As we head into midsummer, the weather is not the only thing heating up for our industry. The election of a new government with a clear mandate to seek efficiencies and return Ontario to a prosperous status means change is happening, and if the first few weeks are any indication, that change will happen.

On July 1, the Canadian government placed 20% tariffs on American steel imports and 10% tariffs on aluminum. OGCA is hearing from members who are experiencing price increases on steel that was not carried in the bid. OGCA has issued a member’s bulletin about managing the changes. We don’t yet know the full impact of the tariffs.

We are working with the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to support the federal government’s efforts to negotiate a settlement and open the border.

Please provide us with information about the impact it has had on your projects. What has been the price impact? Have projects been cancelled because of price escalation? Have you been able to pass on the costs?

We will pass this on to the CCA to support a quick resolution.

In continuing to build a future-ready organization, Brampton has adopted the Certificate of Recognition (COR^TM) program as part of its construction contract management and construction tendering process. This is a reaffirmation of the City's ongoing commitment to health and safety for contractors, employees and residents.

Click here for the Proposed Implementation dates.

The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance is holding its 11th Annual Locate Rodeo and Excavator Challenge on August 16 and 17 at Georgian College in Barrie.

For more information, please click here.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2018 Concrete Awards through Concrete Ontario.

Please click here for more information.

The League of Champions was pleased to participate in OGCA’s 39th annual A.R. Timms Memorial Golf Tournament on July 9.

This year’s tournament included a box breakfast, complimentary golf balls on the practice range, lunch, and entry into a raffle draw. The event also featured an espresso station, cigar station, and a bourbon tasting station for the enjoyment of all participants.

Rob Ellis was on hand to receive the generous $10,000 donation on behalf of MySafeWork. He also golfed alongside OGCA members!

OGCA serves as one of the League’s founding organizations. Thank you for your instrumental role as safety advocate and Leadership Patron. We’re looking forward to our continued partnership!

On June 26, Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) held its annual golf tournament at The Club at Bond Head. 296 golfers were registered for the day-long event, which included a full hot buffet breakfast, dinner, raffle draw, silent auction, and shot-gun start.

As a League of Champions Industry Association Patron, ORCGA proudly supported MySafeWork through its 50/25/25 Draw. With a total of $2,375 raised in the raffle, a cheque was donated in the amount of $1,187.50.

Thank you ORCGA for your continued commitment to the League of Champions program and for encouraging your golf participants to sign your Jersey of Courage.

It has come to our attention that many users registering for the safety pass may not have yet received their “confirmation of account” notification. If this is you, please contact Lyndsy Miceli so we can resolve this issue and get you online.

Those still wishing to create their own company network can do so by filling out the attached form. Once the form is complete, return it to OGCA, and a contact from SkillsPass will reach out to provide you with a one-on-one demonstration on how to use the SkillsPass platform.

Questions? Contact Lyndsy Miceli at OGCA at lyndsy@ogca.ca today.

Fanshawe College is committed to the health, safety and the well-being of students, so much so that the Dean from the Building of Technology approved implementing the "Safety Pass” to their construction Health and Safety Course this Fall.

The Safety Pass program will impact over 600 students, which will provide the fundamental principal around managing and identifying health and safety hazards, assessment of risks, control of these risks, and review of control measures associated with the construction sector. 

“We have about 600 students in trades (carpenters, welders, plumbers, etc.) or construction related fields (i.e. civil engineering, construction engineering management, etc.)” - Leslie Selinger, CRSP, OHST, IHT, ROHT, AScT | Environment Health and Safety Technologist, at Fanshawe College. 

“Many thanks for working hard to keep construction workers safe,” she continues. OGCA is so proud of the commitment Fanshawe College has to its students and to the construction sector. It is with their leadership that students will have the right tools and knowledge entering into the field, providing workers with must-know information that is a priority in today’s workplace.

The Safety Pass is available to all Colleges, Universities and Trade schools. For further information about Safety Pass, please contact Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca

OGCA has sent out the letters advising those who are receiving a 2017 Safety Award.

We hope to see all of you at the Awards ceremony on Friday, October 26 at Verdi Convention Centre.

Do you have an idea for a webinar that would be informative for the construction industry? Would you like to share your knowledge in a particular subject area?

General Contractors are hungry for information and educational content that will help them stay well-informed of the latest policies, trends, and best practices.

OGCA provides the opportunity for you to present a webinar, submit an article for The Generals magazine, or publish newsletter content bi-weekly on a wide-range of topics impacting the construction industry.

Fill out the attached proposal form and have email it to Lyndsy Miceli at lyndsy@ogca.ca

Let us help you share your expertise today!

The latest issue (July 16) of the Ontario Legislative Reports can be found by clicking here. Previous issues can also be found under Government Relations on the OGCA website. For issues prior to January 2018, please contact Mary Wademan at OGCA (mary@ogca.ca)

The 2019 Symposium, as you all know, is now held every two years. Our next one is coming up April 11 - 13, 2019 at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood.

The committee is working on the speakers and sessions, and we hope to be able to send you the information by the end of summer.

Part of the Symposium will include the Ontario Builders Awards, which are presented every two years. Deadline for submissions is December 15, 2018. Click here for the application form.

Andrew Younghusband of "Canada's Worst Driver" and "Canada's Worst Handyman" will be presenting the awards again.

We are also pleased to announce that Graham Chittenden will be the entertainment on Thursday evening, following dinner.

If you haven't seen him before, check out his website at http://www.grahamchit.com/