Another summer passes into history, though I suspect not one of our best ones. It certainly was busy for OGCA, as we dealt with numerous reports and appearances before various Government bodies: dealing with the Legalization of Marijuana, Stress as a compensable disease, Rate Groups, College of Trades, and our favorite, the Lien Act.

Please click here to read the letter from York Region regarding process changes to York Region’s Health & Safety requirements for new construction projects in excess of $150,000.00 beginning January 1, 2018.

35 organizations from across the country, including the CCA, have come together to form the Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness—a unified voice to oppose the federal government’s tax proposals that would dramatically change the way incorporated small businesses are taxed in Canada.

Click here to read the letter that the Coalition sent to Minister of Finance Bill Morneau on August 30. The CCA will continue working with the Coalition to make sure our industry’s concerns are heard at the highest levels.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you,

Kyle Larkin
Manager of Government Relations
Canadian Construction Association

The deadline for submissions is September 21. Click here for the application form.

After 5 years as Ontario’s first Chief Prevention Officer, George Gritziotis is to become the Register and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario College of Trades.

He was given the responsibility of moving the prevention mandate to the Ministry of Labour and implementing an extensive report by Tony Dean concerning workplace health and safety. With that task largely completed, he again will be implementing reforms recommended by the same Tony Dean, this time on reforming OCOT.

We would like to thank George for his dedication and achievements in moving forward the safety mandate and we look forward to working with him in reforming the Ontario College of Trades.

Click here to read the full announcement from the Ministry of Labour.

After many years as CEO of the Consulting Engineers of Ontario, Barry Steinberg has announced his retirement. Read more about it by clicking here.

Mary Van Buren has accepted CCA president’s position. As announced previously, Michael Atkinson will remain with CCA until April 30, 2018 as president emeritus with special duties. While Mary’s official start date is not until mid-October, she will be attending the CCA board meetings in Niagara Falls. Click here to read the full announcement. Congratulations!

The League of Champions is proud to announce our newest members:

• Brown Daniels Associates Inc.
• BGIS
• Peak Engineering & Construction Ltd.
• Lafarge Canada

We welcome you aboard and thank you for your outstanding commitment to safety excellence. It is through your strong leadership that we are making a difference in improving Health and Safety in the Construction Industry.

For more information on how you can join the League of Champions, visit www.theleagueofchampions.com and join today.

Also this is a reminder that all champions and patrons are cordially invited to attend OGCA’s Safety Awards Breakfast, which will be held on September 29, 2017 at Verdi Convention Center, 3550 Derry Road East, Mississauga.

Those wishing to attend, please RSVP Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca. Please don’t forget to bring your jersey.

 

PCL Constructors Canada Inc. (Toronto) is pleased to celebrate the connection of The Great Trail through a donation to the Trans Canada Trail Foundation, and with the support of its employees who virtually walked the Trail in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

  

 

98% of EHS leaders report a positive correlation between higher worker participation and safety performance enhancements

Find out what over 500 safety professionals are doing to encourage employees to actively participate in safety activities, promote consistently safe behaviors on the job, and improve safety performance.

Read the Report

 

 

bids&tenders™ has arrived and is making great strides in reaching members across the province.

bids&tenders™ is a leading e-bidding system that makes it easy for you to review, register and submit bids for goods and services online, 24/7. We’ve joined hundreds of purchasing agencies who have already made the switch. For more information, click on one of the links below to register to attend a more in-depth information session.

Halton and group

City of London

Toronto District School Board

Prior to issuing this Tender, the Town of Milton reached out to the OGCA to discuss the use of an e-tendering system. We were pleased to see that the system chosen was eSolutions (bids&tenders) which is the only system endorsed by the OGCA. At a meeting, we and representatives of eSolutions, met with the Town’s representatives and the head of procurement Leslie Williams. We addressed many questions and possible concerns from the Town, who were supportive of using modern technology to increase efficiency and improve their Tender syst

Requirements for construction noise and vibration monitoring are increasingly found in tender specifications from public organizations such as Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission. Monitoring is also a more frequently required during construction projects to show compliance with municipal by-laws.

Click here to read the full requirements.

COR™ is a health and safety certification program. It is a national standard supported by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA). COR™ is aimed at driving positive and safe workplace behavior and consistent practices, which lead to improved performance. 

Want to know what's made COR the "Buzz" word in the Construction Industry in Ontario? Click here to find out.

The latest Ontario Legislative Report is available here. Previous issues can also be found at the OGCA website (www.ogca.ca) under Government Resources.

At the upcoming AGM and Conference, Mr. Rick Atkinson will be speaking about Strategies for Retiring Right, and he has submitted this article that might be of interest to our members.

Though most people know it is in their best interest to prepare a will, many have never thought about those to be notified at time of death, location of personal papers and where the keys to the cottage are hidden.

It is recommended you write a reference letter which accompanies your will. Click here to see what should be included in the letter.

There's always something exciting going on at OSPE. Here are just some of their upcoming Events, Workshops & Seminars, Professional Development & Career Services, and Webinars to help keep you in the know!

Tilt-Up Concrete Construction is a seminar hosted by Tilt Wall Ontario and sponsored by the Canadian Concrete Expo (CCE), the RMCAO/Concrete Ontario, and Dayton Superior for Engineers and Architects to better understand the many benefits and advantages of this construction style.

With the changes that have occurred in the Ontario construction sector over the course of the last number of years, the time for tilt-up in Ontario is ripe. Although tilt-up is not a new building method and uses one of the oldest building materials known to man, it is still virtually unknown in the Ontario market place. Over the past 15 years, the use of tilt-up in both the Western and Maritime Provinces has greatly increased, and it is time for Ontario to get on board!

This seminar is a part of the Tilt-Up Construction Seminar Series. During the month of October 2017, Tilt Wall Ontario will provide 9 seminars across Ontario. By attending one of the seminars, participants will receive a free VIP pass to attend the Canadian Concrete Expo held in Toronto on February 7 – 8, 2018. Click here to view the flyer.

RESCON is offering a seminar on Cannabis in Construction on Monday, October 2 at Eagle's Nest Golf Club.

With pending legislation on the books for July 1, 2018, this symposium will address the following issues:

1. Labour relations issues related to medical and recreational marijuana use
2. Health and Safety including WSIB issues
3. What your drug policy need to include and what it should not include

For more information, please contact Amina Dibe at 905-760-7777 or Andrew Pariser at 416-970-7665, or click here for the brochure.

One of the most exciting cities in Canada will be hosting the OGCA's 79th AGM and Conference, October 19 - 22, 2017. If you haven't been to Toronto for a visit, and not just for business meetings, you should check out all there is to see and do. Click here to visit Tourism Toronto and all the things to see and do in Toronto.