- About COCA
- Membership
- COCA Issues
- Priority Issues
- Submissions
- Construction & the Economy
- External Reports
- Armstrong Report on Compulsory Certification
- Workforce Requirements: recession and recovery
- Morneau Sobeco Report on the Experience Rating Program
- WSIB 2008 Annual Report
- WSIB Releases 2008 Statistics - Injuries & Traumatic Fatalities
- Nixon Report: Worker's Compensation in Ontario - A System in Crisis
- WSIB Chair Steve Mahoney's Report on Stakeholder Consultations
- Ontario Auditor General's 2009 Annual Report - WSIB Unfunded Liability Section
- Safe at Work Ontario - Stakeholder Consultation Summary
- MoL's Ladder Use in Construction Guide
- Advantage Ontario 2012
- Building Together: Ontario's Infrastructure Plan
- Other Issues
- News
- Events
- Resources
- Industry Contacts
- Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario
- Canadian Construction Association
- Construction Employers Coordinating Council of Ontario
- Construction Sector Council
- Infrastructure Health & Safety Association of Ontario (IHSA)
- Infrastructure Ontario
- Link2Build Construction Opportunity Network
- Office of the Employer Adviser
- Ontario Construction Secretariat
- Ontario One Call
- Toronto Central Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario
- Government Resources
- Injuries & Fatalities
- Industry Contacts
- Careers in Construction
The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) is a federation of construction associations; the largest and most representative group of ICI and heavy civil construction employers in Ontario. Our member organizations represent more than 10,000 construction businesses and more than 400,000 employees.
COCA brings the concerns of our members to the attention of Queen's Park and is committed to working with the government to ensure that Ontario's legislative landscape is one in which our industry can grow and prosper.
History of COCA
COCA was created at the behest of then Premier Bill Davis to act as a single voice for the ICI and heavy civil sectors of the construction industry in dealings with Queen’s Park. In 1975 more than 20 associations came together as the Council of Ontario Contractors Associations. By 1985, the growing organization took steps to become independent with its own staff, mandate and offices. That same year, the name was changed to the Council of Ontario Construction Associations.
More than 35 years after its inception, COCA can look back on very significant achievements for the construction industry. Just a few of these include:
- In 2012, COCA successfully lobbied for a special WSIB premium rate for Executive Officers and the new Rate Group 755 for EOs was established with a reduced rate
- COCA advocated for the WSIB to develop a plan to eliminate their unfunded liability and achieve 100% funding within 15-20 years. The government established a regulation that requires the WSIB to achieve full funding by 2027
- The efforts of COCA and our industry partners resulted in the first changes to the Construction Lien Act in 20 years, included in Bill 68, Open for Business Act, 2010
- COCA successfully advocated for a consultation on further substantive reforms to the Construction Lien Act by the Attorney General’s office, and participated in Opposition hearings on the Act, convened as a result of COCA’s advocacy efforts and those of our partners
- COCA secured one of only three employer positions on the Expert Panel assisting Mr. Tony Dean in a comprehensive review of Ontario’s occupational health and safety prevention and enforcement system with the appointment of COCA 1st Vice-Chair Domenic Mattina
- COCA assisted in the development of draft policies for Bill 119, Mandatory Coverage Legislation
- COCA played a key role in the construction industry winning an exemption for a single Executive Officer in every construction office under Bill 119
- COCA was a key proponent of Safety Groups to assist smaller companies
- COCA led a group of associations to secure a new Limitations Act in 2002 which again saved contractors millions and protects against lawsuits after 15 years
- COCA secured a reduction in the industry’s liability at WSIB of $2.2 billion in 1999 which saved contractors millions of dollars in fees
- COCA played a key role in the 1997 reform of workers’ compensation laws that resulted in the creation of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board
- In the mid 90’s, COCA helped lead a coalition of associations to lobby for more “normal” workplace legislation regarding labour laws, training and scrapping of the wasteful Workplace Safety Agency
- In 1985, COCA secured a decision from the Ministry of Finance that saved millions of dollars for those who erect temporary structures
- In 1983, COCA convinced all parties to pass a new Construction Lien Act
COCA was founded as and remains an organization funded by voluntary contributions from member associations. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours every year to provide information, advice and governance to our organization. COCA’s successes are a direct reflection of the industry’s commitment to action.
