A former president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), David Frame is now director of government relations and corporate strategy for the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA).
The Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) has ramped up its lobbying capabilities with the hiring of David Frame as director of government relations and corporate strategy.
Frame, a former president of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, (COCA) brings to the table more than 20 years of experience working with government officials and advocating on behalf of the industry.
“David has a strong knowledge of the industry and is an expert on the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board,” said OGCA president Clive Thurston. “His recent work on that file has helped us develop our go-forward policies.”
The hiring of a government relations specialist allows OGCA to increase its presence at Queen’s Park. The association last summer withdrew from COCA, which represents a broad cross-section of associations from across the province.
The key goal of the OGCA’s new three-year strategic plan is to position the association “as the primary proactive advocate” for general contractors in the province.
A critical first step was hiring of a government relations director.
“The results of a recent membership survey showed our members want increased capacity in government relations initiatives,” said OGCA chair Jim Barclay, president and general manager of Hamilton’s Barclay Construction.
Frame, previously a health and safety consultant for OGCA, is already active on a number of files including WSIB funding review and issues pertaining to Bill 160 and the Dean report. He is continuing his work with the OGCA safety group.
In an interview, Frame said OGCA is intent on continuing to work in conjunction with like-minded organizations when it comes to lobbying on issues of mutual concern.
A case in point is its participation in the Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario, which was created late last year.
“We know that working with coalitions is the most effective way to go,” Frame said. “If the general contractors say one thing and the rest of the industry says something else, we are not going to get anywhere.”
In his new role, Frame also is working on election readiness plans for the upcoming provincial election while addressing issues connected with the current federal campaign.
“We have to build relationships with all parties in anticipation of who will form the next provincial government and what the priorities are going to be for the next four years.”
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