Bill 229, Working for Workers Six Act, 2024 is now law. The bill, which was introduced on November 27, 2024, received Royal Assent on December 19, 2024. Click here to read full article.
News
CECCO’s Peterson urges co-operation as ICI contract season inches closer
The Construction Employers Council of Ontario (CECCO) has assured the Ontario Building Trades it is committed to being a better partner at a critical time for both councils, with negotiators representing the province’s unionized ICI sector preparing to hammer out a new set of three-year contracts for 25 trades. Read more here.
WSIB pumps over $2 billion back into the economy in 2025 with average premium rate reduction and surplus rebates for safe businesses
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) announced today the average premium rate for Ontario businesses in 2025 will be reduced to $1.25 from $1.30 per $100 of insurable payroll, the lowest it has been in more than 50 years. Read more here.
Survey shows growing interest in skilled trades, but participation remains low
A new survey from Classic Fire + Life Safety reveals that while many Canadians are interested in skilled trades careers, few are currently working in the sector. The Measuring Up the Trades study found that 40 per cent of Canadians have considered a career in the trades, yet only 13 per cent are employed in these fields. Read more here.
Battery Manufacturing Hazards
Inorganic lead dust is the most significant health exposure in battery manufacture. Lead can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and ingestion. Inhalation of airborne lead is generally the most important source of occupational lead absorption. Once in the blood stream, lead is circulated throughout the body and stored in various organs and body tissues (e.g., kidney liver, brain, bone marrow, bones and teeth). Absorption via the gastrointestinal track following ingestion is highly dependent upon the presence of levels of calcium, iron, fats, and proteins. Read more on battery manufacturing hazards here.
Piccini greeted as friend, partner of Building Trades
Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini was welcomed as a friend of unionized workers recently as he delivered the keynote address on the second day of the Ontario Building Trades 67th annual convention in Windsor. Read more here.
Canadian organizations urged to integrate AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as both a significant threat and a crucial tool in the fight against cybercrime. While AI has greatly augmented threat actors’ attacks, a new study by IBM said AI tools can shorten the lifecycle of a data breach and reduce costs for businesses by as much as $2.84 million. Read entire article here.
COCA 2024 Awards for Outstanding Achievement
On June 20, 2024, COCA recognized outstanding contributions to improving the Ontario construction industry. The awards were presented at a June 20th ceremony at The Inn of the Twenty in Jordan, Ontario. The award recipients represent a range of disciplines, but they share a commitment to excellence and a determination to shape a positive future for our industry and our province. Read more here.
AI has a talent for skills training and knowledge transfer
Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is still in its technological infancy, like human children it has a voracious appetite and is growing so quickly its elders hardly recognize it from one day to the next. Read more here.
Boom time for millwrights supported through training grants
Ontario’s Millwright Local 1916 based in Hamilton, Ont. is projecting significant future work for its members so new provincial funding for a training centre expansion and new training equipment is highly welcome says the local’s business manager. Read more here.