On July 21, the OGCA and Passive House Canada presented “Passive House 101,” our first ever webinar focused on green building standards.

A special thank you to Deborah Byrne of Kearns Mancini Architects and Henry Schilthuis of Schilthuis Construction for making it such an informative and engaging conversation about making conscious and cost-effective decisions during the construction process as well as hearing valuable lessons learned.

In case you were unable to attend the live event or would like to re-watch the webinar at your leisure, the recording can be viewed by visiting Passive House Canada's YouTube Channel.

RPRA* got in touch with OGCA regarding Ontario’s new On-Site and Excess Soil Management Regulation (Excess Soil Regulation), O. Reg. 406/19. To enable compliance with the regulation, RPRA is building an excess soil registry that, as of January 1, 2022, specified regulated people will be required to use to file a notice before moving or receiving excess soil or operating certain types of sites.

They will be sharing updates and information over the coming months about the Excess Soil Registry that they believe would be useful for some of our key audiences. 

You can find out more about the excess soil registry on the project page and more information about who they are and what they do on their website.

*“The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority was created in November 2016 by the Government of Ontario to support the transition to a circular economy and a waste-free Ontario. We receive our authority from the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016 (RRCEA) and the Waste Diversion Transition Act, 2016 (WDTA).

The Ontario government is investing over $1 million to help the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) offer 300 construction workers free, online and flexible training for leadership roles such as site supervisors, lead hands, forepersons and superintendents. This program will help construction sites operate safely and productively, while giving hundreds of current and aspiring leaders an opportunity to grow and move into in-demand positions.

The program will support 300 in the next year to acquire supervisor training, delivered through multiple formats, all designed to make the training accessible from the workplace. It’s currently in design and development stages, likely ready for roll out in a few months.

To read the full article, please click here.

CCA’s 2020-2021 Board met on June 22, 2021, via Zoom, with a very full agenda! It was the first full business meeting of the 2021-2022 Board, and it is my honour to Chair such a committed and engaged Board. With vaccinations increasing across Canada, we are all feeling more optimistic about a return to face-to-face meetings later in the year, and certainly for our late November/early December Hill Day, Board and National Advisory Council meetings. More to come on that as the summer progresses.

To read the full report from CCA, please click here.

The Building Code Commission and Building Materials Evaluation Commission are currently seeking new part-time members. 

Both job advertisements have been posted to the Public Appointments Secretariat (PAS) website here:

• https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Advertisement/457
• https://www.pas.gov.on.ca/Home/Advertisement/458

Interested applicants must apply by the deadline of July 30, 2021.

The July issue of the CCA's Newsletter is now available by clicking this link.

Some of the headlines are as follows:

• Industry’s long-term vision for infrastructure includes asset management planning guided by an independent council
• Want more info about COVID-19 vaccines?
• You’re invited to the free CCA Members Industry Summit
• CCA’s Insight report connects you to the latest innovation research

For your interest, the Surety Association of Canada (SAC) has a media release with regards to their Association’s position statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion titled “People: Our Most Valuable Resource”.

In addition to a statement of SAC’s core beliefs around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, they have identified three objectives in support of those principles.

The statement and objectives can be accessed via the SAC website at: https://bit.ly/SAC‐DEI‐Statement

Should you have any questions, or for more information, please feel free to contact Sharon Clark-Koufis directly.

maestro*ERP is a platform that can manage your projects, do your accounting, pay your employees, and manage your billing, tools, equipment, and more. maestro*ERP is an everyday ally, there to facilitate, regroup, and monitor all of your business activities. Because maestro*ERP is cloud-based, users can benefit from all of its many features at any time, no matter where they are. We understand what’s it like for contractors working in the construction field: that’s why we’ve created a virtual office especially for you, allowing unlimited access to all of your data, in real time. Maestro makes construction management easier for more than 600 companies across North America! (click the pic for more info)

There are many benefits to using a cloud environment, including: 

• Reduced IT costs
• Increased computer security
• Increased access to data
• Increased collaboration between employees
• Increased effectiveness of site projects

Maestro has also launched Maestro*MOBILE for effective communication with all of your workers.

Stay up-to-date in real time, about employees' schedules, requests for labour or specialized equipment, individual workers’ skills and certificates, etc. maestro*MOBILE will allow you to plan and manage your site efficiently: no more wasted time or double-bookings with all workers.

We at the LOC have been patiently waiting for the opportunity to meet our Champions, and we are thrilled that the time has finally arrived!

LOC staff have been busy joining our Champions on safety inspections, site tours, and meet & greets with jersey signings. To date, we have visited the following:

• Eastern Construction for a Fall Protection Inspection
• Steelcore Construction Ltd. and Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. for site visits
• Percon Construction Inc. for a Safety Inspection, and
• Alpeza Constructors Ltd., Vestacon Ltd. and Cooper Equipment Rentals for jersey signings.

The coming weeks have us with:

• Graham Construction
• Elite Construction
• Stubbe’s Precast Inc.
• Magil Construction Ontario Inc.
• Matheson Constructors
• Cambria Design Build Ltd
• Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.
• Modern Niagara
• Buttcon Ltd.
• M&G Steel, and many more.

What better way is there for you to get to know the team at the League of Champions. To arrange a visit from us, please contact Judith directly at judith@theloc.ca.

Join us as GBC Foundation president, Dr. Cindy Gouveia, hosts a series of wide-ranging, interactive conversations about the George Brown College community.

On Wednesday, July 28 at noon, meet Chris Campbell, Equity and Diversity Representative of the Carpenters’ District Council of Ontario. Beside being a key leader at the Carpenters’ Local 27, Chris is also the co-chair for the Toronto Community Benefits Network and a GBC alumni (Advanced Carpentry).

Let’s start a conversation! Please click here to register.

Should you require additional information, please contact Allan Penning at allan.penning@georgebrown.ca.

Are you a Safety Champion? Do you know a Safety Champion? Do you know a company who would be a great addition to the LOC?  Have you considered joining the League of Champions?  If you have any questions or want to learn more about the League of Champions, just let us know, we are here to help.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Judith Reda. 

Ontario’s Prevention Council Chair released the statement below today:

The month of July marks a couple of milestones that the Prevention Council would like to recognize.

1. Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Strategy, Prevention Works
2. Chief Prevention Officer, Ron Kelusky’s Retirement

To read the full statement, please click here.

Dear Occupational Health and Safety Partner,

It has been an honour and a privilege to be Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer for the past three years.

During this time, I met frequently with system partners, and spoke to many workers, employers, and health and safety practitioners. Many of these partners are doing great work to keep our workplaces safe and healthy. I also read many studies and reports on occupational health and safety. 

To read the full letter from Ron Kelusky, please click here.

FCA Insurance Brokers
As a leading Construction focused insurance brokerage, FCA has been handling the surety and insurance needs of OGCA members for much of our 102-year history. FCA has the capacity and expertise to assist OGCA contractors of all sizes to obtain comprehensive insurance coverage and the surety bonds they require in a professional and timely manner. Please click here to access their profile page.

Northbridge Insurance
As the third largest commercial insurer in Canada, Northbridge Insurance works to understand your unique business insurance needs – no matter where you are or what type of business you operate. Ranging from project insurance to liability insurance, Northbridge is a one-stop shop with expertise in the construction and contractors’ sectors. With regional offices across the country, we work closely with our insurance broker partners to ensure your needs are always looked after. Northbridge Insurance is a subsidiary of Northbridge Financial Corporation and is 100 per cent wholly owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings. Please click here to view their profile page.

Norm Keith (KPMG LLP) is riding the in 2021 Princess Margaret Hospital charity fundraiser Ride to Conquer Cancer 2021 with the KPMG Team.

The two day event takes place the last weekend in August, and he is asking members to please consider supporting this great cause.

The proceeds from this fundraiser goes to cancer research at the Princess Margaret Hospital, a world leading hospital doing great research to find a cure for a terrible disease that will afflict many Canadians.

Will you please consider a small donation as he and the team ride to Niagara Falls and back, rain or shine, to raise money for this worthwhile charitable event? (Charitable tax receipts are provided.)

TO DONATE, just click on the link and follow the prompts: https://supportthepmcf.ca/ui/Ride21/p/supportnormsridetoconquercancerjourney2021

Learn, network and shape the future of global construction.

Groundbreak is a virtual event built for construction. Hear from top industry leaders with 60+ sessions on topics including safety, running a more profitable business, leadership & culture, inclusion & diversity, and more. Plus, hear the latest Procore product announcements and find out where construction is headed next.

Click here to access the event website. This event occurs October 12 - 14, 2021.

The last edition of Surety Corner introduced the topic of bond limits, what might be holding back a contractor’s growth and the general areas of focus to ensure you are maximizing your bonding limits.

The example we had used was contractor XYZ who had $500,000 in working capital, which translated to a $10 million aggregate bonded work program based on 20 times leveraging. However, XYZ is looking to take on a larger job and to fit this project into their backlog they need to increase the aggregate limit to $12 million.

To read the full article by Jamie Collum and Andrew Cartwright from FCA Insurance, please click here.

On June 30, 2021, the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario updated its COVID-19 Screening Tool for Businesses and Organizations (Screening Workers). Every business or organization must ensure a worker is actively screened each day before the worker enters the workplace or starts their shift, regardless of vaccination status.

To read the full Briefing Note, please click here.

With a two dose summer within reach for most adult Canadians, many employers have begun to plan for “return to work.” The good news is no two workplaces are exactly alike and there is considerable flexibility in how a workplace decides to proceed.

On the other hand, it is important to be aware of the legal, practical and financial parameters that may shape the decisions made.

Sherrard Kuzz is offering a half day virtual session to help. Please click here to register.

Remote work is here to stay. But what does it mean for employers when that work takes place in another country? Employers are feeling increased pressure to accommodate remote work at the employee’s desired location. Listen in as top employment lawyers from around the world dive into complex cross-border issues such as which country’s laws apply, when to consider registering in another country/state, visas and much more! Our panelists will review case studies, offer tips to avoid pitfalls, highlight special opportunities for employers and provide a glimpse into the future.

View Program and Register

July 29, 2021
10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

The latest issue of the Ontario Legislative Reports is now available on the OGCA website. Please click here to access the latest issue.

The Ontario Legislative Report is updated every two weeks and explains the intention and status of legislation and regulations that could impact the construction industry. For issues prior to January 2020, please contact Mary Wademan at OGCA.