Ontario Construction Secretariat

OCS CEO Brian Barron was pleased to speak at last week's Ontario Boilermakers Industry Conference, sharing insights on OCS and the union advantage in Ontario's construction industry. His presentation highlighted how a highly skilled workforce, strong labour-management relationships, and a commitment to safety and quality help deliver better project outcomes for owners, contractors, and communities alike.

📊 New Bulletin: Ontario ICI Building Permits Ease in April

Ontario’s ICI building permit value totaled $2.15 billion in April 2026, down 9.7% from March, largely due to a pullback in industrial activity.

Despite the monthly decline, commercial, institutional, and industrial permit values all remained above April 2025 levels. Toronto led overall activity, while London saw significant growth driven by industrial projects. Medical and hospital buildings topped all building types by permit value.

Read the full update: https://iciconstruction.com/2026/06/15/jun162026_ecoupdate/

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Connections & Cocktails last night at Woodbine Racetrack!

It was a fantastic evening of networking, laughs, great food and drinks, exciting horse racing, and a little friendly betting. We loved seeing so many industry partners come together to connect and strengthen relationships across Ontario's unionized ICI construction industry.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

🔨 Ontario's construction labour market strengthened in May:

✔️ +22,600 jobs compared to April
✔️ Lower unemployment rate
✔️ Employment remains above 2025 levels
✔️ Growing participation among women
✔️ Continued growth in workers aged 55+

As summer construction activity increases, ensuring a strong pipeline of skilled workers remains essential. 🔗https://iciconstruction.com/2026/06/10/jun102026_ecoupdate/

June 10, 2026: Construction Employment Picks Up Ahead of Summer 2026 | Ontario Construction Secretariat June 10, 2026: Construction Employment Picks Up Ahead of Summer 2026 June 10, 2026 SUMMARY Ontario’s construction labour market strengthened in May as employment increased and the unemployment rate declined. Total employment rose by approximately 22,600 compared to April and remains above last yea...

🚨 LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER! 🚨

Connections & Cocktails is THIS THURSDAY, and registration is closing soon

🔗https://ocs.regfox.com/connections-and-cocktails-2026

If you've been thinking about attending, now is the time to secure your spot. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, colleagues, and stakeholders from across Ontario's unionized ICI construction industry.

🍸 Cocktails
🍽️ Great food
🏇 Live horse racing
🎟️ Raffle prizes
🤝 Meaningful networking

Whether you're looking to reconnect with familiar faces or make new industry connections, this is an event you won't want to miss.

📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
⏰ 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
📍 Woodbine Racetrack – Post Parade Dining Room (Gate 10)
🏨 Accommodation available at The Great Canadian Casino Resort

📈 Ontario’s ICI building permits rebounded strongly in March 2026, reaching $2.38 billion, led by a surge in industrial activity and major factory and plant construction in Toronto. While quarterly permit values came in slightly below the previous quarter, industrial and institutional activity remained steady across several regions.

Read the latest bulletin for key insights into Ontario’s construction outlook. 👇
https://iciconstruction.com/2026/05/29/may292026_ecoupdate/

📣 We’re Hiring!

The OCS is looking for a highly creative, detail-oriented, and self-motivated Creative/Graphic Designer to join our team!

In this role, you’ll help bring ideas to life through engaging visual content, digital media, branding, and creative campaigns that support communications and stakeholder engagement initiatives across Ontario’s unionized ICI construction sector.

If you’re passionate about design, storytelling, and making an impact through creative communications, we’d love to hear from you!

📍 Learn more about the position and apply today.
📄 View the full job posting:https://rgd.ca/jobs/creative-graphic-designer

A big thank you to Electrical Power Systems Construction Association for inviting us to take part in yesterday’s CAWIC Golf Tournament! ⛳

We had an absolute blast on the course enjoying great conversations, lots of laughs, and connecting with industry colleagues throughout the day. Thank you for the hospitality and for a fantastic event. We’re already looking forward to the next one!

📈 New Economic Update Bulletin

Inflation Climbs in April, Driven By Higher Gas Prices

Ontario’s inflation rate rose to 2.4% in April, largely driven by higher gas and energy prices amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. At the same time, underlying inflation pressures continued to ease, with core inflation falling to 0.8%, food inflation slowing, and shelter costs remaining stable. With broader price pressures moderating, expectations remain that the Bank of Canada will hold interest rates steady in June.

Read the full bulletin 🔗

May 22, 2026: Inflation Climbs in April, Driven By Higher Gas Prices | Ontario Construction Secretariat May 22, 2026: Inflation Climbs in April, Driven By Higher Gas Prices May 22, 2026 SUMMARY Ontario’s inflation rate rose to 2.4% in April as gasoline and energy prices surged amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, inflation pressures beneath the surface continued to ease, with core infl...

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Just Dropped!

Building Better Policy: Why Advisory Councils Matter in Ontario Construction

How do advisory councils help shape better construction policy in Ontario? Host Brian Barron is joined by Marc Arsenault, Enzo Garritano, and Robert Love to discuss the importance of industry consultation and collaboration between labour, management, and government in building stronger, future-ready policy.

🎧 Listen now! https://iciconstruction.com/2025/04/03/ocs-talks-podcast/

PODCAST | Ontario Construction Secretariat PODCAST OCS TALKS is an educational industry podcast that addresses varying topics, challenges, and opportunities within Ontario’s unionized ICI construction sector. Episodes will feature leaders from across the industry to explore different subject matter. It is our hope that listeners find these...