BuildForce Releases Construction Outlook

Written by Local 793 Staff

BuildForce, a national, industry-led organization, has released an outlook which projects slower overall construction growth between 2015 and 2024 in Ontario. The report notes that major projects will start up, peak and wind down in some regions, while in others they will move more evenly across the period. Click here to view the report.

BuildForce, a national, industry-led organization, has released an outlook which projects slower overall construction growth between 2015 and 2024 in Ontario. The report notes that major projects will start up, peak and wind down in some regions, while in others they will move more evenly across the period.

Click here to view the report.

Loan Program Launched for Red Seal Apprentices

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 apprentices in tower and mobile crane training programs can apply for loans of up to $4,000 under the Canada Apprentice Loan program. The loans are provided by the federal government to apprentices registered in Red Seal trade programs. The loans can be used to help pay for tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, […]

Local 793 apprentices in tower and mobile crane training programs can apply for loans of up to $4,000 under the Canada Apprentice Loan program.

The loans are provided by the federal government to apprentices registered in Red Seal trade programs.

The loans can be used to help pay for tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages or to help support your family.

The loans are interest-free until after loan recipients complete or leave their apprenticeship training program, up to a maximum of six years.

No interest will accumulate until after the apprentice completes or leaves the apprenticeship training program.

The loans are available in all provinces and territories except Quebec where alternate support is available.

It is estimated that at least 26,000 apprentices a year will apply for more than $100 million in Canada Apprentice Loans.

According to Statistics Canada, almost 360,000 people are enrolled in more than 400 apprenticeship and skilled trades programs.

To be eligible for a loan, an apprentice must be:

  • a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person;
  • registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program that is designated by the province or territory where the trainee is registered as an apprentice;
  • enrolled in block release technical training or the equivalent full-time technical training with an approved technical training provider; and
  • pass a credit check (required if you are applying for the first time).

You are not eligible if you:

  • are a high school student;
  • are an apprentice registered in the province of Quebec;
  • are already receiving a Canada Student Loan for the same technical training;
  • have been told that you are restricted from receiving a Canada Apprentice Loan or a Canada Student Loan;
  • have already received funding for five periods of technical training; or
  • have already received six years of interest-free status.

Click here for more information about the program.

Deadline Nears for Student Bursary Program

Written by Local 793 Staff

The deadline is nearing for students to apply for the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) bursary program. The deadline is Nov. 24, 2014. The program provides financial assistance to sons or daughters of parents who derive their principal income from pipeline construction. To qualify, the parent or guardian of the applicant must be […]

The deadline is nearing for students to apply for the Pipe Line Contractors Association of Canada (PLCAC) bursary program.

The deadline is Nov. 24, 2014.

The program provides financial assistance to sons or daughters of parents who derive their principal income from pipeline construction.

To qualify, the parent or guardian of the applicant must be employed by or have a history of employment with a company that is a member of the PLCAC.

The applicant must be enrolled full-time in a program leading to a diploma or degree in any field at a recognized Canadian college or university. Applications received from students enrolled in post-graduate programs may also be considered.

Applicants must provide:

  • A completed application form
  • Official school transcript and proof of enrolment

Application forms can be accessed through the PLCAC website at www.pipeline.ca.

If you have any questions, contact the PLCAC at plcac@pipeline.ca.

Top Construction Projects in Ontario

Written by Local 793 Staff

A healthy number of projects are planned or proposed in the industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) construction sectors of Ontario over the next several years. A report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat lists the projects by region, industry, building type, project stage and value. Additionally, the report lists the top 10 projects for each […]

A healthy number of projects are planned or proposed in the industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) construction sectors of Ontario over the next several years.

A report released recently by the Ontario Construction Secretariat lists the projects by region, industry, building type, project stage and value.

Additionally, the report lists the top 10 projects for each ICI sector.

Following is a breakdown of the sectors:

Industrial:

In the industrial sector, the report indicates that $72 billion worth of projects are planned or proposed, much higher than at the same time last year.

Most of the industrial projects are expected to start between 2014 and 2021. Northern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will see the greatest amount of industrial construction.

The metals and minerals sector will drive industrial construction in the North while large-scale projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and a refurbishment at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station are the main drivers in the GTA.

The largest share of upcoming projects in the industrial sector is expected to start in 2016 and will include major oil pipeline work as well as nuclear refurbishment projects, along with major mining projects.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the industrial sector are:

  • Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto by Metrolinx (started) – $4.9 billion
  • OPG Darlington Nuclear unit 2 life extension by OPG (Q4 2016) – $3.2 billion
  • Scarborough Subway extension by Metrolinx (2018) – $2.8 billion
  • Spadina Subway extension in Toronto by the TTC (started) – $2.6 billion
  • Bruce Power unit 4 life extension by Bruce Power (Q3 2016) – $2.5 billion
  • Bruce Power unit 3 life extension by Bruce Power (Q1 2019) – $2.5 billion
  • Confederation Line LRT in Ottawa by City of Ottawa (started) – $2.1 billion
  • Nakina Chromite/Nickel/Copper Ore Railway Transportation System in Thunder Bay by KWG Resources (Q4 2016) – $2 billion
  • Hurontario-Main LRT in Peel Region by Metrolinx (Q4 2014) – $1.6 billion
  • York Viva Bus Rapid Transit in York Region by Metrolinx (started) – $1.4 billion

Commercial:

In the commercial sector, the report indicates that $17 billion worth of upcoming projects is being tracked, nearly 20 per cent higher than at the same time last year.

Mixed-use residential and commercial buildings account for the lion’s share of the increase.

Regionally, the largest gains are in the GTA and Eastern Ontario. Values are also higher in Southwestern and Northern Ontario but are lower in Central Ontario.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the commercial sector are:

  • Hotel, retail/residential development in Niagara Region by 2302846 Ontario Inc. (preparing plans) – $500 million
  • Apartment buildings, offices, retail in Toronto by Amexon Development Corp. (preparing plans) – $354 million
  • Loretto Academy Conference & Banquet Centre in Niagara Region by Romzap Ltd. (preparing plans) – $350 million
  • Office building, retail in Toronto by Sweeny and Co. Architects Inc. (preparing plans) – $288 million
  • Condo, apartment buildings, retail, office in Toronto by Projectcore Inc. (preparing plans) – $266 million
  • Apartment, townhouse, medical and office, retail in London by Fincore Group (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo apartment towers and retail in Peel Region by Solmar Homes Inc. (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo apartment building and retail in Peel Region by Baif Developments Ltd. (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Condo, retail and hotel development in Halton Region by Mayrose-Tycon Group (preparing plans) – $200 million
  • Residential, commercial development in Toronto by Dunshorn Holdings (preparing plans) – $200 million

Institutional:

The total value of institutional projects is higher than last year, reversing the downward trend of the last three years.

However, the report notes that institutional investment, even if it does trend higher, is likely to be subdued due to the end of fiscal stimulus measures by governments.

According to the report, the GTA will capture the largest share of the institutional work.

The top 10 projects started or planned in the institutional sector are:

  • Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in Vaughan by Infrastructure Ontario (tenders being reviewed) – $1 billion
  • CFB Trenton improvements by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $840 million
  • Providence Care Hospital in Kingston by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $810 million
  • Women’s College Hospital redevelopment in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (started) – $460 million
  • Milton District Hospital redevelopment in Milton by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital redevelopment project phase 1 in Burlington by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP closed) – $350 million
  • Michael’s Hospital patient care tower in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • William Osler General Hospital phase 1 patient tower in Toronto by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP issued) – $350 million
  • University of Ottawa Heart Institute in Ottawa by Infrastructure Ontario (RFP closed) – $350 million
  • Cambridge Memorial Hospital main capital redevelopment project in Waterloo Region (contract awarded) – $175 million

Local 793 Supports Locked-out JemPak Workers

Written by Local 793 Staff

Business reps and staff from Local 793’s head office attended a rally and walked a picket line with locked-out soap factory workers at the JemPak plant on Speers Road in Oakville today. About 30 representatives of the union were at the event, carrying signs that read: Operating Engineers, Local 793 supports Unifor members locked out […]

JemPakBusiness reps and staff from Local 793’s head office attended a rally and walked a picket line with locked-out soap factory workers at the JemPak plant on Speers Road in Oakville today.

About 30 representatives of the union were at the event, carrying signs that read: Operating Engineers, Local 793 supports Unifor members locked out by JemPak.

The rally was held in support of 22 workers, members of Unifor Local 132-0, who have been locked out for two weeks in a dispute over the future of the union at the plant. The company is demanding a rollback in the union’s rights.

Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) president Hassan Yussuff and Unifor national president Jerry Dias attended the afternoon rally.

Both labour leaders thanked Local 793 and the Operating Engineers for their support and showing solidarity with the workers.

Dias told the rally that management at JemPak is messing with the wrong union if it thinks Unifor members are going to give up.

The union is intent on winning the battle, he said, and it will not allow its hard-won rights to be rolled back by the company.

“One thing they need to understand is that we’ll last one day longer than them.”

Dias said the company is intent on breaking the union, but Unifor will make it tough on JemPak.

“This is not going to be a cakewalk for this organization. I can tell you right now.”

Dias said the union is going to fight the company everywhere and he told those at the rally to “hang on to your socks.”

Yussuff of the CLC told the rally that the dispute might take some time to resolve but the union is not going away.

“We’re not going to roll over and play dead,” he said, noting that what the employer is trying to do will not be tolerated.

“It may be a long dispute but the employer had better understand one thing – they picked on the wrong union.”

Yussuff said JemPak is trying to shut the union down and that will not happen.

Despite attempts by Unifor to keep contract talks going, workers at JemPak were locked out by the company May 15.

At issue is a company demand that the union agree that any new hires are not members of the union, that managers be able to do work currently done by union members and an end to seniority rights.

The company has also demanded significant economic concessions. JemPak makes laundry and dish detergent sold at Costco and Walmart, among others.

The collective agreement between the company and the union expired May 15.

New Training to Protect Workers

Written by Local 793 Staff

Ontario is introducing new training to help protect workers and keep them safe on the job. The new training requirement becomes mandatory July 1, 2014. Workers and supervisors will be required to take part in a one-hour tutorial, either individually or in groups using free, online e-learning tools or hard copy workbooks that can be […]

Ontario is introducing new training to help protect workers and keep them safe on the job.
The new training requirement becomes mandatory July 1, 2014.
Workers and supervisors will be required to take part in a one-hour tutorial, either individually or in groups using free, online e-learning tools or hard copy workbooks that can be obtained from ServiceOntario.
The training is designed to help prevent workplace incidents and injuries by making workers and supervisors aware of their roles, rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
The training was developed in partnership with labour groups, businesses and municipalities and will be mandatory for all workers and supervisors in the province who are covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Mandatory basic health and safety awareness training was a key recommendation of the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety, led by Tony Dean in 2010.
The Panel was appointed following a Christmas Eve scaffolding accident that claimed the lives of four workers in 2009.
The Panel conducted a review of the province’s workplace health and safety system and came up with a number of recommendations.
Workplaces that have provided similar training to employees will not need to participate, as long as the previous training met the minimum requirements of the new regulation.
Once the e-learning training module is complete, an employee will receive a certificate that is valid for the remainder of his or her career. The printed training materials are available in nine languages.
Chief Prevention Officer George Gritziotis says the awareness training will lay the foundation for building a strong occupational health and safety culture in the province of Ontario.

Click here for more information.

 

Union Looking to Develop Partnership

Written by Local 793 Staff

The Operating Engineers are looking to develop a partnership with First Nations communities across Canada. IUOE Canadian director Jim Murphy and Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, who is president of the IUOE Canadian conference, will be meeting with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to discuss training opportunities. The two labour leaders will attempt […]

The Operating Engineers are looking to develop a partnership with First Nations communities across Canada.
IUOE Canadian director Jim Murphy and Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, who is president of the IUOE Canadian conference, will be meeting with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to discuss training opportunities.
The two labour leaders will attempt to enter into a memorandum of understanding for a national strategy to deliver training to First Nations communities. Once a memorandum of understanding is signed, the IUOE will connect with the AFN Technical Working Group.
A resolution on the matter was passed at the 55th IUOE Canadian conference held recently in Nanaimo, B.C.
Business manager Gallagher had spoken on the issue in a speech at the conference, indicating that the time is right for a national memorandum of understanding.
He said Aboriginals in Canada face challenges and unions need to be part of the solution.
“They’re not the only solution, in fairness, but they are definitely part of the solution if we engage them and can convince them that the union way is the way go to.”
He noted that Canada’s construction industry will need 221,000 workers between now and 2021, and 600,000 Aboriginal youth will be coming into the labour force by the same time.
According to the resolution, many Operating Engineers are reaching retirement age and there is a need to meet the increasing demand for heavy equipment and crane operators.
The resolution states that one option is to recruit, retain and advance new apprentices from First Nations communities, rather than bring in recruits via the temporary foreign worker recruitment process.

Union Supports Fund-raiser for Anishinabek Nation Charity

Written by Local 793 Staff

Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, president Joe Redshaw and a number of other union representatives attended a fund-raiser Oct. 17 for the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity. The event, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, provided an opportunity for corporate and government partners to meet and network with leaders of First Nations communities […]

MadahbeeLocal 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, president Joe Redshaw and a number of other union representatives attended a fund-raiser Oct. 17 for the Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity.
The event, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto, provided an opportunity for corporate and government partners to meet and network with leaders of First Nations communities across Ontario.
More than 200 people attended the event. A business networking reception was followed by a panel discussion on issues of importance to the people of the Anishinabek Nation.
Funds raised from the event will go to scholarships and bursaries and to support education, healthcare and other under-funded services in the 39 Anishinabek communities. The Charity has raised $600,000 since 1999.
Dignitaries attending the event included: Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee; former Prime Minister Paul Martin; Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne; former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine; Ontario Aboriginal Affairs Minister David Zimmer; and John Tory, former PC Party leader and host of Live Drive on Newstalk 1010.
Local 793 was the only union that had representatives at the event. Grand Council Chief Madahbee sat at the table with Local 793 representatives.
Business manager Gallagher said it was important for Local 793 representatives to be at the event because the union is working to get more people from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities into training programs at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO).
“We are working closely with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities and reaching out to the Aboriginal population to get more youth into our apprenticeship programs and good paying jobs in the construction trades,” he said. “By attending this event we are demonstrating our commitment to work with these communities and Aboriginal leaders.”
During the panel discussion, dignitaries addressed a number of issues, including education and the importance of having a skilled workforce available to fill key positions.
Former Prime Minister Martin complimented the work being done by Local 793 during his remarks.
Martin spoke about some of the things unions like the Operating Engineers are doing and how they are an important part of the fabric of Canada.
Premier Wynne shared her vision on enhancing student success in First Nation communities in Ontario.
Grand Council Chief Madahbee told the audience that First Nations communities support development but only with community control and benefits.
“We have to empower our people … to take control of our lives” and “put in place our way of thinking, our world view,” he said in a story published in Anishinabek News.ca. “We don’t need somebody dictating what we can do and cannot do. We know how to do the job.”
Meanwhile, former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Fontaine said the single most important issue to face Canada is First Nations poverty and how to eradicate it.
“We have to move quickly and … persuasively,” he said in Anishinabek News.ca. “Partnerships are our best option to create a better future for Canada and Aboriginal people.”
The Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charity is the official charitable fundraising arm of the Anishinabek Nation. The Charity is committed to improving the quality of life of Anishinabek Nation citizens by providing support where no other funding exists.

Redshaw Scholarship Winners Announced

Written by Local 793 Staff

Winners of the Jack Redshaw Scholarship have been announced. A total of 12 scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded. The Crane Rental Association of Ontario donated funds for two of the awards. Local 793 president Joe Redshaw said in a statement that he would like to thank the Crane Rental Association for making the donation. […]

Redshaw ScholarshipsWinners of the Jack Redshaw Scholarship have been announced.
A total of 12 scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded. The Crane Rental Association of Ontario donated funds for two of the awards.
Local 793 president Joe Redshaw said in a statement that he would like to thank the Crane Rental Association for making the donation.
The scholarship winners were:

  • Stefanie Bogaert – Sarnia area
  • Devon Coles – Hamilton area
  • Ryan Coulson – Toronto area
  • Mitchell Fedorchuk – St. Catherine’s area
  • Robyn Hansen – Hamilton area
  • Sarah Kazak – Ottawa area
  • Lindsay Kuiack – Cambridge area
  • Darquise Mantha – Sudbury area
  • Alexandra Scandolo – Toronto area
  • Benjamin Schwarz – Toronto area
  • Nicole Selman – Sarnia area
  • Irena Sziler – Windsor area

The criteria for the scholarships is as follows:

  • The awards are available to the sons, daughters and grandchildren of members who are in good standing at the time of selection of the awards.
  • The scholarship recipient must be entering the first or subsequent year of a full-time course of study (at least two years in length) leading to a diploma, certificate or degree from any recognized public Canadian college or university.

Applications must be supported by transcripts of high school achievement and accompanied by a detailed letter of recommendation from an individual with personal academic knowledge of the candidate, outlining reasons why the scholarship should be awarded.
In addition, applicants must submit a 1,000-word essay on the reason(s) why the scholarship will be of assistance and the impact that being a dependent or grandchild of a Local 793 union member has had on the applicant’s life.
Once the recipients have been selected, they will be notified and asked to provide further proof from the Office of the Registrar that they are currently attending full-time studies in their selected program.
Eligible persons are able to apply more than once, however, once they have received a bursary, they are no longer eligible to receive another award.
The deadline for receipt of the application shall be the first Friday in the month of September.
Application forms are available on Local 793’s website or from area offices.

NDP’s Keystone XL Opposition Fails Canadian Construction Workers

Written by Local 793 Staff

In November, the International Union of Operating Engineers issued a press release, objecting to a New Democratic Party Opposition Day motion on the Keystone XL pipeline. Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, who is an IUOE International vice president, and IUOE general president James T. Callahan were disappointed with the NDP’s motion. IUOE Canadian regional […]

In November, the International Union of Operating Engineers issued a press release, objecting to a New Democratic Party Opposition Day motion on the Keystone XL pipeline.
Local 793 business manager Mike Gallagher, who is an IUOE International vice president, and IUOE general president James T. Callahan were disappointed with the NDP’s motion.
IUOE Canadian regional director James Murphy also sent a strongly worded letter to NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair.
The NDP motion stated that:

“In the opinion of the House, the Keystone XL pipeline would intensify the export of unprocessed raw bitumen and would export more than 40,000 well-paying Canadian jobs, and is therefore not in Canada’s best interest.”

Business manager Gallagher noted in the press release that he is disappointed that the NDP chose to completely ignore the benefit of pipeline construction to working Canadians such as members of the Operating Engineers’ union and other construction trades.
“The Keystone XL project would be a net benefit to workers across Canada who depend on the resource sector and construction for their livelihoods,” he stated. “This hasty action by the NDP without consulting major stakeholders will jeopardize our economic recovery and jobs we had been hoping for.”
General president Callahan said thousands of skilled construction jobs – jobs that feed families, pay mortgages and send kids to university – will be generated from building Keystone XL.
“If you are on the side of working people, then you should be for this project.”
In his letter to Mulcair, Canadian regional director Murphy said that Canada does not have the refining capacity to deal with the amounts of raw bitumen that are being developed in Canada’s oil sands, therefore the product must be exported.
He stated that the union supports Keystone XL because Canada must look at expanding and diversifying its markets.
He noted that Keystone XL will allow Canadian oil companies to expand the reach of their product, which will only benefit Canada’s economy.
“Operating Engineers are among the most highly trained and skilled pipeline workers in the world,” he stated in the letter. “Our expertise will ensure that Keystone is built right, built safe and built to last.”