b'OP/EDBUILDING ONTARIOS FUTUREBY MONTE MCNAUGHTON,ONTARIOS MINISTER OF LABOUR, TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENTA s Ontarios Minister ofWere going to need plumbers,The panel will provide advice on a broad range Labour, Training and Skillsboilermakers, electricians, scaffolders of issues related to construction workplaces.Development, I have beengovernment cant do it alone. The entire proud to continually stand up for ourconstruction sector will all play a part inIt will be an informal opportunity to have provinces construction industry. Workingensuring that the people of Ontario seemeaningful conversation and for my office together we can build Ontarios future high-quality results because of and Ministry to directly engage with the and, in your case, literally build our future.these investments.construction sector. Ive committed to you that there will be no surprises coming out The scaffolding and access industry is aI know youre all capable of excellent work.of my office. The panel is another way to crucial partner as we work toward makingensure that happens. Ontario open for business and open for jobs.Im from a small town in southwestern Ontario: Newbury. The population is 425.Whenever government makes changes, Since becoming Minister of Labour, Iveits important we hear from the people been proud of the work weve done to makeGrowing up, I worked in my familysimpacted and that we listen. Ive been it easier for business. I had the pleasuresmall business: the local Home Hardware.clear that adopting a fair and reasonable of announcing we were eliminating theI worked alongside union and non- approach that balances the concerns of Workplace Safety & Insurance Boardunion workersloading lumber, pipe oremployers and workers is critical. (WSIB)s unfunded liability chargewhatever they needed into their trucks. beginning this past January. Ive heard concerns from your industry about They cared about their jobs and workedoutdated regulations for working at heights. I This will keep $607 million in our economy.hard to make sure they were donewas surprised to find out that these regulations These savings will lead to investments inright. Ive seen firsthand that the menhavent been updated in decades! new jobs, infrastructure, technology andand women of the building trades are health and safety programs. hardworking, competent people. Know that our government is finally taking a look. Were committed to ensuring that In total, since our government took office,Thats why the minute I took on this newrequirements are streamlined and the laws we have kept $2 billion in the economy byportfolio, I reached out to partners acrossare modernized, while still ensuring that reducing WSIB rates.the sector and delivered a really simpleworkers are safe. message: My door is always open. Because of these changes and ourOur government wants to increase governments overall mission to cut redI respect what you do I and I want to hearopportunity and prosperity for all the tape and eliminate regulatory burdens, ourfrom you. We may not always agree, butpeople of Ontario. We are restoring province is more competitive.well always keep talking.our province to its rightful place as the I was also particularly proud to see ourThats why I announced that I waseconomic engine of Canada.Premier announce recently that ourestablishing a Construction AdvisoryWe all need to work togetheremployers, government is committed to spendingPanel while I was speaking at the Ontariolabour, government and other groupsto $144 billion on infrastructure over the Construction Secretariat Annual Generalensure that our construction sector grows next decade.Meeting in Collingwood. and prospers.8THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SCAFFOLD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA'