we choose to see it that way. We can use long-term financing as a way to provide lasting and sustainable funding for projects that will take years to complete. In addition, we’ll create well-paying jobs and growth today in the process. This is a historic moment for us to do what previous generations of Canadians have always done: invest in the future of this country. Every single day we benefit from the bridges and subways, highways and ports that past generations built for us. We have a great opportunity to do the same now for the future. This is a chance we must not miss. And yet, our current government is letting it slip by. They are making the wrong choices. The Conservatives are focused too much on poorly designed tax credits like income splitting, or schemes like their small business E.I. tax credit. Instead, they should be investing in our collective prosperity. They should be investing in increasing our productivity. It’s time the federal government pulled its own weight. For too long, provinces and municipalities have been left to foot the bill on infrastructure even though they are less and less able to afford it.

Even though Ottawa holds 50 percent of revenue capacity, it contributes only a small portion in annual infrastructure spending. And now might be a good time to remind you that the Conservatives don’t plan on boosting that anytime soon. In fact, in its last budget, this government decided to slash the Building Canada Fund by nearly 90 percent. It dropped from $1.7 billion down to just $210 million this year. Not just for one project – but for the entire country. They are back-loading infrastructure spending – promising funding escalation only after the next election. You might understand my skepticism about a promise Mr. Harper won’t need to keep for another 5 years. I don’t think that is the way a Prime Minister builds confidence, and I do not think it is the way to build a nation. So, what do we do? The answer is clear: We commit to investing more in badly needed infrastructure projects. We need to set a new standard, and we start by doing more of what we’re here to do today: working together. Working with provinces and cities to make sure we’re getting our priorities straight. Because once we commit to investing, we also need to ensure we are targeting our funding correctly. So private capital will obviously be important because it will enhance – and complement –increased federal investments.

Together, we can seize this opportunity to embark upon a new kind of nation building. The challenges ahead are multi-faceted, but as we have done in the past, Canadians can work together to meet them. Our future prosperity depends on it. Businesses cannot continue to lose money because basic infrastructure costs threaten bottom lines. Instead, their capital must be freed to create further economic growth and create new jobs. Ensuring our trade corridors are functioning at full capacity isn’t just good for businesses that need to get goods to the marketplace – it means further benefit for working Canadians. In other words, we need to keep Canada’s economy moving, along with the Canadians who drive it. Let’s remember: tackling things like congestion is about more than just getting people to work –it’s about increasing productivity and quality of life at the same time. We’re one of the most urbanized countries in the world, but we’re also one of the only developed countries in the world without a national approach to public transit. Canadians need to get where they need to be quicker, more efficiently, and safely. To a lot of people in this room, myself included, infrastructure is about growth and productivity. But for a lot of people in cities all over Canada, infrastructure is about whether you can get to a good job on time, or at all. It’s as basic and as critical as that.

If you want to know why the people who voted for Doug Ford are frustrated, try driving from Rexdale to Scarborough for work in the morning. Commitment to our social contract means we also need to re-examine our plan for affordable housing. The private sector has lots of experience building and running housing in various ways. The government should harness that knowledge and ability to make finding a home easier for Canadians. We can also fix the shameful lack of investment in our First Nations communities, because this isn’t just about laying new roads or putting down tracks; it’s about all of us, the country we want to live in, and the one we want to pass down to our children. How do we do it? We need to be creative in ensuring that money spent on infrastructure has the maximum impact in communities where it is invested. This could include things like skills training for young people or employment for returning veterans. We also need to have better tools at the federal level to plan and finance infrastructure investment, to support other orders of government to invest their assets, and bring private pools of capital to bear. Which brings me back to people like you. The government needs you to help in identifying new and more innovative mechanisms to finance and build public infrastructure. Here, we can learn from the provinces. While they have been taking the lead developing innovative financing models to build more public infrastructure, the federal government has dragged its feet.

Ottawa should look to places like Ontario and B.C. for inspiration on how to move forward again. Quite frankly, the Conservative government’s efforts pale when compared to the ambition and achievement of Infrastructure Ontario. We can also explore the possibilities of building sustainable infrastructure projects through the use of Green Bonds. We have infrastructure now built for a climate that no longer exits. Infrastructure is about building for the future. As I heard from a Prairie mayor recently, cities can handle once in a century storm events. Just not every year. And we can develop clearer and more transparent planning and prioritization, with more accountability for getting funding out the door. The reality is that the current federal government has been better at announcing infrastructure dollars than actually investing them. The bottom line is this: not only can we promise infrastructure investment, we can make it happen, feasibly, sustainably, and responsibly across all levels of government. It’s a pretty simple fact: infrastructure investments help the economy. But don’t take my word for it – ask the Finance Department. Their own numbers prove it. Investing $1 billion in infrastructure could boost Canada’s GDP by as much as $1.6 billion. That’s a solid R-O-I. But it’s all those other ways infrastructure can benefit us that we can’t calculate in numbers that we’ll probably think of more often. The health and prosperity of our future generations, for instance.

As Canadians, we tend to think a lot about our kids. I know I sure do. I think about the kind of country we could leave them if we act now, and about what sort of debts they may incur if we do nothing. It just doesn’t seem fair to not do our part. For generations, Canadians have left their children with a better country than the one into which they either arrived or were born. I see no reason why we should be the generation that stops that pattern. We cannot be passing along unpaid bills to our children because we refuse to invest now. Not when the circumstances have aligned to offer us this historic opportunity. We can position Canada to remain competitive in our global economy and respond to what lies along the road ahead. It’s what Canadians have done for generations. It is, after all, why we built the highways that connect us, and the airports that allow us to connect with the world. It’s why we built a Seaway to move our resources to market. And it’s why we built that very first railroad that united us from coast to coast. It’s why we come together so often to build together the things we cannot build on our own. We can and must do it again. Thank you.   Please find this speech online below: http://www.liberal.ca/justin-trudeaus-speech-at-the-canadian-council-for-public-private-partnerships/

                                                 Please find these photos online below: https://www.flickr.com/photos/justintrudeau/15525512518/in/photostream/

Earlier in November, Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau gave a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships where he promoted Public-Private Partnership (P3s) as a solution to infrastructure needs. The Harper government has also been promoting P3s in infrastructure projects such as water and wastewater and transportation through the P3 Canada Fund. A P3 model is also being planned for a new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.Harper's P3 Fund is problematic because it requires a municipality to enter into a P3

agreement with a for-profit company if they want federal funding for infrastructure projects. P3s are more costly and can increase rates, decrease the quality of a service, result in job cuts and eliminate accountability and transparency. P3 contracts are lengthy contracts -- often lasting up to 30 years -- and are frequently negotiated behind closed doors. They often violate principles of local democracy. Moncton, New Brunswick learned these lessons with its P3 agreement. And now it looks like Trudeau is going down that road too. In his speech he stated, "The answer is clear: We commit to investing more in badly needed infrastructure projects. We need to set a new standard, and we start by doing more of what we're here to do today: working together. Working with provinces and cities to make sure we're getting our priorities straight. Because once we commit to investing, we also need to ensure we are targeting our funding correctly. So private capital will obviously be important because it will enhance -- and complement -- increased federal investments." He adds, "The government needs you to help in identifying new and more innovative mechanisms to finance and build public infrastructure." While municipalities are in need of infrastructure, essential services should remain under community control and governance. In 2011, Abbotsford rejected a P3 model. Saint John, New Brunswick and Regina, Saskatchewan are pursuing P3s for their drinking water and wastewater systems despite a global trend to remunicipalize water systems.

Trudeau also points to First Nation communities as an opportunity for P3s: "We can also fix the shameful lack of investment in our First Nations communities, because this isn't just about laying new roads or putting down tracks; it's about all of us, the country we want to live in, and the one we want to pass down to our children." The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, passed last year, sets needed standards but failed to adequately consult indigenous communities and allocate any funding, creating the conditions where some communities will be required to enter into P3 contracts. While the water situation in First Nation communities is abhorrent, First Nation communities must give free, prior and informed consent on how their water and wastewater services is managed and should not be required to enter into P3 agreements if they want to access federal funding. P3s can lead to the gradual privatization of essential public services. With investor-state rules in trade agreements like CETA (the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement), municipalities and Indigenous communities will have a hard time ending a P3 agreement -- even if the service is poor -- without the Canadian government being the target of a free-trade lawsuit. Read more in the new report Trading Away Democracy: How CETA's investment protection rules threaten the public good in Canada and the EU, recently released by the Council of Canadians and more than a dozen European and Canadian organizations. What's also concerning is earlier in his speech he mentioned the budget surplus without noting that that surplus has come from all of Harper's public servant and program cuts which are roughly $14 billion annually: "A case in point: that fiscal update is expected to herald a

surplus for the first time in many years of this Conservative government's tenure. The question that should be asked is this: What should that surplus be invested in?" The Conservative government cut billions from protecting the safety of our lakes and rivers, health care, support programs for our veterans, food safety and many other areas critical to Canadians and indigenous people. The Council of Canadians urges Justin Trudeau to take action to bring back these programs and public sector jobs. P3s are not the solution. If Trudeau continues to go down this path, he will be no different than Harper in this respect. The Council of Canadians is urging Justin Trudeau to reject a P3 Canada Fund. The Council also urges the New Democratic Party and the Green Party to differentiate themselves from Trudeau and Harper by rejecting P3s and commit to funding infrastructure and public services that keeps them under community control. Send a letter to federal party leaders urging them to develop a national water policy that includes a national public water infrastructure fund and invests in water and wastewater infrastructure, particularly in First Nations communities. Stay tuned for more blogs on the federal parties' positions on water issues leading up to the election next year! Please find this article online below: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/making-waves/2014/12/what-kind-water-future-would-we-have-justin-trudeau Please find this article reposted online below:

http://cbindependent.com/tag/public-private-partnership/

     

   

 

   

   The next general election has taken shape in this past extraordinary month on Parliament Hill. The campaign has crystallized around one question: how to spend the surplus? There’s more to elections than that, of course. Voting intentions are influenced by a wide variety of factors and it’s clear that

Stephen Harper’s response to the unfolding crisis in the Middle East is largely responsible for his improved polling results in recent weeks. According to Nanos Research, an eight point gap between Justin Trudeau and Mr. Harper on the “preferred prime minister” question has narrowed to three points in the last four weeks. But those events are out of the control of even the most dominant of Canadian leaders. What has become clear in the last month is the ground the party strategists want to fight on during the next campaign. The NDP was first to announce its big idea, with Tom Mulcair’s plan to create or maintain one million affordable childcare spaces, at a cost of around $5-billion a year.    The Conservatives parried with their package of measures that include limited income splitting for couples with kids and an enhancement of the universal child care benefit measures with a similar price tag to those of the NDP. The Liberals have been silent on their plans but a speech by Mr. Trudeau last week to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships was pretty explicit about where he wants to spend the estimated $50-billion in surplus expected to be generated over the next six years, investments in infrastructure. Mr. Trudeau has said he will repeal the Conservative plan on income splitting. He has been silent on what he would do about the enhancement of the childcare benefit. However, it is understood he will keep the measure, while imposing a means test that caps its availability to those earning less than $50,000. There are no suggestions that the Liberals will try to resurrect their national daycare plan that has been a platform perennial. Rather the speech to the CCPPP suggested money raised by

cancelling Tory tax credits will be spent “confronting the challenges of the next decades,” rather than “confronting the challenges of the next election.” It is a bold move ­taking money out of voters’ pockets to spend on what the Liberal Party perceives as our “collective prosperity.” There is a sound economic argument to be made for investing heavily in building new roads, subways, bridges and flood prevention walls. “Solid, strategic infrastructure will help our economy grow, help create jobs and help Canada remain competitive,” the Liberal leader said, citing Department of Finance numbers that suggest investing $1-billion in infrastructure boosts GDP by as much as $1.6-billion.  Low interest rates and a relatively strong dollar mean we’re staring at an “historic opportunity.” “Together we can seize this opportunity to embark on a new kind of nation-building,” Mr. Trudeau said. There is precedent for voters ignoring blatant pre-election bribes when the government is considered so long in the tooth that re-election is inconceivable for a sufficient number of voters. We don’t seem to be at that point in the electoral cycle. In common with the Nanos poll, most recent surveys suggest a resurgence in Conservative support. Yet the Liberals are banking there is sufficient irritation with congestion and natural disasters for their plan to become a vote winner.    “If you want to know why the people who voted for Doug Ford are frustrated, try driving from Rexdale to Scarborough for work in the morning,” said Mr. Trudeau.

But the classic election goodie strategy has been employed by the Conservatives for a reason,­ it works. By the time the election rolls around, many families across Canada will have received cheques worth several thousand dollars from the Harper government. To spend $18-billion a year on infrastructure — a policy endorsed by Liberals at their last convention — Mr. Trudeau will have to cancel those monthly cheques. As Sir Humphrey might have put it: “Very brave, minister. Extremely courageous.”                                                    Please find this article online below: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/09/john-ivison-parties-mark-ground-they-want-to-fight-on-in-next-federal-election/

   

   

   

   

   Reports suggest the Ontario government may agree to pick up part of the cost of running Toronto’s overburdened transit system. If Premier Kathleen Wynne wants to make one really smart decision in her career, here’s her chance.

Mature governments treat transit as something more than an opportunity for turf wars and partisan point-scoring. The Crossrail project in London – the biggest construction project in Europe, which will run 100 km from one side of London to the other, passing through the heart of the city – will cost about $30 billion, split between the British government, the city of London and London businesses. The logic was inescapable: London is the heart and soul of the British economy, an enormous job creator and the overwhelming population centre. To pretend it was just another city, and should pay all its own transit costs, would have been delusional.    Toronto isn’t London, as much as it likes to consider itself a “world class city.” But in holds the same position in the Canadian context. The economic benefits it generates spread well beyond its borders. It creates jobs across the Greater Toronto Area, employing tens of thousands of people who commute from neighbourhoods from Guelph to Whitby to Barrie and St. Catharines and even further. To suggest the transit system and its costs are a burden for Toronto alone to deal with is close-minded, self-defeating and patently foolish. Anything that damages Toronto’s ability to function as a job generator and economic engine is bad for the Ontario economy as a whole, no matter what part of the province you live in. But that’s exactly what’s been happening for years. As the city grows in size, the transit system has become increasingly overburdened. Anyone who has been stuck in the city’s chronic gridlock appreciates how damaging it can be. “If you want to know why the people who voted for Doug Ford are frustrated, try driving from Rexdale to Scarborough for work in the morning,” said Liberal leader Justin Trudeau in a recent address to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. Yet, for all the noise that has been generated – and there’s been lots of it — the city has been left to carry most of the financial burden. The federal and provincial governments are willing to

kick in funding for construction, which can be announced and re-announced numerous times and used to justify repeat photo-ops. But the growing ranks of riders, along with city taxpayers, are stuck with the running costs.  They can’t afford it. A TTC ticket now costs $3, which is more than you’d pay in New York and many parts of London. Transit is by nature a particular benefit to those who can’t afford the cost of cars, fuel, insurance or the hefty rates of downtown parking. Every fare hike falls hardest on those who can least afford it. The notion that, in picking up some of the operating costs of Toronto transit, other municipalities would be subsidizing well-off suburbanites is just a myth. Ride the subway sometime, from Kipling in the west to Scarborough in the east, and count how many “well-off suburbanites” you see. You won’t need to take your shoes off.    The case is obvious: the smart thing for Ontario to do would be to extend provincial funding to the TTC. Unfortunately, “smart” doesn’t always go with “government.” The province did once share operating costs, until Queen’s Park’s contribution was cancelled by the government of Mike Harris. Reversing that decision would offer the current Liberal government a welcome opportunity to correct a bad decision by a Conservative predecessor. But Ms. Wynne’s government has its own short-sighted record to deal with as well: to justify a pledge to spend $15 billion on projects in the Toronto-Hamilton area in the run-up to last spring’s election, the Premier felt compelled to spend another $14 billion outside the city. In doing so, the Liberals encouraged the notion that Toronto and the rest of Ontario are two separate realms, and that any money spent on the city’s needs must be matched by an equal amount for the rest of the province.

It was a bad move, and could complicate the decision on TTC funding. Ms. Wynne needs to show greater leadership in future. Now is a good opportunity. The city has a new mayor in John Tory, who is able and willing to operate on a far more cooperative basis than outgoing mayor Rob Ford, who couldn’t even get the Premier on the phone. They can help one another deal with one of Ontario’s most serious headaches, for the benefit of the city and province alike. As someone once said, it’s never too late to do the right thing.                                                         Please find this article online below: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/13/kelly-mcparland-ontario-missed-the-bus-on-transit-once-already-the-liberals-have-a-chance-to-get-back-on-board/  

       

   

   

   

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced almost $6 billion in infrastructure funding on Monday in an apparent attempt to pre-empt the Liberals on the issue less than a year before the next federal election. Opposition parties say the Conservatives are recycling dollars already allocated. Harper used an event in London, Ont. to unveil $5.8 billion in “new” infrastructure spending – most of it to be spent over the next three years – in what had the feel of an election-campaign spending

announcement, as the Conservative government unloads potentially billions of surplus dollars before they even arrive in the treasury. Approximately $5.3 billion of the cash will go to modernizing and repairing federal infrastructure assets across the country, while another $500 million has been earmarked for repairing and building on-reserve schools for First Nations (cash that was already identified in the budget.) The projects receiving funding have been specifically selected and designed with two things in mind, Harper said, including: They will deliver needed improvements to federal assets and communities “reasonably quickly”; and the investments will provide jobs now and better opportunities in the future. “In a very real sense, Canada’s federal infrastructure creates jobs,” Harper said after he toured a National Research Council facility in London, Ont. “We must also continue as a government to invest in our vital assets to keep our economy moving forward. Infrastructure is the cornerstone, literally, in that sense of economic success.” The dollars will go to upgrade border facilities, as well as invest in airports and rail service, small craft harbours and in shipbuilding yards. The funding will also help modernize federal laboratories and research centres, upgrade National Defence and RCMP facilities, and restore national historic sites, museums, parks and marine conservation areas. Liberal deputy leader Ralph Goodale said much of what Harper announced Monday appears to already be included in spending plans of various government departments. The Conservatives are “feeling the heat” on the file, just days after a Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Ottawa where municipal leaders called on the federal government to spend more on infrastructure, he argued.

“What is interesting is the total lack of detail,” Goodale said about the announcement. “It’s packaging over substance.” Officials from Finance Minister Joe Oliver’s office say the money will come from future surpluses but won’t affect the government’s efforts to balance the books because the spending will be amortized over the life of the assets. The federal government is preparing to end seven consecutive years of deficits with a $1.9-billion surplus in the 2015-16 fiscal year – just in time for a federal election campaign – and $31.2 billion of surpluses over the next five years. The federal Liberals are calling for federal infrastructure funding of up to one per cent of GDP, potentially $18 billion to $20 billion a year. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has been urging the federal government to spend future surplus dollars on infrastructure. “Solid, strategic infrastructure will help our economy grow, help create jobs, and help Canada remain competitive,” Trudeau said earlier this month in a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships. The federal infrastructure spending comes on the heels of the Conservative government announcing billions of dollars in new tax cuts for families, including an income-splitting break for couples with children worth up to $2,000; expanded Universal Child Care Benefit; and an increase to the Child Care Expense Deduction, while eliminating the Child Tax Credit at the same time. The new tax-cut measures were already expected to cost the treasury about $3.1 billion in the current 2014-15 fiscal year, $4.6 billion in 2015-16 and about $26.8 billion in total between now and 2019-20.

The infrastructure funding announced Monday includes investments for: –$2.8 billion to support infrastructure improvements to heritage, tourism, waterway and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas across Canada –$500 million for the repair and construction of on-reserve schools –$452 million to repair and upgrade Canadian Armed Forces facilities –$440 million to expedite the replacement of border infrastructure –Approximately $400 million to maintain, upgrade and construct federally owned buildings and other assets across Canada –$380 million for major repairs and upgrading of federal laboratories and research facilities –$288 million for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours –$204 million to support enhancements to federally owned and operated airports as well as improvements to Via Rail’s rail infrastructure –$191 million for renewal and repairs of heritage and museum sites –$183 million for the repair and procurement of vessels and small craft for the Canadian Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to support activities including search and rescue, science, and conservation.          Please find this article online below: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/stephen-harper-targets-billions-for-infrastructure-projects

   

   

   

 

   Stephen Harper is just a rotten, rotten guy to campaign against if you want to be Prime Minister of Canada. A number of challengers have learned this since Mr. Harper became Conservative leader decade ago. Liberal leaders Paul Martin and Stephane Dion were both bested by him in general elections. Michael Ignatieff, another defeated Liberal boss, is still so mad he can’t quit complaining about it (and blaming other

people). When Ignatieff recently denounced politics as a “dirty, loud-mouthed, false, lying business,” who do you imagine he was thinking of, hmmm? Now Justin Trudeau is getting a taste of the Prime Minister’s approach to keeping his job. Thievery is not beyond him. This month, in front of the whole country, Mr. Harper has brazenly stolen the basis of the Liberal plan to defeat him. He started by spending the surplus. Two weeks ago, Finance Minister Joe Oliver confirmed what everyone suspected: Canada is near to balancing the federal budget, and should — circumstances willing – enjoy several years of growing surpluses. More than $30 billion over six years. The words weren’t even out of Mr. Oliver’s mouth before Mr. Harper revealed that much of the excess had already been spent, dedicated to a series of tax breaks for parents, families and other voting groups targeted by the Tories. His obvious aim was to siphon off any available cash before Mr. Trudeau or NDP leader Thomas Mulcair could promise to spend it on something else. Undaunted, Mr. Trudeau argued in a speech that the money could be spent in better ways. Specifically, he said, on infrastructure.

   Fine. On Monday Mr. Harper stole that argument as well.

Appearing in London, he announced $5.8 billion in infrastructure sending. Most of it will go to federal assets, plus $500 million for on-reserve schools for First Nations. His announcement could have been written by Mr. Trudeau’s handlers:

 The money will be spent much as Mr. Trudeau would presumably have advocated: on airports, rail service, border facilities, harbours, federal laboratories, research centres, defence and RCMP facilities, parks, museums, historic sites, conservation areas. Who knows, the Tories might just be cheeky enough to spend some on Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal. On Monday the Tories moved to eliminate another potential irritant, pledging to spend $200 million on veterans, who have emerged as a particularly cranky group of critics. Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Mulcair will now have to enter next year’s campaign with little money to spend, and their key spending targets already covered by the Tories. If Mr. Trudeau wants to continue using infrastructure spending as his key fiscal plan, he will have to explain how his program would differ from the Tories’, and why Canadians should change governments if Liberals and Conservatives are both promising the same thing. As for Mr. Mulcair, he just can’t catch a break. He recently pledged the NDP would introduce a national daycare plan modelled on Quebec’s $7-a-day program, just as Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard was declaring the Quebec plan unsustainable and announcing a sharp rise in fees. And while the NDP plan is just a promise, the Tories have introduced an alternative plan and will begin sending out actual cheques to families next summer, just as the election gets underway.

The difficulties facing the opposition parties was evident Monday as they struggled for a way to criticize Mr. Harper for following their suggestions. Liberal deputy leader Ralph Goodale, as experienced a war horse as the Liberals can boast, was left to fulminate that some of the “new” infrastructure spending had actually been announced before.

   The same could be said of his leader, who is still insisting specific Liberal policy ideas will be revealed only when the time is ripe. The Liberals have been leading polls largely on the positive public reaction to Mr. Trudeau, and have been happy to keep it that way. The idea was to avoid having Liberal ideas stolen by the Conservatives, but Mr. Harper appears to have filched them anyway. In doing so, he’s raised the bar on the Liberals, who must now find something even newer and more attractive than free money for families and a spending binge on infrastructure, and explain where they’ll get the money from to boot. It won’t be easy. Mr. Trudeau would be well advised to rest up over the holidays. The hard part is starting.                            Please find this article online below: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2014/11/25/kelly-mcparland-if-justin-trudeau-still-has-a-shirt-he-better-hold-onto-it-harper-has-stolen-everything-else/

 

November 27, 2014 - 4:18pm Earlier this month, Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau gave a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships where he promoted Public-Private Partnership (P3s) as a solution to infrastructure needs. The Harper government has also been promoting P3s in infrastructure projects such as water and wastewater and transportation through the P3 Canada Fund. A P3 model is also being planned for a new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford. Harper’s P3 Fund is problematic because it requires a municipality to enter into a P3 agreement with a for-profit company if they want federal funding for infrastructure projects. P3s are more costly and can increase rates, decrease the quality of a service, result in job cuts and eliminate accountability and transparency. P3 contracts are lengthy contracts – often lasting up to 30 years - and are frequently negotiated behind closed doors. They often violate principles of local democracy. Moncton, New Brunswick learned these lessons with its P3 agreement. And now it looks like Trudeau is going down that road too. In his speech he stated, “The answer is clear: We commit to investing more in badly needed infrastructure projects. We need to set a new standard, and we start by doing more of what we’re here to do today: working together. Working with provinces and cities to make sure we’re getting our priorities straight. Because once we commit to investing, we also need to ensure we are targeting our funding correctly. So private capital will obviously be important because it will enhance – and complement –increased federal investments.”

He adds, “The government needs you to help in identifying new and more innovative mechanisms to finance and build public infrastructure.” While municipalities are in need of infrastructure, essential services should remain under community control and governance. In 2011, Abbotsford rejected a P3 model. Saint John, New Brunswick and Regina, Saskatchewan are pursuing P3s for their drinking water and wastewater systems despite a global trend to remunicipalize water systems. Trudeau also points to First Nation communities as an opportunity for P3s: “We can also fix the shameful lack of investment in our First Nations communities, because this isn’t just about laying new roads or putting down tracks; it’s about all of us, the country we want to live in, and the one we want to pass down to our children.” The Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act, passed last year, sets needed standards but failed to adequately consult indigenous communities and allocate any funding, creating the conditions where some communities will be required to enter into P3 contracts. While the water situation in First Nation communities is abhorrent, First Nation communities must give free, prior and informed consent on how their water and wastewater services is managed and should not be required to enter into P3 agreements if they want to access federal funding. P3s can lead to the gradual privatisation of essential public services. With investor-state rules in trade agreements like CETA (the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade agreement), municipalities and indigenous communities will have a hard time ending a P3 agreement - even if the service is poor - without the Canadian government being the target of a free-trade lawsuit. Read more in the new report Trading Away Democracy: How CETA’s investment protection rules threaten the public good in Canada and the EU, recently released by the Council of Canadians and more than a dozen European and Canadian organizations. What’s also concerning is earlier in his speech he mentioned the budget surplus without noting that that surplus has come from all of Harper's public servant and program cuts which are roughly $14 billion annually:

“A case in point: that fiscal update is expected to herald a surplus for the first time in many years of this Conservative government’s tenure. The question that should be asked is this: What should that surplus be invested in?” The Conservative government cut billions from protecting the safety of our lakes and rivers, health care, support programs for our veterans, food safety and many other areas critical to Canadians and indigenous people. The Council of Canadians urges Justin Trudeau to take action to bring back these programs and public sector jobs. P3s are not the solution. If Trudeau continues to go down this path, he will be no different than Harper in this respect. The Council of Canadians is urging Justin Trudeau to reject a P3 Canada Fund. The Council also urges the New Democratic Party and the Green Party to differentiate themselves from Trudeau and Harper by rejecting P3s and commit to funding infrastructure and public services that keeps them under community control. Send a letter to federal party leaders urging them to develop a national water policy that includes a national public water infrastructure fund and invests in water and wastewater infrastructure, particularly in First Nations communities. Stay tuned for more blogs on the federal parties' positions on water issues leading up to the election next year!                       Please find this article online below: http://canadians.org/blog/what-kind-water-future-will-we-have-justin-trudeau

December 9, 2014 - 10:54pm Today’s Auditor General Report in Ontario revealed that P3 projects had cost the people of Ontario $8 billion in extra costs. While the media may run with stories about smart meters, make no mistake the P3 issue is the real story. It was reported that, “Infrastructure Ontario assumes the private sector can deliver projects 13.3% cheaper because of unspecified “innovations” that private companies will find, but that governments somehow will not. But Ms. Lysyk found there was no evidence such an assumption is actually true... Ms. Lysyk found that the province assumes there is less risk of cost overruns and other problems with AFPs than with the public sector. But she said the province actually has “no empirical data” to back up that assumption... The province had to pay $2.3-million extra to a company building a hospital because the contract had not actually transferred the risk of design changes to the company” For anyone who has been following Ontario politics and particularly the shady P3 deals for hospitals the Liberal government is all too keen to sign off on, this type of news comes as no surprise (or other private public scandals like e-health or orange). The report outlines that there is no empirical evidence to support the claims of “risk transfer” under these schemes which is the regular rhetoric the government gives the people of Ontario. And with the $8 billion in added costs, the report also revealed that Infrastructure Ontario is favouring P3s based on assumptions that are not backed up by data(many of these costs remain hidden from public scrutiny, and now we know why). Without full details of all costs related to these projects, it is impossible to assess their total cost to the province. If we dig a bit deeper into the report we seen the it goes beyond $8 billion.

The total liabilities, debts and commitments that Ontarians will have to pay, as a result of these half baked projects totals more than $28.5 billion. Let’s put this in context. This is billions and billions of dollars of public money being given away at a time when the government is closing hospitals across the provinces and tossing people off of home care because they say that they don’t have the money. So what could we do with $8 Billion? After some rough calculations, if we wanted to spend it in one place here is what it could get people in Ontario: · 20,000 more hospital beds operating year-round or · 27 Community Hospitals or · 19930 acute care beds or · Around a 15.4% increase of annual health care budget or · 26,060 new doctors for a year or · 82,000 new nurses for a year For their part, the Kathleen Wynne government is sticking to its old rhetoric of not wanting to take on risks, while promoting innovation and efficiency (those are code words used when you're full of it). In fact, in response to today’s report the Infrastructure Ontario chief executive officer Bert Clark stated, “It would be a travesty for everyone if we said, ‘Let’s go back and try to deliver our large complex projects using [public] means.” But to be fair, this isn’t the only government with its head stuck firmly in the sand. As Council of Canadians Water Campaigner Emma Lui pointed out in a recent blog, “Earlier this month, Liberal Party Leader Justin Trudeau gave a speech to the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships where he promoted Public-Private Partnership (P3s) as a solution to infrastructure needs. The Harper government has also been promoting P3s in infrastructure projects such as water and wastewater and transportation through the P3 Canada Fund. A P3 model is also being planned for a new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford.”

So what we are dealing with is an ideological position that defies fact and reason. The liberals and conservatives (both provincially and federally) continually make the false ideological assumption and regard public debt as a sign of mismanagement while paying more into schemes that increase it. Yet, as is the case with P3s hospitals, they are commonly accounted for as "operating leases" in a provincial budget, instead of capital expenses. This leads to the impression that provincial debt is lower when P3s are used (I.E. creative accounting, but at the end of the day it is still a cost which the public has to pay but with a higher price tag). Lastly we are increasingly seeing these deals are also a Trojan horse to destroy many unionized support staff and service workers jobs. In addition to expensive financing and construction costs, these P3 hospitals deals often include hidden privatized services such as maintenance, security, cleaning and laundry, adding tens of millions more to the final price tag and reducing health outcomes for patients. When the privatization of services was initiated in 2003 in BC, the wages of housekeeping aides with Aramark (a multinational health privateer/corporation) dropped from the usual rate of $18.32 per hour to the starting wage of $9.50 per hour, raising to a meager $11.21 per hour after 6 years, which represents a 79% decline in pay. With this, and the cuts to front line workers training, wages, union protection, and so on, there are serious erosion of standards and negative health outcomes for patients that are the result of companies looking to save money by abusing vulnerable support workers. Study after study, and report after report, demonstrates that P3 projects cost more and are less transparent and accountable. Privatizing hospital facilities has inflated costs across the country and it is time we put a moratorium on crooked P3 deals and invest the money back in public health care for patients. Please find this article online below: http://www.canadians.org/blog/8-billion-down-drain-ontario-p3s

 

   

   

   

   

 Premier Kathleen Wynne says the Harper government’s inflammatory rhetoric doesn’t build bridges or ease congestion. “We have a federal partner (on infrastructure) and we need them to “We have a federal partner (on infrastructure) and we need them to

start acting like one,” Wynne said Tuesday, speaking to the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnership’s annual conference.start acting like one,” Wynne said Tuesday, speaking to the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnership’s annual conference. Speaking to same conference Monday, Finance Minister Joe Oliver accused the province of holding up Ottawa’s plan to devote nearly $11 billion to infrastructure investments in the province over the coming years. Oliver complained he is still waiting for the Liberal government to submit its list of preferred infrastructure projects under the Building Canada Plan, which is designed to give predictable long-term funding to provinces and territories. “While it was great to hear that he’s suddenly eager to get on with the job, rhetorical enthusiasm does not build bridges nor does it ease congestion,” Wynne said. “Worse, suggesting that Ontario is holding up $11 billion worth of infrastructure projects has him playing some sort of blame (game) that really is not necessary. What we need is to focus on building.” Infrastructure Minister Brad Duguid said earlier his officials have had challenges getting information from the federal government on the application process they set up for the Building Canada Plan. “In June, we sent a draft application framework to the federal government, and they haven’t replied. They also haven’t set any deadlines with respect to this process. We need to know how the funds are going to roll out before sending a list of priority projects,” he said. In her speech, Wynne said federal infrastructure funding is “so inadequate . . . and so unilateral in approach, it gives Ontario little choice but to apply pressure” on the Harper government. “I need to set the record straight. First the federal allocation for provincial projects in Ontario under the $70 billion Building Canada Plan over 10 years, where we are investing $130 billion over 10 years . . . is $2.7 billion over 10 years,” she said.

Wynne added her government in June sent Ottawa an agreement on how it would access the federal funding and “we are still waiting for their response.” “With every delay Canada’s persistent infrastructure gap widens and economic growth narrows. So the sum total of that is we need a federal partner that gets this and gets serious because with low interest rates and a federal surplus next year the time to act is right now,” she said. Earlier in her speech Wynne was singing the praises of public-private partnerships where the government partners up with the private sector to build badly needed infrastructure such as hospitals, schools and courthouses. “Already we have 39 alternative financing and procurement projects . . . and $3 billion in value for money savings,” she said.                         Please find this article online below: http://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2014/11/04/federal_government_infrastructure_plan_so_inadequate_kathleen_wynne_says.html   Please find this article reposted online below:

http://metronews.ca/news/canada/1203361/federal-government-infrastructure-plan-so-inadequate-kathleen-wynne-says/

Wynne blasts feds for inadequate funding of Ontario infrastructure projects The Canadian Press TORONTO - Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is firing back at federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver, accusing him of playing the "blame game" on infrastructure funding. Oliver accused the Ontario government on Monday of causing delays in Ottawa's plan to spend nearly $11 billion on infrastructure by not providing a list of projects the province wants to see funded. But during a speech today to a conference on public-private partnerships, Wynne said Oliver's "rhetorical enthusiasm does not build bridges or ease congestion." She said the federal allocation for Ontario projects is so "inadequate" that her Liberal government has little choice but to apply pressure on Ottawa for better funding. Ontario plans to spend $130 billion over 10 years on public transit, roads and bridges, but Wynne complained the federal allocation for the province under the Building Canada Plan will be only $2.7 billion over a decade. She said with low interest rates and a federal surplus expected next year, "the time to act is now."

The Ontario government faces a $12.5-billion deficit that Wynne has pledged to eliminate by 2017-18. Oliver said Monday that he was still waiting for Ontario to submit its list of preferred infrastructure projects under the Building Canada Plan, which is designed to give predictable long-term funding to provinces and territories. But Wynne said Ontario has been waiting for months on a federal response to a proposed deal on how the province can access the Building Canada funds. "Our government has made infrastructure a real economic priority, so we have no shortage of projects in need of a real federal partner, and have been very clear about this," she said in her speech. "With every delay, Canada's persistent infrastructure gap widens and economic growth narrows."      

Please find this article online below: http://www.thecanadianpress.com/english/online/OnlineFullStory.aspx?filename=DOR-MNN-CP.f75f1ce504a8447b935a20577f58dce6.CPKEY2008111300&newsitemid=30565472&languageid=1  Please find this article reposted online (highlights):

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/wynne-blasts-feds-for-inadequate-funding-of-ont-infrastructure-projects-1.2086565

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/11/04/kathleen-wynne-joe-oliver-infrastructure_n_6102290.html

http://newsmaritimes.ca/2014/11/04/kathleen-wynne-blasts-joe-oliver-for-inadequate-infrastructure-funding/

http://newssaskatchewan.ca/2014/11/04/kathleen-wynne-blasts-joe-oliver-for-inadequate-infrastructure-funding/

http://www.plant.ca/general/wynne-blasts-feds-inadequate-funding-ontario-infrastructure-projects-139941/

http://toronto.cityandpress.com/node/8618962

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/wynne-blasts-feds-for-inadequate-funding-of-ontario-infrastructure-projects-281486501.html

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/wynne-blasts-feds-inadequate-funding-ontario-infrastructure-projects-200608455.html        

                                                                                           

   

New Brunswick city plans new P3 4 November 2014 The capital of New Brunswick in Canada is preparing to launch a new P3 deal, its mayor has revealed. Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside told delegates at the CCPPP conference in Toronto that the city is looking at launching a new scheme to deliver a performing arts center. "We are looking at a new performing arts center and we are looking at it as a potential P3," he said. Woodside also praised the potential to bundle a number of smaller projects together to get sufficient scale to deliver them as P3 deals. A number of other public sector representatives also backed the potential for bundling projects to deliver new schemes across the country.                    Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83937

 

Project bundling ‘way forward for Canada’ 5 November 2014 Bundling up smaller projects to make them of sufficient scale to attract bidders will be a key theme in the Canadian market over the coming year. Speakers and delegates at the CCPPP conference in Toronto this week agreed that packaging smaller projects together, creating synergies and sufficient scale to attract bidders, will be vital to the ongoing success of the market. “Bundling is a wonderful solution,” said City of Saskatoon Mayor, Donald J Atchison. “It is a new way of looking at this.” Some experts also suggested the approach could be used to build cross-party support for a program, by bringing together similar projects that may have previously been considered as competing for government cash. City of Barrie Mayor, Jeff Lehman, called for project bundling to be developed further, arguing that jurisdictions should look beyond their borders to develop efficient and sufficiently large project bundles. “There are opportunities around shared projects and bundling with a blend of municipal and provincial-owned assets,” he said.       Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83981  

     

Bundling two Saskatoon bridge projects—construction of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge and replacement of the Traffic Bridge — into a single contract under a public-private partnership (P3) is delivering both projects where no progress had been made on either bridge alone. It’s part of the brave new world of municipal P3s encouraged by both federal and provincial governments.  

 Mayor Donald J. Atchison, City of Saskatoon, notes that the $250-million bundled bridge project is the first of its kind in Canada.  "If we'd tried to build one bridge or the other bridge separately, it wouldn't have worked," he says. "One bridge is in the north end and the other one is right downtown. Politicians being politicians, we bundled them together so that

everyone had an opportunity to say whether they wanted a project for their neighbourhood or not." Not only did city council overwhelmingly support the bundled project, but as a larger P3 project, the city was able to access $50 million in provincial funding and $66 million in federal funding.

Mayor Jeff Lehman, City of Barrie and chair, Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario, says that bundling can be leveraged across jurisdictions to create the next wave of municipal P3s. "It adds some governance complexity for municipalities to work together on a P3 project, but bundling projects across municipal boundaries should be one of our next frontiers," he says. "I've had some high level meetings with Infrastructure Ontario and I think there are opportunities around shared projects, such as bundling highway infrastructure, that blend a municipal asset and a provincial asset." Appropriate project scoping can also assist municipalities in leveraging P3 advantages. Barrie undertook a transit garage project, but specified a 20-year maintenance and operation component to build the project to the size that allowed it to access PPP Canada funding and expertise. Brad Woodside, Mayor of the City of Fredericton and president, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, says more education is necessary to promote the opportunities of bundling. "Even those municipalities that know about P3s think you need to have a $100 million project to participate," he says. "We need to get a clear, concise message out on these P3 opportunities." Atchison notes that P3s provide another advantage to municipalities by building potential de-scoping into contract documents. "There's nothing more frustrating for a politician than if a project doesn't come in on budget, and council is sitting there and wants to keep everything," he says. "By making that decision in advance with the people who are tendering, everyone knows what the ground rules are."

Scoring P3 bids for a "local knowledge" component, however, remains a contentious issue, in some cases eliminating otherwise qualified bidders from competition. "It creates a lot of divisiveness," says Atchison. "In the end it is local preference, not local knowledge. If someone gets squeezed out from another area of Canada over that particular item, you actually end up setting trade barriers." Woodside says he's been approached to include local knowledge clauses into procurement documents, but has rejected the idea. "I've asked them if they do business outside the city," he says. "If they say 'yes' I tell them they can't have their cake and eat it too. We don't limit who does business with us." Lehman, however, notes that he supports a form of that requirement. "Not local knowledge," he says. "But demonstrating that the bidder has knowledge of the local service that's to be delivered." The mayors spoke at the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto.                                Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Infrastructure/News/2014/12/Can-the-P3-model-save-a-citys-infrastructure-1004479W/

     

   Bundling two Saskatoon bridge projects—construction of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge and replacement of the Traffic Bridge — into a single contract under a public-private partnership (P3) is delivering both projects where no progress had been made on either bridge alone.    

   

It's part of the brave new world of municipal P3s encouraged by both federal and provincial governments. Saskatoon Mayor Donald J. Atchison noted that the $250 million bundled bridge project is the first of its kind in Canada. "If we'd tried to build one bridge or the other bridge separately, it wouldn't have worked," he said. "One bridge is in the north end and the other one is right downtown. Politicians being politicians, we bundled them together so that everyone had an opportunity to say whether they wanted a project for their neighbourhood or not." Not only did city council overwhelmingly support the bundled project, but as a larger P3 project, the city was able to access $50 million in provincial funding and $66 million in federal funding. Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman, who is chair of the Large Urban Mayors' Caucus of Ontario, said that bundling can be leveraged across jurisdictions to create the next wave of municipal P3s. "It adds some governance complexity for municipalities to work together on a P3 project, but bundling projects across municipal boundaries should be one of our next frontiers," he said. "I've had some high level meetings with Infrastructure Ontario and I think there are opportunities around shared projects, such as bundling highway infrastructure, that blend a municipal asset and a provincial asset." Appropriate project scoping can also assist municipalities in leveraging P3 advantages. Barrie undertook a transit garage project, but specified a 20-year maintenance and operation component to build the project to the

size that allowed it to access PPP Canada funding and expertise. Brad Woodside, Mayor of the City of Fredericton and president, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, said more education is necessary to promote the opportunities of bundling. "Even those municipalities that know about P3s think you need to have a $100 million project to participate," he said. "We need to get a clear, concise message out on these P3 opportunities." Atchison noted that P3s provide another advantage to municipalities by building potential de-scoping into contract documents. "There's nothing more frustrating for a politician than if a project doesn't come in on budget, and council is sitting there and wants to keep everything," he said. "By making that decision in advance with the people who are tendering, everyone knows what the ground rules are." Scoring P3 bids for a local knowledge component, however, remains a contentious issue, in some cases eliminating otherwise qualified bidders from competition. "It creates a lot of divisiveness," said Atchison. "In the end, it is local preference, not local knowledge. If someone gets squeezed out from another area of Canada over that particular item, you actually end up setting trade barriers." Woodside said he's been approached to include local knowledge clauses into procurement documents, but has rejected the idea.

"I've asked them if they do business outside the city," he said. "If they say 'yes' I tell them they can't have their cake and eat it too. We don't limit who does business with us." Lehman, however, noted that he supports a form of that requirement. "Not local knowledge," he said. "But demonstrating that the bidder has knowledge of the local service that's to be delivered." The mayors spoke at the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto.                                               Please find this article online below: http://www.journalofcommerce.com/Infrastructure/News/2014/12/Saskatoon-goes-P3-for-bridge-projects-1004521W/  

         

Alberta planning new projects 4 November 2014 The government of Alberta is in the process of developing new P3 projects, the state's minister of infrastructure has revealed. Speaking at the CCPPP conference in Toronto, Manmeet Bhullar said the Alberta government is currently discussing a number of projects to be included in its next financial plan, with further details to be released in the near future. "Alberta has done a lot of roads and schools projects," he said, hinting that the province is looking to expand beyond these sectors in future. "What I am seeking now is innovation in the funding models, and engaging other levels of government," he added. "We are looking for more creative projects and types of infrastructure builds."                        Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83949

       

Ontario rejects 'delays' claim 4 November 2014 Ontario's infrastructure minister has refuted suggestions that his government has been delaying the delivery of new infrastructure projects. Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, hit back at claims made by federal finance minister Joe Oliver yesterday, who said that Ontario had been slow in submitting its list of projects for approval. "We were a little taken aback," Duguid said during a panel session at the CCPPP conference. "We have been asking for a number of documents that we need from the federal government since March." He added that those documents have now been provided, just hours after Oliver's comments, meaning that the province can now submit its plans. "Ontario is not in any way delaying things," Duguid added. "We do have a number of projects we are due to move forward on. We are very keen to work with the federal government, and keen to move forward."       Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83950

 

Cross-sector deals for BC 5 November 2014 EXCLUSIVE: British Columbia has plans for a series of new projects across a range of sectors, the head of its procurement agency has revealed. Partnerships BC president and chief executive Amanda Farrell told delegates at the CCPPP conference in Toronto that the agency is working on a number of plans covering new transit projects, hospitals, energy and correctional facilities. "There is a lot of interest in new transit lines for Surrey," she said. "We would expect to have the opportunity to work on these next year." However, she added that the progress of the schemes will hinge on the outcome of a referendum to be held in the province next year. She also revealed that the business case for the Royal Columbia hospital project is "largely complete" and will be coming out in the near future. In energy, Farrell said the agency is also looking at a replacement dam project, plus a new correctional facility that will come to market soon.           Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83975  

     

   Public-private partnership (P3) agencies at both the federal and provincial level are looking to fine-tune their models and to better connect industry players with a broader range of projects, particularly in the municipal sector. That’s the word from agency leaders addressing the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto in November.    

 Both Partnerships BC and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) have recently conducted reviews of their operations. "While there is room to tweak and improve, we don't want to have to change for change's sake," says Bert Clark, president and CEO, IO. "A lot of time and energy

has been spent by industry figuring out how to bid these, so we should only be rounding corners where the irritations are real. Over the next few months you should see a new base document come out from IO, but people shouldn't anticipate anything radically different."

This year, PPP Canada completed its commitment to invest $1.2 billion in infrastructure and is now launching its second round of $1.2 billion in investments. "We're still focused on core infrastructure activities, transportation projects of all sorts, water and wastewater, and solid waste disposal," says John McBride, CEO, PPP Canada. "But we're also very focused on moving P3s to places where they haven't been — to engage provinces that haven't been there —and we've focused a lot on municipalities for the last five years. For those who have done P3s, we want to give them experience in new sectors." SaskBuilds, which was established in October 2012, is already broadening its reach. "Advanced education, justice, roads — all infrastructure projects are under consideration," says Rupen Pandya, president and CEO, SaskBuilds. Alberta is currently engaged in developing the Calgary cancer centre, its first project in the healthcare infrastructure class. However, even as Alberta Infrastructure (AI) breaks new ground in that sector, it's considering changes to its business model. "Usually we go low price but we're now looking at capital cost cap, with a pass-fail, while the operation and maintenance portion will be under separate review," says Neill McQuay, chief, Strategic Partnerships Office, AI. New Brunswick is seeing significant growth in the municipal P3 space. "All of the three major municipalities in New Brunswick are either participating in a P3 or they are looking at delivery of a project through that model," says Fred Blaney, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships New Brunswick.

"A large procurement project at Saint John Water has received the interest of many of the other municipalities. Our job is to demystify P3s and present them as a viable model." Mario Deschamps, strategic consultant to the CEO, Société québécoise des infrastructures, says the agency is also promoting the use of P3s to municipalities. "However, it's easy to talk to the larger municipalities," he says. "When we have scattered, smaller municipalities, it's more difficult to reach them. Many are too small to use innovative procurements on their own, so we have to go through some bundling, or use some kind of regional authority to put the projects together. This is a dimension of our promotion that needs to be improved." McBride notes that municipalities stand to benefit from a more transparent examination of infrastructure lifecycle costs, which now must be considered regardless of election cycles. "Operation and maintenance are an integral part of the P3 contract and in many circumstances are a huge driver of value for money," he says. "Municipalities now see the whole life cycle cost and in many cases it is sticker shock for them, but I think that's a major benefit in the way people are seeing and costing infrastructure — they get over it."                  Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Government/News/2014/12/P3-agencies-fine-tune-models-broaden-scope-1004262W/

     

  Public-private partnership (P3) agencies at both the federal and provincial level are looking to fine-tune their models and to better connect industry players with a broader range of projects, particularly in the municipal sector.  

 That's the word from agency leaders addressing the recent 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto. Both Partnerships BC and Infrastructure Ontario (IO) have recently conducted reviews of their operations.

"While there is room to tweak and improve, we don't want to have to change for change's sake," said Bert Clark, president and CEO, IO. "A lot of time and energy has been spent by industry figuring out how to bid these, so we should only be rounding corners where the irritations are real. Over the next few months you should see a new base document come out from IO, but people shouldn't anticipate anything radically different." This year, PPP Canada completed its commitment to invest $1.2 billion in infrastructure and is now launching its second round of $1.2 billion in investments.

"We're still focused on core infrastructure activities, transportation projects of all sorts, water and wastewater, and solid waste disposal," said John McBride, CEO, PPP Canada. "But, we're also very focused on moving P3s to places where they haven't been — to engage provinces that haven't been there —and we've focused a lot on municipalities for the last five years. For those who have done P3s, we want to give them experience in new sectors." SaskBuilds, which was established in October 2012, is already broadening its reach. "Advanced education, justice, roads — all infrastructure projects are under consideration," said Rupen Pandya, president and CEO, SaskBuilds. Alberta is currently engaged in developing the Calgary cancer centre, its first project in the health care infrastructure class. However, even as Alberta Infrastructure (AI) breaks new ground in that sector, it's considering changes to its business model. "Usually we go low price but we're now looking at capital cost cap, with a pass-fail, while the operation and maintenance portion will be under separate review," said Neill McQuay, chief, Strategic Partnerships Office, AI. New Brunswick is seeing significant growth in the municipal P3 space. "All of the three major municipalities in New Brunswick are either participating in a P3 or they are looking at delivery of a project through that model," said Fred Blaney, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships New Brunswick. "A large procurement project at Saint John Water has received the interest of many of the other municipalities. Our job is to demystify

P3s and present them as a viable model." Mario Deschamps, strategic consultant to the CEO, Société québécoise des infrastructures, says the agency is also promoting the use of P3s to municipalities. "However, it's easy to talk to the larger municipalities," he said. "When we have scattered, smaller municipalities, it's more difficult to reach them. Many are too small to use innovative procurements on their own, so we have to go through some bundling, or use some kind of regional authority to put the projects together. This is a dimension of our promotion that needs to be improved." McBride noted that municipalities stand to benefit from a more transparent examination of infrastructure lifecycle costs, which now must be considered regardless of election cycles. "Operation and maintenance are an integral part of the P3 contract and in many circumstances are a huge driver of value for money," he said. "Municipalities now see the whole life cycle cost and in many cases it is sticker shock for them, but I think that's a major benefit in the way people are seeing and costing infrastructure — they get over it."                         Please find this article online below http://www.journalofcommerce.com/Infrastructure/News/2014/12/P3-agencies-fine-tune-broaden-scope-of-their-work-1004524W/  

                                                                                           

                                                                                           

                                                                                           

                                                                                           

                                                                                         

       

   

   To most people the idea of infrastructure investment connotes visions of water systems, highways and bridges and basic general services usually provided by municipal authorities. In early November, however, at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships Conference in Toronto, a new model for infrastructure was discussed–that of the “intelligent city,” which combines intelligent city infrastructure with conventional infrastructure. In early 2011, Google announced it had selected the cities it would provide with a “gigabit” Internet service infrastructure called Google Fiber—with connectivity speeds 100 times faster than the broadband average. The service was awarded to Kansas City (Kansas and Missouri). David Sandel serves as an adviser to the Google Fiber Mayors’ Bistate Innovation Team. His first recommendation to area authorities was to create a regional planning organization to, as he puts it, “loosely collaborate with all sectors of the economy.” His second recommendation was to create a regional “proof of concept” lab where innovators could

work with private equity and other organizations to develop their products. The third recommendation was to have a global roundtable to meet and discuss development. “We created something called a ‘loop media hub,’ which is a gigabit main street,” says Sandel. In addition to the Google Fiber service, Kansas City, Missouri, is building a streetcar line that connects neighborhoods in which tech startups and incubators are flourishing. “It’s a massive metropolitan deployment to put [in] a gigabit main street and build a trolley system where the mass of knowledge workers are, and congregate naturally, and has the right types of amenities and transportation options all in one place,” he adds. The procurement and financing model was set up as a P3 (public-private partnership) where government enlists private sector partners to design, build and maintain services for a specified amount of time. “Many saw that the economic, social and educational impact of it would be far greater than the cost,” Sandel says. An economic impact statement showed that the project is expected to produce "total annual economic output in excess of $265 million" over the next five to seven years. “Everyone realizes that the fiber project is far more important than the trolley, but the projects together are exceptional,” he notes. Google Fiber exists today only in Kansas City; Provo, Utah; and Austin, Texas. So far Google has singled out an additional nine cities as potential fiber areas. The disruptive nature of the technology and the way the service is employed will affect economies both positively and, in some cases, cable companies for example, negatively. But as a pure infrastructure development, it is an exciting and potentially game-changing service that will affect businesses, economies and social interactions of all kinds.     Please find this article online below: https://www.gfmag.com/topics/technology/how-google-fiber-disrupting-infrastructure-thinking

Canada plans all-weather road 4 November 2014 EXCLUSIVE: Canada's Northwest Territories province is looking at creating a new road to serve the region's diamond mines in the north. Speaking to P3 Bulletin at the CCPPP conference in Toronto, the province's deputy minister of finance, Mike Aumond, said officials are currently "exploring whether we can finance an all-weather road to give more transport security" to traffic serving the mines. At present, the mines have to spend millions every year maintaining a ice-road for eight weeks of the year. However, an all-weather toll road would provide the mines with a cheaper and safer solution. Aumond suggested that toll revenue would be predictable because the road is virtually a private one servicing the mines, meaning it will not be subject to significant fluctuations in traffic flows. "We are at the conceptual stage at the moment," he said. "We are about a year away from starting the procurement process." Aumond explained that the road would run for around 150km, from the end of Highway 4 to Makay Lake, where the diamond mining takes place. He estimated the project could cost in the region of $300m. Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83943

     

   Saskatoon recently announced that construction of two bridges would be bundled in a public-private partnership (P3), the first such bridge project in Canada.    

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has taken that concept to the extreme, bundling 558 full replacements of structurally-deficient bridges under a single US$899-million design-build-maintain contract. "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of having the most structurally deficient bridges in the United States," says Bryan Kendro, director, Public-Private Partnerships Office, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) who addressed the 22nd annual conference

of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto. "We believe this project will accelerate the replacement of those bridges. By bundling them together, we think there's significant design and construction savings." The Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, which includes 11 Pennsylvania-based sub-contractors, must begin construction on the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project in summer 2015 and

complete 99 per cent of the bridges within 36 months. That's eight months short of the 44 months expected by PennDOT. The team will be responsible for structural maintenance of each bridge for 25 years following its replacement, while Pennsylvania will retain ownership of the bridges and responsibility for routine maintenance, such as snow removal. Under PennDOT's standard process, the cost to design, construct and maintain a bridge for 28 years would average US$2.1 million. The average cost under P3 delivery will be US$1.6 million. "We screened 2,000 bridges for replacement and we ultimately whittled the list down to 558, mostly because they offered similar size, shape and characteristics," says Kendro. "If you take a 22-foot bridge and a 23-foot bridge and a 25-foot bridge and make them all 25 feet, there's a lot of standardization that goes with that in terms of prefabricating the components and the processes." He notes, however, that the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection saw the contract as 558 separate projects, each requiring individual permits. "From our perspective we're entering into one contract and one project, but from a regulatory perspective it's 558," says Kendro. "Beginning to work through those issues we were able to find some efficiencies there too, and we're going to bundle notices to proceed. They'll come to us with batches of bridges where permits are in various states of readiness and then we'll allow them to move forward on construction." Pennsylvania is also experimenting with transferring responsibility for acquiring some permits to the private entity, including USDOT permits and National Environmental Policy Act clearances with the EPA.

"We were able to get the federal government comfortable that giving that responsibility to the private entity provided for a lot of efficiency," Kendro says. He notes that local engineers and contractors were briefed on contract opportunities early on in the process. "None of the firms that exist out there are going to come to Pennsylvania and mobilize a workforce statewide to deliver 558 bridges," Kendro says. "Essentially all of the teams were going to be drawing circles around the state and finding the strongest regional local contractors. The interest of the teams leading these efforts would be more as a general contractor overseeing the logistics and the construction and making sure the local contractors are adhering to the terms of the contract. The folks best equipped to deliver these bridges in a cost-effective manner are actually the regional local contractors themselves." Kendro also notes that a learning curve is built into the successful proposal, with only about 80 bridges required for completion in the first year of the contract. "By the time they get to those last 50 bridges, you're really churning through that process and it becomes a lot more standardized," he says.                           Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Infrastructure/News/2014/12/Mega-bundling-Pennsylvania-issues-single-P3-contract-for-558-bridges-1004535W/

 

  Saskatoon recently announced that construction of two bridges would be bundled in a public-private partnership (P3), the first such bridge project in Canada.  

 The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has taken that concept to the extreme, bundling 558 full replacements of structurally-deficient bridges under a single US$899 million design-build-maintain contract. "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the dubious distinction of having the most structurally deficient bridges in the

United States," said Bryan Kendro, director, Public-Private Partnerships Office, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) who addressed the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto. "We believe this project will accelerate the replacement of those bridges. By bundling them together, we think there's significant design and construction savings." The Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners, which includes 11 Pennsylvania-based sub-contractors, must begin construction on the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project in summer 2015 and complete 99 per cent of the bridges within 36 months.

That's eight months short of the 44 months expected by PennDOT. The team will be responsible for structural maintenance of each bridge for 25 years following its replacement, while Pennsylvania will retain ownership of the bridges and responsibility for routine maintenance, such as snow removal. Under PennDOT's standard process, the cost to design, construct and maintain a bridge for 28 years would average US$2.1 million. The average cost under P3 delivery will be US$1.6 million. "We screened 2,000 bridges for replacement and we ultimately whittled the list down to 558, mostly because they offered similar size, shape and characteristics," said Kendro. "If you take a 22-foot bridge and a 23-foot bridge and a 25-foot bridge and make them all 25 feet, there's a lot of standardization that goes with that in terms of prefabricating the components and the processes." He noted, however, that the Federal Highway Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection saw the contract as 558 separate projects, each requiring individual permits. "From our perspective we're entering into one contract and one project, but from a regulatory perspective it's 558," said Kendro. "Beginning to work through those issues we were able to find some efficiencies there too, and we're going to bundle notices to proceed. They'll come to us with batches of bridges where permits are in various states of readiness and then we'll allow them to move forward on construction." Pennsylvania is also experimenting with transferring responsibility for acquiring some permits to the private entity, including USDOT permits and National Environmental Policy Act clearances with the EPA. "We were able to get the federal government comfortable that

giving that responsibility to the private entity provided for a lot of efficiency," Kendro said. He noted that local engineers and contractors were briefed on contract opportunities early on in the process. "None of the firms that exist out there are going to come to Pennsylvania and mobilize a workforce statewide to deliver 558 bridges," Kendro said. "Essentially all of the teams were going to be drawing circles around the state and finding the strongest regional local contractors. The interest of the teams leading these efforts would be more as a general contractor overseeing the logistics and the construction and making sure the local contractors are adhering to the terms of the contract. The folks best equipped to deliver these bridges in a cost-effective manner are actually the regional local contractors themselves." Kendro also noted that a learning curve is built into the successful proposal, with only about 80 bridges required for completion in the first year of the contract. "By the time they get to those last 50 bridges, you're really churning through that process and it becomes a lot more standardized," he said.         Please find this article online below: http://www.journalofcommerce.com/Infrastructure/News/2014/12/Pennsylvania-mega-bundles-P3-project-1004581W/

   

Year-end close for Sask Civic Ops P3 4 November 2014 Saskatoon's Civic Operations Centre P3 deal is to reach financial close before the end of the year, the City Manager of Saskatoon has confirmed to P3 Bulletin. Speaking on the sidelines of the CCPPP conference in Toronto, City of Saskatoon Manager Murray Totland said the authority is now looking to reach financial close on the project by "mid to end December". The city is working with winning bidder Integrated Team Solutions - comprising EllisDon and Fengate among others - to sign off on the deal. For more information on the contract, click here. Meanwhile, Totland also confirmed the city is on track to issue a request for proposals (RFP) in December to the three shortlisted bidders on the North Commuter Parkway P3. "The RFP will then go back to council and it will be in that process until May 2015," he continued, when a preferred bidder will be chosen. Totland added that financial close is then expected "this time next year". For more information on the North Commuter Parkway deal, click here.   Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83946  

   

   Grouping projects for various stakeholders offers new potential By Jean Cumming AT THE RECENT Conference on Public-Private Partnerships, a panel discussion on “project bundling” explored opportunities around P3s that have bundled together smaller projects, or those on multiple sites, in order to attract private financing or achieve economies of scale. “There's an infrastructure deficit in Canada at the federal, provincial, municipal level,” says Anne Stewart, a partner at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, who also sits on the board at the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships. “There isn't enough money to do these infrastructure projects.” Even the pre-building stages are prohibitively costly for vendors. When a government entity decides it wants to do a project, it issues a request for quotes (RFQ). “Just putting in a response to an RFQ is a fair amount of work for both sides,” she says. And then comes an RFP process, which is even costlier, and all of this is before contractors have broken ground. A $35-million project may not warrant this level of time and expense.

Bundling allows for rationalization of the P3 process because projects of the same nature can be bundled together. During the panel discussion, Stewart cited the Pennsylvania's Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, in which 558 bridges were constructed. Even for projects of the same nature, individual or localized variations may be needed, as on the Alberta government's schools projects, ASAP I-III. “In May 2011, the government of Alberta announced a total of 35 schools across Alberta to be built or modernized at an estimated cost of $550 million,” Stewart said. “Twelve of the new schools were bundled under a third public-private-partnership arrangement. Following a competitive bidding process and rigorous evaluation, the Alberta government signed a contract with ABC Schools to build and maintain the 12 new schools.” Projects may serve different stakeholders or they may be bundled for one stakeholder, scenarios that require a very different set of considerations. Other bundled P3 projects, noted at the CCPPP conference include: Ontario Highway Service Centres (Ontario); Pan Am Games (Ontario); Saskatoon Civic Operations Centre (Saskatchewan); Saskatoon North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge (Saskatchewan); Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford, Integrated Correctional Facility (Saskatchewan); Ottawa Light Rail Transit (Ontario); and Northwest Territories Water Treatment Plants (Northwest Territories). Serving different “masters” in a P3 can be complicated, and there is often a learning curve to take projects of a different nature and find their synergies. On the positive side, however, there can be efficiencies in design and opportunities for innovation. In any event, as government funding is unlikely to flow any freer in the years ahead, bundling is surely here to stay.   Please find this article online below: http://www.lexpert.ca/magazine/article/rise-of-the-p3-bundle-2836/

     

   Public-private partnerships (P3s) are taking credit for on-time, on-budget project delivery. However, the operations and maintenance (O&M) portions of many P3 contracts are only now receiving a trial by fire.

"One of the great things is that FM (Finance Maintain) and O&M are being elevated and we're not only obsessed with big construction numbers and big financing numbers," says Steve Nackan, president, Aecon Concessions. "We have a very well defined risk allocation formula and really good integration between developers, contractors and operators. We're all trying to find the best long-term

solutions and that's forced us to talk to each other and work together in a transparent way to focus on what's in the best interest of the client over the long term." O&M are particularly critical in hospital settings, says Sylvia Weir, corporate director, Business Integration and Development, Interior Health whose responsibilities include the Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals Project, a bundled P3 project. "The quality of FM services at our sites embarrasses our other sites," she says.

"However, that's what I would expect because it's a funded service and the funding is protected through the life of the contract. In healthcare there's quite a hierarchy and FM has traditionally been on the bottom rung if not in the basement, so instead of us asking where old Joe is to fix the boiler we can now call on professional engineers." However, Weir notes that, while the hospital must respond quickly to any issues of concern to the public, complex P3 contracts don't lend themselves to rapid change. "There's quite a dance as the change makes its way through the FM provider, through the equity, through the lender, through the lender lawyers — and by that time we're already on the front page," she says. "We need to find a path through that is more efficient for both of us." Hospitals can do a better job of articulating where they want to focus maintenance activities, Weir says: "We need to articulate the critical areas better, instead of saying everything is really important in a hospital, so do everything right now." Providers are also often hamstrung in their ability to switch gears from contracted routine maintenance to immediate concerns. "We're worried about being contractually penalized for not fixing something, when there's something more important we should be doing," says Jackie MacGuire, director, Asset Management, Black & McDonald Limited. Part of the problem can be the tendency to lump too many unrelated services into the operations portion of a P3 contract. "Some of my developer friends love to have more volume through the project," says John MacCuish, executive vice president, Services, Carillion Canada Inc.

"But why in heaven's name is patient food service in a hospital P3 project? It's very complex, and it doesn't lend itself to a 30-year projection. You can make an excellent argument for including housekeeping in a hospital because it has an impact on the life of the building. It's a challenge if you don't stick to the knitting." MacCuish also notes that benchmarking in hospital P3 contracts is problematic, simply because there aren't enough similar projects to provide accurate benchmark data. "It's very difficult to find a comparable project or facility to benchmark against," he says. "The pay mechs are all variable, the activities are all variable and it's a challenging task. In the project agreement it's called 'benchmarking/market testing.' You may as well just scrap the benchmarking part and go to some form of market testing." The comments were made at a session of the 22nd annual conference of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships in Toronto in November.       Please find this article online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Government/News/2014/12/OM-moves-to-front-burner-in-P3-contracts-1004526W/

P3 potential for $1bn Toronto LRT 5 November 2014 A planned new light rail transit (LRT) project in Toronto, to come to market at the start of next year, could be delivered through a P3 model. Sources told P3 Bulletin that the Finch West LRT scheme is to be tendered in the first quarter of 2015, with a master agreement already signed by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Under the plans, the project will see an 11km line built, running along the surface of Finch Avenue from the planned Finch West subway station at Keele Street to Humber College. Meanwhile, the TTC and Metrolinx Toronto have also backed plans for the Sheppard East LRT, which will add 13km of line along Sheppard Avenue from Don Mills subway station to east of Morningside Avenue. Both look set to be procured as P3 projects and form part of Metrolinx’s Big Move program of work, which also includes the Eglinton LRT, which is currently at shortlist stage.           Please find this article online below: http://www.p3bulletin.com/news/view/83982

Champion Award Coverage                            

Hon. James M. Flaherty Honoured Posthumously as 2014 P3 Champion TORONTO, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce that the late Honourable James (Jim) Michael Flaherty has been posthumously named the P3 Champion for 2014. CCPPP salutes Jim Flaherty's tremendous career of contributions to infrastructure development and renewal in Canada, and to the advancement of a best-in-class Canadian public-private partnership (P3) model. "It is hard to overstate the importance of Jim Flaherty's role in addressing Canada's infrastructure deficit," said Dale Richmond, Chair of CCPPP's Board. "He was a visionary who recognized that private sector skills and innovation can help governments to build better quality infrastructure, while saving money for Canadian taxpayers." The Council wants to recognize a number of Jim Flaherty's significant contributions to the sector, among them as Ontario Finance Minister, he laid the groundwork for the extensive use of P3s we now see in the province today; as Federal Finance Minister, he created PPP Canada and launched successive Building Canada Plans, which have now allocated more than $2.5 billion that will leverage $10 billion in P3 projects across Canada. While provincial governments were increasing the usage of P3s, Jim Flaherty seized the moment at the federal level to propel the industry to new heights by providing additional tools for other levels of government and championing its use where it made sense. Jim Flaherty was determined to ensure that Canada remains economically competitive with a high standard of living for its citizens. At a time when governments were finding it difficult to set aside the

resources to renew infrastructure and meet the demands of a growing population, Jim Flaherty invested to make the Canadian P3 model an undisputed success. Jim Flaherty's role in driving these substantial benefits to all Canadians will be recognized at CCPPP's 22nd Annual National Conference on November 4, 2014 in Toronto. The Champion Award is presented periodically to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to public-private partnerships in Canada either from the public or private sector. Jim Flaherty's widow, Christine Elliott, MPP for Whitby-Oshawa, will receive the award on his behalf. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.

                           

   Please find this release online below: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1434309/hon-james-m-flaherty-honoured-posthumously-as-2014-p3-champion 215 Canadian and US Pick Ups, 3 French Pick Ups Please find this release reposted online below (highlights):

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Awards for Innovation and Excellence Coverage

                                           

 

17th Annual Awards Celebrate Exceptional Innovation and Excellence in P3s TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce the 2014 recipients of the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), including the C.W. Chuck Wills Award that recognizes outstanding achievement in the municipal sector. "The Council's Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. This year's award winners will be bringing Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improving wastewater management; developing clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; modern, consolidated judicial services; and cutting-edge health care facilities that are focused on the patients. These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. "With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Mr. Romoff.

The awards will be presented on November 3rd at The Council's annual conference. The industry's premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. Gold Award Winners BC Hydro's John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (Project Financing) – Construction of this $1.093 billion project began in March 2014 to replace the 67-year-old John Hart generating station to deal with earthquake preparedness, reliability and environmental issues. The annual generation capacity increases from supplying about 74,000 homes to about 80,000 homes. Financing for this project is a unique combination of funding with a sole equity provider and debt financing made up of a short-term loan and 19-year bond from the private sector in addition to the $700M from BC Hydro. An additional innovation is that this facility is being built completely underground and the property will better support the surrounding Elk Falls Provincial Park. Elgin County Courthouse (Infrastructure Award) – The new courthouse marks the beginning of the next chapter in a 160-year tradition of justice administration in Elgin County by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice under one roof. The $249-million project included a beautiful restoration of the heritage courthouse, connecting it to the former Land Registry Office with a modern addition. The complex, designed to LEED Silver standards, includes state-of-the-art technology, security, energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments, enhanced interpretation facilities and barrier-free accessibility in its eight courtrooms and three conference rooms. This project came in a full 10% lower than the cost to deliver through traditional procurement methods, resulting in a savings of $27.1 million.

Silver Award Winners North Island Hospitals Project (Infrastructure Sustainability Award) – The Comox Valley Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital are now under construction in response to rising demand for health services on north and mid-Vancouver Island. The LEED Gold standard facility is the first time a green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors, setting an impressive benchmark for future investments in green infrastructure in the province. South Fraser Perimeter Road (Infrastructure Award) – This innovatively designed and financed highway in Metro Vancouver was part of the Pacific Gateway Program to improve the movement of people and goods through the region. It featured an exemplary level of openness and transparency: approximately 5,000 local residents and stakeholders participated in the extensive consultation process to ensure that the project reflected community, economic, agricultural and environmental values. The project is expected to achieve $34 million in savings for taxpayers, leading to 7,000 long-term jobs in the municipalities of Delta and Surrey as well as 4,000 jobs during the construction period. The first segment of the road opened to traffic in December 2012 and the second segment in December 2013. The total project cost was $1.26 billion, cost-shared between the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada. Award of Merit Evan Thomas Water & Wastewater Treatment (Infrastructure) – Alberta Infrastructure decided to procure the Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project because of a growing population and increased tourism in the Kananaskis Country, more stringent environmental standards and the availability of newer, more effective technology. The new water treatment facilities and two new reservoirs will deliver high-quality drinking water to

residents, businesses and tourists in the Evan Thomas Recreational Area. The total cost of the 12-year contract is $59.6 million, saving a projected $2.4 million compared to a traditional approach and transferring key construction and operation risks to the private sector. C.W. Chuck Wills Award City of Regina Wastewater – The City of Regina needed to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, replace aging infrastructure and meet higher wastewater effluent quality standards. After a rigorous evaluation process, City Council unanimously approved a public-private partnership, which was then ratified in a public referendum. The total project cost provides an estimated savings of $138.1 million versus the traditional procurement model. The new facility will also improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of the water in Wascana Creek and the Qu'Appelle River and Lake system. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.              

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   The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) has named the 2014 recipients of the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), including the C.W. Chuck Wills Award that recognizes outstanding achievement in the municipal sector. “The Council’s Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected,” stated Mark Romoff, president and CEO of CCPPP. This year’s award winners will be bringing Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improving wastewater management; developing clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; modern, consolidated judicial services; and cutting-edge health care facilities that are focused on the patients. These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. “With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class,” Romoff added. The awards will be presented on November 3rd at The Council’s annual conference. The industry’s premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world.

Gold Award Winners BC Hydro’s John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (Project Financing) – Construction of this $1.093 billion project began in March 2014 to replace the 67-year-old John Hart generating station to deal with earthquake preparedness, reliability and environmental issues. The annual generation capacity increases from supplying about 74,000 homes to about 80,000 homes. Financing for this project is a unique combination of funding with a sole equity provider and debt financing made up of a short-term loan and 19-year bond from the private sector in addition to the $700M from BC Hydro. An additional innovation is that this facility is being built completely underground and the property will better support the surrounding Elk Falls Provincial Park. Elgin County Courthouse (Infrastructure Award) – The new courthouse marks the beginning of the next chapter in a 160-year tradition of justice administration in Elgin County by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice under one roof. The $249-million project included a beautiful restoration of the heritage courthouse, connecting it to the former Land Registry Office with a modern addition. The complex, designed to LEED Silver standards, includes state-of-the-art technology, security, energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments, enhanced interpretation facilities and barrier-free accessibility in its eight courtrooms and three conference rooms. This project came in a full 10% lower than the cost to deliver through traditional procurement methods, resulting in a savings of $27.1 million. Silver Award Winners North Island Hospitals Project (Infrastructure Sustainability Award) – The Comox Valley Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital are now under construction in response to rising demand for health services on north and mid-Vancouver Island. The LEED Gold standard facility is the first time a green bond has been used

to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors, setting an impressive benchmark for future investments in green infrastructure in the province. South Fraser Perimeter Road (Infrastructure Award) – This innovatively designed and financed highway in Metro Vancouver was part of the Pacific Gateway Program to improve the movement of people and goods through the region. It featured an exemplary level of openness and transparency: approximately 5,000 local residents and stakeholders participated in the extensive consultation process to ensure that the project reflected community, economic, agricultural and environmental values. The project is expected to achieve $34 million in savings for taxpayers, leading to 7,000 long-term jobs in the municipalities of Delta and Surrey as well as 4,000 jobs during the construction period. The first segment of the road opened to traffic in December 2012 and the second segment in December 2013. The total project cost was $1.26 billion, cost-shared between the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada. Award of Merit Evan Thomas Water & Wastewater Treatment (Infrastructure) – Alberta Infrastructure decided to procure the Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project because of a growing population and increased tourism in the Kananaskis Country, more stringent environmental standards and the availability of newer, more effective technology. The new water treatment facilities and two new reservoirs will deliver high-quality drinking water to residents, businesses and tourists in the Evan Thomas Recreational Area. The total cost of the 12-year contract is $59.6 million, saving a projected $2.4 million compared to a traditional approach and transferring key construction and operation risks to the private sector.

C.W. Chuck Wills Award City of Regina Wastewater – The City of Regina needed to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, replace aging infrastructure and meet higher wastewater effluent quality standards. After a rigorous evaluation process, City Council unanimously approved a public-private partnership, which was then ratified in a public referendum. The total project cost provides an estimated savings of $138.1 million versus the traditional procurement model. The new facility will also improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of the water in Wascana Creek and the Qu’Appelle River and Lake system.                                                       Please find this article online below: http://renewcanada.net/2014/ccppp-awards-celebrate-excellence-in-p3s/

       

CCPPP honours Canada's 2014 P3 leaders By: STAFF REPORT 2014-11-11

The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) recently handed out its 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in public-private partnerships (P3s), including the C.W. Chuck Wills Award for outstanding achievement in the municipal sector and the P3 Champion.

The awards were presented on Nov. 3 at the CCPPP’s annual conference in Toronto, which attracted government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. Mark Romoff, president and CEO of the CCPPP, said the council’s awards program has become increasingly competitive, which speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected. “This year’s award winners will be bringing Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improving wastewater management; developing clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; modern, consolidated judicial services; and cutting-edge health care facilities that are focused on the patients,” he said. “These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods.” Gold award winners: • BC Hydro’s John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project

(Project Financing) • Elgin County Courthouse (Infrastructure Award) Silver award winners: • North Island Hospitals Project (Infrastructure Sustainability

Award) • South Fraser Perimeter Road (Infrastructure Award) Award of merit: • Evan Thomas Water & Wastewater Treatment (Infrastructure) The C.W. Chuck Wills Award: • City of Regina Wastewater The CCPPP also recognized the late Honourable Jim Flaherty as the P3 Champion for 2014. Throughout his career Flaherty contributed to infrastructure development and renewal in Canada, as well as the advancement of a best-in-class Canadian P3 model.

“It is hard to overstate the importance of Jim Flaherty’s role in addressing Canada’s infrastructure deficit,” said Dale Richmond, chairman of CCPPP’s board of directors. “He was a visionary who recognized that private sector skills and innovation can help governments to build better quality infrastructure, while saving money for Canadian taxpayers.”                                                                 Please find this article online below: http://www.on-sitemag.com/news/ccppp-recognizes-p3-leaders/1003344848/?&er=NA

 

The 2014 recipients for the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) were recently celebrated during the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships' (CCPPP) annual conference in Toronto.

Several western Canadian projects won awards in both gold and silver categories. "The council's awards program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, president and CEO of CCPPP. Among this year's winners are projects

that bring Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improved wastewater management; clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; consolidated judicial services; and health care facilities that are focused on the patients. "With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent

strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Romoff. BC Hydro's John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project won a gold award in the project financing category. The $1.093 billion project began in March 2014 to replace the 67-year-old John Hart generating station and deal with earthquake preparedness, reliability and environmental issues. The annual generation capacity will increase from supplying about 74,000 homes to about 80,000 homes. This facility is being built completely underground, states CCPPP, and is slated to better support Elk Falls Provincial Park. Financing for this project is a combination of funding with a sole equity provider and debt financing made up of a short-term loan and 19-year bond from the private sector in addition to $700 million from BC Hydro. The Elgin County Courthouse in Elgin County, Ontario won gold in the infrastructure category. The $249 million project included the restoration of the heritage courthouse, connecting it to the former Land Registry Office through a modern addition. It also consolidated the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice under one roof. During this project, the interior of historic building was refurbished while most of the exterior façades were maintained. Heritage features of the two buildings, such as the copper roofed dome, original furniture and fittings, decorative plasterwork, stained glass, wainscoting and window trim were preserved and incorporated into the new design.

The complex was designed to LEED Silver standards and includes state-of-the-art technology, security, energy efficiency, indoor environments, enhanced interpretation facilities and barrier-free accessibility in its eight courtrooms and three conference rooms, states the CCPPP. It also came in 10 per cent lower than the estimated cost to deliver it through traditional procurement methods, resulting in a projected savings of $27.1 million. The North Island Hospitals Project in British Columbia's Comox Valley won silver in the infrastructure sustainability category. Rising demand for health services on north and mid-Vancouver Island prompted the construction of the Comox Valley Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital, which will be a LEED Gold standard facility. The CCPPP notes this facility is the first time a green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors. Another B.C. project, the South Fraser Perimeter Road took silver for Infrastructure. This highway in Metro Vancouver was part of the Pacific Gateway Program to improve the movement of people and goods through the region. It was touted as featuring an exemplary level of transparency with approximately 5,000 local residents and stakeholders participating in the extensive consultation process.

The idea was to ensure that the project reflected community, economic, agricultural and environmental values. The project is expected save taxpayers $34 million, states the CCPPP, and could lead to 7,000 long-term jobs in the municipalities of Delta and Surrey as well as 4,000 jobs during the construction period. The first segment of the road opened to traffic in December 2012 and the second segment in December 2013. The total project cost was $1.26 billion, shared between the province of B.C. and the government of Canada. The Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Treatment in Alberta won an award of merit in the infrastructure category. A growing population, increased tourism in Kananaskis Country, more stringent environmental standards and the availability of newer, more effective technology were all factors that led to Alberta Infrastructure's decision to procure the Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project. Consisting of new water treatment facilities and two new reservoirs, the facility will deliver high-quality drinking water to residents, businesses and tourists in the Evan Thomas Recreational Area. The total cost of the 12-year contract is $59.6 million, saving a projected $2.4 million, explains the CCPPP, compared to a traditional approach and transferring key construction and operation risks to the private sector. The C.W. Chuck Wills Award went to the City of Regina Wastewater project. After a rigorous evaluation process, the City of Regina council unanimously approved a public-private partnership.

The partnership was then ratified in a public referendum in order to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant. The upgrade was needed to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, replace aging infrastructure and meet higher wastewater effluent quality standards. The total project cost provides an estimated savings of $138.1 million versus the traditional procurement model, states CCPPP. The new facility also aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality in Wascana Creek and the Qu'Appelle River and Lake system.                               Please find this article online below: http://www.journalofcommerce.com/Projects/News/2014/11/Public-private-partnership-projects-honoured-1003826W/ Please find this article reposted online below: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/Projects/News/2014/11/The-best-in-Canadian-P3-project-excellence-celebrated-1003580W/  

   

Three British Columbia Projects Winners at 17th Annual CCPPP Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce that three British Columbia infrastructure projects have won 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). "The Council's Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. "British Columbia is showing the way this year with exceptional projects in energy, health care and transportation." These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. "With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Mr. Romoff. The awards will be presented on November 3rd at The Council's annual conference. The industry's premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world.

Gold Award Winner BC Hydro's John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (Project Financing) – Construction of this $1.093 billion project began in March 2014 to replace the 67-year-old John Hart generating station to deal with earthquake preparedness, reliability and environmental issues. The annual generation capacity increases from supplying about 74,000 homes to about 80,000 homes. Financing for this project is a unique combination of funding with a sole equity provider and debt financing made up of a short-term loan and 19-year bond from the private sector in addition to the $700M from BC Hydro. An additional innovation is that this facility is being built completely underground and the property will better support the surrounding Elk Falls Provincial Park. Silver Award Winners North Island Hospitals Project (Infrastructure Sustainability Award) – The Comox Valley Hospital and the Campbell River Hospital are now under construction in response to rising demand for health services on north and mid-Vancouver Island. The LEED Gold standard facility is the first time a green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors, setting an impressive benchmark for future investments in green infrastructure in the province. British Columbia Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure: South Fraser Perimeter Road (Infrastructure Award) – This innovatively designed and financed highway in Metro Vancouver was part of the Pacific Gateway Program to improve the movement of people and goods through the region. It featured an exemplary level of openness and transparency: approximately 5,000 local residents and stakeholders participated in the extensive consultation process to ensure that the project reflected

community, economic, agricultural and environmental values. The project is expected to achieve $34 million in savings for taxpayers, leading to 7,000 long-term jobs in the municipalities of Delta and Surrey as well as 4,000 jobs during the construction period. The first segment of the road opened to traffic in December 2012 and the second segment in December 2013. The total project cost was $1.26 billion, cost-shared between the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.                            

Please find this release online below: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1435577/three-british-columbia-projects-winners-at-17th-annual-ccppp-awards-for-innovation-and-excellence-in-p3s 15 Canadian and US Pick Ups Please find this release reposted online below (highlights):

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https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/three-british-columbia-projects-winners-232000810.html                

     

BC HYDRO’S JOHN HART GENERATING REPLACEMENT PROJECT RECIPIENT OF GOLD EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM THE CCPPP The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) has named the 2014 recipients of the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). BC Hydro’s John Hart Generating Replacement Project is a Gold Award Winner (Project Financing). The team at EDS sends its congratulations to BC Hydro and is pleased to be involved on the project as the Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM). In an online article from ReNew Canada, the president and CEO of CCPPP, Mark Romoff, is quoted: “The Council’s Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected.” The article goes on to note that this year’s award winners will be bringing Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improving wastewater management; developing clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; modern, consolidated judicial services; and cutting-edge health care facilities that are focused on the patients. These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. The awards will be presented on November 3rd at The Council’s annual conference. The industry’s premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world.     Please find this article online below: http://ecodynamicsolutions.com/bc-hydros-john-hart-generating-replacement-project-recipient-gold-excellence-award-ccppp/

   by Contributed - Campbell River Mirror Nov 27, 2014 at 2:00 PM

The North Island Hospitals Project (NIHP) has been recognized by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) for innovation and excellence in public-private partnerships (PPP). The $606.2 million North Island Hospitals Project includes a new $331.7 million, 153-bed Comox Valley Hospital in Courtenay, and a new $274.5 million, 95-bed Campbell River Hospital on the existing hospital site. Both hospitals are scheduled for completion by late 2017, and the project received the Silver Award for Infrastructure Sustainability at a ceremony held Nov. 3. in Toronto. “Island Health is extremely pleased to accept the inaugural Silver Award for Infrastructure Sustainability from the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships,” said NIHP Chief Project Officer Tom Sparrow in the release. “We believe designing, building, maintaining and partially financing the two new state-of-the-art hospitals in the Comox Valley and Campbell River is the best approach to meeting the health care needs of all residents of the mid- and north Vancouver Island regions.” “Island Health very much appreciates the continued support and guidance from the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health; and Partnerships BC,” according to Island Health Board Chair Don Hubbard.

Tandem Health Partners, the consortium selected to design, build, partially finance and maintain the North Island Hospitals Project, was happy to receive the award for their work on the project. “We are very pleased that the North Island Hospitals Project has been honoured by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships,” said Rick Taylor, president of Infrastructure Investments for Balfour Beatty Investments North America, one member of Tandem Health Partners. “The Tandem Health Partners team developed a truly innovative approach to this project and we look forward to delivering a successful result for the people of Vancouver Island.”                                                       Please find this article online below: http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/284099121.html

   

North Island Hospitals Project Earns Infrastructure Sustainability Award from Canadian Council for Public-

Private Partnerships

First time green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and first time green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada November 18, 2014 02:32 PM Eastern Standard Time VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) recently announced the 2014 recipients of the National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), recognizing the North Island Hospitals project with the Infrastructure Sustainability Award. "The Council's Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the caliber of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. “This year's award winners will be bringing Canadians safe, clean drinking water; improving wastewater management; developing clean, reliable sources of energy; improved transportation routes; modern, consolidated judicial services; and cutting-edge health care facilities that are focused on the patients. These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods.” As part of the Tandem Health Partners consortium, Balfour Beatty Investments is a key financing partner in the 30 year PPP project on behalf of Island Health that will cover the financing, design, construction, and facilities management for the Campbell River

Hospital and Comox Valley Hospital. The other members of Tandem Health Partners include CC&L GVEST Traditional Infrastructure LP, Gracorp Capital Advisors Ltd., Graham Design Builders LP and Balfour Beatty Communities. Now under construction, the hospitals will help respond to the rising demand for health services in the North Island region of Vancouver Island. The LEED Gold standard facilities represent the first time a green bond has been used to fund a public-private partnership project in North America and the first time a green bond has been issued to finance public infrastructure in Canada. The 32.3-year bond raised $231.5 million, and was oversubscribed by investors, setting an impressive benchmark for future investments in green infrastructure in the province. “We are very pleased that the North Island Hospitals project has been honored by the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships,” said Rick Taylor, president Infrastructure Investments for Balfour Beatty Investments North America. “The Tandem Health Partners team developed a truly innovative approach to this project and we look forward to delivering a successful result for the people of Vancouver Island.”  Please find this release online below: http://www.businesswire.com/news/financialpost/20141118006541/en/North-Island-Hospitals-Project-Earns-Infrastructure-Sustainability Please find this release reposted online below: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141118006541/en/North-Island-Hospitals-Project-Earns-Infrastructure-Sustainability#.VJCVmlqcPze

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/north-island-hospitals-project-earns-193200135.html

       

Elgin County Courthouse Project Wins Gold at 17th Annual CCPPP Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce that the Elgin County Courthouse P3 project has won gold in the Infrastructure category at the 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). The new courthouse marks the beginning of the next chapter in a 160-year tradition of justice administration in Elgin County by consolidating the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice under one roof. The $249-million project included a beautiful restoration of the heritage courthouse, connecting it to the former Land Registry Office with a modern addition. "The Elgin County Courthouse will provide residents in the region with streamlined access to consolidated judicial services in a beautiful and accessible setting. It was procured at substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods," said Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. "With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Mr. Romoff. The interiors of the historic buildings were extensively refurbished while retaining most of their exterior façades. Existing heritage features of the two buildings, including the copper roofed dome, original furniture and fittings, decorative plasterwork, stained glass, wainscoting and window trim have been preserved and incorporated into the new design. "The Elgin County Courthouse is the first and only AFP heritage courthouse in the province. The Canadian Council for Public-Private

Partnerships' Gold Award for Infrastructure is important because it recognizes the Province of Ontario's commitment to preserving heritage buildings through adaptive reuse, restoration and expansion. Although this building is anchored in the past, it is also a thoroughly modern facility, with the latest accessibility, technology, security and sustainability features," said Patrick Monahan, Deputy Attorney General, Ministry of the Attorney General. The complex, designed to LEED Silver standards, includes state-of-the-art technology, security, energy efficiency, healthy indoor environments, enhanced interpretation facilities and barrier-free accessibility in its eight courtrooms and three conference rooms. This project came in a full 10% lower than the estimated cost to deliver it through traditional procurement methods, resulting in a projected savings of $27.1 million. The award will be presented on November 3rd at The Council's annual conference. The industry's premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.                  

Please find this release online below: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1434991/elgin-county-courthouse-project-wins-gold-at-17th-annual-ccppp-awards-for-innovation-and-excellence-in-p3s 14 Canadian and US Pick Ups, 5 French Pick Ups Please find this release reposted online below (highlights):

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http://www.lelezard.com/communique-5275752.html

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/10/28/Elgin_County_Courthouse_Project_Wins_Gold_at_17th_Annual_CCP/

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/elgin-county-courthouse-project-wins-120000259.html              

         

   

A recent renovation garnered the Elgin County Courthouse national recognition.  The courthouse underwent a $249 million retrofit and came away with a gold award for innovation and excellence in infrastructure design.

The 160 year-old facility, which reopened in March, presented many challenges when it came to preserving its natural heritage, such as the copper roof, commemorative windows and main staircase. “This project delivered a fully functional consolidated courthouse in one extraordinary and state-of-the-art building, while achieving value for money for Ontario’s taxpayers,” said Bert Clark, President and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. “The project also brought renewed life and purpose to an important heritage building – a wonderful integration of old and new that will meet the community’s needs well into the future.”

Not only were the heritage features preserved, the entire building was modernized inside to incorporate vidoeconferencing technology allowing accused and witnesses to appear remotely, while making the entire facility barrier-free. The honour was presented at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships 2014 National Awards Ceremony. “This award is a symbol of the success we can achieve when the right partners come together for a common goal: creating beautiful, modern, smart infrastructure that ultimately improves access to justice for Elgin county and St. Thomas residents," said Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur. The courthouse is now a one-stop shop for justice services in Elgin county, bringing the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice together into one facility, and providing offices for Probation and Parole, the Family Law Information Centre, Legal Aid Ontario and others to better serve clients. The renovation took nearly three years to complete.   Please find this article online below: http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2014/11/05/elgin-county-courthouse-wins-design-award

EllisDon Project Does Justice to CCPPP Awards The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) has presented the Elgin County Courthouse (STCC)— the product of the newly joined Superior Court of Justice and Ontario Court of Justice— with the Gold Award for Infrastructure. The made-in-Canada public-private partnership (P3) approach is extending outwards, and garnering international attention. As a way to help promote this best practice, the CCPPP continually recognizes municipal, provincial, and federal governments, and their private-sector partners, for providing excellent public facilities and services to Canadians. Since 1998, these awards, which have inspired others to consider innovative and efficient models for procuring public infrastructure, have gone out to project teams for exemplary financing, service delivery, and infrastructure. A selection panel chooses winning work based on innovative features; relevance as a national/international model; economic benefits; measurable quality and excellence enhancement; appropriate risk allocation, responsibilities and returns between partners; and effective financing or use of non-traditional revenue source. This year, the Gold Award for Infrastructure went to Integrated Team Solutions (ITS), a joint venture of Fengate Capital Management and EllisDon Capital Inc.— in cooperation with the Ministry of the Attorney General; the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure; and Infrastructure Ontario— for the STCC project, an architectural and technical marvel. Incorporating the heritage features of the historic Elgin County Courthouse into an upgraded design, this new facility is set to meet the needs of the St. Thomas community for the next 30 years. It consists of

eight courtrooms, three conference rooms, a barrier-free design and infrared hearing assistance; jury boxes and courtroom spectator positions; and enhanced interpretation accommodation. The restored and expanded STCC opened for business on March 24, 2014, marking the beginning of a new chapter in a 160-year tradition of justice administration in Elgin County. It also stands as a testament to the fiercely committed team that delivered it, and to public-private partnerships as whole. The CCPPP Awards will be presented to winners during a Luncheon Event in Toronto, on Monday, November 3rd, which also marks the first day of the CCPPP annual conference.       Please find this article online below: http://www.ellisdon.com/news/-/asset_publisher/FB9x/content/id/1710857

     

Alberta's Evan Thomas Water & Wastewater Treatment Project Wins Award of Merit at 17th Annual CCPPP Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce that Alberta's Evan Thomas Water & Wastewater Treatment Project has won an Award of Merit for Infrastructure at its 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). "The Council's Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. "Alberta is leading the way in using the P3 model to deliver clean, safe drinking water services to its citizens using the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Mr. Romoff. The Evan Thomas Water and Wastewater Facilities Upgrade Project was necessary because of a growing population and increased tourism in the Kananaskis Country, more stringent environmental standards and the availability of newer, more effective technology. The new water treatment facilities and two new reservoirs will deliver high-quality drinking water to residents, businesses and tourists in the Evan Thomas Recreational Area. "Alberta is a rapidly growing province with over 300 people moving here each and every day and our government is focused on making smart investments into public infrastructure to meet this demand," said Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure. "The Evan Thomas project was our first P3 water and wastewater treatment project and we are proud of the results it is delivering. The facility offers some of the cleanest water

in the world to the residents of the Kananaskis region and is a wonderful success story." The project is substantially complete and going through mandatory performance testing to ensure it meets the design standards. The total cost of the 12-year contract is $59.6 million, saving a projected $2.4 million compared to a traditional approach and transferring key construction and operation risks to the private sector. One of the key challenges during construction was ensuring that service was maintained to Kananaskis, which is a major tourist destination that includes a ski resort, campground, and world renowned golf course facility. The award will be presented on November 3rd at The Council's annual conference. The industry's premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.                                

Please find this release online below: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1434983/alberta-s-evan-thomas-water-wastewater-treatment-project-wins-award-of-merit-at-17th-annual-ccppp-awards-for-innovation-and-excellence-in-p3s __ Canadian and US Pick Ups Please find this release reposted online below (highlights):

http://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1003319422

http://www.cvca.ca/news/events/cnw.aspx?doc=201410280800CANADANWCANADAPR_C1089&dir=15

https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CNW/20141028/C1089

http://shawconnect.websol.barchart.com/?module=cnwNewsIndex&storyID=3146842&selected=news&symbol=&region=

http://www.waterworld.com/news.html

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/10/28/Albertas_Evan_Thomas_Water_Wastewater_Treatment_Project_Wins/

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/albertas-evan-thomas-water-wastewater-120000063.html                

 

City of Regina Wastewater Project Wins C.W. Chuck Wills Award at 17th Annual CCPPP Awards for Innovation and Excellence in P3s TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) is proud to announce that the City of Regina's Wastewater Plant Project has won the Chuck Wills Award for Municipal Infrastructure at its 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). "The Council's Awards Program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. "These projects are delivered to the highest quality standards, while providing substantial savings and efficiencies over traditional procurement methods. With 219 P3 projects across the country delivering consistent strong results, Canada is solidifying its record as best in class," added Mr. Romoff. The City of Regina needed to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant to meet the needs of a fast-growing population, replace aging infrastructure and meet higher wastewater effluent quality standards. After a rigorous evaluation process, City Council unanimously approved a public-private partnership, which was then ratified in a public referendum. The total project cost provides an estimated savings of $138.1 million versus the traditional procurement model. The new facility will also improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of the water in Wascana Creek and the Qu'Appelle River and Lake system.

"The City of Regina is honoured to receive this award. Entering into a P3 of this type and this scope was new territory for us, and we're glad to see others recognize how much work went into getting this deal done right," commented Regina Mayor, Michael Fougere. "We recognized early on that a project of this scope was going to be different. While P3s won't be an option for every project we take on, in this case it gave us a clear path towards the best possible deal for taxpayers," added the Mayor. The new wastewater treatment plant will improve the condition of the local and regional aquatic environment. The City of Regina is experiencing high economic and population growth and core municipal services such as wastewater enable the City to continue its growth in the booming Saskatchewan economy. The award will be presented on November 3rd at The Council's annual conference. The industry's premier P3 event runs November 3rd and 4th and attracts government and industry leaders from across Canada and around the world. About The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships: Established in 1993, CCPPP is a national not-for-profit, non-partisan, member-based organization with broad representation from across the public and private sectors. Its mission is to promote innovative approaches to infrastructure development and service delivery through public-private partnerships with all levels of government. The Council is a proponent of evidence-based public policy in support of P3s, facilitates the adoption of international best practices, and educates stakeholders and the community on the economic and social benefits of public-private partnerships.            

Please find this release online below: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1434987/city-of-regina-wastewater-project-wins-c-w-chuck-wills-award-at-17th-annual-ccppp-awards-for-innovation-and-excellence-in-p3s __ Canadian and US Pick Ups Please find this release reposted online below (highlights):

http://cabusinesstv.com/news/?doc=201410280800CANADANWCANADAPR_C1830&dir=15

http://www.cvca.ca/news/events/cnw.aspx?doc=201410280800CANADANWCANADAPR_C1830&dir=15

https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CNW/20141028/C1830

http://shawconnect.websol.barchart.com/?module=cnwNewsIndex&storyID=3146862&selected=news&symbol=&region=

http://www.regina.ca/opencms/export/sites/regina.ca/press/.media/pdf/2014-ccppp-awards-saskatchewan-regional-final-oct-28.pdf

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/10/28/City_of_Regina_Wastewater_Project_Wins_CW_Chuck_Wills_Award_/                      

   

Ledcor SFPR Project Celebrates Silver Award for Innovation and Excellence OCTOBER 31, 2014

Ledcor is proud to have one of its major projects recognized at the 17th Annual Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) conference. The South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) will receive the Silver Award for Infrastructure, one of the prestigious 2014 National Awards for Innovation and Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships (P3s).

A new addition to Metro Vancouver's Highway 17, the SFPR is a 34 kilometer (21 mile) four-lane expressway along the south side of the Fraser River. As part of the Pacific Gateway Program, the new route has improved the movement of people and goods in Metro Vancouver by removing heavy truck traffic from local roads and improving access to major trade gateways and industrial areas thanks to its connections to Highway 99, Highway 91, the Trans-Canada Highway, the Pattullo Bridge, and the Golden Ears Bridge. Ledcor was one of the major contractors chosen in 2010 by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure to form the Fraser Transportation Group (FTG), the winning consortium for the SFPR project. FTG completed the project in late 2013, and will continue to operate and maintain the road network through a 20-year commitment with ACS Infrastructure Canada. The $1.3 billion project is one of the largest civil construction projects Ledcor has been proud to work on. Financed by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada, the road is expected to achieve $34 million in savings for taxpayers. “The Council's awards program has become increasingly competitive, which really speaks volumes about the calibre of the projects selected," stated Mark Romoff, President and CEO of CCPPP. Ledcor is honored to have the SFPR recognized as one of the most innovative P3 project among 219 others across the country. The awards will be presented on November 3rd, 2014 at the CCPPP annual conference.     Please find this release online below: http://www.ledcor.com/news-events/news/2014/october/ledcor-sfpr-project-celebrates-silver-award-for-in Please find this release reposted online below:

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/10/31/Ledcor_SFPR_Project_Celebrates_Silver_Award_for_Innovation_a/