TARBA

Best Procurement Practice: The Immediate Release of Unofficial Bid Results

Natasha Thurston — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 10:00:03 +0000

For road builders and infrastructure contractors in Ontario, transparency in municipal procurement is not a nice-to-have. It is a critical part of a competitive, efficient, and accountable construction market.

One simple practice can make a meaningful difference: the release of unofficial bid results immediately following the close of a tender.

At first glance, publishing unofficial bid results may seem like a minor administrative step. In reality, it increases competition, provides valuable market intelligence, strengthens confidence in the procurement process, and helps municipalities secure the best value for taxpayers.

TARBA encourages all public owners, whether municipalities or provincial agencies, to:

require the immediate publication of unofficial bid results after bid closing.
publish all bidder names and submitted bid prices.
state results remain subject to compliance review and formal award.

THIS ISN’T NEW

Unofficial bid results typically identify the bidders and their submitted prices on a specific tender, before the municipality completes its formal review and awards the contract. They are not an award decision, and they do not replace the municipality’s due diligence.

Historically, public tenders were submitted and opened in person, with bidder names and submitted prices read aloud immediately after bid close. The shift to electronic bidding has made the bid submission process more efficient, but it has come at the expense of this long-standing transparency. While some municipalities still publish unofficial bid results immediately after tender closing, others delay publication by days and even weeks, and some do not release unofficial bid results at all.

These varying municipal approaches create an inconsistent and unpredictable procurement environment for contractors who bid across multiple municipalities, especially in the Greater Toronto Area. Municipalities are effectively competing for the same pool of contractors, so procurement practices in one municipality can affect competition in another.

WHY IMMEDIATE UNOFFICIAL BID RESULTS MATTER

Maintains transparency. Publishing unofficial bid results restores a long-standing procurement best practice using functionality already available in existing e-procurement systems. It does not affect municipal discretion over compliance reviews or contract awards.

Keeps contractors bidding. Until contractors know whether they are among the top low bidders, they may need to preserve bonding capacity, crews, equipment, and financial resources in case they are awarded the job. In a busy construction market that can mean sitting out other municipal tenders closing in the meantime. This can result in less competition and fewer bids for municipalities and potentially higher prices for taxpayers.

Provides valuable market intelligence. Bid results provide important information about current construction market conditions. Contractors can compare their pricing with other bids, while municipalities can identify pricing trends, unusual bid spreads or other signals that may warrant further review. This information can help both industry and municipalities make better-informed decisions about future projects.

Strengthens confidence in the procurement process. Timely disclosure of unofficial bid results reinforces the integrity of the competitive procurement process by providing a clear and transparent record of the bids received. Contractors need confidence that the process is open, consistent, and accountable, particularly when significant time and resources are invested in preparing a bid. A transparent and consistent procurement process strengthens trust between municipalities, contractors, and taxpayers.

IT DOES NOT COMPROMISE THE AWARD PROCESS

A common concern is that publishing unofficial bid results could create confusion because the lowest bidder may not necessarily be the successful bidder. But that is precisely why the results should be clearly identified as unofficial. Municipalities can also include a clear liability and non-reliance disclaimer language in both municipal procurement documents and on e-tendering portals to address concerns about legal exposure while restoring immediate bid transparency.

A model clause that municipalities could adopt or adapt is set out below.

“Unofficial bid results will be posted upon electronic tender closing for information only. These results are not official and do not constitute a notice of acceptance, contract award, or any representation as to bid compliance. The municipality does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information and will not be liable for any costs, losses, or damages arising from reliance on unofficial bid results by bidders or third parties.

All bids remain subject to full compliance review, evaluation in accordance with the procurement documents, and formal award approval by the municipality.”

A SIMPLE STEP TOWARD BETTER PROCUREMENT

Ontario has a significant infrastructure challenge ahead. Municipalities need to deliver roads, bridges, water infrastructure and other capital projects efficiently and get the best possible value for taxpayers.

That requires a strong and competitive construction market. The timely release of unofficial bid results is one small but meaningful tool to support that goal.

OPSS Standardization

Natasha Thurston — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:15:58 +0000

OPSS Standardization: Ontario Takes the Next Step Toward Consistent Municipal Road Construction Standards

The Ontario Government has taken an important step toward standardizing how municipal roads are designed, built, and maintained across the province with the passing of Ontario Regulation 283/26, Standards for Road Design and Construction in August 2026.

These are the enabling regulations following the legislative changes through the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, which gave the Ontario Minister of Transportation authority to establish mandatory standards for municipal road construction.

For procurement processes that begin on or after July 1, 2027, municipalities will be required to use the first phase of mandatory Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications for Municipal Road Construction (OPSS.MUNI) standards in the design and construction of municipal linear infrastructure projects.

The Ontario government’s approach reflects TARBA’s stated priorities:

Phased approach starting with the highest priorities for harmonization: asphalt and aggregates specifications, which includes Recycled Crushed Aggregates, that have some of the greatest variability and potential for productivity drain and cost inefficiencies;
Introducing a clearly defined exemption process for municipal projects;
Reviewing and updating the specs to ensure they are current, technically sound, and practical to implement; and
Creating an updated governance structure that reflects both industry and municipal input with clear decision-making processes.

This is more than a policy change. It is a generational shift in how Ontario builds roads, creating a more consistent system designed to deliver infrastructure safer, faster, and more cost effectively.

TARBA commends this progress and recognizes the work of industry partners, MTO, municipalities, engineers, and other stakeholders who have helped move this important issue forward.

The OPSS Model: Why Standardization Matters

Ontario’s roads are the backbone of our economy, connecting communities, moving goods and getting people where they need to go.

Yet the way these roads are designed and build has historically varied significantly from municipality to municipality, despite the availability of provincial standards.

The OPSS.PROV and OPSS.MUNI standards were developed to provide a comprehensive and uniform framework for provincial and municipal road construction and procurement practices.

They establish clear, consistent technical requirements for material use, construction methods, quality control processes, and general conditions of contract aligned with best practices and provincial guidelines.

These standards were jointly developed and managed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the Municipal Engineering Association, and representatives from industry. They have been proven by consistently well-built, cost-effective, safe, and dependable highways, roads, sewers, watermains, and many other types of infrastructure in the province. Any changes to the standards are measured and are implemented with realistic timelines.

However, the use of OPSS.MUNI was not mandatory, and Ontario’s 444 municipalities had discretion in adopting these standards, modifying them, or creating their own. Many municipalities had created stricter supplementary specifications, a long list of exceptions, or bypassed OPSS.MUNI, fragmenting consistency and amassing hundreds of different specifications across the province. Municipalities can quickly change their own standards without any consultation, simply issuing a notice to industry that can impact production, design, build, and performance. In the GTA alone, contractors have had to navigate hundreds of different requirements and more than 300 asphalt mix designs.

This fragmentation comes at a cost.

It can increase material and production costs, lower productivity, create unnecessary administrative burden, make it harder for contractors to operate across municipal boundaries, and slow down the delivery of critical infrastructure.

By adopting OPSS.MUNI, municipalities will benefit from uniform standards that simplify tendering, streamline processes and reduce duplication, improve quality, sustainability, and safety, and lower costs. Cutting red tape and uncertainty reduces risk and waste, while boosting productivity and competitiveness; it creates a more level playing field, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

What Standardization Can Deliver

Better value for taxpayers. Common specifications allow municipalities and contractors to benefit from economies of scale, more competitive procurement, and greater efficiency. CANCEA research has indicated that harmonizing asphalt mix designs in the GTA alone could unlock nearly $1 billion in value over the next decade.

Faster infrastructure delivery. Clear, pre-vetted standards mean less time spent on drafting individual municipal specs, back-and-forth reviews, and disputes — resulting in projects being designed and built with fewer delays.

Better performance and safety. Uniform standards mean consistent pavement thickness, materials, and testing protocols. That means fewer potholes, less emergency repair work, and safer travel for everyone.

A stronger competitive market. Contractors can compete on a more level playing field without having to maintain a different set of processes, equipment, materials and expertise for every municipality.

Greater sustainability. OPSS.MUNI standards already encourage practices like using recycled crushed aggregates — reducing carbon emissions, conserving non-renewable resources, and cutting landfill use.

TARBA’s Priorities Moving Forward

Establishing the policy is the first step. Getting implementation right will determine whether standardization delivers the benefits Ontario expects. The objective should not simply be to replace hundreds of municipal specifications with one document, but rather to build a standardized system that works.

As implementation progresses, TARBA will continue advocating for five key principles:

1. Support continuous procurement

The transition to mandatory OPSS.MUNI standards should support, not slow down, Ontario’s municipal infrastructure pipeline. Municipalities should continue bringing projects to market and tendering work throughout the 2027 transition year. MTO can support this with clear guidance to ensure the new requirements do not create delays, uncertainty, or unnecessary rework. The goal is to maintain momentum on critical infrastructure projects while municipalities and industry adapt to the new standardized framework.

2. Get the standards right

Mandatory standards must be current, technically sound, and practical to implement.

OPSS.MUNI should be regularly reviewed using field experience, technical evidence, pilot projects, and lifecycle cost analysis. This would include establishing a predictable review process to ensure transparency and accountability when updating standards that includes feedback beyond the existing governance committee structure.

3. Minimize municipal customization

To achieve economies of scale and realize the benefits of harmonization, municipalities must adopt OPSS.MUNI in full, subject only to exceptional and project-specific exemptions that are pre-approved by the new governance committee. TARBA recommends two instances for consideration: 1) evidence-based, technically justified cases, and 2) piloting a new material,

equipment, process, or technologies to support innovation. A formal exemption process will help ensure that innovation and quality improvements are shared across the province, rather than remaining siloed in individual municipalities.

TARBA supports a practical and balanced approach that minimizes unnecessary customization, reduces fragmentation, and preserves the flexibility municipalities need to address evidence-based project-specific requirements.

4. Finalize General Conditions of Contract 100 through meaningful consultation

The additional year before OPSS.MUNI 100 becomes mandatory on July 1, 2028 is an opportunity for industry and municipalities to work together to ensure the General Conditions appropriately address issues such as risk allocation, payment, changes, claims, extensions of time, contract administration and other practical realities of delivering infrastructure projects.

This would also include alignment with the latest updates to the Construction Act, Buy Ontario Act, the establishment of standardized testing protocols and a clear dispute resolution process (e.g. use of End Result Specifications).

5. Continue phased harmonization & develop standard contract documents

TARBA will continue to advocate for a clear, phased roadmap to full standardization, with defined timelines and additional specifications identified for harmonization, until OPSS.MUNI is mandatory in its entirety.

This should also include the development of additional standardized contract documents to support the specifications and provide practical tools for tendering, pricing, technical compliance, contract amendments, reporting, and inspection—all necessary to ensure OPSS.MUNI standards are applied consistently and efficiently across municipal projects.

What This Means for Contractors

TARBA members should:

Familiarize themselves with the OPSS.MUNI standards that will become mandatory, particularly the asphalt and aggregate specifications relevant to their work.
Review current estimating, production and quality-control practices against the applicable OPSS.MUNI requirements.
Watch municipal tenders closely as the July 1, 2027 transition date approaches and confirm which standards apply to each procurement.
Participate in TARBA consultations and provide practical feedback on specifications that create challenges in the field.
Provide input for the development of OPSS.MUNI 100 and the transition to standardized contract conditions ahead of July 1, 2028.

TARBA will continue to keep members informed as implementation details and requirements evolve.

Building a Better System for Ontario

Ontario has reached an important milestone.

Mandatory OPSS.MUNI standards will bring greater consistency to municipal road construction, reduce unnecessary duplication, and create a more predictable environment for municipalities, contractors, and suppliers.

The year ahead is critical for implementation: getting the standards right, finalizing the General Conditions of Contract, ensuring meaningful industry and municipal input, and creating a system that is practical on the ground.

TARBA’s goal is simple: safer roads, faster project delivery, and better value for Ontario taxpayers, while ensuring the standards work for the workers and businesses actually building our critical transportation infrastructure.

TARBA Announces New Partnership with CFIB

Natasha Thurston — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:00:27 +0000

The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), providing every TARBA member company with access to CFIB digital membership.

CFIB is Canada’s largest association representing small and medium-sized businesses, advocating on behalf of more than 103,000 business owners nationwide.

While TARBA remains focused on advancing policies that strengthen GTA’s roadbuilding sector, a CFIB membership provides access to valuable business resources, including HR and employment advice, legal and compliance guidance, business templates and tools, exclusive member savings, and timely policy updates. CFIB also brings additional expertise and advocacy on issues such as taxation, labour and employment, red tape reduction, workplace regulations, and other day-to-day challenges of running a successful business.

At a time when contractors are navigating persistent cost pressures, market uncertainty, labour shortages, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, businesses need industry representation that work together to help them manage risk, improve operations, and influence the policies that affect their bottom line.

Together, TARBA and CFIB offer members the best of both worlds: dedicated advocacy for GTA’s road building industry and comprehensive support to help construction businesses succeed.

We encourage all TARBA members to take advantage of this new complimentary benefit and activate their CFIB membership. If you have questions, please contact TARBA at info@tarba.org or CFIB at 1-833-568-2342 or cfib@cfib.ca.

Increase in Spalling Issues: Joint Industry Letter

Natasha Thurston — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:00:40 +0000

Dear Municipal & Private Partners,

Re: Spalling on 2022-2025 Projects

The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), and the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT) represent hundreds of civil construction companies building critical public and private infrastructure projects across the Greater Toronto Area, including roads, transit, curbs and sidewalks, highways, bridges, tunnels, water, sewer, and stormwater.

This year, there has been a significant increase in reported concrete spalling on municipal and private flatwork, curb, and bridge projects completed between 2022 and 2025. Spalling issues have been reported by multiple contractors, using various ready-mix suppliers, on projects in nearly all GTA municipalities.

Based on the shared information, this is not an isolated issue affecting a single project, municipality, supplier, or contractor. Rather, it appears to be an industry-wide concern that warrants a further in-depth investigation and collaborative approach. Accordingly, our three associations are actively engaging with our members, industry partners, public and private owners, engineers, and material suppliers to better understand the extent of the issue and identify contributing factors.

We encourage public and private owners to evaluate instances of concrete spalling within the context of this broader industry-wide trend, rather than treating them as issues unique to individual contracts or contractors. A collaborative, evidence-based approach will be the most effective way to develop appropriate responses, both to address deficiencies fairly and to ensure long-term performance and durability.

TARBA, GTSWCA, and HCAT are committed to working alongside our municipal and industry partners to support this effort. As more information becomes available through ongoing discussions and technical review, we look forward to sharing findings and participating in any collaborative initiatives aimed at delivering high-quality infrastructure. Should your staff wish to participate or discuss this matter further, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Managing Asphalt Cement Price Volatility Through a Shared Risk Model

Natasha Thurston — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:18:04 +0000

Asphalt cement (AC) is one of the most significant cost components in hot mix asphalt. In recent months, the Ontario AC market has experienced substantial price increases, with the MTO AC Price Index rising from $1,067.25 per tonne in February 2026 to $1,530.00 per tonne in May 2026, a 43 per cent increase in just three months. These fluctuations are impossible for contractors to predict at the time of tender and price into fixed-price contracts. This can lead to project delivery challenges and, in the long-term, higher bid prices through increased contingencies.

TARBA is urging municipal owners to adopt an AC Price Index like the one used by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

For decades, MTO has successfully protected both owners and contractors from significant market swings through a transparent AC price adjustment mechanism tied to a published monthly index. Importantly, MTO’s approach does not adjust contracts for every market fluctuation. Price adjustments are triggered only when the monthly AC Price Index varies by more than five per cent from the index in effect at tender closing. This balanced approach protects taxpayers from unnecessary adjustments while ensuring contractors are not exposed to extraordinary market volatility.

Risk allocation works best when risks are assigned to the party best positioned to manage them. Contractors can effectively manage construction operations, scheduling, and quality. Global AC pricing, however, is driven by refinery production, energy markets, and supply chain factors that neither municipalities nor contractors can control. Shared-risk contract models improve market certainty, attract competitive bids, and help ensure infrastructure projects are delivered efficiently and cost effectively. This approach also aligns with TARBA’s recommendation that municipalities adopt a Fuel Cost Adjustment Index.

As municipalities continue to invest billions in transportation infrastructure, procurement models must evolve to reflect today’s market realities. Fair and balanced risk-sharing mechanisms help ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with the greatest value for the public.

TARBA recommends that municipalities adopt AC price adjustment provisions modelled on MTO contract practices, including:

Use of the published Ontario AC Price Index as the basis for adjustments;
A five per cent threshold before adjustments apply;
Symmetrical upward and downward adjustments to protect both owners and contractors; and
Application of adjustments only to the AC component of hot mix asphalt.

This proven approach promotes fairness, transparency, competition, and long-term value for municipal infrastructure investments.

Recognizing that many projects have already been tendered or awarded under existing procurement frameworks, TARBA encourages municipalities and contractors to work collaboratively to review current contracts and explore reasonable adjustments given the unprecedented increase in AC prices in 2026. A willingness to revisit pricing assumptions that have been materially affected by extraordinary market conditions can help ensure projects proceed as planned, maintain competitive contractor participation, and avoid unnecessary project delays or disruptions.

Municipalities can further strengthen outcomes by streamlining procurement timelines. Reducing the gap between bid closing, award, and project start helps ensure pricing reflects current conditions, minimizing the need for contractors to include contingency premiums.

By working together, we can implement fair and modern procurement practices and continue delivering the critical transportation infrastructure our communities rely on.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 Road Work Restriction Area

Natasha Thurston — Mon, 04 May 2026 11:30:41 +0000

Staff Directive and Procedures
Effective Period: May 1 – July 31, 2026

1. Introduction

This directive outlines the procedures and restrictions that will be in effect from May 1 to July 31, 2026, during the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted in Toronto. A work restriction zone has been established to support the FIFA World Cup event, and this directive clarifies how utility work, site servicing, other construction in the right-of-way, and associated work zone coordination must comply with these restrictions.

2. Work Restriction Zone Overview

Duration: May 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026
A work restriction zone has been established in cooperation with the Strategic Capital Coordination Office, the FIFA Secretariat, and staff in Transportation Services for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

*NEW* A updated map outlining the areas for these work restrictions is appended to this directive and is also available here. Please refer to the map to better understand the restriction areas and the dates that are being applied to different areas.

Toronto will be hosting 6 matches as part of the tournament on the following days:
Friday, June 12, Wednesday June 17, Saturday June 20, Tuesday June 23, Friday June 26, and Thursday July 2. Restrictions on the day before each match and each day after a match are also in effect.

Further details regarding these work restrictions are detailed below.

3. Utility and Third Party Construction

3.1 Full Stream Work

Restriction: No full stream work is permitted between May 1 and July 31, 2026, on arterial
and collector roadways within the FIFA Work Zone Restriction Areas.

Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:

Full stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the
restricted period
Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training sites, and transportation corridors
- Alternative scheduling availability

Arterial and Collector Roadways: Work is not permitted on these roadways during the entire restriction period. Applicants must schedule work before May 1 or after July 31, 2026.

Action: All full-stream work projects must be:

Completed before May 1, 2026, OR
Scheduled to commence on or after August 1, 2026, or later
Pause the work and have all excavations backfilled and temporarily restored, with all equipment and materials fully removed from the Right-of-Way by that date.

3.2 Short Stream Work

General Restriction: No short stream work is permitted between May 1 and July 31, 2026,
on arterial or collector roadways within the FIFA Work Zone Restriction Areas.

Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:

Short stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the
restricted period
Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training
  sites, and transportation corridors
- Alternative scheduling availability

Arterial and Collector Roadways: Work is not permitted on these roadways during the entire restriction period. Applicants must schedule work before May 1 or after July 31, 2026.

Staff Guidance: When reviewing requests to work on local roads between May 1 – July 31, Work Zone Traffic Coordinators must consult with their supervisor before issuing approval.

3.3 Site Servicing Permits

Restriction: Site servicing permits follow the same rules as short stream work.

Procedures:

No site servicing permit work on arterial or collector roadways if it requires any temporary lane closure or any closure to a sidewalk
Site service work on local roads requires case-by-case assessment through the escalation process. *NEW* Work that is short in duration (less than 2 hours) on a local road is permitted.
Same justification and approval process applies as Section 3.2

4. Emergency Work Procedures

Definition: Emergency work is defined according to the Municipal Consents Requirements (MCR) document.

Emergency work may proceed during the work restriction period, subject to immediate notification protocols outlined in the MCR including immediate notification as follows:

Transportation Services dispatch by phone: 416-392-5556
OR by email: tmcdisp@toronto.ca

Planned emergency work (e.g. replacement of HVAC equipment) should be discussed with your Supervisor or Manager who

5. Construction Staging

Construction staging areas that are in the work restriction areas will also be subject to restrictions on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):

Match #1 – June 11-13th
Match #2 – June 16-18th
Match #3 – June 19-21st
Match #4 – June 22-24th
Match #5 – June 25-27th
Match #6 – July 1-3rd

If based on discussions between the work zone coordinator and the developer, it is not feasible to demobilize the construction staging area and reopen the right-of-way in its entirety, the following conditions should apply:

Pause on all construction deliveries during game days. *NEW* This applies to all vehicles with greater than 2 axles.
Pause on any additional closures outside of the construction staging area, such as service connections/third-party construction, tower crane installation/removal etc. between June 11 and July 3, 2026
*NEW* Construction deliveries are permitted as determined by the work zone coordinator on days that don’t fall within the 3-day windows noted above around match days for the month of June and July 2026
*NEW* Construction waste removal, crane and hoist servicing, and solid waste removal that is essential from a healthy and safety perspective can continue with the exception that none of these occur on match days.
Assess the need for traffic agents/paid duty officers at any adjacent intersection and/or any potential signal timing adjustments

6. Street Occupation Permits

No street occupation permits should be issued on arterial or collector roadways in the work restriction area on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):

Match #1 – June 11-13th
Match #2 – June 16-18th
Match #3 – June 19-21st
Match #4 – June 22-24th
Match #5 – June 25-27th
Match #6 – July 1-3rd

Exceptions and Case-by-Case Assessment:

Short stream work on local roads needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis
Applicants must submit detailed justification for work on local roads during the restricted period
Approval will depend on:
- The nature and duration of the proposed work
- Expected traffic and pedestrian impact
- Proximity and any anticipated traffic impacts to FIFA venues, hotels, training sites, and transportation corridors
- Alternative scheduling availability

8. Single trip permits

No single trip permits should be issued on arterial or collector roadways in the work restriction area on the following days (these include match days and match days -1 and +1 where higher than normal traffic and pedestrian movements are projected):

Match #1 – June 11-13th
Match #2 – June 16-18th
Match #3 – June 19-21st
Match #4 – June 22-24th
Match #5 – June 25-27th
Match #6 – July 1-3rd

9. Escalation Procedures

Questions or unusual circumstances regarding this directive and any requests for an exemption to these restrictions should be escalated to:

The Supervisor or Manager
If direction is still needed, the Supervisor or Manager can reach out to TransFWC26.toronto.ca

Working Together to Deliver Buy Ontario: A Consistent Path Forward for Municipalities

Natasha Thurston — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:10:25 +0000

To Ontario Municipal Leaders, CAOs, Treasurers, Engineers, Procurement Officials, and Public Works Departments,

Re: Open Letter to Ontario Municipalities Regarding Implementation of the Municipal Buy Ontario Procurement Directive

On behalf of the members of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and Ontario Association of Foundation Specialists (OAFS), we are writing regarding implementation of the Province’s new Municipal “Buy Ontario” Procurement Directive. As organizations representing the contractors, manufacturers, distributors, and material suppliers responsible for building and
maintaining critical public infrastructure across Ontario, we urge public buyers to adopt a consistent and practical procurement policy to meet this directive.

Public buyers across Ontario are beginning to incorporate new bidder declarations, domestic content attestations, and supply chain disclosure requirements into tender calls. While the provincial Directive establishes a broad policy objective, it provides limited detail on how it is to be implemented in practice. As a result, hundreds of public sector buyers are being left to interpret the requirements independently and develop their own approaches. Without a uniform implementation framework, this risks creating inconsistency across the province and confusion for owners, contractors, consultants,
manufacturers, and suppliers alike.

For this reason, we are encouraging public buyers to adopt a uniform and standardized approach aligned with the implementation model established by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). MTO’s procurement special provision provides a practical framework that includes:
• A standardized Domestic Supply Chain Plan;
• Clearly identified material categories for disclosure;
• A straightforward declaration process;
• A measurable and transparent compliance threshold of 51%; and,
• Procedures for post-award updates where supply chains change during delivery.

This model offers the “ambitious and achievable” targets that the Directive calls for, while reducing uncertainty for bidders and owners.

The infrastructure construction industry operates across municipal boundaries every day. Contractors frequently bid work in multiple municipalities each season. Manufacturers and suppliers serve projects province-wide. If each buyer creates its own approach, the result will be cost escalation, bid errors, and reduced competition.

A common municipal framework would provide substantial benefits:
•Lower administrative burden for staff and bidders;
•Greater consistency and legal clarity in procurement documents;
•Faster implementation of the Province’s policy objectives;
•Better comparability of submissions and reporting data; and,
•Reduced risk of disputes or unintended non-compliance.

Our organizations stand ready to work collaboratively with municipalities, provincial officials, and industry stakeholders to support practical implementation that protects competition, delivers best value, and advances the Buy Ontario objectives as practically as possible.

Sincerely,

Raly Chakarova, Executive Director, TARBA

Patrick McManus, Executive Director, GTSWCA & OSWCA

Peter Smith, Executive Director, HCAT & OAFS

TARBA Calls for Shared‑Risk Contract Models as Fuel Costs Surge

Natasha Thurston — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:14:11 +0000

Ongoing global uncertainty and supply chain pressures continue to drive significant volatility in the cost of key construction inputs. Fuel, steel, asphalt cement, and other essential materials are experiencing swings that are difficult – if not impossible – to predict at the time of tender.

For contractors delivering Ontario’s transportation infrastructure, fuel price fluctuations are not just an operational challenge; they ripple across the entire supply chain. Aggregates illustrate this clearly: up to 60 percent of their cost is tied to transportation. When fuel prices shift suddenly, the cost of moving these essential inputs rises immediately, placing pressure on project budgets and timelines.

Unlike many industries, construction operates on fixed-price contracts secured months or even years in advance. When input costs change dramatically, contractors are left managing risks that could not have been reasonably anticipated – an especially acute challenge for small and mid-sized employers.

Most municipal contract models place the full burden of this uncertainty on contractors at the time of bid. This dynamic can lead to higher upfront pricing, reduced bid accuracy, and a greater likelihood of claims during project delivery. Over time, this approach risks reducing competition and introducing avoidable uncertainty into public infrastructure programs that will drive up project costs.

A more balanced approach is available.

TARBA is encouraging Greater Toronto Area municipalities to adopt proven risk-sharing tools—such as fuel cost adjustment indices—that are already working effectively in several jurisdictions:

Ministry of Transportation (MTO): Monthly Fuel Cost Adjustment Index with a ±5% threshold
City of Ottawa: Application of the MTO index with a 7% fuel allotment and a ±15% threshold
Region of Waterloo: Annual fuel adjustment for multi-year contracts, with ±10% threshold

These models align costs more closely with real market conditions, supporting more accurate bids and fostering a healthier, more competitive procurement environment.

Fuel price volatility is driven by external forces beyond the control of any single party. By adopting shared risk mechanisms, municipalities and industry can work together to improve pricing certainty, reduce disputes, and enhance project delivery.

Greater stability benefits everyone: more competitive bids, better value for taxpayers, and timely delivery of the infrastructure communities depend on.

TARBA looks forward to continued collaboration with municipal partners to ensure infrastructure programs remain resilient, efficient, and responsive to today’s economic realities.

Read TARBA’s Open Letter to GTA and Simcoe municipal partners advocating for the adoption of a Fuel Cost Adjustment Index.

As a result of TARBA advocacy, the City of Toronto has confirmed that “work is now underway to develop an approach using the MTO Fuel Price Index for existing contracts and, where appropriate, future procurements.”

New TV Ad Highlights How Recycled Materials Can Slash Emissions, Save Money

Natasha Thurston — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:34:00 +0000

Recycled materials offer cost savings and environmental benefits without compromising quality

Toronto, Ontario — The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) is launching a new TV ad campaign to promote the use of recycled concrete and asphalt in municipal road building—an approach that would cut carbon emissions, while delivering better value for taxpayers. The ad will first air on April 6 on CP24, reaching millions of viewers and municipal decision makers across the Greater Toronto Area.

As Ontario faces mounting infrastructure demands, rising construction costs, and increasing pressure to meet climate targets, industry leaders are calling for smarter, more sustainable ways to build. Recycled Crushed Aggregates (RCA) is emerging as one of the most immediate and practical solutions available today.

Despite being widely used in major projects like Ontario’s highways and airports, most municipalities either prohibit or restrict RCA use. The new TV ad campaign is designed to raise awareness among decision-makers and the public that sustainable infrastructure solutions already exist—and are ready to scale.

“RCA is proven, available, and cost-effective—the gap isn’t performance, it’s policy. Updating municipal rules is the fastest way to unlock RCA’s full potential,” said Raly Chakarova, Executive Director of TARBA. “RCA strengthens local supply chains by reducing dependence on long-haul materials—something that matters more than ever in a volatile fuel cost environment.”

If municipalities increased RCA use to just 20%, Ontario could save more than $260 million annually, while reducing carbon emissions equivalent to taking 15 million gas cars off the road.

RCA is produced by reclaiming asphalt and concrete from old infrastructure and processing it for reuse. Its advantages are clear and proven:

● Lower costs: Reduces transportation and material expenses, helping municipalities stretch limited infrastructure budgets.

● Reduced emissions: Shorter truck hauling distances significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and congestion.

● Preserves natural resources: Extends the life of non-renewable materials.

● Diverts waste from landfills: Reuses materials that would otherwise contribute to Ontario’s shrinking landfill capacity.

● Proven performance: Engineering studies confirm RCA performs comparably to primary aggregates.

The campaign is supported by leading industry partners, including Strada Aggregates, Amrize, and Dufferin, who are helping drive innovation and adoption across the sector.

“This isn’t a future solution—it’s already being used successfully in Ontario and across the world,” said Mario Pietrolungo, Vice President, Operations at Strada Aggregates. “The industry has the capacity to supply more RCA today. What’s needed is broader municipal acceptance and leadership to make it a standard choice on transportation projects.”

To learn more, visit RCAontario.ca.

About TARBA

The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) represents unionized contractors who build multimodal transportation infrastructure, including roads, transit, highways, bike lanes, and sidewalks, in the Greater Toronto Area and Simcoe County. TARBA advocates for policies and practices that promote safe, cost-efficient, and sustainable infrastructure development.

For media inquiries: info@tarba.org

New Report Finds GTA Would Unlock Nearly $1 Billion in Savings Through Uniform Road Paving Standards

Natasha Thurston — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 20:34:10 +0000

New Report Finds GTA Would Unlock Nearly $1 Billion in Savings Through Uniform Road Paving Standards

New analysis shows standardizing asphalt mix specifications across the Greater Toronto Area would boost productivity, protect local jobs, and deliver safer, longer-lasting roads without raising taxes.

Toronto, ON — As municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) face mounting budget pressures, a new report from the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) shows that a simple change — standardizing asphalt mixes across the Greater Toronto Area — would unlock nearly $1 billion over the next decade.

Municipalities spend an average of 7.7% of their annual capital budgets on paving and repairing their roads, and each uses their own asphalt mix design. Those variations require suppliers to change materials, equipment, and testing procedures — sometimes dozens of times a day — leading to higher costs, lost productivity, and more waste. This is especially true in the GTA, where suppliers and contractors serve multiple municipal and regional markets that collectively require more than 300 asphalt mix designs.

Commissioned by the Toronto Area Road Builders Association (TARBA), the landmark study, “Impact of Non-Standard Asphalt Mix Policies in the Greater Toronto Area,” reveals that efficiency gains from standardizing municipal asphalt mixes and testing standards could pave 1,800 additional lane-kilometres of road — without a single new tax dollar — while protecting more than 3,000 local jobs and $140 million in wages.

“Municipalities are facing rising construction costs, infrastructure deficits, and tighter budgets,” said Raly Chakarova, Executive Director of TARBA. “We can’t afford inefficiencies built into the system itself. Harmonizing road building standards is a simple, evidence-based way to make every infrastructure dollar go further – building safer roads, supporting local jobs, and delivering more for our communities — without asking taxpayers for a penny more.”

KEY REPORT FINDINGS

Unlock nearly $1 billion: Harmonizing asphalt standards within the GTA alone would unlock nearly $1 billion in value over the next decade.

Inaction is costly: Failure to standardize will drain more than $500 million from municipal budgets in the next 10 years — money that could have paved more than 1,000 lane-kilometers — while a slow roll-out would forfeit 40% of potential benefits forever.
Boost for small businesses: Cutting red tape and uncertainty reduces risk and waste, creating a more level playing field that boosts productivity and competitiveness for small and medium-sized businesses, who make up more than half of the asphalt industry in the GTA.
Protecting local jobs and wages: Harmonization protects more than 3,000 GTA jobs and $140 million in wages, keeping economic benefits within the communities where asphalt is produced and laid.
Bigger gains through broader standardization: Extending harmonization throughout all aspects of road building and procurement would unlock $11.7 billion in broader gains, help reduce the growing infrastructure deficit, and deliver safer, high-performing roads.

“This study shows asphalt harmonization is about economy-wide efficiency, not new public spending,” said Paul Smetanin, President and CEO of CANCEA. “It lets producers raise productivity and helps municipalities complete resurfacing and repairs more quickly, with no added cost to residents.”

While provincial standards exist and are managed through the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and the Municipal Engineering Association, Ontario’s 444 municipalities have discretion in their implementation and have instead amassed hundreds of varying requirements for how to build and procure similar use projects, like roads, bridges, sewers, and watermains. These differences cost taxpayers millions of dollars more, while reducing quality and productivity and increasing waste and carbon emissions. When every municipality builds to the same proven standard, Ontario gets safer, greener, more cost-effective roads — faster.

Media Relations

For media inquiries, please contact Raly Chakarova, Executive Director, Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) at raly@tarba.org and media@cancea.ca.

About CANCEA

The Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) is an independent, interdisciplinary socio‑economic analytics and advisory firm that supports evidence‑based decisions across government, industry, and the social sector. CANCEA is home to Canada’s largest and most integrated socio‑economic simulation platform, widely used for policy evaluation, delivering rigorous, data‑driven insights from the household to the national level. Trusted for more than 20 years, CANCEA applies advanced agent‑based modelling and forecasting to help leaders assess impacts, manage risk, and plan for inclusive, sustainable growth.

About TARBA

The Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA) represents unionized contractors building multi-modal transportation infrastructure, including roads, transit, highways, bike lanes, and sidewalks, in the Greater Toronto Area and Simcoe County. TARBA advocates for policies and practices that promote safe, cost-efficient, and sustainable infrastructure development.

WHAT REGIONAL LEADERS ARE SAYING

“We are an integrated region, but a patchwork of overly burdensome rules and regulations create barriers that drive up costs and timelines. The CANCEA report demonstrates this clearly in road construction—if the asphalt mix and testing standards are good enough for one part of the Toronto region, there’s no reason they should not be accepted across the region. Adopting region-wide best-in-class standards is a sensible way to simplify and streamline regulations, not just for road construction, but across sectors.”

– Toronto Region Board of Trade

“It’s time for municipalities to standardize asphalt mixes & testing standards. This would create efficiencies that will stabilize supply chains, speed up construction of new roads, protect jobs, and save taxpayers billions of dollars. Read the report and support the call to action.”

– Sandro Perruzza, CEO of Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

“The report highlights opportunities for significant efficiencies for road infrastructure that would benefit municipalities — and Canadians. Harmonizing standards, encouraging innovation, and emphasizing the need for strategic investment is how we build a stronger Canada, together.”

– Canadian Construction Association

“RCCAO welcomes and commends this new important infrastructure research released by TARBA. It will further support our advocacy call for greater provincial leadership to harmonize municipal standards across Ontario to improve industry operations and our communities.”

– Residential and Civil Construction Association of Ontario

“Standardizing specifications can have a huge impact on municipal infrastructure. It can make capital construction dollars go further, speed up project design and delivery, and improve quality and performance by creating greater economies of scale. Big potential for long-term gains on this.”

– Patrick McManus, Executive Director of Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association

“Good Roads welcomes TARBA’s new report highlighting the benefits of harmonizing asphalt standards. Greater consistency in roadbuilding practices helps municipalities achieve better value for money and ensures the long-term quality of our local infrastructure.”

– Scott Butler, Executive Director of Good Roads

“This recent CANCEA report highlights a transformative opportunity for the Greater Toronto Area and the province of Ontario to harmonize road construction and safety standards. By modernizing and achieving greater consistency and uniformity in technical standards, we can reduce cost and expedite construction, delivering safer, longer-lasting roads. Embracing comprehensive road construction and safety standardization is a vital step to providing resilient infrastructure for our growing communities.”

– Jackie Choquette, Head of Government Affairs at 3M Canada

‘Paving roads the hard way’: Roadbuilding standard for asphalt mix a must, says TARBA

New Report finds uniform road paving standards could unlock $1B in savings

Report points to savings potential of uniform paving standards