OBOA President

president

PRESIDENT

It seems hard to believe that I am composing an article for the pre-Annual Meeting and Training Session Journal. At last look, we were approaching summer, now as I write this we are half way through it. The 2010 AMTS in Collingwood at Blue Mountain is building up to be everything the event has become known for. As in previous years, a dedicated Host Committee, led by Bill Plewes, works tirelessly to offer an unforgettable program of technical training, celebration of our profession and our association, the resumption of friendships and professional relationships and most importantly, the venue of the Annual General Meeting and the bi-annual Chapter Chairs meeting. This is the time when the Board of Directors and the Chief Administrative Officer have the opportunity to report to the membership the challenges and accomplishments of the previous year, and the objectives for the coming year.

Particularly over the last few years, with the development of the Self-Management Proposal, the associated member and public consultations and the submission of the final report to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the AGM and the Chapter Chairs meeting have seen their role of vetting the decisions that affect the future of the OBOA increase in scope and complexity. Specifically, the increase in attendance at the AGM over this period is not only an indicator of the expanding interests and operations of the OBOA, but also a sign of the dedication of the membership in ensuring the association strives to reach it’s full potential. This membership interest and participation is the foundation of the OBOA’s current status as a leader in the construction and development industry in Ontario and abroad, and it is the engine the will take the association to new levels of accomplishment and professionalism in the coming years. With this in mind, I encourage every member possible to make plans to attend the 2010 AMTS (knowing that for many it is beyond their ability to choose) and that those who are able to attend the AMTS take time to participate in the AGM. There will be many important topics of discussion brought forward by the Board of Directors this year, including but not limited to Internship Program review, Certification Program review, Training development and financial review/membership dues restructuring. Please refer to the articles of the individual directors for more information.

As has been mentioned in previous articles, the updating of the OBOA Business Plan was postponed as the disposition of the Self-Management proposal was awaited. As we have moved forward, the phased implementation of the goals and the objectives of the proposal have began where able to be accomplished under the current legislative framework. The more complex objectives of the proposal that require legislative amendments (such as a complaints, discipline and enforcement structure) will be a longer-term project of OBOA and MMAH. While the framework of the proposal encountered concern and the need for detailed review, the goals for the future of the profession of the Building Official have been well received and are already in the process of refinement and implementation. Knowing the work that will be required of the OBOA, in partnership with MMAH and other stakeholders, now enables us to re-visit the OBOA Business Plan. In addition to continuing the work on the implementation of the Self-Management goals in the areas of education ownership and development, internship reform including mandatory experience, certification reform and support for small urban/rural/northern municipalities, the revision of the OBOA Business Plan will be a major item of work for 2011.

In addition to the above, there will be at least two issues that have evolved over the last year and that will continue to do so during the AMTS timeframe this year. One issue is the ambiguities that surround the matter of professional design requirements of the Ontario Building Code since the judicial review decision on the application concerning the Professional Engineers of Ontario, the Ontario Association of Architects and the Province of Ontario, as represented by the MMAH. The second is the membership dues review conducted by the OBOA Board of Directors in 2010.

Before the membership reads this article, the MMAH will have put forward a draft position on the question of professional design requirements of the Ontario Building Code, will have suggested a course to resolve the questions that exist in the industry and between stakeholders and will ask for input from all parties prior to making a decision on the action to be taken. Much effort has been made over the last few years on the part of the OBOA and other affected stakeholders such as LMCBO to bring the affected parties together in the aim of identifying a common sense approach to a solution. Regrettably, this effort has not succeeded. This results in the MMAH having to offer a “top down” solution that will need to be analyzed individually by stakeholders, with comments returned to MMAH, resulting in a decision based on governmental review of arguments for and against various technical requirements and enforcement principles. I have to admit that this situation is not what was envisioned or desired by the OBOA. One of the fundamental goals of the OBOA and also one of the primary aspects of the Self-Management proposal was attaining an equitable, professionally responsive structure between Building Officials and the professional design community to address questions of this nature. While support for that concept has continued and flourished in some areas, it has met with resistance and indifference in others. The OBOA will dedicate itself to receiving the MMAH proposal and offering comprehensive feedback in the interests of its members. Further, the OBOA will work with all stakeholders in implementing the resulting decision. As the president of this association, I must offer one clarification based on comments made within the industry as of late. The Building Official must enforce the current legislation in its most current, legislated form. The Chief Building Officials in Ontario will no doubt execute that duty with the professionalism and accuracy that they are know for across Canada and internationally. The Professional Engineers of Ontario Act and the Ontario Association of Architects Act are not “applicable law”, as currently defined by the Ontario Building Code Act. Statements to the contrary have been recently made within the industry, and have caused some confusion. I leave this comment with the professional Building Officials in Ontario for their consideration.

In keeping with one of the primary goals of the association, not just in the scope of professional management, but in the direction set by the membership with regard to the development of new training and the improvement of the existing education base, the study of diverting all training revenue to supporting training functions and the allocation of surplus funds to a reserve to financially support the creation of new courses has been completed. For many years, the funds derived from training, have in part, been used to support the expanded advocacy and member services functions of the OBOA. These functions, and the associated costs have become a core element of the OBOA business service. When looking at the task of removing these funds from the operational side of the budget, and having considered the additional streams of revenue generated by the OBOA administration team (i.e. affinity membership services and the AMTS as examples) it is clear that an adjustment will need to be made this year to the membership dues structure. The board is preparing a dues information package to be released later this summer which will discuss the rationale for any dues change, the net benefit to the member and their employer, and potential cost indexing that may occur in the future.

While the specifics will follow shortly, I would take this opportunity to tell the membership that no source of revenue has been left un-explored, that no method of cost savings (i.e. elimination of board meetings and travel cost savings) has escaped review, and that such attention to cost efficiency will be an ongoing component of the budget process.

I look forward to seeing many members at Blue Mountain later this year. I also look forward to discussing current affairs of the OBOA with our members. Please write to me with any questions you might have.

Respectfully submitted,
Dean Findlay CBCO C.Tech

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