On February 6, 2018, general contractors from across Canada met to confirm the formation of the General Contractors Alliance of Canada (GCAC).

The national general contractor’s organization has been formed at this time to support and contribute to the federal government's Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel consultation and recommendations for national prompt payment legislation. On January 30, the GCAC participated in the announcement of the consultation and provided our support and endorsement of Reynolds and Vogel.

As the architects of Bill 142 that included prompt payment and adjudication in Ontario, Reynolds and Vogel are likely to recommend a process for federal projects that is complementary and, in some cases, will likely be similar to Ontario.

The Review confirms the end of the Senate Prompt Payment Bill 224. OGCA has objected to the Bill as being biased and not workable. We recommended the process and the solutions that emerged in the Ontario review and legislation, so we are very supportive of the government’s direction.

The GCAC has reached out to general contractors from across the country and has quickly formed an active group determined to make sure the review and legislation support the needs of general contractors and the whole industry.

Matt Ainley, a former OGCA Chair, is Chair and Eric Cote of La Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Quebec (CEGQ) is Vice Chair of the GCAC. They are encouraging general contractors to become involved and work with them to become engaged in the review.

COR Open House and Leadership Conference is only two weeks away and we can’t wait to see you there.

Together, the IHSA and OGCA focus is on managing and leading change in your company and in the construction industry. The Leadership Conference is positioned as a resource to support contractors and industry leaders to focus on workplace health and safety and establish strategies and priorities.

It will feature a keynote address from Dr. Judy Agnew, speaker and author on leadership practices that build a sustainable safety culture.

The program includes presentations and panel discussions focusing on the use of technology and strategies for leading change. Presenters feature Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, Rob Ellis, buyers, industry leaders and experts.

OGCA will use this opportunity to introduce the Safety Pass orientation program to the industry as well.

So join us on Friday, March 2, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. at the Verdi Convention Centre. Tickets are still available for purchase, click here to purchase.

For a review of the agenda, click here.

For more information or questions, please contact Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca, or call 905-671-3969

The CSA A23.1 & A23.2-2019 Edition draft is now posted on the CSA website for public review comments (see link below).

Everyone in the Canadian concrete industry is required to meet these mandatory minimum requirements, so this is your opportunity to make comment on the deliberations of the committee and to voice your concerns (if not already addressed).

You must follow the CSA procedures to submit your comments or they may be dismissed.

The Public review closes on April 8th, so don't forget to submit your comments before then. Click here to review the draft.

Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) is advising members to use caution and consult their insurance and legal counsel before submitting project proposals to the City of Hamilton, specifically with regards to their standard indemnification clause.

Please click here to read the caution.

We are pleased to offer you a chance to take a look at the CEO's E-Glance Newsletter, which is a bi-weekly newletter for the industry. Among this week's topics are:

• City of Hamilton indemnification clause advisory
• TRBoT releases recommendations for regional transit
• Bill 148 in effect

Click here to connect with the newsletter.

Rex Meadley P.Eng., chairman of the board of directors of Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO), is happy to announce the appointment of Bruce Matthews P.Eng. as Chief Executive Officer effective February 26, 2018.

Bruce is a recognized leader with 16 years of management experience in not-for-profit organizations. His association/NFP experience includes deputy registrar postings at Professional Engineers Ontario, the Real Estate Council of Ontario and the Ontario College of Trades. Bruce has also held board positions, including terms as President/Chair, in the NFP sector with the Human Factors Association of Canada and most recently the Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation. First licensed as a professional engineer in 1990, his engineering experience includes staff and leadership roles at Atomic Energy of Canada, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, BGM Human Factors Engineering and the Ford Motor Company. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Certificate in Building Science from the University of Toronto.

Bruce succeeds the retiring Barry Steinberg P.Eng. He will continue with the implementation of CEO’s strategic plan, with a strong focus on advocacy and member engagement. Bruce will have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the association’s operations. “Bruce brings with him a good understanding of the environment within which our members provide services along with very impressive leadership skills. We look forward to working with him to achieve the vision he has for our association,” commented Mr. Meadley.

Starting today, Crosslinx Transit Solutions (constructor of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT project), in partnership with Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario, is launching #HomeSafe, an advertising campaign to encourage safe driving around the Eglinton Crosstown LRT construction zones. This campaign aims to promote safe behaviour on Eglinton to protect our workers and the public, and the message is applicable to any other construction projects as well.

We believe this message will resonate well with OGCA who advocates for the well-being of constructors in Ontario. We would like to invite you to participate in this important conversation and spread the word about this campaign. On Twitter and other social media channels, you can use the hashtag #HomeSafe to talk about why it’s important for you and your members to get #HomeSafe every day.

Please click here to see letter for more information.

Preferred Proponent Selected for Brockville General Hospital – Phase 2 Redevelopment Project

TORONTO–Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Brockville General Hospital (BGH) have announced EllisDon Corporation is the preferred proponent to build and finance the Brockville General Hospital - Phase 2 Redevelopment Project.

Click here to read more…

The League of Champions is off to a great start this year. With a focus on promoting health and safety in the construction industry, the League has been on the road engaging students, teachers and industry professionals at a variety of speaking engagements and events.

Ontario’s Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn released the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened by the recent spike in workplace fatalities in Ontario, and my heart goes out to the families, friends and co-workers.

Workplace health and safety must be everyone’s top priority. One death is one too many. One injury is one too many.

All employers and workers need to remember their rights and responsibilities and exercise caution, be vigilant and take care of each other in the workplace. In particular, employers must be mindful of the safety of their workers and ensure they have workplaces free of hazards. All workers should be aware of the right they have to refuse work they believe is unsafe, without fear of reprisal.

We need to work together to put an end to workplace fatalities.

The families of these workers have been needlessly devastated by the loss of their loved ones, losses that should not have happened.

Ontario is one of the safest places in the world to work. This is something we should be proud of, but we should never be satisfied.

Only when every employer and every worker takes real responsibility for workplace safety in Ontario can we ensure our loved ones will return home safe and sound.”

Our Leadership Day event could not be possible without our generous sponsors.

Thank you for your support.

Event Sponsor | Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA)

Title Sponsors | BlueDrop Learning Networks (SkillsPass) & Procore Construction Management & 4S Consulting Services

Partner Sponsor | e-compliance

EllisDon extends its invitation to all OGCA members to “shoot and score” for charity. There is fun for the whole family with a 1-hour family skate on the Saturday afternoon after 1:00 p.m.

Event Details:
When | April 20-21, 2018 | Friday - 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturday - 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Where | Sports Village, 2600 Rutherford Road, Vaughan, ON L4K 5R1
Entry Fee | $1,200 per team
Threads of Life Donation | $400 per Contractor / Union
Team insurance is available | $150 per team

For more details on how you can register your team, please contact Dan Fleming at dfleming@ellisdon.com or call 416-616-0252.

OGCA Chairman Paul Raboud confronts the red dragon as he prepares to feed it a red envelope.

Among other items of interest, the Cleveland Clinic announces its new CEO.

Click here to read the latest edition of the Catalyst Newsletter.

In one of the most improbable scenarios, the Ontario PC Party is preparing to elect a new leader just months before the June 7th Provincial election.

The leader will be selected from the results of voting that will take place the week of March 5th across the Province. The election will be made by a member vote and if you are interested, you can vote electronically on or before Friday, February 16, 2018. Click here to access the information and link to do so.

Minister Naqvi has announced the effective dates for implementation of the Construction Act. Amendments to Modernization of Construction Lien and Holdback rules is effective July 1, 2018, and amendments related to prompt payment, adjudication and liens against municipalities will be applied to all new contracts as of October 1, 2019. This long implementation period gives the industry time to prepare for the massive change to payment and adjudication requirements.

They have also have released four draft regulations to implement the Act for Forms, Procedures for Action, General provisions and Adjudication under Part ll of the Act. OGCA’s Construction Lien Act Committee has provide feedback and recommendations.

The latest Ontario Legislative Reports, prepared by Frank Zechner, are now available. Click here to see the January 24 and February 7 issues, and past issues.

4S Consulting Services Inc. conducts regular seminars on the 4SafeCom™ subcontractor management system. These seminars are ideal to understand various risks associated with subcontractors working at your site.

The next seminar will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the OGCA office. Seats are still available, so register today, just 3 days remaining!

Click here to find out why an Ontario employer and its subcontractor were fined $95,000 and $12,500. 

Click here to learn more about 4SafeCom™ Subcontractor Management System or simply register your seat today.

Join Edward (Ted) G. Betts from Gowling WLG and Sandra Astolfo from Weirfoulds LLP on February 28th. 

Bill 142, The Construction Lien Act is now law, however, the major changes will not come into force until later 2018 early 2019. Learn more about what you, as a general contractor, need to know when it comes to prompt payment, adjudication of construction disputes, changes in lien rights and time periods, changes in the litigation process, and much more. 

To register for this webinar, download the registration form, fill it out, and email back to Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca

Registration forms for the upcoming OGCA Golf Tournament will be coming out shortly.

This event is always a sell-out so as soon as you see the notice, you should register.

We are always seeking sponsors for this event, whether it be for a hole sponsorship, or one of the special items we have on board - espresso coffee, cigars, bourbon and scotch tasting ... all of it helps to defray the costs for golfing!

Monday, July 9, 2018 at Glencairn Golf Course in Milton. See you there!

Join us in beautiful downtown Vancouver from September 25 - 30, 2018 for the 80th AGM and Conference.

Fly into the airport, and take the train right to the Four Seasons Vancouver Hotel!

Among the sessions planned will be a four hour tour of the city, including stop off points at Granville Island and for photo taking. We're also bringing back some team-building events for everyone to take part in.

Registrations will be coming out soon, so watch this space!