Ontario Construction Secretariat

The OCS is a labour/mgmt org that enhances Ontario's unionized ICI construction industry by developing relationships, facilitating dialogue & providing research

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

📊 NEW BULLETIN: Ontario ICI Building Permits Fall to Second-Lowest Level of 2026

Ontario’s ICI building permit value fell to $1.54 billion in August, down 29.2% from July and 11.7% from August 2025.

Lower institutional and commercial permit values drove the decline, while industrial permits recorded a modest increase.

Read the full update: https://t.co/e0bamHAdxG

#OntarioConstruction #ICIConstruction #BuildingPermits #ConstructionEconomics

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

📊 Ontario construction employment rose in Q3 2026 as unemployment fell to 4.2%.

Employment increased by 12,800 workers between June and September, with the strongest gains among younger workers. Meanwhile, the core working-age group saw declines in both labour force participation and employment.

Read the full Economic Update Bulletin: https://t.co/jxGS5NbgEg

#OntarioConstruction #ConstructionEmployment #LabourMarket #OCS

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

🎙️ New episode of OCS Talks!

What does Buy Ontario mean for construction procurement?

Host Brian Barron joins construction procurement lawyer Glenn Ackerley to explore how trade agreements, complex supply chains and low-bid practices affect efforts to buy locally and what it takes to achieve the best value for public investment.

▶️ Listen or watch now: Buy Ontario: Navigating the Complexities of Construction Procurement https://t.co/VH98yl9Kmg

#OCSTalks #BuyOntario #ConstructionProcurement #OntarioConstruction

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Ontario Construction Secretariat! 🍂

We’re grateful for our labour, management and industry partners, and for the skilled workers whose dedication helps build strong communities across Ontario.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, good company and time to recharge.

#HappyThanksgiving #OntarioConstruction #SkilledTrades #BuildingTogether #OCS

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

We are proud to recognize Richard Hayter as the recipient of the 2026 OCS Award of Excellence, honouring his lasting contributions to health and safety, workforce development, and labour relations in Ontario’s construction industry.

Richard’s leadership and commitment to collaboration made a meaningful difference to our industry and his community. Following his passing earlier this year, we were honoured to present the award to his son, Greg, and daughter-in-law, Joanie, at our 2026 Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum in Muskoka.

Thank you, Greg and Joanie, for joining us to celebrate Richard’s achievements and enduring legacy.

#OCSAwardOfExcellence #OntarioConstruction #Leadership #LabourRelations

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

As we come together on the final day of our Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum, we also recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Today is an opportunity to reflect, listen and honour the children who never returned home, Survivors, their families and communities. We recognize the ongoing impacts of the residential school system and the importance of continuing the work of truth, reconciliation and understanding.

🧡 Every Child Matters.

[ECA Ontario @ECAOntario]

ECAO Executive Director, Graeme Aitken, joined industry colleagues at the OCS Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum for a panel discussion on the impact of mega projects on Ontario’s ICI construction sector.

@OntConstSec

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Now underway at the OCS Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum: a panel discussion on the Impact of Mega Projects on Ontario’s ICI Construction Sector.

OCS CEO Brian Barron is moderating the conversation, exploring how major projects are shaping the industry, workforce and labour relations landscape across Ontario.

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Katherine Jacobs, OCS Director of Research, walks us through the highlights of the 2025 Post-Bargaining Survey, exploring key findings, emerging themes and what the results may mean for labour relations across Ontario’s unionized ICI construction sector.

An insightful look at the trends shaping the industry and the road ahead. 📊🤝

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

The formal part of the OCS Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum is officially underway! 🎤

Brian Barron welcomes everyone and kicks things off before we dive into today’s Labour Relations session with Gary Furlong.

Looking forward to a great day of learning, conversation and connection!

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

A warm fall evening at the JW Marriott to officially welcome everyone to the OCS Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum 🍂✨

Beautiful sunset, crisp fall air and the leaves just starting to turn… the perfect way to kick off a great few days together. 🥂

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Kicking off our Annual Conference & Labour Relations Forum with a round of golf at The Rock! ⛳️

Great conversations, friendly competition and the perfect start to a few days of connecting, learning and collaborating. Let’s get the conference underway!

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Ontario’s ICI building permit value returned to more typical levels in July, falling to $2.17 billion following June’s record-setting activity.

Commercial construction accounted for just over half of July’s permit value. Toronto remained Ontario’s largest market, while Brantford recorded a sharp increase and the highest permit value outside Toronto.

Read the latest OCS Economic Update:
https://t.co/tVAlx2gLbC

#OntarioConstruction #ICIConstruction #BuildingPermits #EconomicUpdate

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Remembering Jack Mesley

The construction industry mourns the passing of former OCS Board member Jack Mesley, who served from 2016 to 2019. Jack dedicated himself to strengthening the industry—championing contractor success, worker health and safety, training, and vital support initiatives such as the DeNovo Treatment Centre. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and countless colleagues across the construction community.

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Happy Labour Day! 👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

Today, we recognize the skilled tradespeople and workers whose hard work, dedication and expertise help build Ontario every day.

A special thank you to our unionized skilled tradespeople for the important work you do to build stronger, safer communities across our province.

Enjoy some well-earned time off this Labour Day!

#LabourDay #SkilledTrades #UnionizedConstruction #BuildingOntario

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

🔨 Ontario Investing Nearly $3.9 Million to Train More Women in the Skilled Trades

The Ontario government is investing nearly $3.9 million through the Skills Development Fund to help more than 310 women across the province prepare for rewarding, in-demand careers in the skilled trades.

Four training projects will provide participants with specialized training, mentorship, employment supports and connections to employers — helping more women overcome barriers to employment while strengthening Ontario’s skilled trades workforce.

🔗 Read the full announcement: https://t.co/xiBGdGhdKF

#SkilledTrades #WomenInTrades #Ontario #WorkforceDevelopment #Construction

[Sto Canada Ltd. @StoCanadaLtd]

#Ontario’s industrial, commercial, and institutional #building permit values reached $11.24 billion in Q2 2026, nearly double the value recorded in Q1, finds @OntConstSec – via @Building_mag
https://t.co/St1RupDsHC

[Sto Canada Ltd. @StoCanadaLtd]

According to an economic update by @OntConstSec, #Ontario’s #construction labour market improved in July 2026, increasing by approximately 14,200 workers – via @Building_mag
https://t.co/YRgDOTtDzp

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

📊 Ontario Inflation Holds at 2.0% in July, Lowest Among Provinces

Ontario’s annual inflation rate remained at 2.0% in July, the lowest among all provinces.

Higher gasoline prices continued to put upward pressure on inflation, while declines in natural gas prices and homeowners’ replacement costs helped moderate overall price growth.

Core inflation remained subdued, rising to 0.9% excluding food and energy, while inflation excluding gasoline stood at 1.2%.

🔗 Read the full update: https://t.co/ulByuNGZrz

#Ontario #Inflation #Economy #EconomicUpdate #ConstructionIndustry

[Ontario Construction Secretariat @OntConstSec]

Ontario’s ICI construction market surged in Q2 2026, with building permit values reaching $11.24 billion — nearly double Q1 levels.

🏥 Institutional projects drove the increase, accounting for more than half of total ICI permit value, supported by a major medical project in the Toronto CMA.

📈 Commercial permit activity also strengthened, while industrial permit values declined.

🏗️ Beyond Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, London, Hamilton and Peterborough were among Ontario’s leading ICI markets during the quarter.

Read the full bulletin for the latest regional and sector trends:
https://t.co/bywLwasdI4

#ICIConstruction #OntarioConstruction #ConstructionIndustry #BuildingPermits #EconomicUpdate