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Volume 1 | January 06, 2022
ECAO NEWS
Register Today!
Empower U: D&I Leadership Surge Training
We are excited to announce a new diversity and inclusion leadership program organized by our ECAO Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Alex will be kicking off EMPOWER U with us on January 26, 2022.


We’ll be sharing additional details about this exciting opportunity via e-mail. In the interim, should you have any questions, please contact me at kahluwalia@ecao.org.
Registration Opens Next Week!
ECAO- JEPP 2022 AGMs and Gala Night
ECAO 2022 Annual Industry Conference
September 17/18- 24, 2022
ECAO has secured a special 10% discount with Air Canada Groups on Tango fares and higher, including Business Class. A 5% discount also applies to the Standard Fare (Economy) with this code. Simply log on to aircanada.com to source your flight options. The discounted fare will be shown on your search providing you have entered the discount code from the beginning. 

To book a flight with your promotion code, access aircanada.com and enter the promotion code in the search panel.

ECAO promotion code is: F6NMEWF1

We encourage ECAO Members to book their airfare as soon as possible as the fares will likely go up!

ECAO invests in Leadership Surge to boost inclusion
The Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario (ECAO) is partnering with former NFL player Alex Willis and his corporate training firm Leadership Surge in a bid to boost leadership skills related to diversity and inclusion among its members and eradicate racism in workplaces.

ECAO executive director Graeme Aitken explained the ECAO’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, formed in 2020, had cast about for initiatives to tackle racism and counter the reputation construction has of unwelcome workplaces, notoriety that drives away talent at a time when electrical contractors desperately need new skilled workers and leaders.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Teksmed: Understanding Your WSIB Premium Rates
Wednesday, January 19th, 2022 at 11:00 AM ET
Join ECAO's affiliate partner TeksMed in a review of how to understand your WSIB premium rates within the New Rate Framework.

During this session, TeksMed will specifically review the WSIB Premium Rate Extended Statement and what it means to your firm.

Some questions that will be answered during the session:
  • Why am I paying a premium rate higher than other firms in my industry?
  • Will I still receive lump-sum rebates or surcharges?
  • Why is all of my firm's payroll being subjected to the same premium rate?
  • How can I reduce my premium rate?
 

If you would like to discuss your WSIB account and premium rates, please contact Tanya George at 437-333-8608 or tgeorge@teksmed.com.
The Costs and Benefits of Hiring and Training Apprentices in Canada
You are invited to join CAF-FCA for an online event with employers about the business case for apprenticeship. A lot has changed since we did our last return on training investment study in 2009 and given all the changes in the economy, it is definitely time to re-explore the costs and benefits of apprenticeship training

When
Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST

Where
This is an online event. 
  
Contact
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum  
613-235-4004 
info@caf-fca.org 

4S Consulting Services -Key Challenges in Transitioning to COR 2020
Our Associate Member, 4S Consulting Services Inc. is hosting a free webinar on Jan 27, 2022, exclusively for ECAO COR-in-progress membership. 
 
As a COR-in-progress employer or someone exploring COR, learn more about the key challenges to transition to COR 2020 from an IHSA External COR Auditor and experienced OHS consultant supporting over 95 businesses in Ontario, including general contractors, in achieving and maintaining COR as well as in transitioning to COR 2020.
 
Jan 27, 2022 | 10:00am to 11:30am EST | Virtual Webinar

Talking Points:
 
  • Provide a detailed overview of the key challenges to transition to each of the 14 elements for COR 2020 
  • Share best practices and possible methods to address those challenges

INDUSTRY NEWS
Supply chain, housing crisis and labour shortage top 2021 Ontario newsmakers
The Doug Ford government and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton were chosen as construction newsmakers of the year for 2021 by leaders of Ontario’s construction associations. Stakeholders said McNaughton’s funding announcements aiming to boost training in the skilled trades would help address the labour shortage.

Volatile material prices, tight labour will continue to press construction: JLL
In an analysis of the overall state of the Canadian economy and the construction sector, real estate and investment management firm JLL Canada says this country is in the midst of a “historic building boom”.

However, JLL’s Canadian construction outlook also warns there are many obstacles to overcome such as constricted supply chains, volatile material prices, and construction labour shortages.

COVID and Workplace Transmissions 
According to Public Health Ontario, between January 15, 2020, and December 6, 2021, 625,312 cases of COVID19 were confirmed in Ontario. Only a total of 827 claims came from all construction classes.

Workplace transmissions from all Ontario workplaces (all sectors covered by the WSIB) represent approximately 4.94% of all COVID19 cases.

Workplace transmissions from construction sites represent approximately 0.13% of all cases confirmed in the province. 
ESA Releases Podcast Episode on Energy Storage Systems
At ESA, we understand that there is growing curiosity and concern about grid independence and specifically energy storage systems. We’ve heard from LECs that the expectation to understand requirements and Code changes can sometimes feel daunting, especially as technology continues to advance.
 
ESA dedicated the latest episode of Grounded in Ontario which you can listen to here, a podcast made especially for Licensed Electrical Contractors, Master and certified electricians as well as those aspiring to enter the trade, to all things energy storage. Host Josie Erzetic speaks with Trevor Tremblay, Technical Advisor at ESA, about important updates to the Code and all LECs need to know about installation requirements. In this podcast episode.
 
ESA continues to receive valuable feedback and topic suggestions from our listeners, and want to thank you for that! ESA is so glad that LECs, Master and certified electricians are engaging with content on the website and listening to the episodes. If you haven’t already, please make sure to share with your teams and peers. Anyone can subscribe and listen through Apple, Spotify, Amazon or Google.
 
If you have a topic or technical question you would like addressed in a future episode, please email us at podcast@esasafe.com
INDUSTRY EVENTS
EB 2022 PowerCon
EBPowerCon engages with subject matter experts—one-on-one and via panel discussion—to shed light on trends and technologies so as to empower electrical professionals with knowledge and insight into markets and opportunities.
Featuring 3 special Extravaganza Days, EBPowerCon is OPEN 24/7 for 6 weeks—January 17 to February 25—giving everyone ample opportunity to check out the Sessions and our Valued Supporters. 

To learn more about joining our Sponsors or our Exhibit Hall, contact Jennifer at jdiiorio@ebmag.com.
Adjudication – It’s Not as Complicated as You Think!
Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 03:00 PM
The prompt payment and adjudication provisions of the new Construction Act took effect more than two years ago, to date only about 100 adjudications have been initiated.

ODACC (Ontario Dispute Adjudication for Construction Contracts) is the Authorized Nominating Authority appointed to administer and oversee adjudication of all construction disputes in the province. No matter what the dollar amount involved, the process can be simple and quick.

Facilitator Ted Dreyer of Madorin, Snyder LLP and Chair of the GVCA, and panellists Dan Leduc, a lawyer at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and board member of the Ottawa Construction Association, and Elise Teitler, a lawyer and Project Manager with ODACC, will explain it all.

OCS State of the Industry & Outlook Conference 2022
Hold the Date!
The Ontario Construction Secretariat will host its 22nd Annual State of the Industry & Outlook Conference on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Stay informed with up-to-date information by checking the events page of our website.

NETCO 2022 Conference
Registration is now open for NETCO 2022 Cost to Coast Conference.