RESCON applauds repeal of Bill 148 and changes to the Ontario College of Trades

VAUGHAN, ON, Oct. 24, 2018 /CNW/ - The Residential Construction Council of Ontario looks forward to working with the Doug Ford government to implement the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, which if passed, would remove considerable amounts of red tape and barriers for employers in Ontario's residential construction industry.

This new legislation also will see the winding down of the Ontario College of Trades, the governing body which oversees apprenticeship in Ontario. This would further cut red tape by removing barriers for both employers to hire workers and workers to find jobs.

The provincial government's omnibus bill was introduced Tuesday by Jim Wilson, Ontario's Minister Responsible for Red Tape and Regulatory Burden Reduction. This legislation, if passed, will repeal substantial components of Bill 148 - The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017.

"Bill 148 did not take into account how the residential construction industry operates. This new legislation recognizes residential construction as a unique sector and will alleviate unnecessary burdens on the industry," said RESCON vice-president Andrew Pariser. "Major issues from Bill 148 included a change in how employers and subcontractors were defined under the act, the introduction of two paid personal emergency leave days, and numerous onerous scheduling and shift requirements which simply did not reflect how Ontario employers build Ontario."  

RESCON is pleased that the government recognizes the serious implications that Bill 148 had on employers. "The new Making Ontario Open for Business Act will remove the unnecessary and unfair regulations imposed by Bill 148, allowing construction employers to be more efficient and flexible. Ultimately, this will help the Ontario economy and encourage investment in our province."

WHAT IS RESCON?

The Residential Construction Council of Ontario represents more than 200 of Ontario's residential builders. Our members build world-class high-rise, mid-rise and low-rise homes, including rental apartments and social housing buildings. Visit www.rescon.com for more.

SOURCE Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON)

Aonghus Kealy, Director of Communications, RESCON, [email protected], W: 905-760-7777, x. 111, C: 647-530-4855