This is the official Facebook page for The League of Champions. An initiative advocating for workplace safety in the Construction Industry. Members and Patrons are leaders in building and promoting a safety culture within their companies and industries across Ontario. To learn more on how you can become a Member or Patron, please visit www.theleagueofchampions.com and follow us on Twitter @TheLOChampions. Click the headline and be sure to LIKE this page!

Congratulations to all of the OGCA members who are receiving their safety awards for zero lost time injuries up to 2015. The awards will be presented on Friday, September 30, at Verdi Banquet Hall, 3550 Derry Road East, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (breakfast available from 7:30). Please join Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, WSIB President Elizabeth Witmer and Chief Prevention Officer George Gritziotis as we present the awards. To register, please call the OGCA at 905-671-3969.

OGCA President Clive Thurston recently enjoyed a round of golf at the Ariss Valley Golf and Country Club, courtesy of Newton Group Ltd., which was celebrating its 17th Annual Tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament went to Sick Kids Hospital. "Great weather and a lot of fun," said Meri Shepheard, Vice President of Newton Group.

Golfing with Clive were Cam Krajcik - Newton Group, Jason Hunter - Synergenics Ltd., Jamie McLeod - Synergenics Ltd. and Clive Thurston.

Aveiro Constructors Limited celebrated their 40^th year in business with an open house on Thursday, September 22, 2016. Many current and former clients attended, retired team members, suppliers, consultants and fellow general contractors all came to congratulate Aveiro on their milestone. 

Mario and Maria Aveiro started the company in 1976 originally as a supplier of pre-engineered buildings. Over the years the company has grown to be a full general contractor in the ICI sector, but is still sought after as being a preferred supplier and installer of pre-engineered steel buildings. In 2013, their son, Victor Aveiro, took over the helm as President. Aveiro is very proud to have been successful over the past 40 years and looks forward to many more.

The General Construction rate #723 will remain at $4.55 for 2017. In the attached announcement, the WSIB is reducing the average premium rate by 5% and some by up to 14%. Many rates are being held at their existing level based on their "performance" according to the release.

In the brief information on cost allocation that has been provided on Rate #723’s premium rate components, it reports a 3.5% reduction in new claim costs. However, it is more than offset with a 3.7% increase in administration expenses and a 1.7% increase in the unfunded liability charge.

OGCA will meet with officials to learn more about the analysis in coming weeks. These results appear to contradict the reports we have had of significant reductions of Lost Time Injuries in member companies and the rate group. Most construction groups will enjoy a rate reduction in 2017.

The WSIB Maximum Insurable Ceiling for 2017 is $88,500, compared to $88,000 in 2016. This is a lower increase than we have experienced in past years. Click the headline to get the full report.

The Premier has once again made public her Mandate Letters to each of her Ministers and they provide a useful guide to the governments’ priorities for the last 20 months of this mandate.

The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) is pleased to host the Ontario General Contractors Association in joint sessions across Ontario, including Ottawa on October 4, Kingston on October 5, London and Thunder Bay. Members are invited to these free events which include breakfast.

CanBIM’s 2nd Annual Technology Built Innovation event will host industry presentations and demonstrations on innovative and emerging BIM workflows, methodologies and technologies from industry leaders in the Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management fields. All disciplines and levels of decision-makers are encouraged to attend this annual technology focused event. CanBIM will also host its second Annual CanBIM Awards show on October 5th, recognizing the accomplishments of our BIM leaders. One registration covers entry to both days; you won’t want to miss this event!

The Aboriginal Business Match (ABM) is a technology-facilitated trade show that connects Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal decision makers to create opportunities for business.

ABM is a hyper-productive incubator for business development, partnerships and joint initiatives. In Sault Ste. Marie, we expect 100 qualified decision makers representing communities and businesses, as well as select non-profit organizations and government agencies supporting business development, training and employment.

ABM delegates use to a technology-driven online tool to set up as many as 31 pre-qualified appointments that are 20 minutes in length. Over a 2.5-day period at the event, these appointments keep the conversation focused and efficient and help determine next steps if a business match has been made, or is possible.

ABM East will take place:

November 7 to 9, 2016

The Machine Shop

Ojibwe Territory, Sault Ste. Marie

Co-hosted by Garden River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation and the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation

You can watch ABM 2015 Delegates share their feedback about ABM here.

Here are few quick links:

ABM 2015 Brochure (Link to the PDF document)

ABM Agenda

Registration Fees

Business Opportunities Currently Available for Discussion at ABM

Pinchin has several courses now available for registration - everything from confined space to avoiding liability to legionella risk in buildings.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA) governs workers' compensation in Ontario. This course introduces the provincial legislation, reviews the basics of accident reporting, managing workers' compensation claims and reducing accidents costs to participants. The course reviews how claim decisions are made and the appeals process. Tribunal decisions will be reviewed and discussed in class.

Click here to register. 

We are still working on the program and hope to have it available for you at our booth during the Construct Canada show in late November.

We will once again be at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood from April 6 - 8, 2017, and hope to see you all there!