b'Inside the OIRCAThe Council of OntarioBy Don Marks, Executive Director, OIRCAConstruction Associations (COCA)M ost construction associationAssociations(COCA),andjustasmorethan20associationscamethat they are also representing theas the Workplace Safety and Insur-managersorexecutivethe name implies, it is an associationtogetherastheCouncilofOn- bestinterestsofourmembersatance Board (WSIB), the Infrastruc-directors,asweareoftenofassociations.Infact,itisafed- tario Contractors Associations.BytheOIRCA. tureHealthandSafetyAssocia-referredtofindthemselveseration of construction associations1985,thegrowingorganizationWhen it comes to our industry,tion (IHSA) and the newly created volunteeringtobeactivewithrepresenting the industrial/commer- took steps to become independent,the Ontario government is very dif- Skilled Trades Ontario, to mention variousotherindustry-relatedcial/institutional (ICI) and civil con- with its own staff, mandate and of- ficult to lobby. There isnt just onea few.organizations.Ihappentositonstruction employers in the province. fices. That same year, the name wasministrythatrepresentsconstruc- Similartootherassociations, several boards of directors, executiveOIRCAisafoundingmemberchanged to the Council of Ontariotion. There is of course the Ministrymuch of the work at COCA is done committeesandothercommitteesofCOCA,whichdatesbackoverConstruction Associations. ofLabour,ImmigrationTrainingthroughvoluntarycommittees. thatrepresentdifferentaspects40yearstowhenformerPremierEssentially,COCAlobbiestheand Skills Development, but otherTheir principal committees include ofconstruction. Bill Davis created COCA to act asOntario government on behalf ofministries that have an influence ontheWSIB/OH&S(Occupational Onesuchorganizationisthea single voice for the ICI and heavythe ICI construction industry. ToconstructionincludetheMinistryHealth&Safety)Committee,the CouncilofOntarioConstructioncivil sectors of the industry. In 1975,quote their website, We bring theofCollegesandUniversities,theConstruction Act Taskforce (focus-concernsofourmemberstotheMinistryofEconomicDevelop- ing on Prompt Payment), the Skilled attention of Queens Park, and wement, Job Creation and Trade, theTradesandApprenticeshipTask-arecommittedtoworkingwithMinistry of Education, the Ministryforce, and the Chief Operating Of-the government to ensure that On- of Energy, the Ministry of North- ficers Committee.tarioslegislativelandscapeisoneern Development, the Ministry ofCOCAsmemberassociations inwhichourindustrycangrowMines,theMinistryofEnviron- representmorethan10,000con-andprosper. ment,ConservationandParks, As an individual who is not in- the Ministry of Infrastructure, thestruction businesses and more than terested in politics and governmentMinistry of Municipal Affairs and400,000employees.Itssuccesses relations, COCA is a boon. WithHousing, and the Ministry of theprove there is strength in numbers COCAsprimaryroleworkingSolicitor General. and that it is the most representative with industry members and seniorCOCAalsoconcernsitselfvoiceforthenon-residentialcon-officialsatQueensPark,Iknowwithgovernmentagenciessuchstruction sector.20ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 4 2022/23 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'