Canadian Common Ground Alliance News

Manitoba Click Before You Dig goes "live"!

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:08:19 GMT

After almost twenty years of valiant attempts to establish a One-Call service in Manitoba, the wait is over. Manitoba Click Before You Dig launches tomorrow - June 19, 2013.

Although the service has been designed to predominantly receive web-based locate requests, it can also receive phone-in requests. "From the Contact Centre's perspective, we are seeing a tremendous shift to online locate requests" provides Sher Kirk, the Chair of the Canadian One-Call Centres Committee and Assistant Operations Manager with Alberta One-Call.

"One of the CCGA's four damage prevention goals of national interest is to realize One-Call system access across Canada", explains Mike Sullivan, the Executive Director of the CCGA and President of Alberta One-Call Corporation. "We are honoured to offer Alberta's services to Manitoba. At the end of the day, it was simply the right thing to do".

The service goes live at midnight June 19, 2013 - www.ClickBeforeYouDigMB.com

Canadian One-Call Centre Committee launches "ClickBeforeYouDig.com"

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:58:29 GMT

In an effort to simplify access to the damage prevention process, the Canadian One-Call Centre Committee recently launched www.ClickBeforeYouDig.com in both official languages.

"The web portal offers a 'one-window' approach to web-based locate requests", explains Sher Kirk, the Chair of the One-Call Centre Committee. "Web-based locates are quickly overtaking the traditional phone-in requests. The person requesting the locate is never placed on hold, they can make their request 24hrs/day and include drawings, sketches, photos or any electronic attachment with their request".

85% of Québec's locate request volume is now received via the internet. Alberta One-Call, which launched a re-brand and "Click Before You Dig" campaign in March, has seen a significant up-tick in web-based locate requests moving from 37% in May 2012 to 65% in May 2013.

Safe-Digging Month kicks off across Canada!

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:35:04 GMT

Safe-Digging Month is rolling into high gear across Canada. This morning, the Alberta Common Ground Alliance held a media event to help promote public, worker and community safety.

Click HERE to read more about the event.

Alberta Common Ground Alliance Annual Safety Seminar

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:53:32 GMT

Start the 2013 Construction Season off on the right foot at the ABCGA's Annual Safety Conference March 5th in Lethbridge, Alberta.

The CCGA challenges our partners in safety to bring a friend, bring someone new and introduce them to the Alberta's damage prevention professionals who diligently work to protect the province's critical buried infrastructure, its integral and robust energy transportation system and our communities.

Manitoba to implement "CLICK" Before You Dig service spring 2013!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:06:28 GMT

The Manitoba Common Ground Alliance will unveil Canada's first ever "Click" Before You Dig service next spring!

Please Click HERE for more information.

CCGA comments on the NEB Discussion Paper for Proposed Administrative Monetary Penalties

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 13:58:40 GMT

The CCGA responded to the National Energy Board's request for comments yesterday on the Board's proposed Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs).

Click HERE to read the CCGA's comments to the NEB and click HERE for further information on the National Energy Board's Proposed AMPs.

The CCGA sincerely appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with all buried utility stakeholders to further enhance the integrity of Canada's buried infrastructure.

Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance appoints new Executive Director

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 22:31:23 GMT

Mr. Daryl Posehn has been appointed to the role of Executive Director.

Please click HERE for more information.

CSA S250 - Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:51:18 GMT

CSA Technical Committee Members, Bob Gaspirc & Laverne Hanley, are interviewed about CSA S250 - Mapping of Underground Utility Infrastructure.

THIS video explains what CSA S250 is, the factors that drove the need to create the standard, who will use it; and, the impact it will have.

CCGA Releases Damage Prevention White Paper / le CCGA produit un livre blanc pour la prévention des dommages

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:05:06 GMT

(français ci-dessous)

Uncontrolled excavation, or undertaking a digging project without knowing the location of underground infrastructure (such as natural gas service lines, oil pipelines, electricity wires, and telecommunications wires) is the most frequent cause of damage to buried infrastructure. To minimize damages and ensure the highest level of productivity and public, worker, and community safety, the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) argues that damage prevention legislation must be nationally consistent.

The CCGA White Paper, Damage Prevention Legislation Elements Required for Canada, articulates a series of principles and specific elements for effective legislation that, along with other key elements like improved communication and the development of safe excavation best practices, would result in greater protection of underground infrastructure, and community safety.

Please click HERE for the News Release.

For more information, please contact Mike Sullivan

**************************

L’identification, la localisation et le marquage de l’emplacement des infrastructures souterraines sont indispensables avant de commencer l’excavation peu importe s’il s’agit de travaux routiers, de construction résidentielle ou commerciale ou encore d'un projet résidentiel tel que la construction d'une clôture ou d’une terrasse. Le Canadian Common Ground Alliance soutient que l’adoption d’une législation et d'une réglementation efficaces et cohérentes au Canada améliorerait grandement les pratiques en matière d’excavation ainsi que la protection des grands réseaux canadiens d'infrastructures.

Des exigences et une législation claires et cohérentes, telles que décrites dans le livre blanc du CCGA, réduiraient les dommages et augmenteraient la productivité des chantiers de construction, mais amélioreraient surtout la sécurité des travailleurs, du public et de la communauté.

S'il vous plaît cliquer ICI pour le communiqué.

Pour de plus amples informations, veuillez contacter Mike Sullivan

Monetary Penalties Proposed by National Energy Board

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 04:50:35 GMT

The NEB begins consultations on a proposed approach to the development of an Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs). Please click HERE for the NEB's web posting. Click HERE for a link to the NEB's discussion paper.

The Calgary Herald posted THIS STORY about the NEB's proposal to introduce AMPs July 16, 2012.

The CCGA will be striking a task force to review the NEB's discussion paper and provide comment.

Mike Sullivan - CCGA Chair

ONTARIO ONE CALL SYSTEM BILL RECEIVES ROYAL ASSENT AND OFFICIALLY BECOMES LAW

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:19:38 GMT

MPP for Sarnia-Lambton, Bob Bailey, issued this Press Release yesterday.

The CCGA wishes to recognize MPP Bailey for his leadership and collaborative work with the ORCGA and its safety partners in helping achieve this necessary goal!

"This is a giant leap forward for damage prevention in Canada", says CCGA Chair and President of Alberta One-Call, Mike Sullivan. "It sets the bar for the rest of the country and provides us with a virtual roadmap to reach the same destination."

Mandatory One-Call Law Passes in Ontario

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:28:35 GMT

The CCGA applauds the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance on its efforts to pass Bill 8 - Mandatory One-Call for Ontario. As reported by Enbridge Gas Distribution, all three political parties in Ontario worked together to achieve this important goal.

One Call systems exist in the provinces of Québec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia and in the City of Saint John, New Brunswick. Ontario's new legislation will lead to the implementation of a single 'One Call' system in the province making it easier for Ontarians to find out the location of underground infrastructure before they dig. Membership in the existing system is voluntary, and at times, Ontarians were required to make up to 13 separate calls to obtain this important information. All too often, this confusing process led to people digging without contacting local utilities for the location of underground wires, cables and pipes, a scenario that could be extremely dangerous or even deadly.

Although some regulators of buried utilities require their regulated companies to belong to a provincial One-Call system, membership in One-Call systems across Canada is largely voluntary. Realizing a One Call System serving every province in Canada and Mandatory One-Call legislation are two of the CCGA's goals and it is hoped that Ontario's success will lead other provinces to follow the same path.

Please click HERE for more details.

Harper Plan for Responsible Resource Development Includes Provisions for Monetary Penalties

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:09:24 GMT

The Harper Government announced its Plan for Responsible Resource Development today. For the transmission pipeline industry, the Plan includes provisions of monetary penalties for violations of the National Energy Board Act.

Below are two bullet points addressing the new provisions:

For the first time, authorizing the use of administrative monetary penalties for violations of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and the National Energy Board Act. These penalties will be designed to address small contraventions quickly so that larger issues do not arise in the future. Further details on the penalties will be available once legislation is introduced;
The proposed penalties could range from $25,000 to a maximum of $100,000 for violations of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act, and the National Energy Board Act, while the range of penalties under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act will be established through regulations;

To see the full announcement, click HERE.

The BCCGA wants to feed you breakfast April 18th in Surrey!

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:49:30 GMT

The BCCGA is hosting a FREE Contractor Breakfast at the Sheraton Guilford Hotel in Surrey on April 18th between 7:00AM and 8:00AM.

You don't have to be a BCCGA Member to attend! Register for the breakfast at www.commongroundbc.ca

Alberta Common Ground Alliance prepares to host two Safety Seminars

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:27:21 GMT

The ABCGA will be hosting two safety seminars on April 10th in Red Deer and April 12th in Bonnyville. Eric Giguere will be delivering the keynote address - a life-altering experience you won't want to miss!

Click HERE for the invitation!

Manitoba Common Ground Alliance website is now live!

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:54:47 GMT

The Manitoba Common Ground Alliance, a regional partner of the CGA, is a member driven organization dedicated to ensuring worker and public safety, environmental protection and the integrity of services by promoting effective damage prevention practices in connection with underground infrastructure activities.

The MCGA officially became a Regional Partner of the Common Ground Alliance in March 2011.

CRTC Denies CCGA Application for Shared Use of 811

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:56:00 GMT

It is with disappointment that the CCGA, its Regional Partners across Canada and its National Stakeholders The Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and the Canadian Gas Association, announce the CRTC decision to deny our application for shared use of the 811 dialling code. For a Telecom proceeding, our application generated an unprecedented level of positive response from coast to coast. With that in mind, we remain confident there is a strong public desire to simplify access to One Call systems in Canada enhancing the integrity of our buried critical infrastructure and above all, better protecting public, worker and Community Safety. To that end, the CCGA and its partners are reviewing the CRTC's decision and considering next steps.

Click the link below to see the CRTC's decision:

English

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2012/2012-167.htm

Francais:

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/fra/archive/2012/2012-167.htm

The National Energy Board’s Damage Prevention Framework - A plan for improving regulatory clarity

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:59:32 GMT

The National Energy Board released its Damage Prevention Framework (click HERE for French) earlier today outlining the go-forward steps it will take to effectively promote public and community safety and the integrity of federally-regulated pipelines in Canada.

The CCGA acknowledges the positive direction of the NEB's Damage Prevention Framework and is looking forward to collaborating with the Board to meet our common damage prevention goals.

- Mike Sullivan - Chair, CCGA

Watch tonight's episode of American Chopper to see the new 811 Bike revealed!

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:13:25 GMT

Damages to buried utilities dropped by roughly 70% in the United States following the introduction of 811 (3 digit "Call Before You Dig") in 2007 enhancing public safety and the security of buried infrastructure. In Canada, 811 was assigned to non-emergency medical services in 2005 yet only a handful of provinces use the number for this purpose. In July 2011, the Canadian Common Ground Alliance applied to the CRTC requesting shared use of 811 (press "1" for non-emergeny medical services and press "2" to request a locate of buried utilities before you dig). Response from the CRTC is pending.

The 811 Bike is a symbol of the ongoing public awareness ingenuity buried utility owners, operators and stakeholders share in the U.S. and the desire to do the same in Canada is enormous. Be a partner in safety, share this link!

CRTC Appoints New Acting Chair

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:53:25 GMT

LEONARD (LEN) KATZ appointed Acting Chairman of the CRTC on January 25, 2012.

Click HERE for more information.