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Canada’s Glass Associations: February 2022

AGMCA
The Architectural Glass and Metal Contractors Association held its annual general meeting on Dec 2, which, fortunately, was prior to the onset of the Omicron variant. The meeting was the first live event in two years for the association, held under strict protocols, at Cibo restaurant on King St in Toronto.

The AGM is held annually and it gives AGMCA members a chance to come out and meet our board of directors. It is an informal way to raise any items of concern they would like us to bring forward to the IUPAT.

This year’s event was especially important given that 2022 is a negotiation year and preparations are well under way to present our glazing contractors’ concerns at the bargaining table.

Beside the normal legalities of a typical AGM, the meeting also includes reports and updates on topics such as   labour relations, apprenticeship and training. It is also when nominations are considered and elections of directors are held.

Directors returning for the second year of their two-year term are: Noel Cunningham of Flynn Canada, John Bastedo of National Contract Glazing, Angelo Cairo of Stouffville Glass, and Tony Menecola of Applewood Glass and Mirror.

Nominated and elected for a new two-year term were: Tim Isaak of Peninsula Glass, Bill Byers of Transit Glass, Kline Holland (ret. AGC) as labour relations director, Joe Buck (ret. Merit Glass) as director of apprenticeship and training, and Barrie Eon of the AGMCA.

The association would like to thank all its member contractors for their continued support and participation.

OGMA
Andrew Dolphin’s term as president of the OGMA concluded at the end of 2021 and on behalf of the entire board of directors we would like to thank Andrew for his direction and leadership over the past number of years. Needless to say, COVID created some unusual challenges for our association during Andrew’s reign and he did a great job of keeping our group working together.

Jeffrey Makimoto has been voted in as president for the next two-year term. Jeff has been a member of the OGMA board for a few years now and has been working as the plant and quality manager at T.A.G.G. Industries for the past decade. Jeff brings 37 years of working experience with him and we are looking forward to his taking the reins.

Steve Ringler of Alumicor takes on the vice-president role.

SPRING GOLF:  Until Omicron raised its ugly head at the end of 2021, things were looking good for our spring golf tournament scheduled for Thursday June 2, at the Pipers Heath Golf Club.  We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we’ll be able to hold this event so mark your calendar now and think positively.

AVFQ
The AVFQ takes the representation and defense of its members to heart. The pandemic will have generated significant business increases in all construction sectors in Quebec. And it’s not finished yet! For 2022, demand is expected to increase by two percent compared to 2021. The major works and institutional sectors will reach peaks in volume of work. With the government of Quebec having brought forward a large number of its capital projects, including schools, seniors’ residences and hospitals, the activity of door and window manufacturers and installers will be positively impacted. Residential construction should be slightly down, but still at historic highs. Lots of work for our members!

Under the theme “The future is now,” the AVFQ’s annual conference will feature more than a dozen workshops and conferences. The pandemic has forced us to move the date of the annual conference to April 21 and 22 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.  We will also be launching the AVFQ’s 60th anniversary celebrations. 

Quebec’s RBQ is the organization responsible for implementing provincial building regulations and codes. It has adopted the new Quebec building code in recent weeks. As a result, reference is made to the CSA A440.4:19 standard, which has also been recently updated. The AVFQ has modified its training to reflect the changes made to the standard.

The AVFQ is organizing a trade mission to Germany in French from July 9 to 17. Participants will visit plants in Germany and attend the Fensterbau Frontale show. Remember that Fensterbau Frontale had to be moved from March to July because of the pandemic.

The AVFQ is the industry’s leading association for its 200 members.

FENBC
FenBC Is busy as ever planning for 2022.  This year will see the retirement of the FenBC executive director, Zana Gordon.  After 15 years with GCABC/WDMA-BC and FenBC there is going to be a change in management.  Unfortunately, FenBC cannot give you all the details at this time as we are still working on the planning and transition of management.  What I can tell you is that the FenBC membership will be very happy with the course the board of directors has set in place.  Commercial contractors, window and door fabricators, suppliers, associate members and installers will all be well-served by the course the board has set in place.   More to come very soon. 

May 12 is our golf tournament! We have not had an opportunity to golf or meet in person since February, 2020.  What a long two years it has been.  More information will be coming soon on the FenBC golf tournament.   Very exciting!

FenBC has held a series of online workshops for the BC Reference Procedure for Using THERM to Determine Window Performance Values for Use with the Passive House Planning Package.  Daniel Haaland and Neil Norris of RDH Building Science have led workshop attendees through the reference procedure in a four-hour workshop. 

FenBC has completed the work on the Glazing Systems Specification Manual and it will be ready for sale the first week in February. The Glazing Systems Specifications Manual is intended to reflect all aspects of the practice of glazing in Canada. Users of the manual may belong to one of the following: students and apprentices, glaziers and related trade disciplines, suppliers and manufacturers, general contractors and developers, engineers, architects and specifiers.  There are many facets to the glazing industry and as such the subject matter covered in this manual is broad.