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CGA Newsletter: December 2019

The FenBC Industry Conference on Oct. 23 was a great success.

FenBC
The FenBC Industry Conference on Oct. 23 was a great success. Our program included our breakfast keynote, the “Code Talkers” panel; our lunch keynote titled “Bidding and Tendering from the Bidder’s Perspective: Beyond the basics”;  “Cold Climate Window Installation for Performance and Durability”; “Lessons Learned Teaching Builders How to Install Windows”; “CEA Energy Hot2000 Modeling”; “Mitigating Thermal Bridging”;  “Passive House for Part 3 Buildings”; “Specifications: What’s in them and how to navigate them”; and a presentation on  the B.C. Reference Procedure for using THERM to determine window performance values for use with the Passive House planning package.  FenBC has worked hard at developing relationships with industry associations this year.  We are members of the B.C. Construction Association, the Building Officials Association of B.C., the B.C. Building Envelope Council, the Canadian Glass Association, the Council of Construction Associations, Construction Specifications Canada, Facade Tectonics and the North West Industries Association.  FenBC also works closely with the Architectural Institute of B.C. and B.C. Housing.  These partnerships and memberships provide FenBC with opportunities for ongoing discussions and participation that assist our members in a greater understanding of codes and standards, while simultaneously offering insight into the realities of applying these regulations in real practice.

Save these dates:  Jan. 16, FenBC Commercial Contractors Meeting; March 19, FenBC Suppliers Meeting;  and April 16, FenBC Manufacturers/Fabricators Meeting. All these meetings will be held at Northview Golf Course in Surrey. More information is on the fen-bc.org website.  Save Feb. 27 as well for the 2020 FenBC Technical Conference and AGM (program to come soon.) Also May 14 for the 2020 FenBC Annual Golf Tournament.

PGAA
The PGAA director met Nov. 27 where multiple topics and initiatives were discussed. The PGAA is focusing on developing a mission statement. Other ideas included the possibility of developing a committee to create a Glass Convention in 2020 that would be sponsored by the PGAA (similar to Glass Connections in the CGA). This convention would promote discussion within the Alberta glazing community on various topics such as the state of the trade and suggestions and ideas on ways to improve the trade. Details on the potential event are still to be determined. Other ideas include developing project-specific awards to recognize Alberta glazing contractors’ work that is being performed in our province.  It came to light a couple of months prior to the AGM for the Glass and Architectural Metals Association (GAMA), Calgary’s local glazier association, that in fact it was not a legal entity. With determined work on behalf of the association’s board members, the status of the association has been re-established under the new title of Calgary Glass and Architectural Metals Alliance Society (CGAMAS). GAMA’s AGM held earlier in November was a success with all board positions being filled by industry leaders. GTA’s (Edmonton’s local association) AGM will be held in January 2020.  Alberta’s apprenticeship program is running strong with continued high demand for training in both Calgary and Edmonton campuses. New updated course materials are being finalized in Calgary by the instructors at SAIT and are almost ready for distribution. The course outline is being reviewed at the PAC level and will be ongoing for the near future.

AGMCA
As an active member of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, AGMCA is committed to promoting careers in the skilled trades to ensure that our members future labour requirements are fulfilled. A recent study completed by Buildforce forecasts the need to recruit 103,000 new workers into the construction industry over the next 10 years in order to keep pace with retirements and new demand. In their forecast, Buildforce predicts that the industry has the potential to draw approximately 78,000 new entrants aged 30 years and younger into the industry. It notes that the development of skilled tradespersons in the construction industry takes years and suggests that we will have to increase recruitment from traditionally under-represented groups such as women, Indigenous Canadians and new Canadians. In the latter half of this decade, 91,000 construction workers are expected to retire. This tells us the need to develop recruitment programs has never been greater.  We need to engage the Ministry of Education to promote a curriculum that prepares students for a high-paying career in construction. Through our partnership in the Labour Management Cooperation initiative, AGMCA promotes programs to engage all of these groups. New marketing toolkits are being developed to help illustrate the dynamics of becoming a glazier and all the benefits that come with choosing that career path. As well, investments are being made in mentorship programs that will help us retain the candidates we do attract. For further information on how your organization can help attract new recruits, please contact us at noel@agmca.ca.

OGMA
SAD NEWS:  It is with sadness that we bring the news of the passing of two long-time contributors to our industry and to the OGMA. Bohdan Zubchinsky left us on Oct. 24 after a long battle with cancer after working with Marc Prevost Machinery for the past number of years.  Bohdan was always a big guy in the industry, figuratively and literally.  He played on the offensive line for the Montreal Alouettes for a few years after finishing university in the ‘70s and was a director and an instrumental part of the Metro Toronto Glass Association’s efforts in putting on the first large glass show in Canada, Image ’86.  He will be sadly missed.

Dieter Gollnow was the president of Eco Insulating Glass and passed away in his sleep on Oct. 16.  Dieter was a German immigrant who arrived in Canada in the ‘50s, was a tool and die maker by trade, and started his first company at the age of 25. He founded Eco over 30 years ago and is responsible for introducing Heat Mirror to the Canadian market. Dieter was a strong supporter of the OGMA and will be greatly missed by his peers.