COCA Newsletter – July 2018
Regional Ratio Review Consultations Postponed
On May 23rd, eighteen COCA members participated in a key stakeholders’ session organized by the Ontario College of Trades (OCoT or the College) to discuss improving the College’s process for determining journey-person to apprentice ratios for the next round of ratio reviews which are scheduled to begin in April 2019.
This very successful early stage meeting led to the scheduling of a series of regional consultations with stakeholders in Windsor, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Mississauga, Markham and Kitchener. With the election of our new provincial government on June 7th, the transfer of the oversight responsibility for OCoT from the Ministry of Labour to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the appointment of a new minister, Merrilee Fullerton, those consultations have been postponed to a time later this year that is yet to be determined.
This delay will allow OCoT time to brief Minister Fullerton. We will keep you posted when the new schedule of regional consultations is published
Throne Speech Opens 42nd Parliament – No Surprises
The Speech from the Throne, prepared by Ontario’s new Doug Ford government and read in the Legislature on July 12th by Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell to open the province’s 42nd Parliament and layout in a general direction of the new government’s legislative plans, contained few surprises. Built around the theme of respect, it was mainly a laundry list of campaign promises that included the following
First Order of Business – MPPs Elect Speaker
The first order of business for the 42nd Parliament of Ontario when it met on July 11th was the election of the Speaker, the presiding officer of the House, the person to serves as the referee over proceedings in the Legislature. The 124 MPPs who serve in the Ontario Legislature had four candidates from which to choose.
Key Ministers
Anyone who was nervous when Doug Ford was elected Premier of Ontario should take great comfort from his cabinet selections. As a newcomer to provincial politics, Ford has chosen proven competence and experience above all other criteria.
Hydro One Board Resigns, CEO Retires
Hydro One and the Province of Ontario have entered into an agreement that will see the orderly resignation and replacement of the company’s board of directors and the retirement of its company’s CEO. While the Province is only a 47% shareholder of Hydro One, it has the ability to remove the utility’s entire board of directors under the terms of a governance agreement dated November 25, 2015.
COCA’s 2017 Year In Review
COCA’s 2017 year in Review includes A Message from the Chair, The President, A Review of the Work by COCA’s Committees and a look back at COCA’s 2017 events.
Read the Annual Review online.
Beware Ye of Little Faith: An employer’s duty to act in *good faith* during and at the end of the employment relationship – Know your obligations and avoid unprecedented liability
- History and evolution of the employer’s duty of good faith
- Recent developments and shocking damage awards
- Considerations prior to and during the employment relationship:
- When negotiating a contract
- During the employment relationship
- Considerations at the end of the employment relationship:
- Justifying the decision to terminate
- When to provide reasons
- When silence is golden
- Letters of reference
- What does the future hold?
Dates:
Wednesday September 26, 2018, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
(Breakfast at 7:30 a.m.; program at 8:00 a.m.)
Venue:
Hazelton Manor, 99 Peelar Road, Concord, ON L4K 1A3
Cost:
Complimentary
RSVP:
By Monday September 10, 2018 (spaces limited)
Details, including how to register, can be found on the back page of our newsletter and on our website.
Pinchin Complimentary Sessions
Pinchin Ltd. offers FREE learning opportunities across the province each month. To see a list click here.
Upcoming Inspection Blitzes
The Ministry of Labour has published a list of blitzes for early 2018. For the full list click here.
Get IHSA training when and where you need it.
To see a list of contacts and the regions they serve click here.
Eye on ICI Economic Update
To view a copy of the newsletter, click here.
COCA is the voice of our membership at Queen’s Park.
We want to hear from you. All questions, ideas and comments are more than welcome.
Council of Ontario Construction Associations
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 2001
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
416-968-7200
COCA Staff
President
Ian Cunningham x224
icunningham@coca.on.ca
Operations & Communications Manager
Martin Benson x222
mbenson@coca.on.ca