Glass Canada • December 2016 • Canadian Glass Association

One of the main functions of CGA is to represent and support the interests of the glass and related industries at the national level in matters of building codes, standards legislation and other industry related matters. In addition, CGA serves as the voice of our membership with allied glass-related construction associations and disseminates information from these associations to our membership.

One of the ways CGA achieves these functions is through the activity of the Technical Committee. In 2016 the CGA Technical Committee was highly active, particularly in the area of wired glass. In late 2015, Global TV aired a segment on wired glass. Thanks to the Technical Committee’s timely efforts, CGA was able to distribute a wired glass advisory addressing troubling issues connected with the material, such as injuries associated with human impact. The CGA wired glass advisory not only advised against the continued use of wired glass, but suggested more modern fire-rated applications be used in its place.

Another significant activity coming out of the Technical Committee in 2016 was to join the Glazing Industry Codes Committee (GICC). GICC is designed to establish a better understanding and acceptance of architectural glass, glazing materials and glazing systems as safe, efficient, effective and economical. GICC promotes this understanding among building code organizations, federal, provincial and local regulatory agencies and to the general public. Participating in GICC will allow CGA increased access to become better informed as industry about the activities of these organizations, officials and agencies.

Going forward into 2017 the CGA Technical Committee will review the Canadian national standards for glass as they are set to expire soon. Action has not yet been determined, however the Committee will be sure to inform CGA members should any proposals be made. The next CGA Technical Committee meeting will take place in late November. The committee is seeking additional volunteers. If any CGA members are interested in serving on the Technical Committee please complete the “Contact Us” form on the CGA website.

The OGMA held its fall tournament at the prestigious Country Club in Woodbridge at the end of September with over 100 members and guests coming out for an outstanding day on a renowned course followed by an exceptionally good dinner. So impressed were all the attendees that the OGMA has already booked the same venue for Sept. 21, 2017.

Mark your calendar for Jan. 19 and plan on attending our lunch-and-learn seminar at the Richmond Hill Golf Club, Richvale Room. Geza Banfai, a member of the advisory group to the Ontario CLA review team, will be presenting the changes being proposed to the CLA and discuss the benefits of the changes to our industry and how this new law will affect your business in the future once the legislation has been enacted. Workplace Safety and Prevention Services will also be giving us an update on legislation and changes to accessibility and labour laws.

For our spring seminar, Sergei Mihalenko will be presenting an informative seminar on the application of and codes governing the use of glass in railings and balustrades. Dates and details will be forthcoming.

OGMA members have had nothing but rave reviews for the Pipers Heath Golf Club so we’re going to be holding our spring golf tournament there again on May 25, 2017.

The PGAA met on Nov. 20. The new website is up and running and we are set to release the new membership database in a consolidated, province-wide format. Training has been conducted so the Glass and Architectural Metals Association and the Glass Trades Association can independently update minutes, events and the database. We held our annual golf tournament August 18 and had a good turnout, slightly down from past years. Plans are underway for a new location for 2017 and for a revitalized tournament that will bring back the numbers seen before. Business continues quite strong throughout the province, despite the oil industry’s continuing woes, with Edmonton particularly strong and Calgary and rural markets a bit softer. The Master Glazier program is almost ready to launch its second course, Doors and Related Hardware, and will be followed by two more courses, developed simultaneously. It is hoped that the full program (nine courses) will be ready by the end of 2018. Our next board meeting is January 11.

The OGMA presented Mary Leaman of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association with a donation of $2,000 to go towards their fundraising efforts for the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Ovarian Cancer program.

Canadian Glass Association 619 Liverpool Road, Pickering, Ontario L1W 1R1 Tel: 604.855.0245 • Fax: 866.253.9979 www.canadianglassassociation.com