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

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade makes the permit process more convenient for our customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal is… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…

  • United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    July 4, 2025 United Chargers Inc., known for the Grizzl-E line of EV chargers, announces Grizzl-E Club, a first-of-its-kind charger as a service that provides a free EV Charger and pays drivers back for charging. Grizzl-E Club is designed to make EV ownership more rewarding, accessible, and future-ready. Beginning July 1st, Canadians can join the Grizzl-E… Read More…

  • Consultation on Potential Tariff Remission for Certain Imports

    Consultation on Potential Tariff Remission for Certain Imports

    July 4, 2025 The Department of Finance Canada is reaching out to Canadian producers and industry associations regarding the potential remission of tariffs on certain imports from the United States and China. The Department has outlined its framework and process for how it will consider remission requests for tariffs on products from the United States (U.S.) and China…. Read More…