March 3, 2005

Meeting held in Toronto

Trade contractors set their priorities

By Grant Cameron

staff writer

Representatives of seven major national trade contractor organizations met in Toronto last week to set out priorities for the year.

The group, now named the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC), reaffirmed that promotion of bid depositories, getting paid promptly for work performed and the promotion of unaltered standard forms of contract were priorities.

The coalition consists of representatives from the mechanical, electrical, masonry, steel, fire suppression, roofing, and thermal insulation sectors of Canada’s construction industry.

It was the group’s second meeting in three months.

The NTCCC says other invited trade contractor associations conveyed their regret for not being able to attend the meeting but they have expressed an interest in participating in future gatherings.

In order to properly and responsibly address its priorities, the NTCCC constituent organizations have agreed to financially support the future initiatives of the coalition.

During last week’s meeting, the NTCCC approved its intention to support the actions of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) if the CCA endorses and agrees with the recommendations contained in the draft of the Bid Depository Education Strategic Plan.

Failing such an endorsement, the NTCCC intends to promote the use of bid depositories across Canada unilaterally.

The NTCCC also intends to develop a communications/education strategy designed to illustrate the benefits of using “unaltered” forms of standard contracts to all trade contractors.

The strategy will highlight the hazards and consequences of signing unfair terms and conditions accompanied with recommendations and suggestions on how to get paid promptly and fairly for work performed.

To support this strategy, the NTCCC says a series of seminars and meetings will be scheduled in various locations across Canada.

In addition, the coalition fully intends to pool its collective resources, including the sharing of the industry’s top management educational programs and “best business practices” to all trade contractors, nationally.

The current member associations of the NTCCC collectively represent contractors across the country primarily active in the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors.

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