Campaign to Shut Down the Ontario College of Trades Gains More Support

TORONTO, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Construction Employers Coalition campaign to urge the McGuinty government to shut down its newly formed Ontario College of Trades gained further momentum today with two more associations joining the fight. The new campaign members are:

• Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara
• Hamilton & District Heavy Construction Association

"We'd like to speed up infrastructure spending, not see it slowed down by another layer of cost and bureaucracy," said Bob Hunter, President of the Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara. "The College of Trades will amount to nothing more than a tax grab and bureaucratic roadblock."

This brings the number of organizations united as part of this campaign against the Ontario College of Trades to 14.

The Ontario College of Trades is proposing to impose the following annual membership fee ranges:

● $50 - $100 for Apprentices

● $100 -$200 for Journeypersons

● $100 - $600 for Employers depending on whether they are small, medium or large

● $50 - $100 for a new class of Tradesworkers (compulsory and voluntary)

"Construction employers from across the province are uniting in the fight to stop the College and its tax plan," said Sean Reid, Chair of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition. "An $84 million tax on trades doesn't just send a shiver through the industry; it will drive up costs for all Ontarians."

In a formal submission to the Ontario College of Trades, the Coalition outlined several concerns, including a lack of transparency and information around the College's budgetary requirements, future business plans, and how the College will be financially accountable to Ontarians.

"Ontario has struggled for years to attract more people to the skilled trades," added Reid. "The College and its bureaucracy will drive experienced people out, and discourage many from considering trades as a career choice. That's the sad reality, and that's why the College must be stopped."

About the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition
Members of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition employ more than 80,000 skilled tradespeople across Ontario.

The Coalition includes:

• Conestoga Heavy Construction Association
• Durham Regional Heavy Contractors Association
• Greater Toronto Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association
• Hamilton & District Heavy Construction Association
• HCAT - Heavy Construction Association of Toronto
• Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara
• Merit Openshop Contractors Association of Ontario
• OEL - Ontario Electrical League
• OGCA - Ontario General Contractors Association
• ORBA - Ontario Road Builders Association
• OSWCA - Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association
• PCA - Progressive Contractors Association of Canada
• RESCON - Residential Construction Council of Ontario
• Sarnia Heavy Construction Association

Danna O'Brien, Playbook Communications. [email protected]
416-500-0699

Sean Reid, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada and Coalition Chair, [email protected]
289-335-1181