2010 ORBA Annual Report - Ontario Road Builders' Association

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2010 AnnuAl RepoRt 4 From the President Paul Quinless I invite ORBA members to review the enclosed reports and highlights from 2010 and I trust that when you do, you will agree that ORBA continues to deliver tangible benefits and full value to members. It has been a busy and productive year for your Association, from progress made on legislative and technical issues to the introduction of new member programs and services. With a strong MTO capital budget and considerable work created by the infrastructure stimulus program this year, there has been a considerable amount of work for members. At the same time I note that the tender price index has dropped for the second year in a row due to a downturn in private work which indicates public sector owners are getting a real bargain on their infrastructure projects. Promoting infrastructure investment remains ORBA’s top priority and late in the year we launched an intensive political campaign to generate infrastructure funding for 2011. With the end of the stimulus program and no new municipal funding on the horizon, ORBA organized an impressive coalition of industry and business organizations to carry a strong message to the government about the need for a short-tem infrastructure strategy until longer-term, sustainable investment is developed. ORBA was also focused last year on consulting with MTO on the development and implementation of alternate contract delivery models. The introduction of ‘new’ delivery models stepped up in pace last year with Minimum Oversight and Design/Build Minor projects becoming more routine for members and the groundwork laid for the introduction of Design/Build Major and Construction Manager-General Contractor models in 2011. We also delivered several general information sessions to members on these developments through the year. Please take a few minutes to read through this annual report and join me in thanking the many ORBA volunteers who have accomplished so much on behalf of the industry in the past year. We are proud of the progress ORBA made in 2010 and of the programs and services we delivered to members. We established a new scholarship program, started an ambitious Legacy Project and introduced a Green Sustainability award. OBRA’s licence status check service is a big hit with members and our presence and reputation for professionalism at Queen’s Park continues to grow. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as ORBA President in 2010. Thanks to the dedication of a committed Board of Directors and a very strong Management Committee, along with the work of ORBA staff, we have accomplished much on behalf of our industry in the past year. And finally, my special thanks to the many ORBA volunteers who have contributed their time and expertise to making the industry better for all of us.
2010 Provincial Governament Affairs was a demanding year for ORBA members who were involved in projects that were related to the federal and provincial infrastructure stimulus program. Until late into the year, many of our members were frantically attempting to complete all ISF (Infrastructure Stimulus Fund) projects prior to the end of this construction season, as both the Provincial and Federal governments were firm on their ‘artificial’ March 31, 2011 deadline for project completion. An announcement late in 2010 that extended the ISF deadline to October 31, 2011 gave flexibility for projects that experienced delays, and therefore would be able to be completed in 2011. The overriding theme of ORBA’s Government Relations focus in 2010 was Infrastructure. Both broadly and specifically we dealt with issues such as advocating for the extension of the ISF deadline, but also infrastructure funding and priorities for the next ten years, and just as important, the next two years. In the 2010 Provincial Budget the government announced its intention to create a ‘10-Year Infrastructure Plan’. Stakeholders involved in the building and designing of infrastructure applauded the initiative, but also agreed that it was an aggressive undertaking. At the same time, ORBA’s Board of Directors suggested that although the 10-Year Plan was a crucial component for future business planning; the industry’s concern was the more immediate time frame – the next two years. ORBA spent the majority of the latter part of 2010 advocating for short-term funding that would ‘bridge’ the gap between the ISF program and the 10-year infrastructure plan. Our advocacy for both provincial and municipal short term funding will continue into 2011, and looking for funding commitments in the 2011 and 2012 budgets. There is never a shortage of issues that require our attention at Queen’s Park, but here are few further highlights of 2010: n The appointment of Al West (K.J. Beamish) to the College of Trades Appointments Council/Transitional Board operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. This appointment was made by the Provincial Government, and Al is one of only nine individuals from across Ontario representing various industries including construction, manufacturing, industrial etc. n Continued consultation and input on the formation of the College of Trades, as well as protecting ORBA members’ interests by ensuring compulsory certification does not become a reality for the skilled trades that are most commonly employed by ORBA members n Developing a reasonable implementation plan and policies for the HST. Much work was done with the MTO, as well as the Ministry of Revenue to ensure a reasonable process, developed with compromise, was reached between all parties n Obtaining an amendment to HST guidelines that allowed for a more reasonable definition of ‘energy for self use’ for Hot Mix Producers – and provided the ability for producers to claim an input tax credit n Concerted efforts to continue to broaden the recognition of ORBA and its priorities at Queen’s Park ORBA Committees also drove a large part of our Government Relations Program this year – through their identification of issues, regulation and legislation we were able to focus on issues that were of high priority to ORBA members. The committee reports that follow will provide an overview of further ORBA government relations priorities for the year of 2010. 2010 AnnuAl RepoRt 5
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2010 ORBA Annual Report - Ontario Road Builders' Association

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