I attended the CCA Fall meeting in Niagara last week. There was excellent discussion on many issues that we at OGCA and others are facing: from legalized marijuana in the workplace to Federal tax changes, there was a lot to discuss and take in.

The Ontario Construction Act was a major topic, and Bruce Reynolds addressed the attendees, updating them on how it was proceeding. Members are aware that Bill 142 has passed second reading and is now moving to committee hearings. OGCA has submitted its name to be heard at these hearings.

Click here to read the full report.

Today, the Clean Economy Alliance, a group of over 100 organizations, released a report outlining critical recommendations to ensure Ontario reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector. The Future of Buildings: Getting Ontario Ready for Net-Zero is the result of a months-long consultation process involving key stakeholders in Ontario’s building industry and other sectors. This report feeds into upcoming changes to the province’s building code and the commitment to require all buildings built after 2030 to have net-zero emissions.

To read the Clean Economy Alliance’s full release, click here.

To link to the full report, click here.

RCCAO has proudly supported Transport Futures learning events since 2008. The Intercity Travel Conference will explore whether passenger services can compete with the car – even with unprecedented transit investments, some road pricing progress, the promise of high speed rail and possible reforms to antiquated bus industry regulations.

Taking place in Toronto on November 27, Canadian and international experts will address rail and bus systems from several perspectives: history and culture; planning and infrastructure; technology and interoperability; customer service and demand; modal competition and safety; finance and funding; risk and delivery; governance and politics. Together we'll discuss how multiple services can co-exist efficiently, fulfil different functions, build a cohesive transportation network and make effective use of limited tax dollars.

Along with great food to keep you energized all day, the conference’s interactive agenda will provide ample time for Q&A and networking. Be sure to register soon to take advantage of early bird rates – and receive an extra 10% off the price by using discount code (DC) RCCA7!

The Intercity Travel Conference is taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, conveniently located in downtown Toronto. For further information, see www.transportfutures.ca/intercity or contact Martin Collier directly.

On September 29, 2017, David Frame from OGCA and MySafeWork Rob Ellis kicked off the morning by promoting a strong message that lost time injuries are preventable.

We invite you to attend the COR™ Open House/OGCA Leadership Conference, on Friday, February 23, 2018 at Verdi Convention Centre, in Mississauga.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Judy Agnew, Senior Vice President of Safety Solutions at Aubrey Daniels International, as one of our featured speakers at the 2018 Leadership Day. Judy is a renowned leader in the field of behavior-based safety, safety leadership and performance management, and the author of three acclaimed safety books: "A Supervisor’s Guide to Safety Leadership," "Safe by Accident?" and "Take the Luck out of Safety: Leadership Practices that Build a Sustainable Safety Culture and Removing Obstacles to Safety."

With over 25 years of experience working with clients to create behavior-based safety interventions that ensure organizations are safe by design, there’s no one better versed in worker participation than Judy Agnew. We guarantee you will come away rethinking your approach to safety management.

Mark your calendars!  Registration details to follow.

A Health and Safety Representative (H & S Rep) has a vital role to play in protecting the health and safety of everyone at the workplace. Having a designated person on the site to deal with any concerns about workplace hazards demonstrates to workers that the employer is committed to protecting them.

Many small businesses that are not large enough to require a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) rely on their H & S Rep to bring forward any health and safety issues that need attention. Unfortunately, many H & S Reps do not have the necessary training to recognize or resolve these issues.

The consequences of not having a well-trained H & S Rep are seen too often. Workers can suffer lost income or a lower quality of life due to a critical injury. Families can lose a loved one to a workplace fatality. Employers can lose a valuable employee and production days. They may even have to replace damaged material and equipment and pay higher compensation costs.

A Health and Safety Rep is required when:

More than 5 and less than 20 workers are regularly employed at the workplace

OR

More than 5 workers are regularly employed at a construction project and the work is expected to last less than 3 months.

Click here for more information on IHSA's Recommended Training.

Congratulations to All!

The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) recognized the safety achievements of PCL Construction’s Ontario operations at its annual safety awards ceremony held on September 29, 2017. 

"As we promote safety excellence among our members and our industry, we are encouraged to work alongside safety-minded leaders like PCL," said OGCA president Clive Thurston. "Safety needs to be celebrated as an industry, and each of us should be proud of our achievements, because as a group, OGCA contractors are the safest contractors in the country."

Click here for all the details!

Sherrard Kuzz has two courses coming up that might be of interest to you. Tell me what you really think! An honest reference, even if negative, is not defamatory. - A prudent employer will use a reference check as a key component to any job competition process. Unfortunately, an employer often receives unhelpful or misleading information as a result of the referee’s fear of being sued for providing a negative reference. However, as two recent decisions from Ontario’s Superior Court have shown, a former employer will not be liable for a negative reference if the content was true and made without malice. Learn more... Workplace offences of the olfactory senses - Ideally, workplace misconduct is dealt with swiftly and decisively through an established disciplinary process. However, when the source of the offence is not a worker’s conduct but personal hygiene, what recourse does an employer have? Learn more...

IS PAIN OR A NAGGING INJURY KEEPING YOU OR YOUR CLIENT FROM PEAK PERFORMANCE? IT MAY BE TIME TO CONSIDER REGENERATIVE MEDICINE.

Professional athletes and Olympians have credited regenerative medicine with helping them get back in the game. But what exactly is regenerative medicine? Learn about regenerative medicine, what can be done, and how it may help to heal the body.

Click here to find out more ... 

The latest Ontario Legislative Reports are available here. Previous issues can also be found on the OGCA website under Government Relations and Government Resources.

Construct Canada is just around the corner and OGCA will be there.

The three-day event takes place on November 29 – December 1 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in the South Building. Be sure to visit OGCA at Booth 821.

The Buildings Show is the Leader in Sourcing, Networking and Education in Canada for Design, Architecture, Construction and Real Estate Communities. Your 2017 registration badge will give you access to all shows in the North and South buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. To learn how you can register, click here.

The ABM connects a national network of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal decision makers to create opportunities for business, training, and employment.