news

Rob Kennaley
February 26, 2025

Bill 216 – An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes was passed into law on November 7, 2024, as part of an “omnibus” bill which contained amendments to 17 pieces of Ontario legislation. It will change Ontario’s Construction Act in significant ways and of the changes will be controversial. They were made further to recommendations made by Duncan Glaholt, a very well-known construction lawyer, arbitrator and author, in his 110 page Report, The 2024 Independent Review: Updating the Construction Act. While the Report most often summarized the views of various stakeholders Mr. Glaholt had consulted with, it did not propose actual legislative language for the changes.

The changes will come into force on a future date “to be named by proclamation”. In the meantime, Mr. Glaholt and others are also working on changes to the Regulations passed under the Act, which will introduce even further changes.

To put the changes in context, by way of the Construction Lien Act Amendment Act, 2017 1 , the name of the Construction Lien Act was changed to the Construction Act, lien expiry triggers and time-frames were changed, holdback provisions were significantly altered and sweeping new prompt payment and adjudication provisions were introduced. The changes were made further to recommendations made by Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel in their Report, Striking the Balance: Expert Review of Ontario’s Construction Lien Act 2. It was

1 SO 2017, C24
2 Report Prepared for the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, Delivered April 30, 2016)further to a Reynolds and Vogel recommendation that Mr. Glaholt was retained to further review the Act.

Curiously, Bill 216 passed first reading in Ontario’s Legislative Assembly without debate on the same day Mr. Glaholt released his Report. Within a week, it had passed second and third reading and received Royal Assent, all without comment or debate about the Construction Act portions. The Act’s amendments were thus presented to the Legislature and passed into law before stakeholders had any opportunity to review or comment on whether the Report or the actual wording of the legislative changes. In addition, it does not appear that some of the more significant changes were discussed with stakeholders.

Continue reading the full Kennaley Construction Law report here

Accelerate your business potential by advertising in the BCA Member Directory!

The directory is published and distributed to over 400 members and public procurement departments.  Advertising opportunities are available by the full page, half page or business card size in either colour or black and white.

The BCA Directory is a key source used by procurement professionals across the region to find construction companies, project managers, architects and engineers for their ICI projects.

Formats accepted: JPEG, TIFF, Photoshop, Indesign and PDF

1.Full Page Colour (4 3/4 x 7 1/2) – $375
2.Full Page Black & White (4 3/4 x 7 1/2) – $275
3.Half Page Colour (4 3/4 x 3 1/2) – $250
4.Half Page Black & White (4 3/4 x 3 1/2) – $225
5.Business Card Colour (4 3/4 x 1 3/4) – $200
6.Business Card Black & White (4 3/4 x 1 3/4) – $175

A one time set up fee of $40.00 applies to all new ads.

Changes can be made to existing artwork. Price varies depending on scope of work.

Advertising space is available to BCA Members only and can be purchased here

The City of Barrie has issues a  Winter Weather Construction bulletin which provides important information for constructing during winter months.

Nominations for the Board of Directors and Awards as well as applications for the Jordan Abercrombie Memorial Bursary are being accepted until
4 pm on January 22, 2025.  Awards will be presented at our Annual General Meeting taking place on February 6, 2025.

Board of Directors Nomination Form

The BCA is governed by elected members of the association. These industry professionals are dedicated to the growth and success of the association and each bring a unique perspective from each aspect of the industry.

Spotlight Award

The Spotlight Award is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate a person or company that makes a difference in their community by generously contributing their time and resources for the betterment of the local area. Recipients of this award not only make our neighbourhoods better, but they also help to foster a sense of community.

Excellence in Safety Award

The Excellence in Safety Award acknowledges a member company’s promotion of safety culture in the workplace. The company goes above and beyond to ensure that their employees recognize the importance of following protocols and can go home to their families at the end of a day.

Women in Construction Award

The Women in Construction Award recognizes a female who has become a major cog in the construction industry machine and is making headway towards a bright future for female workers.

Young Leaders Group Award

The Young Leaders Award recognizes the best and brightest young employee. They have well defined accomplishments and exemplify dedication, commitment, and leadership.

Jordan Abercrombie Memorial Bursary Award

This bursary will be presented to student(s) who have graduated or are graduating with a minimum of Grade 12 or equivalent and have demonstrated a combination of academic and trade merit and have a financial need. The student must be enrolled in a construction apprenticeship program, construction technology, construction engineering (degree) or any other construction related postsecondary program.

The Young Leaders Group is excited to announce their first annual Bursary Award!

The Young Leaders Group (YLG) provides a space to engage, connect, and build leaders for their future in the industrial, commercial, and institutional construction industry. The YLG is a space to promote leadership and career opportunities within the industry, encourage young leaders to have a voice and a seat at the table, and network with other members. Our members include Owners, Architects and Engineers, Contractors and Subcontractors, Suppliers, Administrative, Government Agencies, and Students/Apprentices.

As part of their commitment to promote skilled trades to the next generation, the YLG along with the Barrie Construction Association and industry partners are pleased to offer a bursary to anyone focusing on the trades through post-secondary education, apprenticeships, or other means; this bursary is open to those entering or continuing their education.
The applicant(s) must be between the ages of 16 and 26 and residents of Simcoe County or provide proof of landed immigrant status.

Get the full details and the application

Accelerate your business potential by advertising in the BCA Member Directory!

The directory is published and distributed to over 400 members and public procurement departments.  Advertising opportunities are available by the full page, half page or business card size in either colour or black and white.

The BCA Directory is a key source used by procurement professionals across the region to find construction companies, project managers, architects and engineers for their ICI projects.

Formats accepted: JPEG, TIFF, Photoshop, Indesign and PDF

1.Full Page Colour (4 3/4 x 7 1/2) – $375
2.Full Page Black & White (4 3/4 x 7 1/2) – $275
3.Half Page Colour (4 3/4 x 3 1/2) – $250
4.Half Page Black & White (4 3/4 x 3 1/2) – $225
5.Business Card Colour (4 3/4 x 1 3/4) – $200
6.Business Card Black & White (4 3/4 x 1 3/4) – $175

A one time set up fee of $40.00 applies to all new ads.

Changes can be made to existing artwork. Price varies depending on scope of work.

Advertising space is available to BCA Members only and can be purchased here