COCA recognizes prompt payment champions

dcnonl.com
March 19, 2014

Steven Del Duca, the Liberal MPP for Vaughan and Sandra Skivsky, the director of marketing and development with the Ontario Masonry Contractors Association, were recently honoured by the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) for their contributions to the advancement of prompt payment legislation.

At COCA’s recent annual general meeting, Del Duca was honoured with COCA’s Industry Ally Award for spearheading Bill 69, the Prompt Payment Act 2013. Del Duca has worked with legislators and stakeholders to shepherd the bill through the legislative process, said COCA.

The bill passed first and second readings in 2013 and was refereed to committee.

Bill 69 was recently called to Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and clause<0x2010>by<0x2010>clause consideration and public hearings have been scheduled.

“In all my years working around Queen’s Park, never have I seen an MPP work more effectively than Steven has, bringing a diverse range of construction industry stakeholders together to look for ways to improve the Bill,” stated COCA president Ian Cunningham in a news release.

Skivsky, who has served as chair of the government relations committee of the coalition of stakeholders that has been pushing for prompt payment legislation, since late 2012, was presented with COCA’s Cliff Bulmer Award.

In her time as committee chair, she oversaw the development of an economic impact study, directed and coordinated the efforts of committee members, served as a panelist at two industry events, attended numerous meetings with MPPs, stakeholders and others and attended to a host of administrative responsibilities.

“Sandra has worked tirelessly to ensure prompt payment becomes the law in Ontario,” said Cunningham.

Other highlights of COCA’s AGM were a keynote address delivered by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board chair Elizabeth Witmer, who updated COCA members on progress made to modernize the province’s compensation agency; the presentation of the Chair’s Award to Sherrard Kuzz L.L.P; the President’s Award to Gary Van Bolderen of Dutch Masters Construction Services Inc.; and the re<0x2010>election of Don Gosen of Gosen Electric to serve a third year as COCA’s chairman.