Letter to the Editor: OCOT operations business as usual

To the Editor: I am writing in regards to the May 11, 2016 article titled “College of Trades enforcement switched to MOL” and to clarify the headline which, in my opinion, may mislead readers.

While the provincial government did transfer the regulatory and administrative oversight of the Ontario College of Trades from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Labour (MOL), I would like to assure your readers that the College’s enforcement officers will continue to enforce the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009 as it applies to the 22 compulsory trades in Ontario and our members.

The College is mandated to protect the public interest and integrity of skilled trades’ professionals by confirming credentials and weeding out the underground economy.

It is also important to note that this transfer between ministries in no way impacts any of the other day-to-day operations of the College,  including updating training curriculum and standards, promoting skilled trades, providing various member services such as issuing certificates of qualification and updating our Public Register.

In other words, it will be business as usual. The College will also continue to work with MTCU on matters relating to apprenticeship.

We look forward to working with Minister Kevin Flynn and the staff of the MOL and have no doubt that their expertise in complex labour matters will be very helpful to us as we fulfill our mandate by regulating and promoting the skilled trades.

Given the change in ministries will involve a transition period, the College will post any updates on our website — collegeoftrades.ca — to keep our members and stakeholders informed of how the process is moving forward.

David Tsubouchi

Registrar and CEO

Ontario College

of Trades

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