OCOT names members of new compliance and enforcement committee

The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) Board of Governors has approved the appointment of nine members to a new Compliance and Enforcement (C&E) Committee.

The OCOT says: “The C&E Committee is a nine-member statutory committee that advises the OCOT’s board on compliance and enforcement issues within the jurisdiction of the College. In particular, the committee is responsible for developing recommendations to the board regarding the contents of the College’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy and amendments to it.”

The committee was included in the statutory changes to the OCOT in legislation implemented last December, which also included provisions setting out the Ontario Labor Relations Board as the agency to adjudicate certain decisions especially relating to scope of work on job sites.

Here are committee members:

• Catherine (Kate) Poultney (chair), Board of Governors (Motive Power);
• James Barry, Board of Governors (Construction);
• Rob Brewer, Board of Governors (Service);
• Neil Doherty, Board of Governors (Industrial);
• Barbara Duckitt, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS);
• Dorothy, Holster Ministry of Labour;
• Gavan Howe, Public (outside governing structure);
• Ellen Roseman, Public (outside governing structure); and
• Bruce Matthews College’s deputy registrar.

The legislation says the committee should provide recommendations to the OCOT board regarding its “compliance and enforcement policy” within 120 days of the legislation’s receiving royal assent on Dec. 8 (April 7).

This policy will include:
(a) a description of what constitutes a risk of harm and of how such risks will be accounted for in the enforcement of sections 2 and 4;
(b) an annual identification of risks that will be the enforcement focus for a compulsory trade for the year; and
(c)  a description of how the College will fulfil its duty under subsection 11 (2).
Compliance and Enforcement Committee recommendations.

The OCOT board has another 60 days (after April 7) to send a final policy to the Minister and make it public.