Please note that the Local 793 Emergency Relief Grant (phase II) expired on December 31, 2020. However, any retroactive claims can still be made up until the deadline of February 28, 2021 through the 793 Portal on the Union website.
Please note that the Local 793 Emergency Relief Grant (phase II) expired on December 31, 2020.
However, any retroactive claims can still be made up until the deadline of February 28, 2021 through the 793 Portal on the Union website.
NEWS RELEASE January 21, 2021 — Ottawa — Impact Assessment Agency of Canada The Government of Canada oversees rigorous environmental assessments to ensure good projects that support economic growth and environmental protection get built. After a thorough review based on the best available science and evidence, and extensive public engagement, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced on January 21, 2021, the Government of Canada’s decision to approve the Milton Logistics Hub Project, subject to 325 conditions. The Milton Logistics Hub (the Project), proposed by the Canadian […]
NEWS RELEASE
January 21, 2021 — Ottawa — Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
The Government of Canada oversees rigorous environmental assessments to ensure good projects that support economic growth and environmental protection get built.
After a thorough review based on the best available science and evidence, and extensive public engagement, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced on January 21, 2021, the Government of Canada’s decision to approve the Milton Logistics Hub Project, subject to 325 conditions.
The Milton Logistics Hub (the Project), proposed by the Canadian National Railway Company (the Proponent), is expected to reduce overall regional emissions for certain pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions, by transitioning from trucks to lower-emitting train shipment. The Project will also contribute to a resilient economic recovery from COVID-19 by strengthening Canada’s supply chains, attracting investment, and boosting Canada’s trade potential by addressing bottlenecks in important corridors.
In his Enviromental Assessment Decision Statement, the Minister established 325 legally-binding conditions on the Proponent to protect the environment and human health – many of which go beyond those initially proposed by the independent joint review panel and 40 of which address air quality specifically. Should the Proponent decide to go ahead with the Project, the conditions imposed would make it the most stringently regulated intermodal logistics hub in Canada, and among the most stringently regulated in North America. The conditions include measures to address effects on air quality, human health, groundwater and surface water, migratory birds, species at risk, fish and fish habitat, the use of lands and resources by Indigenous peoples, and physical and cultural heritage.
In response to concerns raised during the environmental review process regarding the potential for the Proponent to further expand the Project, as well as traffic and safety concerns, the Minister also established a legally-binding condition that will require the Proponent to limit truck traffic to 800 vehicles entering the site per day, averaged on a monthly basis. In addition the Proponent will also be required to establish a community liaison and communication process, and to document and respond to feedback from the community, as well as demonstrate how this feedback is addressed. This includes liaising with potentially affected parties to identify and address potential impacts on traffic and road safety.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada will enforce conditions before construction, during construction, and over the course of all project operations. Failure by the Canadian National Railway Company to meet these conditions is a violation of federal law. Any changes to the Project will need to be considered by the Minister through an amendment process to determine if they can proceed.
Going forward, the Proponent will also be required to obtain all necessary authorizations and/or permits. This includes an approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency under the s. 98 of the Canada Transportation Act.
In addition to the formal conditions, Environment and Climate Change Canada intends to work with the Government of Ontario to develop a regional air quality management strategy in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. Leveraging expertise from both governments and other potential partners, the strategy involves scientific work to inform the development of a plan to address air pollution from key sources in and around the region, many of which will remain irrespective of whether the proponent decides to proceed with the Project.
This collaboration is expected to support long-term health and environmental benefits to the seven million Canadians that live in the area, including in Milton, Ontario. Work on the development of the Strategy will take place over the next two years and will focus on actions that can be implemented quickly, as well as over the longer-term.
The World Health Organization consistently ranks Canada’s air among the cleanest in the world. However, there is more to be done, particularly in some regional airsheds, as some 25% of Canadians still live in areas where one or more national air quality standards are not being met. For that reason, the Government of Canada also intends to use the Strategy as a pilot approach to regional airshed management in Canada, under the Air Quality Management System.
QUOTE
“Canadians expect us to take meaningful action to protect the environment while also supporting economic growth, not just for today but for future generations. Today’s decision to approve the Milton Logistics Hub Project, which is subject to a wide range of conditions that the Proponent must comply with to protect human health and the environment, demonstrates that the federal regulatory process meets the economic and environmental objectives of Canadians at the same time.”
– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Are you looking for a new and exciting career? IUOE Local 793 is now accepting applications for our Heavy Equipment Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs at OETIO. Courses will be starting in May 2021. Please join us for our Online Information Session on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 10:00AM For more information, visit: https://www.oetio.com/info-sessions
Are you looking for a new and exciting career? IUOE Local 793 is now accepting applications for our Heavy Equipment Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs at OETIO. Courses will be starting in May 2021.
Please join us for our Online Information Session on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 10:00AM
For more information, visit: https://www.oetio.com/info-sessions
The Ontario government has again declared a province-wide stay-at-home order. The order, expected to be in place for at least 28 days (February 9), will require everyone to remain at home with exemptions for grocery stores or pharmacies, health care services, and essential work. The order will go into effect on Thursday, January 14, 2021. It is important to note that the vast majority of construction projects Local 793 members are working on have been deemed essential. A full list of projects that will remain up and running are contained […]
The Ontario government has again declared a province-wide stay-at-home order. The order, expected to be in place for at least 28 days (February 9), will require everyone to remain at home with exemptions for grocery stores or pharmacies, health care services, and essential work.
The order will go into effect on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
It is important to note that the vast majority of construction projects Local 793 members are working on have been deemed essential.
A full list of projects that will remain up and running are contained in the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) bulletin below.
Click here or click the image below to be redirected to the OCS website.
You can view the full list of enhanced province-wide shutdown measures introduced by the Ontario government here.
To get the latest case data and updates, learn how to protect yourself and others and get advice on what to do next if you think you might have COVID-19, click here.
The Local 793 Supplemental Unemployment Benefit Plan, or “SUB Plan,” came into effect on November 1, 2020. The SUB Plan tops up employment insurance (EI) payments for members out of work or unable to work due to illness or injury, maternity or parental leave, or because they’re attending a trade school.
This benefit pays up to $250 per week for a maximum of six weeks (in a calendar year) and stands in addition to any EI benefits the member receives from Service Canada. Members may apply contingent on meeting eligibility criteria.
Visit: www.oebac.org/sub-plan for more details, including how to apply.
Dear Member, As part of the ongoing review of our health benefits plan, the Trustees have been monitoring the use of Best Doctors by our members and their families. The review revealed low use of this program compared to other valuable benefits our plan offers. As a result, the Trustees decided to end participation in the Best Doctors and the program has been terminated as of December 31, 2020. The Trustees are committed to ensuring that the Trust is prudently managed and that resources are allocated to the benefits that bring […]
Dear Member,
As part of the ongoing review of our health benefits plan, the Trustees have been monitoring the use of Best Doctors by our members and their families. The review revealed low use of this program compared to other valuable benefits our plan offers. As a result, the Trustees decided to end participation in the Best Doctors and the program has been terminated as of December 31, 2020.
The Trustees are committed to ensuring that the Trust is prudently managed and that resources are allocated to the benefits that bring the most value to our members. This is in part why Local 793 adopted the Members Health Program earlier this year and why the Trustees will continue to assess the effectiveness of programs on an ongoing basis.
How will this change affect me?
Any cases started on or before December 31, 2020 will be covered under the plan. Best Doctors will continue to review open cases and answer questions beyond December 31, 2020 until these cases are resolved.
For more information
For more information on Members Health, please visit https://www.members-health.com/
If you have any other questions, please contact OEBAC at info@oebac.org
Joe Redshaw
Acting Executive Director
Operating Engineers Benefits Administration Corporation (OEBAC)
January 7, 2021 To: Members of IUOE, Local 793 Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on January 7, 2021 to address the vacant positions that resulted from the retirements of Vice President Joe Dowdall and Executive Board member Bill Boyle, effective December 31, 2020. In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments: i) Dave Turple has been appointed to Vice President to complete the term vacated by Joe Dowdall ii) John Kelly has been appointed as an Executive Board […]
January 7, 2021
To: Members of IUOE, Local 793
Please be advised that an Officers’ Meeting was held on January 7, 2021 to address the vacant positions that resulted from the retirements of Vice President Joe Dowdall and Executive Board member Bill Boyle, effective December 31, 2020.
In accordance with Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (f) of the IUOE Constitution, please be advised of the following appointments:
i) Dave Turple has been appointed to Vice President to complete the term vacated by Joe Dowdall
ii) John Kelly has been appointed as an Executive Board member to complete the term vacated by Bill Boyle
As a result of the above, the following appointments were also made:
iii) Tony Wark has been appointed as an Executive Board member to replace Dave Turple
iv) Ryan Wilbee has been appointed as Auditor to replace John Kelly
v) Stephen Rubinoff has been appointed as Guard to replace Tony Wark
We are confident that Brothers Turple, Kelly, Wark, Wilbee, and Rubinoff, and will continue working towards the best interests of Local 793 in their new roles.
Fraternally yours,
Mike Gallagher,
Business Manager – Local 793
International Vice President
The Board of Trustees are pleased to advise the following improvements to the Active and Retiree Life & Health Benefits Plans: ACTIVE PLAN: Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism – OEBAC has updated the Plan Provisions, as per the Trustees motion to increase psychology benefit to $4,000.00 for behavioural therapy for autism only and set the effective date September 16, 2020 Fertility Coverage – Change the name of the benefit from Fertility Drugs to Fertility Treatment – That both the member and their spouse be covered within the existing fertility treatment […]
The Board of Trustees are pleased to advise the following improvements to the Active and Retiree Life & Health Benefits Plans:
ACTIVE PLAN:
Behavioral Therapy for Children with Autism
– OEBAC has updated the Plan Provisions, as per the Trustees motion to increase psychology benefit to $4,000.00 for behavioural therapy for autism only and set the effective date September 16, 2020
Fertility Coverage
– Change the name of the benefit from Fertility Drugs to Fertility Treatment
– That both the member and their spouse be covered within the existing fertility treatment maximum and that any fertility expense be allowed within the current maximum effective January 1, 2021.
Kinesiology
– Since Kinesiologist’s are registered health professionals, services rendered by a Kinesiologist will be covered under the Physiotherapy benefit, with no change to the annual maximum effective January 1, 2021.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device (G6 Dexcom)
– G6 Dexcom will be covered under the Plan with a reasonable and customary maximum of $4,000. It should be backdated to cover recent appeals, to allow those moving from Freestyle Libre System to G6 Dexcom to be covered.
Increase the lifetime Maximum of Orthodontic Services
– Maintaining the same formula, OEBAC will increase the lifetime maximum to $5,000.00 effective January 1, 2021 on new treatments.
Eligible Charges Dental Plan Pays
$1,500 $1,125
$2,000 $1,500
$3,000 $2,250
$4,666.67 $3,500
$5,000 $3,750
$6,666.67 $5,000
RETIREE PLAN:
Kinesiology
– Since Kinesiologist’s are registered health professionals, services rendered by a Kinesiologist will be covered under the Physiotherapy benefit, with no change to the annual maximum effective January 1, 2021.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device (G6 Dexcom)
– G6 Dexcom will be covered under the Plan with a reasonable and customary maximum of $4,000. It should be backdated to cover recent appeals, to allow those moving from Freestyle Libre System to G6 Dexcom to be covered.
For more information about the Life & Health Benefits Plan, Pension Plan and the Group Legal Plan, contact the OEBAC Member Call Centre at info@oebac.org or toll-free at 1-844-793-1919.
Please note that your Monthly Pension Payments, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), will be processed on the 1st of every month which correlates with your official Retirement Date. However, if the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or on a Statutory Holiday, the Banks can only process payment into your respective bank accounts on the next Business Day. (For example, January 1, 2021 falls on a Statutory Holiday, therefore, your Monthly Pension Payment will be in your Bank Account on Monday January 4, 2021).
Please note that your Monthly Pension Payments, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), will be processed on the 1st of every month which correlates with your official Retirement Date.
However, if the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or on a Statutory Holiday, the Banks can only process payment into your respective bank accounts on the next Business Day.
(For example, January 1, 2021 falls on a Statutory Holiday, therefore, your Monthly Pension Payment will be in your Bank Account on Monday January 4, 2021).