The OGCA has seen a surprising increase in the number of complaints we receive in regards to the current operation of procurement on IO real estate projects. These projects are administered by two Project Management Providers on behalf of IO.

The OGCA documented a number of complaints submitted by members which had consistent themes and showed what appeared to be a systemic problem starting to build. We reviewed these reports and investigated further with our members for more background. Once that was completed, we submitted a report to IO asking for a meeting to address these concerns.

As a result, IO began their own review of our issues and we then met to discuss. For the rest of what is occurring, please click here in the members only section.

The OGCA has been receiving a larger number of complaints than usual concerning the procurement of our services for these two major areas. Reviewing these complaints has shown a number of disturbing trends developing in healthcare and school procurement.

In response, we organized meetings, directly with the Ministries responsible, to discuss our concerns. We were well-received and were  asked to provide more information.

For full details of the discussions, please click here.

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is preparing to issue new procurements to develop Vendor of Record (VOR) lists for construction-related projects for the Province’s real estate portfolio. This represents a major opportunity for companies from every part of the province. IO manages the portfolio on behalf of the government, and is currently completing due diligence in advance of initiating an open, fair and transparent procurement process.

CLAC’s Grand Opening to New Facility | November 10 | 4:00 p.m. | Cambridge, Ontario

Ledcor Group Safety Event | November 29 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Mississauga, Ontario

Construct Canada Tradeshow | Metro Toronto Convention Center (MTCC), South Building | November 30 – December 2

*Alberici’s AGM Safety Operations Event | December 6 | Burlington, Ontario

* Rob Ellis will be speaking at The Buildings Show 2016. His topic is What Does It Take to be a Construction Safety Champion? scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2016 in Room 715A at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre – South Building. Also participating in that session will be Stephen Benson, President & CEO of Benson Steel, Maren Gamble, Health and Safety Manager at Percon Construction, Craig Lesurf, Vice President and Business Group Leader at Walsh Construction, John Mollenhauer, President of Toronto Construction Association, and Clive Thurston, President of OGCA.

This is a reminder that Rob Ellis, from MySafeWorks is attending two school presentations to discuss the important of workplace safety. He is calling on fellow champions/leaders to join him and participate in a Q&A at the following schools listed below.

This provides an opportunity for students interested in the industry to interact with leaders who represent the safest companies in Ontario.

Presentations:

Parkdale Collegiate Institute | November 21 | 10:00 a.m.

Mohawk College | November 23 | 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 (two sessions)

Those with questions or concerns or who are interested in attending, please RSVP Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca.

OGCA regularly boasts to government and the public that we are very safe and one of the results is that we generate low costs for the cash-strapped WSIB. It was, therefore, a surprise to us that when Premium rates were announced in September, the WSIB determined our target rate had gone up and the ICI construction rate #723 would remain at $4.55.

OGCA’s David Frame with MCAO’s Les Liversidge confronted the WSIB concerning the questionable calculations. In the 6 years since target rates last were used to determine Premiums, the ICI construction LTI rate had dropped a spectacular 44%, but for some unexplained reason, the WSIB assigned higher costs for both past claims and administrative overhead.

WSIB responded to our objections by promising to organize a meeting with staff to do a deep dive on the calculations. On October 27, Chair Elizabeth Witmer and President Tom Teahen issued a letter to the Construction Advisory Council members. It stated, "when the 2017 target premium rates for Schedule 1 were calculated, a higher Past Claims cost was used than necessary, resulting in the published rates not being accurately determined." It also stated that "an analysis has been commissioned to identify improved controls to apply during the annual rate-setting process to ensure that there are no further miscalculations."

As a result, the General Contracting rate #723 will be $4.40 for 2017, a 3.3% reduction, the first of what we believe will be many decreases.

OGCA is working diligently with the WSIB to make sure your interests are heard. This not only includes premium rates but also the redesign of the revenue system that is being replaced with the Rate Framework reform. When implemented, the WSIB will generate individual premium rates. We are fully engaged in this process to assure that miscalculations or poor design don’t penalize general contractors, but instead reward strong performance.

Late last year, the Legislature passed Bill 109 which included provisions prohibiting employer claim suppression. The WSIB has now approved a plan that includes administrative penalties for claim suppression which start at $5,000 and increases to $10,000 per incident.

The proposal includes targeting employers "at higher risk of non-compliance with accident reporting obligations." The penalty will be applied following an audit if an incident of claims suppression is determined. The audit may also result in levying penalties for late reporting of workplace accidents. The WSIB is considering increasing the penalty for late reporting of a workplace accident to $1,000.

Regulatory Services will have discretion to reduce a claims suppression penalty and/or the total amount of penalties if the magnitude is considered punitive under the circumstances.

It is proposed that the program be implemented by 2018.

OGCA's Immediate Past Chairman Jason Ball is celebrating 93 years of Ball Construction this year! The company is now operated by the third generation of owners in this family-run business.

OGCA is pleased to tell you that we have a strong presence at the Construct Canada Show, as well as having a booth! You can find us at Booth location 821 - next door to the CCA booth. Click Learn More to see the sessions we are participating in!