COCA Newsletter
August 2018 Edition
Greetings!

Welcome to COCA's monthly Newsletter. Unless noted otherwise, all articles written by COCA President, Ian Cunningham.

Federal Prompt Payment Update
Regular readers of the COCA monthly newsletter will know that many months ago construction lawyers Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel were engaged by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to conduct an expert review and prepare a report including recommendations, regarding promptness of payment and adjudication in respect of federal government construction projects. 

Ministry Of Labour Health and Safety Research Grant Program on Hold
The Occupation Health, Safety and Prevention Innovation Program and Research Opportunities Program are currently on hold and not accepting applications. The Ministry of Labour is reviewing its grants programs and will provide additional information once the review is complete. Updates on the programs will also be available on the MoL website. 
Impressive Action on Promises Made and Other Initiatives Not Promised
Here’s what was promised in the Throne Speech and the subsequent actions taken by our new government.

Standing Committees Elect Chairs
All Standing Committees of the Legislature with the exception of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and the Standing Committee on Justice Policy met last week to elect their chairs and vice chairs. The Standing Committees and their chairs and vice chairs are as follows:

Bidders Question RFB for Line-By-Line Audit
One of our new government’s key pledges to the voters of Ontario is to reduce the size and cost of government. They promised to do this mainly by finding efficiencies. Moreover, to find efficiencies, they promised to conduct a line-by-line audit of the government’s finances, to scrutinize the books as never before with a fine-toothed comb. 

Bill 5 on Track to Become Law Before Summer Recess
One of our new government’s key pledges to the voters of Ontario is to reduce the size and cost of government. They promised to do this mainly by finding efficiencies. Moreover, to find efficiencies, they promised to conduct a line-by-line audit of the government’s finances, to scrutinize the books as never before with a fine-toothed comb. The government needs to find these efficiencies in order to pay for promised tax cuts and spending increases.

MPPs’ Compensation
The item in this publication about the election of Standing Committee chairs got us thinking about the subject of the salaries of elected officials at Queen’s Park. MPPs’ current salary scale was set in 2008 and subsequently frozen in 2009 and there is no opportunity for an increase until April 2019. Salaries are surprisingly low given the high level of responsibility and for the 24/7 demands of the job.

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.

Sherrard Kuzz Logo
B eware 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

1.     History and evolution of the employer’s duty of good faith
2.     Recent developments and shocking damage awards
3.     Considerations prior to and during the employment relationship:
·      When negotiating a contract
·      During the employment relationship
4.     4. Considerations at the end of the employment relationship"
·      Justifying the decision to terminate
·      When to provide reasons
·      When silence is golden
·      Letters of reference
5.     5. 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.
IHSA Logo
Get IHSA training when and where you need it.

To see a list of contacts and the regions they serve c lick 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   
Operations & Communications Manager
Martin Benson x222
COCA Website          WSIB            Ministry of Labour          Office of the Employer Adviser
Contact
180 Dundas Street West
Suite 2001
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8
Phone: (416) 968-7200
Fax: (416) 968-0362