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In this issue:
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Executive
Update
Despite no formal meeting, AQSA activities have been ongoing:
Congratulations to the organizing committee of John Overall, Wayne Quanson, Norm Lux and Orest Stachniak. Upcoming events include the Alberta Infrastructure Partners Conference Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 2010 at the Marriott Edmonton at the River Cree Resort. The AQSA is proud to be a silver sponsor; I invite all members to participate. Please click here for the conference information sheet or read the article later in this e-newsletter. This fall, two colleges serving our area will be offering construction degrees (or starting soon). Red River College in Winnipeg is starting its degree program and SAIT, in Calgary, is planning to launch its degree program in 2011. I will be heading to Halifax on Sept. 17 to attend the CIQS board meeting on behalf of AQSA. If there are any issues you would like me to address at the meeting, please contact me directly. AQSA represents one of the largest geographical areas of the CIQS, responsible for members in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the most of the Territories. The AQSA board is made up of the following individuals: ((link each name to his e-mail)) Chris Reinert, PQS, President Norm Lux, PQS(F), Past President Dave Burns, PQS, Vice President Doug Moller, PQS, Treasurer Doug Eastwell, PQS(F), Registrar Mike Bernier, PQS, Education Chris Holden, PQS, Diaries Roger Ward, PQS (F) Ken King, PQS, Newsletter Director Omar Jutt, PQS, Marketing Please do not hesitate to contact any of us if you have questions. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter
PAQS 2010 reaffirms Canada’s professional approach AQSA
member Graeme Alston returned home from the heat and humidity “It’s always refreshing to visit old friends from other parts of the world, make new acquaintances and hear about the latest challenges and trends for our profession,” said Graeme. This year, PAQS and the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC) joined forces for the Congress. PAQS 2010 began with a day of golf (for those so inclined) on the beautiful Sentosa Golfroger Course, followed by a day of committee meetings, then the PAQS Board meeting on July 25. A traditional Singaporean lion dance officially kicked off events at the Congress, held July 26 and 27. Immediately following the opening addresses, a reciprocity agreement was signed between the CIQS and the Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV). Under the umbrella theme of “Sustainable Cost Management: Borderless Innovation,” presenters offered a wide array of primarily academic papers. “It’s interesting to see how professionals from other parts of the globe deal with issues that are actually quite parallel to those we experience in Canada. Canadians have a tendency to devalue themselves and their solutions, but my conclusion from attending several PAQS congresses is that there are no eureka’s out there,” Graeme observed. Check out the presentations from the keynote speakers. E-mail info@aqsa.ca if you’d like a copy of any available breakout presentations, available from the ASQA library. Graeme has attended five PAQS congresses: two in Singapore, and those in Auckland, Kuala Lumpur – and, of course, the one held in Edmonton in 2008. “Most PAQS sessions themselves would benefit from having presenters relate more closely to real life instead of offering a steady diet of academic research.” Besides Graeme and his wife, Dagny, the Canadian attendees included Ian and Tyra Duncan and David and Susan Lai from Ontario, and Andrew Collins from B.C. Graeme said the social program was well organized and enjoyable. A highlight was a self-organized tour with a select group to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which features the awe-inspiring Sands SkyPark, appearing to float 200 metres above the ground as it connects the three hotel towers. Stretching longer than the Eiffel tower laid down or three football fields, with an impressive 12,400 square metres of space, the Sands SkyPark can host up to 3,900 people. The gravity-defying 65-metre cantilever is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter AQSA golf tournament – a recipe for success Question: What’s the winning formula for a great golf tournament?
- and all delivered exceptionally well by AQSA Golf Committee members Norm Lux, Wayne Quanson, John Overall and Orest Stachniuk. A perfect summer day on Thursday, Sept. 2 and west Edmonton’s River Ridge Golf and Country Club provided the backdrop for a fine afternoon and evening of camaraderie and golf. |
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Sept.
16 Sept.
16-19 Sept.
17-19 Sept.
17-18 Sept.
18 Oct
6 Oct.
15 Oct.
28 Nov.
3 & 4 Nov.
3 Nov.
5 Nov.
18-20 Nov.
25-26 Nov.
29, 30 & Dec. 1 Dec.
9 March
6-11, 2011 Do you have other events you'd like to see listed? E-mail us the details. |
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One of the committee’s goals was to attract more than the 20 golfers who participated in 2009. Done. This year, 24 golfers – AQSA members from Calgary to Fort McMurray and a few guests – grabbed their clubs. “The tournament gave us all an opportunity to network with our fellow professionals. The AQSA offers value on several different levels – from professional rigour and support to creating an environment of fellowship,” said Norm. “The tournament offered everybody a cordial and relaxing day. It was a good balance of fun, competition and escape from the everyday world of work.” “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and those who donated prizes, everybody walked away a winner,” said committee member Norm Lux. AQSA President Chris Reinert, presided over the awards ceremonies. CIQS 2010 Champion Doug Moller picked up first prize, a handsome sports tote donated by Chandos Construction. The 2010 AQSA golf champs - Chris Holden, our AQSA Assistant Registrar; Wayne Quanson, PCL; Kent Tilley, CSCP; and Omar Jutt, Hanscomb – also ended the day with great prizes and wide smiles. The closing barbecue was the perfect end to a great day, attracting another few members. Warm thanks to our event sponsors: PCL / Stuart Olson Dominion / Chandos / QualiGlass / Dowland / carboncopydigital / STEL-MARR Concrete / AltusGrop / Meyers Norris Penny / Ledcor / Priority Mechanical / Canadian Natural / Alberta Infrastructure / John Overall & Associates Ltd. / Tech-Cost Consultants Ltd. / LCVM Consultants Inc. / Hanscomb / BTY (Alberta) Ltd. / LEC Quantity Surveying Inc. / Cuthbert Smith Consulting Partnership Inc. / Cost View Consultants Inc.
Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter
PQS and CEC designated members are well aware of the ongoing requirement to earn 50 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits every year to keep their professional membership status intact. Why the requirement is in place is clear: in a complex profession such as ours, we need to keep abreast of industry advancements and innovations to maintain our professional credibility and advance our profession. Earning their points offers members an interesting variety of options, outlined in the table below.
The sticking point for many members is not the requirement itself, but the exercise of remembering all the activities undertaken throughout the year and compiling them for submission. Setting up a simple log system saves the frustration. The CPD points you’ve earned the previous year should be submitted when you pay your dues for the current year. Remembering 12 months of professional activity is virtually impossible if you don’t get into the habit of logging each activity as you complete it. The Association has no sense of humour for members who don’t complete their annual CPD requirements as members who don’t show the commitment to upgrading their skills and competencies reflect poorly on AQSA and our profession. The CPD system encourages participation outside the normal 8-to-5 routine. “The system wants you to do more than simply what you’re paid to do. We want you to take courses and teach courses – to pass on your knowledge and illustrate the breadth of our profession. That’s why your job itself can earn a maximum of 20 points from a required 50 points.” For more details, check out the article by Mark Gardin, CIQS CPD committee chair, on Page 10 of the Winter 2009 Construction Economist.
Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter Watch for news and updates in the next issue of Cost Connections. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter Alberta Infrastructure Partners Conference - plan to attend!
The conference ranks high on the list of “events to attend” for AQSA members, offering a rich forum for partners in the building and infrastructure industry to share information, develop innovative solutions, recognize excellence, renew former relationships – and build new ones. “The conference represents a huge opportunity for AQSA members to really get connected not only with the provincial government and its direction for future projects, but also with other consultants and how they are going to interrelate with our profession on initiatives including BIM, sustainability, value management and even sustainable workforces,” said Ken King, an assistant director with Alberta Infrastructure. “We see connections with all the members of the team. AQSA members are integral to the big picture.” Held at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort, the conference begins with a workshop and a welcome mixer. The next two days include seven plenary sessions and four breakout streams: Building Capacity-HR, Technology-Innovation, Procurement and Best Practices. Check out the detailed program and registration fees. The AQSA silver sponsorship offers an effective way to build the profile of our profession – and our association – with a broad range of stakeholders, consultants and prospective clients. “More and more, members of our profession are recognized as critical players in the successful outcome of infrastructure projects. The AQSA sponsorship underlines the increasingly important role association members fulfil within the industry. Quantity surveyors are taking their place alongside the architects and engineers, the more traditional members of the team,” said Ken. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter A conversation with CIQS President Hervé Couture
The CIQS President’s tenure is very short. Fortunately, the recent presence of two Vice-presidents and the Past President position assure us a certain stability regarding decision making and the completion of undertaken objectives. The CIQS Council is very open and all its members have their say in identifying objectives and their prioritizations. Some years ago, we realized that the Association has to take care of the educational aspect and standardize its presence in every province. It’s a big goal. To realize it properly, CIQS needs to hire a Director of Education. Furthermore, during the last AGM in June, our members requested an aggressive marketing plan. The need for such a plan was also identified some years ago, but it is now the priority. This plan will guarantee a larger exposure to our profession as well as a greater demand for our services. The potential for increasing our market share is there, we just have to take this opportunity.
Well, in May 2005 the AEQSQ President invited me to become the Affiliate’s Association Representative on the CIQS Board, and I accepted. The language was obviously a challenge, but it did not scare me off…although I never thought the immersion would be so rough! Having almost always worked in Quebec City, I only had the opportunity to work with English-speaking people when I participated in two large aluminum smelter projects from 1990 to 1993. It was with some language-related hesitation that I arrived in Halifax in June 2005 for my first experience as an observer! To be honest with you, only one thing was crystal clear: a discussion the Council had about Winnipeg and Las Vegas being two potential locations for the 2006 AGM. I told myself: It’s a good thing this event is never held in February! The huge differences between these two cities made me burst out laughing. The president of the meeting (George Evans) was quite surprised to see me break my silence in such an expressive fashion. I had no choice but to explain myself! To answer your question, the idea of providing my support to improve relations between the CIQS and the AEECQ was quite appealing to me. The arrival of several major projects in Public-Private-Partnerships in Quebec, as well as others being executed elsewhere in Canada suggested that I acquire new practical skills. I was also interested in knowing how our profession was practised in the other Canadian provinces. I also saw the opportunity to broaden my network of contacts and its potential benefits. I therefore had several sources of motivation, so I never regretted accepting this offer.
I witnessed the Association structuring itself over the years, always with the intention of becoming more and more professional. The CIQS has enhanced the credibility of its members and given confidence to their existing and potential clients. As evidence, the increasing number of calls for tenders has led to the need for record holders to be accredited by our Association. The globalization of markets has already led many of our businesses to be more competitive and internationally mobile. The recognition of the professionalism of the CIQS members opens the doors wide to various markets and is already favouring reciprocity with several countries. Being a member of the CIQS provides opportunities for meeting with experienced counterparts. This involves socializing, discussing various practices, and benefiting from the counsel and advice of those within the same profession. Being a member of the CIQS provides one with an adequate professional development. It also earns one the respect of members, of other professional organizations and favours full employment!
We have frequently asked the members what their needs and expectations were, but there has always been a very limited number of responses. To improve services to members, the members must be as close to the Association as the Association is to its members.
In recent years, the various Councils have worked very hard to promote greater recognition of our profession. The effects are already being felt, and the communication plan is still in motion. I am certain this will have a major effect In recent decades, the management of project costs has become more complex with the advent of value engineering, new environmental requirements, overall cost analysis and market globalization. Project financing is also subject to pressure from several sources, and governments must find solutions tailored to their project and budget. The special expertise of our members is already being requested, although this is not sufficiently known. Not so long ago, most of our members were employed by engineering firms or architects to ensure control of project costs that were inevitably subject to certain influences. Thus, the main objective is to obtain the warrants directly from owners and provide them with the necessary impartiality. We are almost there; we all need to take proper actions. I see a promising future for our profession. Click here for the same interview en français. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter CIQS Council meeting charts direction for the term The 2010-11 CIQS Council members are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work at the meeting slated for Sept. 17-19 in Halifax. Officers and committee chairs were chosen after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Whistler in June, so the Halifax meeting is their first opportunity to address the year’s priorities. Committee chairs representing The Construction Economist, education, membership, PR/marketing, publications, bylaws, rules and regulations, partnering (North American and international relations), business and long-range planning, CPD, legal and the website will present their reports. The Treasurer will present the financial report and the 2011 CIQS AGM Committee will report on plans for that meeting, to be in Jamaica. After the reports are tabled, the Council will discuss strategies and direction for each area, fleshing out an activity plan for the term. In keeping with past Councils’ initiatives to meet members in various cities across the country, Council will meet with the members of the NSAQS the first evening of the meeting. To review minutes of past Council meetings, visit the CIQS website and sign into the Members Only section. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter Flawed
quantity estimates and unbalanced bidding A reader recently raised an interesting question regarding a quantity estimating error and unbalanced bidding. The contractor in question had been quite certain a quantity estimate in a bid schedule was greatly understated. The contractor assigned an inflated unit price to this item, while bidding other items basically at cost. The contractor was awarded the contract, only to have the project owner delete the item with the understated quantity. The reader asked if this was permissible. The short answer is probably yes. Assuming the contract contained typical Changes and Termination for Convenience clauses, the owner could delete the work. This is a risk a contractor assumes when it unbalances its bid price. It also raises another issue. There is judicial precedent prohibiting bidders from exploiting known estimating errors. Most bid solicitations require bidders to notify the project owner, prior to bid submittal, of patent errors in the contract documents. Find out what readers had to say. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter HST:
to charge or not to charge, that is the question We’ve all seen the B.C. headlines about the recently introduced HST. While Albertans escape most of the angst, our members do need to pay attention when billing some clients. The basic rule of thumb is that you must abide by the tax regime of the province where you submit your invoice. In other words, the location of the office that receives your invoice is the important factor; where you perform the work outlined on your invoice doesn’t matter. For example, your work takes you to the Northwest Territories, and you submit the invoice to a Calgary office. You charge only GST because the invoice goes to a firm in Alberta. Another job takes you to Manitoba, but you submit your invoice to B.C. You charge HST (in B.C. 12%). A third job is conducted in Edmonton but invoiced to a firm in Toronto. You charge HST (in Ontario, 13%). For further information, check out Canada Revenue Agency or call them with your specific question. Back to top Back to e-mail newsletter Une conversation avec le Président CIQS Hervé Couture 1· Que voulez atteindre au nom de CIQS pendant votre mandat en tant que président ? Le terme de président est vraiment très court. Heureusement, il y a depuis peu cette double vice-présidence et la position du président sortant qui nous assurent une certaine stabilité décisionnelle et l’achèvement des objectifs entrepris. Le Conseil de CIQS est très ouvert et tous ses membres participent à l’identification des objectifs et à leurs priorisations. Nous avons réalisé que l’Association se devait de prendre en charge le volet éducation et d’uniformiser sa présence dans toutes les provinces. C’est un gros objectif que nous devons atteindre et pour le réaliser adéquatement, CIQS a besoins d’embaucher un directeur de l’éducation. De plus, identifié déjà depuis quelques années, et amené à nouveau comme étant leur principal intérêt, nos membres ont manifesté lors de l’AGM de juin dernier, le besoin d’un plan de communication agressif. Le besoin d’un tel plan a été identifié il y a déjà quelques années, mais c’est maintenant une priorité. Ceci assurera une plus grande visibilité de notre profession et une progression plus forte dans la demande de nos services. Le potentiel de détenir une plus grande part des honoraires est présente, il faut simplement en prendre l’opportunité. 2· Pourquoi avez-vous choisi de participer au Conseil d'Administration de CIQS ? En fait, j’ai accepté l’offre que m’a faite le président de l’AEECQ en 2005. Je ne craignais pas le défi de la langue, mais je n’imaginais pas l’immersion aussi brutale! Ayant presque toujours travaillé à Québec, seule ma participation de 1990 à 1993 à la réalisation de deux alumineries m’avait permis de travailler avec des partenaires anglophones. C’est avec la langue plutôt nouée que je me suis présenté à Halifax en juin 2005, pour ma première participation en tant qu’auditeur libre!! Pour tout vous avouer, je n’y avais bien compris qu’une seule chose; une discussion du Conseil fut que Winnipeg et Las Vegas étaient suggérés pour la tenue de l’AGM 2006. Heureusement que cet événement ne se tient jamais en février me disais-je!! Les grands contrastes de ces villes m’avaient fait rire aux éclats et le président de la réunion (George Evans) fut plutôt surpris que j’eusse brisé mon silence de façon si expressive. J’ai alors été contraint de m’expliquer!! Pour répondre à votre question, l’idée d’apporter mon support à l’amélioration des relations entre CIQS et AEECQ m’intéressait. L’arrivée de plusieurs projets majeurs en partenariats public-privé (PPP) au Québec, alors que quelques-uns étaient en route ailleurs au Canada me suggérait d’acquérir de nouvelles connaissances pratiques. De plus, mon intérêt de savoir comment notre profession s’exerçait dans les autres provinces canadiennes grandissait et j’y voyais aussi l’opportunité d’élargir mon réseau de contacts et je percevais ses bienfaits potentiels. J’avais donc plusieurs éléments de motivation et je n’ai jamais regretté d’avoir accepté cette offre. 3· Quels sont les points forts de CIQS? J’ai vu l’Association se structurer au cours des années et j’y vois toujours l’intention de devenir de plus en plus professionnelle. CIQS a su rehausser la crédibilité de ses membres et donner confiance à leur clientèle existante et potentielle. À preuve, de plus en plus d’appels d’offres exigent que les porteurs de dossier soient accrédités par notre Association. La mondialisation des marchés a déjà poussé nombre de nos entreprises à une plus grande compétitivité et une mobilité internationale. La reconnaissance du professionnalisme des membres de CIQS ouvre très grande les portes de divers marchés et favorise déjà la réciprocité avec plusieurs pays. Être membre de CIQS, c’est de s’offrir les opportunités de rencontrer des homologues expérimentés, fraterniser et échanger sur les différentes pratiques et ainsi profiter de certaines confidences et conseils judicieux dans l’exercice de sa profession. Être membre de CIQS, c’est de se permettre un développement professionnel adéquat. C’est aussi s’attirer le respect des membres des autres organisations professionnelles et favorise déjà le plein emploi! 4· Comment CIQS pourrait améliorer le service à ses membres? Nous avons déjà, à quelques reprises, demandé aux membres quels étaient leurs besoins, leurs attentes, mais je qualifierais de discutable le nombre de membres qui se sont manifestés. Pour améliorer le service aux membres, il faut que le membre soit aussi près de l’Association que l’Association se doit d’être proche de ses membres. Le plus grand service que CIQS peut rendre, c’est de promouvoir la profession pour assurer à chacun de ses membres une progression de carrière et une croissance de revenu. CIQS doit compléter la mise en place des structures requises pour offrir un programme d’éducation complet et plus disponibles, en plus de favoriser et promouvoir la formation continue. Aider les jeunes membres dans leur quotidien par un support technique accessible sur le site web pourrait être très apprécié. Tout cela a déjà été discuté et nous y travaillons encore. 5· Comment décririez-vous l'avenir de notre profession au Canada? Au cours des dernières années, les différents Conseils ont travaillé très fort à favoriser une plus grande reconnaissance de notre profession. Les effets se font déjà sentir alors que le plan de communication n’est toujours pas en branle…Je suis certain qu’il aura un effet majeur. Au cours des dernières décennies, la gestion des coûts de projet s’est complexifiée avec la venue de l’ingénierie de valeur, des nouvelles exigences environnementales, de l’analyse du coût global et la mondialisation des marchés. Le financement de projets subit aussi des pressions de toute provenance et les gouvernements doivent trouver des solutions adaptés à leurs projets et leurs budgets. L’expertise particulière de nos membres est déjà sollicitée, bien qu’elle ne soit pas suffisamment connue. Il n’y a pas si longtemps, la majeure partie de nos membres étaient embauchés par des firmes d’ingénieurs ou par des architectes pour assurer le contrôle de coûts de projets et, subissaient inévitablement certaines influences. De ce coté, l’objectif principal est d’obtenir les mandats directement des propriétaires et ainsi leur assurer cette impartialité nécessaire. Nous nous en approchons ; nous devons tous prendre les actions appropriées. L’avenir de notre profession? Je le vois très fleurissant et prometteur.
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Do you have a short submission you would like included? |
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As
fall is quickly approaching, I hope all AQSA members had an enjoyable
summer.
of PAQS 2010
in Singapore in July with several insights about the international
Congress and the practice of our profession throughout the world. 
All of the above!
AQSA is proud to be a silver sponsor of this
first-ever Infrastructure Partners Conference, from Monday, Nov. 29 to
Wednesday, Dec. 1. 
What do you want to achieve on
behalf of CIQS during your term as
President