Our annual Leadership Day conference was held on Friday, March 6, and was fairly well attended. The weather in the western part of the province was a little tricky for some, but they managed to make it in time for most of the session.

President Clive Thurston thanked speaker Julian Toy and introduced the speakers for the Leadership Panel. The panelists consisted of Craig Lesurf, Gillam Group - Moderator, Ron Kelusky, CPO, MOL, Andrew Harkness, WSPS, Dr. Nancy Carnide, Institute for Work & Health, and Julian Toy, Substance Abuse Professional.

Among the other speakers for Leadership Day were Enzo Garritano and Paul Casey of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) and MPP Jane McKenna.

Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky was awarded the Doug Chalmers Award for Safety for the 2019 year. Congratulations, Ron!

Click here to view an interview with Clive Thurston and CPO Ron Kelusky.

Minister Monte McNaughton has announced a review of all skilled trades training programs funded by the government.

The attached announcement of the Workforce Development and Training Review will ensure workers are participating in in-demand skills training.

The March Canadian Construction Association newsletter is now available. Click here to access.

We are pleased to announce that Golden Horseshoe General Contractors Association (GHGCA) and 4S Consulting Services Inc. has joined the League of Champions (LOC).

Golden Horseshoe General Contractors Association (GHGCA)
The Golden Horseshoe General Contractors Association member companies are among the most established and respected contributors to the construction industry.

These firms represent a very large geographical area of Ontario.

Each company has a documented history of delivering safe, quality industrial, commercial and institutional projects ranging from smaller buildings and renovations to major capital projects for respected and sophisticated local, regional and global clients alike. Please click here to read more about GHGCA.

4S Consulting Service Inc.
4S Consulting Services was formed by two consultants in 2004. Based in Toronto, Ontario, 4S Consulting designs and implements a “LIVE” customized Occupational Health and Safety program, which will help you create a safe work environment for your workers, while following all the regulatory compliance requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Please click here to read more about 4S.

Golden Horseshoe General Contractors Association (GHGCA) and 4S Consulting Services Inc. are Safety Leaders and “Leaders Need to Lead.” The League of Champions inspires other leaders to be health and safety champions. Together, we will make a difference in the Ontario construction industry.

In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2020, the League of Champions featured and recognized the beautiful and amazing "Women of the League of Champions.”

We asked members of the LOC to submit a photo or video of their Women Champions, as well as answering some questions like what are the keys to their success at work, their role in the company, how they support gender equality at work, and advice they can give to women considering work in the construction or as a safety professional.

Please click here to read their answers.

Is your company or association a Safety Leader? Are you a Safety Champion and want to make a difference in the Ontario construction industry? Do you want to join an organization that inspires leaders to be health and safety champions?

League of Champions Members and Patrons are committed to inspire leaders to be health and safety champions. Please visit LOC website, Facebook and Twitter page for more information about the League of Champions. To apply to become a Safety Champion, please contact Marjorie Javier by email or phone 905-671-3969.

The Niagara Construction Association is holding its Safety Awareness Day on May 7, 2020, featuring some IHSA on-site training (more details to follow - limited space, registration required).

Also included will be

• safety workshops
• safety product demos
• a safety tradeshow
• complimentary lunch.

For more information, please contact Connie at Niagara Construction Association.

As the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the globe, employers need to know their legal rights and obligations as it relates to the Canadian workplace. The attached Briefing Note addresses some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have additional questions and/or for assistance preparing your workplace, please contact your Sherrard Kuzz LLP lawyer, or you can reach us at info@sherrardkuzz.com with the re line: COVID-19. 

Over 500,000 Canadians will miss work this week because of Mental Illness. The impact is felt in every organization and in every family across our country.

Join us for a conversation on Mental Illness today, trends and responses. What is the prevalence and impact on your business?

Learn about opportunities for your organization to deal with this growing problem and about what People Corporation has done to support our clients and partners like Benefit Partners Inc.

This session will be held at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, March 30 at the OGCA Office, 180 Attwell Drive, Suite 280, Toronto. If interested in attending, please contact Mary Wademan at mary@ogca.ca by March 25, 2020.

Remember that you can always access the latest Ontario Legislative Reports by visiting the OGCA website, and clicking on Government Relations.

For issues of the reports prior to February 2019, please contact Mary Wademan at the OGCA office.

Be sure to check out the Associate Partner section of the newsletter for upcoming events. 

Here are the upcoming dates you might want to add to your calendar ...

• May 6 - Lobby Day - please contact Erich Schmidt for more information
• June 12 - Clive's Retirement Party - tickets going on Sale April 3 - watch this space for more information
• June 18 - Technology Conference, International Centre - watch this space for more information
• July 6 - OGCA Golf Tournament - Registration opens Friday, May 1 - Sponsorships available!
• October 6 - 9 - OGCA's 82nd AGM and Conference - Langdon Hall, Cambridge

As always, we look forward to seeing you at some (or all) of these upcoming events.