b'MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AVENUESAvenues is published for Here we go againThe Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103 Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2 I start off by admitting that the message you see in print todaywhich ITel: 905-507-0711 willwww.GravelFacts.cawrote shortly after the Premiers Omicron lockdown announcementlooksPublisher nothing like the version I had started to draft just before the Christmas holidays!Robert ThompsonNone of us is happy about this lingering and evolving pandemic, and someOSSGA Editor of us are not happy with the sharp response from the public health authoritiesRichard Hilliereither. This sudden change in events is another head-shaking repeat of things weEditor saw last year: disruption in the supply chain, economic hardship for some sectors,Roma Ihnatowyczvirtual work and learning, and pivot-like adjustments to our plans and calendars. National Sales Executives As the Economist wrote recently, we are in an era of predictable unpredictability,Dawn Stokes, Derek de Weerdt,agoodwaytodescribethecurrentenvironment!Thatsaid,fromanoutputBrenda Ezinicki, Bill Biber, April Hawkesperspective, the aggregate industry has actually not done too badly in the past 24Design Specialist Please return undeliverable items to: The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103, Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2months. We have maintained our status as an essential industry, and the continuedMarisa Giesbrechtgrowth of our province means an ongoing need for the raw material that builds theJunior Design Specialist roads and schools and cities to accommodate this growth. But I see at least threeBethany Giesbrechtthings that detract from this positive outlook.AVENUES is published for theOneisthepandemicitself:thedelayscreatedbysupplychainproblems,Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association by: specifically the added costs of supplies and/or the inability to source those supplies, will threaten our ability to meet deadlines, make budget and keep business moving. Employees previously content with their environmentand this is not unique to our sectorare beginning to rethink if they want to continue working and where.33 South Station Street Talk about juggling uncertaintiesthis is a formula for that. Toronto, ON M9N 2B2 1-866-480-4717 After almost six years in this role, I continue to be amazed at the variety of issuesEmail: robertt@mediaedge.cathat occupies our time and attention on a daily basis. But during this time, I have noticed two other trends which will continue to make our industry a tough place531 Marion Street to do business. The first of those is that the provincial government, regardless ofWinnipeg, MB R2J 0J9 political stripe, continues to press on with new regulations and new requirements,1-866-201-3096 sometimes under the guise of regulatory reform, and sometimes as a result of knee- Fax: (204) 480-4420 jerk decision-making. We welcome the opportunity to showcase our compliancewww.mediaedgepublishing.comwith,indeedourleadershipon,issuesofenvironmentalsustainabilityandPresident accountability. But sometimes it seems like a slow-moving lava flow which creepsKevin Browncloser and closer!The other trend is the increasing tendency of municipalities to challenge theSenior Vice-President provincesroleinpolicymakingandenforcement,andthedrivetofindmoreRobert Thompsonsources of revenue from our industry. Municipal leaders are not only respondingDirector, Business Development to vocal minorities in their jurisdiction, but provincial coffers fund less and less ofMichael Bellthe services they are mandated to deliver. Something has to give. The Wellington County appeal on how aggregate properties are classified for tax purposes is a caseBranch Manager in point.Nancie PrivThe flip side of this glass is half empty view of the world is that ours is anAll rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, industry that has adapted over the years to the external changes taking place allwithout the prior written consent of the association.aroundit,andcreativepeoplecontinuetocomeforwardwithnewandbetter approaches to solving everyday problems. Continue reading and you will see whatPublished February 2022 Im talking about. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40787580Avenues is printed on 10% post-consumer FSC certified paper using soya based inks. When necessary to mail an issue in an enclosure,Norman Cheesman, Executive Director, OSSGA we use an environmentally-friendly, 100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap.6 AVENUESWINTER 2022'