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Events
2026 DAMAGE PREVENTION SYMPOSIUM February 10 – 12, 2026 REGISTRATION OPENS OCTOBER 2, 2025
2026 brings us back to Niagara Falls, Ontario & to a new location
NIAGARA FALLS CONVENTION CENTRE Hotel Accommodations provided at the Marriott on the Falls
Rates range from $119 - $139 per night + HST
FULL DELEGATE EARLY BIRD PRICING IN AFFECT FROM OCTOBER 2 - JANUARY 6 $750 + HST Day passes are also available for Wednesday, February 11th
SPONSORS THIS YEAR’S EVENT! Sponsorship and Tradeshow bookings are currently with our Annual Sponsors and will be available to our members before October 2nd. Watch your inbox for your invitation. INTERESTED IN EXIBITING OR SPONSORING? Email rebecca@orcga.com for more information.
We are now accepting submissions from industry professionals for the upcoming 2026 ORCGA Damage Prevention Symposium. Interested individuals may submit their paper to rebecca@orcga.com
Due date for submissions is Monday, December 1, 2025
For more information on submission parameters: Visit: https://cvent.me/YADmEy FALL DIG SAFE BREAKFAST MEETINGS Great educational presentations & amazing networking opportunities Don't miss out!
NEW! Let's Talk About It! (open discussion) NEW to 2025 Fall Dig Safe Breakfasts: Join us for an open discussion on current local excavation, development, rehabilitation projects, or initiatives working towards safer excavation. Audience participation is encouraged. Come prepared with any progress updates or questions for the group.
Help provide a place to meet and a hot breakfast at ALL 13 meetings! Sponsorship is available during registration: $500! Includes signage at each meeting, recognition at the event site, emails, social media, and the ORCGA presentation. Contact rebecca@orcga.com for more information. THE RESULTS ARE IN! Congratulations to all Locate Rodeo & Excavator Challenge Winners!
Thank You to all competitors for making this year’s event such a success. With 46 locators and 11 excavators, a great day was had by all. Winners & photos are now posted on our website.
THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S SPONSORS
Last but certainly not least, the support from our members at this year’s event was fantastic! We are extremely grateful for their generous support and working with us to help grow both the rodeo & the challenge.
The 2026 Locate Rodeo & Excavator challenge location is currently being confirmed. Save the date will go out soon. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE NEXT AUGUST! 
Education
The DPT 1000 is a four-week comprehensive classroom/in-field practical training required for locators if locating large and established utilities, including dedicated locators (DL) Two weeks - In Class Two weeks - In-Field Practical Training Dates: TBD To register and for additional information, contact: Kimberly Sheppard 905.532.9836
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.
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.
DIRT Reporting
Industry News
Source: Ontario Construction News
Ottawa has launched a new Major Projects Office (MPO), headquartered in Calgary, to accelerate approvals and financing for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Created under the Building Canada Act, which came into force in June, the MPO has authority to shorten federal regulatory timelines for developments considered in the national interest, including ports, railways, energy corridors, critical mineral operations, and clean energy projects.
Officials say the office will act as a single point of contact for proponents and collaborate with provinces and territories on a “one project, one review” model for environmental assessments. Federal targets call for approvals on priority projects to be completed within two years.
Source: Link2Build
The Ontario government has announced it will increase its annual funding for the Winter Roads Program to $13 million to build and maintain nearly 3,200 kilometres of winter roads in the North.
The increased funding will help more than 24,000 people in remote areas continue to connect to jobs, services and family during the winter months and will support the transport of essential goods to support local economies.
“Winter roads are a lifeline for northern communities that keep people connected and help local businesses move goods and supplies,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment will strengthen the seasonal road network, improve access to services and help Northern Ontario remain resilient in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs.”
The province is investing $8 million this year to help 32 remote First Nation communities and the Town of Moosonee build and operate nearly 3,200 kilometres of winter roads.
Source:Link2Build
The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $23 million to support skills training initiatives being run by 14 organizations in and around Mississauga.
“With President Trump’s tariffs taking direct aim at our economy and workers, we are investing record amounts to protect Ontario workers and keep them on the job,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The investments we are announcing today will help workers get the skills and training they need to succeed and support economic growth here in Mississauga and across the province.”
This funding is part of the government’s $2.5 billion investment through the training stream of its Skills Development Fund (SDF). The money will go toward helping more than 4,200 people prepare for work in high-demand sectors including construction, health care, transportation, manufacturing, aerospace and the skilled trades.
Source: Link2Build
Prime Minister Mark Carney says expansions to ports in Montreal and Manitoba could be among the first projects fast tracked under his government's new major projects bill.
Carney says the government will make an announcement about new port infrastructure in the next two weeks.
The ports comments came as Carney was in Germany and then Latvia today expanding trade ties in Europe with new agreements on energy and critical minerals -- projects that will likely require upgrading ports to ship those products to Europe.
Carney specifically identified the Contrecoeur expansion of the Port of Montreal as something that might be one of the first projects approved under his government's major projects bill.
The government passed Bill C-5 in just two weeks in June, allowing it to quickly approve major projects it considers to be in the national interest.
Source: Link2Build
The Ontario government has announced plans to invest $135 million in water systems and irrigation infrastructure in Niagara Region and the Municipality of Leamington to help build more homes, protect farmland and keep workers on the job.
“In the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty, our government is investing in the future for the people of Ontario by doubling down on our plan to build,” said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. “With our additional investments in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are unlocking more housing and building critical infrastructure that will protect communities, support the farming sector and keep workers on the job.”
Source:Construct Connect
MARKHAM, ONT. — The angel atop the Princes’ Gates will no longer overlook Turn 1 of Canada’s only NTT IndyCar Series race, with the event moving to suburban Markham, Ont.
The open-wheel auto racing series announced on Wednesday that it’s moving the Grand Prix of Toronto from Exhibition Place in the city’s downtown core to the northeastern suburb and that the race will now be held later in the summer. Mayor Frank Scarpitti made the five-year deal official at a news conference in Markham Centre, the municipality’s business core.
“Markham, start your engines, the Indy race is coming to our city,” said Scarpitti. “This is a major milestone for the city of Markham, which officially becomes the starting line for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham in 2026, and we are thrilled and honoured to be named as the host city for this prestigious world-class, three-day auto racing event around this time next year.”
Ear to the Ground
Member News
Within the Enbridge Damage Prevention department, the team is always trying to come up with creative solutions to reduce gas line damages. One consistent trend we observe is a higher rate of damage from sewer and water work. Jason Syragakis came up with a creative challenge for a Toronto-based sewer and water contractor, CG Construction Services Ltd., to complete one full year of ground disturbance with no gas line damages. This was a lofty target given the volume and scope of the projects CG Construction Services was undertaking in 2024.
Do you have concerns about your employee benefits program getting hit by large prescription drug costs? Have you experienced increasing healthcare premiums with no end in sight? Looking for a solution that works and gives tremendous financial relief without decreasing benefits for your team members? Contact an expert who can help.
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