John Cutruzzola said PPP projects have resulted in a “negative impact” for his business. He said he believes the trend to large-scale activity is misguided and mis-ap- plies contractors’ talents. “The talent of all of us in the room is to build – you are good at building and doing, and now you are being asked to be a banker, a financier, and take a huge risk at the beginning and after you have signed the contract.” He said the restrictions of access to work to larger contractors is creating monopoly-like conditions, and “you are stifling growth and vigour and innovation and the young and new companies that have been presented this big mountain tho climb is not good for the long-term of the nation.” He said P3 costs are buried in the long-term con- tracts. “So far I haven’t heard anyone make a docu- mentable detailed long-term analysis that shows a positive return on the benefit to the public purse. But Chris Gower, representing PCL Constructors Canada Inc., disagreed with Cutruzzola’s perspective. He said PPP projects are resulting in a greater level of collaboration, communication and partnership among stakeholders. “More contractors are mindful of the full lifecycle costs of the project” — when low maintenance costs and design quality is important, “we’ve been chal- lenged to collaborate like never before.” This has resulted in PCL developing expertise in fi- nance, life cycle costs, energy modelling and other is- sues. These talents are helping the contractor to grow into new areas. “We’ve started a whole division for off- site modular construction,” he said. “We’re building (me- chanical) penthouses and sending them to the site and having them fully erected.” This results in reduced site labour costs and lower congestion. “You have to chal- lenge and innovate what the customer is looking for.” Bondfield’s John Aquino said relationships are vital – they are hard to develop and take time – and can be de- stroyed within minutes. “These days, most client pre- qualifications are based on client references,” he said. “The last five per cent (of the work) either maintains or breaks this client relationship. PCL’s Chris Gower agreed. “Nothing moves faster than trust,” he said. “We often put in a bid in design- build or we have a couple of guaranteed prices from the trades” even though the drawings aren’t fully completed. “We have to trust each other, you are going to be able to finish the design and get to the end, and there is a leap of faith that comes in . . . over and over, that comes from trust, and past relationships.” Mike Reinders was asked when he will retire, and why. “My dad is 83 years old and he is in the office today,” Reinders said. “He doesn’t want to retire – he wants to keep going, or he will die.” However, Reinders doesn’t want to deny the opportunities for younger people to grow, so he believes he should “develop, hire and grow people that are better than me.” He said it is important to keep life in perspective with balance between work, family, leisure, social, physical health and spirituality. GET LINKED ADVERTISING SPECIAL Celebrating 10 years of service to the Canadian construction industry ADVERTISE ON ALL OF OUR WEBSITES 00 750. $ FOR 12 MONTHS www.constructionlinksmedia.ca ADVERTISING | ARTICLES | NETWORKING The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Spring 2013 – 7