Congratulations to University of Toronto NECA Student Chapter

At the 2017 NECA conference, U of T NECA Chapter won the coveted Student Chapter of the Year.

Awards were presented on the Saturday evening NECA events.

National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Green Energy Challenge Award Winners- University of Toronto Places Third

The University of Toronto NECA Student Chapter was the only Canadian team selected to compete at this year’s NECA’s Green Energy Challenge. The student competition is an annual highlight of the NECA Student Chapters and their work. This competition tests hundreds of students in developing real-world solutions to challenges. The 2017 competition challenged participants to design an energy upgrade for a community facility. The judges chose Iowa State University as the winner. University of Washington won second place, and University of Toronto won third.

The 2017 competition challenged teams to design an energy upgrade for an organization in their community. This year’s challenge also included a community service requirement. Teams were required to create a volunteer plan of action and demonstrate in their proposal the activity and number of hours volunteered at the facility they chose to use for their project.

Construction Lien Amendment Act Passes Second Reading; Prompt Payment Ontario Applauds Swift Action

“We are looking for support from all parties in making sure this bill passes into law,” said Ron Johnson, a Director of PPO. “Over 400,000 workers in Ontario’s construction sector will benefit from this bill being passed and Minister Naqvi has shown he supports the sector by ensuring it moves forward quickly,” Johnson added.

PPO cannot emphasize enough the importance of prompt payment legislation for the future of the construction industry and the hard-working, middle-class Ontarians who look to this sector to support their families.

NTCCC Applaud Government Move to Prioritize Prompt Payment; Highlights Progress in Ontario on Bill 142

The National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada is optimistic about the Federal Governments recent instruction to prioritize prompt payment for contractors and sub-contractors who do business with the Ministry of Public Services and Procurement.

“Our members are excited and energized by the government’s commitment to tackle the issue,” said John Galt, Chair of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC). “We know that the government understands it can reduce costs to taxpayers and improve operations by taking action on payment delays.”

“Outrage” at Morneau “attack on small business”
Canadian Contractor

Contractor says that his business would have gone out of business years ago if Morneau's plan had been in place when he acquired two other firms.

Electricians assist in TD Centre’s 50th anniversary lighting project
Daily Commercial News

The efforts of five electrical contractors were on display on Labour Day weekend as the TD Centre in downtown Toronto pulled off a 50th-anniversary project with a bold message in lights.

Electrical contractors Guild, Ainsworth, Symtech, Plan and ACML donated their services to temporarily reconfigure the automated lighting systems of the TD Centre’s five towers in Toronto as part of a 50th-anniversary project.

Better Training creates better electricians
IBEW Construction Council of Ontario

In the construction world, results matter. If work time is lost due to injuries or shoddy work that has to be redone, there is a very real impact on the bottom line.

That’s why the IBEW and the ECAO have invested so much effort into ensuring that the training of all members, from apprentices to journeypersons, is second to none. It’s a great example of a private sector union and employer working together to meet marketplace demands.

IBEW Local 353 Opens new training facility in Oshawa
IBEW Construction Council of Ontario

On October 11, Local 353 held its Grand Opening for their new 78,000 sq. ft. training facility in Oshawa. This training facility will feature state of the art shop spaces and classrooms.

The Grand Opening also involved exhibitors from various electrical manufacturers and distributors who support the work of IBEW 353 training activities.

$270-million peaksaver PLUS program is shut down in Ontario
Electrical Business

A $270-million energy conservation program that allowed utilities in Ontario to remotely access home thermostats and scale back power usage during peak demand times is coming to an end Saturday, having been activated only 21 times in a decade.

“Over the last 10 years, the peaksaver PLUS program has provided Ontarians a unique opportunity to contribute to grid reliability,” writes saveONenergy/IESO on its website, yet the CBC reports the $270-million energy conservation program has not only been scrapped, but had only been activated 21 times in that decade.

IHSA supports Whitby Hydro Contractor Safety Day

IHSA will be leading a free discussion on the Certificate of Recognition (COR™) program at an upcoming Contractor Safety Day at Whitby Hydro.

The half-day event will be held at the McKinney Centre (222 McKinney Drive) on November 28th, beginning at 8 am and will include information on IHSA and COR™ as well as electrical safety information and contractor expectations.

Space is limited so please RSVP the Health and Safety Department for additional information.

Industry Appointments

Walter Pamic Response on his OCOT Board of Governors Appointment

Why would the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) appoint Walter Pamic to its board of governors? Better yet, why would Walter Pamic, once an outspoken critic of OCOT, want to join its board?

What could he possibly contribute, some wonder.

Two words: experience and perspective.

Industry Events

EFC Future Forum 2017 “The Evolution of Customers”

Date & Location: October 25 • Brampton, Ont.

Info: “The Evolution of Customers” provides an opportunity for Electro-Federation Canada members to gain insights into strengthening and expanding their sales and marketing strategies. Following several speakers and an industry panel, EFC will unveil the winners of its 2017 Marketing Awards.