OTTAWA — The Ottawa Hospital recently announced a first in Ontario health care agreement, a newly signed project labour agreement between The Ottawa Hospital and the Unionized Building and Construction Trades of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec to build the new 2.5-million-square-foot facility.
The agreement is expected to help ensure construction on the Ottawa Hospital’s new campus moves ahead on schedule and will eliminate risk for work delays and disruptions caused by strikes or lockouts during construction of the project. It is slated to be the largest health care infrastructure project in Ottawa’s history.
The agreement sets out terms and conditions that will apply to all employers and trades working on the project and sets a high safety standard for working conditions onsite, while still following Ontario’s requirements for an open and competitive procurement process, a release reads.
It ensures compliance with bargaining rights and that all workers on the site are properly trained and certified and will create apprenticeship opportunities for underrepresented groups including First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, women, and diverse and at-risk youth. The agreement will remain in place for the duration of the project.
A request for proposals to build the hospital, located on a 50-acre site on Carling Avenue in Ottawa, was issued on Nov. 29 by Infrastructure Ontario.
“The Ottawa Hospital wants to do all we can to create a positive and safe work environment for the thousands of workers that will be onsite every day during construction of our new campus,” said Cameron Love, president and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to have partnered with trades unions on this landmark agreement that will help keep the project on schedule and avoid costs and delays associated with work stoppage.”
it’s very good. I wish to be part of your paramedical team. good luck to all