The WSIB has developed a draft policy to support legislation (Bill 127) passed by the Ontario government on May 17, 2017, as part of its 2017 Budget that allows compensation for work-related chronic mental stress. Stakeholders were invited to submit comments and feedback on WSIB's draft policy. Read on for the submission made by COCA (Council of Ontario Construction Associations)
IHSA Safety Talk: Heat Stress - Health & Safety Advisory: Safe Access to Cooling Towers - Ministry of Labour releases technical guideline for suspended access equipment on construction projects - IHSA members access mental health course
Chair Elizabeth Witmer Reappointed, WSIB 2016 Annual Report Release, By the Numbers - 2016 Statistical Report now available, WSIB launches the new Health and Safety Index
Employment and Labour Lawyers comment on recent Government Act and proposed amendments
Suspended access equipment on construction projects - Consultations on trade classification review regulations - Positions available on the Ontario College of Trades’ governing boards - Supervisor awareness and accountability blitz - Protecting outdoor workers - thinkmentalhealth.ca a one-stop shop for workplace mental health - Safe and fair workplaces 2017: Small business outreach initiative
Congratulations to CFBA members - Agway Metals Inc., Westman Steel, Steelway Building Systems, and Behlen Industries LP for their winning entries in CSSBI's annual photo contest!
The software, known as CATRADER, compiles nearly 10,000 simulations of potential annual hail activity.
Steel is Earth’s most recycled material — but that’s only the beginning. This infographic showcases cold-formed steel’s sustainability benefits.
Ontario is proposing new rules to prevent late payments on construction projects. The following deadlines would come into effect as soon as an invoice is submitted to the owner of the project.
CFBA Awards 2016 on page 78. Will Teron of Tacoma Engineers speaks to Better Farming on page 6 - see ‘Code Updates on the Horizon – Changes to the National Farm Building Code are long overdue in the minds of engineers in the industry’.
New Legislation Would Address Payment Delay and Improve Dispute Resolution Process
COCA has been lobbying for Construction Lien Act reform for more than 20 years and for prompt payment legislation since 2011. A giant step forward was made when the government engaged Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel to conduct a review of the Construction Lien Act and to consider the chronic issues of delayed payment that are endemic in the construction industry.
The Reynolds-Vogel Report was made public on June 26, 2016. Their report presented 100 recommendations to modernize the Construction Lien Act, introduce a quick "real time" dispute resolution system for project disputes and introduce a prompt payment regime. Legislative Counsel in the Ministry of the Attorney General has been busy ever since, translating those recommendations into a Bill, receiving practical advice and guidance from Reynolds, Vogel and the panel of industry experts they used as part of their review.
At COCA’s ‘Welcome to Construction Season’ Reception at Queen’s Park on May 15th, 2017, Attorney General Yasir Naqvi gave a very strong indication that a Bill pursuant to the Reynolds-Vogel Report would be introduced in the Ontario legislature before the adjournment of the spring session, currently planned for June 1st. He also said very enthusiastically that he would make his best effort to get the Bill through the legislative process and passed into law before the end of the fall 2017 session.
On June 1st 2017, Attorney General Yasir Naqvi announced that the Ontario government was introducing new reforms to Ontario’s construction laws.
A Summary of Bill 142 – An Act to Amend the Construction Lien Act has been prepared by Ted Dryer, a construction lawyer with Madorin, Snyder LLP and the chair of COCA’s Construction Lien Act Task Force. Ted has been a guest speaker at the CFBA’s 2016 and 2017 Annual Conferences, and has worked tirelessly to amend the Construction Lien Act in Ontario through COCA.
The Canadian Farm Builders Association is a member of COCA and supports the work they do. COCA, as the voice of their membership at Queen's Park, hosted a ‘Welcome to Construction Season’ Reception held May 15th 2017 at Queens Park. The CFBA assisted in sponsoring this event that was attended by the Attorney General Yasir Naqvi and the honourable Minister of Labour, Kevin Flynne, amongst others. Photos of this event portraying the CFBA’s Gary van Bolderen (in his capacity as COCA Chair) along with COCA staff and political leaders are available on the CFBA website. Select ‘Gallery’ and ‘COCA.
The Changing Workplaces Review Final Report and Summary Release. Keeping workers safe on construction sites. Protecting new and young workers on the job. New tool measures workplace health and safety.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeff Leal met with Indigenous partners, local municipalities, livestock organizations and industry in Timmins to discuss the Northern Livestock Pilot project and kick off consultations with stakeholders and communities on supporting viable agriculture in the North.
Suspended access equipment web page provides latest information on recent regulation changes. Ontario releases Construction Health and Safety Action Plan.
New wearable technologies for dairy cows monitor individual animal activity to improve farm management and performance.
The federal Competition Bureau says it has given its approval, with conditions, to the takeover of Lafarge S.A. by Holcim Ltd. in a deal that will merge the world’s two largest cement companies.
OTTAWA—The federal Competition Bureau says it has given its approval, with conditions, to the takeover of Lafarge S.A. by Holcim Ltd. in a deal that will merge the world’s two largest cement companies.
