CAPULC Announcements

Please Join Us for CAPULC's General Members Meeting on December 4, 2025

Tracey Paluck — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:26:28 GMT

Everyone is welcome!

CAPULC General Members Meeting

December 4, 2025
10:00am–12:00pm MST

Those able to attend In-Person are welcome at:
13450–149 Street NW, Edmonton, AB
We offer a sincere thank-you to ATCO for generously providing the space for our in-person meeting.

Or, we welcome you to join us virtually via Microsoft Teams.

We’ll review current CAPULC initiatives, share what lies ahead, and open the floor for discussion and Q&A. In-person attendees are invited to stay for a light lunch following the meeting.

The Teams link, meeting agenda, and additional details will be shared with all registered attendees prior to the meeting date.

Take a moment to RSVP your in-person or virtual attendance by clicking “Register My Attendance”.

Please note RSVPs for in-person attendance are required by 5:00pm MST on December 2, 2025.

We look forward to the opportunity to share our latest efforts with you!

Locator Survey Opportunity – Seeking Responses!

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 22:40:16 GMT

Do you work in the underground facility locating industry? If you are a current or former locator—or you hire, manage, train, and/or supply equipment for locators—we invite you to complete our short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DYF8QYP. The first 100 respondents will receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift card. Survey closes August 4, 2025. Your feedback supports recruitment efforts and helps shape the future of this critical profession!

2025 CAPULC Annual General Meeting - May 8, 2025

Tracey Paluck — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:29:45 GMT

2025 CAPULC Annual General Meeting - AGM

Thursday, May 8, 2025

11:00am - 1:00pm mst

Edmonton, Alberta - Location TBA

Join in-person or virtually via Teams link

Click 2025 CAPULC AGM to register today!

Or RSVP your in-person or virtual Teams attendance by emailing admin@capulc.ca.

Job Posting Page - Now Available!

Tracey Paluck — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 21:19:14 GMT

Offering our valued CAPULC members the space to showcase career openings available on your team. Find the talent you need to move forward as an industry leader. Post today and receive replies direct to your inbox.

Check out the page here and stay up to date on all new developments by watching capulc.ca!

CAPULC February 2024 Industry News

Tracey Paluck — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:02:50 GMT

CAPULC General Member Meeting

We will be holding a CAPULC General Member Meeting in Banff on Wednesday, February 28th at 2:00pm. It is being held in-person and will also be available via Teams for those unable to attend in-person. Important information will be shared during this meeting not only about CAPULC and our industry leading endeavors, but also regarding the soon-to-be-released Alternate Locate Provider (ALP) Program in Alberta. This is a meeting you will want to attend. Register here today!

CAPULC Locator Survey

Your voice matters! We have crafted the CAPULC Locator Survey to gather the latest industry information directly from you, the experts. Whether you are a business owner, contractor, supervisor, company representative, or a dedicated employee in the underground facility locating industry, your input is indispensable. Share your ideas and insights until February 29, 2024, and help shape the future of locating in Canada. Responses are strictly confidential. Information gathered will be carefully compiled and shared on the CAPULC website and social media pages. Feel free to enter our draw as a token of our appreciation for your participation. Complete the survey here and make your mark on the locating industry!

CAPULC Training Section Development

We are excited to unveil new developments in the Training section on the CAPULC website. We have revised the criteria for inclusion in our list of training providers, ensuring that our members have access to premium locating educational resources. If your organization offers underground facility locating training programs, submit the inclusion form here to be considered for featuring on the CAPULC training platform. Let’s continue to raise the bar for training in our industry!

In Other News

The Locator 2024: We are excited to have the latest edition of our industry publication, The Locator 2024, accessible in both print and online formats. Bursting with invaluable articles, captivating stories, and a glimpse into the future of locating, this edition is one not to miss. Access the online version by clicking here and reach into a wealth of industry knowledge and insight. While you’re there, remember to explore our previous issues of this vital industry resource!

Coil-Bound CAPULC Standard: Heighten your knowledge of locating with coil-bound copies of the CAPULC Standard, available for purchase at $45 CDN plus shipping & tax. Click here to head to our product page, input the number of copies you would like, and complete your order online. Stay ahead of the game by having the CAPULC Standard at your fingertips!

Check out our new CAPULC Forums: Join the conversation with fellow industry professionals in our emerging online forums. Share insights, exchange ideas, or create new topics next time you visit us at capulc.ca.

Want in? Gain all of the benefits of being a CAPULC member the moment you sign up. Join us today!

CAPULC Address: CAPULC, P.O. Box 6423, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G2

CAPULC is dedicated to setting the highest standards in our industry. Join us as we continue to shape the future of underground facility locating in Canada.

Become a CAPULC Sponsor today!

NOW AVAILABLE! Coil Bound copies of the CAPULC Locating Standard

Tracey Paluck — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 18:33:47 GMT

CAPULC is pleased to introduce our new online store product. To order Coil Bound copies of the CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard, simply click the item below to add it to your cart. Input your information, choose a delivery option, and complete the transaction. Your order will be processed within 3 business days. We look forward to sharing hard copies of this critical industry document with locators, facility owners, training and educating providers, data and mapping services, and all other members of the underground facility locating and ground disturbance industries. This is just one more way CAPULC is working to increase the safety of our vital underground facilities.

To request Coil Bound copies of the CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard, simply click the item below. Once added to your cart, follow the prompts to choose delivery option and complete the transaction. Your order will be processed within 3 business days. Only $45 plus shipping & tax

Coil Bound - CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard (Version 1.0) $45 plus shipping & tax
$45.00

Call for submissions for The Locator 2024!

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 02:05:37 GMT

Now accepting submissions for The Locator 2024

The Locator, a prestigious annual publication that serves as the beacon of excellence in the locating and ground dusturbance industries. Delving into the most crucial aspects of best practices, new legislation, cutting edge technologies, and vital damage prevention topics, The Locator is a true catalyst for progress.

Widely distributed throughout North America, it reaches professionals in every corner of the industry. Send in your article or book your advertising space for the 2024 issue today! Email admin@capulc.ca for information.

CAPULC's New Mailing Address

Tracey Paluck — Thu, 25 May 2023 15:40:58 GMT

Version 1.0 Release! Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 19:17:52 GMT

CAPULC is excited to release Version 1.0 of the highly anticipated

Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard!

POSTPONED! 2022 General Member Meeting - January 31, 2023 @ 10:30am

Tracey Paluck — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 22:00:00 GMT

Join us via Teams January 31 for the 2023 General Member Meeting!

Tracey Paluck — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 23:23:19 GMT

Final Review of the CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:04:57 GMT

CAPULC is pleased to present, for the final review, the

CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standards!

We invite all CAPULC Members, Sponsors, clients, organizations, and all those involved in the damage prevention process to provide feedback on the CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard. Feedback will be collected by email or with our online feedback form.

Once it has successfully passed through this final 30-day review processes it will be published as CAPULC’s First Version. This leads everyone to expect that there are more versions to come. While this first version will provide the framework for our Standards, it certainly is expected to evolve ….

There are just a few things we would like to mention:

This document was written to encompass and reflect best practices of both public and private locating
This document has been written at a federal level and will be provincially, jurisdictionally and industry agnostic
The scope of this document was to be applicable to underground facility locators across Canada and to multiple infrastructure types. It focuses on the steps involved in the locating process.

We would like to request your comments and communicate that the deadline for feedback is set for close of business on Monday, November 21, 2022. Feedback is requested in writing via email or through our online feedback form. This will allow for our Committee to effectively prepare for working sessions to review and provide comment to all feedback submissions before being published as CAPULC’s First Version.

Should you have any questions or would like to submit your comments please contact us at admin@capulc.ca.

Sincerely,
Board of Directors
CAPULC

CAPULC Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard

https://forms.office.com/r/xb9sFB1SmS

JULY 25! DEADLINE TO COMMENT!

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 04:37:06 GMT

NEW Canadian Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard

Canadian Association of Pipeline and Utility Locating Contractors (CAPULC) has released their Pilot Draft of the NEW Canadian Locate and Marking Standards. CAPULC’s objective was to develop a national line locating standard to ensure consistent practices across the country while allowing provincial variations in the future. CAPULC, with the help of a third-party contractor, has developed this document along with an inventory of resources and Continuous Improvement Log. Items are placed into our Continuous Improvement Log when they are determined to be a major revision, a major discussion item, requires additional subject matter input, or is on hold to capture comments from the review processes. Its purpose is to assist with the process for any future revisions, additions, modification, and deletions.

This initial release is a preliminary Standard document and has reached a key stage to solicit feedback and comments. Once it has successfully passed through the first and second 30-day review processes it will be published as CAPULC’s First Version. This leads everyone to expect that there are more versions to come. While this first version will provide the framework for our Standards, it certainly is expected to evolve ….

We would like CAPULC Members, Sponsors, clients, organizations, and all those involved in the damage prevention process to review and provide feedback on this pilot release. There are just a few things we would like to mention:

This document was written to encompass and reflect best practices of both public and private locating
This document has been written at a federal level and will be provincially, jurisdictionally, and industry agnostic
The scope of this document was to be applicable to underground facility locators across Canada and to multiple infrastructure types. It focuses on the steps involved in the locating process.

We would like to request your comments and communicate that the deadline for feedback is set for close of business on Friday July 25, 2022. Feedback is requested in writing via email or through our feedback form. This will allow for our Committee to effectively prepare for working sessions to review and provide comment to all feedback submissions before releasing for a second review release.

Should you have any questions or would like to submit your comments please contact us at admin@capulc.ca

Sincerely,

Board of Directors

CAPULC

To reach the online Standards format click here:

https://forms.office.com/r/NU6NVDfsn7

To reach the Standards document in Word format click here:

CAPULC - Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard - DRAFT

2022 06 17.docx

To reach the Standards document in PDF format click here:

Underground Facility Locating and Marking Standard Draft - PDF Version.pdf

CCGA 2020 National DIRT Report

Tracey Paluck — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 21:17:42 GMT

CAPULC is a member in good standing with the CCGA. We want to share information between the organizations to ensure our members are updated on important topics that resonate throughout the damage prevention and ground disturbance industry.

We received the 2020 CCGA National DIRT Report today to share with you.

Please find both the English and French language versions attached.

National DIRT Report 2020 - English

Rapport National ORDI 2020 - French

DIRT For Canada

Reporting damages into the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) is critical for the CCGA to determine the root causes of those damages and develop mitigating measures to reduce and eliminate them.

The CCGA’s goals relative to DIRT are:

further promote reporting of damage into DIRT;

expand the number of reports from participating Regions and confirm reporting from Regions that have yet to do so;

enhance the data quality index of all damage reports; and

roll-out the societal cost tool to all Regional Partners in Canada.

How to submit your DIRT Reports

The submission deadline is March 31st, annually. All 2020 data can be submitted before the deadline to be included in the next annual report. To participate in DIRT, simply go to www.cga-dirt.com and register as a user. Once your registration is confirmed, you can begin submitting damage information or generate reports on the existing data.

Please visit https://www.cga-dirt.com/ab/control/help.do for DIRT Help & Documentation. DIRT Field Forms are available at the bottom of page https://www.canadiancga.com/national-dirt-and-statistics-committee-public

If you have remaining unanswered questions, you can contact Josef Rosenberg, DIRT Committee Chair, at jrosenberg@utilitysafety.ca.

CCGA 2019 DIRT Report - Released Today

Tracey Paluck — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 21:04:45 GMT

News from the Canadian Common Ground Alliance

November 4, 2020

---------------------------------

The CCGA's 2019 DIRT Report has been published and released in both official languages and posted to CCGA website.

Please join me in thanking the Damage Reporting and Evaluation Committee for their hard work completing this always-challenging report!

Thank you,

Mike Sullivan
President - CCGA

Cel: 403.650.3661

canadiancga.com

2020 Federation of Alberta Gas Co-ops Ltd. Trade Fair - Cancelled

Tracey Paluck — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 20:17:06 GMT

These continue to be uncertain times for Alberta. Regulations around COVID-19 have forced numerous events to be cancelled or postponed, including several Federation events. In June, the Federation Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Trade Fair.

They look forward to connecting in 2021!

For more information contact Allison Zinnick at 780-416-6543

ATTENTION MEMBERS - Important Information Regarding the 2020 Annual General Meeting

Tracey Paluck — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 22:19:05 GMT

CAPULC's Board of Directors is working diligently in preparing a contingency plan for the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. More information will be released regarding the alternate arrangements for the Member Annual General Meeting. Please stay tuned!

Call 1-888-492-8279 for more information.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update

Tracey Paluck — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 22:02:14 GMT

CAPULC's 2020 Safety Conference and Trade Show - Canceled!

Please be advised, due to the risk and ongoing spread and severity of COVID-19 pandemic, the Safety Conference and Trade Show portion of our upcoming event in April 2020 has been canceled. Because CAPULC endeavours to promote safety we have to take appropriate measures by assuming a social responsibility to help stop the spread of the virus and the demands on our health care - safety for all!

Please follow the link below for more information:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html#a1

2019 The Locator Magazine - presented by CAPULC

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 15:25:01 GMT

To view the latest issue of our industry publication - "The Locator" click HERE

President's Message - 2019 AGM, Safety Conference & Locate Rodeo News Update

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 01:08:21 GMT

To our Members and the General Public,

We just wrapped up our 2019 Annual General Meeting, Safety Conference and 1^st Locate Rodeo! The event was held over two (2) days, April 17^th and April 18^th at Festival Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta. It was a big success and we had excellent attendance from a diverse group of people in the industry throughout Canada.....please click HERE to read the full news update.

CAPULC News Statement

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 18:00:00 GMT

CAPULC has spent the last 8 years striving to standardize minimum competency levels in the industry through safety, education and communication with all stakeholders. Please be advised that the organization is not liable for any personal views of any one person. We encourage our members to promote leadership, promote safety, and enhance the value and reputation of the underground facility locating industry in Canada. We would like to remind our members to please review the Code of Ethics form that all members must adhere too. Please take some time and review the Code of Ethics with your employees and click HERE for President's Letter to our Members.

Registration is now open for the 2019 CAPULC AGM & Safety Conference

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 05:47:53 GMT

Register today and join us at our 2019 CAPULC AGM & Safety Conference and National Locate Rodeo on April 17 & 18, 2019 in Sherwood Park, Alberta. We have an excellent line-up of guest speakers, educational workshops, trade show, locate rodeo & BBQ and a special networking event. Our conference theme is "Damage Prevention is not just a slogan"

The 2nd Edition of "The Locator" Magazine now available for digital download

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 06:05:53 GMT

CAPULC is pleased to announce that we have released the 2019 Edition of "The Locator" publication. We hope you enjoy the content of the 2nd edition. Also hard copies have been mailed out to our members. Click HERE to read.

CAPULC presents "The Locator" Inaugural Issue 2018

Fri, 16 Mar 2018 17:25:23 GMT

CAPULC is pleased to announce the release of our first issue of "The Locator". This magazine is the first publication in Canada geared towards Line Locating and Ground Disturbance. Hard copies will be mailed out soon but you can view the online digital copy right now by clicking HERE.

Western Canadian 2016 DIRT Report

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 22:00:27 GMT

The 2016 Western Canadian DIRT Report has been released and is available at the ABCGA website.

Highlights:

The largest number of reported incidents occurred in June with 603 reported events. The next highest months were August with 561 reported events and September with 534 reported events.

A significant number of incidents were reported during winter months: with 277 reported events from January to February and 562 reported events from November to December, for a total of 839 reported events during winter.

Almost 42 per cent of all reported incidents (1,824 reported events) occurred in the region of Edmonton, and 1,217 of those occurred in the municipal region of Leduc, which accounted for almost 28 per cent of all reported incidents in Alberta during 2016.

One out of every five incidents was reported as causing a service disruption, however more than 60 per cent of reported events listed the occurrence of a service disruption as "unknown."

The largest number of reported incidents occurred during construction and development work, with 1,797 reported events, which was followed by 1,711 reported events occurring during street work.

More information about DIRT can be found on our website under the DIRT Tab

Great news - Bill S-229 Update!

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 02:59:33 GMT

Great news for the CCGA on Oct. 31! The Speaker of the House, Hon. Geoff Regan, passed his ruling on Bill S-229, allowing the bill to proceed to first reading.

For more information on the Speaker's Ruling on Bill S-229, click here.

This is great news for damage prevention across Canada. Federal damage prevention legislation will also be a big help in furthering our goal to introduce provincial damage prevention legislation in Alberta in the near future, helping to provide a model for provincial damage prevention legislation throughout Canada.

We are working on our legislation outreach plan and we will send you an update in the next couple weeks on how you can reach your MPs and request support for the bill.

If you would like to read the Speaker's Ruling, a full transcription is available to read on openparliament.ca.

5th Annual Canadian CGA Damage Prevention Symposium – September 19-21, 2017

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 21:05:54 GMT

Event Start: September 19, 2017
Event End: September 21, 2017
Location: Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, Ontario

Be a part of Canada’s unified damage prevention voice at this event that attracts members from the many Canadian organizations and associations who share the responsibility of damage prevention and public safety solutions. An excellent opportunity to network with peers across Canada and share knowledge and ideas.

Topics under development include:

Ground Disturbance Standard
Abandoned Facility – A Panel Discussion
Excavating Effective Strategies
International Best Practices
Protecting the Infrastructure through Public/Private Partnerships
Municipal Best Practices – A Panel Discussion

For more information, and to register go to http://canadiancga.com/Annual-Symposium

Bill S-229 adopted by Senate after third reading

Sat, 13 May 2017 00:55:26 GMT

The Senate of Canada voted last week to adopt Bill S-229, An Act respecting underground infrastructure safety, on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 following its third reading. The bill, which was introduced by Senator Grant Mitchell in September, will now proceed to the House of Commons where, if passed, it will receive Royal Assent and be made law.

“No doubt that today is a big day for the CCGA and damage prevention in Canada,” said Mike Sullivan, executive director of the CCGA. “We’ve never gotten this far in our goal to achieve damage prevention legislation.”

Inspired by the “Call or Click Before You Dig” principle, the bill will:

Require operators of underground infrastructure that is federally regulated or on federal land to register that infrastructure with a notification centre.
Require people who are planning to dig to first make a “locate request” with the relevant notification centre.
Require operators of underground infrastructure to respond to locate requests by either locating and marking the ground, providing a clear description of the location of the underground infrastructure in the vicinity of the proposed excavation, or providing an all clear to proceed with the excavation.

“Bill S-229 represents very positive and unique public policy,” said Senator Grant Mitchell. “This bill will significantly reduce societal, economic and business costs, and significantly enhance public safety. And, it will do this at no appreciable cost to government.

I am very pleased that S-229 was passed by the Senate with vast support from all groups. Now that the bill has been sent to the House of Commons, I trust that it will be given due consideration in order to help ensure the safety of individuals, workers and the public in proximity to excavation work, and protect the integrity Canada’s underground infrastructure.”

We are still looking for your help in supporting Bill S-229 in the House of Commons.

Providing your support is easy to do! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE DETAILS

CSA Z662 – Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems Publicly Available

Wed, 19 Apr 2017 16:55:00 GMT

The National Energy Board (NEB) is launching a one-year pilot program to make a key safety standard, known as CSA Z662 – Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems (CSA Z662), available online to the public free of charge.

CSA Z662 is incorporated by reference in the National Energy Board Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR) making it a regulation that applies to NEB-regulated oil and gas pipelines. It is also included in the NEB’s Filing Manual and companies must follow CSA Z662 when they submit an application for a new project.

The pilot runs until March 2018 with the NEB covering the cost so Canadians can have full, digital access.

https://www.canada.ca/en/national-energy-board/news/2017/04/important_pipelinesafetystandardnowpubliclyavailable.html

CSA Z662 web portal

Canadian Common Ground Alliance Best Practices version 2.0 now available

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 23:06:26 GMT

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance harmonized Best Practices version 2.0 was released this week at their Annual Symposium. Please click HERE to get your electronic copy of the manual.

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance is Giving away a Grey Cup Package!!

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:28:56 GMT

All CAPULC members have an opportunity to win a 2016 Grey Cup package in Toronto.

Working with the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the CCGA is the Safety Sponsor for the 2016 Grey Cup in Toronto. The sponsorship promotes the CCGA's comprehensive "DigSafe / Creuser Sans Danger" over the Grey Cup weekend in Toronto and facilitates the appearance of the Grey Cup at six Canadian CGA Regional Partner events in 2017.

The Grey Cup's intentionally unannounced appearance at the CCGA Damage Prevention Symposium in Banff generated a lot of excitement. Bridging awareness through partnerships is critical to expanding the knowledge of our national brand and safety message.

Please Visit the CCGA Link to View the Contest Rules.

Fort McMurray Wildfire – Requirement of Licensees to Report Activities Conducted under Bulletin 2016-12.

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:25:37 GMT

The Alberta Energy Regulator posted a notice to all licensees and operators who completed work for the protection of infrastructure and facilities during the Fort McMurray wildfires to report those activities to the AER. Click HERE to read the Bulletin.

Senator Mitchell delivers 2nd Reading of the Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Act

Tue, 11 Oct 2016 22:53:25 GMT

Please click THIS LINK to read Senator Mitchell’s speech delivered on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.

New National Energy Board Regulations for Pipeline Damage Prevention

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:55:18 GMT

The National Energy Board Regulations for Pipeline Damage Prevention came into force on June 19, 2016.

Please click here for the Letter and click here for a Copy of the the Regulations

Latest technology for Utility Locator Training

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 04:07:15 GMT

The world of training has changed for Locators, Excavators and Ground Disturbers. We now have the ability to show workers and the public how complex the Buried Utility Infrastructure looks like under their feet. Here is quick demo video of the training from Locate Management.

Bill S-233 Comments and Feedback now posted

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 04:04:41 GMT

All feedback from the Bill S-233 Team is now posted on the CCGA website, take a look here. Bill S-233 is a Bill Enacting the Underground Infrastructure Safety Enhancement Act.

New Guidelines for Coordination of Utility Relocation

Sat, 13 Feb 2016 04:01:53 GMT

The report from the recently completed Guidelines for Coordination of Utility Relocation project has been approved by the Transportation Association of Canada’s (TAC) Chief Engineers’ Council (CEC). You can find out more information here

2014 CGA DIRT Report available

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 19:09:51 GMT

To download a copy of the 2014 CGA DIRT (Damage Information Reporting Tool) Report click here. Data was provided from Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Senator Grant Mitchell introduces federal safe digging legislation

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 17:27:33 GMT

On June 17, 2015 Senator Grant Mitchell tabled legislation that will create a federal underground infrastructure notification system which is consistent with most other provincial jurisdictions across Canada. See Bill S-233 in full.

The legislation will require owners and operators of federally regulated underground infrastructure to register with a provincial notification system. It also requires federally regulated entities to inform a notification centre if work results in a ground disturbance on federal lands, and for the ground location of the underground infrastructure to be marked following a locate request.

“This legislation has been a long time in the making,” said Alberta Senator Grant Mitchell. “During my time as deputy chair of the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources, we heard testimony during two of our Senate studies which urged the expansion of notification centres across Canada. This is really about filling a policy gap that exists in this country. We’re encouraged that provinces like Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario have developed either full or partial legislation requiring registration of buried infrastructure with the provincial notification system; however, we were amazed to learn that the federal government does not have similar requirements in place.”

Mike Sullivan, President of Alberta One-Call Corporation and Executive Director of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) commended Senator Mitchell for this initiative. “Securing damage prevention legislation and meaningful enforcement of same, across all jurisdictions in Canada has been a longstanding goal of the CCGA.”

Sullivan continued, stating that “we are very pleased with this initiative and believe it will contribute to safer digging practices and reduce damages to underground infrastructure across Canada. We look forward to working with the government of Canada to ensure the integrity of our country’s critical buried infrastructure is recognized and that workers and owners and operators of underground infrastructure are protected in every jurisdiction across the country.”

In spite of the upcoming end of the parliamentary session, Senator Mitchell chose to table this bill in order to initiate debate on this important issue. He intends to reintroduce it at the start of the next session. “This legislation will send a strong message to our provincial partners that the federal government takes safe digging practices seriously.”

For more information, please contact:

Kyle Johnston, Office of Senator Grant Mitchell

Tel: 613-995-4254

Email: Kyle.Johnston@sen.parl.gc.ca

The draft Underground Facility Locator Competency Profile is out for review and industry feedback

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:58:35 GMT

CAPULC sent out the draft Underground Facility Locator Competency Profile on May 26, 2015 requesting review and welcomed feedback. If you did not receive a copy, please contact admin@capulc.ca to receive a copy. We are accepting feedback until July 1, 2015. Please also contact us at competencies@capulc.ca if you are interested in joining our Competency Profile Committee, open to all industry stakeholders. Damage Prevention is a shared responsibility and all input is welcomed.

CSA Z247 - Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure is now available

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 16:51:27 GMT

CSA Z247 is now published and is available for purchase HERE. French Translation will begin shortly with publication later this summer.

CSA Z247 is the first Damage Prevention Standard in Canada. It articulates the damage prevention process and elements that when consistently applied will reduce damages to Canada's underground infrastructure enhancing public, worker and community safety, preserving the environment and ultimately, saving lives.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources introduces the new Pipeline Safety Act

Tue, 16 Dec 2014 17:17:19 GMT

Harper Government Introduces Legislation to Further Enhance Canada's World-Class Pipeline Safety System.

The Honourable Greg Rickford, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced the introduction of the Pipeline Safety Act. This Act introduces legislative measures to further enhance Canada’s world-class pipeline safety system.

More information can be found on the government website - new Pipeline Safety Act

Senate Energy Committee recommends owners of federally regulated buried infrastructure be required to join one-call services.

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 21:52:20 GMT

Overview

Every year, thousands of buried facilities such as cables, wires, pipelines, water mains and sewer lines are accidently damaged by excavators. Services are interrupted in nearly every case and sometimes incidents lead to injury, death and/or significant environmental contamination. In its report tabled today entitled Digging Safely: One-call Notification Systems and the Prevention of Damage to Canada's Buried Infrastructure, the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources has outlined four recommendations to the federal government to improve public and worker safety and to prevent damage to buried facilities in Canada.

Quotes

"Damage to buried infrastructure strains public resources such as emergency response personnel and can result in economic costs, such as construction delays, repairs and traffic congestion. These incidents are an unnecessary risk to the public, a waste of economic resources and a burden on taxpayers and ratepayers. Our Senate Committee is recommending that owners and operators of federally regulated buried infrastructure be required to become members of a provincial or territorial one-call service, where they exist. We believe our recommendation could help reduce these incidents and their negative impacts on the wider community."

– Senator Richard Neufeld, Chair of the Committee

"Our Committee was encouraged to learn during our hearings that a standard for the Damage Prevention for the Protection of Underground Infrastructure, also known as CSA Z247, is being developed through the Canadian Standards Association. Therefore, our report is recommending that the federal government reference the CSA Z247 standard in relevant federal legislation and encourage provinces and territories to reference the standard in their legislation."

- Senator Paul Massicotte, Deputy Chair of the Committee

Quick Facts

Canada's first one-call centre began operating in Alberta in 1984.
Today, six provinces have one-call centres (AB, QC, BC, ON, SK, MB).
In 2012, nearly 8,000 damage incidents to buried infrastructure were reported in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. This translates to 31 damages for every business day in 2012.

Associated Links

More information can be found under the news section of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance or your provincial chapter.

www.canadiancga.com

For more information, please contact:

Ceri Au Senate Communications 613-944-9145 Ceri.Au@sen.parl.gc.ca

Lynn Gordon Clerk of the Committee: 613-991-3620 Lynn.Gordon@sen.parl.gc.ca

E&O Insurance option for CAPULC members

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:57:14 GMT

Give yourself a competitive advantage by having Jones Brown put the right pieces together...

"Insurance programs designed for CAPULC members that will exceed your expectations"

For over 10 years, Jones Brown has been providing "Best in Class" Professional Liability & Commercial Insurance solutions to the Alberta Engineering and Land Surveying Community. It is with this experience we are pleased to extend to all members of CAPULC access to a successful E&O and Commercial Insurance program. From the sole proprietor to the larger corporations, every client has its own risk profile. Understanding your industry and each risk, combined with having a strong relationship with educated insurers allows us the ability to tailor specific coverage solutions that will exceed your expectations.

Through Jones Brown’s exclusive programs, CAPULC members would have access to the most comprehensive and cost effective solutions available today. Jones Brown will review each option with you, educate you on the details and why, then negotiate on your behalf all the right pieces specific to protecting your interests.

With today’s competitive economic marketplace, having a partner that knows what it takes to protect your assets and interests in the most competitive way is invaluable. We have reviewed hundreds of contracts and worked with APEGA, APEGBC, APEGS, ISNetworld and others to ensure we are offering our clients superior coverage options that will protect your interests.

"Nothing is either good or bad except by comparison."

We would appreciate the opportunity to review your insurance requirements and tell you more about how we can help. Please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Sincerely,

Don Taylor,
Partner

Jones Brown Inc.

Direct: 403-298-4321