Ontario Construction Secretariat

Happy Victoria Day from the OCS team! We hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend, taking time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Wishing you a safe and happy holiday weekend! #VictoriaDay #LongWeekend #OntarioConstruction

🌟 Shine a Spotlight on Excellence: Nominate an Industry Leader for the OCS 2026 Award of Excellence 🌟 The OCS Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding leadership within Ontario’s unionized ICI construction industry in the areas of Health & Safety, Labour Relations, Training, and Workforce Development. Do you know an individual or group making a lasting impact in the industry? Now is the time to recognize their contributions. 🔗surveymonkey.com/r/LSCFV39 Submit a nomination by completing our brief nomination form today.

📣NEW Bulletin: Construction Sees Short-Term Improvement, Long-Term Pressures Remain Ontario’s #construction labour market improved modestly in April, with #employment increasing and the #unemployment rate declining compared to March. However, both employment and labour force levels remain below last year’s levels, reflecting ongoing labour supply challenges. The decline has been most pronounced among younger workers. Read the full Bulleting here: 🔗iciconstruction.com/2026/05/14/may…

Join us for Connections & Cocktails at Woodbine Racetrack! 🥂🏇 Enjoy an evening of networking, cocktails, great food, prizes, and live horse racing in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. A great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and make new industry connections. 🔗ocs.regfox.com/connections-an… 📅Date: June 11, 2026 🕧Time: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 🏇Venue: Woodbine Racetrack, The Post Parade Dining Room, Gate 10 📭Address: 555 Rexdale Blvd, Etobicoke *Open to labour, management, and government stakeholders affiliated with the Ontario Construction Secretariat and the unionized ICI construction industry.*

Canada’s Spring Economic Update 2026 highlights major momentum for #construction—focused on building faster, investing in #infrastructure, and growing the #SkilledTrades workforce. Key takeaways in the graphic below 👇

Brian Barron, Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Construction Secretariat, provides an overview of the Union Market Intelligence in Ontario’s ICI Construction Sector

📅 Don’t miss the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition: May 4–5 at the Toronto Congress Centre Closing Ceremony: May 6

#OCSTalks #SkillsOntario #SkilledTrades #FutureOfWork #WorkforceDevelopment #Podcast

🎙️ New Episode Alert: OCS Talks Podcast Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce: A Conversation with Skills Ontario’s CEO Join our CEO, Brian Barron, as he sits down with Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, to talk about the future of skilled trades and how we inspire the next generation to get involved. With rapid advancements in technology, the job market is evolving faster than ever. While we can’t predict every job of the future, one thing is clear—we need skilled trades more than ever. This episode explores how we can attract young talent early and showcase the rewarding, innovative careers the trades have to offer. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify & Apple Music, or watch on YouTube: youtu.be/7zXxgJC7MT8

Today, our CEO Brian Barron and Director of Research Katherine Jacobs attended CBTU’s Day of Mourning ceremony at Major’s Hill Park, at the Canadian Building Trades Monument in Ottawa. Together, we paused to honour the workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or made ill due to workplace incidents. Their memory is a powerful reminder of why health and safety must always remain a top priority across our industry. #DayOfMourning #HealthAndSafety #CBTU

Each year on April 28, we recognize the National Day of Mourning, a time to remember and honour workers who have lost their lives, been injured, or become ill due to workplace incidents. At OCS, this day is a powerful reminder of the importance of health and safety across Ontario’s unionized ICI construction industry. It’s an opportunity for employers, labour partners, and industry stakeholders to reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring every worker returns home safely. We encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect, participate in local commemorations, and continue fostering a culture where safety is a core value, not just a priority. We remember. We reflect. We renew our commitment to safety.

At the CBTU Conference @CDNTrades, our CEO, Brian Barron, and Director of Research, Katherine Jacobs, were proud to celebrate this year’s CBTU Awards of Distinction recipients. Congratulations to Mike Gordon, Director of UA Canadian Training, on receiving the Special Award of Distinction. Congratulations to Ben McIntyre, GP of IUEC, on being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. And congratulations to Tanya Palson, Executive Director of Manitoba Building Trades, on receiving the Workforce Development Award of Distinction. Well-deserved recognition for outstanding contributions to the industry. 👏

📊 New Bulletin Inflation in Ontario ticked up slightly in March, driven largely by higher gas prices. Core inflation also edged higher after several months of decline. Outside of energy, price pressures appear to be easing, something that could influence the Bank of Canada to hold interest rates steady in the near term. 🔗 Read the full update: iciconstruction.com/2026/04/27/apr… #inflation #Ontario #ICIConstruction #union #Construction #GasPrices

Start the countdown and come check out the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, happening May 4–5 at the Toronto Congress Centre! ⏰ 🙌 This free event brings together thousands of talented students from across Ontario as they go head‑to‑head in 75+ skilled trade and technology contests. 🛠️ Explore the Career Exploration Showcase for hands‑on activities, or level up your learning by registering for one of our educational conferences featuring dynamic keynote speakers and inspiring panelists. 🌟

OCS is proud to support Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy 💛 Today, members of our team laced up their shoes and joined the walk in support of families impacted by workplace tragedy. It’s an incredibly meaningful initiative that continues to make strides in raising awareness for workplace health and safety, while supporting those who need it most. Steps for Life is the primary fundraiser for Threads of Life - Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, helping fund vital programs and services for families across the country. We’re honoured to be part of a community that comes together to remember, support, and advocate. Brian Barron Samantha Roxana Martinez Jodi Travers, CHRL #StepsForLife #WorkplaceSafety #CommunitySupport #OCS

Another session of our Fundamentals of Construction Labour Relations course is underway 👷‍♂️📚 There’s still time to secure your spot for our November session—don’t miss out on this opportunity to build your knowledge and strengthen your skills in the industry. Register here: iciconstruction.com/labour-relatio…

OCS Award of Excellence 🏆Know a leader making an impact in Ontario’s unionized ICI construction industry? We’re looking for individuals or teams who inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and lead with integrity. 👉 Submit a nomination today: surveymonkey.com/r/LSCFV39

🎙️ OCS Talks: 2026 Contractor Outlook Survey: Confidence Meets Caution Host Brian Barron sits down with Katherine Jacobs to break down this year’s survey results where strong workloads meet growing uncertainty. What’s driving confidence? What risks are ahead? And what does it all mean for the industry in 2026? youtu.be/_TPkBrtGqf8 Tune in for key insights shaping the year ahead. Listen episodes of OCS Talks on Youtube, Spotify or Apple Music.

📊 Stable Construction Market Masks Decline in Youth Workforce Ontario’s ICI construction sector continues to show steady performance—but beneath the surface, a key challenge is emerging. New data highlights a decline in youth participation in the workforce, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the industry. While current market activity remains stable, future growth will depend on attracting and retaining the next generation of skilled workers. 🔗 Read the full bulletin: iciconstruction.com/2026/04/13/apr… #Construction #OntarioEconomy #ICIConstruction #SkilledTrades #WorkforceDevelopment