Message from the Chief Executive Officer

The turnout for this year’s convention was tremendous and we are proud to have hosted leaders, innovators, and experts from across the industry. ORBA is also thankful for participation from leaders across the Government of Ontario, including the Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation; John Fraser, Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party; the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education; the Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance; the Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure; Phil Verster, President & Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx; and Michael Lindsay, President & CEO of Infrastructure Ontario, among others. It would take more than this column allows to list all the honoured guests who joined us. Nevertheless, their engagement is a positive sign that ORBA is on the government’s radar and a respected partner in its plans.

Becoming a more vocal and influential industry advocate has kept our calendars full. And in 2023, I am proud to say that the ORBA team has been successful in ramping up our efforts to get in front of the province’s key decision-makers and make our members’ concerns, issues, and needs heard. On the topic of Ontario’s labour shortage, for example, we have partnered with allies such as the Residential & Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, the Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association, the Canadian Construction ››

Association, and the Ontario Construction Association to raise the call among governments for actions that will bring more skilled labourers into Ontario. Similarly, we have been in multiple industry consultations ensuring ORBA members are heard on key advocacy issues including provincial tendering, health and safety, and environmental initiatives.

One of the biggest wins in 2023 has been the opportunity to sit down with Premier Doug Ford and Minister Caroline Mulroney in March to discuss our industry’s concerns regarding contract models and project risk management, and our desire to get to a place of greater trust and collaboration. I am happy to announce that, from that meeting, Minister Caroline Mulroney established a ministerial working group with ORBA to solve the problems that we see on today’s job sites.

This is a strong step forward, and the fact we are also in greater consultations with the Minister of Finance regarding our industry’s needs and priorities shows that ORBA has a prominent seat at the table. As we strengthen these relationships, we intend to provide members with greater insights and perspectives into the issues, developments, and projects ahead.

The fact ORBA is top of mind among our political partners is promising. And as we move forward, we will keep that momentum going by getting ORBA front and centre among municipalities through more events and campaigns. Our goal, as always, is to balance our internal focus on members with being a visible and influential presence in the Ontario transportation infrastructure community.

We have a strong team to realize that goal. This year, we welcomed several team members to their new roles, including Xin Chen, Head of Finance; Guru Missar, Director of Communications and Digital Branding; and Jasvinder Singh, Director of Membership and Events.

All told, ORBA is moving forward with a right-sized team committed to growing the association in the coming years. They will be guided by a renewed strategic plan focused on strengthening our relationships; holding ORBA more accountable for setting and achieving key performance indicators; and championing greater diversity, inclusion, and equity internally and among the industry at large. Importantly, we are moving ahead with a strategic vision that ensures ORBA is member-focused and client-driven, and that we are providing a solid value proposition for every one of our members.

ORBA has engaged a new executive director who will start August 1 and take over from me as CEO when my term ends on November 1, 2023. I am proud of what ORBA has accomplished over my temporary stay, and eager to see how our refreshed team and strategic vision take shape. There will always be obstacles in our path, but I am confident that this association is in good hands.

Director, Policy and Stakeholder Relations ANDREW HURD