In its current form, the Ontario College of Trades (the College) is not positioned to deliver on many elements of its mandate. Over the last year, concerns have mounted over its compulsory membership structure, and the bias inherent to its trade classification review process. Additionally, the implications of expanding the range of compulsory trades have not yet been fully analyzed or adequately debated, and decisions appear to be made without sufficient objective evidence to support outcomes.
The chamber network has been leading the conversation about reforming the College since its creation in 2009. In October 2013, we released the report, Caution: Work Ahead, which highlights a number of serious issues facing the College and provides six recommendations that, if implemented, will make the College more responsive to employers’ evolving needs.
We partnered with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to submit recommendations into the Ontario College of Trades review process being conducted by Tony Dean. The submission can be found here.
The chamber also made its own standalone submission. Read it here.

Author: Sharleen Sissons