Construction Economist - Summer 2011

t h e j o u r n a l o f t h e c a n a d i a n i n s t i t u t e o f q u a n t i t y s u r v e yo r s

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June 12-14, 2011 – Negril, Jamaica

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CIQS mourns the loss of one of its founding fathers

52AGM Report

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June 12-14, 2011 • Negril, Jamaica

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The mission of CIQS is to promote and advance professional quantity surveying and construction estimating; to establish and maintain national standards; to recruit, educate and support our members.

the journal of the canadian institute of quantity surveyors

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Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors 90 Nolan Court, Unit 19, Markham, Ontario L3R 4L9 Telephone: (905) 477-0008 Fax: (905) 477-6774 Toll Free 1-866-345-1168 Email: info@ciqs.org Web Site: www.ciqs.org Executive Director: Lois Metcalfe Email: execdir@ciqs.org

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Editor: Joshua Mutize, PQS Email: conecon@ciqs.org

The outlook of the quantity surveying profession in Canada

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CIQS 52nd Annual General Meeting report

Translation: André Bernard

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CIQS mourns the loss of one of its founding fathers – Gordon Pattison

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In memoriam of Frederick O. Tozer, PQS

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Case study: East Timor [Timor-Leste] construction industry

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Quantity surveying in St. Lucia

Send Change of Address to: Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors 90 Nolan Court, Unit 19, Markham, Ontario L3R 4L9

CIQS Council President & NLAQS Rep: Roy Lewis, PQS(F) Email: president@ciqs.org 1st Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer & QSBC Rep Mark Russell, PQS(F) Email: qsbc@ciqs.org 2nd Vice President & NSAQS Rep Mark Gardin, PQS(F) Email: nsaqs@ciqs.org Registrar & OIQS Rep Jeff Logan, PQS Email: oiqs@ciqs.org AQSA Rep Dave Burns, PQS Email: aqsa@ciqs.org AEQSQ Rep Bertin Bois, CEC Email: aeqsq@ciqs.org

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Past President Hervé Couture, ECA Education Administrator David Lai, PQS(F) Email: education@ciqs.org Statements of fact and opinion expressed are those of the authors and CIQS assumes no responsibility for the content, nor do they represent official policy of CIQS.

Published four times a year on behalf of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors by

Third Floor - 2020 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0K4 Tel: 866-985-9780 Fax: 866-985-9799 Email: info@kelman.ca www.kelman.ca Managing Editor: Chris Kelman Art Production: Stacia Harrison Sales Manager: Kris Fillion kfillion@kelman.ca 866-985-9798 Advertising Coordinator: Lauren Campbell Publication Mails Agreement #40065075 Send undeliverable addresses to: kelly@kelman.ca

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CIQS would like to thank the following outgoing Council Members for their dedication and contribution to CIQS 2010/2011 Initiatives – Chris Reinert, PQS and Ian Duncan, PQS(F)/Past President

4 President’s message 5 Congratulations 6 Executive Director’s message 7 Editor’s message

8 Education updates 22 Welcome new members 30 CPD Corner

President’s Message

CIQS and its professionals are ‘best in class’ Royston P. Lewis, PQS(F) Thanks to the mandate you prot is both an honour and a pleasure to deliver this vided at the AGM in Jamaica, the Institute is about to enter into the next first message of my Presistage of its development bolstered by dency to you the members a new and vibrant image. Combined of our venerable institution. Sadly we with this new image is a strategy to bid farewell to Gordon Pattison who has served so long as our guide and energize the services which we deliver – our mandate is to add real value to mentor. His passing leaves a big gap the construction process – from proin our living heritage and we intend to ject conception and final delivery on to establish a memorial to continue his the continuing use of the facility. Our legacy. We bid adieu to Chris Reinert standards will not change - indeed and thank him for his vision and drive they are more likely to be enhanced to with the Marketing Initiative and welensure continuity of quality and subcome Dave Burns as the latest memstance across our great country. We ber of Council. The AGM in Beaches, live in exciting times – our certified Sandy Bay, Jamaica was a great sucprofessionals are recognized as the cess and, as with all other AGMs, the source of real quality in quantity suropportunity to bond with new friends veying and estimating services across and consolidate old friendships was Canada and through our partnerships ever present. We were the recipients in the international arena we are recof two excellent presentations by Naognized as ‘best in class professionals’ talie Alexander and Edward Traore in most other countries of the world. and hopefully this trend of seminar This is a wonderful compliment to delivery by our own members will you7/25/11 the membership continue –Construction we have a Economist vast collection of Summer 2011.pdf 9:53:23 AM and to our educational and continuing professional knowledge and experience to share.

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development standards. We can and should be proud of our achievements.

However, with this recognition comes the responsibility of continuing best in class delivery of service and it will be up to us all as members of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors to work diligently to ensure the quality and depth of our service is maintained.

Council will be working closely with all the Affiliates to develop a national strategy for the Institute. This will not mean that the status of the Affiliates will in any way be diminished - to the contrary, the continued existence and full cooperation of each Affiliate will be of vital importance to ensure delivery and exposure of our national identity at the regional level.

As we progress this strategy, you will all be included in the process.

Council involvement is becoming more and more demanding and communication by electronic media facilitates Council activity and decision making. We are establishing initiatives to enhance the profile of the Institute – both internally and externally. The website and server will be upgraded and modernized; new membership application assessment and processing will be consolidated to ensure continuity and equity in entry standards; all levels of government and industry will be given the opportunity to understand the services that we deliver, and we will be reaching out to similar associations to explore synergies in membership and service delivery.

Finally, on behalf of Council, I confirm our commitment to represent you the members in all that we undertake. Our goals are common and simple and are reflected in our mandate to provide the very best of professional quantity surveying and estimating services to the public and private sectors and industry.

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Message du Président

’est à la fois un honneur et un plaisir de produire ce premier message de ma présidence à vous les membres de notre vénérable institution.

C’est à regret que nous disons adieu à Gordon Pattison qui nous a servis si longtemps de guide et de mentor. Son décès laissera un profond vide dans notre patrimoine vivant et nous avons l’intention de mettre sur pied un Mémorial pour perpétuer son héritage.

Nous disons au revoir à Chris Reinert et le remercions pour sa vision et son dynamisme à l’Initiative de Marketing et nous accueillons Dave Burns à titre de nouveau membre du Conseil. L’AGA de Beaches, Sandy Bay, Jamaïque, fut un grand succès et, comme pour toutes les autres AGA, l’opportunité de se lier à de nouveaux amis et de consolider des amitiés antérieures fut de tout instant. Nous avons bénéficié de deux excellentes présentations par Natalie Alexander et Edward Traore et nous espérons que cette tendance de production de séminaires par nos membres fera école – nous possédons un vaste réservoir de connaissances et d’expériences à partager.

Grâce au mandat que vous avez accordé à l’AGA de Jamaïque, l’Institut s’apprête à entrer dans la prochaine phase de son développement, propulsé par une nouvelle et vibrante image.

Jumelée à cette nouvelle image se trouve une stratégie pour dynamiser les services que nous procurons – notre mandat étant d’ajouter de la valeur réelle au processus de construction – depuis la conception du projet à la livraison de l’ouvrage ensuite durant la vie utile de l’édifice. Nos standards ne changeront pas – en effet ils devraient même être rehaussés afin d’assurer une continuité de qualité et de contenu à travers notre grand pays.

Nous vivons une période palpitante – avec nos professionnels certifiés qui sont reconnus comme la source de qualité réelle en économie de la construction et services d’estimation à travers le Canada et via nos partenariats sur la scène internationale, nos sommes reconnus comme les « meilleurs professionnels » de cette classe dans la plupart des pays au monde.

C’est un merveilleux compliment qui vous est fait, à vous nos membres, Click Here to Return to Table of Contents

ainsi qu’à nos standards de formation et de développement professionnel continu. Nous pouvons être fiers de nos accomplissements. Toutefois, avec cette reconnaissance, vient la responsabilité de continuer à livrer des services de grande classe et ce sera à nous les membres de l’Institut canadien des Économistes en construction de travailler avec diligence pour assurer que la portée et la qualité de nos services soient maintenues.

Le Conseil travaillera étroitement avec les Associations affiliées afin de développer une stratégie nationale pour l’Institut. Ceci ne signifiera pas que le statut des Affiliés sera diminué de quelque façon que ce soit – au contraire, la continuité d’existence et la pleine coopération de chaque Affilié sera d’une importance vitale pour assurer la livraison et la visibilité de notre identité nationale au niveau régional.

Vous participerez tous au processus à mesure que nous progresserons dans cette stratégie. L’implication du Conseil devient de plus en plus exigeant et la communication par média électronique facilite les activités et la prise de décision au sein du Conseil. Nous sommes à démarrer des initiatives pour améliorer le profil de l’Institut – tant à l’interne qu’à l’externe.

Le site internet et le serveur seront mis à niveau et modernisés. Le processus d’évaluation et de traitement des demandes d’admission des nouveaux membres sera consolidé pour assurer la continuité et l’équité des standards d’admission; nous nous offrirons à tous les niveaux de gouvernement et de l’industrie l’opportunité de comprendre les services que nous procurons et nous prendrons contact avec des associations similaires pour explorer les synergies dans le membership et la livraison de services.

Enfin, au nom du Conseil, je confirme notre engagement à vous représenter, vous les membres, dans tout ce que nous entreprenons. Nous avons des buts simples et communs qui se reflètent dans notre mandat à procurer le meilleur des services professionnels d’économie de la construction et d’estimation aux secteurs public et privé ainsi qu’à l’industrie.

Congratulations

to the following members who have qualified as a PQS or CEC:

OIQS

Sarfraz Gahothi, CEC Elias Nicholas Haddad, CEC Eric Huang, CEC Nicole Leyenhorst, PQS Michael Mohan, CEC Andy Oh, CEC Kiritkumar Patel, CEC Shameem Rahman, CEC Sayanthan Ramachandran, PQS Leonilda Satuki, PQS Joseph Scatliffe, PQS

QSBC

Howie Chuang, CEC Alice Kung, CEC Masako Shimokawa, CEC

NLAQS

Jody Dodge, CEC

CIQS Members at Large Olushola Agunbiade, PQS Steven Demerling, CEC Mathew Law, CEC Saoud Manuoullah, CEC

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 5

Executive Director’s Message

Remembering our colleague, mentor and friend Lois Metcalfe, CIQS Executive Director IQS mourns the loss of one of its founding fathers, Gordon D. Pattison, PQS(F) on June 28, 2011.

I had the privilege of meeting Gordon when I joined the Institute in 1978. My training for the position at the time consisted of one week with the former Executive Director. Not a lot of time to learn all the ‘ins and outs’ of the Institute and the position.

I was fortunate, however, to receive assistance from a small group of members, but Gordon was certainly my primary mentor.

Gordon was not only a founding father of the CIQS but he also served as Executive Secretary for the first 10 years from the Institute’s inception in 1959. He knew all the answers.

He called regularly to see if I needed help with anything. I also felt very comfortable to call him if I had a question. He was approachable, knowledgeable and always had the best interests of the Institute at heart. It was in those early days that Gordon became not only a mentor but a good friend.

Gordon was dedicated and had an impeccable record of attendance at our AGMs. He helped organize many of these meetings and I remember how he made the 25th anniversary

of the CIQS so memorable. We were very fortunate that he was able to attend the 50th anniversary in 2009. Gordon presented numerous recipients of the CIQS Award of Merit at AGMs until his health was compromised and he was no longer able to attend.

Many members will recall Gordon’s keen sense of humour and style.

He was described as ‘the Energizer bunny that just kept going.’ I received many emails from members upon learning of Gordon’s passing.

From Past President, George Evans of BC: “Gordon has been an inspiration to me for my entire career. He will be missed by everyone that ever met him.”

From Past President, Guy Smith of Alberta: “Gordon was an amazing character and the Institute will be the lesser for his loss. I will certainly miss him, although his presence will, like that of Frank Helyar, continue to be felt at AGMs of the Institute for many years to come.”

Joe Landry, CIQS Past President from Nova Scotia wrote, “I was saddened to hear about Gordon and that he had been in failing health. I was fortunate to serve on Council during the period when Gordon was always there providing input and

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guidance. He was one of the constants that we relied on. To borrow from the obituary; Gordon was semiworking or semi-retired...and always effective.”

Ontario President, Jeff Logan, wrote “Gordon was a great ambassador for the institute and a better friend to those that knew him.

We all have many fond memories of him to cherish.”

From Past President, Hervé Couture of Quebec: “A Nassau en 2006, Gordon nous a bien fait rire en gagnant grâce a son imitation de Michael Jackson, le concours de l’Hôtel Riu. Bien qu’il soit vénéré de ses collègues, il n’eu pas peur du ridicule. La simplicité de l’homme n’est nullement l’antonyme de grandeur d’âme. Un homme remarquable. Un ami.” - “In Nassau in 2006, we had a good laugh with Gordon’s imitation of Michael Jackson at the Hotel Riu. Although revered by his colleagues, he had no fear of ridicule. The simplicity of the man is not the antonym of magnanimity. A remarkable man. A friend.”

And from our current President, Roy Lewis from Newfoundland: “The Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors owes its very existence to the aspirations and hopes of Gordon and his colleagues of more than 50 years ago. Like each President since those early days, I have been inspired

by Gordon’s example and I pledge to continue to forward the mandate which he left for us. May he rest in peace - although deep down I think heaven will be a little more lively now that Gordon is there.”

And my favourite is from current CIQS Vice President, Mark Russell on the day Gordon passed away: “Terry Fox died 30 years ago on the same day. I guess that’s the day when the ‘big man’ takes all the good ones.”

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Editor’s Message

Building permits report from across Canada Joshua Mutize, PQS Construction Economist Editor he value of building permits rose 20.9% to $6.4 billion in May, following a 21.5% decline in April. Higher construction intentions, particularly for commercial buildings in Quebec and Alberta and multi-family dwellings in Ontario, were behind the advance.

Following two consecutive monthly declines, permits in the non-residential sector rose 50.9% to $2.7 billion. This gain came mainly from higher construction intentions in the commercial component in Quebec, Alberta and Ontario.

The value of permits in the residential sector increased 5.3% to $3.7 billion in May, following a 12.1% decline in April. The increase occurred largely as a result of advances in the value of multi-family dwellings in Quebec and Ontario.

The total value of building permits increased in every province except Nova Scotia.

Non-residential sector: Gains in all three components Building construction intentions increased in every component of the nonresidential sector in May. The value of commercial building permits increased 81.0% to $1.9 billion, the highest level since May 2008.

The industrial component increased 22.5% to $343 million, following two consecutive monthly declines. Alberta and Ontario registered the largest gains with higher construction intentions in manufacturing plants. The largest decreases occurred in Quebec for utility buildings, where intentions had recorded large gains in April.

The value of institutional building permits rose 3.0% to $506 million, following a 61.9% decline in April.

The advance was largely attributable to construction intentions for educational institutions in six provinces, led by Ontario.

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Note to readers

Unless otherwise stated, this release presents seasonally adjusted data, which facilitates comparisons by removing the effects of seasonal variations. The Building Permits Survey covers 2,400 municipalities representing 95% of the population. It provides an early indication of building activity. The communities representing the other 5% of the population are very small, and their levels of building activity have little impact on the total. The value of planned construction activities shown in this release excludes engineering projects (for example, waterworks, sewers or culverts) and land. For the purpose of this release, the census metropolitan area of Ottawa–Gatineau (Ontario/Quebec) is divided into two areas: Gatineau part and Ottawa part.

Residential sector: Intentions up for multi-family permits Intentions for multi-family dwellings increased 23.1% to $1.6 billion, following a 31.0% decrease in April. Gains were posted in six provinces, led by Ontario and Quebec. In contrast, British Columbia recorded the largest decrease in May. The value of building permits for single-family dwellings decreased 4.9% to $2.1 billion, following two consecutive monthly gains. In May, seven provinces reported declines, led by Ontario and Alberta. The three provinces posting increases were Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba.

Municipalities across Canada approved 17,022 new dwellings, up 10.8% from April. The gain was the result of a 24.9% increase in multi-family dwellings to 10,393 units. The number of single-family dwellings declined 5.8% to 6,629 units.

Highest gains in Quebec, Ontario and Alberta The total value of building permits increased in nine provinces in May, led by Quebec; up 45.8% to a record high $1.7 billion, following a decline in April. The increase was attributable largely to higher intentions for commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings.

Ontario and Alberta also recorded significant gains. Ontario’s advance was the result of higher intentions for

multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings. Alberta’s gain was attributable to commercial and industrial buildings, which more than offset declines in the residential sector.

Nova Scotia posted declines as a result of lower intentions for multi-family dwellings and commercial buildings, which more than offset gains in the institutional and industrial components.

Permits up in over half of the census metropolitan areas The total value of permits rose in 19 of the 34 census metropolitan areas.

Montréal posted by far the biggest gains due to commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings, followed by Toronto and Edmonton. In Toronto, the advance was largely the result of higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings. In Edmonton, the increase was the result of higher intentions for office buildings.

The largest declines occurred in Vancouver and Calgary. They originated from lower intentions, particularly for the residential sector and commercial buildings.

Source: Statistics Canada, May 2011 issue of Building Permits (64-001-X,). To order data, contact Jasmine Gaudreault (toll-free 1-800579-8533; 613-951-6321; bdp_information@ statcan.gc.ca). For more information, contact Mariane Bien-Aimé (613-951-7520), Investment and Capital Stock Division.

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 7

Education Updates

2010/2011 CIQS/PAQS educational accomplishments t has been relatively quiet on the educational front over the past year with most of our efforts channeled towards maintaining the system we currently have in place rather than pursuing new initiatives. This was due to the recently announced ReBranding/Marketing Plan as many of the new education initiatives would be part of or dependent on this plan. Here are some of the activities that took place over the past year: 1. The Career Information Booklet and the condensed Student version were printed and distributed to all Affiliates.

These documents are being used in our seminars nationwide and are currently being translated into French by AEQSQ. 2. 2010 was the first year in the history of CIQS where all subjects were offered in both examination sessions (May

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and November). The response from our membership has been very positive. In total we had 69 members sitting 153 examinations comprising of 148 Architectural examinations, one Mechanical exam and four Electrical exams. This translates into an increase of 61% in the number of members taking the examinations, an increase of 68% in the number of examinations applied for and 47% increase in the number of subjects applied for. The average pass rate remains fairly consistent at 75%.

3. Based on the final results of the examinations, the 2010 winners of the two (2) CIQS awards are: - Jeanne Sharpe of NSAQS – The Frank Helyar Memorial Award for Highest Mark in subject #A302 Measurement of Construction Work Practical Exam, and - Maqsood Tajbhai of OIQS – The Buster Vermeulen Memorial Award for Highest Mark in subject #C308 Cost Planning.

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Education Updates

4. The review of our syllabi has slowed down since this will become part of the new Re-Branding/Marketing Plan. However, the syllabus for subject #A306 Measurement & Pricing of Civil Works was updated

by Doug Eastwell, PQS(F). The Electrical syllabus is currently under review and we have several members developing the new Heavy Civils syllabus. A draft outline was presented at the last Council meeting and we are hoping that a more detailed outline will be completed by the next Council meeting.

5. Just over two years ago on March 6, 2009 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by CIQS, QSBC, the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) and British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) for the development of a Construction Management degree program with specialization in Quantity Surveying. In the CIQS Council meeting on March 19, 2011 this program was granted full accreditation and we were informed on May 11, 2011 that the program was accepted by BCIT. This means that the first program that specializes in Quantity Surveying is set to begin in September 2011. The CIQS Council congratulates the members of the various organizations that are involved in this venture especially Andrew Collins, PQS(F) of QSBC. 6. Negotiations are continuing with the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) in trying to re-establish an agreement with regards to recognition of their Gold Seal Certified (GSC) members and our CEC & PQS qualified members. Our negotiating team is making sure that any agreement we sign will not have any negative impact on other reciprocity agreements or special recognition we currently have with other local, national and international professional organizations.

7. A TPE Guidance Notes for Candidates and Supervisors was completed in December 2010. This Guidance Notes is given to members (and their supervisors) when the member applies to start their TPE. This

“This means that the first program that specializes in Quantity Surveying is set to begin in September 2011” year there was a reduction of 29% in the number of members applying for their final practice problem (Part C) of their TPE. 8. The PAQS Congress was held in Singapore in July 2010 and we continue to be an active participant. The first ever PAQS College/University Accreditation (for UNITEC in New Zealand) was done in May 2010 and Andrew Collins, PQS(F) was nominated the chair of the accreditation committee. Andrew made his presentation at the PAQS Education & Accreditation Committee meeting on July 24, 2010. It was well received and all 11 member associations present voted in favour of recognizing the accreditation of UNITEC. 9. The upcoming PAQS Conference will be held in July 2011 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. At this conference, the accreditation for three other colleges/university will be presented to the committee. These colleges/universities include two from Malaysia and one from Sri Lanka.

As usual, I would like to thank Lois, Ishrat and all of our examiners for their tremendous work they did over the past year.

David Lai, PQS (F) CIQS Education Administrator

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Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 9

The outlook of the

quantity surveying profession in Canada

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The demographics and politics of Canada very much influence the construction industry and the QS profession as a growing part of the industry. The Country is 10 million km² in area, 6,000 km wide from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean and 4,000 km from the USA border at the southern end to the Arctic Ocean at the north.

We have five and a half time zones and climatic zones ranging from arctic to desert. The population is approximately 31 million mostly living along the border with the USA and with the vast majority resident in the central provinces of Ontario and Quebec.

The major industry nationwide seems to be government. As a federal system, we have a central government and ten provincial and three territorial governments. Major cities become the next level and they generally cause the creation of regional districts which administer transportation and major utilities and every small town has a mayor and council. Other major administrations are school districts, health regions and of course countless crown corporations. All these authorities are potential employers of inhouse QS staff and clients for private practice QS’s.

We are an exporting nation with the USA being our major trading partner and we theirs with the resulting influences on economics, systems and manufactured goods.

The main industries driving the economy from east to west are quite diverse and are changing. Newfoundland, in the east, had an economy based on fishing and federal government transfer payments. This has rapidly changed to offshore oil and gas as well as significant mining.

Nova Scotia has a mixed economy with tourism probably now the major industry since fishing has died out, however the federal government provides a large part of economic support. New Brunswick is the home of the telemarketing industry. Quebec is a major manufacturing province including a fairly large lumber industry.

Ontario is the largest province in all aspects except size with manufacturing, finance and government being the major economic drivers. The prairie provinces still rely mainly on agriculture plus potash mining in Saskatchewan. Alberta is still a major agriculture producer but the oil and Click Here to Return to Table of Contents

This is a paper entitled The outlook of the quantity surveying profession in Canada that was presented by CIQS Past President, Clive Evans, PQS(F) at the QSIC Conference ‘Beyond Frontiers’ Quantity Surveying International Convention in Malaysia in October 2010. gas industry has rapidly expanded and has made the province the richest in the country. British Columbia has historically been driven by the lumber industry and mining but oil and gas is now a major factor with tourism becoming a significant contributor to the economy. On the other hand, fishing appears to be dying. As you can see, there are a wide range of opportunities from coast to coast where QS services can be utilized.

The gross national product is close to $1.3 trillion and the construction industry’s gross output is approximately $170 billion with 40% being civil engineering works and building construction being split 50/50 between residential and non-residential.

Employment in construction is approximately one million persons and rising about 1% per annum. There are a diminishing number of people entering the industry and, as in many countries of the world, there is an ever increasing proportion of workers at the retiring end of the spectrum with the deficit being made up by immigrant workers. Unemployment runs at 7% nationally and fluctuates from province to province.

As a profession, quantity surveying in Canada lags behind all of the Commonwealth countries and most of the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors member countries in providing the traditional scope of QS services.

Bills of Quantities were used long ago and still are in civil engineering but since the railway was pushed across the country 100 odd years ago, they have not been part of the building industry. We have moved to the US system of bidding where each contractor and many subcontractors and suppliers are required to prepare their own take-offs using their own methods of measurement.

This of course requires drawings and specifications to be detailed and

complete and also leads to the inevitable mistake that could result in the low bid. Current discussion within the industry suggests that this method of bidding is not likely to change any time soon.

What then does the quantity surveyor do in Canada? The profession got its start from a group of ex patriot QS’s from Britain who at the time were working as estimators for construction companies in Toronto, Ontario. This group formed the basis of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) in 1959.

The Institute is now 2,000 strong and is an association of provincial associations with six provincial bodies forming the national council. Our influence as a profession varies greatly across the country with Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario probably enjoying the most recognition from governments and the construction industry.

We do have many members serving on boards of construction associations and similar related organizations as well as lecturers at colleges and universities. The Institute has its own 25 subject examination syllabus which is operated by member volunteers but, increasingly, the education system is being supplemented by various university and college programmes that offer courses as part of their BSc. degrees that will meet the CIQS requirements.

The CIQS is the producer of a number of recognized publications including The Method of Measurement of Building Works, Elemental Cost Analysis, Schedule of Recommended Services and Charges, our quarterly magazine Construction Economist, Canadian Building Law and Construction Budgeting. All of these publications have been authored and updated by volunteer members. Quantity Surveyors are employed in the most part by general contractors, sub trades, government departments, developers and private practice QS firms

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 11

as well as construction and project management firms.

Contractors and sub trades rely on their own QS’s to measure, organize and coordinate bids, prepare progress draws for interim payment, track and negotiate change orders, settle final accounts, help in risk analysis and project scheduling. Many construction companies have QS’s in senior management and executive positions including company directors and owners. Federal, provincial, territorial, municipal and other major government departments employ QS’s both in-house and as consultants to look after their interests in design and construction administration.

The consulting quantity surveyor provides cost planning services in the main but all forms of cost and management advice are required by clients. Cost planning can include advice from the functional programme stage through all phases of the design process to the review of the contractor’s payment schedule and contract award.

Ad hoc cost advice is often called for by authorities and designers for feasibility studies and cost comparisons and contractors are known to require the services of a QS as an independ-

ent cost advisor in areas of dispute.

Post contract administration services are growing where the owners, architects and engineers are realizing that the contractors are becoming more sophisticated and find it is prudent to employ someone with the knowledge and experience in costing as well as contract interpretation.

Most financial institutions now require a QS to review developers budgets and monitor requests for money advances and recommend payments etc. on construction loans.

The demand for these services has become popular enough that some practices tend to only specialize in this field. A small number of QS’s are qualified as Chartered Arbitrators, Mediators and more recently Value Analysis Facilitators and tend to specialize in these fields. Expert Witness services and insurance loss evaluations are also provided by a few QS’s. Others have successfully developed practices in Construction Management, Project Management and Specification Writing.

With the advent of private/public partnerships (P3’s) QS’s have been called upon by both sides of the fence to lend their talents to advise on the various aspects of this system of construction procurement.

Quantity surveying has come a very long way in Canada since the CIQS was formed 52 years ago. With our many public authorities needing to ensure fiscal prudency, our services will continue to be in ever greater demand. Our exposure to the nontraditional industries of oil and gas recovery offers opportunity to

businesses that lack the structure quantity surveying techniques offer. P3 procurement has become a popular, politically chosen method which will require more and more QS services. The increasing demand for sustainable buildings provides new opportunities in life cycle costing and the acceptance of value management again calls for the QS’s training and structured approach.

The RICS Americas has been formed fairly recently and with its considerable world wide experience, financial support and influence, it will have an increasing effect on land economics and management on the continent. Whilst bills of quantities may not be on the horizon of the contractors, I can see them being introduced with the influence of the RICS into the USA system and eventually becoming part of Canada’s system.

The CIQS and RICS recognizes each others qualifications and the benefits to the Canadian scene in promotion and prestige are tremendous.

Our Institute is well founded, continues to benefit from good leadership and has a growing number of good, young members coming to the fore auguring well for continued growth and increasing influence.

I believe quantity surveying has a vibrant and very exciting future in Canada.

Submitted by Clive E J Evans, PQS(F). Clive is a retired, founding partner of LEC Quantity Surveying Inc. of Vancouver, BC, Canada and is a past president of the QSBC and of the CIQS.

QUANTITY SURVEYORS A leading Cost Consulting and Project Management firm requires the following candidates for its Montreal and Ottawa offices: Junior, intermediate and senior level Q.S.’s capable of providing cost planning and cost control services for commercial and institutional projects.

We offer competitive salaries, benefits, training and potential for growth.

Please send resume in strictest confidence to: LCO - Construction and Management Consultants Inc. Fax: 514-846-8913 | Phone: 514-846-8914 | E-Mail: montreal@lcogroup.com

12 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

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Construction Budgeting 3rd Edition, 2011

By Frank W. Helyar, PQS(F), FRICS Edited by Clive E.J. Evans, PQS(F), FRICS, C. Arb

3rd edition, 2011, ISBN-978-1-896606-10-9, 197 pages $45.00 members • $75.00 non-members plus $7.50 shipping (Canada) and applicable GST/HST You may order all publications online at our Publications/Online Store at www.ciqs.org Or contact us for ordering information.

Tel: (905) 477-0008 • Toll free: 1-866-345-1168 Email info@ciqs.org

CALIBRA TE Y DRAWIN OUR PDF PERFORM G AND TA ELECTRO KEOFFS NICALLY

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Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 13

2011 AGM

Report on the

CIQS 52

nd

Annual General Meeting

By Lois Metcalfe

The 52nd CIQS Annual General Meeting was held at the Beaches Sandy Bay Resort in Negril, Jamaica on June 12-14, 2011. he event was kicked off for Council on Sunday, June 12 with a Council meeting to review reports for the AGM to be held the next day and tidy up outstanding matters for the 2010/11 year. At this meeting, Mark Gardin from Nova Scotia was elected as CIQS 2nd Vice President. Congratulations Mark!

A Welcome Reception was held on Sunday evening which gave everyone an opportunity to renew acquaintances and make new friends.

The 52nd CIQS Annual General Meeting was held on Monday, June 13 and attended by 23 members (to view the minutes please visit the member’s

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only section of our web site). Clark Campbell and Andrew Collins from BC were presented with the prestigious CIQS Award of Merit by Past President, Clive Evans. Clark was present to receive his award in person and Andrew’s award was accepted by Mark Russell on his behalf. Incoming President Roy Lewis presented Herve Couture with a plaque of appreciation for serving as CIQS President. It was announced that the 2012 AGM will be held in St. John’s and hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Quantity Surveyors. The highlight of the AGM was the presentation of the CIQS marketing strategy

by Chris Reinert, Chair of the PR and Marketing Committee which was passed unanimously by the members.

Two foursomes (Clive Evans, Mark Russell, Chris Reinert, Mark Ravelle, Pat Cantin, Wayne Quanson, Bertin Bois and Ian Duncan) participated in the Clive Evans Living Golf Tourna-

14 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

ment at Negril Hills Golf Course after the AGM. These eight gents are to be congratulated for golfing in such hot and humid conditions but they seemed to keep amply hydrated so they were fine (see article on page 18).

The technical sessions were held on Tuesday, June 14. Our keynote speakers were June Anderson, local Jamaican project developer, and Maura Watson, Jamaican real estate agent, who offered insights on the Paradiso, a new subdivision of Whitehouse, Westmoreland in Jamaica. Natalie Alexander, PQS, from Ontario, did a presentation on Quantity Surveying in St. Lucia and Hurricane Tomas and was followed by a presentation by Edward Traore, PQS, from Alberta, on Entry Strategy for International Construction.

The first meeting of the 2011/12 Council was held following the technical sessions chaired by new President, Roy Lewis. Welcome to new Councillor Click Here to Return to Table of Contents

2011 AGM

from Alberta, Dave Burns. Returning members of Council include Herve Couture, Mark Russell, Mark Gardin, Jeff Logan and Bertin Bois. David Lai will continue as CIQS Education Administrator, Joshua Mutize as Editor of the Construction Economist and I will continue as Executive Director. Ian Duncan, Past President, wrapped up five years on CIQS Council, however, he has been co-opted to serve on various committees for CIQS as well as our representative to PAQS. We also said goodbye to Chris Reinert who finished up his term on Council as Alberta representative.

Chris worked tirelessly on the CIQS

Sponsor

marketing plan and volunteered to assist the new marketing Chair, Dave Burns with this initiative.

On Tuesday evening, the President’s dinner was held in the Carribbean restaurant at the resort.

On Wednesday morning, we bid farewell to the delegates who stayed for four nights. Others stayed on for the remainder of the week.

On behalf of the CIQS, I would like to thank the delegates for attending, our sponsor, SmartBidNet, for their financial support, our technical session speakers for their time and insight and the Organizing Committee (Roy Lewis, David Lai and Ian Duncan) for their hard work. Without all of you, the event would not have been such a success.

Clark Campbell Clark is a Fellow of the Institute and has served both as President of the Provincial and National Associations.

Prior to holding these positions, Clark spent countless hours of extracurricular work in his position as QSBC Education Director as well as CIQS Education Administrator.

Although Clark is no longer actively involved on the QSBC Board, he is a strong advocate for the Society both in his professional capacity, where Clark is on the executive board of a long and well established contracting firm, and in his position as Director of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA).

Clark attends all QSBC and CIQS events. Clark’s recent participation in various committees enabled the successful formulation and crucial first

steps towards the Memorandum of Understanding between four organizations (CIQS/QSBC/BCIT/VRCA).

It should also be noted that Clark is a champion of the Society when mixing with the students and faculty at BCIT.

CIQS Award of Merit Clark Campbell, PQS(F) and Andrew Collins, PQS(F) from the Quantity Surveyors of British Columbia (QSBC) received the prestigious CIQS Award of Merit at the CIQS AGM in Jamaica this June. Clive Evans, CIQS Past President presented the awards. Congratulations to both recipients.

About the Award of Merit • The CIQS Award of Merit is for outstanding service to the CIQS in making it the fine organization it is today • Nominations for the award are made annually by the affiliated associations • There are no restrictions in respect to geography • No more than two per year may receive the award • The decision is by ballot by previous recipients • The recipient must be a member in good standing with the CIQS

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Clark Campbell receiving his Award of Merit from Clive Evans

Andrew Collins Andrew is also a Fellow of the Institute and has served on both Provincial and National Associations.

As Director of QSBC, Andrew has dedicated countless hours towards the successful establishment of a Quantity Surveying degree program at BCIT. Andrew is a member of the BCIT Advisory Committee for the Construction Management degree program. His participation over the years involves liaison with facilities and students and QS representative on multiple boards, to mention only a few of his many achievements.

Furthermore, Andrew is the current PAQS Accreditation Committee Chairman. He is the appointed CIQS accreditation representative for PAQS and attended the PAQS 2010 AGM in Singapore. Participation in this global forum requires an enormous amount of travel and commitment in ensuring that CIQS is well represented.

Andrew will be completing his second term of six consecutive years of directorship on the QSBC board.

Andrew attends all QSBC and CIQS events and promotes the Institute and Society to students and faculty at BCIT.

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 15

2011 AGM

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2011 AGM

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SENIOR ESTIMATOR SENIOR ESTIMATOR 12

1. Joanne Stregger from BC, Adriana Mema from Ontario and Doreen Campbell from BC 2. A rchie and Mary Thibault from Nova Scotia 3. Jeff Logan and Judi Cullis from Ontario and Mark and Tracey Russell from BC 4. Mark and Nadia Gardin from Nova Scotia 5. D ave and Crystal Burns from Alberta 6. M ark and Heather Ravelle from Ontario and Fred and Ruth Schiebe from BC 7. Speakers Edward Traore and Natalie Alexander with President Roy Lewis 8. Clive Evans from BC and Chris Reinert from Alberta 9. S peaker Natalie Alexander from Ontario 10. A lison Hughes and Kirsten McIntosh from Ontario 11. H erve Couture, Monique Bouffard and Bert Bois from Quebec, Mary Thibault from Nova Scotia and Adriana Mema from Ontario 12. W ayne and Denise Quanson from Alberta and Fred Schiebe from BC

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Clark Clark Builders, a leading Canadian construction company Builders, a leading Canadian construction companywith withover over37 37years years of of experience, is seeking a Senior Estimator for for thethe Calgary office. experience, is seeking a Senior Estimator Calgary office.Clark ClarkBuilders Builders is is a conscientious, profitable, andand financially a conscientious, profitable, financiallysecure secureand and growth growth oriented oriented organization. organization. in Calgary, the successful applicant part opportunitydriven driven BasedBased in Calgary, the successful applicant willwill bebe part of ofananopportunity and entrepreneurial team. and entrepreneurial team.

Duties/Responsibilities Duties/Responsibilities Yoube willrequired be required to conduct investigations, quantity/material takeoff’s, takeoff’s, You will to conduct sitesite investigations, quantity/material prepare project estimates & budgets, checking estimates for extensions, prepare project estimates & budgets, checking estimates for extensions, accuracy and errors, contacting sub-trades and suppliers for quotes, evaluating accuracy and errors, contacting sub-trades and suppliers for quotes, evaluating quotations, as well as recommending sub-trades. Also, the successful candidate quotations, well as recommending sub-trades.

Also, the successful candidate will be as responsible to oversee estimators in the department for tender finalization, will bepre-construction responsible to services oversee and estimators indesign the department attending meetings. for tender finalization, pre-construction services and attending design meetings.

Skills and Qualifications (Minimum Requirements)

SkillsDiploma and Qualifications Requirements) or Degree (Minimum in Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Diploma or Degree in Construction Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or equivalent combinations of technical training and/or experience.

A minimum of 6-9 years estimating, controls and/or engineering in Management, or equivalent combinations of technical training and/orexperience experience. construction. knowledgecontrols of assigned discipline, estimating techniques, A minimum of 6-9Advanced years estimating, and/or engineering experience in cost control, conceptual budgeting and the ability to interpret computerized cost construction.

Advanced knowledge of assigned discipline, estimating techniques, data/systems, is essential. cost control, conceptual budgeting and the ability to interpret computerized cost data/systems, is essential.

This challenging opportunity includes a competitive compensation package, along with an opportunity to grow in a vibrant and competitive industry. If you are

This challenging opportunity includes a competitive compensation package, a team player who prefers to work in a rewarding, entrepreneurial environment, along we withwould an opportunity to grow in a vibrant and competitive industry. If you are like to meet you! a team player who prefers to work in a rewarding, entrepreneurial environment, we would likesend to meet Please your you! resume stating salary expectations in confidence to: Please send your resume stating salary expectations in confidence to: Clark Builders 7535 Flint Road SE

ClarkCalgary, BuildersAB T2H 1R3 Human Resources 7535Attention: Flint RoadManager, SE Fax: AB (403) 255-2523 Calgary, T2H 1R3 Email: Manager, chanley@cgy.clarkbuilders.com Attention: Human Resources Fax: www.clarkbuilders.com (403) 255-2523 Email: chanley@cgy.clarkbuilders.com www.clarkbuilders.com Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 17

Score 86 took home the golf trophy he 2011 Clive Evans Living Golf Tournament took place on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Negril Hills Golf Club in Jamaica.

The two foursomes braving the very hot weather to participate in the tournament consisted of Clive Evans, Mark Russell, Ian Duncan, Pat Cantin, Mark Ravelle, Wayne Quanson, Bertin Bois and Chris Reinert.

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Last year’s winner Doug Moller was not in Jamaica to defend his title and the honour went this year to Clive Evans, who took home the trophy with a score of 86 (we think he had an edge arriving from St. Andrew’s in Scotland directly to Jamaica). Clive was closely followed by Mark Ravelle and Wayne Quanson with scores of 89 and 92 respectively.

Golf - eight participants

It is quite fitting that Clive’s name now takes the last spot remaining on his plaque, so it looks like he will have to buy a new one for the tournament next year!

Mark Russell and Clive Evans

2012 CIQS Annual General We are looking forward to seeing you at the 2012 AGM on The Rock.

We look forward to next year’s tournament in St. John’s, NL. It should prove to be great fun.

Meeting

CIQS is pleased to announce that the 2012 CIQS AGM will be held in St John’s, Newfoundland hosted by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Quantity Surveyors. Details are currently being finalized and will be confirmed shortly. Tentatively, the date is June 8-10, 2012.

The AGM and technical seminars are being planned and will take place during the time noted above. The itinerary will include the AGM, technical seminars, golf tournament, the president’s dinner and farewell breakfast.

For information on Newfoundland and Labrador visit www.newfoundlandlabrador.com.

18 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

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Gordon Derek Pattison August 31, 1928 - June 28, 2011 Gordon Pattison, PQS(F) – a founding father

Gordon Derek Pattison, PQS(F)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of the CIQS founding fathers, Gordon Pattison on June 28, 2011. Gordon was born in London, England in 1928. He was educated in London at the Clacton County High School and Regent Polytechnic. In 1955, he and his wife Joyce immigrated to Canada and settled into Toronto where he first found work at Pigott Construction Company. Gordon, after a few years, decided to go into private practice where he continued in the field of Cost Consulting/Quantity Surveying until his retirement. Although never fully retiring, he was either semi-working or semiretiring depending on who you talked to. Gordon fully retired in 2007.

Gordon leaves behind his wife of 56 years Joyce. He was father to son Guy Pattison and his wife Leanne Gormaly, daughter Kathleen (Kay) Pattison and her friend Robert Coyle, daughter Julie Holland and brother to Harry and Sheila Pattison.

Gordon was a founding father of the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and one of the 13 ‘baker’s dozen’ who originally formed the organization back in 1959 where he served for decades in various lead, support and mentoring roles. Gordon was presented with one of the first prestigious CIQS Awards of Merit and Fellowship. In 2008, CIQS Council bestowed upon Gordon the title of Honorary CIQS President for his 50-plus years of service, leadership, guidance and support. Gordon was also elected as the first President of the Ontario Institute of Quantity Surveyors in 1974.

The publisher of the Construction Economist conducted an interview with Gordon in 2005 which we feel is appropriate to reprint at this time.

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hen Gordon began working as a quantity surveyor (QS), the first computer was just being built and World War II was coming to a close. At the same time, Polaroid cameras were undergoing R&D in the hope that they could be marketed in a year or two, and the families of Canadian songsters Anne Murray, Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn were celebrating their births. The year was 1945 and Gordon was entering his second year of being articled to an architect in his homeland of Great Britain. His father had found him the position after Gordon had dropped out of high school. A year later, he joined the British army where he served a two-year stint.

In 1948, upon his return to London as a civilian, Gordon found work with a general contractor. He soon began working as a quantity surveyor. In 1953, after having gained considerable

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experience, Gordon was sent to the Middle East to help build a campus for the new University of Kuwait, an adventure that still generates many tales.

In 1955, Gordon came to Canada

and found a position with Pigott Construction, at the time, one of the biggest construction companies of its kind in the country. It did not take long before Gordon discovered that the position of quantity surveyor was in its infancy in his new homeland.

Within five years, an influx of quantity surveyors emigrated from Britain to Canada and found work in contractors’ offices. According to Gordon, “The world underwent many changes after the war. There was a post-war construction boom around the world and, all of a sudden, thanks to these trained quantity surveyors from Great Britain, the construction industry was seeing accurate tenders and those that were paying for the projects were impressed.”

Prior to the QS professionals arriving on the scene, tenders had been almost fictional creations because no

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 19

Gordon presenting Lois Metcalfe with the award of merit for 25 years of service in 2003

Gordon and Frank Helyar at the AGM in Halifax 1985

Gordon at the 2006 AGM in the Bahamas

The answer, according to Gordon, is that the industry simply could not ignore the profession any longer. one took the time to study the building construction market and its frequent fluctuations. Here was a niche waiting to be filled by a trained, professional individual (the professional quantity surveyor or PQS). The PQS was well informed about all aspects of the construction industry, including current market conditions affecting the cost of construction, new technology, contractual laws and regulations, material specifications, scheduling, labour supply, and the latest construction methods permeating the industry.

Gordon left Pigott Construction in 1957 to go into private practice.

What a blessing this was for the quantity surveying profession in Canada.

Within two years (February 1959), he was one of a handful of quantity surveyors that met regularly in Toronto to form the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, or CIQS. At those meetings, these insightful professionals created the Institute’s objectives,

rules and regulations – the foundation of this professional organization and applied for (and were granted) a federal charter.

Gordon helped create the Institute’s first newsletter. He quickly became secretary of CIQS and, eventually, he was named the organization’s Executive Secretary (earning the princely sum of $500 a year for 10 years). From 1974 to 1976, Gordon served as the first President of the Ontario Institute of Quantity Surveyors, the provincial branch of CIQS. While project owners welcomed quantity surveyors with open arms (because they were finally receiving accurate budgets and tenders), the industry, as a whole, was slow to accept this new position into the process.

After all, construction had gone on for decades without quantity surveyors.

Why rock the boat?

The answer, according to Gordon, is that the industry simply could not

20 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

ignore the profession any longer.

“We gave them numbers they could live by. We gave them direction,” he says. “More precisely, we gave them financial directions on which they could hang their hats. Armed with our figures, owners, architects, planners and contractors could create more accurate and more succinct plans.”

That is not to say the life of a professional quantity surveyor is an easy one. Gordon says a PQS is often “caught between an architects dream and an owners budget.” He says, “Architects are committed to this creation they have in their mind – and rightfully so. Owners, on the other hand, have a finite budget for the project in question. After we come in with our numbers, either the architect’s dream or the owner’s budget, or both, are adjusted.”

He adds, “We should not be ‘butting heads’ with the architect because we are both there for the owners, doing the best job that we possibly can within the budget.”

Asked what the most important role is for a PQS in a construction project, Gordon answers, “I feel that the most important role for a professional quantity surveyor is to ensure that the project stays on budget. That is not to say that a budget cannot be adjusted. It certainly can change, as

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Guy Smith receiving the Award of Merit from Gordon in 2002

Gordon and Linn Marron-Marshall in 2009

Stan Seymour, Colin RandallSmith at the CIQS 50th Anniversary in 2009

Gordon presenting Joe Rekab with his Award of Merit in 2001

Arthur Hooker lending a hand to Gordon at the 50th anniversary

Gordon is justifiably proud of his profession and the career he had within it. long as all the parties are aware of the reason for the change and are in agreement.”

He adds, “On the other hand, the PQS employed in a general contracting office must ensure that his/her figures are accurate and he/she has looked at the most economical ways to complete the project whilst complying with the specifications.”

The CIQS saw a momentous event occur on January 13, 1988. On that day, the qualified members of the Institute obtained their official designation – ‘PQS’ for English-speaking quantity surveyors and ‘ECA’ for those whose mother tongue was French. This development legitimized quantity surveying as a profession. According to Gordon, at the heart of that legitimacy was continuing education.

“A profession continually strives to be the best that it can be. The most obvious way to do this is through continuing education.”

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He continues, “Architectural and construction systems have changed so much in the last 50 years – even in the last five years – and quantity surveyors have to stay on top of these changes. Over the years, we have done a good job of developing critical professional courses that increase our members’ construction expertise. A professional designation informs the outside world that the individual is a serious, educated, informed professional who will provide his/her client with a feeling of confidence. The CIQS has come a long way and is now recognized throughout the country. I am a firm believer in education and, even though I am retired, continue to be involved in the OIQS Test of Professional Experience, serving as an exam marker on the committee.”

Gordon is justifiably proud of his profession and the career he had within it. He says the sense of satisfaction one gets from “coming in spot

on in a budget” is repeated later on at the project’s opening. “It is a feeling unmatched in most professions,” he states. Some of the more notable multi-million dollar projects Gordon recalls being involved with include: • CN Tower • Toronto City Hall • Hamilton’s McMaster Health Centre • Humber Sewage Treatment Plant in Toronto • Montreal’s Lambert Lock • Canadian Embassy in Saudi Arabia In the future, Gordon would like to see the increased development of professional teams in the construction industry. He tells us, “It is being done more and more these days. A team consisting of architect(s), engineer(s), quantity surveyor(s) and project manager(s) find they work well together and are successful. They proceed to keep the team together for multiple projects. It is a very efficient way of doing things.”

Gordon should know an efficient way when he sees it. After all, a father of quantity surveying in Canada has experience on his side.

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 21

New Members The CIQS would like to welcome the following new members (Including Reinstatements): A

Bishwa Acharya, Clarion Hotel & Suites Selby, Toronto, ON Dennis Afful-Nyarko, London, United Kingdom Kyric Aitken, Altus Group, Toronto, ON Amir Al-Dabagh, Gatineau, QC Sylvain Aressy, Macogep Inc., Montreal, QC Salvatore Argento, Sept Freres Construction, Montreal, QC Inderpal Aujla, Edmonton, AB

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Shujah Babar, Peshawar, Pakistan Jeff Babich, BTY Group, Calgary, AB Pierre Beaucage, Praztek Construction, Timmins, ON Andrew Bin, Guelph, ON Sylvain Bittner-Lamy, St-Rédempteur, QC Eric Brading, Aecon Utilities, Toronto, ON Normand Brunelle, CCNB Bathurst Campus, Bathurst, NB

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Edgar Castro, Institut Grasset, Montréal, QC Liebin Chen, Montreal, QC Lillian Ching, Ledcor Construction Ltd., Vancouver, BC Scott Clarke, Sudbury, ON Theodore Cooper, London, ON Ariel Cordova, GPD Investments LLC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Marc-André Croteau, RCAA Planifika inc., Québec, QC Scott Crowe, Vancouver, BC Matthew Cummins, London, ON

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Mohamed Henache, Conex Construction Routière, Montréal, QC Sean Hines, BC Projects Ltd., Abbotsford, BC Dan Houghton, BC Hydro, Prince George, BC Junkai (Eric) Huang, Empire Communities, Vaughan, ON

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Jesulowo Iyanuoluwa, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

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Alex Jamieson, Prince Albert, ON Xuming Jiang, Altapex, Saint-Laurent, QC

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Ronald Gabay, Quantity Surverying Consultants Ltd., Kingston, Jamaica Nathan Gerbrecht, Altus Group, Calgary, AB Sharmista Ghosh, Altus Group, Vancouver, BC Sante Giordano, Hydro One Networks Inc., Toronto, ON Gimhan Godawatte, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka Jared Gushuliak, Winnipeg, MB Gregory Gwynne, Fort Erie, ON Paul Gyozo, Welland, ON

Sofija (Sophia) Radic, Carillion Canada (former Vanbots), Concord, ON Guillaume Robitaille, Les Entreprises Daniel Bergeron Ltee., Montreal, QC Claude Roy, Roy et Tremblay inc., Longueuil, QC

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Thanushan Kailayapillai, Trincomalee, ON Yasaman Khayeri, Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage, Toronto, ON Yasser Khedr, IPMS, Scarborough, ON

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William Lam, Accutec Quantity Surveying Inc., West Vancouver, BC Chad Long, Calgary, AB

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Michel Deslauriers, Laval, QC Andre Doiron, Stantec, Fredericton, NB Man Dong, Toronto, ON Eric Durie, Thorold, ON Fitzroi Fabre, Montréal, QC Gerardo Faraon, Vancouver, BC Jason Festing, Stuart Olson Dominion Construction Ltd., Richmond, BC Achille Filippo, Maple, ON Quinton Friesen, SPECS, Edmonton, AB

Dipakkumar Pandya, Thompson, MB Nitesh Patel, Thompson, MB

Ashley Schaeffer, Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd., Mississauga, ON Ulyana Shlyonchik, Calgary, AB Mohamed Sirajudeen, Pottuvil, Sri Lanka Jeremy Smith, PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Mississauga, ON Benjamin Smith, Medicine Hat, AB Mike Snow, Sudbury, ON Kyle Stewart, Kelowna, BC Noel Suban, Sudbury, ON Anuradha Sugathadasa, Kandy, Sri Lanka Wassim Sultani, Macogep Inc., Montreal, QC

David MacDonald, Canadian Forces, Oromocto, NB Shameer Mahroof, Pottuvil, Sri Lanka Irene Malang, Hanscomb Limited, Winnipeg, MB Patrick Mallon, Quorum Construction Ltd., Aldergrove , BC Muthukumar Mariappan, Doha, Qatar Renu Mathew, Ville de Montréal, Montréal, QC Nayana Modi, Scarborough, ON Asharf Mohamed, Hatton, Sri Lanka Zack Moro, Etobicoke, ON Mpumelelo Mzimelam, Parktown, South Africa

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Niropalini Nagarajah, Colombo, Sri Lanka Liliane Nawfal, Laval, QC Dana Newton, Hanscomb Limited, Ottawa, ON Joseph Nowlan, Sunny Corner Enterprises Inc., Miramichi, NB

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Emeka Ogbugo, Gosiame Development Consultants (Pty) Ltd., Pretoria, South Africa Jegede Oladele, Lejedx Global Ltd., Abuja, FCT, Nigeria

22 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

Mahyar Tavassoli, Bird Construction Company, Toronto, ON Ashwin Thakkar, Toronto, ON Austin Thompson, Cape Town, South Africa Gabriel Treacey, Matheson Constructors, Concord, ON

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Muhammad Usman, Islamabad, Pakistan

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Simon Vallée, Equiluqs Ingénierie, Laval, QC Emilio Villalta, SNC Lavalin, Montreal, QC

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Michael Webster, Ledcor Construction Limited, Calgary, AB Nicholas Withoos, PreCon Builders Ltd., Winnipeg, MB Ray Wong, RDH Building Engineering Ltd., Vancouver, BC

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Young Yoon, Port Moody, BC

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Ellen Zhang, Richmond, BC

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In memoriam Frederick O. Tozer, PQS

The OIQS is saddened by the passing of Frederick (Fred) Tozer on April 13, 2011 in his 69th year.

Fred joined the Institute in 1982 and was awarded certificate #1361 in 1984. He worked in New Brunswick until 1980 when he moved to Ontario and accepted a position with Lummus Canada in Toronto as Senior Project Engineer. He then worked for Lavalin Inc. (Fenco) and Ontario Hydro before he went into private practice as Tozer Technical Services. Fred returned to his beloved New Brunswick in 2005 where he continued to work as a consultant until his passing. Fred encouraged many young quantity surveyors to join the Institute and helped them through their mechanical examinations. He was proud to be a member of the CIQS. Fred will be sadly missed by his wife of 46 years Pat Mullin; sons Jonathan (Pascale) Tozer of Riverview and Charles Tozer of Victoria, BC; adoring grand daughter Emily Emmanuelle Tozer; three brothers Herb (Jenny), Gerald (Rhonda), and Wayne (Anne).

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Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 23

By Edward Traore, PQS

Case study

East Timor

[Timor-Leste]

construction industry This is a brief synopsis of the presentation Edward gave at the 2011 AGM. Please contact Lois Metcalfe at info@ciqs.org for the full presentation Country analysis (background information)

Political, economic and social overview

East Timor (also, Timor-Leste) is an island in the Indonesian archipelago, located about 400 miles northwest of Australia. It is a small country with a population of just over a million people (US Census Bureau, 2008 est.) and a land area of 14,610 square kilometres.

Formerly a Portuguese colony and later annexed by Indonesia in 1975, East Timor was internationally recognized as an independent democratic nation on May 20, 2002. Independence came as a result of a referendum in 1999 when a majority of East Timorese (78.5%) choose sovereignty from Indonesia rule. However, this was attended by repressive violence and unrest, ending only by the intervention of the United Nations peacekeeping forces and the subsequent establishment of a transitional administration – UNTAET.

• 2010 UN Human Development Report rank East Timor as one of the poorest countries in the Asia-Pacific region (ranked 120 out of 169 countries).

• Post-referendum conflict in 1999 and civil unrest in 2006, destroyed almost 80% of East Timor’s economic infrastructure.

• As a post-conflict country, achieving stability, security, law and order remain key challenges.

• The international community role has been critical to the maintenance of security and a smooth transition to political self-rule in East Timor.

• East Timor’s economy relies largely on international community assistance and revenues from oil and gas production.

• Optimistic expectations encouraged massive external assistance during transition to independence and

24 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

recent period of reconstruction.

• World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) provide financial, technical assistance and training, for developing reconstruction program, basic macroeconomic, institutional and legal frameworks.

Economic and development fact sheet Recent reports suggest that East Timor has made significant progress since the restoration of independence in 2002 (ADB, 2010). However, East Timor is still dealing with many challenges common to post-conflict states, including high levels of poverty, some fragility, weak public and private sector capacity, poor infrastructure, new institutions and limited economic opportunities.

The economy grew at 13% in 2008 and 5% in 2009, largely driven by public Click Here to Return to Table of Contents

expenditure in infrastructure and service delivery and improved agricultural production.

Government expenditure is funded primarily through offshore petroleum revenues, which were valued at almost $5.5 billion by end-November 2009; Timor-Leste, however, remains primarily an agricultural, subsistence economy.

The government has identified three priority areas for development focus: Rural development, Infrastructure, and Human resource development.

The ADB, IMF and World Bank support these priorities through assistance in infrastructure development, public sector capacity building and private sector development.

Investment and commercial opportunity • As a post-conflict nation, East Timor provides various challenges and opportunities.

• Close to 80% of East Timor’s economic infrastructure was destroyed in 1999 and 2006 (Asian Development Bank, 2005).

• Re-construction of East Timor’s economic infrastructure provide substantial construction opportunities and attraction for international construction and engineering firms.

• Large influx of bilateral and multilateral financial aid.

Main obstacles and risks According to Bray(2005), post-conflict and developing nations such as East Timor are weak states and are therefore associated with significant political and

Table 1. Timor-Leste: Development Indicators Non-MDG Population in millions 1.11 (2009) Annual population 3.1 (2007-2009) growth rate (%) Adult literacy rate (%) – Percent of population 27.3 (2008) in urban areas MDG Percent of population 37.2 (2007) living on less than $1.25/day Percent of population living below 49.9 (2007) the national poverty line Under-5 mortality rate 93 (2008) per 1,000 live births Percent of population using an 62 (2006) improved drinking water source – = Data not available.

MDG = Millennium Development Goal.

Sources: ADB 2010. Basic Statistics 2010.

Manila. World Bank. 2010.

World Development Indicators Online.

security risks.

The economic prospect in East Timor has been reported to rest on a sustainable internal political/social stability and continued expansion of public expenditures (World Bank, 1996 and ADB, 2005).

The following identifies and reviews the main obstacles as well as the concomitant risks to construction operations in East Timor: • Business Environment • Competition (Local and International) • Security Risks • Political and Regulatory (Legal & Fiscal) Risks Financial and payment risks • The main financial risks depend largely on: - Duration of the proposed project/contract - Who is paying - Local currency (vagaries of currency fluctuations and profit repatriation).

Cultural impediments (nuances) • Culturally, East Timor’s population is heterogeneous with diverse cultural and linguistic orientations within a relatively small territory.

Possible entry strategy In recognizing the construction market opportunities in East Timor, it is desirable to take advantage of what can be described as emerging opportunities for sustainable long-term growth. As a first

Table 2. Timor-Leste: Economic Indicators. 2005-2009 Economic Indicator

2005

2006

2007

Per capita GNI, Atlast Method ($)

740

960

1,520 2,460 -

2008 2009

GDP growth (% change per year)

6.2

-5.8

8.0

13.0

5.0

CPI (% change per year)

1.8

4.0

8.7

7.5

0.1

Unemployment rate (%)

-

-

-

-

-

Fiscal balance (% of GDP)

38.0

130.9 254.4 449.3 145.3

Export growth (% change per year)

-

12.5

-22.2 100.0 -28.6

Import growth (% change per year)

-8.2

-9.8

85.0

Current account balance (% of GDP)

83.1

179.0

345.3 516.2 297.0

External debt (% of GNI)

-

-

-

43.7

-

9.9

-

- = Data not available. CPI = consumer price index.

GDP = gross domestic product. GNI = gross national income.

Sources: ADB 2010. Asian Development Outlook 2010. Manila.

World Bank. 2010. World Development Indicators Online.

Reprinted courtesy of Asian Development Bank Institute © 2011 Asian Development Bank www.adb.org, All rights reserved.

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step, operations in the region may possibly commence by way of specific project opportunities.

This approach may require establishing a local presence for a better competitive advantage, given that a strategic alliance with other enterprises has become a way to enter the international market. In essence, case studies indicate that firms favour a joint venture with local companies rather than a ‘going-it-alone’ strategy for their international investments (Worzala & Newell, 1997; Mawhinney, 2001; Lin, 2007).

Thus, as part of a strategy to localize and establish a market presence, a construction firm may need to set up a regional office in East Timor through a Joint Venture partnership with an indigenous company. As such, the firm is poised to find the opportunity to learn from local (foreign) partners and clients.

Clearly, this should lead to developing a reputation as a competitive customer-focused company in a market of local and international contractors. Other value-adding features may include the integration of local and global knowledge; delivering superior quality product in a timely and cost efficient manner; and the ability to build winning alliances (Male & Langford, 2001).

Indeed, it must be clearly understood that there are major challenges that arise in the planning, negotiation, and management of international joint ventures. However, such challenges are known to be overshadowed by the strategic and competitive advantages derived from a successful joint venture agreement and an effective collaboration (Ohmae, 1985; Mawhinney, 2001).

As a principal benefit, it is envisaged that the internationalization of construction services in an international marketplace such as East Timor should result in stabilization of workload/profits and diversification of risk. Additionally, this can further lead to competitive advantage in its domestic construction market.

In summary, the key elements of the recommended market entry approach will include the following basic strategies: • Proactively look for opportunities, specifically those that could be achieved by the formation of joint

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 25

Conclusion and implications

Source: Map No. 4286 Rev 6. United Nations, Department of Field Support, Cartographic Section. 2009.

ventures including large and relatively complex projects.

• Enter the market on ‘soft dollar’ (low risk/low return) contracts that allow necessary knowledge and expertise to be acquired and then progress to ‘hard dollar’ (high risk/high return) contracts.

• Localize the business by assimilating to local culture, people and organisational identity. Combine this with significant company autonomy to target opportunities unique to each market. This may also include working smarter, anticipating clients’ needs and adding value to the project it undertakes.

• Ensure that the operations are adequately resourced and capitalised.

This includes reinvesting profits from East Timor operations back into the business to support the establishment of new markets. Additionally, the scheme of reinvesting funds would embody a strategy to mitigate the currency risk associated with an international investment (Worzala and Newell, 1997).

• Ensure ongoing communication, liaison and reporting controls are maintained between head office and East Timor regional office, including frequent travel for senior managers between operations.

Capital

Dili

Religion

96.5% Catholic, 1% Muslim, 1% Protestant

Official Language

Tetum (91%) and Portuguese (13%)

Working Languages

Indonesian (43%), English (6%) and other indigenous languages

Literacy

43%

Unemployment

Over 20%

Poverty

42% are below the poverty line

Life expectancy at birth

47.9 years male, 51.8 years female

Infant mortality rate

83 per 1,000 birth

Exports

Coffee, oil and natural gas

Markets

Australia, Europe, Japan, United States The US dollar was adopted as the official currency in January 2000

(Sources: CIA World Factbook; US Department of State; Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; World Bank, World Development Indicators)

26 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

By international standards, East Timor’s economy is considered small and with poor infrastructure, high cost, low labour skills, incomplete legal and institutional frameworks and thus, uncompetitive. In the medium- to long-term, however, experts forecast that East Timor is expected to benefit from the commercial exploitation of oil/gas resources in the Timor Sea which has been projected to increase government revenues significantly. Therefore, it can be argued that East Timor presents some great economic prospects and opportunities.

However, the fragility of this postconflict country remains latent pending the future consolidation of the social cohesion and the long-term development of a sustainable economy.

Currently, under the auspices of the Australian-led UN security forces, relative normalcy is reported to have returned to the country. Thus, the involvement of the international community remains critical to sustain the current outlook. This is especially true on the economic sphere, in which the World Bank, IMF and ADB all have particular roles and responsibilities.

Essentially, the main features that underscore East Timor’s economic and political outlook include: (1) the sustainability of oil and gas revenues from the Trust Fund of East Timor, and continued donor assistance from the international community (bilateral and multilateral agencies) to support government development programs; (2) the Government is expected to make reasonable progress to improve its Capital budget execution and; (3) that an improvement of law and order will entrench stability of the business environment and enable a sustainable growth in the economy.

Implicitly, on the expectation that these conditions are feasible, it is desirable to take advantage of what can be described as emerging opportunities for sustainable long-term growth. Specifically, there are opportunities arising from the reconstruction activities and, the possibility for stabilization of workload/profits and diversification of risks by international construction contractors and Engineering firms.

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By Natalie Alexander, PQS

Quantity Surveying in

St. Lucia

The aftermath of HurricanE Tomas

This is a brief synopsis of the presentation Natalie gave at the 2011 AGM. Please contact Lois Metcalfe at info@ciqs.org if you would like to see the full presentation.

Understanding the country • A 238 m Caribbean island nestled within the Antillean Windward Islands • Located between the Caribbean Seas and North Atlantic Ocean • Population: 172,092 (World Bank Data; World Development Indicator, April 26, 2011) • Adult literacy of 94.8% • It is a country of parliamentary democracy with no political uprisings within the nation • Gained its independence from Queen Elizabeth II in 1979 • Economy relies on revenue from agricultural, tourism, foreign investments, industrial • 2010 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) US $1 Billion (est.)

• With a Real GDP Growth of 1.1% in 2010 (est.)

• Forecasted GDP Growth of 2.3% in 2011 (est.)

2

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Hurricane Tomas – what actually occurred?

• According to data collected from St. Lucia’s National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO): - Hurricane Tomas occurred on October 30 – 31, 2010 - Category 2 Hurricane hovered over island for nearly 24 hours - Winds of 90 - 95 mph (145 - 153 km/hr) - Recorded rainfall of 26.3” of rain in 24 hour period • October 31, 2010 PM declared a state of disaster Understanding original government budget

country’s GDP, to be expended over a period of approximately five years (IMF report #11/6 dated January 12, 2011) • Where are funds to be expended?

- Re-establishment of rivers, bridges and roads - Dewatering, de-silting and sedimentation control - Road works and landslides - Underground utilities and above ground (poles, wiring, etc.)

- Water lines restoration, water supply infrastructure and watersheds - Fisheries industry - Agricultural industry (including farmlands) Understanding the 12 month schedule

• Original budget on November 6, 2010 was estimated at US $500 million • The current estimate, but still a preliminary estimate, is US $336 million, or approximately 34% of the

• To return island to some degree of normalcy. For example: -E nsure road networks are usable -R eestablishment of rivers and bridges

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 27

Why is project monitoring the leading role?

It is because effective project management cannot exist without monitoring.

Understanding and examining how project monitoring actually integrated into most areas of redevelopment.

- Waterlines reconnected; especially to highly affected areas - Replanting of agricultural crops, more specifically Banana Industry -D e-silting water bodies to alleviate water shortage, more specifically the John Compton Dam See more in the full report.

Quantity surveying roles • Understanding the description of specialism -Q uantity Surveyors are the cost managers of construction design economics and cost planning - Assess the capital and revenue expenditure at various phases of building construction - Understanding contract practices -U ndertaking of procurement and tendering - Project monitoring -P roject financial control and reporting - Quantification and cost of construction work -R isk management - Dispute resolution What is the integral role in the redevelopment?

Of the many spectrums of duties of quantity surveying which is the integral role; the leading area that is of uttermost importance in the redevelopment after a natural disaster?

Project monitoring: What is Project Monitoring?

• Project monitoring is the ability and skill of gaining enough information about a project/development to know when deviations to the project plan become large enough to warrant corrective actions.

• It also entails obtaining information about project/development, team performances, and recognizing potential risks. All of which is typically accomplished through project status reports and regular project status reviews.

Island wide re-establishment • Understanding the disaster plan, because it gives a Quantity Surveyor the ability to identify the areas of cost implication on the immediate recovery work.

• This allows a more strategic manner in creating objectives and creating plans to efficiently execute the project from start to finish. All of which encompasses project monitoring.

• For example - major sections of primary and secondary networks due to a combination of factors including: Land slippages, clearing of debris, clearing of mud slides, clearing uprooted vegetation, plus more (see full report) Cost estimation and contracts Advising and setting budgets for example: • Housing/residential property • Physical development (retail, commercial, industrial) • Urban renewal • Roads/highways • Waterways • Airport and seaports • Power generation and utilities • Telecommunication services • Sedimentation control of John Compton water dam • Water pumps/dewatering Cost estimates for primary roads, secondary roads and tertiary roads can be seen in the full report.

Cost estimates and contracts: tourism sector St. Lucia is highly dependent on tourism industry with 80% of its revenue attributed to this. It is therefore imperative to allocate a budget for the restoration of natural sites, airports and seaports.

Cost estimates, contract and project monitoring • Starting a budget off with a solid cost estimate and a healthy budget

28 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | Summer 2011

does not automatically guarantee efficient cash flow.

• Quantity Surveys therefore monitor materials, execution of the work and the development’s CTD. Therefore, constant monitoring is able to control disbursement of funds and enables a continuation of project implementation.

• Understanding cost estimation in project monitoring is also of uttermost importance, because quantity surveying identifies lagging areas that will require timely attention and action, adequately track the project schedule against the budgets, contracts and project schedules are cohesively met.

Insurance Assessments of the damages caused as a result of the hurricane. Understanding the insurance policy (standard or comprehensive) coverage, premiums and deductibles.

• Residential • Retail • Commercial • Negotiating claims on behalf of clients • Reinstating of buildings Understanding of a contract of insurance will also be important in dispute of value of Work when paying out claims.

Strategic financial planning How is this role integrated into project monitoring during the country’s redevelopment?

• Understand the source of funds to be expended: - For example: International Monetary Fund (IMF) – which is catered specifically to supporting recovery from natural disasters and armed conflicts - Understanding interest rates, conditions of payback period and or subsidized interest rates - Emergency assistance loans from the IMF are subject to the basic rate of charge Loans, and must be repaid with 3 ¼ - 5 years.

- Understand currency exchange ...

Comparing the EC$ at buying rate of US at $2.6882 On January 12, 2011 the Executive Board of the IMF approved US $8.19 million in emergency assistance for St. Lucia to cope with the economic consequences of Hurricane Tomas (IMF Press Release #11/6). However, local estimates (by either general contrac-

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tors or sub-contractors), will be submitted in EC$.

World Bank – Department of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has listed 3 bridges in rural communities as priority work.

• Government of St. Lucia listed a budgeted for one of these bridges/ crossing (corrugated culvert crossing) at EC $2.575 million = US $959,178.

• Cost-To-Date EC $1.378 million = US $513,300 • Therefore, understanding the progress of work in EC dollar but progress Draws and interest rates will be calculated in US dollars Other source of funds in a natural disaster would include: • International efforts in the aftermath of the disaster such as donations, funds support and other sources (labour, materials) • For example: According to Canadian International Development Agency: -C anadian Government Donations tallied CAD $50,000 - Canada Pledge Fund CAD $130,000 - Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) – US $3.2 million - Conversion rate of CAD dollar 2.703 (as of April 25, 2011) Imports and local production Why is the knowledge of imports and local production important in project monitoring? Learn more in the full report.

• Infrastructural - 85% locally produced: stone, sand, aggregate and asphalt.

• Structural - traditional portland cement, timber/wood, ggalvanize, finished products: windows, doors, washroom fixtures, tiles, plumbing fixtures and paint. 10% of these products are imported regionally (mainly Barbados & Trinidad) while 90% of these products are imported internationally (Puerto Rico, USA, Honduras).

Project Scheduling Project monitoring provides constructive suggestions such as: - Rescheduling the project task, if the project runs behind schedule

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- Revisiting the budget and making necessary adjustments during the progress of work; for example – funding and avoiding expenses under unnecessary headings.

- Make recommendations for corrective measures. For example, increase trades persons as necessary, especially in general contracting to ensure the project stays on schedule.

- I dentifying critical paths and milestones.

Conclusion Quantity Surveying has undoubtedly been an integral role in the redevelopment of St. Lucia. In the case of Hurricane Tomas, project monitoring has shown to be the area of quantity surveying that is of utmost importance when understanding the implications of design decisions in order to ensure good value is obtained for the forecasted US $336 million to be expended in St. Lucia over the period of five years. Project monitoring will ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

CB ROSS COST CONSULTING

JOB OPPORTUNITIES - Project Monitor - Junior/Intermediate Cost Planner C.B. Ross Cost Consulting is a consulting firm located in Toronto, Ontario offering consulting services to a wide spectrum of clients from project inception through to completion.

We have job opportunities in our Project Monitoring and Cost Planning/Estimating departments.

Candidates must have:- relevant experience in the construction industry - strong communication skills - time management skills - be working towards (or have interest in) RICS and CIQS membership.

In return, we offer an extensive employee package commensurate with expertise, qualifications and skills.

If you are interested, please submit your resumé by email: mail@cbross.ca or by fax: (416) 487-3017 Only select candidates whose resumés best match our requirements will be contacted.

Summer 2011 | Construction Economist | www.ciqs.org | 29

CPD Corner

Mentoring – the greatest CPD points ecently, a senior, long standing member of our fine Institute approached me with grave concern that he was short on CPD points and would not likely meet the minimum requirements of our CPD program. He indicated that he was nearing retirement and was not interested in signing up for courses. And why would he want to, when he was counting down the months till he put his pencil down for good. He regretfully said that he was prepared to let his membership lapse to forego any formal training that would only be relevant for such a short period.

I certainly understood his situation. I even thought if I were in his position, the last thing I would want is to sit in a classroom staring at my watch thinking about the non-billable hours adding up. Not knowing what to say, I thought I would change the subject and asked if the firm had a replacement for him. He said he had been training the new person for a few months and that is when the proverbial light bulb clicked on. Whether he knew it or not, he was mentoring the next generation of professional quantity surveyor. He was passing along his knowledge base and collecting CPD points all the while.

I asked him how many young QS’s had he trained over his career and he paused then and chuckled, “a few.” There really is not a magical book that can teach you everything about quantity surveying. Sure theory comes from a book but we were all taught by at least one person who was in the trenches. For me, I had many great teachers of this fine art and they were all truly fine craftsman of construction economics.

Some were professional quantity surveyors and some had a grade four education. It is no coincidence that CIQS has a CPD category for Knowledge Base. And what greater way to earn points than to mentor young professionals and passing on your own knowledge base.

Did you know CIQS has a pool of senior members who volunteer to be a mentor for new members of our Institute?

Whether it is helping with a thesis or with diaries, they are encouraging and guiding our new members to reach the pinnacle of this profession and everything it can offer. So whether you are looking for a mentor or ever thought about spending a few hours a month assisting as a mentor, both options are available.

In closing, I would encourage all members to reflect on their own teachers or mentors and seek ways to encourage new members and share some knowledge transfer. Finally, I would be amiss if I did not mention and personally thank Archie Thibault who was one of my greatest teachers, not only in quantity surveying, but of life itself.

Mark Gardin, PQS CPD Lead

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