Timmins Construction Association Joins Campaign to Stop Trades Tax

TIMMINS, ON, Nov. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - The grassroots campaign aimed at urging the Liberal government to shut down its newly formed Ontario College of Trades gained further momentum today with another association joining the fight. The Timmins Construction Association is the newest member to join the campaign by the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition.

"We're being forced to pay a new trades tax to support the College, yet we're getting nothing in return," said Bob Burey, Director at the Timmins Construction Association. "This tax will drive up construction costs in Timmins, and drive people out of skilled trades. We joined the campaign because we can't afford to let that happen."

The number of organizations united as part of this campaign against the Ontario College of Trades now totals 20. The Ontario College of Trades will impose an annual membership fees on all apprentices, journeypersons and employers in the province that will add up to $84 million a year. The www.stopthetradestax.com campaign is about stopping this egregious and unnecessary tax at a time tradespeople need support, not more taxes.

"The trades' tax is a sneaky tax that will affect Ontarians in ways they don't realize," said Sean Reid, Chair of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition. "The reality is this tax will make it more expensive for a whole range of services, from getting your hair cut, to your car fixed."

In a formal submission to the Ontario College of Trades, the Coalition outlined several concerns, including a lack of transparency and information around the College's budgetary requirements, future business plans, and how the College will be financially accountable to Ontarians.

"Coalition members employ more than 100 thousand tradespeople from across Ontario. And our membership continues to grow on a weekly basis. They've joined the campaign to shut down the College and stop the trades tax," Reid added. "We're encouraging all Ontarians to join us by writing to their MPP and signing our petition, since this is a tax that affects everyone."

About the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition
The Ontario Construction Employers Coalition was formed in September 2011 by 8 major provincial construction associations. The Coalition has grown to include 20 associations whose members employ more than 100,000 skilled tradespeople across Ontario. The Coalition regularly receives calls from interested individuals, employees and employers in a variety of sectors concerned about the College and its job killing tax. To learn more about the Coalition and the Stop The Trades Tax Campaign visit: www.stopthetradestax.ca.

The Coalition includes:

• Conestoga Heavy Construction Association
• Durham Region Heavy Contractors Association
• Durham Region Home Builders' Association
• Grand Valley Construction Association
• Greater Toronto Sewer & Watermain Contractors Association
• Hamilton & District Heavy Construction Association
• HCAT - Heavy Construction Association of Toronto
• National Capital Heavy Construction Association
• Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara
• LDCA - London and District Construction Association
• Merit Openshop Contractors Association of Ontario
• OEL - Ontario Electrical League
• OGCA - Ontario General Contractors Association
• ORBA - Ontario Road Builders Association
• OSWCA - Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association
• OCA - Ottawa Construction Association
• PCA - Progressive Contractors Association of Canada
• RESCON - Residential Construction Council of Ontario
• Sarnia Heavy Construction Association
• Timmins Construction Association

SOURCE: Ontario Construction Employers Coalition

For further information:

Jessica Georgakopoulos, Playbook Communications, [e-mail], 416-994-7901

Bob Burey, Director, Timmins Construction Association, 705-264-5262, [e-mail]

Sean Reid, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada and Coalition chair, [e-mail] 289-335-1181