Durham Region Home Builders' Association Joins Campaign to Stop Trades Tax

OSHAWA, ON, Oct. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - The Ontario Construction Employers Coalition campaign to urge the Liberal government to shut down its newly formed Ontario College of Trades gained further momentum today with another association joining the battle. The newest coalition member is the Durham Region Home Builders' Association (DRHBA) representing more than 160 member companies, which include builders, developers, suppliers, contractors and professional members representing over 4,500 employees across the region.

"We do not believe that more bureaucracy, increased regulations and additional taxes will heighten the professionalism of our trades, instead it will drive more trades, especially sole proprietors, underground," said Anita Devries, Executive Officer of the DRHBA. "Legitimate companies will have to raise their construction costs and the general public will pay the price. I encourage all employers and tradespeople to sign the petition to shut down the Ontario College of Trades."

The number of organizations united as part of this campaign against the Ontario College of Trades now totals 19 representing hundreds of thousands of skilled trades people and employers. The Ontario College of Trades will impose an annual membership fees on all apprentices, journeypersons and employers in the province that will add up to $84 million a year. The www.stopthetradestax.ca campaign is about stopping this egregious and unnecessary tax at a time tradespeople need support, not more taxes.

"Our grassroots campaign to shut down the College and stop the trades tax is getting louder and stronger by the day," said Sean Reid, Chair of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition. "From plumbers and auto mechanics to electricians and barbers, there is growing opposition to a forced tax and costly bureaucracy that is accountable to no one."

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.

"Our coalition, whose members employ over 100,000 workers across the province, will not stand for an unnecessary tax that will drive up the cost of everything from new home construction to a haircut. We're urging all Ontario taxpayers to join us to stop this trades tax," added Susan McGovern, Vice-Chair of the Coalition.

About the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition

The Ontario Construction Employers Coalition was formed in September 2011 by 8 major provincial construction associations. The Coalition has grown to include 19 associations whose members employ more than 100,000 skilled tradespeople across Ontario. The Coalition regularly receives calls from interested individuals, employees and employers in a variety of sectors concerned about the College and its job killing tax. To learn more about the Coalition and the Stop The Trades Tax Campaign please visit: www.stopthetradedstax.ca.

The Coalition includes:

• Conestoga Heavy Construction Association
• Durham Region Heavy Contractors Association
• Durham Region Home Builders' Association
• Grand Valley Construction Association
• Greater Toronto Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association
• Hamilton & District Heavy Construction Association
• HCAT - Heavy Construction Association of Toronto
• National Capital Heavy Construction Association
• Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara
• LDCA - London and District Construction Association
• 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
• OCA - Ottawa Construction Association
• PCA - Progressive Contractors Association of Canada
• RESCON - Residential Construction Council of Ontario
• Sarnia Heavy Construction Association

SOURCE: Ontario Construction Employers Coalition

Jessica Georgakopoulos, Playbook Communications, [email protected], 416-994-7901

Anita Devries, Executive Officer of the DRHBA, [email protected], 905-579-8080

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