Ontario Accepts Recommendations to Strengthen College of Trades

College of Trades

In partnership with the Ontario College of Trades, the province has accepted recommendations made by former Secretary of Cabinet Tony Dean in his report, Supporting a Strong and Sustainable Ontario College of Trades. Ontario will bring forward proposed legislative changes in the spring legislative session and will work closely with the college to implement Mr. Dean’s recommendations.

The College of Trades is an industry-driven governing body responsible for promoting and modernizing skilled trades in the province. Dean’s recommendations would help improve the college’s processes and clarify its mandate by

• supporting the existing trade boards to update and bring consistency to all trades’ scopes of practice

• reviewing how trades are classified through establishment of an independent and evidence-based process that will use risk of harm as a key criterion

• establishing clearer and more concise criteria on how journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios are determined

• developing an enforcement and compliance committee and appeal process to resolve potential conflicts earlier, as well as ensure enforcement activities are consistently carried out with safety and the public interest in mind.

The report was informed by an open and transparent year-long review that included consultations with several hundred tradespeople, employers and industry and trade boards representing more than 70 trades.

Ontario’s ongoing commitment to strengthen the skilled trades and apprenticeship system is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

The Ontario College of Trades provides members with benefits such as recognition as a skilled-trades professional, enforcement of trade regulations, and a mechanism to ensure public safety through a discipline and complaints process.
The college has 237,000 active members in more than 150 apprenticeable trades, including the electrical, construction, industrial, motive power, and service sectors.

Read the report: www.ontario.ca/deanreport. Find out more about the college: http://www.collegeoftrades.ca.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Hammond Power Solutions Appoints Linda Nadeau Sanford as Western Regional Sales Manager

    Hammond Power Solutions Appoints Linda Nadeau Sanford as Western Regional Sales Manager

    May 12, 2025 Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), a leader in dry-type transformers and power quality solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Linda Nadeau Sanford as the new Western Regional Sales Manager. Linda will play a key part in driving sales and revenue across the Western Canada region. She will oversee territory management, advance… Read More…

  • Susanna Zagar, Ontario Energy Board CEO, Named EHRC’s 2025 Agent of Change

    Susanna Zagar, Ontario Energy Board CEO, Named EHRC’s 2025 Agent of Change

    May 12, 2025 Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) is proud to announce Susanna Zagar (she/her), Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), as the recipient of the 2025 Agent of Change Award. This recognition celebrates Ms. Zagar’s remarkable leadership and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the electricity sector. Since stepping… Read More…

  • AD Reports Huge Jump in Member Sales Through Three Months of 2025

    AD Reports Huge Jump in Member Sales Through Three Months of 2025

    May 12, 2025 AD reports that member sales in the first three months of 2025 increased 23% to a record $24 billion across the group’s 14 divisions and three countries. AD welcomed over 550 new members in the first quarter through both organic growth and the IMARK Electrical merger. AD members also acquired another 10… Read More…

  • Legrand Introduces Wattstopper i3 Building Management Platform

    Legrand Introduces Wattstopper i3 Building Management Platform

    May 12, 2025 Legrand® has announced the launch of the Wattstopper i3 Platform, a next-generation lighting and building intelligence solution powered by KODE Labs, a global leader of advanced smart building technology.  The partnership positions Legrand to lead the lighting controls industry into a new era of unified experiences, seamless integrations, and data-driven control, making it easier… Read More…