COCA Membership

Primarily, our members are construction associations – local mixed trade, single trade and prime contractor/builder associations.  Our members are involved in a range of important issues impacting the ICI (industrial, commercial & institutional) and heavy civil construction industry – from supporting the recruitment of skilled workers to creating a level playing field for WSIB costs.

Associate Membership

We also have a small number of associate members – businesses related to the construction industry.  There are a limited number of Associate membership opportunities, and due to the nature of our federation, we urge you to consider membership with one of COCA’s member Associations.

As an Associate member, you would:

  • The ability to make a brief presentation at a COCA board of directors meeting
  • A listing in COCA’s annual report
  • Visibility on COCA’s website with a link to your own website
  • The ability to participate in COCA programs and events
  • The ability, on a selective basis, to provide non-promotional expert articles on topics of interest to the membership for the monthly COCA newsletter
  • A profile in a COCA newsletter
  • Preferred opportunity to sponsor COCA events
  • The ability to participate on COCA policy development committees in accordance with COCA committee membership policy

Individuals and Individual Companies

Individuals or Individual companies can become involved with COCA by joining one of our member associations. Click here to see COCA’s members.

Joining COCA

By Joining COCA, construction associations have a powerful conduit to influence decisions that impact Ontario’s construction industry directly.  On your behalf, COCA builds and fosters influence and relationships with decision-makers.

You have a forum to exchange information, ideas and best practices on construction industry issues in Ontario.  This enables you to inform and protect your members and to provide leadership for your association.

You receive easy-to-understand, timely, relevant, credible, leading edge information that is contextualized for the construction industry.  This means you are always on top of the issues and their impact on the industry, enabling you to increase the value you deliver to your members.

You benefit from the power of the only voice representing the Ontario construction industry as a whole.  COCA provides you with the resources, credibility, relationships and expertise that increase your organization’s influence and help Ontario’s construction industry grow and prosper.

Government Relations

COCA’s members have a powerful conduit to directly influence decisions that impact the construction industry in Ontario. On our members behalf COCA builds and fosters influence and relationships with decision makers.

Exchange of Ideas

Members have a forum to exchange information, ideas and best practices on construction industry issues in Ontario. This enables COA’s members to inform and protect their members and to provide leadership for their associations.

Key Information

Members receive easy to understand, timely, relevant, credible, leading edge information that is contextualized for the construction industry. This means COCA members are always on top of the issues and their impact on the industry.

A Strong Voice

Our Federation is a strong voice for Ontario’s construction industry. COCA provides its members with the resources, credibility, relationships and expertise to increase the influence of their organizations.

Member Benefits

  • Entitled to one seat on the COCA Board of Directors
  • Participation by most senior staff person in the COCA Chief Operating Officers Committee where association leaders discuss industry concerns and share best practices
  • The opportunity for participation in COCA sub‐committees that are struck to review issues of public policy and determine COCA’s position
  • Advice and support from COCA staff on issues of concern specific to your organization
  • The opportunity to take part in COCA’s Annual Construction Season Reception and Construction Day lobby day at Queen’s Park
  • Issue/policy articles and updates provided for member publications upon request
  • Legislative and COCA activity briefings available for Member Board of Directors
  • Listing in online directory (link to website if applicable)
  • Profile in Annual Report which is distributed to government
  • Monthly newsletter
  • Members Only News, Policy Bulletins and monthly Government Relations Update
  • The opportunity to attend government fundraisers at COCA purchased tables (generally seats are distributed on a first come first served basis)
  • Annual and semi‐annual updates to present to your organization outlining COCA’s achievements during the specified time frame

Value of Membership

Your association’s membership in COCA is worth more than $125,000 a year – here’s why:

Focused & Effective Government Relations
COCA is a strong and effective government relations organization – serving as the strategic policy development and advocacy arm for ICI and heavy civil construction employers in Ontario.  We develop and maintain positive relationships with senior officials and key decision makers at Queen’s Park.  This takes time and effort, its valuable.  Government relations firms do the same; and charge $10,000 a month or more as a retainer.  They also represent multiple clients, speaking to the government about a variety of industries and issues.  Not so with COCA, we are tightly focussed on the issues that matter to construction employers and only those issues.  $120,000

Yet COCA is so much more than an advocacy organization….

Queen’s Park Events

Our receptions at Queen’s Park and full industry lobby day provide COCA members with the opportunity to meet directly with MPPs and Ministers, opportunities to build their own personal relationships.  Most importantly these events are expertly facilitated by COCA staff, strategy, speaking points, introductions – they’re all provided.  $7,000

Expert Guest Speakers

High profile guest speakers who make presentations at regular Board of Directors meetings provide timely updates and answer questions.  This valuable information can be shared with your membership and can contribute to your success as an association leader. $1,000

 

Association Leaders Committee

Our association leaders’ committee meetings provide professional development opportunities on a variety of topics and the chance to share association management best practices to help strengthen your organization.  Though other organizations may provide these services, COCA offers construction-specific information for a fraction of the cost.  $2,500

Regular Communications

Our regular communications, including a monthly newsletter and government relations update break down the issues and clearly explain what they mean to construction.  Again there are other organizations that might provide legislative development information but none are designed specifically for the construction employer.  In addition to these publications, COCA provides member associations with half year updates and an annual, full colour Year in Review.  $2,500

Personal & Professional Growth

COCA affords the opportunity for personal and professional development by serving as a committee member or Chair, or as a member of the Board of Directors.  Share your knowledge and learn from the experience of others – test your leadership, learn and grow as a construction industry professional.  Priceless!

Exclusive Access to TwoGreySuits (TGS)

TGS is a comprehensive on-line Human Resources Department specifically designed to meet the people management needs of small and medium sized businesses.  It includes forms and direction on everything from recruitment and compensation to performance management and administration.  Through COCA’s exclusive agreement, member associations have access to a discounted licence fee schedule and can offer the TGS service to their member companies on either an Association Pay or a Member Pay (revenue stream) basis. $1,500

For More Information

For more information about membership in COCA, please get in touch with the COCA offices.