COCA to Act as a Watchdog for Construction Employers with the College of Trades

TORONTO (April 3, 2013) – At its Board of Directors meeting on April 2, 2013 the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) voted in favor of taking a watchdogwatchdog role on the College of
Trades.

“It has become clear that remaining silent on the College of Trades does not best serve ICI and heavy civil construction employers in Ontario.” said COCA Chairman Don Gosen.  “It wasn’t a unanimous vote, however, as some COCA members still strongly feel that our organization should stay out of the fray.”

The College has proven a divisive issue for the construction industry with many COCA organizations publicly declaring for or against. With little less than a week until the College of Trades comes into full force, COCA is ramping up its efforts to ensure construction employers’ interests are being protected.

“COCA is putting the College of Trades on notice that we intend to act as a watchdog for construction employers to ensure the College achieves its original mandate of modernizing Ontario’s apprenticeship system and that under no circumstances will it place an undue burden on construction employers nor drive up the costs of construction.” said Ian Cunningham, COCA President.

COCA looked to find the middle ground, identifying issues within the College that all construction employers in the Province could agree on. A draft position paper was adopted at the Board meeting with the caveat that a task force be struck to develop it further.  Among the issues that COCA intends to advocate for are:

• The College must not place an undue burden on construction employers or drive up the cost of construction
• Section 7 of The Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 which requires employers to join the College must never be proclaimed
• The governance structure must be balanced and representational, in terms of geography, employer/labour, union/non-union
• The College must operate at arms-length and be free of government interference

COCA is a federation of construction associations whose 10,000 member contractors operate in the ICI and heavy civil sectors in all regions of the Province.  COCA serves as their advocate at Queen’s Park.  COCA is the largest and most representative voice for the non-residential construction industry in Ontario.

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For more information contact:

Ian Cunningham
President

 COCA - The new OCOT watchdog in town - April 16, 2013 (DCN)

Ministerial Statement on the Ontario College of Trades - February 27, 2013