The Regional Muncipality of Wood Buffalo, AB is hosting a shine and show event at their public works operations department on May 25.

Mayor Melissa Blake has signed a proclamation naming May 19-25 as National Public Works Week.

A copy of the press release is attached.

OTTAWA, ONT. -- The Canadian Public Works Association (Association Canadienne des Travaux Publics) announced today that May 19-25, 2013 is National Public Works Week in Canada. Municipalities of all sizes will mark the week with open houses, tours, school and educational events, and displays of public works equipment in celebration of the week. To date, many Provinces have issued Proclamations for the week, which is aptly labeled “Because of Public Works …”

Now in its 53rd year, National Public Works Week (NPWW) is celebrated in Canada and in the United States. Across North America, public works professionals in communities and municipalities use this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of the contribution of public works to their daily lives: including planning, building, managing and operating the heart of our local communities and the quality of life.

CPWA President Darwin Durnie remarked recently on the importance of the celebration of the week. “National Public Works Week is a reminder that public works is the backbone of our society. Water and wastewater treatment, roads and bridges, traffic signals and lighting, sanitation, mass transit, and winter maintenance and safety are just a glimpse of what public works professionals do to ensure our communities are sustainable and safe, healthy places to live, work, play, and invest. As communities, we thrive ‘because of public works,’” Durnie said.

The Premiers of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan have proclaimed NPWW to increase public awareness of the quality of life that public works brings to communities in Canada. Citizens are able to have clean water, safe streets and neighborhoods, efficient traffic and safe clean communities, "Because of Public Works..." These Provincial proclamations are joined by those made in municipalities, large and small, throughout Canada.

In Alberta, Premier Alison M. Redford’s “Letter of Greetings for National Public Works Week,” commented that “Like many jurisdictions, Alberta is experiencing rapid growth. Alberta’s population is expected to grow to more than five million people within the next twenty years. We need to be ready by investing in families and communities. Each day, public works professionals take on new challenges in Alberta’s communities, and are vital to building the modern health facilities, schools, roads, and other critical infrastructure Albertans need now and in the coming years. Because of public works projects, we are building strong, vibrant communicates across Alberta and our children and grandchildren will be able to work, play, raise families and thrive in any community in Alberta. Thank you to all public works professionals for your dedication.”

The Canadian Public Works Association (Association Canadienne des Travaux Publics) is the national voice for the Canadian public works community. Public works is the backbone of our society. Water and wastewater treatment, roads and bridges, traffic signals and lighting, sanitation, mass transit, and winter maintenance and safety are just a glimpse of what public works professionals do to ensure our communities are sustainable and safe, healthy places to live, work, play, and invest.

CPWA President Darwin K. Durnie speaks to the "power of partnerships" and the success CPWA and other infrastructure stakeholders have experienced by collaboration and information sharing.

The attached article appeared in the May edition of the APWA Reporter magazine.

CPWA is pleased to announce the CPWA National Public Works Week awards program for 2013. This is the 53rd year of celebration for National Public Works Week in North America. Since its beginning in 1960, agencies, municipalities, and regions have used this week to educate and inform the public about the essential role that public works plays in the quality of their community life. Equally important are promoting the choice of public works as a career choice for the working force of the future and recognizing those whose who currently serve in these crucial public roles.

APWA and CPWA have selected “Because of Public Works...” as its theme for 2013’s National Public Works Week. The theme is about the quality of life brought to communities around the world. We are able to have clean water, safe streets and neighborhoods, efficient traffic and safe clean communities "Because of Public Works..."

We invite your agency and community to join in the celebration and to join the CPWA National Public Works Week awards program. Criteria for the judging is attached in the announcement/criteria/application information.

Once again, CPWA will recognize “first time entries” in their own “first time” submitter category as well their own appropriate size category. This year, we will also acknowledge the runner up in each category with an “Honorable Mention.” The categories for 2013 will be:

First Time Entry: Any community submitting their NPWW events for the first time.

Small Centres: Populations: 75,000 and Under

Medium Centres: Populations: 75,001 - 250,000

Large Centres/ Metropolitan Centres: Populations: over 250,001

And remember, every municipality celebrating National Public Works Week is a winner! Public works awareness is an awfully good thing to spread among our citizens, legislators, and especially our young people who will be the engineers, public works managers, specialists and workers of tomorrow.

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2013

Sincerely,

Kealy Dedman, P. Eng.
Director, Engineering Services, Transportation and Public Works
City of Cambridge, Ontario
2013 National Public Works Week Chair, CPWA

The Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) applauds today’s budget announcements of the largest and longest federal infrastructure plan in Canadian history, $53.5 billion over the next 10 years.

There are several funding components in today’s budget including the New Building Canada Plan with $14 billion in support for major economic infrastructure projects and the $32.2 billion Community Improvement Fund, which includes the permanent gas tax with an indexing, and combining the incremental GST rebate for municipalities. There is also an additional $1.25 billion for new P3 initiatives, and an additional $155 million of new investment in First Nations reserves.

“As highlighted in the recent Report Card on public infrastructure in Canada, there has been much done, but the need to maintain our public infrastructure is a key component in maintaining our economic advantage,” noted CPWA President Darwin Durnie. “Today’s announcement by the federal government demonstrates the priority they are placing on Canada’s infrastructure, “ he continued.

CPWA is also pleased with initiatives in the 2013 federal Budget that expand opportunities for skills training, including the creation of the New Canadian Job Grant and expanding opportunities for more apprentice training. CPWA will look to partner with First Nations communities to share best practices and training for on-reserve public works practitioners.

CPWA has worked in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to develop a long term plan for Canadian infrastructure. Today’s announcement is a result of the work done by many organizations and individuals dedicated to building, repairing and maintaining Canada’s vital infrastructure.

The Canadian Public Works Association (Association Canadienne des Travaux Publics) is the national voice for the Canadian public works community. Public works is the backbone of our society. Water and wastewater treatment, roads and bridges, traffic signals and lighting, sanitation, mass transit, and winter maintenance and safety are just a glimpse of what public works professionals do to ensure our communities are sustainable and safe, healthy places to live, work, play, and invest.

Wally Wells, Executive Director, Asset Management BC is pleased to share the latest edition of the Asset Management British Columbia magazine - winter edition.

CPWA thanks Asset Management BC for sharing this worthwhile information.