OGMA Newsletter – August 2016

OGMA Newsletter – August 2016

It is with great sadness that we bring the news of the passing of our long time friend and industry colleague, Jim Epworth, founder of Upper Canada Glass in Oak Ridges, Ont.  Jim left us in his 84th year on June 11 and is survived by Joyce, his wife of 62 years, sons Howard and John and daughters Marjorie and Joanne. Jim was one of the really good guys in our business. He will be remembered fondly by everybody who knew him.

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act has now been completed by the review group and their report has been submitted to the Ontario government. As of June it had been translated into French and all that remains is for it to be released to the public. Prompt Payment Ontario has been lobbying government representatives for its release. Details of its content will be distributed to the industry as soon as available.

Race Night had been scheduled for June 22, but due to unforeseen conflicts the date has been changed to August 17, so mark it in your calendar and get ready for an evening of exciting thoroughbred racing, outstanding food, and great camaraderie in the decadent Woodbine Club dining room at the Woodbine Racetrack. It’s the perfect venue for getting to meet and have a drink with industry colleagues.  Keep your eye open for your flyer or look on the OGMA website to register.

If you like getting up early and welcoming the sunrise with a beer, the OGMA Fishing Derby event is for you! Boat departs at 6 a.m. on Aug. 10 from Port Credit Harbour in Toronto.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 22 and plan to be at the renowned Country Club in Woodbridge (formerly the Board of Trade Golf Club).

Companies have until the end of the year to put accessibility policies and procedures in place for the communication of all of your information and your employment practices.  To find out your legal obligations, go to ontario.ca/page/accessibility-laws, then contact WSPS to help you put it in place.

If you are conducting business in the glass industry in Ontario, the OGMA is the voice that represents your interests at the provincial and federal level. Protect your business and support our fight for prompt payment legislation by becoming a member or as an associate member if you are a consultant to the industry. Please visit the OGMA website for more information.

After a year of preparation, the OGMA/WSPS safety manual is now ready for use by the metal and glass industry. The manual was created by qualified health and safety professionals and is a timesaving tool enabling glass shops to establish their own company program. Not only will this support a company’s efforts to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses, it will also lower costs and time related to WSIB claims. Additionally, WSPS and the health and safety manual will get your company compliant with the new OHSA Regulation 297/13 as well as AODA requirements.

– Originally published in Glass Canada Magazine, August 2016 Issue.

OGMA Newsletter – June 2016

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act has been ongoing but the review group requested another extension to the end of April 2016. Prompt Payment Ontario has begun the lobby effort by mailing letters to all MPPs requesting their release of the report to PPO and to a timely vote in provincial parliament.  A […]

Are You Ready for AODA?

by Frank Fulton Originally published in Glass Canada Magazine, June 2016 Issue Accommodating Disability Not long ago I attended the Top Glass Conference and Exhibits show in Mississauga, Ont., put on by Glass Canada and spent the day between manning the OGMA booth and schmoozing with visitors, exhibitors, old and new customers and former employees. […]

Update on Glass Supply Challenges

In March 2015, OGMA released a bulletin to its members to make them aware that glass supply was anticipated to become a challenge and more costly due to double-digit increases in demand in the United States, the reduction of glass production capacity in North America, an escalating U.S. dollar, and a severe shortage of transportation […]

OGMA Newsletter – April 2016

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act is now well underway and the review group was to have prepared their recommendations for submission to the Ontario government by the end of March 2016. The OGMA has teamed up with the Prompt Payment Ontario (PPO) group to represent our interests in bringing fair payment terms […]

Fred Fulton: Entrepreneur and Gentleman – Part III

by Frank Fulton Originally published in Glass Canada Magazine, April 2016 Issue In my previous two columns I told you about Fred Fulton’s early days in Toronto, his beginnings in the industry with Pilkington Glass, the start up of Sealite Glass, and the establishment of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Association of Canada. Sealite Glass was […]

Fred Fulton: Entrepreneur and Gentleman – Part II

by Frank Fulton Originally published in Glass Canada Magazine, February 2016 Issue The early days of insulating glass in Canada were like the wild west. There were no standards, very limited technical knowledge, and upstart companies were beginning to spring up mindlessly slapping pieces of glass together and selling them to an unwitting public. The […]

OGMA Newsletter – February 2016

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act is now well underway, an information package has been completed by the legal review group for distribution, and the review group is preparing their recommendations for the Ontario  government.  Their submission has been delayed until March, 2016. The OGMA has teamed up with the Prompt Payment Ontario […]

Ontario Construction Lien Act Review Information Update

There has been a lot of activity over the past few months and a mountain of documentation, reports, and information has been compiled. We are providing this update on what has transpired to keep members informed. Prompt Payment Ontario (PPO), the consortium of trade associations that the Ontario Glass & Metal Association has partnered with, […]

OGMA Newsletter – December 2015

The legal review of the Construction Lien Act is now well underway and an information package has been completed by the legal review group for distribution. The OGMA has teamed up with the Prompt Payment Ontario (PPO) group to represent our interests in bringing fair payment terms into law. PPO had its’ day at the […]