A long-awaited compulsory certification review in Ontario is complete. How to proceed from there is the question.

“I think this report presents us with a real golden opportunity to look at this issue and look ahead and not be stuck in the past,” said Patrick Dillon, business manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario.

“Labour market partners have to be prepared to act more like partners. We can make the most of this opportunity or lose it.”

Consultant Tim Armstrong delivered his report recently to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU).

He received submissions from about 100 industry stakeholders from both labour and management.

Armstrong’s review looked at the effect an expansion of compulsory certification could have on trades where it is now voluntary.

The review also attempted to gauge the effects compulsory certification would have on health and safety, new apprentice registration and completions of trades training, consumer protection, costs and the overall impact on the economy.

“This inquiry has led me to the conviction that there is substantial potential to improve and enhance the standing and effectiveness of apprenticeable trades and their continued, strengthened contribution to the growth of the Ontario economy,” Armstrong wrote in the review.

A specific recommendation is that the ministry consult with industry stakeholders to establish an all-trades governance body, a College of Trades.

This governance body would “establish a trades advisory panel to deal with applications for compulsory certification status, in light of a comprehensive and relevant set of criteria,” Armstrong wrote.

One industry insider was cautious in his endorsement of the recommendation.

“The notion of a College of Trades is interesting,” said David Zurawel, vice-president policy and government relations, Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA).

“The idea definitely has the potential to provide a whole new level of engagement with the provincial government.”

Zurawel said the issue of compulsory certification is a contentious one among COCA’s various members.

“We find ourselves still digesting what we read and we do have more questions than answers,” said Zurawel.

“We will supply the report to our membership and look for recommendations, general feedback and further questions about it.”

A spokesperson for the Open Shop Contractors Association (OSCA) said the area of compulsory certification is a difficult landscape for the government — let alone someone commissioned to do a review of it — to manoeuvre in.

“The report is calling for some action, but that action is so complicated it almost makes it a dead issue,” said David McDonald, chair of the OSCA.

Clive Thurston, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) said the report is fairly responsible and recognizes there is no easy answer to this.

The OGCA has stated in the past that compulsory certification could create barriers that reduce the industry’s available and diversified workforce.

‘There is not enough talk and true facts on the issue,” said Thurston.

“This report lets us look at a framework for discussion and review and that is a good thing. There is room here to talk and go on. It is a complex issue which cannot be just suddenly legislated.”

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793, said in a letter to the Daily Commercial News (a sister newspaper to the Journal of Commerce) that it welcomed Armstrong’s review and recommendations.

Local 793 said that mandatory certification for operators, who run heavy equipment such as excavators, dozers and mobile concrete pumps, would make construction sites safer. The local also said that the compulsory certification of crane operators has already helped make the profession safer.

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Good start.....

Is there any form of certification for concrete pump operators in Ontario now?