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Members Speak Out

QUESTION: With the Provincial election over and in the books…..if you could suggest the number
one priority for the new PC majority government what would it be and why?

Aside from the big picture items that will have 8 apprentices. If we had that changed adds 20% to 30% to all region construction
be covered by many other members, I have to 2:1 we could have 12. With the drop out projects.
some industry specific items that need to the extra 4 would have a significant impact Third, we need to transform the college of
be corrected from the past obligated Liberal in our ability to meet the need of the market trades. The college of trades is broken and
regime. place. needs an overhaul.
First, change the ratio of journeyman to Second, fair and open tendering. Currently David Timlock, P.Eng., President, GSC
apprentices. I would like to let our young the region of Waterloo is considered an
kids graduating from high school who are employer and therefore got certified by Collaborative Structures Limited
interested in apprenticeships, being able the carpenters union. The impact of this The government needs to significantly
to find contractors willing to take them is that only unionized contractors that reduce spending and get to a surplus, not
on. With the high ratios of journeymen are signed to the carpenters can bid on just a balanced budget, so that we can
to apprentices, contractors such as I are region of Waterloo projects. There is only start paying down the debt. Almost 10% of
unable to train our youth even though the one unionized contractor in the region our annual costs go to interest payments,
province and Feds provide incentives. The that is signed to that union and its Ball which will only get worse as interest rates
Liberals were obligated to tote to the unions Construction. Competing bids must come start rising again. Just think what we could
as their large payments to the parties from outside our region blocking other “afford” if we didn’t have to pay so much on
brought them to power. This allowed the qualified bidders who reside and pay taxed interest.
unions to keep the ratios high developing to the region from beginning able to bid
a large labour shortage of skilled workers on their work. This issue is well publicized Peter Voss, BSc, BA, DAcc, CPA, CA
which keeps the labours rates very high. and documented and a private bill that got President & CEO, Shimco
If the ratios were relaxed, then companies turned down by the Liberal government, Cut spending! Eliminate programs! End
like CSL could hire and employ many more would have rejected the notion that a city or business subsidies of all kinds! Reduce
Ontario young people. The current ratio is governing organization cannot get certified the size and activities of the provincial civil
3:1 journeymen to apprentices. We have 23 by a singular labour union interfering with service. Reduce the compensation package
journeyman carpenters so we currently can fair and open tendering. This current issues for the civil service. If they go on strike,

Helping Employers

Hire Immigrants and Refugees

www.immigrationwaterlooregion.ca/hire

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42 www.cambridgechamber.com
Summer 2018