April 1st marks the official start of Dig Safe Month!

The Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) and its members have designated April as Dig Safe Month in Ontario. This month is dedicated to raising awareness of safe digging practices across the province to improve safety and reduce damages to underground infrastructure.

Dig Safe Month is designed to coincide with the unofficial start of spring digging season and to serve as a reminder to homeowners and contractors that they need to click before they start digging.

Ensuring the safety of those who work or live in the vicinity of underground facilities and protecting vital services is everyone’s responsibility.

Throughout April, ORCGA members and Geographic Councils will be leading local campaigns across the province to spread awareness about safe digging practices and "Click Before You Dig.”

2025 SPRING DIG SAFE EXCAVATOR BREAKFAST MEETINGS

FREE TO ATTEND!

FINAL SPRING DIG SAFE EXCAVATOR BREAKAST IN SUDBURY

REGISTER TODAY

There is still time to register for our spring Dig Safe Excavator Breakfasts!

FREE TO ATTEND!

ORCGA INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

JUNE 18TH, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Tournament will sell out!

ORCGA members, watch your inbox for your invite.

Are you a member of the ORCGA and did not receive the invitation?

Please email rebecca@orcga.com

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

Sponsorship is a great way to support this year’s event.

There are still some great opportunities available, including Tee Holes and Hole In Ones.

We are also accepting prizes for our on-course contests!

For more information on how to support, please email rebecca@orcga.com. 

2025 ORCGA LOCATE RODEO

We are excited to host this year’s Located Rodeo & Excavator Challenge at Brock University in St Catherines, ON. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please email rebecca@orcga.com.

Registration and sponsorship will be open in late spring.

The DPT 1000 is a 4-week comprehensive classroom / in-field practical training required for locators if locating large and established utilities, including dedicated locators (DL)

2 weeks - In Class

2 weeks - In-Field Practical

Training Dates: TBD

To register and for additional information, contact:

Kimberly Sheppard

905.532.9836

kim@orcga.com

DPT 100 and 200 - Damage Prevention Technician Training (DPT100 and DPT200) provides instruction on the fundamentals of locating. The DPT training is focused on a combination of in-class instruction (in-depth review of techniques used to locate all utility types, safety, locate requests and industry practices), field awareness review and an on-the-job competency assessment.
 
Visit orcga.com for more information. 

DPT Course Schedule

The Safe Excavation Training (SET) course sets the standard on damage prevention and safe excavation practices around underground infrastructure. It is the knowledge requirement for excavators in Ontario. Excavators who successfully complete the training will be awarded the Safe Excavation Certificate, demonstrating they know best practices and proper procedures to minimize damage, ensure worker and public safety, and keep projects on time and on budget. They enhance their own and their company's reputation as professionals dedicated to the health of the industry and the public. 

Developed by the ORCGA in consultation with numerous subject matter experts and corporate training experts Flint Learning Solutions, this training is based on the latest research and resources on excavation best practices, legislation and standards. It provides instruction on the fundamentals of compliance, planning and design, notification service, locating and marking, and excavation The SET is an interactive four-hour technical/theory course.

Visit orcga.com for more information.

SET COURSE SCHEDULE

 CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT

Construction crews have broken ground on the final tunnel segment of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced the news on April 8.

Once complete, the nine-kilometre line will connect seven new stations to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, bringing more than 37,500 people within a 10-minute walk of transit.

The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension will create more than 4,500 jobs from engineers to construction workers, crane, and heavy equipment operators.

Crews have now started excavating the twin 500-metre tunnels under Eglinton Avenue West, from Jane Street to the future Mount Dennis Station. The tunnels will be built using a sequential excavation method, advancing one to two metres per day.

MORE INFORMATION

The Government of Ontario announced plans to partner with Taykwa Tagamou Nation (TTN) and Moose Cree First Nation (MCFN) to expand hydroelectric generation to meet growing energy demand and support greater economic self-determination and prosperity.

"For more than a century, nearly a quarter of Ontario’s power has come from clean hydroelectric energy,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "As energy demand rises in Ontario, especially in the North, our government is taking action by supporting early development work for the provinces first expansion of large-scale hydroelectricity in decades. 

READ MORE

CLICK HERE TO READ

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