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Although “Something About Mary!” was an overly entertaining movie from 1998, this President’s Report isn’t about that movie in the least. This article is about the loyalty of the OGCA’s own Mary Wademan.
On October 15, 2020, Mary Wademan will have successfully been with the OGCA for 30 years. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Mary for her incredible years of service and highlight this amazing accomplishment. I also look forward to learning from Mary as we move the OGCA forward to meet our member’s needs.
OGCA members are amongst the very safest of any industry in Ontario. They have reduced their Lost Time Injuries (LTI) rate by an amazing 10% to .20 in 2019. That rate compares to rates of 1.12 for the construction industry and .98 for all Ontario employers covered by the WSIB. Congratulations to OGCA members who experienced only 22 LTIs against over 22 million manhours. 167 members had no lost time injuries at all. It is an outstanding achievement that has been accomplished as a result of members' long term commitment to workplace safety. Since 2009, our members' rate has plummeted from a .76 frequency to .20. Members' focus on operating safe worksites is spreading through the construction industry. Programs like COR and the League of Champions have supported construction becoming safer. Minister Monte McNaughton and Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky, both speaking at OGCA’s Annual General Meeting on October 8, recognized the achievement and congratulated the association members for their achievement. OGCA will be recognizing members' outstanding performance by issuing certificates of achievements and milestone awards later this month. Congratulations to all. OGCA remains focused on supporting our members' commitment to safety, recognizing COVID-19 has made the challenge much more difficult. We must not let up on the focus to keep our workers safe. I am proud to know that I am at the helm of an organization wherein our members not only read the articles provided to them by the OGCA, but they are vested enough to provide member feedback based on those articles. I want to personally thank Marc Ferguson from Triniti Construction for his thoughtful and engaging response to my September 29 President’s Report: “What does the Construction Sector require for longevity?” Click here to read Marc's response. As I have noted in each of my addresses, I welcome feedback and commentary from our members and am willing to put your responses in writing. Should you want to respond to any of my reports, or have any questions that require our attention, please contact me electronically at giovanni@ogca.ca or directly at 905.671.3969.
Industry News
The Surety Association of Canada has a media release with regards to the association’s continued recommendation for digital bonds which has been restated through our White Paper: Digital Bonds the Way of the Future – and the Present. SAC White Paper - Digital Bonds - the way of the future and the present The October issue of the Canadian Construction Association newsletter is now available. Please click here to access it. On November 17 at 10 a.m., the Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA), Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) and the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) will be hosting a joint information webinar on new regulations under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) titled “On-Site and Excess Soil Management” O. Reg. 406/19, which was filed in December 2019 and will come into force January 1, 2021. This webinar is complimentary for all OGCA members in good standing. Non-members are required to pay $150 plus HST. To register, please visit the event website and indicate that you are an OGCA member. This webinar will include a presentation from Laura Blease, Senior Policy Advisor, and Karan Jandoo, Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. The presentation will provide an overview of the regulatory amendments related to the management and reuse of excess soil. It will also review descriptions of the regulatory changes, key dates on when the new rules apply, and implementation going forward. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. To ensure MECP is best prepared to answer specific questions regarding O. Reg 406/19, please email questions to scrombie@owma.org by November 10, 2020. If you have any questions, or if you are having trouble registering, please email erich@ogca.ca innovation Corner
The OGCA Innovation Corner is a collaborative effort of the Innovation Committee. Together, we have been working to identify, explore and critique new construction industry technology trends and information needs. Technological advancements will help make the construction industry operate on a more efficient and effective basis. The innovation corner would not be possible without the help of the AON Technology Corner. As general contractors, we know that any steps to improve productivity and efficiency on the job site are valuable. Over the past five years, the influx of new technology being developed has dramatically changed our job sites. Investments in technology also can profoundly impact the risks involved in construction projects and within asset management, such as safety risk and design risk. AON is a real innovation leader. They understand that investments in technology are valuable to our industry's long-term success and have taken steps to profile different construction technology and asset management companies for their clients. Each profile gives an overview of the technology, addresses its risk treatment potential, and identifies what insurance policies its implementation could impact. You can find out more about the AON Technology Corner here. 
Member News
OGCA welcomes Member News and is currently seeking any announcements that our members may have. Simply send an email to mary@ogca.ca, and we will include your news in the next newsletter. Associate Partner News and Events
Effective October 10, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., and for at least 28 days, the Ontario Government has enacted the following restrictions in Peel, Ottawa, and Toronto to curb the spread of COVID-19.
On October 2, 2020, the Government of Ontario amended O. Reg 364/20 to require the wearing of masks and face coverings in many Ontario workplaces with certain specified exemptions. Learn more in the attached Briefing Note… When most workplaces shuttered in March of 2020 due to COVID-19, work-from-home arrangements became a necessity for many employers. While most physical workplaces have now reopened, many employers continue to have all, or part, of their workforce work remotely. In this practical, half-day workshop, participants will acquire knowledge and tools to address a range of issues related to remote work.
NORCAT is continuing to offer discounted pricing on Working at Heights Training for the month of October for all OGCA and League of Champion members. Click here for more information. You are cordially invited to our complimentary webinar The New Employer: Charting a Successful Course to the Future - October 27-30, 2020 - Virtual Sessions
Legislative & Legal Updates
The latest issue of the Ontario Legislative Reports is now available on the OGCA website. Please click here to access the latest issue. Education & Events
Peer support has long been used by fire and police departments as the first line method of supporting their worker’s mental health. It has been used for many kinds of mental health problems from relationship difficulties up to suicide prevention.
Last week, the Ontario Construction Secretariat released the fourth installment of the Coronavirus Contractor Survey. Titled “Stability and Anxiety,” the study asked similar questions to its previous iterations between September 8 and September 18, 2020, to over 300 contractors from across Ontario. The survey found that most contractors are back at work, with 56% of contractors say most or all of their work has now resumed, up from 49% in Survey 3. There has also been little change in concerns regarding the second wave, supply chain, labour pool, and ensuring health and safety. 2020 revenue expectations have also improved, with a -16% decline expected on average compared to last year (In Survey 2 the expectation was -26%, and -23% in Survey 3). You can download the full survey by clicking here. The Canadian Design-Build Institute’s (CDBI) 2020 virtual conference is almost here, so, if you haven’t already, make sure to register today! With three half-days consisting of two sessions each on October 22, 28 and 29, this year’s conference has an exciting line-up of speakers, including a diverse range of perspectives from across the industry, across the country, and even across the border.
When: Thursday, October 22, 2020 Expert panel:
Learning outcomes:
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ONTARIO GENERAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
180 Attwell Drive, Suite 280 | Toronto, Ontario M9W 6A9 Tel 905-671-3969 |
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The Canadian Construction Association invites you to join them for their next CONnected webinar: