The Ontario College of Trades – a new “regulatory body” for the province’s tradespeople that will teach no courses and train no workers – has announced the membership fees that it will begin collecting in April 2013. Apprentices will have to pay $60 to the College, journeypersons and employers, $120. These fees will be levied on top of any existing licensing or Certificate of Qualification fees that Ontario tradespeople already have to pay.
In the home improvement industry, four trades are “compulsory” (i.e., these trades “must” pay, with as yet unknown consequences if they don’t): electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers and air conditioning/refrigeration mechanics. Carpenters are not yet “mandatory.” Nor yet are any other homebuilding trades beyond the four mentioned. But opponents of the College are warning that, in the years ahead (or earlier) the College is almost certainly going to take over more and more trades of the 157 that it is monitoring, representing 500,000 Ontario workers. The vast majority of whom already pay licensing fees to other regulatory bodies that will continue to exist.
Most of the anti-College publicity so far has been driven by the Coalition of Ontario Construction Employers, which says it represents over 100,000 Ontario tradespeople and employers. In a press release, it says new fees announced last week “by the McGuinty government’s newest bureaucracy amounts to a major tax hit on both tradespeople and consumers.” The Coalition says the fees will drive up a host of consumer service costs, from a hair cut to hiring a plumber, electrician and auto mechanic.
“There’s no question this new McGuinty government bureaucracy is as secretive, disorganized and undemocratic as ever,” said Sean Reid, Chair of the Coalition. “They’ve been stalling for months now on this multi-million dollar tax grab that slams tradespeople and consumers, and yet they still haven’t bothered to explain what tradespeople will get in return. That’s because there is no benefit. It is money for nothing.”
“The reality is that it will cost tradespeople more to do their jobs, employers more to create jobs, and consumers more for a range of services. And the money is all going to support another layer of government bureaucracy that no one needs or wants,” he says.
The Ontario College of Trades, for its part, says that the fees it is levying are good value for the affected trades, since one of the College’s functions will be to provide a way for the public to know if a trade they have hired to work on their homes is “in good standing.”
In addition, the College has said that it will play a major role in attracting young people into the skilled trades at a time when so many skilled workers are retiring. But the College has not announced any details on how it will actually do this nor what that would cost.
The College has a head office on Bay Street in downtown Toronto. Currently about 60 workers are employed there. Bob Guthrie, the College’s registrar, has told Canadian Contractor that this number may triple as the college gets up to speed. The College’s budget is about $22-million for 2013, provincially funded. That burden will soon pass to the tradespeople of the province.
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Michael Gray
November 20, 2012
Once again another layer of bureaucracy, how else can they create jobs ? They have know idea how to get this Province working again, so their idea is to create more tax grabs, and hire more employees to boost their numbers of jobs created. 100,000 strong, lets make sure they hear us !!!
Andre Rochon
November 20, 2012
If no one pays t he new tax and we all rebel, maybe someone will listen.
Robert Perron
March 13, 2013
You could not be any more correct with your statement.Good for you Andre,and every tradesperson whom refuses to pay these idiots for nothing.
Paul Denys
November 20, 2012
I have working in renovation as a carpenter since 1984 (licenced 1988) and running my own business since 1989. My grandfather and uncle were electrian for Canada Electric since the sixties. My other uncle was sheet metal worker. My Great grand father was a foundry worker in Toronto. His brother was a mason. Coming up on to my 30 year anniversary in the renovation business. Apparently I will not be qualified to work in the province of Ontario unless I pay the college their fee. Back off!
I do not need more bureaucracy or certification to ever widen the gap between the under table people and me.
Luc Charles
November 21, 2012
Yet again another tax grab and another try at getting everyone “organized” I have a feeling that if we ALL refuse to pay, they will have to think things over.Do all that you can to support your co-workers and fellow contractors.I for 1 will not pay for this.
Greg Paterson
November 21, 2012
And the Government wants to know WHY the underground economy is alive ?
I currently pay to run my one horse service business the following fees.
– Refrigeration & A /C license
– Gas fitter 1 license
– TSSA ( which by the way send no info except to explain a fee increase or
audit )
– liability insurance ( based on gross sales – what a joke! )
– now Ont College of Trades fee
– also WSIB effective Jan 2013 ( holy cow this could turn into an annuity for
those of us in our later years w/ pain from working in the trade )
I’m fed up ! Guess I”ll back off, get out of Bus and live simple, that should rely
stimulate the economy and educate our youth ………. I’ve had it !!!
Robert Koci
November 21, 2012
Greg: You and thousands of trades who are tired of supporting salaries in safe, easy jobs in the public service deserve better.
bill britton
November 22, 2012
You say that one reason for the College and the fee increase is so that the comsumer will be able to check and see if they have a legitimat tradesperson. Explain to me how Ontario Hydro issues a permit without a valid licence? Why don’t you just be honest and say “it’s a money grab”.
bill…..electrican…interprovincial….37yrs
Rina Ho
December 5, 2012
I’m fully unaware of all of this. I really think they should explain themselves before asking a single penny! Thanks a lot for the informative post.
Doug Leitch
January 5, 2013
I would like to know why we will not be able to reveiw the budget for the College of Trades for 2013 which is now in place. It will be our memebrship fees that will be paying to fund this college of tardes, so with that said I believe that if we are going to be forced to pay the annual membership fees without any choice then we are entitled to reveiw the budget now to see how our monies is going to be spent.
I think that every trades person and employer needs to demand to receive a copy of the budget before you pay any fees.
remember it is our monies not the governments or the tax payers money, it is the trade people and trade employers that will be paying this and the College of Trades need to be open and transparent. They also do have to be held accountable to us the trades people.
Bob James
March 3, 2013
I recieved a letter on friday introducing the College(but it’s not really a college) to me for the first time. I have been a licensed auto mechanic for more than forty years. I am five years from retirement. This college will cost all of you who decide to pay the fee they demand (or else). a lot of money as they increase thier annual fees very quickly in order to pay their rediculous salaries.
I will likely pay both of my license fees when they come due, however I wll never pay the folks in Toronto one dollar. I wonder if that means I will finish my working years with out a license. Perhaps the guys who work with out a license in an improperly equipped shop often for cash under the table are the smart ones after all.
Robert Perron
March 13, 2013
I believe that all ontario tradespeople should not pay this ridiculous fee.We must stop this nonsense once and for all.Who do these clowns think they are at extorting money from hard working people,which they have no idea what a real job is.We pay taxes on taxes on taxes to pay for some lazy politician or his lazy buddies.We have earned our certification,not the lazy people who tax the crap out of everyone,and spend our tax dollars like a bunch morons whom they are.This will do nothing for tradespeople whatsoever. because we are the trained professionals,and not these idiots.We need tradespeople,fire rescue,police,and military,but we certainly would be better off if there were no politicians ever again.I cannot think of one logical reason why there is any use for politicians.If they were honest,then perhaps there may be some use for them other than sucking money out of everyone that they did not earn whatsoever.I just cannot believe how many bloodsuckers are out there,WOW.
jin
March 19, 2013
one or two day work stoppage see how ontario makes out with no tradersman
Tim F
March 26, 2013
i ready to joint skilltrades people who wont pay this tax crab. We must stop this. Too much weight.
Norm J.
April 3, 2013
Got my letter the other day. I just paid for my 3 year stickers for motor vehicle and truck and coach , the letter states that the $120.00 I just paid will be applied to my $120.00 membership fee. I say B.S. I never applied to be a member, as well I think they are breaching a contract. No indication was given with my notice for renewal.
The letter states alot of B.S. let’s be realistic , who in their right mind will want to work in their trade in this province. Let’s call a spade a spade , the Liberal government has been in contempt as dishonest since the day McGuinty took power.I am contemplating telling the Colleges to pound salt, if all trades people do that where will they be , will they put us all on the register showing us as suspended. I for one will request a refund for the money I just paid .
I agree with jin, all trades people shouls stand together and proclaim a day of protest and work stoppage to show that we have had enough of the Government cash grab.
Shawn Blondin
April 6, 2013
ALL forms of Canadian government have now declared WAR on Canadian citizens .Democracy is dead in Canada. The feds just anounced that your savings are no longer yours. ARE YOU PREPARED?
Tony
April 8, 2013
I am fed up with this government. They will not get my vote in the next election..
Glen Martin
April 10, 2013
My trade licenses went up 500% for what, to say I belong to some association, & please tell me how publishing my name and license # on their members list is going to enlighten the consumer, BS it is just another way of Big Bro keeping their hands in my wallet, if you want my ticket before I do some work for you I’ll be more than happy to show it to you, but to publicly display it on the internet is a invasion of my privacy, when I looked up my name there are 2 exact names, there is no way anyone is going to the trouble of making sure they have the right ticket # etc, there is no way of telling if the same person owns 2 tickets, and if one show up with an infraction how does the consumer know if he has the right person or someone with the same name, they will just move on and hire someone else, besides that;s why you hire a reputable company, who employs qualified licensed trades persons, carry WSIB, insurance, etc,so what is this org going to do for me ? nothing, nil, zero, nada, no matter how you say it it a big fat tax grab !!!
Dwayne Meekison
April 15, 2013
Ok let’s call Ontario College Of Trades what it really is :
1: College: Noun:
A: An educational institution or establishment, in particular
B: One providing higher education or specialized professional or vocational “training”
2: Union: bullshit:
A. The act of uniting or the state of being united.
B. A combination so formed, especially an alliance or confederation of people, parties, or political entities for mutual interest or benefit.
The College Of Trades is not a COLLEGE it offers nothing in return for its membership fees. NO TRAINING AT ALL.
It is in fact a UNION, an alliance or confederation of people, parties, or political entities for mutual interest or benefit.
And their soul interest is to benefit $$$$ from the hard working trades of Ontario.
They actually tweeted this me:
“We will use these fees- the lowest of all 40 ON colleges- to protect consumers & support you legitimate tradespeople.”
Duh ??? I am a “consumer” and a legitimate tradesman. And I see “NO” protect and “NO” support. Only higher fees. Which in turn will cause all trades to increase their rates. And I’ll have to pay even more for any services I need.
So honestly. “WHO IS BENEFITTING”
I know : the “OCOT UNION” board members. That’s who. Their making 6 figure incomes protecting me from me.
I am a licence mechanic. I am “NOT” a member of “any” COLLEGE. And I will never join any UNION.
So after Mar 2015 when my Valid Ontario Mechanic Licence expires. I will be joining the unlicensed sector of Ontario workers.
GREAT JOB OCOT. WAY TO GO. FORCING PEOPLE TO BECOME UNLICENCED, instead of promoting for more skilled trades.
Dale
April 16, 2013
So one of the trades certificates I hold is for Appliance Service Tech,I studied paid and wrote the non mandatory tests and was told I was good for life, if I get a letter asking for money I am going to rip up and throw it all in the trash.
Dale
April 16, 2013
Sure is making becoming a politician attractive!!!