New PC Government Offers Opportunity to the Industry

When we hosted Doug Ford on April 13, there was considerable discussion about cutting process and finding efficiencies in government. We have carried that discussion forward to our partners in the industry and are preparing to make our recommendations to the new government. Mr. Ford invited us to work with him to identify opportunities to reduce and speed up process and reduce costs to government, business and individuals.

The opportunities are many. We all know that public procurement practices and approvals are often slow and wasteful. The OGCA is working with the CDAO to identify opportunities. We believe government can continue to build at the current volume but with considerable savings. This will involve redesigning many processes and will require a cultural change with many public buyers. This is a long term change for government but provides an opportunity to provide better value for money.

The members of the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance have developed extensive recommendations to address Ontario’s growing skills gap. The ICI construction industry has experienced a 24% growth in building permits in the last year and the long anticipated trades' shortage is now here. We will actively push for reform to OCOT and the apprentice process to generate good jobs and opportunity for Ontario families.

The road forward for the new government will be difficult. The financial audit of the province's books will warn that a structural deficit must be addressed early while the economy continues to grow. This will push most of the government’s expensive promises to the last two years of the mandate. The promises to maintain or grow social services including health care and education will greatly restrict the flexibility to respond.

OGCA has congratulated the new government and we look forward to working with our friends in the PC caucus to address the issues and implement their mandate. Our Lobby Day is booked for October 18, 2018 at the Legislature Dining Room when we will introduce the OGCA to all four parties and over 70 new Members of the Legislature.