Ontario Government News Release – Ontario Accepts Recommendations to Strengthen the Ontario College of Trades
Province Committed to Supporting Skilled Trades
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ontario is strengthening the industry-driven governing body responsible for promoting and modernizing skilled trades in the province.
The province, in partnership with the Ontario College of Trades, has accepted the recommendations made by former Secretary of Cabinet Tony Dean, in his report, Supporting a Strong and Sustainable Ontario College of Trades. Ontario will bring forward proposed legislative changes in the spring legislative session and will work closely with the College of Trades to implement Mr. Dean’s recommendations.
Mr. Dean’s recommendations would help improve the College’s processes and clarify its mandate by:
- Supporting the existing Trade Boards to update and bring consistency to all trades’ scopes of practice
- Reviewing how trades are classified through establishment of an independent and evidence-based process that will use risk of harm as a key criterion
- Establishing clearer and more concise criteria on how journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios are determined
- Developing an enforcement and compliance committee and appeal process to resolve potential conflicts earlier, as well as ensure enforcement activities are consistently carried out with safety and the public interest in mind.
Mr. Dean’s report was informed by an open and transparent year-long review that included consultations with several hundred tradespeople, employers and industry and trade boards representing more than 70 trades.
You will find the government’s release regarding the Dean Review at the following link: https://news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2015/11/ontario-accepts-recommendations-to-strengthen-the-ontario-college-of-trades.html.
The province, in partnership with the Ontario College of Trades, has accepted the recommendations made by Mr. Dean. We look forward to continued partnership with the trades and industry through implementation.