b"MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AVENUESThe task thatAvenues is published for lies ahead The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103 Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2 L ets face it, most of us welcomed the 2022 New Year hoping and expectingTel: 905-507-0711 www.GravelFacts.catwo things to happen, even if they were still weeks away from becoming reality. Top of mind was seeing the end of COVID-19 with all its restrictions.Publisher The second expectation was to see the re-election of the Ford governmentRobert Thompson or as insiders referred to it, a New Mandate. This was especially the caseOSSGA Editor for those of us who follow events at Queen's Park, which is very much OSSGAsRichard Hillierbusiness, as you know. Editor On the first expectation, I think its safe to say that with the exception of certainRoma Ihnatowyczfederal government travel rules, Canada and the Province of Ontario have movedNational Sales Executives beyond the worst confines of COVID, as well as its worst health effects. This mayDawn Stokes, Derek de Weerdt,Please return undeliverable items to: The Ontario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, 5720 Timberlea Blvd., Suite 103, Mississauga, ON L4W 4W2be a bit of a simplification, but it is clearly the public perception.Brenda Ezinicki, Bill Biber, April HawkesThesecondreasonforkeepingfingerscrossedthereturnoftheFordDesign Specialist government, with a more amenable environment for implementing some of theMarisa Giesbrechtpolicy changes we have been pushing forcame to pass on June 2. While it is takingJunior Design Specialist much longer for the new government to re-staff Ministers offices and start meetingBethany Giesbrechtwith stakeholders than it did in 2018, it will be a busy fall for OSSGA as it presentsAVENUES is published for theits asks and makes representations on behalf of the industry. Many of these will beOntario Stone, Sand & Gravel Association by: dusted off from briefs we presented over the previous four years!While these two positive developments in the first half of the year have been accompanied by what appears to be another robust year business-wise, the second33 South Station Street half of 2022 is characterized by new challenges and headwinds, many of which areToronto, ON M9N 2B2 global in nature and the result of the two-year hiatus from normal business life.1-866-480-4717 For example, we are facing supply chain disruption due to the inability to obtainEmail: robertt@mediaedge.caparts and supplies; inflationary pressures that have made business forecasting and531 Marion Street proposalwritingmuchriskier;thepersistentheadacheoffindingandkeepingWinnipeg, MB R2J 0J9 workers; and a workplace requiring new rules and more flexibility. Added to all this,1-866-201-3096 of course, is the potential for a recession which will impact our industry as well asFax: (204) 480-4420 the industries of our customers. www.mediaedgepublishing.comEven if we score some wins at Queens Park (the Growth Plan being the mostPresident important one if the industry is to meet the long-term supply needs of the province),Kevin Brownand even if the country manages to dodge the worst impacts of inflation and slower growth, our focus in the next five years has to be this:how do we recruit, trainSenior Vice-President and retain the skilled people our industry will need in order to meet the hugeRobert Thompsoninfrastructure gap that will persist for many years? Branch Manager Producers can and do provide good job opportunities and great careers. And whileNancie PrivOSSGA will continue to face up to traditional challenges such as seeking approval orAll rights reserved. The contents of this publication may amendment of specific regulations and policies, the darkest cloud on the horizon isnot be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, the need to find and attract the right people to come and work for us. without the prior written consent of the association.OSSGA is becoming more focused on this task and has embarked on rising toPublished September 2022 this challenge. Thank you for your interest and your continued engagement as wePUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40787580goforward!Avenues 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 AVENUESFALL 2022"