Media Releases

Mississauga, Ontario, October 3, 2022 – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association announced today that its 16th annual Road Building Academy (Academy) will take place from February 27 to March 3, 2023 at the BMO Institute for Learning in Scarborough. The Academy brings world-class instructors and courses from across North America to Ontario. The 2023 program will feature 27 courses this year, bringing back popular ones including 8 online courses from previous years as well as 5 brand new courses.

The Academy is always looking to add new and relevant courses that keep you and your employees ahead of ongoing changes in the construction industry. New courses for 2023 include Building Positive Workplace Culture, Developing the Next Generation of Forepersons, Superintendents & Project Managers, Ontario Traffic Manual Book 7 & Traffic Management – For Road Builders by Road Builders, Sustainable Asphalt Pavements, and Practical Solutions in Managing Excess Soil.

“Education gives everyone the opportunity to acquire expertise and competencies in order to expand their skill set and develop future opportunities. It forms part of our personal and professional development in an effort to avoid stagnation and helps us reach our full potential. Through the Road Building Academy knowledge is now at everyone’s fingertips,” said Bryan Hocking, CEO, ORBA.

Once again in 2023, the Academy will offer a certificate in Project Management I in conjunction with the University of Waterloo. The Academy will offer Project Management II again this year, as it was well attended last year. The curriculum is compatible with the project management industry standard set by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and courses qualify for Professional Developments Units (PDUs)/Contact Hours.

Companies considering registering for the Academy are encouraged to take advantage of the Canada-Ontario Job Grants Program, which gives direct financial support for employee training. Funding is available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training to employees. All ORBA Road Building Academy courses are eligible for funding. Employers are eligible for up to $10,000 in government support per person for training cost.

To learn more about the Canada-Ontario Jobs Grant Program please register for our free webinar that will take place on Tuesday October 11 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Click here to register now.

To find a course that’s right for your employees or for your own personal growth, please click here.

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information on the Road Building Academy please contact John Provenzano, Director, Marketing & Communications, ORBA at 416-460-5157 or john.provenzano@orba.org

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) outlined its provincial transportation plan today with the release of Keep Ontario Moving: ORBA’s 2022 Provincial Election Priorities. The plan sets out the Association’s top five priorities which are: Transportation Infrastructure Funding, Reducing Risk and Creating Value for Ontarians, Address the Shortage of Heavy Civil Construction Labour, Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure Projects, and Enhancing Safety for all Road Users.

ORBA’s first priority calls for sustained or increased highways and transit capital funding.

“Infrastructure such as Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass needs to be built as part of a multi-modal strategy to keep Ontario moving,” says Bryan Hocking, CEO, ORBA. “Congestion costs us all. Time spent in traffic keeps us away from spending time with family and friends and costs Ontario’s economy $11B in lost productivity in the GTA alone,” added Hocking.

Our second priority calls for the creation of a price index for key construction materials on all public contracts and for the government to work with industry to bring further clarity to essential project material specifications.

“Currently, Ontario does not have a mechanism to deal with the hyperinflation of construction materials such as steel, lumber and ready-mixed concrete”, says Hocking. “Price uncertainty for these important construction materials and specifications such as asphalt increases risk for both contractors and public owners create unnecessary volatility in the procurement process,” Hocking adds. More price certainty creates the best possible value for Ontario’s infrastructure dollars.

Furthermore, ORBA calls for a mechanism on all provincial contracts that provides coverage and compensation for pandemic-related impacts. As a designated essential service, the industry has worked tirelessly to deliver important transportation infrastructure projects, while keeping our workforce safe. Compensation has been provided for additional personal protective equipment (PPE), however, the upfront costs of many other safety measures that affected productivity have not been recovered.

The third priority calls on the provincial government to work with their federal partners on a more robust immigration strategy to attract more heavy civil construction workers to Ontario.

“We know that Ontario faces a growing shortage of construction workers,” says Hocking. “Recent projections indicate that we will require tens of thousands of new workers in the industry, including general labour and apprenticeship and non-apprenticeship trades over the next decade,” he adds.

Current provincial and federal programs, such as the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and the federal Express Entry programs are unable to deal with the current labour shortage challenge. An immigration strategy that recognizes the unique workforce requirements of the transportation infrastructure industry is a crucial step to keeping up with the growing needs of Ontario.

Also, ORBA wants more provincial government promotion and recognition of the non-apprenticeship skilled trades. The building of essential transportation infrastructure requires a multi-skilled workforce with many essential non-apprenticeship type jobs and mentoring opportunities that remain unfilled. It is imperative that government work with industry to promote these opportunities and challenge the perceived stigma around careers in construction.

ORBA’s fourth priority calls on the province to promote the responsible reuse of nonrenewable construction materials on more transportation infrastructure projects.

“Our industry has demonstrated a clear commitment to a circular economy through the use of recycled construction materials such as recycled asphalt pavement and aggregate; together with governments, we can do more,” says Hocking. “As proud Ontarians and responsible industry leaders, we want to continue to deliver the highest quality projects in the most sustainable way.”

Lastly, ORBA calls for a provision that would prohibit drivers from overtaking snowplows working on provincial highways.

“When a collision involves a snowplow, it doesn’t just affect the drivers and vehicles involved, it interrupts the vital safety function that the snowplow was providing and potentially makes driving in winter conditions more dangerous,” says Hocking. “A provision under the Highway Traffic Act is needed to guard against these dangerous incidents, keeping traffic and trade moving and enhancing the safety of the travelling public,” he added.

To learn more about ORBA’s transportation plan, visit Keep Ontario Moving: ORBA’s 2022 Provincial Election Priorities.

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure across the province. The road building sector directly and indirectly support 56,000 workers, and impacts all Ontarians. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org

SOURCE Ontario Road Builders Association

For further information: John Provenzano, Director, Marketing & Communication, ORBA, john.provenzano@orba.org or 416-460-5157; Guru Missar, Specialist, Marketing & Communications, ORBA, guru.missar@orba.org or 905-755-1513.

For Immediate Release: February 08, 2022

ORBA’s 2022 Summit Celebrates Excellence in the Road Building Industry

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) 2022 Summit, took place over four days, January 26 & 27 and February 2 & 3, and presented several awards and honours to members in the industry for their service and commitment to the Association and the road building industry in Ontario.

“It is always a great pleasure to recognize the best our industry has to offer,” said Bryan Hocking, Chief Executive Officer, ORBA. “The road building industry takes great pride in health and safety, infrastructure innovation, governance, academic achieving in engineering, and excellence in construction.”

ORBA’s 2022 Summit recognized the companies and individuals below in the following categories:

2021 Routly Safety Awards:

The Routly Safety Awards recognize ORBA member companies for their superior performance in worker health and safety in three categories. The Awards are presented annually at the ORBA convention. Recipients are determined from statistics provided annually by Infrastructure Health & Safety Association.

• Category One Routly Safety Award for 2021 – B.R. Foulton Construction Ltd. – for achieving up to 100,000 average person hours without a lost-time injury.
• Category Two Routly Safety Award for 2021 – L B Leveque Bros. – for achieving more than 100,000 average hours without a lost-time injury.
• Milestone Award – Roto-Mill – 1,034,479 hours without a lost time to injury.

2021 ORBA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION AWARD:

The Transportation Infrastructure Innovation Award recognizes innovative techniques and methods, applied on actual projects or in activities or processes, performed by an ORBA member company, which improve the quality and/or reduce the cost of construction.

2021 Recipient: Kiewit the winner of the 2021 Transportation Infrastructure Innovation Award for the Eurovia Vinci Ottawa LRT Stage 2 project.

2021 ORBA Distinguished Service Award: 

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a representative from a member company who has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Association during the past year, through volunteering of time and resources and through the leadership shown in achieving those objectives.

2021 Recipient: Steve Manolis, General Manager, Coco Asphalt Engineering, A Division of Coco Paving Inc.

Steve was elected to the OAPC Executive (formerly OHMPA) in 2016. Steve’s contributions, commitment and dedication to the road building and asphalt and paving industry has earned him several recognitions, including OAPC’s Earl Kee Volunteer of the Year Award (2016) and the Bleeds Black Award (2017).

2021 ORBA Director of the Year Award:

The Director of the Year Award recognizes an ORBA Director who has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Association during the past year through leadership, volunteering of time and resources and working on ORBA committees and special projects.

2021 Recipient: Rocky Coco, President, Coco Group

Rocky Coco is the embodiment of this award. He has faced leadership in these unprecedented times with courage and grace and has dedicated his time to boldly tackle issues facing our industry during yet another unpredictable year.

OAPC Honorary Life Membership Award:

This award recognizes a member for their dedication to advancing the objectives of OAPC and their notable service to the council.

2021 Recipient: Cosmo Crupi, D. Crupi & Sons Ltd.

ORBA Scholarship Recipients:

• ORBA Civil Engineering University Scholarship – Duncan Waugh, First-year Civil Engineering student at Western University
• ORBA J.D. Chick Scholarship – Andrew Pavan, Civil Engineering, Final-year Civil Engineering student at McMaster University

MTO Asphalt Paving Contractor of the Year – 2021

Winner: Lavis Contracting Co. Ltd. for their work on Highway 21, near Forest (Contract 2020-3042).

Finalists:

• For work on Highway 402, near Strathroy (Contract 2020-3022), Dufferin Construction Company.
• For work on Highway 17, near Bruce Mines (Contract 2020-5163), Pioneer Construction Inc.

MTO Concrete Contract of the Year – 2021

Winner: McLean Taylor Construction for their work on Highway 21, near Bayfield (Contract 2020-3044)

The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Lavis Concrete

Finalists:

For work on Highway 401, at Flagg Road near Morrisburg (Contract 2018-4023)

• The prime contractor is Louis W. Bray Construction Limited
• The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Lafarge Canada
• The pre-cast structural girders were supplied by Decast Ltd.

For work on Highways 7/8, near Kitchener (Contract 2020-3074)

• The prime contractor is McLean Taylor Construction
• The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by  Marys CBM

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information, contact: John Provenzano, Director, Marketing & Communication, ORBA at john.provenzano@orba.org or 416-460-5157. 

For Immediate Release: February 08, 2022

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association Names Kevin Machej as 2022 President

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) elected Kevin Machej, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Development and Partnership Ventures at CRH Canada as president of the Association during its 95th Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM took place on January 28, virtually, during the ORBA 2022 Summit. Mr. Machej is taking over the helm of ORBA’s Board of Directors from Rocky Coco, who served as ORBA’s President from January 28, 2021, through January 27, 2022.

“Since 1927, ORBA has been the voice of the road building industry and has grown to become a great organization with a solid foundation and world-class members. As we look into the future, we have an exciting journey ahead of us,” said Mr. Machej. “I will work with our members and stakeholders to strengthen our relationships with all levels of government, Federal, Provincial and Municipal as a partner and collaborator and in the business of keeping Ontario moving forward.”

Kevin has been working in the building materials industry since he started more than 25 years ago at the St. Lawrence Cement Mississauga Plant, a sister company of Dufferin Construction. Over the years, he had the opportunity to grow and work with all of Dufferin’s businesses from concrete, to aggregates, and now construction. He has had 14 different jobs, lived in 3 countries, and worked in everything from IT, finance, strategy, and construction.

“I am very pleased to pass the President’s gavel on to Kevin,” said Rocky Coco. “Kevin brings a unique set of skills and a wealth of knowledge to the road building industry. In addition, his experience in finance, operations and strategy is a boon to the Association.”

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: December 06, 2021

OAPC recognizes Amma Wakefield with the Bleeds Black Award at the Virtual 2021 Fall Asphalt Seminar

23 Asphalt Plants received 2021 Trillium Award for high standards in Compliance, Safety and Community Relations

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council’s annual Fall Asphalt Seminar was again hosted virtually in 2021. The virtual seminar brought together over 120 industry leaders and stakeholders.

Amma Wakefield was the recipient of the 2021 Bleeds Black award which was presented virtually with pre-recorded messages from the nominators. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion to the continual improvement of asphalt throughout their career.

The inception of this award is credited to a past OAPC director who in 2012 described an individual and said, “his passion and commitment for all things asphalt is so great that when cut, he bleeds black.”

Amma has worked in product development, testing and research positions with construction industry companies like LaFarge, The Miller Group and Aecon. Wakefield recently defended her PhD thesis with her research focus on improving the durability of the roadway material at McMaster University under the direction of Dr. Susan Tighe. Her video can be seen here.

Four asphalt plants received the 2021 Trillium Awards and 13 plants were recertified. Since 2002, 90 plants have earned the Trillium Award and 132 re-certifications have been completed.

The Trillium Awards were introduced in 2002. Recipients meet exceptionally high standards in seven categories which are appearance, operations, environmental, safety, permitting and compliance, community relations and industry participation.

The four new 2021 Trillium Award winning plants are Gazzola Paving Ltd. 345 Attwell Drive Asphalt Plant (Gencor), Interpaving Asphalt and Aggregate Limited, Garson Coniston Asphalt Plant, Steed and Evans Limited, Cambridge Asphalt Supply Inc. and Steed and Evans Limited, St. Jacobs Asphalt Plant.

The 2021 Recertification Trillium Awards – Effective through 2024 are:

Coco Paving Inc., Barrie Asphalt Plant, Westbrook Asphalt Plant, Peterborough Asphalt Plant

Miller Paving Ltd., Atikokan Asphalt Plant #14 CR 88-28, Birches Pit Asphalt Plant #19 Boeing BMG 300, Chatham Asphalt Plant #9, Elk Lake Asphalt Plant #27 Astec 300, Garden River Asphalt Plant #7 CMI PTD 300, Longlac Asphalt Plant #20 CMI E3 TEREX, Markham Asphalt Plant #1, Norwood Pit Asphalt Plant #8 Astec Double Drum, Richmond Hill Asphalt Plant #2, Sandy Beach Asphalt Plant #18.

The OAPC congratulates this year’s award winners and heartily thanks them for their passion and commitment to quality asphalt pavements.

For more information contact John Provenzano, ORBA Director, Marketing & Communication john.provenzano@orba.org or 416-460-5157.

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2021

ORBA to Launch #ONGreatRoads Contest with Weekly Draw for $100 Gas Card

Mississauga, ON – Summer is here and the winning is easy by tweeting or posting a photo of a favourite Ontario road. The Ontario Road Builders’ Association is calling on Ontarians to share photos of their favourite provincial roads as part of its #ONGreatRoads contest.

From June 29 through August 3, original photos submitted through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn using the hashtag #ONGreatRoads will be entered into a weekly draw for a $100 gas card.

“Ontarians drive on approximately 200,000 kilometres of roads in an area that is larger that Spain and France combined. Our network of road infrastructure is a critical public asset,” said ORBA CEO, Bryan Hocking. “During the past 15 months, despite a global pandemic, our industry never stopped.  We want to celebrate what Ontario’s road builders do best and that is build roads that are at the heart of the province’s infrastructure that literally keep Ontario moving.”

The #ONGreatRoads contest last ran in 2016 as a campaign launched by the Ontario Hot Mix Producers’ Association, now the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council.

“We are very pleased to relaunch the #ONGreatRoads campaign. Our roads are an integral part of our lives, and each road has a story behind it,” said ORBA Marketing and Communications Director, Abigail Wright Pereira. “This campaign gives people the opportunity to tell the story of their favorite road.”

Entering the contest is as easy as posting a picture to your social media platform of choice and including the following in the caption:

Twitter: Tag @ONRoadBuilders and/or @OAPC_ON_Asphalt and use hashtag #ONGreatRoads

Facebook: Tag @Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) and use hashtag #ONGreatRoads

LinkedIn: Tag @Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) and/or @Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council and use hashtag #ONGreatRoads

Instagram: Tag @ONRoadBuilders and use hashtag #ONGreatRoads

All entries should be original photos of an open Ontario road and not a construction site.  Additionally, photos should be taken while as a passenger or when at the side of the road and not while driving. The winning photos will also be featured in the fall 2021 edition of ORBA’s Road Builder magazine and the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council’s ASPHALTopics magazine.

For more information on the #ONGreatRoads contest, go to ORBA’s website at https://orba.org/ongreatroads/

Good luck!

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn

For Immediate Release: February 4, 2021

2021 ORBA Virtual Summit Celebrates Excellence in the Road Building Industry

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) 2021 Virtual Summit, which took place January 27 & 28 and February 3 & 4, presented several awards and honours to members in the industry for their service and commitment to the association and the road building industry in Ontario.

“In 2020 the theme of our 93^rd annual convention was “Staying Head of the Curve.”  We had no idea then that our convention’s tagline would become a household phrase related to the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. Normally we would be celebrating the accomplishments and milestones of our members in person at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.  However, via the virtual summit, with 572 attendees sitting in front of their screens, we were able to still recognize these individuals and companies hard work and dedication to excellence,” said Bryan Hocking, ORBA Chief Executive Officer. “Their contributions have had a positive impact on not only the road building industry, but also within the communities in which they serve, especially in this unprecedented year. It is an honour to celebrate these members.”

Awards were presented in the following categories:

2020 Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame Inductee – Everett McIntyre, Special Projects Senior Advisor, Aecon Group Inc.

The Hall of Fame designation is ORBA’s highest honour. The Hall of Fame, created by ORBA in 2005, and recognizes and honours distinguished individuals for their dedication to and leadership and achievement in Ontario’s road building industry.

2020 Routly Safety Awards: The Routly Safety Awards recognizes ORBA member companies for their superior performance in worker health and safety in three categories. The Awards are presented annually at the ORBA convention. Recipients are determined from statistics provided annually by Infrastructure Health & Safety Association.

• Category One Routly Safety Award for 2020 – Associated Paving & Materials Ltd.  – for achieving up to 100,000 average person hours without a lost-time injury.
• Category Two Routly Safety Award for 2020 – Duncor Enterprises Inc.  – for achieving more than 100,000 average hours without a lost-time injury.

2020 ORBA Community Leadership Awards: The ORBA Community Leadership Award recognizes an ORBA member company or an individual, employed by an ORBA member company, for selflessly undertaking philanthropic activities or providing community service for the betterment of their community and the world around them.

RW Tomlinson Limited

Powell Contracting Ltd.

2020 ORBA TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION AWARD: The Transportation Infrastructure Innovation Award recognizes innovative techniques and methods, applied on actual projects or in activities or processes, performed by an ORBA member company, which improve the quality and/or reduce the cost of construction.

2020 Recipients:

Kiewit

Bauer Foundations Canada

For their work on the Kingston Third Crossing signature bridge that involved of the construction of a new, two-lane bridge spanning 1.2 km over the Cataraqui River, which forms part of the historic Rideau Canal. This was Canada’s first-ever bridge building project to use the Integrated Project Delivery Model and innovative engineering techniques such as using a lift bridge, instead of a drill rig, and a rock causeway, which reduced the project’s carbon footprint.

2020 ORBA Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a representative from a member company who has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Association during the past year, through volunteering of time and resources and through the leadership shown in achieving those objectives.

2020 Recipient:

Richard King, President and Owner of Owen King Limited.

King joined the ORBA’s Structure Committee in 1979. Having served on the committee for over 40 years, he is the longest standing committee member in ORBA’s history. Mr. King’s wealth and depth of knowledge of the industry and the Association spans over four decades.

2020 ORBA Director of the Year Award: The Director of the Year Award recognizes an ORBA Director who has contributed significantly to the objectives of the Association during the past year through leadership, volunteering of time and resources and working on ORBA committees and special projects.

2020 Recipient:James McVeety, 2020 ORBA President, Director, Design & Construction – (APD) Alternative Project Delivery, Major Projects Miller Infrastructure Developers Inc.

ORBA Scholarship Recipients:

• ORBA Civil Engineering University Scholarship – Ruth Meyer, First-year Civil Engineering student at University of Waterloo
• ORBA Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship – Joshua Schmidt, First-year Civil Engineering Technology student at St. Lawrence College
• ORBA J.D. Chick Scholarship – Daniel Qi, Civil Engineering, Final-year Civil Engineering student at University of Waterloo

• ORBA Joe Bunting Scholarship – Dayna Musclow, Final-year Civil Engineering Technology student at Algonquin College

MTO Paver of the Year of the Year Award Winner

J&P Leveque Bros. Haulage Limited, Contract 2019-5037, Northeast Region

For their work on: 0.1 km North of Island Lake Rd to Hwy 11, Unnamed Creek Culvert 3.1 km South of Hwy 575 and Hwy 539A at Poor Man Creek Culvert

Finalists:

Dufferin Construction Company, Contract 2019-3077, West Region

Garden Ave to 875m west of Jerseyville Road and Fairchild Creek Bridges (Site 1-192/1, Site 1-192/2)

Graham Bros. Construction Limited, Contract 2018-2012, Central Region

FROM 980m SOUTH OF EGLINTON AVE TO 700m EAST OF TOMKEN ROAD

Coco Paving Inc., Contract 2019-4038, East Region

3km WEST OF JOYCEVILLE ROAD INTERCHANGE (I/C 632) EASTERLY 1.5km TO HIGHWAY 2 (I/C 648)

MTO Concrete Contract of the Year Award Winner

Brennan Paving & Construction Ltd., Contract 2017-2045, Central Region

Concrete Supply: Miller Concrete Aurora Plant

For their work from Major Mackenzie Drive northerly to 1.7 km north of Stouffville Road; Site No. 37-279; Site No. 37-1214/C; Site 37-1562/C; and Site No. 37-1215/C

Finalists

Aecon Construction and Materials Limited, Contract 2019-4098, East Region
County Road 3 Overpasses at Highway 417, Site No. 27X-0212/B1 and Site No. 27X-0212/B2 and Highway 417 from Limoges Road (County Road 5) to Greenfield Road (County Road 30) – 35 km

Facca Inc., Contract 2017-3027, West Region

Ojibway Parkway overpass structures – From 0.20 km west of Ojibway Parkway easterly to 0.40 km east of Ojibway Parkway

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

              For Immediate Release: February 4, 2021

ORBA Names Rocky Coco as 2021 President

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association elected Rock-Anthony (Rocky) Coco, President of the Coco Group, as president of the Association during it’s 94^th annual AGM.  The AGM took place on January 28^th via its virtual summit – Forging the Roadway Ahead. Mr. Coco is taking over the helm of the ORBA’s Board of Directors from James McVeety, who served as ORBA’s President from February 4, 2020, through January 28, 2021.

“I am very honored to have been elected as ORBA’s President as we enter the Association’s 94^th year,” said Mr. Coco. “The association and the industry did not miss a beat under Mr. McVeety’s leadership as we navigated through unchartered territory in 2020.  Despite the incredible challenges that we faced, we have made great strides in continuing to serve as a unified voice for the road building industry and promoting excellence in every sector of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure. We have well demonstrated our nimbleness in the face of adversity, and I believe we can overcome the industry challenges that lie ahead.”

Mr. Coco, is a resident of Toronto and is a native of Windsor, Ontario. He is a 1987 graduate of the University of Windsor with a degree in Civil Engineering. He received his license to practice as a Professional Engineer in 1991.  It was at that time that Mr. Coco stepped into the leadership of the Coco Group, which was founded by Mr. Coco’s parents, Nina and William Coco in 1964, in Windsor.  Under the Coco family’s leadership, the company has exponentially grown through acquisitions across Canada making it one of the largest construction companies in the country.

In 2015, Mr. Coco first joined the ORBA Board of Directors. In addition to his involvement on the Board, he also serves on ORBA’s Audit Committee, Contracts & Documents Committee and Highway Maintenance Committee.

“I am very pleased to pass the President’s gavel on to Rocky,” said Mr. McVeety. “He is an industry leader that encompasses a significant depth of knowledge and understanding of the association and industry. Rocky will continue to “forge the roadway ahead” with all of our initiatives and will build on our past successes to make a positive difference for our industry going forward.”

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2021

ORBA to Host Virtual Summit – Forging the Roadway Ahead

Mississauga, ON – For the first time in 94 years, the Ontario Road Builders’ Association’s annual convention will be presented as a virtual summit. The 2021 ORBA Virtual Summit, Forging the Roadway Ahead, will offer a space for researchers, policy leaders and the best minds in the industry to deliver crucial information for Ontario’s road building industry and stakeholders for the year ahead.

The virtual program will span over four days January 27 – 28 and February 3-4, 2021. Highlights from the summit program include keynote speaker, Jim Harris, futurist and management consultant on disruptive innovation. His presentation on January 27, Time of Tremendous Transformation 2.0, will provide insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic will permanently change the landscape for road builders and how can companies thrive going forward. Several concurrent municipal sessions, which will feature regional municipal capital works plans, projects and forecasts for 2021 will also be featured on the first day. On February 3, veteran journalist and anchor of TVO’s flagship current affairs program The Agenda with Steve Paikin will have a conversation with the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation about the critical role Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry plays in the province’s economy and perspective on the Ontario government’s role in the industry.

“Back in the spring we realized that we would not be able to host an in-person convention,” said ORBA Chief Executive Officer Bryan Hocking. “Therefore, with the help of our Summit Planning Committee we developed an engaging and dynamic virtual program that will provide valuable information our industry and stakeholders will need as we forge ahead during these unprecedented times.”

Registration for the 2021 ORBA Virtual Summit is complimentary for ORBA members and $100 for non members. For full details and to register please visit https://orba.org/summit/.

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: November 26, 2020

OAPC Recognizes Excellence in the Asphalt Industry at Virtual 2020 Fall Asphalt Seminar

Mississauga, ON – For the first time in its 29-year history the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council’s annual Fall Asphalt Seminar was hosted virtually on November 26, 2020. The virtual seminar, Innovation & Collaboration – Paving the Way for Excellence brought together over 145 industry leaders and stakeholders. Four asphalt plants received the 2020 Trillium Awards and 19 plants were recertified. Trillium-awarded plants may recertify for the award every three years.

The Trillium Awards were introduced in 2002. Recipients meet exceptionally high standards in seven categories which are appearance, operations, environmental, safety, permitting and compliance, community relations and industry participation. The OAPC was pleased to present the Trillium Award to Steed and Evans Limited Kitchener Asphalt Plant, Dufferin Construction Company Simcoe Asphalt Plant, Thomas Cavanaugh Construction 77009 Asphalt Plant (Jinkinson Road) and D. Crupi & Sons Ltd. Oshawa Asphalt Plant.  The following plants were awarded three-year Trillium Award recertifications: Harold Sutherland Construction Ltd. Downs Pit Asphalt Plant, D. Crupi and Sons Ltd. Passmore, Brimley and Bethridge Asphalt Plants, Coco Paving Inc. Ajax, Kitchener, Leaside, Maple, Hamilton-Nebo, Oshawa and Wilson Asphalt Plants, Capital Paving Inc. Puslinch Asphalt Plant, Miller Paving Limited Mosport (25) Kawartha Lakes, Pave-Al (26) Mississauga, Tapscott (28) Scarborough, Georgian (29) Barrie, North Bay NFN (13) , Timmins CFI-150 (15) and Timmins CFI-150 (17) Asphalt Plants.

“For 2020, it was really great to award four plants and recertify 19 plants. To date, 86 plants have earned the Trillium Award and since the inception of the Trillium Awards in 2002, and 119 award recertifications have been issued. That speaks highly of our members and Ontario’s asphalt industry,” said OAPC Plant and Paving Committee Chair and Vice President of FLO Components, Mike Deckert. “We are maintaining the ambitious goal to have all member plants Trillium-awarded by 2021.”

The Bleeds Black Award was presented virtually with pre-recorded messages from the nominators. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and passion to the continual improvement of asphalt throughout their career. There were two 2020 Bleeds Black Award recipients, Bruce Armstrong, Director of Sales, Canadian Asphalt Industries Inc. and Donn Bernal, Principal, Corfinium Solutions Inc.

Mr. Armstrong, of Markham, Ontario, started his career over thirty-two years ago on a crack sealing crew at KJ Beamish Construction Co Ltd. He then gained extensive experience in the manufacture and supply of bituminous materials at Ashwarren International Inc., Lafarge Asphalt Engineering and then Canadian Asphalt Industries Inc. Through the years he has become knows as one of the top professionals in Ontario in regards to his knowledge about emulsions and performance grade asphalt cements. Mr. Armstrong served as the 2011 President of the Ontario Hot Mix Producers’ Association (now the OAPC), was the 2014 recipient of the OAPC’s Earl Kee Volunteer of the Year Award, serves on the OAPC Environment Sub-Committee and Asphalt Mix Industry Technical Standard (AMIS) sub-committee.

Mr. Bernal, of Ancaster, ON, began his career in 1998 as an assistant laboratory supervisor at Ashwarren Engineering Services and moved through the ranks as general manager for asphalt plant operations for Lafarge Canada, Oxford Sand & Gravel Ltd. and Aecon Group Inc. In 2013, when Yellowline Asphalt Products Ltd became a joint venture company between Aecon Construction Materials Ltd. and Dufferin Construction Company, Mr. Bernal became general manager for Yellowline. He is now principal of his consulting firm, Corfinium Solutions Ltd., specializing in asphalt materials. Mr. Bernal was OHMPA President in 2016 and serves on the OAPC Marketing Committee and is vice chair of the OAPC Environment sub-committee. His years of volunteering his expertise in asphalt and aggregate industry, from mix designs and analysis to small-scale and large-scale plant operations has mad him a sought-after and respected industry advisor.

The inception of this award is credited to a past OAPC director who in 2012 described an individual and said, “his passion and commitment for all things asphalt is so great that when cut, he bleeds black.”

The OAPC congratulates this year’s award winners and heartily thanks them for their passion and commitment to quality asphalt pavements.

For more information contact Abigail Wright Pereira, ORBA Director, Marketing & Communications, abigail.wright@orba.org.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release:

October 26, 2020

OAPC to Host Virtual Fall Asphalt Seminar Innovation & Collaboration – Paving the Way for Excellence

Mississauga, ON – For the first time in its history, the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council’s annual Fall Asphalt Seminar will be hosted virtually. The virtual seminar will take place on November 26, 2020. For 29 years the seminar has been a hub of asphalt education as Canada’s largest single-day asphalt seminar. The 2020 program, Innovation & Collaboration – Paving the Way for Excellence will feature leading industry experts who will present on cutting-edge practices and new technical advancements in the asphalt industry.

Highlights from the day’s program include keynote speaker, Matthew Sweezie, Paving Engineer, Construction Branch, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, New Brunswick, who will present on New Brunswick’s experience with the implementation of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). The New Brunswick Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (NBDTI) was one of the early adopters of WMA technology in Canada. At the time, warm mix was developed to help reduce energy consumption and stack emissions during production. WMA allows for longer haul distances, lower placement temperatures and improved workability. NBDTI initiated its first WMA pilot in 2007. Since then, WMA volume has been steadily increased. Over the last three construction seasons, NBDTI utilized WMA on approximately half of paving projects. Ontario looks to improve its WMA implementation, with key lessons learned from New Brunswick’s experiences.

The program’s second keynote speaker, Gerry Huber, Associate Director of Research, Heritage Research Group, will provide insight into the Superpave5 concept. Superpave5 uses a design air void content of 5 per cent instead of the current Superpave requirement of 4 per cent. The promise of Superpave5 is resulting asphalt mixes that have at least the same amount of asphalt binder content, that are compactable to 5 percent in-place air voids and have at least the same amount of rut resistance. But, can they be built? Are there opportunities for increasing the AC content, and, will the mix age more slowly? Gerry will answer those questions and more in his presentation.

Other seminar highlights include a presentation from MTO Head of the Bituminous Section Gelu Vasiliu, who will provide updates on MTO specifications and initiatives. David Newcomb, Principal Investigator at Texas A&M TTI, will present on Understanding End Result Specifications (ERS). Chris Campbell, America’s Asphalt Technical Advisor for Imperial Oil will provide an overview of the 2020 Asphalt Technical Symposium, collaborative wins and outcomes, including next steps.

“This year many our plans changed, but we were set to deliver a robust Fall Asphalt Seminar, and are very pleased that we can do so virtually,” said ORBA OAPC Technical Director Doubra Ambaiowei. “Our presenters will aid our knowledge and understanding of many key issues including in regards to innovations in pavement and hot mix asphalt technologies, and application of statistical specifications and balancing risks.”

Registration for the 2020 Virtual Fall Asphalt Seminar is complimentary for ORBA members and $99 for non-members. Asphalt producers, contractors, road owners, consulting engineers, researchers and academics are encouraged to attend.

To register, please go to https://orba.org/oapc-fall-asphalt-virtual-seminar/

For media inquiries please contact Abigail Wright Pereira, ORBA Director, Marketing & Communications, abigail.wright@orba.org.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

              For Immediate Release: October 19, 2020

ORBA Launches 14^th Annual Road Building Academy Offering 30 Courses

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association is pleased to announce its program for ORBA’s 14^th Annual Road Building Academy to take place February 22 – 26, 2021 at the BMO Institute for Learning in Scarborough, ON. Bringing world-class instructors and courses from across North America to Ontario, the Academy is offering 30 courses of which 14 are new.  Courses cover management, leadership, business practice, health and safety and legal topics.

For the first time at the Academy a certificate in project management is being offered through the University of Waterloo Professional Development. The curriculum is compatible with the project management industry standard set by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The certificate consists of two five-day modules comprising 10 days of training and delivering 70 Professional Development Units (PDU) / Contact Hours of training.

The Asphalt Institute (AI) is partnering with ORBA again this year, offering a two-day Paving Inspector course covering fundamental information that every asphalt plant mix roadway inspector should know. The course first debuted in Canada at the 2020 Academy and is the only course of its kind available in Canada.

“Since 2007 ORBA’s Road Building Academy has provided the industry with a diverse array of learning opportunities. Each year we strive to expand the program, featuring courses unique to Ontario and offering some of the same courses and instructors that are a part of ConExpo’s educational program,” said Bryan Hocking, ORBA Chief Executive Officer. “We are very pleased to be partnering with AI again in offering the Paving Inspector Course as well as debuting the University of Waterloo Project Management Certificate course at the 2021 Academy.”

Companies considering registering for the Academy are encouraged to take advantage of the Canada-Ontario Job Grants Program, which gives direct financial support for employee training. Funding is available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training to employees. All ORBA Road Building Academy courses are eligible for funding.  Employers are eligible for up to $10,000 in government support per person for training cost.

Part of the Road Building Academy Program includes 10 online courses, powered by BuildForce® Canada. Online courses can be taken at any time.

The 2021 ORBA Road Building Academy is set to take place in person. All safety protocols will be in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Class sizes will have a limited capacity. Therefore, it is important to register early. Contingency plans are in place to move all courses online if needed.

For more information on the 2021 Road Building Academy, online courses and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant program, please go to https://orba.org/academy/.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

                                                                   For Immediate Release: October 8, 2020

ORBA’s October Webinar Series to focus on Diversity Inclusion and Mental Health

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association’s complimentary October webinar series covers hard-hitting issues pertinent to today’s industry. This month’s series will feature webinars on welcoming diversity and inclusion in the workplace, resources for employee mental health and the responsible use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP).

Kicking off the October line up is Welcoming Diversity and Inclusion in our Workforce. This is a three-part series taking place on October 15, 22 and 27 from 12:00 PM – 1: 00 PM. The series will be presented by Bronwyn Weaver and her team from Q4 Impact Group, LLC, who have facilitated workshops on this issue throughout North America, as well as at CONEXPO. The first webinar will focus on generational diversity, the second on gender diversity and the third on racial and cultural diversity. Each hour-long segment will cover critical aspects of this complex topic and will feature viewpoints and opinions from both inside and outside of the construction materials and road building industries in North America. This webinar series will include surveys, live discussions, and handouts.

The following webinar, TOOLS IN YOUR TOOLBOX: Strategies for Building Mental Health in the Construction Industry will be presented on October 29 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. by Nancy Watt, President of Nancy Watt Communications. Nancy is a Second City Conservatory Alumna and presents engaging workshops on mental health and communications in unconventional environments. This will be a frank and interactive one-hour webinar that will provide the latest research and facts about mental health in the construction industry. Attendees will learn to use the ORBA Mental Health Toolbox, i.e., Observation, Resiliency, Bravery and Adaptability to confront, combat and compassionately deal with mental health issues.

The final webinar capping off the month of October will be, Top 10 List of Ways to Get More Durable HMA Pavements – The Responsible Use of RAP, presented by Doubra Ambaiowei, ORBA Technical Director on October 30 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. This hour-long webinar will provide an opportunity for discussion on the asphalt pavement recycling process. Specifically, using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials, combined with new materials, to produce asphalt mixtures that are of equal or better quality to virgin aggregate mixtures. There will also be discussion on how this practice promotes sustainability and creates environmental benefits. Doubra will provide an overview on best practices for achieving more durable asphalt pavements through the responsible use of RAP.

“Now is a critical time to address diversity and inclusion and mental health in our industry and greater community,” said ORBA Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Hocking. “We are very pleased to offer this dynamic series of webinars that will provide the industry and its stakeholders with resources they need to effectively address these issues.”

Recordings from ORBA’ first webinar series, COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry, which showcased seven webinars, and ORBA’s August webinars, Leveraging Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems in Times of Crisis and Smart Technologies and Innovations for Adapting to the New-Normal, are available in ORBA’s webinar archive library.

Please go to https://orba.org/orba-webinars/ for more information.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 56,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

                                                   For Immediate Release: August 11, 2020

ORBA Announces August Line-Up for New Webinar Series

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association will launch a new webinar series, ORBA Webinars, starting on August 13, 2020.  The series will cover hard hitting issues from best practices and innovations to ensure worker and public safety as we enter the “new normal” to welcoming diversity and inclusion in the workplace and providing resources for employee mental health.

The first webinar of this series taking pace on August 13 from 12 – 1 p.m., Leveraging Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems in Times of Crisis, will feature Enzo Garritano, President and CEO, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) and Colin Dickey, President, Protect Technologies. The webinar will provide insights into how workplaces can create and alter processes to ensure the health and safety of employees by leveraging their occupational health and safety management systems. Also included will be an overview of office sanitation needs and the AEGIS Microbe Shield – how it works and how it is applied within office settings.

The next webinar Smart Technologies and Innovations for Adapting to the New-Normal will be hosted on August 20 from 12 – 1 p.m. From smart helmets and innovative face-shields to disinfecting fleets, this webinar will provide an overview of cutting-edge technologies and services that will help to enhance health and safety measures to keep workers and the public safe. Featured presenters will be Marc Brunet, Business Development Representative, Jannatec Technologies, Bridgette Onucki, Senior Account Representative, Jannatec Technologies, Michael Romano, CEO, Val Resources, Travis Saunders, General Manager, PGC Services.

“Our first webinar series, COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry, which showcased seven webinars from May 1 to June 26, was highly successful with over 440 attendees,” said ORBA Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Hocking. “We understand that there is an ongoing need to provide the latest information from industry experts on matters related to the pandemic as we emerge into reopening the province as well as issues that may not be focused on COVID, but are timely and relevant. We are looking forward to soon providing additional details on our series that will run through the fall.”

For more information on ORBA Webinars please go to: https://orba.org/orba-webinars/

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: June 22, 2020

OAPC to host Asphalt Operations Webinar

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council, a council of the Ontario Road Builders’ Association, is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its Asphalt Operations Webinar on July 15, 2020.  The webinar will feature the “summer edition” of its annual Spring Operations Seminar, originally scheduled to take place on March 26^th at the Scarborough Convention Centre, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Upon cancelling the original event, plans were underway to develop a virtual program that would deliver the same valuable information to our members and industry stakeholders,” said ORBA CEO Bryan Hocking. “We are looking forward to offering the Asphalt Operations Webinar that will feature lectures on cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that are transforming the future of the hot mix asphalt industry and will still provide the opportunity to share knowledge and to network.”

Highlights from the program include:

2020 ONTARIO MINISTRY OF LABOUR, TRAINING & SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (MOLTSD) UPDATE:
Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development will provide important information to ensure a safe and successful 2020 construction season.

LEVERAGING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY SYSTEMS IN TIMES OF CRISIS:
Ken Rayner, VP Customer Relations, Market Development & Labour Relations at IHSA will provide an overview of how best to utilize existing OH&S systems to keep workers safe and to prepare for the future as the economy opens up. He will also focus on change management and how to ensure workers develop new habits to keep everyone safe.

USE RECLAIMED ASPHALT PAVEMENT (RAP) RESPONSIBLY:
Doubra Ambaiowei, Technical Director, ORBA OAPC, will provide an in-depth look at what it takes to use RAP responsibly. These recommendations come from #9 of the Top 10 List – Ways to get More Durable Pavement, that were extracted from the results of the Quality of Asphalt Review which commenced in the fall of 2018.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS OF HIRING A CO-OP STUDENT:
Melissa Deneault, Employer Relations Consultant, Cooperative Education Department, Conestoga College. Melissa will provide an overview of the financial incentives and long-term benefits to employers that hire co-op students.

Registration is open to ORBA members and non-members.  The registration fee for members is $50 and $75 for non-members.  For full details and to register please visit ORBA’s website: https://orba.org/oapc-spring-operations/.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2020

ORBA Announces June Line-Up for COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry Webinar Series 

Mississauga, ON – This month the Ontario Road Builders’ Association will present three webinars covering health and safety, paperless technologies and the greater construction sectors approach to getting Ontario’s economy moving again. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ORBA first launched its weekly webinar series, COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry, on May 1, 2020.

The complimentary series is aimed at providing expertise from health and safety, technology, human resources, legal and financial sectors to assist the industry as it maneuvers through the rapidly changing business landscape in the midst of the pandemic.

“We are here to provide our members and industry stakeholders with the resources and expertise they need to continue to steer through the unprecedented challenges they are facing, and will continue to face, post COVID-19,” said ORBA Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Hocking. “Health and safety are our top priority as an association and industry. Therefore, we are starting off the month of June with a second webinar focusing on occupational health and safety.”

Continuing with themes from the first webinar of the series, Occupational Health & Safety – What Inspectors are looking for and how to prepare, the fifth webinar in the series, Occupational Health & Safety – The Next Level, will take place on Friday, June 5 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  Highlights from this webinar will include:

• IHSA COVID-19 site consultation results and trends.
• COVID Response – How are companies managing training?
• Job Hazard Analysis – Best practices for improving safety communication to your crew.
• Internal Traffic Protection Plans – Safety “inside the barrels.”
• Policy for “safe return to work for an employee who has tested positive.”
• Thermal Screening

Expert panel will feature:

• Stewart Day, Health & Safety Director, Mobilinx
• Paul Devoe, Manager, Regional Operations North and West, IHSA
• John Savoia, Senior Manager, Health and Safety, Powell Group of Companies
• John Serafini, Manager, Health and Safety, Dufferin Construction Company / Demix Construction, A division of CRH Canada Group Inc.
• Jason Warren, HSE Director, Dragados Canada

This is a webinar that anyone in management and occupational health and safety will not want to miss.

The sixth webinar, How to prepare for the Electronic Logging Device Mandate and Navigating Paperless Operations & Technologies, will take place on June 12, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. This webinar will expand on how COVID-19 has affected the job site and discuss available tools and technologies to help navigate new safety measures required for work. Highlights from this webinar will include:

• How can companies prepare for the Electronic Logging Device federal mandate and what are the available resources to help?
• How can job sites minimize exposure to, and help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
• What kind of tools support going paperless?
• What resources are available to make the transition to paperless operations?
• In the long run, how will the construction industry change?
• How to ensure safe handling of paper tickets.

Expert panel will feature:

• Bob Ferrall, Vice President of Sales and Operations, Descartes
• Noah Dology, CEO & Founder, Tread Inc.

The final webinar of the series will be Getting Ontario’s Economy Moving – The Greater Construction Sector’s Approach and will take place on June 26, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. This webinar will provide insight from a diverse representation of the construction sector to provide insight into how the industry has maneuvered through this time to keep Ontario moving and their outlook and approach as Ontario’s economy begins to reopen.

Expert panel will feature:

• Rocky Coco, President, Coco Group
• Michael Rugeroni, Vice President of Sales-Road and Minerals, Brandt Tractor Ltd.
• David Smith, Senior Vice President & Head of Canadian Surety, The Guarantee Company of North America
• Chris Campbell, Americas Asphalt Technical Advisor, Imperial Oil

“The COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry webinar series is a fantastic resource. We are pleased to offer a free webinar library archive that is available on our website,” said Hocking. “ORBA also plans to offer webinars beyond this current series and we are looking forward to providing those details soon.”

For more information on ORBA’s COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry Webinar Series please to go: https://orba.org/weekly-webinar-series-covid-19-the-road-building-industry/.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org

                                                                          For Immediate Release: April 30, 2020

ORBA kicks off weekly webinar series COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry 

Mississauga, ON – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario Road Builders’ Association is offering a weekly webinar series, COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry. The complimentary series is aimed at providing expertise from health and safety, technology, human resources, legal and financial sectors to assist the industry in traversing through the rapidly changing landscape in the wake of the pandemic.

“Ontario’s road builders are navigating uncharted territory and for many the biggest challenge is knowing how to plan ahead in this era,” said ORBA Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Hocking. “In March, ORBA’s COVID-19 Response Team opened a survey to our members to find out what are their most pressing concerns and in what areas are they impacted the most. It became clear to us that we needed to offer a webinar series with a wide-range of expertise to help them steer their businesses in this current climate and to have the tools they need to better prepare for the future.”

The first webinar of the series, Occupational Health & Safety – What Inspectors are looking for and how to prepare, will take place on May 1 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. An expert panel will lead a discussion on: health and safety guidelines and available resources related to COVID-19,  issues to consider when implementing additional measures related to COVID-19, internal compliance and best practices on meeting all health and safety requirements, business continuity in the COVID-19 era, and keeping focused on the bigger picture of overall health and safety. Featured panelists are Paul Devoe, Manager Regional Operations, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA), John Savoia, Senior Manager, Health and Safety, The Powell Group LLC., John Serafini, Manager, Health and Safety, Dufferin Construction Company and Cindy Wilkins, Senior Manager, Health, Safety and Environmental Affairs, The Miller Group.

Innovative Solutions in Worksite Safety will be the second webinar, and will take place May 8 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.  From the development of portable, foot pump-operated hand washing stations to long lasting anti-microbial disinfectant, this webinar will discuss innovative solutions and best practices in implemented solutions during this unprecedented time.

“Health and safety of our members, the public and their employees, who are on the ground delivering on the province’s essential public infrastructure is paramount,” said Hocking. “Therefore, we are starting off the first two webinars of the series covering various aspects of health and safety, best practices and solutions.  We are in the process of confirming details for the subsequent webinars, which will cover labour and employment law, remote workforce management from a human resource perspective and managing cash flow and government relief.”

ORBA’s COVID-19 & The Road Building Industry Webinar Series will run from May 1, 2020 to June 26, 2020. For full details please to go: https://orba.org/weekly-webinar-series-covid-19-the-road-building-industry/.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

              For Immediate Release: March 12, 2020

ORBA Proactively Cancels Annual Spring Operations Seminar

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association has proactively cancelled its annual Spring Operations Seminar that was set to be held March 26^th at the Scarborough Convention Centre. The seminar is a one-day educational event that features lectures on cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that are transforming the future of the hot mix asphalt industry. The day also includes presentations from the Ministry of Labour on what to expect in the coming year and steps to take to ensure a safe construction season.

“With the event less than three weeks away, low registration numbers, and several member companies having restrictions on employees attending events due to concerns around the COVID-19 virus, we have made the decision to cancel the seminar,” said ORBA CEO Bryan Hocking. “The Spring Operations Seminar is an important event for our members and industry to share knowledge and to network. Nevertheless, the health and safety of our members and greater community is our top priority and that is the reason for the cancellation.”

ORBA remains committed to providing valuable learning opportunities for its members and industry. Therefore, in lieu of the seminar, the Association is planning to host webinars that will feature key topics that were slated to be presented at the seminar.  More information will be provided on the future webinars as details become available.

All who have registered for the seminar will receive a full refund.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2020

Ivan Levac Named Chair of the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council

Ivan Levac, Chair of the Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council, a council of the Ontario Road Builders’ Association, elected Ivan Levac P.Eng, Ing., Assistant Manager, City and Commercial Division, R.W. Tomlinson, as Chair of the Council during ORBA’s 93rd annual general meeting on February 3rd , which took place during ORBA’s convention at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Mr. Levac takes over the helm of the Council board from Rick Logozzo, General Manager, Coco Paving Inc., who served as OAPC’s Chair from February 4, 2019, through February 3, 2020.

“The OAPC and ORBA have made great inroads in working together with municipal and provincial owner agencies and ministries to achieve or our common goals, which include having quality asphalt pavements that last,” said Mr. Levac. “With our Council board, the Association and our stakeholder partners we will build upon our successes to ensure we continue to uphold our mandate of excellence in asphalt pavements.”

Originally from Sturgeon Falls, Mr. Levac, is a resident of Ottawa. He is a licensed professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa. Upon graduating from university, he obtained a co-op position with Lafarge Canada Inc. in quality control and was also involved in working with aggregates and concrete. While at Lafarge Canada Inc. he worked in the Gatineau office as a lab manager for two years and later as an estimator for five years before coming back to Ottawa as a construction manager. It was during this time that he became more involved with asphalt plants. In 2009 Coco Paving Inc. bought Lafarge Canada Inc. and Mr. Levac worked for Coco Paving Inc. from 2009 to 2013 as the assistant general manager for Ottawa and Gatineau. In 2013 he joined R.W. Tomlinson. In his current position as Assistant Manager, City and Commercial Division, he oversees municipal and commercial construction operations in the greater Ottawa area and is also responsible for R.W. Tomlinson’s three stationary asphalt plant operations.

Mr. Levac first became active in the Council in 2016 when he joined the board of then the Ontario Hot Mix Producers’ Association. It was at that time he also became a member of the OAPC’s Plant and Paving Committee. In addition to his involvement with the OAPC he served on the board of the National Capital Heavy Construction Association (NCHCA), based Ottawa, starting in 2010, and was president of the NCHCA from 2014-2015.

“Ivan has a wide-range of experience in various sectors of the industry and has a significant depth of knowledge,” said Mr. Logozzo, “I am confident that with the experience and passion he brings, he will successfully lead the charge for the Council’s continued pursuit of excellence in asphalt pavements.”

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: February 14, 2020

2020 ORBA Convention Honours the Best of the Best in the Road Building Industry

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) 93^rd Annual Convention and Annual General Meeting, which took place February 2 – 4 at the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto, presented several awards and honours to members in the industry for their service and commitment to the association and the road building industry in Ontario.

“Our members represent those who build the back bone of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure. These individuals and companies are a valuable asset to the Association and industry through their hard work and dedication to excellence. Their contributions have had a positive impact on not only the road building industry, but also within the communities in which they serve,” says Bryan Hocking, ORBA Chief Executive Officer. “It has been quite an honour to celebrate these accomplishments and express our gratitude with record numbers of membership and public owners in attendance at this year’s convention.”

Awards were presented in the following categories:

2020 Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame Inductee – Carlo Bot, Teranorth Construction & Engineering Limited

The Hall of Fame designation is ORBA’s highest honour and ORBA is proud to have inducted Carlo Bot of Teranorth Construction & Engineering Limited at the President’s Inaugural Dinner on February 4 at the 2020 ORBA Convention.

L-R: 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee, Carlo Bot, and ORBA CEO, Bryan Hocking.

2019 ORBA Community Leadership Award – Powell Contracting

Established in 2015, the ORBA Community Leadership Award recognizes an ORBA member company or an individual, employed by an ORBA member company, for selflessly undertaking philanthropic activities or providing community service, for the betterment of their community and the world around them.

L-R: James McVeety, ORBA President, Philip Breault, Sustainability Manager, Powell Contracting

Routly Safety Award Winners

Main Safety Award – Awarded to the member company that has worked the greatest number of consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury.

Category I Winner – less than 100,000 average annual man-hours

Upper Canada Road Services Inc.

Category II Winner – more than 100,000 average annual man-hours

Dagmar Construction Inc.

Milestone Awards – Awarded to member companies reaching 500,000 and 1,000,000 consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury

Capital Paving Inc.  – (1,036,345 man hours)

Ontario Asphalt Pavement Council Awards – The OAPC Awards recognize and celebrate individuals who make a positive difference in the asphalt industry.

During the Awards Breakfast on February 4 at the 2020 ORBA Convention, incoming OAPC Chair Ivan Levac presented the Honorary Life Membership Award, awarded posthumously to William “Bill” Graham, which was accepted by Bill’s son-in-law Frank Steblaj. Christina Wright of BCX Environmental Consulting was presented with the King Beamish Excellence Award.

OAPC Honorary Life Membership Award – William “Bill” Graham, awarded posthumously

L-R: OAPC Chair Ivan Levac, Frank Steblaj, Vice President of Administration, Graham Bros. Construction

OAPC King Beamish Excellence Award – Christina Wright, BCX Environmental Consulting

L-R: OAPC Chair Ivan Levac, Christina Wright, Senior Environmental Scientist and Partner, BCX Environmental

MTO Paver of the Year of the Year Award Winner

2019 MTO Asphalt Paving Contractor of the Year: R.W. Tomlinson Limited

Contract 2019-4001, Eastern Region, for their work on Highway 401, between Cobourg and Brighton.

Finalists:

Coco Paving Ltd.

Contract 2019-4003, Eastern Region, for their work on Highway 33, near Picton.

Dufferin Construction

Contract 2018-2023, Central Region, for their work on Highway 8, near Cambridge.

L-R: Deputy Minister of Transportation, Shelley Tapp, Minister of Transportation, Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Ken McIntyre, Contract Manager, R.W. Tomlinson.

MTO Concrete Contract of the Year Award Winner

2019 MTO Concrete Contractor of the Year: Dufferin Construction

Contract 2017-3013, West Region, for their work on Highway 7 & 85, in Kitchener.

• The prime contractor is Dufferin Construction Company.
• The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Dufferin Concrete’s Kitchener plant.

The prime contractor is Dufferin Construction Company.The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Dufferin Concrete’s Kitchener plant.

Finalist:

Clearwater Structures

Contract 2018-2004, Central Region, for their work on the Queen Elizabeth Way, at Walkers Line in Burlington.

L-R: Vincent Gangaram, Dufferin Construction Company, Minister of Transportation, Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Deputy Minister of Transportation, Shelley Tapp

2019 ORBA Scholarship Recipients

Joe Bunting Scholarship: Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college.

Steven Vasilopoulos, Civil Engineering Technology, Georgian College

J.D. Chick Scholarship: Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university.

Maria Banayoty, Civil Engineering, Ryerson University

ORBA Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship: Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college.

Gavin Waugh, Civil Engineering Technology, Conestoga College

ORBA Civil Engineering Scholarship: Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university.

Angus MacRae, Civil Engineering, Queen’s University

L-R: Angus MacRae, Maria Banayoty, Steven Vasilopoulos and James McVeety, ORBA President.

More information about the ORBA Awards can be found at orba.org/awards.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2020

James McVeety named 2020 ORBA President

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association elected James McVeety, Director of Pre-Construction, P3 and Major Projects at Black and McDonald, as its President during its 93^rd annual general meeting on February 3^rd at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Mr. McVeety is taking the over helm of the Association’s board from Steve Smith, who served as ORBA’s President from February 4, 2019, through February 3, 2020.

“It is an honour and privilege to have been elected as ORBA’s President as we enter the Association’s 93rd year,” said Mr. McVeety. “ORBA has made great strides over the past few years in not only growing the Association’s membership, but building a solid foundation as a unified voice for the road building industry and promoting excellence in Ontario’s transportation infrastructure sector. With this positive momentum, we are in a better position to be proactive in addressing industry challenges.”

Hailing from North Bay, Mr. McVeety is a resident of Hannon. He is a licensed professional engineer with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Ryerson University. He holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, Richard Ivey School of Business, and a Gold Seal Certificate for road building and Heavy Construction from the Canadian Construction Association. He got his start in the industry nearly 30 years ago as an engineering student working on construction projects in northern Ontario. He worked on road, sewer and water main projects as a student construction inspector in locations such as Cochrane, Chapleau, Hearst and, eventually, for the old City of North York.  Mr. McVeety’s career progressed from working for a smaller family-owned paving contractor in the GTA to larger domestic and multi-national firms where he led and managed some of the largest and most complex civil infrastructure projects in the province. In his current position at Black and McDonald, he is involved in large-scale North American infrastructure projects and is responsible for partnering and teaming relationships, construction joint ventures and infrastructure finance from the initial stages of project pursuit through to project execution.

Mr. McVeety first became active in the Association in 1999 and joined the ORBA Board of Directors in 2013. In addition to his involvement on the Board, he is the Chair of ORBA’s Alternative Financing & Procurement Committee, serves on ORBA’s Audit, Contracts and Documents and Executive Committees and is Chair of the Metrolinx Transit Contractors Council.

“I am very pleased to pass the President’s gavel on to James,” said Mr. Smith. “He has a significant depth of knowledge and passion for the industry and I am very confident that he will continue to lead the charge of all our initiatives for the continued pursuit of excellence in the road building industry.”

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

              For Immediate Release: September 25, 2019

Paving Inspector Course to Debut in Canada at ORBA Academy

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association is pleased to announce its course program for ORBA’s 13^th Annual Road Building Academy to take place February 24 – 28, 2020 at the BMO Institute for Learning in Scarborough, ON. This year ORBA is partnering with the Asphalt Institute (AI), offering a two-day Paving Inspector course covering fundamental information that every asphalt plant mix roadway inspector should know. Before now, this course was solely available in the U.S. and will be the only course of its kind available in Canada.

“AI has over 100 years of experience in asphalt technology,” said Doubra Ambaiowei, ORBA Technical Director. “The Paving Instructor Course offers participants the advantage of learning from the top source of industry expertise in the world.”

The 2020 Academy program will feature 25 courses, including 11 new courses covering management, leadership, business practice, health and safety and legal topics relevant to the road building industry.

“ORBA’s Road Building Academy has provided the industry a robust array of learning opportunities over the past 13 years to help raise the bar of overall quality in the road building industry,” said Bryan Hocking, ORBA Chief Operating Officer. “This year we are especially pleased to be partnering with AI in debuting the Paving Inspector Course, as a part of the Road Building Academy, in Canada.”

Companies considering registering for the Academy are encouraged to take advantage of the Canada-Ontario Job Grants Program, which gives direct financial support for employee training. Funding is available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training to employees. All ORBA Road Building Academy courses are eligible for funding.  Employers are eligible for up to $10,000 in government support per person for training cost.

ORBA is also offering 10 online courses, powered by BuildForce® Canada. Online courses are both economical and convenient, as the courses can be taken at any time.

For more information on the 2020 Road Building Academy, online courses and the Canada-Ontario Job Grant program, please click here.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2019

Remembering Former ORBA COO David Caplan

Mississauga, ON – It is with deep sadness that the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) received the news of the sudden passing of former ORBA Chief Operating Officer David Caplan on July 24, 2019.

ORBA was privileged to call on the services of Mr. Caplan, whose knowledge of Ontario’s infrastructure sector was unsurpassed. He was the Chief Operating Officer of ORBA beginning in November 2017 through July 2018.

“The construction industry and the ORBA community in particular, are shocked and saddened to hear of David Caplan’s passing,” said Bryan Hocking, ORBA’S Chief Operating Officer. “On behalf of our president, Steve Smith, our Board of Directors and ORBA members and staff, we offer our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to his wife and family.”

Under Mr. Caplan’s leadership as Minister of Infrastructure from 2003-2007, several initiatives were set in place that led to the modernization of the province’s infrastructure.

Known for his generous and friendly nature, he often spoke endearingly of his beloved family and was passionate about politics and community.

Mr. Caplan is survived by his wife, Leigh Caplan, two sons, Benjamin and Jacob, his parents, Wilfred and Elinor Caplan (Liberal MPP 1985-1997), one sister, Meredith Caplan, and two brothers Mark Caplan and Zane Caplansky.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information, please contact:

Abigail Wright Pereira
Marketing & Communications Director, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 227
abigail.wright@orba.org

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2017

ORBA HOSTS 3rd ANNUAL QUEEN’S PARK RECEPTION

Mississauga, ON – Over 100 Ontario leaders and decision makers joined the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) in Toronto for its third Annual Queen’s Park Reception. Held May 1 at downtown’s iconic legislative building, the event brought together ORBA reps and government officials for an evening designed to raise ORBA’s profile and the voices of its members.

“This initiative is about getting in front of our politicians and talking to them about the importance of transportation infrastructure, as well as letting them know who we are and what we do,” said Geoff Wilkinson, ORBA’s Chief Operating Officer. “This is also an opportunity to bring our contractors into the discussion because they’re the ones who have real world perspectives about how investments in infrastructure are working for them, their employees, and Ontarians.”

The reception was attended by politicians and Queen’s Park staff from all sides of the floor, including Hon. Steven Del Duca, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation; Michael Harris, MPP (Kitchener-Conestoga) and Taras Natyshak, MPP (Essex). It was led by ORBA President Geoffrey Stephens, who thanked attendees for their ongoing support and for contributing to what has fast become a popular industry gathering.

“We are very pleased to have everyone here this evening and really excited to host speakers from all three parties,” he said. “Our association is committed to government partnership with the utmost transparency and professionalism. We fully appreciate that when we work together in the interest of the taxpayer, that the best answers emerge for delivering true quality and value.”

If nothing else, Stephens added, “I hope you take home an understanding of our association and how we are working to improve our industry throughout the province.”

Minister Del Duca took a few moments at the podium to return his appreciation, noting, “The relationship that exists between the Government of Ontario – in particular, the Ministry of Transportation – and ORBA is so important to the quality of life for the people we’re all very proud to represent, regardless of partisan stripe, and in making sure our economy continues to grow.”

MPPs Harris and Natyshak also shared a few words with the crowd. Harris congratulated ORBA on the success of its Site Unseen safety campaign, saying, “I know we all saw the commercials and it’s extra important that we continue to communicate how imperative it is to keep our workers safe.”

Natyshak agreed, saying, “Thank you for making that investment, for making our roads safer, and for the contributions you make. You’re a world-class model for other jurisdictions to follow and we look forward to continuing to work with you.”

An Annual Tradition

2017 marked the third year for ORBA’s Queen’s Park Reception. The event was conceived in 2015 as a way to raise the association’s profile and bring attention to the issues and opportunities surrounding Ontario’s road building industry.

“We’ve always had meetings with government officials, but wanted to do something more,” recalled Ashley DeSouza, ORBA’s Director of Government Relations. “The amount of support we’ve received so far has been amazing, and to see people like Minister Del Duca become familiar faces at these receptions shows how much support we have from our government partners.”

While the event marked De Souza’s final reception with ORBA, he is confident the reception will only gain traction: “These events will be even more important as we push forward on our issues of importance. It’s become an annual staple and ORBA will continue to make it bigger.”

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information, please contact:

Abigail Wright Pereira
Marketing & Communications Director, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 227
abbi@orba.org

For Immediate Release: May 8, 2017

ORBA launches Buildforce online construction courses

Mississauga, ON – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association is pleased to announce that it is now offering to both members and non-members a full range of online courses in construction through its partnership with Buildforce Canada.

A wide variety of courses are offered under the topics of business management, health and safety, supervisor training as well as the Construction Industry Ethics course, which is now compulsory for Gold Seal Certification. Gold Seal is a national program which certifies industry estimators, superintendents, project managers and safety officers as construction professionals. Course fees range from $100 to $400.

“Offering the online courses provides the industry a continuous learning opportunity that is both economical and convenient, as the courses can be taken at any time,” said Geoff Wilkinson, ORBA Chief Operating Officer. “Expanding our educational offerings also helps our members and the industry to raise the bar in terms of quality, and that is our ultimate goal.”

Current available courses include:

● Construction Industry Ethics
● First Level Supervisor Training Program
● Confined Spaces Safety Awareness
● National Construction Safety Awareness
● Pipeline Construction Safety Training
● Communications, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution
● Construction Law
● Construction Project Management
● Introduction to Building Information Modeling
● Introduction to Construction Estimating

For full details on the online courses go to ORBA’s website, orba.org/onlinecourses.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information, please contact:

Stacey-Lee Wright
Education and Member Services Coordinator, ORBA
stacey@orba.org or 905-507-1107, ext. 222

For Immediate Release: April 5, 2017

Now Accepting Applications for 2017 ORBA Civil Engineering and Technology Scholarships

Mississauga, ON – Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is now accepting applications for its 2017 Civil Engineering and Civil Engineering Technology Scholarships, each valued at $2,000.00.

The submission deadline is May 31, 2017.

The Civil Engineering Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating from an Ontario high school and entering the first year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university.

The Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating from an Ontario high school and entering the first year of a Civil Engineering Technology or Technician program at an Ontario college or equivalent.

“It’s important for ORBA to offer financial support to those students who are going to become the next generation of road builders,” said John Blake, ORBA Education Committee Co-Chair. Adds Geoffrey Stephens, ORBA Education Committee Co-Chair, “We look forward every year to help students who are entering a civil engineering program develop the skills and knowledge to be successful when they join our industry.”

Applicants are required to submit an essay describing why they are pursuing a post secondary engineering or engineering technology education and discussing their goals in pursuing a career in civil engineering/technology. Past work experience, particularly directly related to the civil construction or broader construction industry, is a key criterion. Involvement with special projects or volunteer activities that demonstrate a commitment to the applicant’s local community, school or charitable organization is heavily factored into the assessment along with reference letters from employers and recommendations from professors.

Additional details and applications are available online at orba.org/scholarships.

– 30 –

The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For more information, please contact:

Stacey-Lee Wright
Education and Member Services Coordinator, ORBA
stacey@orba.org or 905-507-1107, ext. 222

For Immediate Release: March 21, 2017

Traffic concerns in Ontario – Investments in roads is the solution

MISSISSAUGA, ON – A new survey released today by a broad consortium of both public and private sector transportation organizations found that more than nine in ten Ontarians (96%) support government investment in transportation infrastructure, and among those surveyed, ranked investments in roads and bridges as number two on their list of top infrastructure spending priorities.

A majority of Ontarians feel that traffic is at least somewhat of a concern in their daily lives, and many see investments in road infrastructure as the solution to road traffic concerns across the province.

Residents felt that for every dollar government invests in infrastructure, 17 cents should be spent on hospital infrastructure, 13 cents should go towards roads and bridges and 12 cents should be earmarked for repairing Ontario’s schools. Investments in affordable housing and public transit rounded out the top five.

Just over half (53%) of Ontarians feel that highways, roads and bridges are the most important potential infrastructure investment as opposed to 26% who feel investments should be made towards light rail transit (LRT) and subways.

On the topic of road tolls in Ontario, there were 66% of Ontario residents who think that tolls collected on roads should go towards road maintenance (47%) or infrastructure improvements and expansions (19%).

The survey results have shown that residents in Ontario feel a top priority is for government investments to be made in road infrastructure to provide relief to the traffic congestion on the roads in their communities.

The research is supported by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA), Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA), Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA), Ontario Waste Management Association (OWMA) and Ontario Guide Rail Safety Coalition (OGRSC).

Quotes

• Ashley De Souza, Director of Government Relations, Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA)
  • “Infrastructure plays a vital role in our economy today and into the future. Immediate action to relieve traffic congestion and improve our transportation infrastructure networks will continue to place Ontario at a competitive advantage. These results clearly show that while investments being made in expanding Ontario’s public transit systems are necessary, Ontarians feel strongly that government spending priorities should include investments in highways, roads and bridges at the top of the list.”

• Scott Butler, Manager, Policy and Research, Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA)
  • “Ontarians, appreciative of the importance that transportation plays in their lives, are looking for all orders of government to invest in infrastructure that makes getting around easier.  If governments are to successfully address these concerns, innovative approaches to infrastructure investments will be critical.”

• Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations, Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA)
  • “The vast majority of Ontarians – 83 percent – feel that having a vehicle is a necessity for their household. Investments in highways, roads and bridges are critical to meet the transportation needs of Ontario residents now and into the future. With Ontario’s population set to increase by 4 million people over the next 25 years, now is the time to put road infrastructure construction into high gear that will meet future demand, cut commute times and support Ontario’s auto sector.”

• Gord White, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Waste Management Association
  • “Ontario’s economy relies on a well-maintained network of roads and bridges to move goods and people around the province. The survey results show that Ontarians understand the importance of investing in these vital infrastructure projects as a way to reduce gridlock in our cities and on our highways. Continuing to focus public investment on repairing, expanding and building roads and bridges in Ontario will help to relieve congestion and improve the province’s economic competitiveness.”

• Jamie West, Co-Chair, Ontario Guide Rail Safety Coalition
  • “Ontarians clearly understand the importance of the infrastructure that surrounds our roads and the importance of maintaining it. The Ontario Guide Rail Safety Coalition will continue to encourage Ontario’s road authorities to use modern, crash-tested standards to guide their equipment choices and maintenance practices.”

Supporting Materials
Impressions of Ontarians on Roads, Traffic and Investments Survey Summary

About the Nanos Survey
Nanos Research conducted an RDD dual frame (land- and cell-lines) telephone random survey of 500 residents of Ontario, 18 years of age or older, between January 25 and February 2, 2017 as part of an omnibus survey. Participants were randomly recruited by telephone using live agents and administered a survey. The results were statistically checked and weighted by age and gender using the latest Census information and the sample is geographically stratified to be representative of Ontario. Individuals were randomly called using random digit dialing with a maximum of five call backs. The margin of error for a random survey of 500 residents of Ontario is ±4.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About the Ontario Road Builders’ Association
ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

About the Ontario Good Roads Association
The mandate of the Ontario Good Roads Association is to represent the transportation and public works interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services. Visit www.ogra.org for more information.

About the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association
Since 1908, the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association has been the voice of Ontario’s new car dealers. Our 1,100 dealers represent every brand and franchise, operate across Ontario and employ 53,000 people. Visit www.tada.ca for more information.

About the Ontario Waste Management Association
The OWMA is the largest waste management association in Canada and represents more than 250 members within Ontario’s private and public sectors. OWMA members manage 85% of Ontario’s waste and have diverse interests and capital investments in areas, such as waste and recycling collection, material recycling and resource recovery, organics processing and composting, hazardous waste recycling and safe disposal, and landfills and transfer stations. Learn more about the OWMA at www.OWMA.org.

About the Ontario Guide Rail Safety Coalition
The Ontario Guide Rail Safety Coalition (OGRSC) represents companies from across Ontario that, collectively, install about two-thirds Ontario’s road-side safety equipment and employ more than 500 people. OGRSC members are responsible and professional businesses that seek to improve Ontario’s road safety.

For further information: Ashley De Souza, Director of Government Relations, ORBA, 905-507-1107, ext. 223 or ashley@orba.org.

For Immediate Release: February 13, 2017

2017 Convention Honours ORBA Members

MISSISSAUGA, ON – At last week’s 90^th Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Convention and Annual General Meeting, several awards and honours were presented to members in the industry for their service and commitment to the association and the road building industry in Ontario.

“We are proud to once again honour our member companies and key industry individuals at our Convention for their hard work and dedication to make positive changes to not only our transportation infrastructure industry, but also in the communities in which they serve,” says Geoff Wilkinson, ORBA Chief Operating Officer. “The annual Convention was a wonderful place to celebrate these accomplishments with record numbers of membership and public owners in attendance, and I would like to congratulate all our award recipients this year.”

Awards were handed out in the following categories:

2017 Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame Inductees – Robert Taylor and Silvio Bot

2016 Director of the Year Award – Steve Smith, Miller Paving Limited

2016 Distinguished Service Award – Cameron Wood, Roto-Mill Inc.

2016 ORBA Community Leadership Award – Kevin Cinq-Mars, R.W. Tomlinson Limited

2016 Transportation Infrastructure Innovation Award – Canada Culvert

Routly Safety Award Winners

Main Safety Award- Awarded to the member company that has worked the greatest number of consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury

Category I Winner – less than 100,000 average annual man-hours
Cornell Construction Limited

Category II Winner – more than 100,000 average annual man-hours
Capital Paving Inc.

Milestone Awards – Awarded to member companies reaching 500,000 and 1,000,000 consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury

Black & MacDonald Limited – (2,308,162 man hours)
K.J. Beamish Construction Co. Limited – (591,288 man hours)

ORBA Green Award

2016 Outstanding Achievement – Cruickshank
2016 Honourable Mention – Looby Construction Limited

MTO Paver of the Year Award Winners

2016 MTO Hot Mix Paver of the Year: Rankin Construction Incorporated
Contract 2015-2022; Location of Contract: Highway 3, between Port Colborne and Fort Erie.

Finalists:

Aecon Construction and Materials Limited
Contract 2016-4014; Location of Contract: Highway 401, west of Port Hope from the regional boundary between Central and Eastern Regions to Wesleyville Rd.

Pioneer Construction Limited
Contract 2012-5100; Location of Contract: Highway 69, south of Sudbury from north of Highway 607 to north of Highway 64.

MTO Concrete Contract of the Year Award Winners

2016 MTO Concrete Contract of the Year: Contract 2015-4056
Location of Contract: Highway 401, at Montreal St. in Kingston.

• The prime contractor was Aecon Construction and Materials Limited.
• The pre-cast components were by DECAST Limited.
• The pre-cast girders were placed by Bot Construction Limited.
• The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Lafarge Canada Incorporated’s Kingston plant.

Finalist:

Contract 2015-5100
Contract Location: Highway 69, south of Highway 522 near Key River.

• The prime contractor was Aecon Construction and Materials Limited.
• The pre-cast components were by DECAST Limited.
• The concrete for cast-in-place operations was supplied by Parry Sound Ready Mix Limited.

2016 ORBA Scholarship Recipients

Joe Bunting Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college
Xinnan Tian, Civil Engineering Technology, Seneca College

J.D. Chick Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university
Colin Graham, Civil Engineering, Queen’s University

ORBA Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college
Daniel Woodhead, Civil Engineering Technology, Georgian College

ORBA Civil Engineering Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university
Millar Coveney, Civil Engineering, Queen’s University

More information about the ORBA Awards can be found at orba.org/awards.

‐30‐

 The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For further information contact:

Geoff Wilkinson
Chief Operating Officer, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 224
geoff@orba.org

For Immediate Release: January 30, 2017

ORBA Releases Early Tender Calls Advocacy Paper

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Over the past several years, early tender calls have been identified as a top priority issue by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA). ORBA has worked with its members to release an advocacy paper showing the clear benefits of early tender calls. The paper incorporates statistical information from public owners on early tender calls and figures on the benefits of overall infrastructure investments.

ORBA will also use this advocacy paper as it continues to work with public sector owners, including municipalities, to make early tender calls an industry standard in the province.

“Early tender calls provide clear and tangible benefits for both contractors and public owners by allowing proper planning for the upcoming construction season and eliminating inefficiencies in the delivery of projects. ORBA would like to see the current trend of early tender calls in public projects continue to grow and strengthen throughout the province,” says Ashley De Souza, Director of Government Relations, ORBA.

The advocacy paper also discusses recommendations for municipalities and other public owners on how they can adopt early tender calls.

To download a copy of the advocacy paper, please visit ORBA’s website at orba.org/early-tender-calls-advocacy-paper.

‐30‐

 The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For further information contact:

Ashley De Souza
Director, Government Relations, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 223
ashley@orba.org

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2017

2017 Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame Inductees
Silvio Bot and Robert Taylor

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Silvio Bot (receiving the award posthumously) and Robert Taylor will be inducted into the Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at ORBA’s 90^th Convention and Annual General Meeting.

Silvio Bot – Bot Construction Limited

Silvio Bot was a founder of Bot Construction. He led the company over some 38 years of growth and expansion and was a well-known and prominent member of Ontario’s roadbuilding industry. Silvio was born in a small farming community in the northern Friuli Region of Italy. He came to Canada in 1948, and in 1953, he took his first construction job with Halton Paving, building curbs, gutters and culverts in south western Ontario. He became a foreman and superintendent and learned the local construction business from the ground up.

In 1957, Silvio started Bot Construction Limited as a curb and gutter forming business, along with his brothers Jack, Carlo and Luigi. The company’s first office and equipment shop opened on Speers Road in Oakville, in the same location that the company operates from today.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Silvio focused on growing the company’s service capacity and heavy equipment fleet, and was ready to go where the work was. Over the two and a half decades that followed, Silvio grew the company into a full service general contractor, with completed projects across Ontario and as far north as the Canadian Arctic. These included expansion projects on Highways 11, 17, 69, 416 and 417, access roads and bridges at Pearson International Airport, and major structures works, such as the Highway 401/410 interchange, one of the highest and longest post-tension fourth level bridge structures in Ontario of its time, and access roads and dams for hydroelectric projects at James Bay, Quebec.

By 1995, (the time of Silvio’s passing), Bot Construction had grown to be one of Ontario’s largest privately owned road building organizations.

Silvio enjoyed strong relationships with his peers in the road building industry. He was a long-time member and active supporter of ORBA and OSWCA, and worked alongside the many great leaders who championed the technical and business issues of their day.

Silvio was a strong supporter in his community and The Silvio Bot Charitable Foundation was established to commemorate his life through giving to others. The company continues its support as a major donor to health care services needs and as a steady contributor to community events and charitable activities locally in Oakville and in the communities in which it works.

Robert Taylor – McLean Taylor Construction Limited

Robert Taylor is the former Chairman and President of McLean Taylor Construction Limited. Rob retired in December 2012. Rob was also President and Chairman of sister companies Stone Town Construction Limited and Meadowridge Properties Ltd.

McLean Foster Construction was founded in 1947 by Lloyd McLean, and in 1955, Rob’s father Eric Taylor became Vice-President. Rob became President in 1978; and in 1983 McLean Foster was renamed as McLean Taylor Construction Limited recognizing Rob’s role, impact and ownership in the company.

Under Rob’s guidance, McLean Taylor built bridges, culverts, dams, and roads throughout South Western Ontario since its inception for MTO, municipalities, the federal government, and private businesses. Also, Rob was one of the initial innovators in the Temporary Concrete Barrier industry in the province, and McLean Taylor remains an active supplier of TCB for the industry.

One of Rob’s greatest accomplishments is that McLean Taylor continues to successfully operate as a third-generation, two-family business. Some highlights under Rob’s supervision include being the first company to pump concrete into a bridge deck for MTO on Highway 4 in the early 1960s; working on MTO’s first mechanical lift bridge in Port Dover in 1968; and being selected by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) to install the Emergency Temporary Water Treatment Facility during the Walkerton water tragedy.

Over his time in the industry, Rob was involved in many associations including ORBA where he served on the Board of Directors for 16 years and was president in 1994. He was also a member of OSWCA and many of the Heavy Construction Associations in the London area.

Rob is also very involved in the community and volunteers in many different areas. He is currently honorary co-chair with wife Cathy, and fundraising committee member for the St. Marys Hospital “Someone I Know” $5 million fundraising drive. He has also been involved with helping others by coaching minor hockey and minor ball, as well as mentoring young business owners.

We invite friends and colleagues to attend the induction ceremony, which takes place during the President’s Dinner, with the reception beginning at 5:00 p.m. To attend, please select Package E when registering online at orba.org/convention.

Established by ORBA in 2005, the Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame recognizes and honours distinguished individuals for their dedication to, and leadership and achievement in Ontario’s road building industry.

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 The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For further information contact:

Christina Jannetta
Director, Member Engagement, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 228
christina@orba.org

Silvio Bot

Robert Taylor

For Immediate Release: December 2, 2016

Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Response to Auditor General’s Report

MISSISSAUGA, ON – Since 1927, the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) has advocated on behalf of the road building industry with the highest standards of service and integrity. One of ORBA’s guiding principles is the promotion of fair, open, transparent and equitable procurement policies by all public owners.

ORBA is disappointed by what we consider a clear mischaracterization of the relationship between ORBA, the Ministry of Transportation, and discussions on the issues concerning our industry. We have been and remain committed to participating in what we consider to be transparent, good faith discussions with public sector agencies to the benefit of all Ontarians.

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 The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

For further information contact:

Geoff Wilkinson
Executive Director, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 224 or geoff@orba.org

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2016

ORBA Commends Mayor John Tory for Taking Real Actions to Commit to Much Needed Investments for Transportation Infrastructure

TORONTO – The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is pleased to hear of Mayor John Tory’s intention to create dedicated funding to invest in vital transportation infrastructure for the City of Toronto. Bold and decisive leadership is urgently needed to relieve congestion that has negatively affected Torontonians for too long.

“Traffic congestion has become the #1 issue affecting economic growth and social prosperity in Ontario,” said Ashley De Souza, Director of Government Relations of ORBA. “Dedicated funding is necessary to repair our crumbling municipal assets and to expand our existing transportation networks.”

Transportation infrastructure is a critical public asset that affects people’s everyday lives and business competitiveness, while also playing a key role in long-term economic growth and development. Traffic congestion has become an increasingly troubling issue, particularly in the City of Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe, where it causes upwards of $11 billion a year in lost economic productivity.

The City of Toronto’s road, bridge and transit infrastructure is aging and congested, with present funding barely offsetting the erosion of the existing networks due to underinvestment in previous decades. There is a need for expanded road, bridge and transit capacity to address increasing urbanization and resulting traffic congestion.

A predictable long-term investment plan is a crucial component to attaining sustainable infrastructure development. It will enable the City of Toronto to commit to their own long-term capital plans and begin to tackle the City’s massive municipal infrastructure deficit as well as get on with building transit now.

“Infrastructure plays a vital role in our economy today and into the future. Immediate action to relieve traffic congestion and improve our transportation infrastructure networks will continue to place Toronto at a competitive advantage,” added Mr. De Souza.

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The Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build the majority of provincial and municipal roads, bridges, transit and transportation infrastructure across the province, and employ in excess of 30,000 workers at peak season. To learn more about ORBA, go to www.orba.org

For further information contact:

Ashley De Souza, Director, Government Relations, ORBA
ashley@orba.org; 905-507-1107 (ext. 223)

For Immediate Release: September 19, 2016

2016 ORBA Scholarship Recipients

Students enthusiastic about making a difference in the transportation infrastructure industry

Mississauga, ON – Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) congratulates this year’s recipients of the Civil Engineering and Civil Engineering Technology Scholarships.

Millar Coveney, entering his first year this month in the Bachelor of Science Engineering and General Engineering program at Queen’s University, was awarded the $2,000 Civil Engineering Scholarship. Millar recently worked in a co-op placement at an engineering firm in their municipal department where he gained insight and knowledge into the practical application of engineering in the field. He has a goal of using civil engineering skills along with his concerns for the environment to reduce the harmful effects of climate change by implementing long-term sustainable projects that will benefit communities. With Millar’s drive and desire to reduce the environmental impact on future projects, he will be a great asset to the industry.

Daniel Woodhead, entering his first year in the Civil Engineering Technology program at Georgian College, was awarded the $2,000 Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship. Already having spent his summers working in the construction industry with his family business, Daniel has learned firsthand about the different types of projects in the civil engineering field that drive his interest in bridge construction. Daniel also has an interest in municipal infrastructure and having lived in a rural area, he would like to see improved designs and current technology used in his own community. With a desire to pursue a career working in the field, Daniel’s effective communication and problem-solving skills will play a vital role within a team on a jobsite.

“ORBA members congratulate Millar and Daniel on their scholarships and we wish them great success as they develop and apply the skills to help them become part of the future generation of building Ontario’s transportation infrastructure,” said ORBA Education Committee Co-Chair, John Blake. Fellow ORBA Education Committee Co-Chair Geoffrey Stephens added, “ORBA is proud to provide financial support to students who have selected a career path in our industry where they are passionate to contribute to the industry and make a difference in so many communities.”

Scholarship applicants are reviewed based on their submission package that includes an essay, past work experience, involvement with special projects or volunteer activities with their local community, reference letters from employers and recommendations from professors.

Millar and Daniel will be recognized for their achievements and presented awards for their scholarships in February 2017 at ORBA’s 2017 Convention in Toronto.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Stacey Lee-Wright
Coordinator, Member Services
ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 222
stacey@orba.org

For Immediate Release: July 13, 2016

Enhancements Being Made to
Oversize/Overweight Permitting Process

Mississauga, ON – Through the joint Government of Ontario/Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Open for Business Roundtable process, changes are being implemented to the Oversize/Overweight (O/O) permit process in the province of Ontario.

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) plans to change the duration of a single trip permit from four days to seven days and extend weekend travel to include loads over current annual dimensions (with the exception of police-escorted loads).

“Finding ways to reduce paperwork and the administrative burden on businesses without compromising safety is the ultimate win-win,” said the Hon. Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation. “By working with ORBA, the Ministry has made improvements that will help streamline processes and improve the speed of permitting without sacrificing security.”

In December, the O/O Permit Application Process was one of five issues presented at the Opening Roundtable for review to address concerns identified with the current O/O permit wait times and to improve efficiencies and effectiveness of the permit application process. As part of the Roundtable process, ORBA members populated a working group that worked with the MTO to suggest ways to improve the permitting process and help reduce the administrative burden on companies applying for permits.

“ORBA is pleased by the changes being implemented to the oversize/overweight permitting process,” said Ashley De Souza, ORBA Director of Government Relations. “The changes to the permitting process will help improve the turnaround time for companies to obtain permits, improve business efficiency, speed up time to complete construction projects and create greater value for taxpayers.”

The partnership between ORBA and the Province of Ontario in an Ontario Open for Business Roundtable, has helped remove barriers and burdens to businesses in the road building industry by reducing the time and effort that ORBA members spend complying with provincial requirements.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

Ashley De Souza
Director, Government Relations, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 223 or ashley@orba.org

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2016

New Water Taking Regulations to Provide a Quicker and More Streamlined Process

Mississauga, ON – The government of Ontario passed regulatory changes, effective March 29, 2016, for short-term water taking activities that were previously subject to Permit to Take Water (PTTW).

Ontario Road Builders’ Association’s (ORBA) Environment Committee worked closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) in the development of the regulation changes. ORBA submitted two stakeholder papers throughout the various consultations period.

“We are pleased to have worked together with the Ministry to deliver solutions that will improve the coordination and operations in the road building industry,” said Allan West, ORBA President. “With the new Permit to Take Water regulations, our ORBA members with see more streamlined processes and substantial wait time reductions.”

The issue of PTTW was also included in the ORBA Open For Business Roundtable with the government held earlier this year. The Roundtable process identified opportunities to streamline processes and improve operations in order to reduce burden on, and create tangible, positive impacts for ORBA members.

The regulations:
• Clarify or exempt certain activities from the requirements to obtain a PTTW and;
• Require other activities to be registered on the newly developed Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR).

As part of the new regulation, MOECC has developed an EASR, which is an online registry that provides a streamlined system that replaces the requirement to obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval or PTTW. The process can be completed in minutes.

The EASR allows persons engaged in prescribed activities (in this case, water taking) to register with the Ministry instead of applying for a PTTW. The EASR lays out the set of rules that must be met in order to maintain compliance with the regulations. There is a registration fee of $1,190 for the EASR.

Under the PTTW model, applications could take up to 90 days for approvals. Through the EASR, registration is done immediately and operations can begin three months earlier.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

Ashley De Souza
Director, Government Relations, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 223 or ashley@orba.org

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2016

Open For Business Roundtable Removes Burden and Barriers on Road Building Industry

Mississauga, ON – The partnership between Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) and the Province of Ontario in an Ontario Open for Business Roundtable, will help to remove barriers and burdens to businesses in the road building industry by reducing the time and effort that ORBA members spend complying with provincial requirements.

“Our government knows the importance of building strong, reliable infrastructure. We are pleased to partner with the Ontario Road Builders’ Association to support the growth of our province’s booming transportation sector,” said the Hon. Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. “The roundtable process is an excellent way to make sure that government and industry are working together and I am thrilled with the progress we have made today.”

Intended to identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve operations, the Open for Business Roundtable was established to create tangible, positive impacts for ORBA members.

In December, the Opening Roundtable was held in Toronto and was chaired by Minister Duguid with representatives from Open for Business, lead provincial ministries and ORBA Board of Directors.

The five following issues were presented for review with a focus on improving coordination and operations:
1. Oversize/Overweight Permit Application Process
2. Recycled Aggregates
3. Species At Risk: Contract Compensation
4. Species at Risk: Information Sharing & Mapping
5. Permit to Take Water (PTTW) / Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR) for Short-Term Water Takings

To address each issue, working groups were created that comprised of Provincial staff and ORBA representatives. The working groups had 60 days to develop mutually-agreeable solutions to these issues. If a solution was not able to be achieved within 60 days, the working group was required to provide an agreed upon plan of action that identifies how the issue can be resolved.

Over the next several weeks, additional media releases will be sent out highlighting the specific solutions for each of the five issues and the benefits to ORBA members.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

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For more information, please contact:

Ashley De Souza
Director, Government Relations, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 223 or ashley@orba.org

For Immediate Release: February 9, 2016

ORBA Honours Highlights 2016 Convention

Mississauga, ON – Last week at the 89th Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) Convention and Annual General Meeting, several awards and honours were presented to members in the industry for their dedication and service to the Association and the road building industry in Ontario.

“At this year’s ORBA inaugural Awards Breakfast, we were proud to honour our member companies for their hard work and continued efforts that have a positive impact on our industry,” says Geoff Wilkinson, ORBA Executive Director. “It was exciting to honour our award winners at our Convention in front of so many peers and public owners. Congratulations to all of our award winners.”

Awards were handed out in the following categories:

2016 Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame Inductee – Robert (Bob) Bugden

2015 Director of the Year Award – Geoffrey Stephens, Capital Paving Inc.

2015 Distinguished Service Award – Dave Reid, Cruickshank

2015 ORBA Community Leadership Award – Leo McArthur, The Miller Group

Routly Safety Award Winners

Main Safety Award – Awarded to the member company that has worked the greatest number of consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury

Category I Winner – less than 100,000 average annual man-hours
Cornell Construction Limited

Category II Winner – more than 100,000 average annual man-hours
Pioneer Construction Inc.

Milestone Awards – Awarded to member companies reaching 500,000 and 1,000,000 consecutive man hours without a lost-time injury

Dragados Canada, Inc. – (735,364 man hours)
Powell Contracting Limited – (650,271 man hours)
Bermingham Foundation Solutions Limited – (524,170 man hours)

ORBA Green Award

2015 Outstanding Achievement – Miller Paving Limited
2014 Honourable Mention – Roto-Mill Inc.
2015-2014 Outstanding Achievement – R.W. Tomlinson Limited

MTO Paver of the Year Award Recipients

2015 MTO Hot Mix Paver of the Year: Lavis Contracting Co. Limited: Contract 2013-3018, Location of Contract: Highway 23, North of London from Highway 7 to Highway 8.

Finalists:

Capital Paving Inc.: Contract 2014-2054, Location of Contract: Highway 6, North of Burlington from Highway 5 to Hamilton Rd 543, and South of Hamilton from Greens Rd. to Upper James St.

Aecon Construction and Materials Limited: Contract 2014-5106, Location of Contract: Highway 17, East of North Bay from Highway 94 to Highway 531.

Pioneer Construction Inc.: Contract 2014-6001, Location of Contract: Highway 17, East of Kenora between Highway 71 and Gordon Lake Rd.

2015 ORBA Scholarship Recipients

Joe Bunting Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college: Amy Isbister, Civil Engineering Technology, Fanshawe College

J.D. Chick Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their final year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university: Amy Grzywnowicz, Civil Engineering, Western University

ORBA Civil Engineering Technology Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering Technology program at an Ontario college: James Thompson, Civil Engineering Technology, St. Clair College

ORBA Civil Engineering Scholarship – Awarded to a student entering their first year of a Civil Engineering program at an Ontario university: Claudius Dalm, Civil Engineering, Windsor University

More information about the ORBA Awards can be found at orba.org/awards.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Geoff Wilkinson
Executive Director
ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 224
geoff@orba.org

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For Immediate Release: January 19, 2016

ORBA Expands Road Building Academy With 17 Exclusive Courses

Mississauga, ON – Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) unveiled its courses for its 2016 Road Building Academy. The 17 exclusive, Gold Seal accredited courses in the subject areas of Leadership, Business Management and Technical have been designed to educate more staff, including new courses for sales, human resource and health and safety professionals. Fourteen of the courses will take place during Academy Week, February 29 to March 4 at Sheridan College (Davis Campus) in Brampton.

The informative, custom courses have been designed to provide staff with practical concepts, tangible solutions and enhanced skills. Each Academy course presents current content and is delivered by professional educators and industry experts. Hosted in a professional learning environment, the interactive teaching creates an excellent forum for discussion and knowledge exchange with industry peers.

The Academy brochure with details on all 17 courses is now available. Member and non-member companies may register online at orba.org/academy.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Stamper
Manager, Member Services
ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 222
richard@orba.org

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For Immediate Release: January 13, 2016

Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame to Induct Robert (Bob) Bugden

Mississauga, ON – Robert (Bob) Bugden will be inducted into the Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at the 89th Convention and Annual General Meeting of Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA).

Bob was raised in Chesterville, a farm community between Ottawa and Cornwall, and began his career in the construction industry in 1970 as Manager of Engineering for McAsphalt Industries where he oversaw the construction of asphalt terminals and production facilities.

In 1976, Leo McArthur and John Carrick purchased Miller Paving Limited at which time Bob joined Leo as they started their journey to transform Miller Paving from a traditional heavy highway contractor to a pavement preservation and recycling company. This was a transformative period for Miller Paving and Bob played a critical role in this process.

Bob’s extensive experience in the “nuts and bolts” of construction equipment ensured he had a solid foundation to manage the operations of Miller Paving in the 1990s. Bob helped amalgamate many of the Miller acquisitions into what today is known as The Miller Group. With over 4,500 employees, Bob developed and led a team of professional managers in all areas of the construction industry. Bob would eventually assume the COO position at Miller until his retirement in 2012.

He was also involved in numerous industry associations and initiatives, sitting on many of ORBA’s committees, the TARBA Board, OSSGA and OHMPA and his involvement on special industry tasks forces dealing with labour or contractual issues.

Friends and colleagues are welcome to attend the induction ceremony which takes place during the President’s Dinner, the reception commencing at 5:30 pm. To attend, please select Package E when registering online at orba.org/convention.

Bob Bugden is the 20th member of the Hall of Fame. The Ontario Road Building Hall of Fame, established by ORBA in 2005, recognizes and honours distinguished individuals for their dedication to, and leadership and achievement in Ontario’s road building industry.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Stamper
Manager, Member Services, ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 222
richard@orba.org

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For Immediate Release: June 3, 2015

Ontario Road Builders Applaud Increased Investments in Transportation Infrastructure

Mississauga, ON – Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) welcomes the transit and transportation infrastructure investments passed today in the Ontario Budget.

“ORBA’s member companies look forward to playing a key role in delivering on the Ontario government’s ambitious plans to upgrade the province’s transportation and transit infrastructure,” stated Geoff Wilkinson, Executive Director of ORBA.

ORBA is pleased to see that transportation infrastructure continues to be a top priority in the 2015 Ontario Budget. With the passage of Bill 91: Building Ontario Up Act, dedicated funds for Ontario’s transit and transportation investment plan, Moving Ontario Forward, increases by $2.6B for a total of $31.5B over ten years. Consistent and reliable infrastructure funding drives Ontario’s economy, contributing to Ontario’s wealth and productivity, and attracting investment and create jobs.

However, although there are significant investments made in the provincial budget to help municipalities with their infrastructure needs, more still needs to be done. Ontarians need to have a commitment from all levels of government to ensure that substantive measures are being taken to eliminate the staggering infrastructure deficit currently facing municipalities. Municipalities are currently facing an infrastructure deficit of over $60 billion, of which $28 billion accounts for the infrastructure gap for roads and bridges alone.

“Ensuring that Ontario’s infrastructure can be maintained, improved and expanded is an important facet in keeping our province and our economy moving forward. An efficient transit and transportation system is essential for a vibrant economy and good quality of life – connecting our communities and enabling businesses to get their goods to market,” added Mr. Wilkinson.

ORBA supports and promotes the growth of Ontario’s transportation infrastructure industry. As the voice of over 200 road building contractors and suppliers, ORBA members build and maintain the majority of Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads, bridges and other public transportation infrastructure, employing over 30,000 workers. Visit orba.org for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Ashley De Souza
Director, Government Relations
ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 223
ashley@orba.org

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For Immediate Release: April 29, 2015

Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) response to Auditor General’s report

Toronto, ON – The people who plow our highways, Ontario’s Area Maintenance Contractors, care deeply about road safety. Our families, our friends are on these roads too. We take our role in maintaining Ontario’s roads extremely seriously.

The bottom line is this: the Auditor General is correct in concluding that the third-generation area maintenance contracts have serious flaws.

That’s why for the past several years ORBA has also raised concerns about this system. Last winter, ORBA began to work in cooperation with the Government of Ontario toward a solution.

We applaud Minister Del Duca’s decisive response to this report and look forward to continuing to work with the government to create a more effective winter road maintenance system.

ORBA received the Auditor General’s report today. We will now study it in detail as we continue to work with the government to keep Ontario’s roads the safest in North America.

About ORBA

Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA) is the provincial voice of approximately 200 road building contractors and suppliers. ORBA’s Area Maintenance Contractors (AMCs) are the maintenance contractors that perform summer and winter maintenance for the Ministry of Transportation on Ontario’s roads and highways. ORBA has shared expertise about road construction and safety issues since its inception in 1927. Our members build and maintain Ontario’s provincial highway system, municipal roads and bridges and other public transportation infrastructure projects. ORBA members employ over 30,000 workers in Ontario. We created the Let The Blue Light Lead The Way (www.snowplowsafety.ca) campaign to help educate drivers about safe winter driving around snow plows.

For more information, please contact:

Geoff Wilkinson
Executive Director
ORBA
905-507-1107, ext. 224
geoff@orba.org

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