b'OSWCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGE OSWCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS MESSAGEREFLECTING ON WHATHAS CHANGED AND WHATHAS STAYED THE SAMEPATRICK MCMANUSEXECUTIVE DIRECTORT he OSWCA is cele- When the OSWCA first openedof being a member-focused orga-brating its 50th anni- its doors in 1971, the industry andnization whose objective is to versary in 2021, andcountry were in a very differentraise awareness and address issues after all these years,place. In 1971, the total value ofrelated to water and wastewater it remains the onlyall public infrastructure stock ininfrastructure in municipalities provincial construc- the country was $39 billion, theacross the province.tion Association inaverage house price in Toronto was the country dedicated to the$30,000, and Pierre Trudeau wasAs we celebrate our past 50 years, sewer and watermain sector. Itsin his first term as Prime Ministerwe will continue to follow this amazing the forethought thatof Canada. Now, the total valuemodel of evolving but holding onto went into establishing this greatof all public infrastructure in thecore values. Much of the credit organization all those years ago,country has been estimated at $875for this approach has to go to our as the founders understood thatbillion and the average house priceBoard members, past and present, while the infrastructure they werein Toronto has increased to aroundfor keeping this Association working on was entirely owned by$1 million. We still have a Primerelevant and for trying new things municipalities, there was a needMinister Trudeau on Parliamentto keep our members engaged. For to join together to help influenceHill though, because for all thatinstance, while we are not able to broader decisions being made athas changed, many things staysee you all in person to celebrate the federal and provincial levelsanchored in our past. This holdsthis 50th milestone, we are hosting that were impacting the industrytrue for the OSWCA as it hasour first ever virtual Annual as a whole.evolved over the decades, but stillGeneral Meeting to keep members holds onto its founding principlesinformed about what is happening This decision has had huge ripplein our industry across the province effects across the decades and hasand what issues the Association is resulted in tremendous improve- THE OSWCA HASworking on. We are also working ments to municipal infrastructureto update our communications (i.e., water-metering; appropriatestrategy, looking to engage with funding levels), to investment inMANAGED TO STAYmembers on new platforms and the industry (i.e., multi-billion- through more mediums than ever dollar annual investments in waterBOTH ANCHOREDbefore (be sure to check out our and wastewater infrastructure),new YouTube channel!). and to the operating environment for companies (e.g., substantiallyIN ITS PAST WHILEConversely, we are keeping a improved health and safetytraditional and narrow focus on records; regulatory reforms; etc.).our provincial and federal lobbying Without this organization, its dedi- ALSO ADAPTINGwork: ensuring infrastructure cated member companies, and allfunding is in place to keep of the volunteers over the years,TO CHANGINGcompanies working; addressing the certainly the sewer and watermainongoing skills gap in the industry; construction sector would be in aand addressing problematic very different place today. CIRCUMSTANCES regulatory issues (e.g., One Call; 12 H 2 OSWCAWinter 2020/2021'