www.ecao.org 6 E FROM THE PRESIDENT, MARK LLOYD ECAO’s community is becoming larger, richer, and more active, which is a tribute to the tremendous contributions of our valuable members, partners, and volunteers. I am grateful to all of you involved and I look forward to ECAO finishing 2018 on a very positive note. Blue Mountain was the site of our 2018 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and '70s themed event held recently. I received extremely positive reviews and feedback. It was great to see so many of you dressed in clothes that most of us would like to forget, and dancing up a 70’s storm. The social media posts of this event received tremendous coverage and it really demonstrated our community vibe. Please check our website, Facebook page, and Twitter account to see, or re-live, the “night at the disco.” Also receiving considerable social media attention were the array of speakers we had at our AGM. We have also provided our ECAO AGM report in this edition of the magazine. There has been a considerable amount of ECAO communication regarding the status of the negotiations for the renewal of the Principal Agreement in 2019. Chris Cimek, Chair of the Electrical Trade Bargaining Agency (ETBA), provides an update on page 14. Your ETBA, after considerable work, have agreed to a Joint Proposal (subject to ratification) which is hoped will provide more collaborative negotiations at the provincial and local levels, meaningful language changes, and a significant step toward improving and strengthening our relationship with the IBEW/CCO and their local unions. Thank you to all involved in getting us to this point. As this is the last issue of The Ontario Electrical Contractor for 2018, I extend my gratitude to our members, staff, partners, friends, and family for your contributions in making ECAO’s 70th year a success. While much remains to be accomplished, our focus will be on the renewal of the Principal Agreement, supporting our ECAO Contractors in their role in strengthening Ontario’s construction economy, and working with our provincial government subsequent to the passage of Bill 47. Happy Holidays to all of you, and may 2019 be even more profitable, positive, and prosperous than 2018! New plan benefits, same great service and pricing. HealthSource Plus, a People Corporation Company, has merged with long-time ECAO Associate Member, Skipwith & Associates. Contain costs while enjoying exceptional service with our newly enhanced employee benefits plans for groups of all sizes; 1-3 Employees – Flexibility and low cost options 4-250 Employees – Match current or design your own plan One contact – daily support, booklets, coverage, claims, invoicing Call 1-800-753-0110 or email Jason Ovsenny at JOvsenny@healthsourceplus.com NO COST TO QUOTE