Board of DirectorsElectrical Contractors Association of AlbertaExecutives:President: BobMaslanko,PECVicePresident: ClemGratton,PECTreasurer: KellyWildeSecretary: LesDzwonkiewicz,PECPastPresident: RonMackenzie

Chapter Presidents & ECAA Directors:Edmonton BobMaslanko,PECCalgary TimLangCentral DarcyTeicbroeb,PECNorthEast TerryBarnettNorthWest LesDzwonkiewicz,PECLethbridge RobColeman,PECMedicineHat LarryElhartFortMcMurray GordStuve

Directors-at-Large:North TerryMilotSouth DougFraser,PECCommittees:ACSA DaveHagenACA(South) AndyCarrApprenticeship ChrisRauschning,PECAssociateLiaison TerrySawatzkyCECA DJCoppensCommunications EricFadden,PECConvention‘11 BobMaslanko,PECConvention‘12 ClemGratton,PECLabourRelations-Union BrianHaIinaLabourRelations-OpenShop DJCoppensMasters KellyMorris,PECMembership SteveWarholikNominations DJCoppens TerryMilot RonMackenziePEC TomMorin,PECPublicMember SophieSchmaltz

SafetyCodesCouncil:Fire KevenLefebvre,PECElectrical DarcyTeichroeb,PECWays&Means KellyWilde

The Contactor is the official publication ofthe Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta. We welcome articles and paid advertisements.

Contact:Sheri McLean, CAE, Executive Director Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta11235 - 120 StreetEdmonton, AB T5G 2X9www.ecaa.ab.ca

Contact rIssue 1 2011

ElectricalContractorsAssociationofAlbertaNewsletter

“The Voice of the Electrical Industry in the Province of Alberta”11235-120 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5G 2X9 • P: (780) 451-2412 • F: (780) 455-9815 • www.ecaa.ab.ca

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Regular MembersLegacyElectric(Calgary)ZionIndustries(Edmonton)

BroereElectricLtd(Wetaskiwin)ProfileElectricalInstallationsLtd(Edmonton)

GoldTouchElectricLtd.(Calgary)TrueEarthElectricLtd.(StonyPlain)

AmptechElectrico/AAmpereTechnologiesLtd(Edmonton)

Associate MembersLloydSaddInsurance(Edmonton)

Nedco(Edmonton-BranchMembership)ACDandyProducts(Wetaskiwin).

New PEC’sRobColeman(Lethbridge)JanDudzic(Edmonton)

KendeBeaudrap(RedDeer)JorgeN.Mate(Calgary)

DariuszJadiewicz(Edmonton)MylesNadon(RedDeer)ErikNelson(Leduc)

ErikSmith(Edmonton)AllanB.Roy(FoxCreek)

RodneyJamesTaylor(Edmonton)DanielWing(St.Albert)

President’s MessageSomeonesentmethispicturethroughane-mailand I think it is somethingwecan all relate tothiswinteraswepatientlywaitforthespringtoarrive.Justincaseyoudon’trecognizemeinthepicture,Iamtheoneholdingupthesignburiedunder themountain of snowwe have receivedthiswinter!

2011startedoffbeingverybusyformeandtheBoardofDirectorsanditstillcontinueswithseveralon-goingissuesthatneedtobedealtwithbyourassociationbeforetheendofthisterm.ItstartedinJanuarywiththeEdmontonChapterPresident’sBallthattookplaceJanuary15thanditcontinueswithupcomingmeetingsplannedwithofficialsfromAlbertaMunicipalAffairsregardingourMaster’sadministrationcontractandadiscussiononthefutureoftheMaster’sprogram.WewerealsofortunatethisweektohavehadameetingwithTheHonorableThomasLukaszuk,MinisterofEmploymentandImmigrationwherewewereabletodiscusstheMaster’sandourPECprogramunderProfessionsandOccupations.WeallfeltitwasarealgoodmeetingwithMinister.

InFebruaryIwasfortunate tobeable toattend theAlbertaConstructionAssociation’sAnnualGeneralMeetingandtheElectricalInspectorsAssociationofAlbertaannualconference.IalsotraveledtoCalgarywithSheritoattendtheirChaptermeetingandIwouldliketoextendaspecialthankyoutoTimLang(CalgaryChapterPresident)forallowingmetospeakatyourmeetingandforyourhospitalitythatevening.IalsotookintwoPECcommitteemeetings,onewiththeEducationcommitteeandtheotherwithRegistrationCommittee,bothwereverypositivemeetings.

LastweekwemetwithtwounderwritersfromtheWorkersCompensationBoardofAlberta(WCB).Theyhaveaskedusiftheycouldmakeapresentationtoourcontractorsproposinganewprogramcalled“IndustryPricing.”Thisnewproposalwasdesignedbytheunderwritersafteraseriesofstakeholdermeetingsthattookplacein2007/08.TheyhaveaskedusforpermissiontomaketwopresentationstoourmembersandyourboardofdirectorsfeltthebestwayforthemtodothiswastomaketwoinformationpresentationsatourAprilEdmontonandCalgaryChaptermeetings.

 

BobMaslanko,PECPresident

YourAssociation is embarking on a new and exciting advertising campaign topromoteourassociationandourPECprogram,solistenforthemonradiostationsaroundtheprovinceandlookfortheminyourfavouritetrademagazines.PleaseletourProvincialCommunicationChair,EricFaddenknowifyouhaveseenorheardanyofthem.

TheAlbertaConstructionIndustryhasdecidedtopartnerwiththefolksfromStarsAirAmbulanceinajointfundraisingeffort.TheECAABoardhasdecidedtothrowoursupportbehindanindustrygalathatwilltakeplacethisOctoberinEdmonton.SheriMcLeanourExecutiveDirectorhasbeenattendingtheorganizingmeetingsandwillreporttousshortlywithmoredetailsonthisexcitingandworthwhileevent.

Plans are now finalized for this year’s ECAA Annual General Meeting andConvention.TheAGMisgoingtotakeplaceMay27-29,attheDeltaLodgeinKananaskis,Alberta.WehavealotofveryexcitingguestspeakersandsomeveryinterestingeventsscheduledalongwithourAGMmeetings,soifyouhavenevertakenatriptoKananaskisbeforeyouwilldefinitelynotbedisappointed!MywifePhyllisandIarelookingforwardtohostingtheweekend. Conventionpackageshave been posted on the ecaawebsite (www.ecaa.ab.ca) emailed tomembers inanefforttosaveprintingcosts.IfyouhavenotreceivedyourConvention/AGMpackageandwishahardcopymailedtoyoupleasecontacttheprovincialoffice.

Chapter ReportsCalgaryAChaptermeetingwasheldonFebruary10th withapproximately92membersandguestsinattendance.Mr.JohnRobinsonofGuillevinInternationalsponsoredthebar.

Our first guest speaker wasMrs. LoriAbernathy from SAIT who spoke aboutSAIT’s “Promising Futures Campaign”.Mrs.Abernathy talked to themembersaboutraisingfundsforthenewadditionstocampus.MrJohnRobinsoninformedthemembersthatGuillevinInternationalwaspledging$25,000.00tothecampusandchallengedmemberstoparticipate.OursecondspeakerwasKevinLefebvre,PECwhoeducatedusonhowtheBuildingandFirecodesrelatetotheElectricalcodeandhowupcomingchangestotheBuildingcodewillaffectelectricians.

ACodeCommitteereportwaspresentedbyMr.PerrySchmaltz,PECwhoupdatedthechapteron the successfulEIAAconference inFebruary.Mr.BobMaslanko,ECAAProvincialPresident,updatedthemembersonprovincialissuesandremindedthemoftheupcomingAGMinKananaskisMay28/11.

Therewere22newmastersinattendancethatwererecognizedandpresentedwithcomplimentaryPECcourse certificates. The50/50drawwas$170.00dollars andwent toRayWery fromPro-FxServices.TheevaluationdrawwenttoDianneRinaldifromRinaldiElectric.

March11thsaw50membersinattendance.SchneiderElectricwasthebarsponsor–thankyoutoHowardNorthcottandTerrySawatzkywhorepresentedSchneideratthemeeting.Guestspeaker,ReneeGreenerspokeaboutEnmax’sEasyMaxprogram–aflexibleenergyplanforsmallbusinesswithoutbeingtiedtoacontract.SteveDunneupdatedthemembershiponcopperprices.DougBryanintroducedRegHultz,newbranchmanagerforWesco(wewishDennisNeedhamahappyretirement).DonGreenfromFBCTaxStrategiesthenspokeonadvantagesofusingataxspecialist.The50/50winnerwasStephenDunne,PECcoursedoorprizeSterlingKristensen,Gescanand theEvaluationdrawrecipientChrisMedori,Lumacell/Thomas&Betts.

NextmeetingisApril14th.WBCwillbemakingapreseentationtothemembershiponIndustryCustomPricing.Yourattendanceandparticiaptionisimportant. Nominationswillalsobeatopicontheagenda.Anymemberwishingtoparticiapteontheboardfor2011-2012isaskedtocontactRonMackenzie,DougFraserorBrianPhelps.Hopetoseeyouonthe14th!

EdmontonBobMaslanko,PEC-ChapterPresidentSincemylastreportwehaveheldourannualEdmontonChapterPresident’sBallonJanuary15thatCrownPlazaHotel.GreetingsfromtheProvinceofAlbertaweredeliveredbytheHonorableThomasLukaszuk,MinisterofEmployment&Immigrationtotheover220guestsinattendanceonacoldJanuaryevening,butwekeptwarmbydancingthenightawaytothemusicof‘HeyRomeo’Agoodtimewashadbyallwhoattendedthisannualevent.

ThelasttwoEdmontonchaptermeetingswereheldonJanuary17thandFebruary28th.OurguestspeakerswereMaryAnneTokarikofEnmaxEnergyforourJanuarymeetingandNeilGearingofFBCTaxStrategiesforourFebruarymeetingandthebarsponsorswereDJCoppensofTerritorialElectricforJanuaryandGarryTansemofEecolforFebruary.Bothofthesemeetingswerenotaswellattendedhowevertheweathermayhavehadsomethingtodowiththat.

At ourMarch 21stmeetingwe had JohnWettstein ofWettstein Safety Strategies Inc as our guest speaker.A veryinterestingproductpresentationwasmadeonChasmTech’sFullCircleSmartInkdigitalpensolutionthatallowsyoutocompletefamiliarpaperformswhilecreatinganinstantelectroniccopyofthecompletedform.

AttheApril18thChaptermeetingunderwritersfromtheWorkersCompensationBoard(WCB)willmakeapresentationonanewproposalcalled“IndustryCustomPricing.”Thisinformationsessionisbeingheldforyourbenefit,asyouwillbeaskedtoprovidethepathforwardbytheAssociationandmaybeaskedatalaterdatebyWCBtovoteonthisnewproposal.ThiswillbeyouropportunitytofindoutwhatindustrycustompricingisallaboutandtoaskquestionsasthisprogrammayaffectyourWCBcostsinthefuture.

NOTE:TherewillonlybetwopresentationstotheprovincialelectricalcontractorsofAlbertabyWCB,oneinEdmontonandtheotherbeingdoneinCalgaryattheirApril14thChaptermeeting.Mr.BrianMagega,thenewChiefElectricalInspectorforthecityofEdmontonandMr.MauriceOtto,DirectorofCurrentPlanningSafetyCodeswillbeinattendanceattheApril18thChaptermeetingtoupdatecontractorsongettingpermitsfromtheCityofEdmonton.

North WestGreetingsfromtheelectricalcontractorsintheNorthwestChapter.ItiswithgreatpleasurethatIcanservetheNorthwestChapteraspresident.Justashortnoteofwhathasbeenhappening.

Theoilpatchisturningaroundandgettingbusier,soofcourseitisgreatforbusinessandwiththepriceofoilataround$100perbarrelweseeblueskiesahead.Astheeconomypicksupspeed,weonceagainwillstart toexperiencetheshortageoftradespeople.

TheNorthwestChapter held ameeting onOctober 20th, 2010.Wewould liketo say thank you to Wesco as theBar Sponsor for the evening.Mr. CharlesSanderson from theGrandePrairieRegionalCollegewasaGuestSpeakerandansweredmanyquestionsfromourmembers.

Mr.TomMorin,PECspoke to themembers regarding thefuturedirectionof theProfessionalElectricalContractorprogramandaskedthemembersfortheirinput.ThankyouTomfortakingtimeoutofyourbusybusinesslife.AsalwaysthankyouSheriandSteveforattendingthemeeting.

ThenextmeetingwasheldonNovember16th. Thankyoutoallattending,andtoEecolastheBarSponsorfortheevening.ThespecialgeneralmeetingwasheldandourmemberscasttheirballetsfortheproposedBy-LawChanges.Thankyou toCathyWhyte fromSunLife forcomingupand speaking to themembership in regards to theECAAbenefitspackage.

IampleasedtoreportthatIwillbemeetingwiththeHonorableHectorGoudreau,MinisterofMunicipalAffairsandtheHonorableFrankOberle,SolicitorGeneralandMinisterofPublicSecurityattheirconstituencyofficeinearlyApriltodiscussissuespertinenttotheelectricalindustryandsafetyintheProvinceofAlberta.

OurnextmeetingisscheduledforTuesday,April12th.WCBIndustryCustomPricingwillbeatopicofdiscussion,aswellastheupcomingAnnualGeneralMeetings.Welookforwardtomemberattendanceandparticipation.

Happyspringtoall–livin’thedreaminourtwoseasons!Oneisanightmarecalled“thispastwinter”andtheotherishopefullycalledgolfseason(forawhopping3months)Wowwhataplacetotoliveeh!Mightaswellwork.

Ontheupside,theredoesseemtobealotmoreactivityonthehorizon,whichshouldhelptodriveourdiversifiedeconomy-whentheoilpatchishummingoureconomyisindeeddiversified.Thegovernmentisbusyjugglingadeficitbudgetsowewillnotseemuchactivityfromthemover2011.Againthepriceofoilshouldhelptoseeusthroughthenextcoupleofyears.

Associate Liaison

Communications SinceJanuaryIampleasedtoreportthattherehasbeensomeexcitingprogressonthecommunicationsfrontforindustryawareness.

TheAssociation andmore specifically the PECprogramwill be featured in a 600word article to be Published in theDellCommunications,LethbridgeConstructionAssociationmagazineaswellasthePeaceRiverConstructionAssociationmagazinethisspring.AlsoourrepatJuneWarrenNicklespublishinghasconfirmedaprintingofthe2/3pageadintheAlbertaConstructionMagazinespringissuewhichshouldbeoutlaterthisweek.Wehavealsobookedanother2/3spotforthesummerissue.

Anothermediaoutletadrecentlyconfirmedforthe4remainingissuesthisyearisThePeg,whichisdistributedtoAPEGGA’s58,415members,membertrainees,licensees,studentsandhonorarymembersacrosstheprovince.ThereisalsothepossibilityofaneditorialinthispublicationwhichwewillsoonbeabletoconfirmdetailsofassoonasIhearbackfromtheirManagerofEditorialServices.

AsmanyofyouhavealreadyseenECAAhassuccessfullyreleasedthefirstissueoftheSparkonFebruary9thwithlotsofpositivefeedbackfromthemembership.IfyouhavenotreceivedtheSparkandwishto,pleasecontactthegeneralinquiriesemailecaa@ecaa.ab.caandasktobeputonthelist.The2ndissueoftheSparkhasnowbeencirculatedtomembers.Besuretocheckyourin-boxes.TheSparkisalsoavailableontheECAAwebsite(www.ecaa.ab.ca)andourFacebookpagewhichisupandrunningwithactivityincreasingdaily.ThisisanewsteptakenonbyChristineinanefforttomaintainvisibilityintheeyesofthenewergenerationofsocialnetworkbusinesspeople.Besuretoletallyouremployeesknowaboutthepagetokeepuponwhatishappeningintheindustry.

Asfarasthewebpageredesign,LeeMaloourwebdesignerhasgivenatentativecompletiontargetandweshouldbeabletolaunchbytheendofMarch.Wewillkeepyouupdatedifthereareanychanges.

SheriandIhadaquickmeetingthispastweekwiththeNewcapradiogrouptodiscusstheparticularsofaProvincewideradioadvertisingcampaign.Theproposalwillbeforacampaignthatwouldincludeapproximately22-30secondspotsairingonstationsinallareasoftheprovince.Staytuned!EricFadden,PECCommunications Chair

Averitableplethoraofpricingpressureswithcopper,othermetalsandoilpriceaffectingallbasegoods,freightcosts,freightcostaddingtocommodity’s,affectingallgoodsintransport,etc.......whatadominoeffect!Contractorsmustbepreparedfortheupswinginelectricalproductspricingandhedgetheirriskmanagementaccordingly.Pricingwillnotgodownintheforeseeablefutureandinfactmaybeescalatingatanalarmingrate.

TheAssociatemembershiphasbeenaskedtoaidinthegatheringofinformationasitappliesto“greentechnologies”-solar,wind,water,etc-alternativeenergyistheemergingmarket.Weallwanttobeontheforefrontofthistechnologyandourcontractormemberswanttokeepinformedaswell.ThereisquitealotofconfusionastoinstallationpracticesandrulesandRegulations.TheCECandlocaljurisdictionsarestrugglingwiththis.

ThemajorityofourindustrycomesoutofourtwoProvincialTechnologyschools.JohnRobinsonofGuillevinInternationalalongwithLorieAbernathy,DevelopmentOfficer,SAIT;recentlyaddressedtheProvincialECAABoardinregardstotheSouthernAlbertaInstituteofTechnology(SAIT)“PromisingFutures”campaign.Thisisanexceptionalopportunityforyou,membersoftheelectricalcommunity,tohelpinthebuildingofauniqueAlbertalegacy-TheTrades&TechnologyComplex.TheECAAfullyendorsesthiscampaignandencouragesallmemberslargeandsmall tocontributeinwhatevermannertheycan.YoucancontactJohndirectlyformoreinformationandalsoreviewtheinformationatwww.sait-promising-futures.ca.

Wishingyouallthebestofbusinessactivityandprofitsin2011andlookforwardtoseeingyouallattheAnnualGeneralMeetinginKananaskisMay27-29.

TheRegistrationcommitteecontinuestoreviewandapprovePECapplicants.Thecommitteeidentifiedanumberofconflictingrequestsontheapplicationform(ie.permitpullingresponsibility, insurances,andreferences).

A committeemeetingwas held onMarch 3, 2011withtheagendafocusingonresolvingtheseconflictsandcreatingconsistencyintheapprovalprocess.

Thecommitteedecidedtoimplementa“PECStudentMembership”forminanattempttoeliminatesomeof the issues. A “Completed PEC” applicationformwill be filled once the applicant hasmet theeducationalrequirements,priortobeingsubmittedtotheRegistrationCommitteeandBoardforapproval.

STUDENT PEC–willrequirepartialapplicationrequirementsandnotrequireinsurance.

COMPLETED PEC–willrequireallapplicationrequirements including personal or corporateinsuranceandWCBcoverage.

The PEC will be required to maintain a master’slicensebutwillnotberequiredtobeactivelypullingpermits.

The committee is also reviewing the implicationsof the master’s program administration changes.FurthermeetingswillbeheldtoanalyzeandreinforcetheprofessionaldirectionofthePECandtherelativeapplicants.

PEC Registration

DarcyTeichroeb,PEC

RegistrationCommittee

Professional Electrical Contractor Report TheNewYearhasbeenwitnesstomuchactivityhappeningwithinthePECcommittees.

Mostofthecommitteeshavemetanddevelopedpathsforwardstoaddresstheissuesthatchallengethem.Someofthegroupshaveselectednewchairpeopletoleadandguidetheircommittees.ThankstoNormKaiserandKellyKeglerforsteppingforwardandacceptingleadershipfortheirrespectivecommittees(EducationandMarketing);aswellasDarcyTeichroeb(Registration).TheeffortofalltheworkbeingdonebythePECmembersonthecommittees,isacknowledgedandverymuchappreciated.

MarketingoftheProfessionalElectricalContractorhascommencedandweareseeingsomepositiveresponsestothisfromthemembers.Radio,featuredadvertisements,brochures,industryfunctionsandarticlesarejustsomeofthewaysbeingusedtopromotethePEC.ThenumberofmasterelectriciansapplyingforstudentmembershipandtakingtherequiredcoursestoattainPECstatuscontinuestoincrease.Thereisevidentlywithintheelectricalindustry,agreatinterestandneedfortheprogram.MembershavevalueintheCertified(CME)andRegistered(RME)MasterElectriciandesignationsassupportedbytheirrenewals.

ThisyearlooksverypromisingfortheProfessionalElectricalContractor.Ibelieveagreaterawarenesswithintheconstructionindustryandthecommunityatlargewillgarnishmoresupportanddesirefortheprofession.

IwouldliketoreiteratetoPECmembers,becomeinvolvedinacommittee,weneedyourinputandsupporttobesuccessful.PleasecontactSheriMcLean,RegistrarattheECAAProvincialoffice.Thankyoutothemanyforyourdedicationandsupporttomakingthisareality.HopetoseeyouallattendtheupcomingAGMinKananaskisattheendofMay.

ECAAPresidentBobMaslankohadrequestedameetingdirectlywiththeHonourableMinisterHectorGoudreauDecember8th,2010,todiscussconcernstheECAAhaswiththeexecutionoftheirobligationsunderthecurrentcontractbetweentheECAAandMunicipalAffairs,andtosolicitinformationontheirintentrespectingthefutureoftheprogram.Thisletterrequestedthemeeting‘withinthenext45days’giventhecontractexpirationdateofApril30th.ApreviousletterwassenttoMinisterGoudreauMarch19th,2010,torequestameetingwithhimtohonourameetingpreviouslyscheduledwiththeformerMinsterDanyluk,cancelledduetoacabinetshuffle.TheMarch19thletterfollowedonaNovember5thletter,whichwasaformalcomplainttotheattentionofMinisterDanyluk.

TheresponsetoalloftheserequestswasfinallyreceivedJanuary7th,2011,byemailfromJamesOrr(Director,CodesandStandards,MunicipalAffairs).ThisemailidentifiedthatMinisterGoudreaudecidedthatweshouldmeetwithdepartmentofficialsinstead,withnodateforthismeetingprovided.ArecentemailfromIvanMooreestablishedMarch11thasthismeetingdate,todiscusstheMasterElectricianContract.

AttheMarch11thmeeting,IvaninformedyourECAArepresentativesthatthecontractbetweenMunicipalAffairsandtheECAAwouldnotberenewed,andthattheOwnership/AdministrationoftheMasterElectricianProgramwasbeingmovedfromMunicipalAffairstotheSafetyCodesCouncil.

NoneoftheotheritemsoutlinedinthecorrespondenceofNovember5thwerediscussedoracknowledged.

Fromthediscussionthatfollowed,somepointsofinterestevolved:InresponsetoanECAAquestionregardingthemotivationformovingtheAuthority/AdministrationfromMunicipalAffairstotheSafetyCodesCouncil,IvanrespondedinpartthattheECAArejectedtheideaoftheECAAbecomingaDAO,(DelegatedAdministrativeOrganization).Ivan’sstatementtothiseffectwascorrectedbytheECAA,inthatitwasMunicipalAffairsthatpulledthisoptionoffthetable.IhaveapresentationdatedAugust2005wheretheDAOoptionisidentified,andformspartoftheoverallframeworkofwhatwehavetodayintheCMEandRME(identifiedatthattimeasProfessionalMasterElectricians).

TheDAOis,andwasanattractivesolutiontotheECAA,asitwouldhaveseenIndustry(throughtheprofessionalMasterElectriciangroup)assumeownershipofthetotalprogram,includingtraining,examinations,andpermitissuance.TheECAAwascautionedatthetimethatbecomingaDAOwouldpreventusfrombeingabletolobbygovernment(whichwasexpressedbytheECAAofnoconcern),andthenultimatelythatthegovernmentwasunwillingtocreateanymoreDAOs.

In response to an ECAA question regarding on-goingimprovementoftheMasterElectricianProgramexecution,andspecifically, about the creation of aMastersAdvisory Board,James Orr responded that a MastersAdvisory Board exists.Whenpressedonthematterastowhothesepeopleare,Jamesresponded that they are a group of Master Electricians withwhomthegovernmentconsultswith.TheECAAexpressedthatduringtheexecutionofthecurrentcontracttheECAAhashadnoone to identifyopportunities for improvementwith.Theserelatetoupdatingexams;examsthatfailedtobeprovidedforanexamsittinginatimelymannerononeoccasion;identicalexamsprovidedtostudentsratherthanthetraditionalvarietytoensurenotwostudentssitnexttoeachotherwiththesameexam;andotheritemsthathaveresultedinlessthanidealexecutionoftheprogram.

This less than forthright response from Municipal Affairsreminds me of the Alberta Urban Municipality Association,whichwasusedyearsagotojustifythethenMunicipalAffairsactionsatunderminingtheMaster’sProgram.TheECAAwasdeniedinformationrelatingtowhothesepeoplewere,anddeniedany opportunity tomeetwith them to discuss their concerns.TheECAAsuccessfullylobbiedforminutesofmeetingsofthisgrouptodiscoverthatthetruthwasfarremovedfromwhatwewerebeingtold.PerhapswecansolicitminutesoftheMastersAdvisoryCommitteeforthelastyear.

ThefinalitemofnotefromthismeetingisthereiterationbyIvanthatthe‘certificateofcompliance’remainstheendgoalforallofthis.ThiscertainlyhasbeentheendgoalforMunicipalAffairs,butfromanECAAperspective,thisisadifferentanimalaltogetherfrom third party inspections and a permitting process.MasterElectriciansneedtowarmuptothisideaprettyquick.Thiswas

anitemdiscussedduringthelastECAAtownhallmeetings,andonlyconceptuallyasanideatoabsorbifandwhenthegovernmenteliminates the Master Electrician Program. It may ultimatelyrepresentaworkableapproach,buttheideathatitrepresentswhatyou,orindustrydesirestoensuresafetyismetisaquestioninmymindatthispointintime.

InattendanceattheMarch11thmeetingwere:Mr.IvanMoore,AssistantDeputyMinisterPublicSafetyDivision,Municipal Affairs – 780-638-3245 • Mr. Chris Tye, ExecutiveDirector,SafetyServicesBranch,MunicipalAffairs–780-644-5691•Mr.JamesOrr,Director,CodesandStandards,MunicipalAffairs–780-644-1010•Ms.SheriMcLean,ExecutiveDirector,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.BobMaslanko,President,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.TerryMilot,PastPresident,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.ClemGratton,VicePresident,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.KellyMorris,PastPresident,MastersCommitteeChair,ECAA–780-446-7139,morrisk@msn.com

Subsequent to, anda as a result of theMarch11thmeeting, theECAAmadecontactwiththeSafetyCodesCouncilandarrangedforameetingwithMr.BrianAlford,PresidentandCEO.ThismeetingoccurredMarch18th.AtthismeetingyourECAArepresentativesputonthetabletheoffertoworkwiththeSafetyCodesCounciltoensuretheMaster’sProgramcontinueswithminimalinterruption,andtheECAAstandsreadytoassumeacontractualroleforadministeringanyparttheSafetyCodesCouncilmaywishtodelegate.Mr.Alfordadvisedthattheyareworkingfromapositionofoneweeks’notice,andassuch,isn’tinapositiontocommittoanarrangementatthistime.

Thediscussionmovedtothelogisticsoftheexecutionoftheprogram,andthefactthattheSafetyCodesCouncilisgoingto need to accommodate,within 5weeks, in addition to itsroughly2500safetycodesofficers,approximately5000masterelectricians,ofwhichroughly3500areactive.Furtherdiscussioncementedthepointsthatmasterelectriciancertificaterenewalsarenowwaiting,duetoanticipatedrevenueredirection,andthisbacklogisbuilding.

There are also a substantial number of master electriciancandidates(intheorderof150)needingexamsittingsscheduledforApril. JamesOrr statedat thismeeting thathewillneedtocirculate amessage toMasterElectricians to advise themof the change. In addition to discussing specific details ofadministeringtheMasterElectricianProgram,bigpictureitemswerediscussedaswell.

ItwasexplainedthatfromanECAAperspective,enforcementcontinuestobeanenormousprobleminindustry.TheECAAsuggestedthattheCMEandRMEtitlesexist,andmayofferanopportunitytoassistwiththeenforcementchallenge.ThismetwithinterestfromMr.Alford.Mr.Alfordalsoimmediatelyrecognizedtheimpacttorevenuefrompermitsthatshouldbetakenout,fromthosethatchoosetooperateoutsidethesafetysystem.TheECAApointed out that in addition to this, onemustentertainthepossibilityoflosttaxrevenueaswell,asit’slogicalthatsomeoneworkingoutsidethesafetysystem,mayalsobeworking‘underthetable’.Mr.AlfordwasinformedbytheECAAthatOntario’sestimationofworkdoneoutsideoftheirsafetysystemamountedto$35BILLIONdollarsbytheirestimationwhentheywereaskedaboutanumberofyearsago.TheGovernmentofAlbertahasnoresponsetodateastohowmuchworkisbeingdoneoutsidethesafetysystemhere.

Mr.Alford expressed an interest in havingMaster ElectriciansinvolvedwiththeECAA.ItwasalsoexplainedthatthetraditionalMastersAdvisoryCommitteewasseenbytheECAAasanessentialcomponentintheoverallscheme,andthatoverthepastyearthisbodywasnotactivefromanECAAperspective,andasaresulttheprogramhassuffered.Mr.Alfordexpressedinterestintheconceptandspeculatedabouthowthatbodymightbeincorporatedintheirstructure.TheECAAencouragedMr.AlfordtomakeanefforttoputafaceontheMastersProgramforthe,SafetyCodesandthattheupcomingECAAAGMrepresentsagoodopportunitytomakethishappen.Thisideametwithsupportaswell.

MasterElectricianshavedependedontheECAAforthelast15yearsforadministrationoftheprogram.TheECAAhasbeenthe‘storefront’forMasterElectricians,andassuch,thiscomingmoveisasubstantialchangeinindustry.

InattendanceattheMarch18thmeetingwere:Mr.BrainAlford,PresidentandCEO,SafetyCodesCouncil–780-413-0099•Mr.GeraldBaron,AdministratorofAccreditationandCoordinatorofAppeals,SafetyCodesCouncil–780-413-0099•Mr.DougClough,ResearchPolicyandInvestigationCoordinator,SafetyCodesCouncil–780-413-0099•Mr.DanNiven,TechnicalAdvisor,ElectricalCodesandStandards,MunicipalAffairs–780-644-1010•Mr.MikeGardner,Administrator,MasterElectricians,Codes and Standards,MunicipalAffairs – 780-644-1010 •Mr.JamesOrr,Director,Codes and Standards,MunicipalAffairs –780-644-1010•Ms.SheriMcLean,ExecutiveDirector,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.BobMaslanko,President,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.ClemGratton,VicePresident,ECAA–780-451-2412•Mr.KellyMorris,PastPresident,MastersCommitteeChair,ECAA–780-446-7139,morrisk@msn.com•TheHonourableMinisterGoudreaucanbereachedat780-427-3744.

Alberta Construction Safety Association 2010 was a very active year for the AlbertaConstructionSafetyAssociation(ACSA)withtheconstructionandmovetoanewbuildinglocatedat225ParsonsRoadSW,Edmonton.Additionallythe Fort McMurray operation relocated to theNomadInn.TheACSAcompletedthenewCSTSweb-based program and developed a web-basedElectricalSafetyTrainingSystem(ESTS)Programthat addresses electrical hazards and controlmeasuresforelectricalworkersworkingonornearenergizedequipment.TheACSA held the Construction SafetyOfficerconference,March24inCalgaryattheSheriton.Theyhadanexcellentlineupofspeakers,whichwaswell receivedbyall inattendance.Thenextdaywas theACSA’sAnnualGeneralMeeting inthemorningfollowedbytheeveningbanquetandaward presentations.TheECAAwas recognizedasaSpecialFriendoftheACSAandwaspresentedwithaplaque.This year, employers will again be receivingspecialdividendsfromtheWCB,estimatedtobearound 20%.These dividends are largely due toinvestmentincome.TheWCBwillalsobeofferingeach industry code the opportunity to enter intoa custom pricing program which could reducepremiums of employers whose WCB claimscost are lower then industry, however increasepremiumsofthoseemployerswhoseclaimscostsare higher than industry. The ECAA has askedWCBtodoapresentationatboththeEdmontonand Calgary Chapters meeting inApril. Pleaseplanonattending.Inthecomingyear,itappearstheMinister’sfocusinhealthandsafetywillcontinuetohavealarge

impact.Lastyear theMinister introduced the10pointplan and thisyearhas expanded it to a15point plan, with the opportunity to continuallygrow. This plan includes the province hiring 30additional officers over the next three years anddividingtheprovinceinto3areasfromthepresent2andFortMcMurrayhavinganareaoffice.ONGOING INITIATIVESOccupational Health and Safety inspectioncampaign will target specific areas. The firstonestarted inFebruaryand focusedonPoweredMobile Equipment, specifically forklifts. Twootherinspectioncampaignsfor2011includeyoungworkersandresidentialconstruction.OccupationalHealthandSafetyislookingtostartonPhaseIIofthepublishingofemployer’ssafetyrecords. Today, they have published the numberoflosttimeclaimsacceptedbyWCBwhichmaynotbeafairrepresentationofanemployer’shealthandsafetyperformance.StaytunedforPhaseII.

The Electrical Technical Council (ETC) held a meeting on February 7th, 2011 where thefollowingcurrentissueswerediscussedandupdated:

• The22ndeditionoftheCanadianElectricalCodePart1willbereadyforcirculationJanuary,2012.

• TheuseofmoisturerepellentinjectioncompoundwillnotbeaddressedinaStandata.It’susesandapprovalscanbeaddressedinvariances.Utilitiesareexemptfromrequiringtheapprovals.

• AnewStandatawaspresentedandapproved toallowElectricalSubmersiblePumps intheOil&GasupstreamtonotrequirestandardapprovalcertificationssubjecttoEngineersapprovalofequipment.ThisStandataisnotapplicabletoelectricalequipmentandwiringoutsidethewellcasing.

• AnewStandatawillbedraftedtoadviseinstallersoftherequirementforcommunicationsgroundingconductorstobeinsulated.

• A concern for building/structural engineering permitshouldberequiredwhenphoto-voltaicpanelsystemsaremounted to the roofs of buildings; i.e. wind and snowloadingcausingstructuralfailures.

• A new sub-committeewas formed. AEICTC –AlbertaElectricalIndustryCodes&TechnicalConference.

• GrantThorntonpresentedtheirinitial/draftstatisticaldataand survey results on theOBIECproject. Resultswerediscussed and questionswere documented to use in thepreparationofafinalsurveydocumenttobereadybynextETCmeeting(May9,2011)

• The2011SafetyCodesCouncilAGMwillbeheldJune8,9,10inBanff,Alberta.

Electrical Technical

Council

Labour Negotiations towards a new Collective Bargaining Agreementhave resulted in aMemorandum ofAgreement betweenECAA’sUnionizedContractors andLocal 424 of the IBEW.The existingCollective Bargaining Agreement expires on April 30th, 2011.TheMemorandumwill go to theUnionmembers andUnionizedElectricalContractors for ratification inApril. Success in gettingtothispointaheadofschedulecanbeattributedtothe“InterestedBased”formatforFrameworkBargainingandtheexcellentguidanceprovidedbythefacilitator,LyleKanee.TheTradeTableportionofbargainingwasconductedinabusiness-likeandcongenialmanner.Congratulationstoeveryonewhoparticipatedintheprocess.

The work picture for the Unionized Contractors continues to beratherbleak.Itlookslikethefirsthalfof2011willbeabitslowbutthereisoptimismfor2012.UnionsandUnionizedcontractorsaredevelopingstrategiestodealwithpossiblelabourshortagesin2012.

“Analyzing the Language Demands of Electricians” is a project undertaken by ECAA, theUnionand theElectrical IndustryTrainingCentres todevelopanEnglishLanguageBenchmarkfortheIndustrialElectrician.SomefundingassistancewasprovidedbyAlbertaEmploymentandImmigration.ECAAandtheUnionrecognizethatpartofthesolutiontolabourshortagesistheuseofITEs(InternationallyTrainedElectricians),butthatthoseworkersmusthavetheabilitytogiveandreceiveinstructions,delegateandcoordinateworktasks,taketrainingandunderstandboththespiritandtheintentofthelawregardingsafety.TothatendthePartnershipretainedtheservicesofHammond&Associates Inc. todo thefieldresearchandprovidea reportwhichoutlines theappropriatelevelofEnglishLanguageskillsforanIndustrialElectricianinAlberta,relatedtotheCanadianLanguageBenchmark.

TheElectrical IndustryTrainingCentres have been operating at 100% capacity for the last sixmonths.Almostallcoursesarefullybookedwithwaitinglists.TheTrainingCentreshaverecentlyintroducedsixnewprogramstoprovidecrosstrainingtoconstructionelectricianssothattheycanworkefficientlyandsafelyinasubstationenvironment.TheElectricalIndustryTrainingCentreshavealsopartneredwithACSA,CLACandESPStodeveloptheESTS(ElectricalSafetyTrainingSystem).ESTSisanon-linedeliveryofElectricalSafetyandArcFlashAwareness.Itwillsoonbeavailablethroughanyofthefourpartners.

Therewasa JointConferenceCommitteemeetingheldonMarch4thwithVideoConferencinglinkingEdmonton,CalgaryandFortMcMurray.Inattendancewere11-Unionrepresentativesand11–ECAALabourCommitteemembers.Anumberoftopicsofcommoninterestwerediscussedandthemeetingwasproductive.ThenextJCCmeetingisscheduledforMay11th.

Convention 2012Round and round and roundwe gowith ideas forConvention 2012. As thiswill beECAA’s50thanniversarywearewrestlingwiththegettingauniqueexperienceatacost-effectivepricetoensuremaximummemberparticipation.

ECAAhasanopportunity tocharteraTallShipfromWindstarcruises for2012. Thecombinationofthesails,theunregimentedonboardambiance,legendary5-starservice&cuisineallwrappedintheidyllicdestinationtobechosencreatesanincredibleopportunityforexceedingexpectations!!Shipcanbeviewedathttp://www.windstarcruises.com/carribean-cruises-2120303-6931.aspx.Air departing March 2nd; Departing March 3rd on the Wind Spirit (Round Trip Barbados - 7 nights) - 148 guests (78 ocean view staterooms must be sold). Price - $3790 per person(includes1nightstayinBarbadospriortosailing;7nightcruise(allairtaxes,portcharges,gratuitiesandtransferstoandfromship)+$45USDpp/dayallinclusivebeveragepackage($18USDpp/daynonalcoholicbeveragepackage).

ITINERARY:Saturday:Bridgetown,Barbados(Embarkationtobegin1:00pm)Sunday:PigeonIsland,St.LuciaMonday:Bequia,GrenadinesTuesday:TobagoKeys,GrenadineWednesday:TobagoKeys,GrenadinesandMayreau,GrenadinesThursday:St.George’s,GrenadinesFriday:AtSeaSaturday:Bridgetown,Barbados(Debarkationcompletedby8:30am)Additional1weeklandoptioninBarbados(7nightall-inclusiveatAlmondBeach)$1180perperson

AirdepartingMarch2nd;DepartingMarch3rdontheWindsurf(RoundTripSt.Maarten-7nights)-312guests(31suitesand123ocean-viewstateroomsmustbesold).Price$3478perpersonforstateroom;;$4178perpersonforsuite(includes2nightstayinSt.Maartenpriorandaftercruise;7nightcruise(allairtaxes,portcharges,gratuitiesandtransferstoandfromship)+$45USDpp/dayallinclusivebeveragepackage($18USDpp/daynon-alcoholicbeveragepackage)

ITINERARY:Saturday:Philipsburg,St.Maarten(Embarkation1:00p.m.)Sunday:Roadtown,Tortola;GreatHarbour,JostvanDykeMonday:GreatHarbour,JostvanSykeMonday:TheBaths,VirginGorda;PricklePearBeach,VirginGordaTuesday:PricklePearBeach,VirginGordaWednesdayBasseterre,St.KittsThursdayLesSaintes,GuadeloupeFriday:Gustavo,?St.barthelemySaturday:Philipsburg,St.Maarten(Debarkationtobecompletedby8:30an)Additional 1 week land option in St. Maarten (7night all-inclusive) $1700 per personALL PRICES BASED ON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. Family, friends,co-workerswelcome to joinus. This isYOURconventionsoweneedtohearfromYOU!!Any questions or comments, please contact Sheri by email at smclean@ecaa.ab.ca or Clem at clem@cmnelectrical.com.

Cabo St Lucas still remains a popular destination as well as the Mediterranean cruise. Goal remains to confirm destination at the AGM in Kananaskis on May 28th. Please let us know your thoughts prior to March 30th. Thanks!

CornerDuring a recent presentation in Calgary concerning FireandBuildingCodes, Imentioned that thePrimeContractoris responsible forJobsitesafetyas laidout in the2006FireCode.Thisarticlewillsomewhatprovideanintroductionandexplanationforthatstatement.

JobsitesafetyexistedintheAlbertaBuildingCodefrom1997to2006,whenthis responsibilitywasmovedfromthe2006Buildingcodetothe2006FireCode.Aswellasmovingthetext,editingandadditionstothecodewerealsointroduced.InterpretiveSTANDATAhavealsobeenissuedonthesubject.

Belowareexcerptsfromsomeoftheapplicable2006BuildingCodesand2006FireCodesshowing thewho,what,where,whyandwhenof“JobsiteFireSafety“.

2006 Alberta Fire Code Part Division B Part 2:2.8.1.1.States that, inaddition toother typesofoccupancy,demolitionandconstructionsitesshallbeprovidedwith“FireEmergencyprocedures.”2.8.1.2.Supervisorystaffshallbetrainedinthefireemergencyprocedure before they are given any responsibility for firesafety.2.8.2.ExplainsthefiresafetyplanThefiresafetyplanwhichisdescribedwithinthecodebodyshallbekeptinthebuilding.The degree of enforcement of these codes is up to eachauthority having jurisdiction, although this does not releasethecontractorfromresponsibilityunderthecodes

2006 Alberta Fire Code division B section 5.6.Applies to buildings or parts of buildings undergoingconstructionordemolitionincludingrenovations.5.6.1.6.Standpipesifrequiredshallbeinstalledprogressivelyasthebuildingisframed.

2006AlbertaBuildingCodeDivisionBSection8stillcontainsafewofthejobsitesafetyprovisions.

Appendix A within both codes offers some clarifyingsupporting explanations to the requirements of the variousapplicablejobsitefiresafetycodes.

FireCodeInterpretationFCA-09-03issuedNovemberof2008clarifieswhatisrequiredwitha“firesafetyplan”thesizesofjobsrequiringa“firesafetyplan“,andoffersexamplesofwhata“firesafetyplan”willlook like.This document is very explanatorywhentryingtosortouttheapplicablecodes.

Iknowthattheresponsibilityfortheserequirementsseemsoverwhelmingtosome,andsomefeelthatthecodes“don’tapplytomeormysite”,butIencourageyou to take some time to review and becomecomfortablewiththeactualcodesandSTANDATAintheirentirety.Withalittleeffortthelifeyousavemaybeyourown!Nowgooutandhaveasaferday.

Some important STANDATA which will apply tofirealarmsystemsandthemaintenanceofthemhavebeenandwillbereleasedthisyear,youmaysignupto receive automatic notification of Fire code andBuildingCode andElectricalCodeSTANDATAontheMunicipalAffairswebsite.

Reminder: 2006 Building and Fire Codes are nowavailable for use at the Electrical ContractorsAssociationAlberta(ECAA)office

This month’s recalled items include: ECO-STORYLED lamps, some white-Rodgers programmabledigitalthermostatsandnomalinevoltagethermostats.

Questions or suggested topics can be sent to theECAAoffice:ecaa@ecaa.ab.ca

KevenLefebvre,PEC

Keven’s Getting to Know Your Associates

TheWirtanenElectricTrainingFoundationisinit’stenthyearofoperation.

ErnieWirtanenfoundedtheGeorgeWirtanenSchoolin2001.

TheplanwastoputsomethingbackintothecommunityfromwhichWirtanenElectricoperatedfor56years.

Wefoundyoungpeoplecouldnotgetintotheelectricalindustrywithoutexperience.Youcan’tgetajobwithoutexperienceandyoucan’tgetexperiencewithoutajob.

ThesolutiontothischallengewastoprovidejobreadinesstrainingapplicantswhowereAlbertaHighSchoolgraduates,receivedtraininginbasicelectricity,safety,andworkreadiness.(Beontimeeverydayandbetherereadyforwork).

Studentsarehiredbyopenshopcontractorsafterworking1500hoursandattendN.A.I.T.forfirstperiodtraining.

AttheFebruaryECAAmeetingRichardCronin,classC52003wasawardedhismastercertificate.RichardwentfromIGAtoanElectricalApprenticeatKondroElectricandnowoperatesRICKBECKELECTRICatNitonJunction.

CLASSES ARE HELD 7 TIMES PER YEAR. TO DATE 577 PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAINING.

OF THE FIFTY WOMEN WHO TOOK THE TRAINING 42 ARE IN THE ELECTRICAL TRADE.

Wirtanen ElectricTraining Foundation