For the first time, we are bringing virtual instructor-led expertise to your office through a team of multi-discipline trainers’, with decades of knowledge, only previously available at conferences. And it gets better!  In the past, conference presentations have been focused on a one-way exchange of know-how from the speakers to you.  This course moves beyond that one-way exchange to allow you to apply what you have learned. 

A team of multi-discipline experts will provide you with exceptional feedback, great insight, and actionable strategies.  We look forward to sharing this expertise with you.

Remember when it comes to contracts, it’s not about your own thoughts and assumptions; it’s about what is “written”!

DESCRIPTION:

Where do we run into problems most often with contract compliance and how do we mitigate these problems?

Whether you are the Project Owner, the Consultants, or the Contractors, first you need to understand what you have agreed to in the CCDC and related contracts and why the clause exists in the first place.  NOT opening, reading, and understanding the contract requirements until it's too late is exactly what gets us into trouble time and time again on construction projects. Waiting until there is conflict and only then referring to the contract to see how, or if, we can get out of the problem is like playing Russian roulette.

BE AWARE:  In the nuances of the prime contract clauses, there are implications and requirements impacting all partners including the Consultants and Subcontractors.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

In this session, you will learn from a team of industry partners' perspectives:

• Learn which CCDC and related clauses and concepts in the different project delivery methods consistently create challenges and conflict,
• Discover what these clauses mean and why they exist
• Explore how to mitigate the pain points associated with these clauses by developing your "go forward" strategies and practices
• Apply your skills to a specific scenario by presenting possible outcomes and strategies to achieve alignment by all parties.

You can keep on doing what you are doing and expect things to get better, but we all know that is the definition of insanity!  Stop the insanity and find better ways of addressing the contractual obligations you have agreed to!

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Understanding the impact of non-standard clauses is important for all industry partners!  This course is most applicable to mid-management personnel from the following roles/disciplines who are familiar with standard contract clauses.

• General Contractors and Subcontractors:
  • Construction Company Owners/Managers
  • Project Managers
  • Commercial Managers
  • Estimators
  • Business Development Managers
• Project Owners
• Third-party Project Managers (for the Project Owner)
• Architects and Engineers
• Bonding and Insurance specialists
• Lawyers

"This course was full of valuable information on the interpretation of different CCDC contract clauses from the different perspectives of the parties involves. It helps with a strategy on how to approach potential situations with the goal of limiting conflict and promoting teamwork. Overall a valuable tool for people within the industry and this approach should be more broadly used within the industry." Jaret, ITC Construction Group

This course is delivered in partnership between your local construction association and other associations throughout Western Canada. You’ll be participating in a cohort with industry peers from across these regions.

WORKSHOP FORMAT:

• Live, Online, Instructor-led training, with a maximum class size of 20 students.
• This workshop is facilitated on the Zoom platform. Access information from the instructor will be provided to you in advance of the orientation and training. 
• Orientation Session (30 minutes) March 12, 2025 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM MST
• Three (3) morning sessions (4 hours) over 3 days
  • Part 1 - March 18, 2025, 9:00AM  - 1:00PM MST
  • Part 2 - March 19, 2025, 9:00AM  - 1:00PM MST
  • Part 3 - March 20, 2025, 9:00AM  - 1:00PM MST
• Attendance and participation in all three workshop sessions are mandatory for workshop completion. *Please note that If a student misses a class session, we are unable to transfer a registration or provide a partial refund of the registration fees.

WORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS (TECHNOLOGY & PARTICIPATION)

This workshop requires full face-to-face interaction and participation from both the instructor and students. In order to attend, you must make sure you have the following:

Computer or laptop with webcam (webcams are mandatory): This workshop will involve 100% on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, you must have a 

1. webcam and use a full computer/laptop, and we do not permit students to attend using a tablet or cell phone.
2. A quiet space with minimal distractions: Please plan to be fully engaged in the class, and clear your work schedule just as you would for attendance in an in-class program.
3. Group attendance via one paid registration is not permitted. Every person able to see, hear and observe the virtual curse sessions must be a paid participant.
4. Use of virtual backgrounds is not permitted.

This course is worth 4 Gold Seal Credits

INSTRUCTORS

Elizabeth Zhu, BSc Fraser Health Authority | Procurement Manager

As the three-time recipient of the BCCA Best of Public Procurement Award, we are  reminded of the responsibility that comes with it……..to continue to work with industry best practices and maintain a fair, open and transparent procurement process.” 

As procurement manager of Fraser Health for 15 years, Elizabeth Zhu has built a procurement team specialized in public construction procurement. The ten-person team manages facility maintenance and construction projects across four health authorities in the BC lower mainland. 

Elizabeth is also an acting procurement advisor to multiple BC hospital redevelopment projects. She has a thorough understanding of federal and provincial public procurement policies, as well as various type of construction contracts. 

Ms. Zhu is an active member of the BC Public Construction Council. Her procurement team is well known for being the two-time recipient of the 2017 and 2022 BCCA Best of Public Owner awards.

Keith Robinson FCSC, RSW, LEED® AP | DIALOG |Associate (retired)| Research and Development, Specifications 

Keith Robinson graduated from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) as an architectural technologist in 1980, and has worked as a specifications writer since 1981. Keith worked for DIALOG; a multidiscipline architectural and engineering company, since December 1996 until his retirement in early 2023. 

Keith’s primary role in the last 25 years of his career was writing construction documentation (specifications and contracts) for technically complex, unique and innovative projects. His project experience ranged from hospital and university campuses, high rise construction, bridge and tunnel infrastructure, and commercial/retail developments.  His duties at DIALOG included maintaining the in house master specification and technical library, and addressing various challenges associated with identifying building materials to address environmentally sustainable construction work results. Keith prepared contract documents for all forms of construction delivery including standard stipulated price agreements, construction management and design build agreements, and public/private partnerships.

Michael Atkinson, LLB (retired) Past President Canadian Construction Association (CCA) Past Secretary Canadian Construction Documents 

Michael Atkinson was President of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) from March of 1993 to October of 2017.  He joined CCA in 1981.  In November 1982, he was appointed Secretary to the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC), a position he held until 1993.  

Michael has emerged as a leading expert in the area of standard construction contracts and practices in Canada.  In 2013, he was awarded one of 38 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medals designated for Canadians demonstrating outstanding service in the construction industry in Canada.

Michael served as the Private Sector Vice-Chair of the Municipal Infrastructure Forum established by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. He was a member of the Federal-Industry Real Property Advisory Council, the Industrial Security Advisory Board, the CORCAN Advisory Board, and a long-time member of the Construction Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association.

Bob Hildenbrandt, P.Eng., LEED® AP, GSC (retired)

A dedicated construction professional with over 40 years of experience in the Alberta marketplace.  Bob has recently retired from Graham Construction where he was Vice-President, Prairies.  He developed and led a regional team of construction groups in Western Canada, focused on performance and client satisfaction.

His prior experience includes leadership roles at Ledcor and PCL with an extensive list of major projects as project manager and executive-in-charge.  He was also part of a significant team executing major projects in Alberta’s Oil and Gas market by developing strategic initiatives.  Bob has an excellent reputation in building teams, motivating staff, and overcoming challenges in the delivery of construction projects.  He has developed strong personal relationships throughout all facets of the industry including Clients, Consultants and Trades.

Bob is a past Chair of the Calgary Construction Association and Alberta Construction Association, and was on the Board and Executive of the Canadian Construction Association, as well as chair of national construction industry organizations focused on BIM and Lean Construction

Jim Clement, GSC Graham Construction | Operations Manager 

A seasoned construction professional with over 40 years of experience — the vast majority of which has been spent in the Calgary marketplace — Jim has the ability to think outside the box and finds creative solutions to complex design issues. Jim recognizes and understands the importance of proper cost and schedule control, as well as the interaction required between the owners, consultants, and construction management personnel.

Jim has been the President of both the Calgary Construction Association and the General Contractors Association, has been awarded Person of the Year by the Calgary Construction Association for his industry contributions, and has presented on design collaboration and ensuring optimum value and services for project owners. Jim adds value to his projects through his effective management of project constructability, and an understanding of the full project delivery. As a natural leader, he provides clients with the optimum balance between cost, schedule, quality, performance and project lifecycle.

Jim has worked on a wide array of construction projects including: commercial office buildings, residential towers, retail developments, parks and civil work, industrial facilities, and a variety of other project styles and types. 

FACILITATOR

Debbie Hicks, BSc

With a comprehensive and varied education background, learning has been at the core of her career.   As former President of the Southern Interior Construction Association in BC for 22 years, liaising with the buyers of construction services, architects, engineers and contractors in advocacy and education brings a solid base to her expertise.  In addition, her experience as the owner representative for the construction of the new Clubhouse for the Kelowna Yacht Club has provided additional perspective. She has been fortunate to work with the Alberta Construction Association to facilitate industry dialogue on “Optimizing the Flow of Money” and “Non-Standard Contract Clauses and their Costs”.  Through these experiences, with a lot of passion and enthusiasm, Debbie is able to bring both knowledge and insight into her work and presentations for the construction industry.