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Industry News
More than 36,000
Ontarians get the latest Ministry of Labour news delivered straight to
their inbox. Find out why. Subscribe now Please click on the headline to open the November Newsletter from the Ministry of Labour.
Welcome to the York Region District School Board Bid Opportunities Website. This site allows potential Bidders to create a Bidding System Vendor account. Bidders select commodity codes for goods and services and the Bidding System will notify the Vendor by email of Bid opportunities matching their commodity code selection. Public tenders, bids and request for proposals are posted on this website. Bidders are solely responsible for ensuring their Vendor account information is kept current. Please click on the headline to open the YRDSB Bid Opportunities Website. Today Infrastructure Ontario published IO’s 2016 Market Update. This year’s Market Update includes AFP projects with an estimated total capital value of $11.8 billion and showcases the full range of projects and delivery models that IO is using to deliver public infrastructure for the Ontario government. Please click on the headline to see the 2016 Market Update, which includes a letter from Toni Rossi, President and CEO (Interim) and Divisional President, Real Estate and Lending, along with the chart of projects. 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.
Safety
The WSIB has issued a statement making two important changes to its Rate Framework Initiative. In a letter to Stakeholders, they indicated that the Board of Directors has approved proceeding with the program targeted for 2019. This includes the statement, "maintaining a separate premium rate for non-exempt executive officers and partners in construction, subject to further research and stakeholder engagement." The need to retain such a rate has been a major objection to the plan by OGCA and members of the Construction Employers Coalition (CEC) since the plan was proposed two years ago. It would have resulted in construction executive officers being assessed at the same rate as those who are on the tools, moving the rate from 20 cents to over $4.00 for general contractors. This change is a significant move to assure that the new program will be fair and balanced and properly distribute the costs of the WSIB to users. In the same letter, they also made a commitment to use Rate Framework to enhance health and safety. "Starting in 2017, the WSIB will undertake further education and outreach efforts, including further discussion on the promotion of occupational health and safety." This proposal provides the opportunity for the new system to provide financial acknowledgement of those who are accredited with a recognized health and safety management system such as COR. The government has introduced legislation Bill 70 that includes giving authority to the Chief Prevention Officer to accredit employers who meet the prescribed standards. Accredited employers will be given prequalification for safety from many buyers, and now the WSIB will consider how Rate Framework may support those who have invested in COR or other similar programs. OGCA has long recognized that for accreditation programs to succeed in the long run and be implement by smaller employers with strained resources, it must have a meaningful financial incentive. In provinces where the program includes thousands of employers, including BC, Alberta and Manitoba, they all have a financial incentive attached to successfully achieving and maintaining COR. We will work with the WSIB and CPO to promote it in Ontario. 
Member News
OGCA is preparing the final edits for the OGCA Directory for 2017. Thanks to the many members who opted to go with a profile page this year! About 75% of you will be represented by a full page telling the architects, engineers, government people and others all about your company - types of projects, representative list of clients, management and history. Those who opted out of the profile page will still have their company name, address, main contact, phone, fax, email and website listed. Watch for the book to be delivered early in the new year.
Legislative & Legal Updates
OGCA's response to the recommendations submitted by Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel have now been sent to Minister Yasir Naqvi. Click here to read the submission and letter (posted in OGCA's Member only section)
Approximately every two weeks, OGCA receives an update from Frank Zechner on any changes to Ontario Legislation and regulations that might affect you and your business. Click the headline to open. Education & Events
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 #821 - next door to the CCA booth. Registration forms will be going out this week to past attendees and current OGCA members as well as sponsors. Please visit us at Booth Location 821 during the Construct Canada show and pick up a brochure featuring some of the interesting sessions we will be covering. Among the sessions will be: A presentation by Norm Keith of Fasken Martineau speaking on Marijuana in the Workplace W112 – The Gold Seal Certification (GSC) program has been the industry’s most trusted, valued and reliable certification for construction management. GSC credentials demonstrate your commitment to the profession and your expertise through certifying education, experience and competency. Industry recognized and developed, GSC ensures that both you and your construction projects excel. This session will guide you through navigation of the Gold Seal website as well as the certification process. Program news and updates will also be provided. Click the headline for more information. Presented by Stephanie Wallace, Manager at Canadian Construction Association
Construct Canada Session - W118 – Is Canada’s construction industry really facing a skilled labour shortage? If yes, is there an opportunity for companies to employ more women in the construction trades? This session will consider whether there is a need to hire more women in construction; what the opportunities are for doing so; the challenges confronted by women entering a "man’s world"; and strategies to address these challenges. Learn why hiring more women in the construction trades may be a future necessity and a competitive advantage. Click the headline for more information.
Pinchin is pleased to offer several free breakfast seminars on various topics that may impact your business.
Calendar of Events
Andrew Younghusband, host of Canada’s Worst Driver and Canada’s Worst Handyman will be hosting the Ontario Builders Awards this year. Be sure to send in your entries by December 15, 2016 in order to be in included in this year's competition. Click the headline for the Entry Form. The OGCA is pleased to partner with the ORCGA appearing next in Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Windsor, Sarnia and Barrie. David Frame and Clive Thurston will address the audiences on several topics including Tender Procurement issues, the Lien Act Review, CoR, WSIB and the League of Champions. Dates for the sessions are as follows: February 7 – Sudbury February 8 – Sault Ste Marie – in partnership with IHSA February 14 – Windsor February 15 – Sarnia February 22 – Barrie Look for more information shortly and plan to attend these free information events. |
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ONTARIO GENERAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
180 Attwell Drive, Suite 280 | Toronto, Ontario M9W 6A9 Tel 905-671-3969 |
By becoming a
Champion, you are demonstrating your corporate commitment to improving safety
in your workplace as well as empowering your employees to be part of a safety
solution. 
Mark your calendars now for the upcoming 10th Construction Symposium, April 6 – 8, 2017 at the Blue Mountain Resort in
Collingwood!