COCA’s 50th Anniversary

Celebrating 50 years of unity, advocacy, and building Ontario’s future together.

Introduction

Celebrating 50 Years of a Unified Voice for Ontario Construction

In the early 1970s, Ontario’s construction industry was fractured, with numerous local and trade associations competing for attention at Queen’s Park. Recognizing the need for a coordinated approach, Premier Bill Davis challenged the sector to form “one voice” to effectively represent its collective interests. The industry met this challenge head-on, creating a unified provincial federation that today marks 50 years of collaboration and progress.

Canada – Ontario – Toronto – Buildings – CN Tower – Construction 1974

CANADA - AUGUST 21: Canada - Ontario - Toronto - Buildings - CN Tower - Construction 1974 (Photo by Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

1975 – 2025

CANADA – JUNE 03: High-level service: Premier William Davis hands sandwich to construction worker Wilfred Hounsell,(Photo by Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The early 1970s was a transformative time in Canada. Women entered the workforce in record numbers. The microprocessor was poised to revolutionize computing. Ottawa introduced the metric system, ParticipACTION, and wage and price controls to tame double-digit inflation. Ontario became the first province to mandate seatbelt-wearing, and the first province to introduce its own Building Code. It also became home to the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the world until 2009

Ontario’s construction industry was a cacophony of voices at this time, with numerous local and trade associations vying for attention at Queen’s Park. Recognizing the need for a coordinated approach, Premier Bill Davis issued a bold challenge: create “one voice” to effectively represent the interests of the construction sector.

This challenge was met head-on with the birth of a unified voice: a strong federation of construction associations that today celebrates 50 years of building Ontario’s future, together.

Among the organizations most important successes over the past five decades were:

The reform of the former Construction Lien Act, renamed the Construction Act, which included a prompt payment regime and a dispute resolution system called adjudication
Working with the senior leadership at the WSIB and the government to develop and implement a new employer-centric rate setting process and experience rating system called the Rate Framework which led to the elimination of the WSIB’s unfunded liability in 2018.

Commemorative Magazine

To celebrate and capture the fifty years of COCA, an anniversary publication, “Honouring the Past-Building the Future” was developed over the last three years through research and interviews with numerous COCA leaders past and present.

Inside the Magazine

Message from the Premier
Chair’s Message
President’s Message
COCA History
50TH Anniversary Award Winners
COCA’s Chairs
Award Winners

View in single pages format | View in magazine format

Anniversary Dinner

COCA celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special reception and dinner in the Woodbine Club at Woodbine Racetrack on the evening of June 12th.

This significant milestone was marked with an address by The Honourable David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and attendance by special guests including past COCA Chairs and board members.

With all anniversary celebrations it was nice to welcome back those who have contributed to COCA’s success. Among the guests for the evening:

Former COCA Chairs

Doug Chalmers, Jim Coates, Dan Lancia, Don Gosen, Gary van Bolderen, Steve Dietrich

Former treasurers & board members

Robert LeChien, Jim DiNovo — Scott Garrett, Martha George, Namby Vithiananthan

Special Guests

David Frame (former COCA President) · David Marshall (former President and CEO, WSIB) · Michael Sherrard (Sherrard-Kuzz; Chair, Skilled Trades Ontario) · Ian Howcroft (CEO, Skills Ontario) · George Gritziotis (former Registrar and CEO, Ontario College of Trades) · Joel Moody (Chief Prevention Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister) · Susan Adams (Director, Office of the Employer Advisor) · Brian Barron (CEO, Ontario Construction Secretariat) · Elvy Moro (STEP Coordinator, TDSB)

Photos from the dinner and awards can be viewed and downloaded from our digital photo album.

50th Anniversary Award Winners

As we mark our 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce a special, one-time-only award to honour the remarkable individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping COCA’s legacy.

This award recognizes those whose significant and sustained contributions have left an indelible mark on our community, showcasing their leadership, mentorship and positive influence over the years.

Biographies of our award winners can be found in the Anniversary Publication.

The awards were hand crafted by Marie Bohm using locally sourced materials. Marie is located in Port Franks, Ontario. https://www.mariebohm.ca/