"Out of this World" ECAO Social Event- May 19 |
Don't forget to register for our upcoming Social Event on May 19, 2021!
The evening includes the exciting virtual experience inspired by an Apollo Program era NASA Astronaut training exercise, modernized to use today's technology, called Project Artemis. Top 3 teams will be winning prizes! And a closing performance by Graham Chittenden, one of Canada’s most entertaining comedic performers.
Themed costume event is back this year! The theme for the social evening is “Out of the World”, and we are encouraging attendees to do some research and find just the right costume. Costumes will be judged and prizes for the best costume will also be awarded. Some examples of “Out-of-the-world” can be Aliens, Space, Galaxy, Star Trek, and anything you imagine!
The Registration Deadline date is MAY 12, 2021.
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2021 National Day of Mourning |
Today, on National Day of Mourning, we honour and remember all those who suffered a workplace death, injury or illness.
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Follow Certi-Fire on Social Media Channels! |
Get a Certi-Fire electrician on-site by talking to your licensed Electrical Contractor, and address all your property management fire alarm concerns.
Follow Cert-Fire for all the latest updates and information.
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Message to the industry from Ottawa Construction Association |
Following a recent industry roundtable of 40 industry contractors and suppliers on the ongoing challenges in material supply and price escalation, the OCA wishes to communicate in an open message to all in the construction building process but especially to the BUYERS and DESIGN consultants some key messages:
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Ontario outlines essential construction projects |
The Ontario government has issued a list of construction projects and activities that are considered essential under expanded emergency orders issued today to deal with the pandemic.
The measures are “targeted at stopping the rapid growth in COVID-19 case rates and relieving mounting pressures on the province’s health care system,” a government statement said.
The new regulations take effect Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 12:01 a.m.
Permitted construction activities include:
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COCA Letter to Premier Ford |
Last week COCA sent a letter to Doug Ford urging him to lift the restrictions on commercial construction. An excerpt from the letter states, “Specifically, we ask that you reconsider your recent emergency order which shut down much of the commercial component of the construction industry. To win against this virus, our province needs to take action where it will have the greatest impact, and not shutter part of an industry that produces an infinitesimal percentage of transmissions. We urge you in the strongest way possible to reconsider your decision and allow the construction activities that were prohibited by your recent order to safely re-open.”
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Peel, Toronto launch workplace closure plan, Hamilton constructors see COVID spike |
Toronto Public Health and the Region of Peel Public Health launched Section 22 Class Order workplace closure programs on April 23 that will give those municipal governments the power to close workplaces where COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified.
The measures came as the City of Hamilton public health department posted statistics documenting how the pandemic has extended to a half dozen of Hamilton’s construction workplaces in recent weeks. The city has reported six outbreaks of fewer than nine COVID cases each involving construction and associated workplaces between April 14 and April 21.
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Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA)- Posters and Guidelines for Employers |
COCA has developed four documents that have been developed jointly by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council (the Building Trades), the Construction Employers Coordinating Council of Ontario (CECCO) and COCA to advise construction employers, supervisors and workers about the measures that must be taken to keep job sites safe, minimize or eliminate the possibility of virus transmission and keep our industry working.
There are four documents:
- Safety Bulletin
- Safety Bulletin – Workplace Poster
- Safety Bulletin – Roles and Responsibilities
- Safety Bulletin – Workplace Guidance Practices
You can download the above-mentioned documents here:
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Ontario’s Achievement Incentive Program designed to support those who train apprentices |
Ontario is investing $47 million in 2021-22 to enable employers to hire more apprentices, “improve the quality of training and help them complete their training and certification” through the Achievement Incentive Program and the expanded Apprenticeship Capital Grant.
“Our economic recovery and future growth depends on having a robust skilled workforce,” said Minister Monte McNaughton.
The programs are designed to support those who train apprentices, such as businesses, colleges and other training organizations.
“The Achievement Incentive Program will benefit our entire community: employers, our labour partners… all of those eager to begin apprenticeships. This will help us to continue to build careers for Ontarians; not simply find them jobs,” said Graeme Aitken, Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario.
The $23-million Achievement Incentive Program will provide over 11,000 employers in the construction, industrial, service and other sectors with up to $4000 in funding per apprentice as they reach key training milestones.
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Gerrie Electric nets FedDev Ontario funding to support its continued growth |
Gerrie Electric Wholesale Ltd. (Burlington, Ont.) is the recipient of a FedDev Ontario repayable contribution of $1.4-million to support its continued growth.
With the $1.4-million, Gerrie Electric will consolidate its distribution operations into a 76,000-sf facility in Burlington, equip the facility with technologies such as automated storage and retrieval systems, and digitize its workflow process.
“The team at Gerrie Electric is very excited about the progress of our new distribution centre and our innovative warehouse technology that will drive even greater productivity to support new and growing sales and job satisfaction,” said Elaine Gerrie-Valentini, co-president & CEO.
This investment, says FedDev, will help improve “productivity and efficiency, grow domestic sales, and enable the company to be more sustainable, and to better compete in the global e-commerce industry”.
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Canada investing $1.5M into green and inclusive community buildings |
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, has announced the launch of a program across Canada to support green and inclusive community buildings through retrofits, repairs, upgrades, and new builds.
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BIG saving for your Business with TELUS |
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INDUSTRY EVENTS & WEBINARS |
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Guidance for Construction and Establishing Your Workplace Vaccine Policy |
To help better prepare construction employers, the OGCA and Fasken LLP are proud to present "Guidance for Construction and Establishing Your Workplace Vaccine Policy."
This 90-minute session will be held on Wednesday, May 12 at 10 a.m. (Via Zoom), and will feature Ron Kelusky, CPO and ADM at the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as well as Norm Keith, Partner at Fasken LLP.
The speakers discuss the following topics:
- What is the current state of vaccinations in the construction sector?
- What are the safety imperatives of vaccinations for construction workers?
- How do the rules apply to unilateral management vaccine policies?
- Should an employer establish a Mandatory Proof of Vaccination Policy (“MPVP”)? OHS law as the priority and prevails over other considerations such as Human Rights, privacy concerns and other considerations?
- Will the government or employers be able to use Vaccine Passports?
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Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) Launches First Annual Building Diversity Awards and Recognition Program
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You are cordially invited to the inaugural Building Diversity Awards Gala, on Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Come see how the construction industry is winning by building equity on the job site!
During this virtual event, we will announce our 2021 award recipients who are leading on diversity, equity and inclusion in the construction industry.
The gala will be a night to remember with a massive speed mentoring session, inspiring keynote speakers from Canada and the United States as well as special giveaways, entertainment and musical performances from local talent.
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