The Ottawa Construction Association hosted its annual general meeting on March 11 at Ottawa’s Infinity Centre. More than 300 people attended.

In addition to reporting an operating surplus and a strong balance sheet for the year ending December 31, the association also reported growth in its membership base and education programming.

In his end-of-term remarks to the membership, outgoing Chair Wayne Jennings pointed to some of the achievements the association had made with regard to his goal of positioning OCA as a centre for construction education and training. Specifically, he pointed to the increased training and education space available to members in OCA’s new facility, and the fact that the OCA also hosted more than 120 courses at its training centre, and attracted more than 3,400 participants.

He also pointed to the great success that was the association’s first-ever Construction Symposium and Trade show in February 2019. The event attracted more than 600 visitors.

“Feedback was so strong that it was an easy decision to expand the event to two days for 2020,” he said. “The event was a huge undertaking but the great staff at the OCA is more than up to the task.”

Jennings also pointed to the record volume of construction activity performed by OCA members last year. The City of Ottawa issued more than $3 billion worth of building permits in 2019.

“As the industry grows and becomes evermore complex and sophisticated, the OCA will continue to play a major role in helping our members obtain the training and certifications they need to succeed,” he said. “OCA, meanwhile, will continue to advocate on their behalf to ensure the great relationships we share with local buyers of construction services remain healthy and productive.”

Following his remarks, Jennings introduced incoming Chair Danny Dillon. Dillon, who is the president of the DILFO group of companies, has served on the OCA’s board of directors since 2013.

Dillon has worked at DILFO for more than 30 years, having worked his way through the ranks of estimator, fabrication shop manager, project manager and vice-president.

“As Chairman, my aim is to support OCA’s growing focus on programs for member education,” he said. “I also believe strongly in the value of Lean principles in construction. I want to promote education programs that will help members learn about Lean principles and apply them in their businesses.”

Lean construction practices, he said, can help companies become more efficient and work safer—thereby boosting productivity—in the face of looming labour shortages.

Dillon also indicated that, in light of the success the association enjoyed at its 2020 Construction Symposium and Trade Show—and in particular its Youth Engagement zone—he would put even further emphasis on the role played by the OCA in promoting the skilled construction trades to youth.

“Our annual ConstrucTOURs and the Youth Engagement zone at our symposium are great examples of the work we do to promote out industry to youth,” he said. “I hope to spend more time this year reaching to out to schools and guidance counsellors to make them even more aware of the partnership opportunities available to them.”

Dillon concluded his introductory remarks by thanking Jennings for his work as Chairman, and by recognizing the association’s previous past-Chair, Brian Vlaming, for his contributions to the board of directors.

His first official act as chairman was to recognize those OCA members celebrating 25- and 50-year anniversaries as OCA members. Those firms included 50-year celebrants Univex and Covertite Eastern, as well as 25-year honourees Active Automated Doors, Brookfield Property Partners, David Brown Construction Ltd., C.A.C.E. Construction (1991) Ltd., Louis W. Bray Construction Limited, DST Consulting Engineers Inc., Duron Services Ltd., Dynasty Flooring Ltd., GAL Power Systems Ottawa Ltd., Greely Construction Inc., Kanata Forming Ltd., Maggio Flooring Ltd., McMillan LLP, Pranger-Debruyn Construction Ltd., Total Fence, and X-L Air Energy Services Ltd.