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GAME ON! THIS EVENT IS A GAME CHANGER!
Photo:(L to R) OCS Board members: John Grimshaw (IBEW Construction Council of Ontario), Patrick Dillon (Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario), Tim Fenton (Ontario Sheet Metal Workers' & Roofers' Conference), OCS President Joe Keyes (Construction Labour Relations Association of Ontario), and Sean Strickland (OCS Chief Executive Officer)
(Photo credit: Fred Lehmann - OCS)
More than 5,000 students from London and area experienced the Ontario Construction Secretariat's Future Building 2016 April 19-21 at the Western Fair District Metroland Media Agriplex. They worked with tools and asked a lot of questions, and after the three-day exposition, the trades, teachers and students agreed the exposition was a great success.
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LOOKIN' FOR GOLD WITH COPPER!
For Ryan Wilson, an apprentice with Local 47 of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) in Ottawa, it's a chance to secure a brighter future in the industry. Then again, pretty much all of the competitors at this year's Canadian Sheet Metal Apprentice Competition in Halifax, Nova Scotia will tell you the same thing. The national competition takes place in July this year and Wilson is one of five sheet metal apprentices that will represent Ontario at the competition.
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REMEMBERING FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES AND JOB SAFETY!
Photo: Eric Hunter an electrician with IBEW Local 804 speaks at the Waterloo Region Day of Mourning ceremony held at Victoria Park (Kitchener, Ontario)
(Photo credit: Fred Lehmann - OCS)
In Southwestern Ontario, the weather on April 28th matched the sombre atmosphere at many Day of Mourning observances. The cloudy skies and cold temperatures greeted workers, trade unions, employers, families and politicians from all levels of government as collectively, they remembered friends and families who died or were injured while working on the job.
The Ontario Construction Secretariat attended four ceremonies: in Toronto, York Region, Oakville and Waterloo Region. For all, the message was the same and remains important.
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OPTIMISM DESPITE SLIP IN GDP
After a strong start to the year, Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) faltered in February by slipping 0.1%. This decline reversed only part of the substantial 0.6% advance in January. According to BMO Chief Economist Douglas Porter, "the small setback still leaves GDP growth on track to come in at a better-than 3% annualized rate for all of Q1, even if March's GDP is roughly flat."
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The Ministry of Labour (MOL) has announced its inspection blitz schedule for 2016/17. Workplace injuries and fatalities can usually be traced to a few root causes. Occupational health and safety inspectors conduct proactive blitzes on sector-specific hazards which also raises awareness and increases compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Association.
Reports from previous year blitzes are available on the MOL website. Construction sector blitz dates are noted here.
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FYI. MINISTRY OF LABOUR ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES
Responsibility for Ontario's College of Trades (OCOT) is being moved to the Ministry of Labour. In a letter to OCOT stakeholders dated May 9, 2016, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities noted that daily operations of the College will not be affected by the change. It says that during the transition, the OCOT will carry out its functions on a "business-as-usual" basis. Both ministries are working together to implement a transition plan that will ensure the transfer happens efficiently and effectively. Responsibility for apprenticeship remains with MTCU as part of its mandate to support the development of a diverse and skilled workforce that meets the needs of Ontario's economy.
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For any enquiries or information related to Eye on ICI Newsletter or OCS, please contact the OCS at
info@iciconstruction.com
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