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Canada’s Glass Associations: December 2021

FenBC
Some of our FenBC members have already heard about the retirement of Zana Gordon, our executive director. Zana began her career in association management over 25 years ago. She first joined our industry in 2008 as the executive director for the Glazing Contractors Association of BC and in the following year with the Window and Door Manufacturing Association of BC. In 2012, both groups merged together to form our current association. Zana’s official retirement date is Feb. 28, 2022. The FenBC board is working on a transition plan that will provide support for our commercial/residential contractors, suppliers, building envelope professionals and fabricating members here in B.C. The new plan will provide a deep bench of technical support, advocacy and education for the entire industry. 

Save the dates for a series of virtual half-day workshops. “B.C. Reference Procedure for Using Therm to Determine Window Performance Values for Use with the Passive House Planning Package” will be presented by Daniel Haaland and Neil Norris of RDH Building Science. It will teach attendees how to calculate window performance values using the B.C. reference procedure published by FenBC. The B.C. reference procedure is the first methodology using LBNL’s Therm software to be recognized by the Passive House Institute for use on certified Passive House International projects. Dates are Dec. 7, Jan. 11 and 25, and Feb. 8. Check our events page on fen-bc.org for registration. The format will be a four-hour virtual presentation and hands-on Therm/window training. The target audience will be architects and engineers who have a familiarity with Therm and window simulations.

AVFQ
Discussions are underway with Quebec’s CNESST, which is responsible for safety prevention in companies and on construction sites. Currently, in Quebec, there is no definition of the concept of free slab edge with respect to the location of guardrails on construction sites. In collaboration with other associations, the AVFQ hopes that CNESST will be able to rule on this issue and thus arrive at a solution that will consider the realities of different trades and security for everyone. For the past year, the city of Montreal has been applying a construction regulation that seems to lack clarity. Indeed, manufacturers and their distributors encounter difficult situations when municipal inspectors and permit issuers must issue permits or approve plans. As such, the AVFQ is in discussion with those responsible for the file at the city so that the requirements are clear and easily understood.

Under the theme “The Future is Now,” the AVFQ’s annual conference will feature more than a dozen workshops and conferences. It is also time to book Feb. 10 and 11 at the magnificent Chateau Frontenac in Quebec. The program and registration are available at avfq.ca. The Prix Lumieres Gala will be back to reward the most beautiful projects in the industry. It will also be an opportunity to launch the AVFQ’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

The AVFQ is organizing a one-week trade mission to Germany in French from March 26 to April 3. During this trade mission, participants will visit plants in Germany and attend the world-leading trade show for windows, doors and facades, Fensterbau Frontale.

AGMCA
As we draw towards the close of 2021, the AGMCA would like to thank all of our member glazing contractors for their continued support. Through hard work and sheer determination, our members have pushed through another very challenging year. From COVID-related shutdowns and protocols, to serious supply chain issues and rapidly escalating costs, our members have pretty much seen it all.

This year brought with it some sadness to all of us here at the AGMCA, with the passing of our long-serving director and treasurer, Al Jones of Parkway Glass. Al’s sharp wit and sense of humour are truly missed.

Next year brings another round of collective bargaining in the province of Ontario and preparations are already well under way at the AGMCA. We have heard from numerous members who have voiced their concerns and forwarded issues they would like to see brought forward to the negotiating table. Even though negotiations with the IUPAT occur every three years, we consider labour relations to be an ongoing, 365-day-a-year process. It is a year-round effort, not something that occurs every three years. 

As we hopefully inch closer to a return to normalcy, the board of directors of the AGMCA would like to wish all of our members a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous new year.

OGMA
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2022: As we finally begin to emerge from a much-too-long COVID-induced hiatus, president Andrew Dolphin and the board of the OGMA are enthusiastic to get back to organizing functions that bring our industry together in a positive and collaborative manner. We intend to be full steam ahead in 2022. For years now we have brought our members networking social events (golf, racing, fishing); educational seminars on a wide range of topics we hoped would specifically benefit our glazing contractor members; represented our industries interests at many levels (CSA, TCA, CSC, WSPS); and financially supported Prompt Payment Ontario that brought about changes to the Construction Act that we consider to be a huge benefit to our glazing contractor community.

Participation and support from our manufacturing and supplier members is consistently encouraging, but in spite of trying to focus our attention to issues that benefit the glazing contractor sector, the engagement from this group is generally underwhelming.  We’re asking for your feedback.  What would you like us to be doing to bring you more value for your membership?  What do you want to see from us?   Please reply in confidence directly to Frank Fulton, at fultech.fc@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE:  Mark Thursday, June 2, in your calendar now so you have our spring golf tournament at Pipers Heath Golf Club to look forward to over the winter and so that you do not make any plans that could conflict with this most important event.