News & Events

News & Events

Press Releases:

Media inquiries:
Mary Ingram-Haigh
mary.ingram-haigh@oel.org
905-238-1382

Gov't of Canada "Presents Cheques to First Apprenticeship Completion Grant Recipients". Government of Canada (August 24, 2009). Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources & skills Development, presented a $2000 Apprenticeship Completion Grant cheque to two of the first apprentices in B.C. to qualify. Click here for press release.

"Federal Apprenticeship Completion Grant is now available for eligible apprentices." Government of Canada (July 2, 2009) Senator Mike Duffy announced the new grant in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island on behalf of Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. Click here for press release

Employment Ontario offers loans for tools. New apprentices may receive a loan to help them buy the tools and equipment they need to perform the trade in which they are registeres. Click here for more information.

Jim Wilson, MPP (Simcoe-Grey) & P.C. Critic for Training, Colleges & Universities also challenges the government on the proposed College of Trades. Click here to hear his concerns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53zKgLbNAHI

"Ontario's apprentice ratio dispute continues to be split along union, non-union lines". Daily Commercial News (January 6, 2009). Correspondent, Ian Harvey cites those in favour of a change including OEL President, Mary Ingram-Haigh & member companies B T Electric Contracting, Pro Electric, and the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute.

"Over Half of Apprentices Don't Complete Training: Auditor General", Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (December 8, 2008). News Release quotes Auditor General Jim McCarter who reports that "government works harder to register new people into programs than it does to help them successfully finish their training." Chapter 3, Section 3.03 (available here) of the report provides detail of a a "value-for-money audit of selected training programs that receive $412 million a year from the Employment and Training Divison of the Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities and found that the ministry had little information on the results being achieved.

"Tech training course answers a need", The Beacon Herald (December 7, 2008) The Technical Training Group (TTG) in Stratford offer basic electrical wiring fundamentals with funding from MTCU to create an electrical training lab which simulates about 12 residential wiring applications.

"Algonquin College expands apprenticeship program", The Daily Observer" (December 6, 2008) . $1.25 million in funding to be used for Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship programs starting next fall.

On November 26, 2008, Merit Canada for Newfoundland and Labrador announced that "Minister Joan Burke finally made a decision to accept the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board’s Recommendation made last year, to change the ratio from one apprentice for every journeyperson, to one first-year, second-year, or third-year apprentice to one journeyperson to one final year apprentice. This change in policy is effective immediately! ...From March 26-27, 2007, the Board debated this issue for 6 ½ hours over the course of two days of meetings. We listened to presentations both in person and by tele-conference and heard various points of view including different points of view among ourselves. Many employers argued that it was necessary due to the shortage of journeypersons especially in the electrical construction trade, and in order to hire and train more apprentices. Naturally the union representatives on the Board were against increasing the ratio at all, citing safety issues... Thus, the 1:1:1 ratio recommendation is not a 1:2 ratio but a compromise to allow greater flexibility to hire more apprentices." Click here for official letter of confirmation.

"Grits in part responsible for apprenticeship shortage: Wilson", Blue Mountain Courier-Herald (October 29, 2008), Jim Wilson, MPP Simcoe-Grey salutes small business & trades and challenges McGuinty government on the "disturbing" policy of refusing to make a small regulatory change on ratios so that young people can get a job.."

"Debate continues to swirl around journeyman-to-apprentice ratios", Daily Commercial News (October 16, 2008), Vince Versace, Staff Writer quotes OEL President, Mary Ingram-Haigh who revealed that, in a recent member survey , 91% supported a change to a one-to-one ratio.

"Oral Questions, Apprenticeship Training", Legislative Assembly of Ontario (September 25, 2008) Jim Wilson reads from an email sent to OEL PAC committee member and asks the Minister of Training Colleges & Universities again why information on whether you're a union member or not is required on committee application forms.

"Oral Questions, Apprenticeship Training", Legislative Assembly of Ontario (September 25, 2008) Laurie Scott asks Minister Milloy "Do you support changing the current ratio from 3 to 1 into a fair and reasonable ratio of 1 to 1?

"Motion Debate, Apprenticeship Trainig", Legislative Assembly of Ontario (September 25, 2008) Ms. Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock moves that the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, should immediately make the necessary regulatory changes to accommodate the construction and manufacturing trades so that the ratio of journeymade tradespeople to apprentices be 1 to 1.

"Oral Questions, Apprenticeship Training", Legislative Assembly of Ontario (September 22, 2008) Jim Wilson asks John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities why it's so important that applications for the Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) on construction and maintenance electricians require information on whether you're a union member or not.

"Business Groups Join with Ontario Youth in Call for End to Job-Killing Provincial Apprenticeship Rules", Support Ontario Youth, (News Release, September 25, 2008). Mary Ingram-Haigh, OEL President says "Instead of pink slips, Premier McGuinty should offer apprenticeship candidates new rules that will let them work."

"Skilled worker shortage 'crippling' say employers", Financial Post (September 23, 2008)

College of Trades in Works, Province aims to train more skilled workers", The Peterborough Examiner (September 17, 2008) Ackison says "..what does it do for us now? The students are still out there hanging."

"Apprentices in Limbo", The Peterborough Examiner (August 29, 2008): OEL's Contractor Committee Chair, Dave Ackison, Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) Chair & OEL Member Dale MacDonald plus OEL member, Peter Cleary discuss the need for change, the unbalanced structure of the advisory committee, and the solution to change to a 1:1 ratio and get the apprentices into the workforce.

"Training Minister Urged to Look at Training Ratios", The Peterborough Examiner (August 29, 2008): Dave Ackison, Contractor Committee Chair urges MTCU Minister Milloy to change the ratios and to create more balance on the Provincial Advisory Committee for construction and maintenance electricians.

"It's not up to the politicians to fix ratio problem: Milloy", The Toronto Sun (August 24, 2008); When asked if he would follow the lead of other provinces, Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities says "It's not up to the politicians' to fix ratio problem"

"Apprentice workers in limbo", Toronto Sun (August 24, 2008): Reporter, Ben Spencer reports "young tradesmen are trained, skilled but without jobs."

"Ratios Frustrate Would-be Electricians", The Peterborough Examiner (July 5, 2008): Staff Writer, James Neely reports on the "double-edged sword" of the apprenticeship regulations

"Change in rules not that easy: Minister", The Peterborough Examiner (July 3, 2008): Staff Writer, James Neeley quotes Minister Milloy on ratio issue.

"Electric city jobs: Changes to apprenticeship rules could help demand ", The Peterborough Examiner (June 28, 2008): OEL Contractor Committee chair, Dave Ackison says "We ...(need) the ratio changes to one-to-one" and Peterborough Chapter President Steve Pope confirms that "the area has "about 55 local firms all struggling due to the three-to-one ratio."

"McGuinty Hands Pink slips to Youth Across Ontario", Support Ontario Youth Media Release (June 26, 2008): Students forced out of pre-apprenticeship jobs at graduation by unfair provincial rules.

TORONTO, June 26, 2008: McGuinty Hands Pink Slips to Youth Across Ontario
Students forced out of pre-apprenticeship jobs at graduation by unfair provincial rules

Brockville Recorder & Times - “Apprentice restrictions a hindrance, Moss argues: Policy costs jobs, hurts business, firm's owner says” (June 18, 2008)

http://www.recorder.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx
?e=1079013&auth=Ronald%20Zajac,%20Staff%20Writer

Orangeville Banner – “Policy hindering apprenticeships” (May 27, 2008)

http://www.orangevillebanner.com/orangeville/editorial/article/49502

London Free Press – “Apprenticeship ratios roadblock to trades” (June 7, 2008)
http://lfpress.ca/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=18124&x=letters&l_publish
_date=&s_publish_date=&s_keywords=&s_topic=employment&s
_letter_type=Letter%20to%20Editor&s_topic=employment&s_letter
_status=Active&s=letters

Orillia Packet & Times – “Training rules frustrate industry: Ratio limits number of apprentices allowed” (June 5, 2008)

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1060246&auth=
BY+COLIN+MCKIM%2c+THE+PACKET+AND+TIMES

Toronto Sun – “Catch-22 for skilled trades” (April 4, 2008)

http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/
Blizzard_Christina/2008/04/04/5191201-sun.php

The article also appeared in the Ottawa Sun, Peterborough Examiner, Owen Sound Sun Times and Belleville Intelligencer.

Kitchener Waterloo-Record – “It's time to scrap unfair apprenticeship rules” (May 6, 2008)

http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/346320

Daily Commercial News – Poll: “Should the journeyman/ apprentice ratios be changed to allow more apprentices to be trained?” (Week of April 10, 2008)

http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/poll1/522811

FACT: The Ontario government will spend $75 million over the next three years to expand apprenticeship training and increase the number of apprentices to 32,500.

Should the journeyman/ apprentice ratios be changed to allow more apprentices to be trained?

No	6%
Yes	94%

Daily Commercial News – “CFIB seeks expanded ratio for apprentices” (March 13, 2008)

http://dcnonl.com/article/id26810

Orillia Today – “Mayor welcomes infrastructure help” (March 26, 2008)

http://www.orilliatoday.com/orilliatoday/article/67387

Parry Sound Beacon Star/North Star – “Miller rips ‘tax and spend’ provincial budget” (April 2, 2008)

http://www.parrysound.com/press/1207151229/

Radio and TV:

CBC Metro Morning (March 27 and 28, 2008)
Interviews with Judith Andrew, Vice President, Ontario, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (March 27) and John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities (March 28)

http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/ (segments no longer posted on website)

TFO Panorama (April 8, 2008)
Panel discussion on apprenticeship ratios. Guests included electrical contractor Serge Lecompte of Lecompte Electric Inc. in Orleans, Ont.

http://www.panorama.tfo.org/index.cfm

CFRB 1010 Toronto – Issues with Stephen LeDrew (May 4, 2008)
Interview with electrical contractor Walter Pamic, of Power-Tek Electrical Services Inc. in Stittsville, Ont., on apprenticeship ratios.

http://www.cfrb.com

Ottawa Business Journal – “Hotwired: Electricians call for revamp of apprenticeship rules” (Dec. 3, 2007)

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/290436374438012.php

"College of Trades panels had to come first, minister insists". Daily Commercial News June 15, 2009) . Reporter Vince Versace quotes MTCU Minister John Milloy who confirms that "apprenticeship ratios and compulsory certification panels will roll out before College of Trades is up-and-running because they are issues that need immediate attention". Click here for details.

"Critics call for halt on Ontario Trades College Bill" . (Daily Commercial News, May 27, 2009) . OEL & MOCAO want legislation to establish Ontario's College of Trade be put on hold "until conflict of interest allegations against the college's implementation advisor are resolved"

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. (May 28, 2009). "Apprenticeship: Today's Investment - Tomorrow's Competitive Advantage!""Ontario industry coalition urges government to boost apprenticeship funding".

Daily Commercial News (May 14, 2009). Coalition asking for investment of $180 million over 5 years.

"Mike Holmes: Skilled Trades are a Scarcity". National Post (May 21, 2009). ""We take the work of skilled trades workers, such as plumbers, electricians and HVAC specialists for granted, until there's a problem...."

Apprenticeship Completion Grant. Government of Canada (April 7, 2009). A $2000 taxable cash grant announced for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal Endorsement or provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification in a designated Red Seal Trade.

We take the work of skilled trades workers, such as plumbers, electricians and HVAC specialists for granted, until there's a problem...."