www.ecao.org 6 I FROM THE PRESIDENT, MARK LLOYD In my last message I wrote about the uncertainty regarding legislation that might be introduced by the Provincial Government, and how such legislation may impact our industry and members. Also, we all knew that a budget bill was due to be introduced this spring, as is the norm in Ontario. What I didn’t expect was that legislative change directly impacting the construction industry would come through the budget. On April 11, 2019, the Ontario government tabled its 2019 Budget, Protecting What Matters Most (Budget), and introduced supporting implementation legislation, Bill 100, the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 (Bill 100). Included in Bill 100 is Schedule 40, Modernizing the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2019. The following plans of the Provincial Government, as outlined in Schedule 40, have the potential to alter our industry, perhaps in a meaningful way: Reducing the regulatory burdens placed on businesses, apprenticeships and journeypersons: Closing the skills gap by establishing programs that encourage the people of Ontario to enter the skilled trades, get retrained and become aware of the benefits of good paying jobs in the trades; and Reviewing Ontario’s apprenticeship structure and enacts reforms to increase access to apprenticeship opportunities.” (Budget 2019, pg. 189) The government’s initiatives: “Establishing a new governance framework through proposed new legislation to replace the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009; Encouraging employer participation in the apprenticeship system through a new financial incentive program to support employers to come together and train apprentices; Modernizing service delivery in apprenticeship by developing a new client-facing digital system, including a one-window digital portal for apprentices; Promoting apprenticeship and the skilled trades as a pathway choice for all students from kindergarten to Grade 12.” (Budget 2019, pg. 190) Replacement legislation for OCOT Act: “includes a new flexible framework to enable training and certification in a full trade or in a portable skill set, which would allow training and certification within and between trades” (Budget 2019, pg. 190) ECAO has met a number of times with Ministers and staff from the Ministry of Labour; Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; and Ministry of Infrastructure, in addition to other MPPs. We have met on our own, as well as with the IBEW/CCO and the Ontario Electrical League (OEL). Our message has been, and continues to be: 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