b'FROM THE PRESIDENT, KEN CRAWFORDS progresshasbeenmadewithinby the number of discussions held with thelivein. Weremainfirminourpracticeof Somuch ECAO and our industry since the last issuevarious elected officials since that presentationhelpingtoeducateourelectedofficialson ofthismagazine,makingitchallengingtoand we will be providing briefing notes andtheconstructionindustry,oursectorsof only highlight a few items. This is, of course,questions to a number of mayoral candidatesthat industry and the urgent need to address a great problem to have as ECAO and ourin the upcoming municipal elections. Ontarios electrical infrastructure. We greatly community continue to advance the interestsvalue our relationship with the Government of of our members and partners.YourExecutiveCommitteeandBoardofOntario and commend our continued growth Directors, as well as ECAO staff, undertookas partners.For the second consecutive year, ECAO hadconsiderable efforts to continue to build our the opportunity to speak to a group at therelationship with IBEW CCO. Having justThisissueoftheElectricalContractorhas AssociationofMunicipalitiesofOntarioemerged from a very difficult yet productiveaparticularfocusondiversity,equityand (AMO)ConferenceinOttawa.Thisyearroundofcollectivebargaining,wefeltinclusioninourindustry,communityand wespoketotheLargeUrbanCaucusitimportanttoensurethatourindustryassociation. It is with tremendous pride that considered the voice of Ontarios biggestcontinues to progress, strengthen and evolve.I suggest ECAO as an industry leader in this citiesrepresentingnearly70percentofWe have seen this relationship grow each yearvery critical space. Prior to the launch of the theprovincespopulation.Ourmessagein recent memory, and our commitment toSDF program in April of this year, ECAO wassimpleand,webelieve,wellreceived:further this growth remains strong. contracted with Leadership Surge for similar The low bid is not always the best bid. Ourdiversity,equityandinclusiontraining presentation was titled Ensuring SuccessfulI want to congratulate Premier Ford and hisforECAOmembercontractorsandtheir Bidders=SuccessfulProjectsandcoveredteam on their election victory, as well as on hisemployees. The program is now successfully elementsofeffectiveprocurementpoliciescommitment to getting right to work. ECAOcompletedaprograminwhichIfeel (such as transparency, fairness and consistencywill continue to work with this government,privileged to have been involved. of contract terms) and current practice pitfallswhetheritbetheMinistersofEnergy, (failingtoconsidercontractorsrecords,Infrastructure, Labour or others to help makeI am confident that this is just the beginning capacityandability).WeareencouragedOntario the best province to both work andof the growth of our industry in this regard.Building partnerships designed to lastHealthSource Plus, a People CorporationLet us help you take care of your team. company, and the ECAO Group BenefitsWell work with you to build a plan that fits Association Plan is proud to be the long- the needs of your organization now, and time employee benefits partner with into the future. the ECAO.Lets get started. Connect with us by ECAOs custom-designed plan offersphone at: 1-647-938-7303, or by emailrobust coverage, preferred pricing, at jason.ovsenny@peoplecorporation.comand flexibility.www.ecao.org6'