Podcasts about wsib

This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast features Bothwell-Accurate, a construction firm established in 1927, and discusses its successful transition to the COR® 2020 standard and recent recognition by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) under the Ontario Safe Employers Program.Bothwell-Accurate's Corporate Health and Safety Manager, Carlo Colozza, shares the story of the company's recent transition to COR® 2020 standard. Carlo's strong background in COR® and previous experience with WSIB's Health & Safety Excellence program (HSEp) helped prepare Bothwell-Accurate on certain topics and eased the transition to COR® 2020.Carlo emphasizes the importance of having a certified occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS), as it creates trust in the workplace and ensures workers return home healthy and safe. Since transitioning to COR® 2020, Bothwell-Accurate's reputation has improved due to better organization and better solutions to issues, increasing their confidence and ability to bid on projects and maintain a good reputation in the construction sector.Carlo states that the audit process may appear daunting at first, especially when hearing the word ‘audit', but it does not have to be. The audit process simply evaluates a company's current OHSMS system to see where gaps exist and how to improve. Carlo also shares some tips to help in the transition process, such as joining the HSEp, thoroughly understanding the audit guidelines, and, most importantly, reaching out to an IHSA consultant to assist with the transition.Free ResourcesCOR® – Getting StartedIHSA COR® PodcastWSIB's Health and Safety Excellence ProgramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Ontario government is looking at harsher penalties for impaired driving. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is asking the public to stay off baseball diamonds marked as "permit-use only." WSIB will re-examine 50 claims made by temporary foreign workers, going back to 2007. Over 10,000 Canadians have been forced from their homes in the past few weeks due to wildfires.

Canadian journalist Nora Loreto reads the latest headlines for Friday, April 5, 2024.TRNN has partnered with Loreto to syndicate and share her daily news digest with our audience. Tune in every morning to the TRNN podcast feed to hear the latest important news stories from Canada and around the world.Find more headlines from Nora at Sandy & Nora Talk Politics podcast feed.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcastReferenced articles:Story 1 - Hospital in Halifax had not heat or water after the second water main break in 24h.Story 2 - Widow of migrant worker injured on the job in Ontario wants to see working conditions improved.Story 3 - CMHC says hold on to your butts: housing prices will surpass the 2022 peak by 2026.Story 4 - Myanmar's junta capital was hit by a drone attack by opposition forces.Story 5 - Peru's president Boluarte avoids being impeached over wealth probe.

Join us for this panel of speakers, Jane Scharf, Matt Unceded, Norman Traversy, Jason Etsey, and Vee Gandhi. They will be analyzing the speeches and actions of persons in the freedom movement who are acting contrary to the interests of Canadians. The primary purpose of the controlled op agent is to promote the collapse of our country by attaching our Rule of Law. A CO agent promotes communist propaganda with intent to support the UN corporate/communism take over. Some people who promote this communist propaganda do so out of naivety, as they have been duped. Jane Scharf: Jane has a history of dealing with Controlled Op since just after 9/11 when the Federal Government passed the Anti Terrorism Act which set agents into the community to monitor for terrorism. Those agents called themselves the Anti Fascist Movement and have now morphed into Antifa. What these agents did from the beginning was promote communist propaganda, for example, all cops are bastards and the like. She began working on challenging COVID measures almost from day one. And later helped those with Convy charges. She has exposed many Controlled Op along the way, and she wants to expose and jail the controlled opposition members of Liberal Executives for treason. TrudeauForTreason.com Matt Unceded: "I was born in 1992, the year Agenda 21 was conceived. When I was in my late teens and early 20s I was (and still am) reading books surrounding the occult and learning about different entities, family dynasties, and their agendas. After learning that to control or reduce Carbon Life through amalgamating the biological and the digital AI was the central goal of these shadow figures, I realized I had to do something. So with such "open secrets", I break down the Modus Operandi of these people and the puppets they use." https://www.youtube.com/@matttheunceded2051 Jason Etsey AKA Jason cosmic truth authority: Has been creating videos on controlled op and psychological operations since the start of the pandemic. He is a big fan of the Canadian Bill of Rights. As well, he has studied the work of Dr. Shiva in detail. Jason's style a no holds barred approach when he sets out to expose a suspected controlled op agent or a psych op. He has been threatened and attacked in many ways for the work but this does not deter him from his goal of saving this country from corporate/communism https://www.tiktok.com/@jasonestey25 Norman Traversy: Is a retired firefighter who has been fighting his WSIB claim after a severe injury. He is also an avid freedom fighter. He was one of the grassroots organizers of the Truckers Convoy 2022 against vax mandates for travel. In 2020, he made quite the stir when he attempted to place a private charge on Trudeau for obstruction of justice over the SNC Lavelin affair with a related complaint to the USMCA. Currently, he is in the process of charging Trudeau with treason over the illegal implementation of the Emergency Act against the Truckers protest. Vee Gandhi: Has a master degree in political science, which has given him some skill to analyse the methodology used by the communist/corporate attempting the takeover of Canada. He is coming to us from India where he has been trapped since October over false allegations of tampering with his VISA. He spent 2 months in jail under deplorable conditions and has been advocating for the release of other prisoners after his release. Vee along with Jane Scharf successfully confronted a group of controlled op agents who infiltrated Casselemen Camp for which they were subject to violence.  RELATED LINKS VIDEOS OF RON CLARK EAST MEETS WEST CONVOYAND DANA METCALFE MILLION CHARGES THE REAL ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rExTP7nLzJIN_-7OVb2XmmrixigFAK4b/view?usp=sharing  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dafTAXXI3pXJX5eYSCLNsoVBMhZzmt93/view?usp=sharing  https://topherhq.com/ *** www.bethmartens.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/beth-martens/message

Make sure you know your rights when asking for WSIB (Work Safety and Insurance Board) Go to pocketdisabilitylawyer.ca Have your question answered next week by posting it on... https://stlawyers.ca/pocket-disability-lawyer/ https://www.mydisabilityquestions.com

Don't get screwed over by injury, John Durbano is back to teach us how to take time off without going broke. John tells us about disability insurance vs WSIB vs critical illness, covering children, restructuring debt, finding lost money and estate planning. We also discuss why Canada is financially unattractive, the importance of teaching financial literacy, and the benefits of holding companies. Tune in for tips to protect yourself and accelerate your money on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Check out John Durbano at JohnDurbano.com and @Johnny.Durbano on Instagram.Be sure to give his podcast a listen at Wealth Eazy on Spotify Stay connected with The Construction Life Podcast by texting Manny at 416 433-5737 or emailing him at manny@theconstructionlife.com. If you have something to contribute to the podcast, email info@theconstructionlife.com to schedule a time to join us in studio. Are you interested in the latest trends in building, renovation, home improvement, real estate, architecture, design, engineering, contracting, trades, and DIY? Look no further! Our construction podcast and social media content cover a wide range of topics, including project management, safety, best practices, business development, leadership, marketing, customer service, productivity, sustainability, technology, innovation, and industry news.amj

Matt Geraghty and Brian Rump have a conversation with John Carr from WSIB about Health and Safety for small businesses.Download Matt and Brian's Marketing ChecklistBrian Rump wants you to know that he is the business coach who will help your business get money through grants, increased sales and streamlining your business for revenue and profit. You can book a free consultation today at Profit Coach. Matt Geraghty wants you to know that the demographics of Kawartha Lakes are changing, and people are moving here all the time and they are looking for your business. You need to get found on Google, and Matt can help you get found in 60 days. Find him at Matty G Digital. We record from THRIVE Coworking Community at 18 Kent St W in downtown Lindsay Ontario. Book a tour to check out Thrive Coworking Community, where you can work, rent an office, or even record your own podcast from the Podcast studio.As always, if you have an idea for a show, want to be on it, or just want to talk to us about your business, email us at setitup@kawarthasmallbusinesspodcast.caMatt and Brian collaborate to help you start, grow or recharge your business, and we want to work with you. If you want to discuss working with us or be a guest on the podcast. Send us an email to setitup@kawarthasmallbusinesspodcast.ca And remember, we believe The Kawarthas can be the most thriving region in Canada for small businesses.

Get ready to tune into an exciting episode of the Trucking Risk and Insurance Podcast! Join our hosts Chris Harris and John Farquhar their dynamic guest the ever-insightful Ben Stiller from NTL Insurance. They dive into the latest buzz around Ontario's WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) changes impacting owner-operators. Plus, they'll unravel the mystery of why snagging third-party insurance coverage is a game-changer for owner-operators. Don't miss this enlightening chat filled with insider tips and a hearty dose of trucking wisdom!

On this episode of The Construction Record Podcast™, we have interviews from the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance's 2023 Health and Safety Conference, including BCCSA president Mike McKenna and safety expert Michael Fears. McKenna gave an overview of both conference content and the importance of being able to network with one's peers and spoke to the importance of mental health work being done throughout the industry. He also pointed to Jan 1., 2024 as a significant date for construction as both asbestos certification and concrete pump operation certification regulations come into effect. He also said while the industry is booming, a growing labour shortages will continue to be a challenge along with insuring the work environment is conducive to worker retention.   Fears explained that the current system of safety rewards can actually be counter-productive as workers can hide injuries or errors and that the “external awards” approach leads to separating safety from the core of an organizational mission. He also encouraged companies to create safety rewards tailored to individuals and to not bring attention to safety initiatives but remain consistent in positively reinforcing positive employee safety behaviour. We also have a summary of the latest headlines on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce including staff writer Angela Gismondi's story about how offsite construction is a needed tool in addressing the housing crisis, WSIB's extension of its Health and Safety Excellence   program to the end of 2024, and the announcement by the B.C. government that three teams have been chosen to move forward to the Request For Proposals stage for the Massey Tunnel replacement project which will create an immersed eight-lane tube tunnel to replace the current aging infrastructure. You can listen to The Construction Record on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section. Our previous interview with VRCA president Jeannine Martin about the 2023 Awards of Excellence is here. Thanks for listening. DCN-JOC News Services Offsite construction a needed tool in the housing crisis toolbox: Bendersky Nova Scotia general contractor fined for using professional engineer's seal WSIB double rebates for smaller businesses extended Massey Tunnel replacement procurement process moves forward First of two tunnel-boring machines breaks ground at future Oak-VGH Station Winners revealed: Who took home a VRCA 2023 Gold Award of Excellence Michael Fears Energy Safety Canada

Host Rachel Gilbert spoke with LFP reporter Norman De Bono, who broke the story that WSIB's 500-job headquarters, leaving Toronto for London, will touch down on the city's eastern edge -- not downtown, which is wrestling with high office vacancy rates

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model is a fundamental framework for developing and implementing an effective Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS). This approach allows organizations to continuously improve their safety performance, encourages employee engagement, and can be applied consistently across a variety of management systems.On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA, compares the planning phase of building an OHSMS to planning a boat ride to your favourite restaurant across the lake: in both cases, careful planning ensures that everyone involved stays safe and has fun.Building an OHSMS can certainly be complex -- the PDCA model can help firms focus on the basics and create a solid foundation, so that their plan can be applied universally across each of their jobsites.The PDCA is also a critical component of COR® and a requirement of participants in the WSIB's Health and Safety Excellence program (HSEp).See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heralded as one of the greatest decades in history… when greed was good, Jordache jeans were worn above the belly button, Hair stood on end with the aid of Aquanet, bands like Depeche Mode ushered in a new generation, a next generation of SciFi was born, and cars were seen as superheroes. This the only time where there is a juxtaposition of both analogue and digital while a generation of petrol heads were both living their best lives and early adopters simultaneously.  The Malaise era might have been the start of the “square bodies and round headlights” movement, but the 1980s… oh the 80s! That was the era of MTV, Killer-Bs, Body Kits and a massive evolution in the automotive industry. Where arguably, some of the iconic cars of our generation were born and carry on through today.   And like all What Should I Buy (WSIB) episodes… we have some shopping criteria. This time, we're going to settle a long standing argument about “Hot Hatches.” What is the actual difference between a shooting brake, liftback, hatchback, wagon and a sports coupe? Our panel of petrol-heads are challenged to solve that mystery as well as find our “first time collector” the best econobox that will make their friends go “where'd you get that?” at the next Cars & Coffee.  Picking up where we left off, the year is… 1983 and there is NO CORVETTE, but instead the world is introduced to GTI. Joining us tonight are veteran WSIB panelists… our 90's expert Mark Shank, Don Weberg from Garage Style Magazine, William Ross from Exotic Car Marketplace, bowtie man and square body historian Mountain Man Dan, and returning guest Jeff Willis, along with our executive producer: Tania!  ======================================================================== Check out our membership program and go VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Other cool stuff: https://linkin.bio/grantouringmotorsports GTM = Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - gtmotorsports.org

Like most enthusiasts in the collector hobby, we are Camaro'd, Cuda'd & Mustang'd out. It's time for something new, time to rediscover the unsung heroes from a period when Square-bodies and round headlights were all the rage!  You asked… we answered. From our latest fan poll, there was an overwhelming consensus that our listeners wanted us to come back for yet another What Should I Buy? (WSIB), this time hyper focusing on the cars from 1964 to 1982. And like all WSIB episodes, we have some shopping criteria. This time, anything goes, as long as it's not the same ole Muscle & Malaise we see at our local car shows. Our panel of extraordinary petrol-head panelists are challenged to find our “first time collector” something that will make their friends go “where'd you get that?” at the next Cars & Coffee.  Joining us are veteran WSIB panelists… Mark Shank our ‘90s expert, Don Weberg from Garage Style Magazine, and Rob Parr from Collector Car Guide, along with Mountain Man Dan, and special guest Andrew Mason from the Big Man In a Little Car episode!  ======================================================================== Check out our membership program and go VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Other cool stuff: https://linkin.bio/grantouringmotorsports GTM = Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - gtmotorsports.org

Marc from Craigmhor Construction joins us to talk about homeownership and WSIB. We discuss the stagnant labour force, the importance of cost analysis, the inevitability of renting, inflation, mortgages, and why the industry would be better off without WSIB. We remind you to be careful what you post on social media on this episode of The Construction Life Podcast. Interested in Marc? Check out Craigmhor Construction on Instagram @Craigmhor_Construction. Zensurance Imagine this: you're working on a construction project and accidentally damage a client's property. Without insurance, you could be held responsible for the repair costs. And what about the unforeseen accidents that can happen on a job site? Construction projects come with their fair share of risks. If a third party gets injured, you could be facing medical expenses, legal fees, and even potential settlements. But with construction liability insurance, those expenses are covered, saving you from a significant financial burden. Every construction professional needs a margin of safety and a solid backup plan for when things go wrong. So, if you're a general contractor, renovation expert, or construction professional, don't leave your business vulnerable. Nail down the low-cost construction liability insurance you need and get a certificate of insurance quickly by getting a free quote now by visiting Zensurance.com/save35. Zensurance is Canada's leading source for small business and construction liability insurance. Stay connected with The Construction Life Podcast by texting Manny at 416 433-5737 or emailing him at manny@theconstructionlife.com. If you have something to contribute to the podcast, email info@theconstructionlife.com to schedule a time to join us in studio. Are you interested in the latest trends in building, renovation, home improvement, real estate, architecture, design, engineering, contracting, trades, and DIY? Look no further! Our construction podcast and social media content cover a wide range of topics, including project management, safety, best practices, business development, leadership, marketing, customer service, productivity, sustainability, technology, innovation, and industry news.

When a worker has suffered a work-related injury or illness, it can be challenging and overwhelming to think about returning to work. To encourage a successful return to work, it is essential for injured workers to receive proper support and guidance throughout their recovery process. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Sarah Knight, Manager of the Return-to-Work program at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), talks in detail about WSIB's Return-to-Work program. The program offers guidelines and procedures to follow when a worker requests accommodations following an injury or illness, and it is designed together with the employer and the person who is injured or ill to ensure an early and safe return to work. Sarah further explains the responsibilities of both the employer and the worker, how WSIB helps in the return-to-work process, and what a typical successful return-to-work process would look like. Free Resources:Better at Work Principle - WSIBWSIB.caWSIB Health and Safety Excellence ProgramMandatory WSIB coverage in ConstructionResources for Small BusinessesOther ResourcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, offers various supports and benefits to injured workers, including income replacement benefits, medical coverage, and assistance with returning to work or recovery. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Suzanne McClelland, Manager, Stakeholder Relations at WSIB, provides a step-by-step process for addressing and reporting workplace injuries, illnesses, and possible exposure. A key topic Suzanne discusses is the critical steps employers can take when an injury or exposure has occurred, which include:· Providing first aid and keeping a record of treatment· Transporting the injured worker or paying for their transportation to the hospital if they need further treatment· Investigating the cause of injury or illness and keeping records of findings· Planning preventive actions to take to minimize the risk of further workplace injuries Free Resources:WSIB.caYour Guide: Benefits, Services and Responsibilities – Claimant edition | WSIBReporting a Work-related injuryWSIB Health and Safety Excellence ProgramMandatory WSIB coverage in ConstructionResources for Small BusinessesOther ResourcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is one of the largest insurance organizations in North America, covering over five million people in more than 300,000 workplaces in Ontario. WSIB provides wage-loss benefits, medical coverage, and other support to help people get back to work after a work-related injury or illness. In this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Derek Jackson from WSIB discusses WSIB's services in great detail, covering topics such as: · How a business can determine if it needs WSIB insurance· What benefits small businesses receive· What responsibilities businesses must meet once registered· How WSIB decides how much a business pays in premiums· How clearance certificates work Free Resources:Mandatory WSIB coverage in ConstructionWSIB Health and Safety Excellence ProgramOther ResourcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode: labour relations negotiations at WestJet and WSIB, a recruitment campaign from the lumber association, mental health of Canadian business owners, getting employees to the flow state and other topics. Stay with us to get the latest HR updates.Follow us on twitter at Canada Human Resources News (@cadHRnews) and LinkedIn at Canada HR News Podcast for more updates.Negotiation between WestJet and Swoop pilots and Westjet are in progress | WestJet pilots could strike next week — but imminent walkout would be 'premature' | CityNews Ottawa Workers of the WSIB in Ontario who are members of CUPE1750 voted 97.3% in favour of granting their union a strike mandate as it negotiates a new contract | Why WSIB workers are considering going on strike | Canadian Occupational Safety (thesafetymag.com) Western Retail Lumber Association Launches 'Let's Go Build' Recruitment Campaign | Let's Go Build – Build your future in the lumber and building industry. (letsgobuild.ca) Federally regulated workplaces to provide menstrual products to workers at no cost | Canada Labour Code to ensure access to menstrual products at work starting December 15 - Canada.ca Microsoft is freezing pay for all full-time workers this year to generate “enough yield” to invest in artificial intelligence | Microsoft skips pay hikes this year amid sharp focus on AI | Reuters A recent survey from BDC,, reveals that 45% of Canadian business owners indicated that they felt mental health challenges | Entrepreneurs' mental health has decreased significantly compared to last year, warns new survey results from BDC | BDC.ca McLean & Company has published its newest industry resource, Flow State: A Gateway to Engagement, Performance, and Productivity | Flow State: A Gateway to Engagement, Performance, and Productivity | McLean & Company (mcleanco.com) 

If it's the end of April, then it's time for the Workers' Day of Mourning. For 40 years, workers across the country have stopped to remember those who lost their lives on the job and to inspire workers to fight to prevent further tragedies. It's widely considered a rare opportunity to make a point that only sometimes penetrates our common narrative: Are all workplaces as healthy and safe as they could be, and are they equally safe for everyone? According to the WSIB Ontario, the number one workplace injury in 2021 and 2022 was sprains and strains. The second? COVID-19. CUPE Ontario notes that workers are “facing increased pressure to ‘get back to normal'”, and interestingly, workers have gotten “back to normal” in one very specific and disappointing way according to the WSIB... There were 255,318 claims in 2022, which is about 2,000 short of the 10-year high in 2019, right before the start of COVID. In the wake of the pandemic, which despite what you may have heard is still not technically over, the pressure on workers, and the pressure to look out for their own health and safety, is immense. Staffing pressures are forcing workers to put in more hours, and increased workloads make it harder to focus on the so-called little things, like whether the work your doing is dangerous, or even if you're qualified to do it. And what ever happened to 10 sick days? This week, we will examine that and other questions with the President of CUPE Ontario Fred Hahn, and co-chair of CUPE's Health and Safety Committee Brittany Nesbitt. They will talk about their personal thoughts on this year's Day of Mourning, what health and safety issues they're seeing right now, and the ongoing health and safety impacts from COVID-19. Plus, they will talk about empowering workers to look out for their rights and their concerns about the relaxing of child labour laws in some U.S. states. So let's talk health and safety on this week's edition of the Guelph Politicast! The Workers' Day of Mourning is this Friday April 28. The Guelph commemoration hosted by the Guelph & District Labour Council takes place at Goldie Mill Park at 5:30 pm with local labour historian Bonnie Durtnall as the special guest speaker. You can learn about all the various CUPE campaigns and work actions at their website. The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at Apple, Stitcher, Google, TuneIn and Spotify . Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.

For petrol heads of a certain age - the poster on our bedroom wall, the dream car, the exotic, the temptress if you will… those cars are the ones that corrupted our souls and invited us into the enthusiast world for the first time. They are defined by painstakingly passionate craftsmen. Vehicles with luscious curves, exaggerated features, spicy accents and fiery red paint schemes from manufacturers with names that end in vowels…  But thanks to misconceptions, myths and limited availability it's not often at the top of collectors' minds unless they're willing to “take that risk or make that plunge!” into the worlds of Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and others. With the help of returning “What Should I Buy” panelists and Italian Car Owners and Experts such as William Ross from the Ferrari Marketplace, Chris Bright from Collector Part Exchange, Don Weberg from Garage Style Magazine along with petrol-head extraordinaire Mark Shank from the 90's WSIB episode, we aim to prove the nay-sayers wrong, and find YOU the perfect Italian Collector Car!  Get behind the scenes access and outtakes exclusively on our Patreon!

In this episode: employment updates from Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, the latest reports from Robert Half about turnover drivers, and from LifeWorks about inclusion in the workplace, and other topics. Stay with us to get the latest HR updates.Follow us on twitter at Canada Human Resources News (@cadHRnews) and LinkedIn at Canada HR News Podcast for more updates.Alberta is adding 80 apprenticeship seats in skilled trades at Northwestern Polytechnic | Growing apprenticeship spaces in northern Alberta | alberta.ca Manitoba met with hundreds of qualified international candidates in person and thousands more online at job recruitment fairs in France and Morocco | Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitoba Government Promotes Province as Immigration Destination at International Job Recruitment Fair The Ontario government is launching a first-of-its-kind program to make free naloxone kits and training available at workplaces where there is a risk of staff witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose | Ontario Providing Free Naloxone Kits in Workplaces | Ontario Newsroom ONIWG has filed a court application challenging the WSIB cost-of-living adjustment for 2022 | Media-Release-ONIWG-vs-WSIB-COLA_2022.pdf (injuredworkersonline.org) Federal public servants will be required to return to the office for two or three days a week | Sending public servants back to the office could create logistical nightmare, warns union boss | Ottawa Citizen; Public service: Federal public servants must return to office two or three days a week | CTV News The latest reports from Robert Half about turnover drivers | Canadians with disabilities more likely to report their organization does not value diversity and inclusion | LifeWorksThe latest report from LifeWorks about inclusion in the workplace | Half of Canadian Workers Plan to Look for a New Position in the New Year (roberthalf.ca) 

Host Ken Rayner and guest, Maren Gamble, IHSA's Manager, Strategic Programs discuss WSIB's “Health and Safety Excellence Program”, a performance-based rewards program. It integrates the strengths of the previous WSIB Small Business, Safety Groups, and Workwell programs into a new improved model.This new Excellence Program is designed to provide businesses with a clear road map to improving their health and safety processes and systems.Participants create safer workplaces and can earn both financial and non-financial rewardsLearn more at IHSA's Health and Safety Excellence ProgramGeneral email inquiries - excellenceprogram@ihsa.caSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode Summary In this episode of Get Real Wealthy Season 2, Quentin talks about four steps on hiring a general contractor for your rental property renovation. Quentin says that it's really important to have a great general contractor and there are some tips and tricks that can save your time and money. The difference between hiring a general contractor and doing it yourself is time. Usually, you have to give up a lot of time in order to do a good job at a renovation. If you are giving up your time, then you are saving money. If you want to have more time however, you hire a general contractor, and they manage all the subcontractors like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc. He adds that there is a downside of undertaking the renovations yourself, and not going with the professionals. He says that one of the ways to find better general contractor is by talking to other investors and getting referrals. Quentin further adds “I would also ask a contractor to give me a referral from another investor. And then that way, I can talk to that investor and find out how they work with that person.” Second step is to inquire them about the nature of their insurance. Do they have WSIB coverage? Do they have any type of insurance that you can verify? Step number three is to get everything in writing. This will help you keep things smooth throughout the process and save you from any misunderstandings. If they need to negotiate something with you that that's up to you, but get it in writing. Step number four is to make sure you're reviewing the work that is being done. Don't completely pay for anything until you've actually gone on site and reviewed the work, or you've had a very trusted employee, advisor or property manager to go in and inspect the work, someone who has done inspections in the past. In conclusion, Quentin says that these tips can help the renovation process smooth and stress free for you while building a relationship with the contractor for future projects. Important Links and Resources • QuentinDSouza.com - Free 15 Min Discovery Call https://www.instagram.com/qmanrei (https://www.instagram.com/qmanrei ) • quentin@getrealwealthy.com • https://EducationREI.ca (https://EducationREI.ca) • https://GetRealWealthy.com (https://GetRealWealthy.com) • https://DurhamREI.ca (https://DurhamREI.ca)

We get ideas and suggestions for show topics all the time, and recently someone asked us to revisit the idea of "purchasing your first classic car" - never looking to turn down an opportunity for a hearty debate, we said Challenge Accepted! – And you know what that means listeners… it's time for another fan-favorite WHAT SHOULD I BUY? episode!  And as our listeners know all WSIB's have Shopping Criteria - but it unravels very quickly when you take into consideration all the different genres and eras of “collector cars” - Are we talking pre-war, post-war, muscle car, malaise era or something more modern? - so this begs the question “what exactly *IS* a collector car?” And with the help of our esteemed panel of guests we think we can solve this puzzle and come up with some great suggestions for the first time collector car buyer.  All of our guests have been on the show before, and have experience in the classic car, prospecting and investor car markets. So please join me in welcoming back to Break/Fix our panel of petrol-head juggernauts: Mark Shank from the 90's WSIB episode, Don Weberg from Garage Style Magazine, Rob Parr from Collector Car Guide and Chris Bright from Collector Part Exchange.  Get behind the scenes access and outtakes exclusively on our Patreon!

While the rate of electrical fatalities is trending downwards, electrical injuries as a whole are not as rare as we'd hope. From the underground electrical economy to DIYers taking on home renovations, electrical safety accidents have increased over the last two years. Josie Erzetic, President and CEO of the Electrical Safety Authority, told us how her organization is working to combat these issues and protect consumers from dangerous acts. Listen to our chat during this thinkenergy Summer Recharge.  Do you work in a construction related industry? Call or email (ESA.communications@esasafe.com) the ESA to learn about their spring startup sessions. They are happy to send somebody out to educate your workers about the potential hazards around powerline contact.  Related links: Grounded in Ontario Podcast: www.ESAsafe.com/podcast Josie Erzetic, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-erzetic-0bb58010/ Electrical Safety Authority: https://esasafe.com/compliance/what-you-need-to-know/ --- To subscribe using Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinkenergy/id1465129405 To subscribe using Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7wFz7rdR8Gq3f2WOafjxpl To subscribe on Libsyn: http://thinkenergy.libsyn.com/ --- Subscribe so you don't miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/user/hydroottawalimited Check out our cool pics on https://www.instagram.com/hydroottawa More to Learn on https://www.facebook.com/HydroOttawa Keep up with the Tweets at https://twitter.com/thinkenergypod   Dan Seguin  00:06 This is thinkenergy. The podcast that helps you better understand the fast changing world of energy through conversations with game changers, industry leaders and influencers. So join me, Dan Seguin, and my co-host, Rebecca Schwartz, as we explore both traditional and unconventional facets of the energy industry.  Hey everyone, welcome to the summer rewind edition of the thinkenergy podcast. While we recharge our batteries during these lazy hazy days of summer, we're bringing back some blasts from our podcast past. We'll be reintroducing some of our most popular interviews that garnered a lot of attention and interest. There's been a lot of talk about the future electrification of energy on the path to net zero. The episodes we've selected are very future focused with themes around green innovation, renewable energy, and our impact on the environment. So I hope you enjoy the summer rewind edition of today's episode. In the meantime, have a happy summer. And we'll be back on August 15th to kick off another exciting season. Cheers. Dan Seguin  00:50 Hey, everyone, welcome back. This is the ThinkEnergy podcast. And in today's episode, we'll be talking about safety in this increasingly, electric world. I'm dancing.   Rebecca Schwartz  01:02 And I'm Rebecca Schwartz.   Dan Seguin  01:04 Electricity is everywhere. It has become a necessary part of our lives powering the way we live, work and play. Rebecca, how much of a headache is it when the power goes out?   Rebecca Schwartz  01:19 Hmm, it's a huge headache, Dan. And let me tell you, as a social media coordinator, I know firsthand that our customers feel the pain.   Dan Seguin  01:28 Yep, I'm the same way when the power goes out, we notice but apart from those moments, it's easy to take for granted. Likewise, with it being such a critical resource that already has many safeguards in place, it's easy to forget just how dangerous it is   Rebecca Schwartz  01:45 so true. And well, most of us have likely experienced an electric shock of some kind. Hopefully, for most people, just a small Static Shock, you know, from walking across your carpet with socks on and touching the closest victim in proximity to you. But I digress. static shocks like these are of little consequence. However, when it comes to the electric current running through our homes, businesses and communities via wires and powerlines incidents involving electric shock are anything but amusing.   Dan Seguin  02:15 Unfortunately, the sobering reality is that electrical injuries are not as rare as you and I or the Electrical Safety Authority would like. According to the Ontario electrical safety report, there have been a 135 electrical related fatalities in the past 10 years. 52 of those deaths were a result of electrocution, or the effects of an electrical burn, and 83 were a result of electrical fires. The silver lining is that the rate of electrical fatalities is actually trending down. fatalities have dropped 13% Compared to the previous 10 year period.   Rebecca Schwartz  02:59 And the organization behind this downwards trend is the Electrical Safety Authority. They serve to regulate and promote electrical safety in Ontario, improve safety for the well being of all Ontarians and ultimately to reduce electrical injuries and fatalities to zero.   Dan Seguin  03:16 So Rebecca, here's today's big question. How has the electrical safety authorities strategically evolved, its approach to safety in this modern and increasingly electric world? Special guest, Josie Erzetic, Chief regulatory officer and General Counsel for the Electrical Safety Authority is here with us today to help ground us with a greater understanding of the dangers behind electricity, and how we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our colleagues from injury. Hey Josie, Welcome to the show. Perhaps you can start us off by telling us more about your organization, your role as a regulator, and what fuels your passion for working there?   Josie Erzetic  04:12 Thanks so much, Daniel. I'm really happy to be on the show. So Thanks for inviting me. I guess what I'd start off with is just talking about ESA's mission, and that is to promote electrical safety across Ontario. So in fact, our vision is an Ontario where people can live work and play safe from electrical harm. So we're talking about electrical safety at home, as well as in the workplace. So how do you do that? We basically have carriage four regulations in the province. So the first one being the one people probably associate most which with us, which is the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. The second one is that we license all of the LEC's and ME's, that's master electricians and licensed electrical contractors in the province. Thirdly, we regulate electrical product safety. And finally, we regulate the safety of all licensed distribution companies in the province. And that would be, for example, Ottawa Hydro. So we regulate safety in that regard as well. And we're constantly just scanning the market for new areas that we perceive present an electrical safety risk to consumers to Ontarians. And we promote education, electrical safety education. So what what fuels my passion you asked? It's basically that safety and consumer protection mandate, I find it very, very meaningful work to do this. So that's what gets me up in the mornings. And I'm really fortunate to just work with a really, really great group of people.   Rebecca Schwartz  06:01 with safety and risk mitigation top of mind how the accidents increased or decreased in the last five to 10 years. And how do you measure this?   Josie Erzetic  06:10 it's a really good question. And I'm very happy to report that over the last 10 years, overall, the state of electrical safety in Ontario has improved. There's been a 42% reduction in critical injuries that result as a result of electrical incidents, and there's been a 30% reduction in electrical fires. Overall, as well over the past decade, there's been an 11% decrease in electrical related fatalities. When it comes to power lines, specifically, there has been an 8% decrease in the last 10 years in power line related fatalities. So how do we know this? we track all the data. So we look very carefully at electrical fatalities, as well as critical injuries. And we really sort of hone in on where they're coming from. So I'll give you an example. For example, dump truck drivers a number of years ago, we recognized that there were a lot of electrical contact with power lines as the result of dump truck drivers keeping the box on their truck in an elevated position. So as a result of that we really focused in on that problem and started to do a lot of work with that industry. So what did we do? we created a whole campaign around, look up, look out. So we posted these types of signs all around construction areas, we posted power line safety posters. We delivered safety talks to industry associations to students to construction workers. And we worked in partnership with the IHSA, which is the infrastructure Health and Safety Association. And we also translated some of our safety materials into other languages, including French, Portuguese, Punjabi, to make sure that people understood the message. And as a result of it, what's happened is that the number of powerline contacts from that industry has decreased by 28%, when you compare five year periods. So having said all that, there's still a lot of work to be done. And we're again tracking data to look at where we might see other risk areas so that we can really focus in on those.   Dan Seguin  08:53 Now let's move on from data to reports. I know you recently released an annual safety report. What is that telling you?   Josie Erzetic  09:01 So our annual safety report is called the Ontario electrical safety report or OESR. It's the only document of this kind in Canada. And what it really does is help us identify emerging risk areas. So this this last month, we released our 20th edition. And what it's telling us on the homeowner side certainly is we've seen an increase in power line contacts reported from the public. So this is not what I was referring to earlier in terms of fatalities per se, but it's just an increase in the numbers of contacts, which of course could lead to serious injury or fatality, so we want to really think about data like this and try to send our safety message to the public. So where are we seeing contact? we're seeing it in areas like tree trimming or cutting. We're seeing it in things like kite flying or home improvement. work. For example, if you think about it, you're working around your home, you're moving around a ladder, let's say, to clean your eavestroughs, anything like that. And we're potentially seeing power line contact as a result, yard renovations. So we noticed that, especially during this pandemic period, where people are doing a lot of their own renovation work, there's a potential there for power line contact. So what we've done is we're shifting a lot of our campaigns online, and we're sending out messages like stop, look and live, we find that people are going online, when they're thinking about doing renovations when they're hiring contractors to help with some of those renovations. So we want to send out those messages that make sure you're aware of powerlines, you're aware of what you're doing, and that you stay far enough away. Another example is pools and pool clearances or hot tubs. So in that sense, we've sent out messages saying make sure you keep yourself and your equipment, for example, pool skimmers, which can be quite long, far away from overhead power lines, and our recommendation is at least three meters away. So that's on the homeowner side. And if we want to switch it now to the work side, on the occupational side, I point to the fall of 2019. Were in the span of about 24 hours, we were notified tragically of two critical injuries and two deaths as a result of powerline contact. And those were four separate incidents. So one was a crane construction worker. The second one was arborists that were it was a team of two arborists that were involved in tree trimming. The third one involved a TTC worker. So that's the Toronto Transit Commission in Toronto. And, and the fourth one was a drill operator. So this was a really tragic day where you had a number of incidents just occurring in very close temporal proximity. But it was also a catalyst for us to think about redesigning our power line campaign. And so what we're doing as a result is we have campaigns twice annually so that we make sure it's at the start of construction season, as well as in the fall months. We're also working closely with the Ministry of Labor to understand all of the circumstances behind those incidents. And we also work with our industry partners to make sure that we educate workers who are at high risk, and I mentioned arborist as an example. So we want to again focus in on those occupations that we think are at high risk of powerline contact. We've also observed a rise in incidents involving young workers. And as a result, we have specialists who go to the colleges to ensure that students young workers involved in things like heavy machinery operation in the arborist industry, get the information about the potential hazard around power line contact, so to ensure that they're well educated on that. And we also encourage any companies. So anyone who is listening to this podcast, who you know works in a construction related area, if you want to give us a call about our spring startup sessions, we're happy to send somebody out to educate your workers about the potential hazards around powerline contact. And you can do this by just emailing us at ESA.communications@esasafe.com. And we'd be happy to do a spring startup session for folks.   Rebecca Schwartz  14:11 Thanks, Josie. We'll make sure to include that in our show notes. So we read that the Electrical Safety Authority is striving to be a modern risk based electrical safety regulator for Ontarians. What exactly does that mean?   Josie Erzetic  14:25 Yeah, it's a great question. And I often think about that, myself, what does it mean to be to be a modern regulator, so it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but I'll sort of give you the key elements of it for us. So it really, it means to us to use something that we call risk based oversight. It means leveraging technology and really fostering the capabilities of our people. So when we say risk based oversight, as you can imagine, trying to be a safety regulator. The complex world we live in today in a in a province, as populous as the province of Ontario is a difficult task, you can't be everywhere all at once. So we use risk base to really prioritize and focus on the highest risk electrical installations, we actually have an algorithm that helps us understand which installations are the high risk ones, and we prioritize those and have a whole system for prioritization. So we're basically putting the most time in the highest risk areas. Along those lines were also through. And we did this through the COVID period, we're really piloting the use of what we call remote inspections. So that in other words, rather than an inspector attending at each installation, there's the possibility for a licensed electrical contractor to send in photos or videos. And we put job aids around that and given instruction to the industry about what we're looking for. So again, so low risk installation, and in the inspectors discretion, they can accept photos or videos, which you can imagine, makes it more efficient for us doing our job. And it's also, you know, potentially an efficiency value to the contractor as well to submit photos rather than having somebody attend in person. So that's another thing where we're moving forward as a modern regulator, I'd say, in terms of leveraging technology, we've really moved digital, I think, as have a lot of companies at this time. So example, where we used to have all our master exams happening in person, they can now happen virtually. So we have a system where we can do virtual proctoring of exams, so you can do your exam online, we can do online training, which is either synchronous or asynchronous, which is which is terrific for folks. If it's synchronous, then you might have an instructor with you asynchronous, you're watching videos, or you're going through PowerPoint on on your own time. So it's, it's leveraging technology for us, but also for the folks that we service. And another big thing we've done is our plan review group, which looks at electrical drawings, for complex electrical installations. So say, for example, for a car manufacturer or a large industry, rather than having these clients submit hard copies of complicated electrical plans, they can now do so digitally through our electronic plan review portal. So that's something again, that's very good for clients and good for efficiency purposes. For us, we also have a new scheduling tool that provides customers better notice of when an inspector is going to arrive, which is again, a real win from a from an efficiency standpoint, and we're now launching a project that would allow master electricians and licensed electrical contractors to submit documents online, so time saving there. And the last area I'd say is focusing on fostering new skills. So where our employees need to augment skills or develop new skills, we're very supportive of continuing education and, and skills broadening. And we're also looking at where do we have gaps? Where is technology? Or is our sector evolving, and we need to ensure we're evolving with it. So an example I give you there is what we've just been talking about, which is around data analytics. So we've recognized that we need to improve our capability in that regard. And as a result, we've hired a couple of new people to help us in that regard. And we're also augmenting skills of folks that we already have working for us. I think I'd be remiss if I didn't mention diversity and inclusion. I think a lot of employers are thinking about that right now, as are we. And so we do have what we call an idea strategy, which is inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. And I think that is a very important part of being a modern regulator. And I would say that, you know, I'm really happy to report that 80% of our executive team is now women. So I think we're making some real advances in that area, but you know, I'll be honest with you, I'd like to see more so We're continuing to work on that. So I guess that's in summary, what I really see is being a modern regulator.   Dan Seguin  20:08 That's very interesting. Thanks, Josie. Now, wondering if you could tell us about your organization's new corporate strategy at a high level? Can you walk us through the four strategic goals and why they're so important?   Josie Erzetic  20:23 Yeah. So it's, it's a very good question. And some of these goals we have maintained from previous years and others we've really expanded upon. So I would say the, the first of the four main goals is really safety. And that's one that's always been a focus of our organization. But having said that, we can all see the rapid evolution of technology in the sector. So we're really maintaining a close focus on that, and working with industry partners in that regard. So examples I give you there are things like the adoption of electric vehicles or energy storage technologies. So in the example I give you is that I'm currently sitting on a council that the Ministry of Transportation has set up around Evie adoption. So we want to participate on councils like that, that look at this one is on the electrification of the transportation sector. So that's an important part important pillar in the strategy, and an important part of what we're doing. So we do things like we anticipate new risk areas, we have something called the harm lifecycle, which really has a scanning the market, looking at potential for new technology, new harms that we should be monitoring and assessing. And then we decide, is this a high risk area that we would like to pilot a program in as an example? Is this something we should be partnering on? Like the example I just gave you with what MTO is doing? Is this something that we want to continue as a program, once we have achieved our goals in it? Is it something that we exit from so we have a whole lifecycle and how we look at risk. So I think that's an important part of the new strategy around safety. And then compliance, that's also something that we have carried over from our previous strategy. But I think, if anything, I would say we're almost amping up what we're doing in this area. So we work closely with our licensed communities, for example, the licensed electrical contractor community, and we educate the public in terms of ensuring that they hire a licensed electrical contractor, rather than, for example, going to unlicensed individuals. And we refer to that as the underground economy. So I would say that this new strategy really emphasizes the importance of getting at that underground economy or, you know, I'd like to put it as like, just let's take a bite out of that underground economy, let's reduce what's going on there. So we want to educate homeowners to not hire unlicensed individuals. And we will take enforcement action, where it's required against those people who are working illegally and not taking out licenses or permits because there are real safety and consumer protection risks around that type of work. And we've got some real active campaigns around that. For example, we have a Kijiji Blitz, where we are actively looking for people advertising services illegally on Kijiji and forcing those to come off Kijiji. Our third goal is operating with organizational agility. And I think, as a lot of companies are doing today, and as we talked about earlier, we're trying to leverage technology to make ourselves more efficient, and reduce, you know, burden for the licensees. So whether those are licensed electrical contractors, or LDCs, such as Hydro Ottawa, we're trying to reduce burden for our clients. And I think the last area is really around public accountability. We want to be seen as a publicly accountable transparent regulator So we do regular surveys of our customers to identify areas for improvement. You know, what are our strengths? But what are our weaknesses? And how can we do better? I think ESA has a culture of continuous improvement, which we're very proud of.   Rebecca Schwartz  25:18 Thanks for the reference to the underground economy, it seems like there's a black market for everything, even electrical services. Has there been a story that's stuck with you in regards to an electrical incident resulting in a serious injury that could have been prevented? Or is there a safety tip that you wish everybody knew?   Josie Erzetic  25:37 Yeah. So thank you for that question. And something that is real top of mind for me lately, is something called lichtenburg generators. So we've had a number of serious injuries and some deaths involving these devices. And my safety tip is stop using these devices. They are devices that they can either be made. So people were seeing people doing them as do it yourself projects, or they can be purchased. However, they're not a product that's either approved or certified by any certification body, and they're extremely dangerous. So we're aware of at least five fatalities and one critical injury that have taken place over the last three years. And a couple of those fatalities occurred earlier this year. And what these things are, I don't know if you've ever heard of them before, but they are used to create art. So they're like a wood burning type device. So you create it by burning designs into wood or acrylic. But they're a lot of them are homemade. And people take parts out of microwaves, for example, to put these things together. And they have a lot of accessible wiring components. So they're very unsafe to handle. And so and particularly on social media forums, we're seeing that individuals are posting videos, and they're instructing each other on how to build these devices. So right now we have a very comprehensive public safety awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of using Lichtenberg generators. And we're specifically targeting that sort of do it yourself, community and those who are interested in things like woodworking so what we're finding it's primarily men aged between 20 and 40, to not carry out this type of hobby and not use these types of devices. And if anyone is aware of advertising of this kind of advice, we would encourage them to call us at 1-877-esa-safe or visit us online. And and make us aware of this because we are asking, particularly YouTube to try to get these How To Videos removed. So the safety tip again, is don't use these devices. They're very dangerous.   Dan Seguin  28:20 Now your organization has a vision, a big vision to create an Ontario where people can live, work and play safe from electrical harm. During the pandemic, have there been any particular challenges or opportunities in achieving this?   Josie Erzetic  28:37 Yeah, it absolutely, because as I'm sure you both have found, people were at home. That means, among other things, a lot of on at home online shopping. So we want to make sure that people are very aware that electrical products that you're looking at, make sure they've been approved by a recognized certification body. So from both a safety awareness point of view, but also a consumer protection point of view, we want to make sure that people are buying approved products, as you both know. Online, it's so it's a global problem. You can buy products from anywhere in the world now and have them shipped directly to your house. So again, as a regulator, it's hard to be everywhere all at once. So the best thing is to have consumers aware themselves that when you're buying electrical products, you will want to ensure that it's either CSA certified UL certified, that you've got an approval mark on that product and you look for it when you're buying it on these online platforms. We share jurisdiction here with Health Canada, so I know Health Canada is all so concerned about this problem. So what we've done is we've set up a task force and we include ourselves on it, Health Canada, our own ministry, provincially, which is the ministry of government and Consumer Services. We've got manufacturers working with us distributors, consumer advocates, we've got bricks and mortar stores as part of the task force. But we also have online retailers. And we're all discussing the problem of consumer awareness, consumer protection and safety, because it's an all our interest to make sure people are safe. And we're putting resources into follow up on any reports we see, or we receive about unsafe consumer products. So we have been and we will follow up on 100% of reports we receive where somebody says, Look, I bought this thing it's unapproved, you know, I found that it sparked or there was a flash, when I tried to plug it in, we will follow up on all these things. We're also really enhancing consumer consumer awareness efforts, especially around this time of year, we're heading into holiday shopping season. And so we do have a holiday safety campaign. That's where we see a lot of people online, a lot of people looking at electrical products. So this campaign really focuses on consumer safety. And this year, in particular, we're encouraging folks who, you know, may be doing a lot of holiday decorating, they may be getting together to do this type of thing. So they're putting more emphasis on it this year, I don't know maybe more so than last year, when nobody came over. We're saying, you know, look closely at your your lights, right, your holiday lights that you're buying, make sure they're approved, make sure you use them correctly. Make sure if you have old ones that you're digging out of your basement, that there's no damage to cords, so just you know, be careful.   Rebecca Schwartz  32:04 Josie, you mentioned amateur DIY is like the dangerous Lichtenberg wood burning video on YouTube. Has there been other instances where the Electrical Safety Authority has seen an increase in electrical accidents? Or what about new areas of concern?   Josie Erzetic  32:20 Yeah, it's, it's a really, it's a good question. And again, particularly through this pandemic period, where people are looking for new hobbies, or, you know, they're at home, they're thinking about ways to renovate their house, maybe they cannot find a contractor or someone says to them, okay, it'll be months and months before somebody can get your house. So they just, they feel like, Oh, well, I could I want to do it myself. Right. So in that sense, we really remind homeowners consumers, that electricity is something that is dangerous, that you need to hire a professional to do it, there is the potential homeowners can do their own work. But in our view, it is better to hire a professional because there are safety risks inherent in the work. If homeowners are doing it themselves, then we certainly would remind them that they must take out the proper notifications with ESA, because that then has an inspector coming to their house to inspect the work. So at the very least, you want to ensure that happens. But we would say primarily, look, leave it to the professionals. So hire a licensed electrical contractor. And only a licensed electrical contracting business can be hired to do this. So when you're hiring people, we also remind folks to ask to see the accurate slash ESA license number. So that should be ever it should be on the estimates you get. It should be on their their trucks, their business cards, their ultimate invoice if you're not seeing that you could be hiring somebody that's in that underground economy that we talked about earlier. So be very careful about who you're hiring. And in this regard, obviously, ESA puts out a lot of its own information. But we also now are partnering with the Mike Holmes group. And you'll probably remember Mike Holmes He's done a lot of work on television. He does a lot of work also through social media. So he has a very large following. And so as a result, we're able to amplify the message by working with that group with Mike Holmes and his family to really get out that message that this is something maybe you don't want to take on on your own because of the safety risks. So certainly, both Mike his son, Mike Jr, and Sherry have posted both on YouTube as well as their other social channels about the importance when you're thinking about renovating to hire a licensed electrical contractor, and also the importance of ensuring you ensuring that you have ESA inspect the work. So you want to make sure at the end of the job, you get an ESA certificate of acceptance when the job's complete. So you know, it's done right. The other thing we've been noticing recently, and we've really made an effort to get the word out on this, so maybe I'll mention it here on this podcast as well, is the difference between a licensed electrical contractor, a master electrician, or what we call a C of Q, Certificate of Qualification holder, a certified electrician. Sometimes people think, oh, this person is an electrician, I'll just hire them directly know, who you need to hire is a licensed electrical contractor, because they are a business. And they were required by us to have $2 million in liability insurance, as well as the WSIB insurance coverage. So how this works is the licensed electrical contractor employs Master electricians who are responsible for overseeing the work of certified electricians, so you don't hire those folks directly. You hire the LEC, and it's important for consumer protection, because that way, if there's an injury, God forbid, or something happens in your home, then there is insurance that covers that. And the homeowner, him or herself is not responsible. So we're really working to increase awareness on the differences between the licensed electrical contracting businesses, which are who you hire, versus the master electricians or the certified electricians. I think that's very important.   Rebecca Schwartz  37:17 Great tips Josie and gotta love Mike Holmes, perhaps now a little bit more broadly, pandemic times or not what are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities that are facing the Electrical Safety Authority right now in general?   Josie Erzetic  37:32 I think I I go back to the underground economy and underground work that we we talked about earlier. So and I think we mentioned that it's just it's such a big problem, not just for our sector. But overall, I think, Rebecca, that you mentioned that you can, you know, almost buy anything in the underground market now. So you really, I think Statistics Canada estimates the underground economy is over $16 billion. That's with a B in Ontario alone. So it's just it's a big problem. And we as I said, I'd like to start a new slogan, like, let's take a bite out of the underground economy, like we really need to ensure with something like electricity, there are such safety and consumer protection issues, that this is not something you want to fool around with and leave to someone who's non licensed and not take out proper permits in this area. There's just too much at risk both with your personal safety and the safety of your home. There could be a fire that results from this. So what are we doing to really tackle this i and Daniel, I think you mentioned it earlier too. It's the Kijiji work so we're actually working a lot of people go online to find contractors. We are online and looking at those ads on Kijiji, and we will send notification to advertisers who we think are unlicensed businesses offering these types of services. If we don't get a voluntary response to take down that ad, Kijiji will forcibly remove it so big shout out to Kijiji for working with us and taking those ads down. And and if we still get repeat offenders, you wouldn't believe this people will come back and advertise again. We're prosecuting them. So we now have 20 charges pending before courts. So I would say that number one consumers do not hire unlicensed people. Be careful about who you're hiring online. We're out there we're working on it, but be careful as to see those licenses people who are doing this work illegally. I would say we are working hard to pull your ads off. Do not do this come into the licensed community. If you want to do this work, then get a license and do it properly. or we will also be looking to prosecute. So we this is important. The other thing we noticed with a high level of EV adoption, we undertook an EV charger Blitz. So we noticed that some EV charging systems that you put in your home in order to charge your vehicle were being done by unlicensed individuals and being done without permits. So we had our inspectors go out and inspect and alert both homeowners because sometimes homeowners don't know that was put in improperly and alert us to where we saw, charters being put in without permits are being put in by unlicensed contractors. And as a result, we've noticed this the period that we were looking at it this year, compared to last year, we've had almost a doubling of the amount of notifications that were taken out. So it makes a big difference when people know that we're out there. We're inspecting these things, and we expect them to be done properly and safety. And we also have an anonymous online reporting tool. So I would even say to your listeners, if you think there could be unlicensed activity going on somewhere, please let us know about it. So you can go online, you will, it's anonymous, but we do appreciate details. So we can do the follow up and investigate, you go to esasafe.com. And we found that this has been a very effective tool since we launched it in April 2020. To get reports, and I will tell people that we do follow up on 100% of the leads we get about unlicensed activity.   Dan Seguin  41:47 Okay, we've covered challenges and opportunities. What about the rise of digital communication? Has it changed your organization's ability to communicate safety messaging?   Josie Erzetic  41:59 Yeah, I'd say it, it really, really has. And we've shifted a lot of our educational campaigns on to social media, because as we alluded to earlier, we do find that is where people are looking, for example, to hire contractors, they're looking for ideas, say on renovation, you know, people will follow certain interior designers, they they will follow renovators on things like Instagram, or they'll follow them on Twitter. So we're leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, Google, YouTube, all of those, because we find that that's where people are going now. But we also find there are potential dangers lurking there as well. And so we really have to monitor and be on top of those. So I'll give you an example of something that was a tic toc challenge that that we were made aware of in early 2020. And this was a challenge where that was issued over tick tock and it was basically about plugging in a phone charger. And then using either was a penny or a nickel or something to drag across the exposed prongs. And it results in in smoke and sparks and but it can also result in fire. So it this is obviously a really dangerous activity. So we became aware of it on social media. And then we use social as well as traditional media in order to educate, you know, basically parents and kids who were doing this, that this was unsafe, and they shouldn't be doing it. And we that was a very successful campaign. And we had more than 15 million views on that. And so we're very, very grateful. And, and we actually we won some awards for what we were able to do with with social media just in terms of identifying a risk and then educating people that they shouldn't be carrying engaging in this activity. And and I guess I should say to that we're also we're leveraging some new new opportunities, like a podcast like what you guys are doing here, which I applaud you for, by the way, we're trying to do the same thing.   Rebecca Schwartz  44:21 Now Josie, our listeners have made it this far. And now they want to know some ways that they can keep their electrical safety knowledge up to date. How can they do that?   Josie Erzetic  44:30 Yeah. So one way to do it is exactly what the two of you are doing with your podcast. We have our own podcast and it's really focused on electrical safety. So it's called Grounded in Ontario, and you can find it on our website at ESAsafe.com/podcast, but you can also go to typical platforms where you'd find podcasts like Apple podcasts or Spotify and located there. So we have new episodes coming out basically monthly. And we talk about things like what we've talked about here and more. So we've had an episode on pools and hot tubs and safety issues relating to that those EV supply equipment. So electrical vehicle chargers, which we also alluded to here, we also talk about arc fault and ground fault circuit interrupters. And we have a new episode that's just coming out on the underground economy, which we've also talked about. So that's a great place to get information. Also, our website has a lot of information and talks about things like do it yourself, renovations, talks about holiday safety talks about home and work safety. So I would, you know, recommend listeners go there. And I'd also always encourage people that if there are safety concerns, or you want to report activity, please go to our website, or please call us and I can give you the number, it's 1-877-372-7233. So we'd love to hear from people.   Dan Seguin  46:12 Okay, as it relates to your podcast Grounded in Ontario, I'll make sure that we post a link in our show notes, well Josie How about you close us off with some rapid fire questions? Are you ready?   Josie Erzetic  46:26 I'm ready.   Dan Seguin  46:27 Okay. What is your favorite word?   Josie Erzetic  46:30 I have to say I, I you know, obviously top of mind for me. workwise is safety. But just one of my favorite things to think about is also chocolate.   Dan Seguin  46:40 Now, what is one thing you can't live without?   Josie Erzetic  46:45 Chocolate?   Dan Seguin  46:45 What is something that challenges you   Josie Erzetic  46:48 with Rebecca, my love of chocolate? Because then I have to make sure that I you know, keep exercising or something?   Dan Seguin  46:55 If you could have one superpower, what would it be?   Josie Erzetic  47:00 I think the superpower question is always a really is a really great one. And I always I like picking flying for this one. Because then I figure it makes the commuting easier. And it would just be would it be great to just zip to your cottage fast or you know, zip to Europe or something. Especially these times where you know, travel is so difficult.   Dan Seguin  47:22 Josie This is my favorite one here. If you could turn back time and talk to your 18 year old self. What would you tell her?   Josie Erzetic  47:29 Okay, this one, this one I am going to answer very seriously, I would say something that I say to my my kids now who are 19 and 16. And that is believe in yourself. Believe in yourself believe in what you can do. You know, trust, trust yourself. So that that I think is very important for young people to remember.   Dan Seguin  47:53 And lastly, what do you currently find most interesting in this sector?   Josie Erzetic  47:59 Um, so I would say it's it's the pace of change. I just think our sector the energy sector is just fascinating. Right now we've talked about things like electrification of transportation, and the speed of the adoption there. We think of things like energy storage, the growth of renewables, I think of distribute, you know, distributed energy resources. I think it's fascinating. We're all concerned about climate change. So we're thinking about how we can reduce our carbon footprint, what, what role does energy play in that? What What will it look like 2030 4050 years from now where we might have entire communities that are doing things like net metering, we might have, you know, renewable generation, within a smaller community, or just you'll have solar panels on your roof, you'll have an energy storage system in your basement, you'll have an Eevee charging outside. So I think that is fascinating. I think energy is so fundamental to how we live and maybe how we'll deal with fundamental global issues like the climate crisis. And so ESA is part of that. I think it's so exciting, because you need to have all of that working safely. So the role we play is fascinating. So that's what I just find hugely fascinating and challenging about our sector.   Rebecca Schwartz  49:25 Well, Josie, we reached the end of another episode of The think energy podcast. Thanks so much for joining Dan and I today. We hope you had fun.   Josie Erzetic  49:33 I had a great time with you guys. Thanks so much. Really appreciate it.   Rebecca Schwartz  49:38 I sure hope you enjoyed this episode of The ThinkEnergy podcast. If so please head over to our iTunes SUBSCRIBE And leave us a review.   Dan Seguin  49:46 Now For show notes and bonus content visit hydroottawa.com/thinkenergy. Also, be sure to tell your friends and colleagues about us. Thank you for listening.

In this Canada HR News episode:To meet the increasing demand for nurses in British Columbia, the Province is making it easier for eligible internationally educated nurses (IENs) to enter the province's health system so they can support British Columbians' health-care needs sooner. |  Supporting international nurses into B.C.'s health system | BC Gov NewsAs part of the program called Alberta at Work, the government will invest $600 million into meeting the needs of the Alberta's labour market.  | A path forward to support Alberta's workforce | Un plan d'action pour appuyer la main-d'œuvre albertaine | alberta.caAlberta's government will provide support to assist Ukrainian citizens arriving in the province with employment, education and health care. | Helping Ukrainians settle in Alberta | alberta.caThe government of Manitoba has opened the first of two intake periods for the 2022-23 Canada–Manitoba Job Grant, with a total budget of $10 million, to support Manitoba's workforce training needs. | Province of Manitoba | News Releases | Manitoba Government Commits $10 Million for Canada-Manitoba Job Grant to Address Workforce Training Needs The Ontario government and the WSIB are partnering to launch the first-ever review of the province's occupational illness system.  |  Ontario reviewing occupational illnesses to find, fix roadblocks - OHS Canada Magazine CBC reports that a new survey suggests almost 20% of Canadian businesses do not offer safety and orientation programs that are legally required for new workers in much of the country. | 1 in 5 Canadian workplaces have no safety programs for new workers, survey suggests | CBC NewsMore and more safety professionals believe workplace first aid should include mental health. Mental Health First Aid training is provided by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. | What is mental health first aid and why should employers invest in it? | Canadian Occupational Safety (thesafetymag.com)Stay with us to get the latest HR updates! Follow us on twitter at @cadHRnews or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/cadhrnews. 

Nicole is the President and Founder of Whiteboard Consulting and has been leading large-scale leadership training initiatives with Whiteboard since its inception. Nicole's formal education includes an honors BA from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also certified as a Coach and as a practitioner in Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator assessments and training, Method Time Motion studies, and Appreciative Inquiry. She is the creator, designer, and lead facilitator of The Limitless LeaderTM program that creates leaders and teams that feel limitless to create and innovate paired with accountability and grace. Nicole has been designing and delivering online and in-person delivering human skills content for the last 10 years and is a top-rated facilitator for her engagement and passionate approach to delivery. Whiteboard's clientele includes: IMAX, Volkswagon, Mitsubishi, Hain-Celestial, Toronto Hydro, Toronto General Hospital, Canada Council for the Arts, WSIB, The Ontario Public Sector, The University of Toronto, Georgian College, and Humber College. Nicole is a retired fitness instructor who dances on her Peloton, a cottage-country lover, a vegan cook, and can out-karaoke almost anyone.IG: @whiteboardconsult###Your hosts of Are You Waiting for Permission? are Meridith Grundei and Joseph Bennett. They're friends, co-hosts, actors, improvisers and coaches. She lives in NYC and coaches actors, business professionals and presenters to fully engage with their audience, and themselves. She also mentors young actors and directors. He lives in San Miguel de Allende, México and  coaches artists and other creative beings about the beautiful business of art — and life. You can find Meridith:Meridith Grundei the performer artist gal Meridith Grundei CoachingYou can find Joseph:Joseph Bennett the artist/coach extraordinaire*Special thanks to Amy Shelley and Gary Grundei of high fiction for letting us use their music for the Are You Waiting for Permission? podcast.And... while the podcast is free, it's not cheap. We'd be thrilled to have your support on PATREONThank you. 

Like the show? https://www.patreon.com/newleftradio (Support us on Patreon)! Canadian politics has really been something over the last 10 days. A shift has occurred, one that may be impossible to walk back, and one that has left us feeling politically depressed and dispossessed. Canadian MAGA is here to stay. What happens next? Then, we're joined in the CUPE Ontario Union Hall by Harry Goslin, President of OCEU CUPE 1750, representing workers at Ontario's WSIB. We discuss the Ford government's redistribution of benefits intended for workers to business, the failure of Ontario's emergency sick days, and what you should do if you think you contracted COVID on the job. Links https://covermewsib.ca/ (Join the Campaign to Expand WSIB Coverage in Ontario) https://www.wsib.ca/en (Submit a WSIB claim) https://twitter.com/HarryGoslin (Follow Harry Goslin on Twitter) https://twitter.com/CUPEOntario (Follow CUPE Ontario on Twitter) https://twitter.com/Joe_Roberts01 (Follow Joe on Twitter) https://twitter.com/itsrodgermoran (Follow Rodger on Twitter) _________

What is the Ontario Provincial Police's Occupational Doctor Program and how will it impact OPP Association members? OPP Superintendent Tina Maier is the Deputy Director of the OPP's Healthy Workplace Team. She joins OPP Association Director Dave Dubé for this discussion, which includes an overview of the program and its origins, handling of medical information, the Occupational Doctor's role in WSIB cases and workplace accommodations.The OPP's Healthy Workplace Team can be reached at 1-844-677-9409. This number is answered 24/7 by a care navigator or mental health clinician. Callers can request information, connection to a peer supporter, or support. Please note that this is not a crisis line. The Healthy Workplace Team can also be reached by email at OPPHealth@opp.ca (not monitored 24/7).The Encompas Mental Health Wellness Program is available to eligible active and retired OPPA Members:Telephone - 1-866-794-9117 (Available 24/7)Email - info@encompascare.caWebsite - https://www.encompascare.ca/This episode of the 10-5 podcast is produced and hosted by Scott Mills and Joshua Jutras.Music – “Line of Fire” by Jason Shaw available at Audionautix.com and used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcodeIf you have any questions about this episode of the 10-5 Podcast, please email us at communications@oppa.ca

In our last show of the 24-hour event we discuss a topic that no construction cares to discuss but this is The Construction Life. As a GC we ae asked to handle so many details, on and off the job site, recognizing what our clients, crews, sub trades, suppliers are going through on a day-to-day basis. Where does this type of behavior come from, where does it begin? We feel it begins and comes from competition; competitive behavior breeds this type of environment. Construction is 100% about communication and you will get a lot of tradespeople telling employers “I know how to do that” it forms a disconnect and can create bigger issues. What is toxic masculinity? Mike brings up a great point, it's like asking what color is the rainbow? There are so many colors and so many ways to describe it. How should GC's and other tradespeople handle these toxic situations, when they see that a tradesperson is uncomfortable, it is really about the most against the least on site? Toxic Masculinity is a majority thing and how should we handle it and possibly change it for future tradespeople. We even discuss the toxic environment that clients, designers and architects create for tradespeople and how we are almost as much to blame as the people lashing out at us, we place ourselves in these situations and we allow people to speak down to us. The construction industry, the clients we work for do not allow for a work life balance, mental health, physical issues, they simply do not care to move the industry to where other industries are already at. Our traits are left in the past and we must so called “Man up”. The only way to get through to other tradespeople is to show our own vulnerability. We even discuss mental health being a service charge on projects and even having WSIB cover mental health, we know neither will happen until we speak up as a collective. Let's make this conversation something that all tradespeople are not afraid to discuss.Thank you so much Mike for joining the show and sharing, this was not an easy conversation to have but an important one. Please contact Mike at info@belleyrenovations.com and find him on IG at @belleyrenovations for some great posts and videos that will teach and entertain you and at his website www.belleyrenovations.comFind Carlito @theconstructionliferenos and reach out to him at theconstructionliferenos@gmail.comWant to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at manny@hardcorerenos.com or manny@theconstructionlife.com Please let him know who you are and then ask away. TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.Reach out to Joe and Trevor at the following info. www.venturesxcanada.ca find them on Social Media @venturesxoakville reach them at 289 644-2393 and email oakville@venturesxcanada.comDon't forget to check out https://www.juspress.ca keeping us active during our 24 hour event, thanks Danny. @jusspresss

Running two businesses, at times 3 or even 4 or more, Giancarlo is snow removal, contracting, landscaping, property maintenance and electrician. We begin the show discussing the winter wonderful world of snow removal. Servicing from Toronto to Huntsville, Giancarlo has figured out how to run his business for the season and avoiding all the issues most new guys fall victim too. The conversation quickly turns to trucks and maintaining those work trucks and Giancarlo shares some amazing insight into the big three. Of course Tesla Cybertruck comes up and Giancarlo has a few interesting facts to share.27 years old, bought his first home at 21, was cutting grass for a job at 7 years of age, Giancarlos loves the hustle, his goal is to only work to keep busy by the time he's 45. It's a great plan. Giancarlo is also an arborist and knows his shit when it comes to how to cut down trees and which tools and techniques to use, he's considering becoming a licenced arborists, this tradesperson doesn't stop.Giancarlo discusses his workplace injury where a live wire on a commercial job latched onto his arm and he was hit with 347 volts it feels like forever but in reality it is seconds. The incident happened in 2018 and he is still being treated and he has so much to share about the process behind all of this, from WSIB, lawyers, bills piling up and so much more, he was kind enough to share some valuable information.Shared and Discussed Linkshttps://permawood.comWhat an amazing show guys, thank you so much for spending the time to share your experiences, stories, injury and valuable information, looking forward to seeing you again on future shows discussing more details about this trade and part of the construction industry and talking more construction. Find Giancarlo giancarlo.ianni.iws@gmail.comand www.ironwolfservices.ca for any of the services he offers.Find Carlito @theconstructionliferenos and reach out to him at theconstructionliferenos@gmail.comWant to reach out to Manny, text him on his mobile, 416 433-5737 and or email him at manny@hardcorerenos.com or manny@theconstructionlife.com Please let him know who you are and then ask away.TCL has and always will be about giving back to the construction industry.

Unfortunately, electrical injuries are not as rare as one would hope. But the rate of electrical fatalities is actually trending down thanks to the efforts of the Electrical Safety Authority. Today's big question: How has the Electrical Safety Authority strategically evolved its approach to safety in this modern, and increasingly electric world? Special guest, Josie Erzetic, Chief Regulatory Officer & General Counsel for the Electrical Safety Authority, is here with us today to help ground us with a greater understanding of the dangers behind electricity and how we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our colleagues from injury. --- Do you work in a construction related industry? Call or email (ESA.communications@esasafe.com) the ESA to learn about their spring startup sessions. They are happy to send somebody out to educate your workers about the potential hazards around powerline contact.  Related Content & Links:  Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josie-erzetic-0bb58010/ Grounded in Ontario Podcast: www.ESAsafe.com/podcast --- Transcript:  Dan Seguin  00:50 Hey, everyone, welcome back. This is the ThinkEnergy podcast. And in today's episode, we'll be talking about safety in this increasingly, electric world. I'm dancing.   Rebecca Schwartz  01:02 And I'm Rebecca Schwartz.   Dan Seguin  01:04 Electricity is everywhere. It has become a necessary part of our lives powering the way we live, work and play. Rebecca, how much of a headache is it when the power goes out?   Rebecca Schwartz  01:19 Hmm, it's a huge headache, Dan. And let me tell you, as a social media coordinator, I know firsthand that our customers feel the pain.   Dan Seguin  01:28 Yep, I'm the same way when the power goes out, we notice but apart from those moments, it's easy to take for granted. Likewise, with it being such a critical resource that already has many safeguards in place, it's easy to forget just how dangerous it is   Rebecca Schwartz  01:45 so true. And well, most of us have likely experienced an electric shock of some kind. Hopefully, for most people, just a small Static Shock, you know, from walking across your carpet with socks on and touching the closest victim in proximity to you. But I digress. static shocks like these are of little consequence. However, when it comes to the electric current running through our homes, businesses and communities via wires and powerlines incidents involving electric shock are anything but amusing.   Dan Seguin  02:15 Unfortunately, the sobering reality is that electrical injuries are not as rare as you and I or the Electrical Safety Authority would like. According to the Ontario electrical safety report, there have been a 135 electrical related fatalities in the past 10 years. 52 of those deaths were a result of electrocution, or the effects of an electrical burn, and 83 were a result of electrical fires. The silver lining is that the rate of electrical fatalities is actually trending down. fatalities have dropped 13% Compared to the previous 10 year period.   Rebecca Schwartz  02:59 And the organization behind this downwards trend is the Electrical Safety Authority. They serve to regulate and promote electrical safety in Ontario, improve safety for the well being of all Ontarians and ultimately to reduce electrical injuries and fatalities to zero.   Dan Seguin  03:16 So Rebecca, here's today's big question. How has the electrical safety authorities strategically evolved, its approach to safety in this modern and increasingly electric world? Special guest, Josie Erzetic, Chief regulatory officer and General Counsel for the Electrical Safety Authority is here with us today to help ground us with a greater understanding of the dangers behind electricity, and how we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our colleagues from injury. Hey Josie, Welcome to the show. Perhaps you can start us off by telling us more about your organization, your role as a regulator, and what fuels your passion for working there?   Josie Erzetic  04:12 Thanks so much, Daniel. I'm really happy to be on the show. So Thanks for inviting me. I guess what I'd start off with is just talking about ESA's mission, and that is to promote electrical safety across Ontario. So in fact, our vision is an Ontario where people can live work and play safe from electrical harm. So we're talking about electrical safety at home, as well as in the workplace. So how do you do that? We basically have carriage four regulations in the province. So the first one being the one people probably associate most which with us, which is the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. The second one is that we license all of the LEC's and ME's, that's master electricians and licensed electrical contractors in the province. Thirdly, we regulate electrical product safety. And finally, we regulate the safety of all licensed distribution companies in the province. And that would be, for example, Ottawa Hydro. So we regulate safety in that regard as well. And we're constantly just scanning the market for new areas that we perceive present an electrical safety risk to consumers to Ontarians. And we promote education, electrical safety education. So what what fuels my passion you asked? It's basically that safety and consumer protection mandate, I find it very, very meaningful work to do this. So that's what gets me up in the mornings. And I'm really fortunate to just work with a really, really great group of people.   Rebecca Schwartz  06:01 with safety and risk mitigation top of mind how the accidents increased or decreased in the last five to 10 years. And how do you measure this?   Josie Erzetic  06:10 it's a really good question. And I'm very happy to report that over the last 10 years, overall, the state of electrical safety in Ontario has improved. There's been a 42% reduction in critical injuries that result as a result of electrical incidents, and there's been a 30% reduction in electrical fires. Overall, as well over the past decade, there's been an 11% decrease in electrical related fatalities. When it comes to power lines, specifically, there has been an 8% decrease in the last 10 years in power line related fatalities. So how do we know this? we track all the data. So we look very carefully at electrical fatalities, as well as critical injuries. And we really sort of hone in on where they're coming from. So I'll give you an example. For example, dump truck drivers a number of years ago, we recognized that there were a lot of electrical contact with power lines as the result of dump truck drivers keeping the box on their truck in an elevated position. So as a result of that we really focused in on that problem and started to do a lot of work with that industry. So what did we do? we created a whole campaign around, look up, look out. So we posted these types of signs all around construction areas, we posted power line safety posters. We delivered safety talks to industry associations to students to construction workers. And we worked in partnership with the IHSA, which is the infrastructure Health and Safety Association. And we also translated some of our safety materials into other languages, including French, Portuguese, Punjabi, to make sure that people understood the message. And as a result of it, what's happened is that the number of powerline contacts from that industry has decreased by 28%, when you compare five year periods. So having said all that, there's still a lot of work to be done. And we're again tracking data to look at where we might see other risk areas so that we can really focus in on those.   Dan Seguin  08:53 Now let's move on from data to reports. I know you recently released an annual safety report. What is that telling you?   Josie Erzetic  09:01 So our annual safety report is called the Ontario electrical safety report or OESR. It's the only document of this kind in Canada. And what it really does is help us identify emerging risk areas. So this this last month, we released our 20th edition. And what it's telling us on the homeowner side certainly is we've seen an increase in power line contacts reported from the public. So this is not what I was referring to earlier in terms of fatalities per se, but it's just an increase in the numbers of contacts, which of course could lead to serious injury or fatality, so we want to really think about data like this and try to send our safety message to the public. So where are we seeing contact? we're seeing it in areas like tree trimming or cutting. We're seeing it in things like kite flying or home improvement. work. For example, if you think about it, you're working around your home, you're moving around a ladder, let's say, to clean your eavestroughs, anything like that. And we're potentially seeing power line contact as a result, yard renovations. So we noticed that, especially during this pandemic period, where people are doing a lot of their own renovation work, there's a potential there for power line contact. So what we've done is we're shifting a lot of our campaigns online, and we're sending out messages like stop, look and live, we find that people are going online, when they're thinking about doing renovations when they're hiring contractors to help with some of those renovations. So we want to send out those messages that make sure you're aware of powerlines, you're aware of what you're doing, and that you stay far enough away. Another example is pools and pool clearances or hot tubs. So in that sense, we've sent out messages saying make sure you keep yourself and your equipment, for example, pool skimmers, which can be quite long, far away from overhead power lines, and our recommendation is at least three meters away. So that's on the homeowner side. And if we want to switch it now to the work side, on the occupational side, I point to the fall of 2019. Were in the span of about 24 hours, we were notified tragically of two critical injuries and two deaths as a result of powerline contact. And those were four separate incidents. So one was a crane construction worker. The second one was arborists that were it was a team of two arborists that were involved in tree trimming. The third one involved a TTC worker. So that's the Toronto Transit Commission in Toronto. And, and the fourth one was a drill operator. So this was a really tragic day where you had a number of incidents just occurring in very close temporal proximity. But it was also a catalyst for us to think about redesigning our power line campaign. And so what we're doing as a result is we have campaigns twice annually so that we make sure it's at the start of construction season, as well as in the fall months. We're also working closely with the Ministry of Labor to understand all of the circumstances behind those incidents. And we also work with our industry partners to make sure that we educate workers who are at high risk, and I mentioned arborist as an example. So we want to again focus in on those occupations that we think are at high risk of powerline contact. We've also observed a rise in incidents involving young workers. And as a result, we have specialists who go to the colleges to ensure that students young workers involved in things like heavy machinery operation in the arborist industry, get the information about the potential hazard around power line contact, so to ensure that they're well educated on that. And we also encourage any companies. So anyone who is listening to this podcast, who you know works in a construction related area, if you want to give us a call about our spring startup sessions, we're happy to send somebody out to educate your workers about the potential hazards around powerline contact. And you can do this by just emailing us at ESA.communications@esasafe.com. And we'd be happy to do a spring startup session for folks.   Rebecca Schwartz  14:11 Thanks, Josie. We'll make sure to include that in our show notes. So we read that the Electrical Safety Authority is striving to be a modern risk based electrical safety regulator for Ontarians. What exactly does that mean?   Josie Erzetic  14:25 Yeah, it's a great question. And I often think about that, myself, what does it mean to be to be a modern regulator, so it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but I'll sort of give you the key elements of it for us. So it really, it means to us to use something that we call risk based oversight. It means leveraging technology and really fostering the capabilities of our people. So when we say risk based oversight, as you can imagine, trying to be a safety regulator. The complex world we live in today in a in a province, as populous as the province of Ontario is a difficult task, you can't be everywhere all at once. So we use risk base to really prioritize and focus on the highest risk electrical installations, we actually have an algorithm that helps us understand which installations are the high risk ones, and we prioritize those and have a whole system for prioritization. So we're basically putting the most time in the highest risk areas. Along those lines were also through. And we did this through the COVID period, we're really piloting the use of what we call remote inspections. So that in other words, rather than an inspector attending at each installation, there's the possibility for a licensed electrical contractor to send in photos or videos. And we put job aids around that and given instruction to the industry about what we're looking for. So again, so low risk installation, and in the inspectors discretion, they can accept photos or videos, which you can imagine, makes it more efficient for us doing our job. And it's also, you know, potentially an efficiency value to the contractor as well to submit photos rather than having somebody attend in person. So that's another thing where we're moving forward as a modern regulator, I'd say, in terms of leveraging technology, we've really moved digital, I think, as have a lot of companies at this time. So example, where we used to have all our master exams happening in person, they can now happen virtually. So we have a system where we can do virtual proctoring of exams, so you can do your exam online, we can do online training, which is either synchronous or asynchronous, which is which is terrific for folks. If it's synchronous, then you might have an instructor with you asynchronous, you're watching videos, or you're going through PowerPoint on on your own time. So it's, it's leveraging technology for us, but also for the folks that we service. And another big thing we've done is our plan review group, which looks at electrical drawings, for complex electrical installations. So say, for example, for a car manufacturer or a large industry, rather than having these clients submit hard copies of complicated electrical plans, they can now do so digitally through our electronic plan review portal. So that's something again, that's very good for clients and good for efficiency purposes. For us, we also have a new scheduling tool that provides customers better notice of when an inspector is going to arrive, which is again, a real win from a from an efficiency standpoint, and we're now launching a project that would allow master electricians and licensed electrical contractors to submit documents online, so time saving there. And the last area I'd say is focusing on fostering new skills. So where our employees need to augment skills or develop new skills, we're very supportive of continuing education and, and skills broadening. And we're also looking at where do we have gaps? Where is technology? Or is our sector evolving, and we need to ensure we're evolving with it. So an example I give you there is what we've just been talking about, which is around data analytics. So we've recognized that we need to improve our capability in that regard. And as a result, we've hired a couple of new people to help us in that regard. And we're also augmenting skills of folks that we already have working for us. I think I'd be remiss if I didn't mention diversity and inclusion. I think a lot of employers are thinking about that right now, as are we. And so we do have what we call an idea strategy, which is inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. And I think that is a very important part of being a modern regulator. And I would say that, you know, I'm really happy to report that 80% of our executive team is now women. So I think we're making some real advances in that area, but you know, I'll be honest with you, I'd like to see more so We're continuing to work on that. So I guess that's in summary, what I really see is being a modern regulator.   Dan Seguin  20:08 That's very interesting. Thanks, Josie. Now, wondering if you could tell us about your organization's new corporate strategy at a high level? Can you walk us through the four strategic goals and why they're so important?   Josie Erzetic  20:23 Yeah. So it's, it's a very good question. And some of these goals we have maintained from previous years and others we've really expanded upon. So I would say the, the first of the four main goals is really safety. And that's one that's always been a focus of our organization. But having said that, we can all see the rapid evolution of technology in the sector. So we're really maintaining a close focus on that, and working with industry partners in that regard. So examples I give you there are things like the adoption of electric vehicles or energy storage technologies. So in the example I give you is that I'm currently sitting on a council that the Ministry of Transportation has set up around Evie adoption. So we want to participate on councils like that, that look at this one is on the electrification of the transportation sector. So that's an important part important pillar in the strategy, and an important part of what we're doing. So we do things like we anticipate new risk areas, we have something called the harm lifecycle, which really has a scanning the market, looking at potential for new technology, new harms that we should be monitoring and assessing. And then we decide, is this a high risk area that we would like to pilot a program in as an example? Is this something we should be partnering on? Like the example I just gave you with what MTO is doing? Is this something that we want to continue as a program, once we have achieved our goals in it? Is it something that we exit from so we have a whole lifecycle and how we look at risk. So I think that's an important part of the new strategy around safety. And then compliance, that's also something that we have carried over from our previous strategy. But I think, if anything, I would say we're almost amping up what we're doing in this area. So we work closely with our licensed communities, for example, the licensed electrical contractor community, and we educate the public in terms of ensuring that they hire a licensed electrical contractor, rather than, for example, going to unlicensed individuals. And we refer to that as the underground economy. So I would say that this new strategy really emphasizes the importance of getting at that underground economy or, you know, I'd like to put it as like, just let's take a bite out of that underground economy, let's reduce what's going on there. So we want to educate homeowners to not hire unlicensed individuals. And we will take enforcement action, where it's required against those people who are working illegally and not taking out licenses or permits because there are real safety and consumer protection risks around that type of work. And we've got some real active campaigns around that. For example, we have a Kijiji Blitz, where we are actively looking for people advertising services illegally on Kijiji and forcing those to come off Kijiji. Our third goal is operating with organizational agility. And I think, as a lot of companies are doing today, and as we talked about earlier, we're trying to leverage technology to make ourselves more efficient, and reduce, you know, burden for the licensees. So whether those are licensed electrical contractors, or LDCs, such as Hydro Ottawa, we're trying to reduce burden for our clients. And I think the last area is really around public accountability. We want to be seen as a publicly accountable transparent regulator So we do regular surveys of our customers to identify areas for improvement. You know, what are our strengths? But what are our weaknesses? And how can we do better? I think ESA has a culture of continuous improvement, which we're very proud of.   Rebecca Schwartz  25:18 Thanks for the reference to the underground economy, it seems like there's a black market for everything, even electrical services. Has there been a story that's stuck with you in regards to an electrical incident resulting in a serious injury that could have been prevented? Or is there a safety tip that you wish everybody knew?   Josie Erzetic  25:37 Yeah. So thank you for that question. And something that is real top of mind for me lately, is something called lichtenburg generators. So we've had a number of serious injuries and some deaths involving these devices. And my safety tip is stop using these devices. They are devices that they can either be made. So people were seeing people doing them as do it yourself projects, or they can be purchased. However, they're not a product that's either approved or certified by any certification body, and they're extremely dangerous. So we're aware of at least five fatalities and one critical injury that have taken place over the last three years. And a couple of those fatalities occurred earlier this year. And what these things are, I don't know if you've ever heard of them before, but they are used to create art. So they're like a wood burning type device. So you create it by burning designs into wood or acrylic. But they're a lot of them are homemade. And people take parts out of microwaves, for example, to put these things together. And they have a lot of accessible wiring components. So they're very unsafe to handle. And so and particularly on social media forums, we're seeing that individuals are posting videos, and they're instructing each other on how to build these devices. So right now we have a very comprehensive public safety awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of using Lichtenberg generators. And we're specifically targeting that sort of do it yourself, community and those who are interested in things like woodworking so what we're finding it's primarily men aged between 20 and 40, to not carry out this type of hobby and not use these types of devices. And if anyone is aware of advertising of this kind of advice, we would encourage them to call us at 1-877-esa-safe or visit us online. And and make us aware of this because we are asking, particularly YouTube to try to get these How To Videos removed. So the safety tip again, is don't use these devices. They're very dangerous.   Dan Seguin  28:20 Now your organization has a vision, a big vision to create an Ontario where people can live, work and play safe from electrical harm. During the pandemic, have there been any particular challenges or opportunities in achieving this?   Josie Erzetic  28:37 Yeah, it absolutely, because as I'm sure you both have found, people were at home. That means, among other things, a lot of on at home online shopping. So we want to make sure that people are very aware that electrical products that you're looking at, make sure they've been approved by a recognized certification body. So from both a safety awareness point of view, but also a consumer protection point of view, we want to make sure that people are buying approved products, as you both know. Online, it's so it's a global problem. You can buy products from anywhere in the world now and have them shipped directly to your house. So again, as a regulator, it's hard to be everywhere all at once. So the best thing is to have consumers aware themselves that when you're buying electrical products, you will want to ensure that it's either CSA certified UL certified, that you've got an approval mark on that product and you look for it when you're buying it on these online platforms. We share jurisdiction here with Health Canada, so I know Health Canada is all so concerned about this problem. So what we've done is we've set up a task force and we include ourselves on it, Health Canada, our own ministry, provincially, which is the ministry of government and Consumer Services. We've got manufacturers working with us distributors, consumer advocates, we've got bricks and mortar stores as part of the task force. But we also have online retailers. And we're all discussing the problem of consumer awareness, consumer protection and safety, because it's an all our interest to make sure people are safe. And we're putting resources into follow up on any reports we see, or we receive about unsafe consumer products. So we have been and we will follow up on 100% of reports we receive where somebody says, Look, I bought this thing it's unapproved, you know, I found that it sparked or there was a flash, when I tried to plug it in, we will follow up on all these things. We're also really enhancing consumer consumer awareness efforts, especially around this time of year, we're heading into holiday shopping season. And so we do have a holiday safety campaign. That's where we see a lot of people online, a lot of people looking at electrical products. So this campaign really focuses on consumer safety. And this year, in particular, we're encouraging folks who, you know, may be doing a lot of holiday decorating, they may be getting together to do this type of thing. So they're putting more emphasis on it this year, I don't know maybe more so than last year, when nobody came over. We're saying, you know, look closely at your your lights, right, your holiday lights that you're buying, make sure they're approved, make sure you use them correctly. Make sure if you have old ones that you're digging out of your basement, that there's no damage to cords, so just you know, be careful.   Rebecca Schwartz  32:04 Josie, you mentioned amateur DIY is like the dangerous Lichtenberg wood burning video on YouTube. Has there been other instances where the Electrical Safety Authority has seen an increase in electrical accidents? Or what about new areas of concern?   Josie Erzetic  32:20 Yeah, it's, it's a really, it's a good question. And again, particularly through this pandemic period, where people are looking for new hobbies, or, you know, they're at home, they're thinking about ways to renovate their house, maybe they cannot find a contractor or someone says to them, okay, it'll be months and months before somebody can get your house. So they just, they feel like, Oh, well, I could I want to do it myself. Right. So in that sense, we really remind homeowners consumers, that electricity is something that is dangerous, that you need to hire a professional to do it, there is the potential homeowners can do their own work. But in our view, it is better to hire a professional because there are safety risks inherent in the work. If homeowners are doing it themselves, then we certainly would remind them that they must take out the proper notifications with ESA, because that then has an inspector coming to their house to inspect the work. So at the very least, you want to ensure that happens. But we would say primarily, look, leave it to the professionals. So hire a licensed electrical contractor. And only a licensed electrical contracting business can be hired to do this. So when you're hiring people, we also remind folks to ask to see the accurate slash ESA license number. So that should be ever it should be on the estimates you get. It should be on their their trucks, their business cards, their ultimate invoice if you're not seeing that you could be hiring somebody that's in that underground economy that we talked about earlier. So be very careful about who you're hiring. And in this regard, obviously, ESA puts out a lot of its own information. But we also now are partnering with the Mike Holmes group. And you'll probably remember Mike Holmes He's done a lot of work on television. He does a lot of work also through social media. So he has a very large following. And so as a result, we're able to amplify the message by working with that group with Mike Holmes and his family to really get out that message that this is something maybe you don't want to take on on your own because of the safety risks. So certainly, both Mike his son, Mike Jr, and Sherry have posted both on YouTube as well as their other social channels about the importance when you're thinking about renovating to hire a licensed electrical contractor, and also the importance of ensuring you ensuring that you have ESA inspect the work. So you want to make sure at the end of the job, you get an ESA certificate of acceptance when the job's complete. So you know, it's done right. The other thing we've been noticing recently, and we've really made an effort to get the word out on this, so maybe I'll mention it here on this podcast as well, is the difference between a licensed electrical contractor, a master electrician, or what we call a C of Q, Certificate of Qualification holder, a certified electrician. Sometimes people think, oh, this person is an electrician, I'll just hire them directly know, who you need to hire is a licensed electrical contractor, because they are a business. And they were required by us to have $2 million in liability insurance, as well as the WSIB insurance coverage. So how this works is the licensed electrical contractor employs Master electricians who are responsible for overseeing the work of certified electricians, so you don't hire those folks directly. You hire the LEC, and it's important for consumer protection, because that way, if there's an injury, God forbid, or something happens in your home, then there is insurance that covers that. And the homeowner, him or herself is not responsible. So we're really working to increase awareness on the differences between the licensed electrical contracting businesses, which are who you hire, versus the master electricians or the certified electricians. I think that's very important.   Rebecca Schwartz  37:17 Great tips Josie and gotta love Mike Holmes, perhaps now a little bit more broadly, pandemic times or not what are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities that are facing the Electrical Safety Authority right now in general?   Josie Erzetic  37:32 I think I I go back to the underground economy and underground work that we we talked about earlier. So and I think we mentioned that it's just it's such a big problem, not just for our sector. But overall, I think, Rebecca, that you mentioned that you can, you know, almost buy anything in the underground market now. So you really, I think Statistics Canada estimates the underground economy is over $16 billion. That's with a B in Ontario alone. So it's just it's a big problem. And we as I said, I'd like to start a new slogan, like, let's take a bite out of the underground economy, like we really need to ensure with something like electricity, there are such safety and consumer protection issues, that this is not something you want to fool around with and leave to someone who's non licensed and not take out proper permits in this area. There's just too much at risk both with your personal safety and the safety of your home. There could be a fire that results from this. So what are we doing to really tackle this i and Daniel, I think you mentioned it earlier too. It's the Kijiji work so we're actually working a lot of people go online to find contractors. We are online and looking at those ads on Kijiji, and we will send notification to advertisers who we think are unlicensed businesses offering these types of services. If we don't get a voluntary response to take down that ad, Kijiji will forcibly remove it so big shout out to Kijiji for working with us and taking those ads down. And and if we still get repeat offenders, you wouldn't believe this people will come back and advertise again. We're prosecuting them. So we now have 20 charges pending before courts. So I would say that number one consumers do not hire unlicensed people. Be careful about who you're hiring online. We're out there we're working on it, but be careful as to see those licenses people who are doing this work illegally. I would say we are working hard to pull your ads off. Do not do this come into the licensed community. If you want to do this work, then get a license and do it properly. or we will also be looking to prosecute. So we this is important. The other thing we noticed with a high level of EV adoption, we undertook an EV charger Blitz. So we noticed that some EV charging systems that you put in your home in order to charge your vehicle were being done by unlicensed individuals and being done without permits. So we had our inspectors go out and inspect and alert both homeowners because sometimes homeowners don't know that was put in improperly and alert us to where we saw, charters being put in without permits are being put in by unlicensed contractors. And as a result, we've noticed this the period that we were looking at it this year, compared to last year, we've had almost a doubling of the amount of notifications that were taken out. So it makes a big difference when people know that we're out there. We're inspecting these things, and we expect them to be done properly and safety. And we also have an anonymous online reporting tool. So I would even say to your listeners, if you think there could be unlicensed activity going on somewhere, please let us know about it. So you can go online, you will, it's anonymous, but we do appreciate details. So we can do the follow up and investigate, you go to esasafe.com. And we found that this has been a very effective tool since we launched it in April 2020. To get reports, and I will tell people that we do follow up on 100% of the leads we get about unlicensed activity.   Dan Seguin  41:47 Okay, we've covered challenges and opportunities. What about the rise of digital communication? Has it changed your organization's ability to communicate safety messaging?   Josie Erzetic  41:59 Yeah, I'd say it, it really, really has. And we've shifted a lot of our educational campaigns on to social media, because as we alluded to earlier, we do find that is where people are looking, for example, to hire contractors, they're looking for ideas, say on renovation, you know, people will follow certain interior designers, they they will follow renovators on things like Instagram, or they'll follow them on Twitter. So we're leveraging platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, Google, YouTube, all of those, because we find that that's where people are going now. But we also find there are potential dangers lurking there as well. And so we really have to monitor and be on top of those. So I'll give you an example of something that was a tic toc challenge that that we were made aware of in early 2020. And this was a challenge where that was issued over tick tock and it was basically about plugging in a phone charger. And then using either was a penny or a nickel or something to drag across the exposed prongs. And it results in in smoke and sparks and but it can also result in fire. So it this is obviously a really dangerous activity. So we became aware of it on social media. And then we use social as well as traditional media in order to educate, you know, basically parents and kids who were doing this, that this was unsafe, and they shouldn't be doing it. And we that was a very successful campaign. And we had more than 15 million views on that. And so we're very, very grateful. And, and we actually we won some awards for what we were able to do with with social media just in terms of identifying a risk and then educating people that they shouldn't be carrying engaging in this activity. And and I guess I should say to that we're also we're leveraging some new new opportunities, like a podcast like what you guys are doing here, which I applaud you for, by the way, we're trying to do the same thing.   Rebecca Schwartz  44:21 Now Josie, our listeners have made it this far. And now they want to know some ways that they can keep their electrical safety knowledge up to date. How can they do that?   Josie Erzetic  44:30 Yeah. So one way to do it is exactly what the two of you are doing with your podcast. We have our own podcast and it's really focused on electrical safety. So it's called Grounded in Ontario, and you can find it on our website at ESAsafe.com/podcast, but you can also go to typical platforms where you'd find podcasts like Apple podcasts or Spotify and located there. So we have new episodes coming out basically monthly. And we talk about things like what we've talked about here and more. So we've had an episode on pools and hot tubs and safety issues relating to that those EV supply equipment. So electrical vehicle chargers, which we also alluded to here, we also talk about arc fault and ground fault circuit interrupters. And we have a new episode that's just coming out on the underground economy, which we've also talked about. So that's a great place to get information. Also, our website has a lot of information and talks about things like do it yourself, renovations, talks about holiday safety talks about home and work safety. So I would, you know, recommend listeners go there. And I'd also always encourage people that if there are safety concerns, or you want to report activity, please go to our website, or please call us and I can give you the number, it's 1-877-372-7233. So we'd love to hear from people.   Dan Seguin  46:12 Okay, as it relates to your podcast Grounded in Ontario, I'll make sure that we post a link in our show notes, well Josie How about you close us off with some rapid fire questions? Are you ready?   Josie Erzetic  46:26 I'm ready.   Dan Seguin  46:27 Okay. What is your favorite word?   Josie Erzetic  46:30 I have to say I, I you know, obviously top of mind for me. workwise is safety. But just one of my favorite things to think about is also chocolate.   Dan Seguin  46:40 Now, what is one thing you can't live without?   Josie Erzetic  46:45 Chocolate?   Dan Seguin  46:45 What is something that challenges you   Josie Erzetic  46:48 with Rebecca, my love of chocolate? Because then I have to make sure that I you know, keep exercising or something?   Dan Seguin  46:55 If you could have one superpower, what would it be?   Josie Erzetic  47:00 I think the superpower question is always a really is a really great one. And I always I like picking flying for this one. Because then I figure it makes the commuting easier. And it would just be would it be great to just zip to your cottage fast or you know, zip to Europe or something. Especially these times where you know, travel is so difficult.   Dan Seguin  47:22 Josie This is my favorite one here. If you could turn back time and talk to your 18 year old self. What would you tell her?   Josie Erzetic  47:29 Okay, this one, this one I am going to answer very seriously, I would say something that I say to my my kids now who are 19 and 16. And that is believe in yourself. Believe in yourself believe in what you can do. You know, trust, trust yourself. So that that I think is very important for young people to remember.   Dan Seguin  47:53 And lastly, what do you currently find most interesting in this sector?   Josie Erzetic  47:59 Um, so I would say it's it's the pace of change. I just think our sector the energy sector is just fascinating. Right now we've talked about things like electrification of transportation, and the speed of the adoption there. We think of things like energy storage, the growth of renewables, I think of distribute, you know, distributed energy resources. I think it's fascinating. We're all concerned about climate change. So we're thinking about how we can reduce our carbon footprint, what, what role does energy play in that? What What will it look like 2030 4050 years from now where we might have entire communities that are doing things like net metering, we might have, you know, renewable generation, within a smaller community, or just you'll have solar panels on your roof, you'll have an energy storage system in your basement, you'll have an Eevee charging outside. So I think that is fascinating. I think energy is so fundamental to how we live and maybe how we'll deal with fundamental global issues like the climate crisis. And so ESA is part of that. I think it's so exciting, because you need to have all of that working safely. So the role we play is fascinating. So that's what I just find hugely fascinating and challenging about our sector.   Rebecca Schwartz  49:25 Well, Josie, we reached the end of another episode of The think energy podcast. Thanks so much for joining Dan and I today. We hope you had fun.   Josie Erzetic  49:33 I had a great time with you guys. Thanks so much. Really appreciate it.   Rebecca Schwartz  49:38 I sure hope you enjoyed this episode of The ThinkEnergy podcast. If so please head over to our iTunes SUBSCRIBE And leave us a review.   Dan Seguin  49:46 Now For show notes and bonus content visit hydroottawa.com/thinkenergy. Also, be sure to tell your friends and colleagues about us. Thank you for listening

On this episode of TCR Express Journal of Commerce staff writer Russell Hixson talks to Warren Frey about the recent cancellation of a wastewater treatment plant in North Vancouver, B.C. worth almost $1 billion. Russell details the back and forth between Acciona, the company contracted with building the plant and the Metro Vancouver Regional District which terminated the contract. Daily Commercial News staff writer has stories about both EllisDon's work on the Canadian Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai and is covering the first annual Women in Construction webinar on Oct. 20 presented by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario. Staff writer Don Wall has a story about non-residential construction employers benefiting from a major drop in Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) premium rates next year. You can listen to The Construction Record and TCR Express on the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce websites as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music's podcast section and you can hear last week's  episode of TCR Express here. Thanks for listening and we'll see you next week. DCN-JOC News Services

Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, joins the podcast to discuss Ontario's nursing shortage. He also gets into the departure of his federal counterpart, Annamie Paul, and why he hopes she will run for the provincial Green Party in the upcoming election. Also, mandatory vaccinations, a funding dispute with optometrists, and controversial WSIB legislation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Drive Thru is our monthly recap where we've put together a menu of local, racing, electric-vehicle and random car-adjacent news. Tune in for Episode #14 covering September of 2021. #becausechips with special guest host Mark Shank from the WSIB: 90's Cars episode.  Just some of the topics we covered this month: Showcase Brand: MERCEDES + BMW Ken Block signs with Audi to develop EVs Porsche Mission-R Forget the HP wars, it's Kilowatt Wars! The INTEGRA! is revealed… and what about the WRX? Rust Valley Restorers - Big Auction? 5 Obsolete Features and The Last Cars To Have Them The Lucid Air is almost here and apparently amazing Tesla patent for laser beam windshield debris removal - LOL! Ever Wonder If You Could Outrun a Police Pursuit? + EV Police Cars! Motorsports News: Verstappen vs Hamilton!, again?  Ridiculous Florida Man stories!  HPDEjunkie.com Track Day Report and much, much more!  Behind the Scenes content, along with video available through www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports. Check out the follow-on article for all the pixs and links to items talked about in this episode: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/b-f-the-drive-thru-14/

Be the first to know what's new with New Left Radio by https://newleft.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=8227a4372fe8dc22bdbf0e3db&id=e99d6c70b4 (joining our mailing list) today! Ontario shows it's disdain for workers through a diminishing WSIB program at the expense of workers. Is this attack on the social safety net neoliberalism or just capitalism in general? The Nova Scotia NDP is surging in support in provincial election polls and the Liberal government is suffering from an all time low approval rating. With over a third of voters undecided, it's anyone's race! We now know statistically who the Canada's vaccine hesitant are and they ain't Maxime Bernier stans. It appears middle aged white women in Ontario who Liberal are the ones we should outraged by, you know, besides for the obvious reasons. Links https://www.nsndp.ca/volunteer (Volunteer for the NSNDP) Books https://www.versobooks.com/books/2407-the-origin-of-capitalism (The Origin of Capitalism) by Ellen Meiksins Wood https://rowlandpasaribu.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/eduard-bernstein-evolutionary-socialism.pdf (Evolutionary Socialism) by Eduard Bernstein Like the show? https://www.patreon.com/newleftradio (Support us on Patreon) at the ‘solidarity' level and join the NLR Bookclub powered by Verso Books and you'll get a hand selected in your mailbox each month! _______________ Support this podcast

In part one of our interview with workplace compensation lawyer, Michelle Alton, we discuss how COVID-19 may impact workers' eligibility to benefits under the WSIB framework

This week, we're speaking about workplace compensation law with Michelle Alton, general counsel at the Ontario's Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal. Topics: COVID-19 and workplace benefits; a new employer rate framework and mental stress claims in the workplace   ⚫  How does COVID impact worker's eligibility to benefits under the WSIB framework? (7:57) ⚫  How does a new employer rate framework change the way that employers measure and assess their own risk management? ⚫  How has the shifting legal view of chronic mental stress apply to the workplace? (27:25) ⚫  Our Ask-Me-Anything segment, featuring five questions submitted by patrons of the Lawyered community (38:44)

After Ontario Premier Doug Ford promised “one of the best” paid sick day programs in North America, the provincial government is announcing workers who have been impacted by COVID-19 will be able to access three paid sick days. Called the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Program, the provincial government billed the initiative as the “most generous pandemic paid leave in the country.” The program will be administered by the WSIB and the provincial government will reimburse employers 100 per cent of the employee’s wage for up to $200 a day. The program is set to expire in September. GUEST: Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Labour Minister See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast: After Ontario Premier Doug Ford promised “one of the best” paid sick day programs in North America, the provincial government is announcing workers who have been impacted by COVID-19 will be able to access three paid sick days. Called the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Program, the provincial government billed the initiative as the “most generous pandemic paid leave in the country.” The program will be administered by the WSIB and the provincial government will reimburse employers 100 per cent of the employee’s wage for up to $200 a day. The program is set to expire in September. GUEST: Monte McNaughton, Ontario’s Labour Minister GUEST: Andrew McDougall, Professor of Political Science with the University of Toronto - Ontario's auditor general says the province's nursing homes were woefully unprepared for the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic due to years of neglect. Bonnie Lysyk cited overcrowding, poor ministry oversight, and a severe staffing shortage that existed before the pandemic struck. Her report says both the provincial government and nursing-home sector had failed to heed lessons learned from the SARS epidemic, while concerns raised repeatedly for years went unaddressed. GUEST: Dr. James Tiessen, Director, Master of Health Administration & Community Care and Associate Professor with Ryerson University - Publicly funded antidepressant prescriptions for youth have more than doubled over the past decade in the country’s six largest provinces, an ongoing investigation by the Toronto Star and the Investigative Journalism Bureau has found. There was a 240-per-cent increase in antidepressant prescriptions for people under 18 paid for by public drug plans in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec between 2009 and 2019. In Ontario, the story is more complicated. Publicly funded benefit claims for youth antidepressants rose by 224 per cent in the first eight years of the decade, in line with the overall national portrait. Then, in 2018 and 2019, the newly adopted OHIP+ covered all prescriptions for Ontarians under the age of 25, making it tougher to assess increases after this point. Like many Canadian doctors, Toronto pediatrician Dr. Michael Peer said he is writing far more prescriptions today than he did 15 or 20 years ago — reluctantly. GUEST: Dr. Mina Tadrous, Pharmacoepidemiologist, Scientist at the Women’s College Research Institute and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financially Speaking with Kathy Cook Noble  Kathy sits down with Karen Cook, owner of KC Training Plus, Registered Practical Nurse, and Red Cross certified First Aid instructor. Kathy and Karen talk about the necessity for all workplaces to be compliant with Ministry of Labour, Occupational Health & Safety, and WSIB requirements. Karen discusses new Covid Ministry of Labour compliance and how important it is for businesses to stay up-to-date with all Health and Safety laws and regulations. Owner of KC Training Plus, Karen Cook has many years of experience serving the public in health care, nursing, post-secondary education, municipal government, the legal field, and the automotive & service industries. She possesses a Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology & Psychology, Small Business Management Certificate, Red Cross instructors & Child Youth Certifications, and diplomas as a Registered Practical Nurse, Operating Room Technician, & Paralegal. Karen has many years’ experience offering Ministry of Labour compliance training, Occupational Health & Safety workplace board set ups for businesses, as well as First Aid & CPR certification. It is the law that businesses must be compliant with Ministry of Labour, Occupational Health & Safety, and WSIB requirements to ensure safety in the workplace, and to avoid heavy fines due to non-compliance. Since COVID, there are new compliance regulations for businesses. http://www.kctrainingplus.ca karencook@kctrainingplus.ca   Kathy’s Book: All Ladies Should Use the F-Word: A Guide to Loving Your Finances Purchase on Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk    Amazon.ca       ~ More About Financially Speaking ~ Everywhere you go, everywhere you turn, everyone you talk to, money appears. Either in conversation, in thoughts, in dreams, in stress, in arguments and in planning. Money is the one commodity that everyone can universally agree that they all need. Most people navigate through their lives not really understanding how money works or how to keep more of it. Kathy Cook Noble is a believer in people’s abilities to understand, control and plan for their futures with money. She believes that once people understand the importance of why they need to control their own finances, they will live a free and happy life. She is a Financial Advisor, teacher, bookkeeper, business expert, seeker of knowledge, community volunteer and believer in people. Kathy has spent her entire life studying and working in business to help people expand their lives, save money, make money and avoid financial ruin. She personally understands what it means to see value and have faith in yourself so that you are more confident in financial decisions. Overcoming painful obstacles and realizations about money has helped Kathy become obsessed with helping people, especially women, understand their financial situations and help them plan for their future selves. http://kathycooknoble.gpwealth.ca/ https://www.bookkeepplus.ca/  kathy@bookkeepplus.ca To get more of Financially Speaking with Kathy Cook Noble, be sure to visit the podcast page for replays of all her shows here: https://www.inspiredchoicesnetwork.com/podcast/financially-speaking-kathy-cook-noble/

Dealing with post-concussion syndrome is hard, but when the healthcare system is often set up to devalue one's cries for help, things go from bad to worse. Today's guest Taylor Vanderzwet shares her experiences with post-concussion syndrome. Her most recent being a workplace incident that ended up derailing her life. Taylor speaks about the range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms she is now dealing with, and the useless advice her family doctor gave her which did not help matters at all. One of her biggest challenges has been trying to integrate back into her the harsh environment of her workplace. While it has been a struggle for Taylor, we also talk about some of the help she has gotten from different professionals. She speaks about how much of a blessing it has been for her to speak to a psychotherapist so that she could be heard and also develop crucial self-love skills she needs to be able to keep advocating for the validity of her experiences. Follow Taylor on Instagram: @taylord2nature For show notes, transcript, & more: www.postconcussioninc.com/podcast/taylor-vanderzwet Check out our concussion awareness clothing: www.postconcussioninc.com/shop/ Support the Podcast! If you love the podcast please consider supporting us through our tip jar! All tips are greatly appreciated. (https://postconcussioninc.ck.page/products/support)

Theresa Whitmarsh, head of Washington's state investment board, joins the show to discuss how long-term investing is ingrained into the organization's approach to portfolio mix, governance and management, and its fiduciary duty to Washingtonians. Whitmarsh and host Sarah Williamson also explore the impact of COVID-19 on WSIB's strategy and its long-term market effects.

Find more at www.operationtraumarecovery.org Visit Richard's Linked-In HERE Find his practice HERE The practice of Romero Piekarczyk-Vacca Psychotherapy is located in Hamilton, ON near Stoney Creek. Patients can also utilize the internet in order to receive their appointments via a secure network if in-person therapy is not possible for them due to distance. Richard Piekarczyk-Vacca is a partner of the practice who works with the military and veterans community and general population. He works closely with the indigenous population. ​ We provide therapy and psychological assessments for individuals and law firms looking to assist their clients in their legal matters with the supervision of a psychologist as well as immigration reports, WSIB, medico-legal, and Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA's). I'm certified to conduct psychological testing and measurements. ​ Services in English, Italian, Polish & Spanish are available. Our areas of specialization are addictions, PTSD, trauma, depression, anger management and anxiety. We provide couples and marriage counselling. We provide self-actualization, positive psychology and life coaching. Dayana is an approved healthcare practitioner for those with Native Status (NIHB & IRS RHSP) for mental health issues. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tango-romeo/message

In a special conversation, originally hosted at ILPA’s Virtual Summit last fall, Orlando Bravo of Thoma Bravo and Theresa Whitmarsh of the Washington State Investment Board join Jen for a candid discussion on the specific roles that GPs and LPs are playing to advance DEI in the industry. Theresa and Orlando weigh in on the responsibility of the LP to drive GP action on DEI. Orlando shares the importance of listening to younger voices on the team and thinking not just about culture “fit” but culture “add.” Theresa highlights the silver lining of the work from home era in widening the talent pool and WSIB’s approach to recruitment, and both share the steps their organizations are taking to create a culture that is truly inclusive. Have questions, comments, or concerns? Email us at voicesofprivateequity@ilpa.org

WSIB if I liked Destiny 2 I was really into Destiny 2, but after taking a year break I am not enjoying the game anymore as they removed a lot of my favorite content and I wasnt liking the direction it was going. Now it feels very money grabbing and time wasting. I hate the pay to win aspect of it and it feels like the grind is not worth anymore. I am looking to get grinding into a new multiplayer game on PC. I dont care if its a first person shooter or a fantasy game or whatever, but I am looking specifically at something with deep customization and leveling up and somewhat open world (so not games like Ranibow Six Siege or Apex Legends). I like games with inventory management, crafting and looting mechanics, but also with good challenge and a chance of showing off your gear and stats online. Right now am trying to decide between the following, but if anyone has any better suggestions let me know: - Monster Hunter World - The Division 2 - Anthem I am leaning heavily towards Monster Hunter. I heard Anthem was a flop but it looks cool and quite similar to Destiny 2. I played the first Division so I am sure I would like the second but its also the most expensive one. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thyhorrorcosmic/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thyhorrorcosmic/support

Don Blue, FCIA, FSA, Chief Actuary at WSIB sharing his insights with podcast host Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, MAAA, FLMI.

In this episode of Financial Planning for Canadian Business Owners, Jason Pereira, award-winning financial planner, university lecturer, and writer, interviews his colleague Guy Anderson, Full-Licensed Investment and Financial Planner with Aligned Capital, on the topic of planning for disabilities for business owners, including how they can plan for their family members/employees/themselves that have disabilities, Episode Highlights: ● 01:48: – What is somebody entitled to in Canada when they are disabled? ● 02:19 – What does WSIB do for business owners and employees? ● 04:37 – What else is there besides WSIB? ● 07:00 – How does the disability tax credit at the federal level work? ● 08:50 – If you can't afford the insurance on whatever it is that you are looking to cover, you can't afford what you are looking to cover. ● 13:12 – They dig back deeper into the disability tax credit and what it gets you. ● 17:35 – How do people qualify for the Canada Pension Plan Disability? ● 19:42 – What are the estate planning considerations with people with disabilities? ● 24:42 – If business owners take dividends instead of income, how does that effect the other benefits they are entitled to? 3 Key Points 1. If you are starting a business go to the Workplace Safety Insurance Board website to register with WSIB within 10 days if it is required in your industry. 2. WSIB is generally for industries that have a high rate of injuries and illnesses to take a lot of the risk off of the business owners. 3. Every Canadian province has their own disability plan, which aren't that hard to qualify for, generally speaking, Tweetable Quotes: ● “A lot of business owners would probably be fully aware they may have to register with the WSIB, so the Workplace Safety Insurance Board.” – Guy Anderson ● (WSIB) “It takes a lot of the risk off of the business owners themselves, because if someone is injured on the job, the employee first files, I believe it is a Form 6 or a Form 8, and WSIB takes care of the disability claim.” – Guy Anderson ● “Roughly about a third of Canadians would have a disability, and the disability doesn't have to be physical. It can be mental.” – Guy Anderson Resources Mentioned: ● Facebook – Jason Pereira's Facebook ● LinkedIn – Jason Pereira's LinkedIn ● FintechImpact.co – Website for Fintech Impact ● jasonpereira.ca – Website ● Linkedin – Guy Anderson's Linkedin ● KindWealth.ca – Website for Kind Wealth ● wsib.ca – Website for WSIB Full Transcript See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this short conversation that didn't make it into Episode 3 of InsurTalk, Samantha Liscio discusses how WSIB is addressing increasing cyber crime, including phishing attempts, through employee education and perimeter control checks. Be sure to check out the full conversation with Samantha in Episode 3. 

Video Episode 17: Going Forward Under COVID-19: Impact of ESA Reg 288 and WSIB Update by CCPartners - LAWYERS FOR EMPLOYERS

This week, reps from the Ministry of Labour, WSIB and WSPS join Landscape Ontario's COVID-19 Task Force to discuss safe business practices during the pandemic. Watch the video on Landscape Ontario's Youtube Channel and subscribe for the weekly town hall webinars (Tuesdays at 10 am) at HortTrades.com.

Glenn Caldwell of NAL Insurance Inc joins Safety Dawg and we get into it. WSIB alternative coverage, Driver Inc model and do they qualify for coverage and more. Get your copy of the NAL's Recommended Minimum Criteria Glenn can be reached via:Email: gcaldwell@nalinsurance.comConnect on LinkedInwww.nalinsurance.comwww.healthytrucker.comDon't forget to subscribe.

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: The Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development On Breaking The Stigma Around Skilled Trades Monte McNaughton was the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Monte grew up in Southwestern Ontario, attending school in Glencoe and later graduating from Westervelt Business College in London. While growing up, he worked in his family's small business, the local Home Hardware. At the age of twenty Monte was elected as municipal councillor in his hometown of Newbury, and was re-elected to two further terms before retiring from that office. From 2009 to 2010 he served as President of the Strathroy and District Chamber of Commerce, and he served on the board of Four Counties General Hospital Foundation. Monte was first elected to the legislature in 2011 where he continued his advocacy for his local community. In June 2018, he became Minister of Infrastructure, where he opened historic streams of infrastructure funding, expanded natural gas supply into rural Ontario and tabled a plan to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities across the province. He also announced an investment to renovate the aging Massey Hall, Canada's most renowned concert hall. In June 2019 Monte McNaughton was appointed Minister of Labour. He immediately set upon a provincial listening tour, meeting with more than 150 labour leaders in less than four months. He quickly established worker safety as a top priority while also shepherding in WSIB rate reductions, freezing non-profit rate increases, and introducing a new program that will reward Ontario's safest employers. In October 2019, his portfolio was expanded to include Training and Skills Development. Speaker: The Honourable Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

Natasha Luckhardt and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Town of Widows, human rights, public engagement and picket lines, trust in the system, workplace justice, and why evidence is rarely neutral. Trailer Watch here on CBC Docs. Synopsis: Directed by Natasha Luckhardt and Rob Viscardis, Town of Widows is a documentary exposé of widows and workers in the “Electric City” of Peterborough, ON fighting for justice in a system stacked against them. Peterborough, ON., was home to a GE plant for over a century. With 6000 employees at its peak in the 1960’s and 1970’s, GE threw Christmas parties for the community of workers and helped to start the town’s university. But over time, employees and their families noticed more and more GE workers dying from cancer. Looking back, the warning signs and symptoms were there—the nosebleeds and headaches, the red patches on their skin, the coughs that wouldn’t go away—and workers had a hunch GE was making them sick. In Town of Widows co-directors Natasha Luckhardt and Rob Viscardis chronicle former GE workers and widows seeking compensation for decades of contamination that caused hundreds of fatal and chronic illnesses. They open up to Luckhardt and Viscardis’ camera, sharing their anger with GE and frustration with the WSIB’s compensation system. First-hand accounts from survivors, and interviews with labour leaders, medical experts and Toronto Star reporter Sara Mojtehedzadeh, are woven together with archival photos and footage of the century old plant and decades long fight. The challenges they face are formidable. Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) is supposed to compensate workers and their families for work-related injuries and illnesses, but widows and workers report that their claims have been routinely rejected or that they have been left waiting, sometimes for decades. About the Director: Natasha Luckhardt (co-director, producer) is an advocate for workers' rights, with a focus on work-related diseases. Her day job involves developing worker-centric training programs for a health and safety organization. She has also worked in research, labour law, journalism, fundraising and politics. Natasha became a health and safety advocate during her Master’s degree at McMaster University in Work and Society, where she published a thesis on an occupational disease cluster at General Electric in Peterborough. Natasha has continued her work in the community by producing a documentary project called “Town of Widows” which follows an empowered community of widows and workers fighting for justice. Natasha has been interviewed about the documentary by outlets such as Peterborough this Week, CBC London, CBC Waterloo and Hazards Magazine. During her spare time, Natasha sings folk labour music with her mum. Image Copyright: B&R Creative Productions Inc and Natasha Luckhardt. Used with permission. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. For more information about David Peck’s podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here. With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Monday is Labour Day, which most people mark as the unofficial end of summer, but Labour Day has, and should, stand for something more. In this era where labour is struggling so hard, doing more work for the same pay, and in a perpetual state of stress, should we not take some to make sure we keep the "labour" in Labour Day? Of course, the answer is "yes!" and on this week's podcast, we're going to focus on a specific area of labour rights that does not get nearly enough coverage, the plight of injured workers. Joining us to discuss this is Paul Taylor, who ran as a candidate for the None of the Above Party last year, and is the founder of Injured Workers of Wellington & Dufferin Counties.  Even among workers' rights issues, it's hard to get a lot of press for matters involving injured workers even as the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada says that in 2017, there were 951 workplace fatalities in Canada, which was an increase of 46 over 2016. On top of that, there were 251,508 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, which increased by 10,000 cases in one year. It seems pretty serious, but for every claim that's approved, there are dozens whose claims are not-approved, and others who only get approval after sometimes struggling for years to get their benefits. Paul Taylor knows this struggle all too well as he's tried for over 20 years to get the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, or WSIB, to recognize his back injuries from a workplace accident while he was a delivery driver. On this edition of the podcast, Taylor join us to talk about 20-year plus journey with the WSIB, the Ontario Court Systems and preparing a challenge to the Supreme Court. He also talks about the struggles of workers like him, and the way that businesses and the government make it harder for injured workers to claim their benefits. Plus, Taylor discusses why Ontario's cuts to legal aid are hurting workers too, and stay tuned till the end of the show for a political announcement! So let's talk about the need of injured workers, and how we can best help them out on this special Labour Day edition of the Guelph Politicast! You can learn more about the Injured Workers of Wellington and Dufferin at their website. The next meeting of the IWWD is Thursday September 12th from 4 to 6 pm at the UNIFOR Hall at 611 Silvercreek Pkwy north of Woodlawn. Reminder: if you want to celebrate local labour, there's the Labour Day Picnic hosted by the Guelph & District Labour Council at Riverside Park from 12 to 3 pm on Monday September 2. The host for the Guelph Politicast is Podbean. Find more episodes of the Politicast here, or download them on your favourite podcast app at iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify. Also, when you subscribe to the Guelph Politicast channel and you will also get an episode of Open Sources Guelph every Monday, and an episode of End Credits every Friday.

The gang is all here to discuss some more Canadian National Team issues, talk about the MLS roster releases, MLS Playoffs, Canadian Premier League stuff and some *gasp!* Toronto FC news! In this episode, Tony is in person, Duncan is in Uruguay, Mark is in a groove and Kristin is in trouble with WSIB (almost). […]

John Humphrey has an honest conversation with Daniel and Simran of 15&Fairness about what WE must do to keep the employment laws of Bill 148 and what 15&Fairness is doing for the fight. News about WSIB shameful cuts.

Laurie Scott, Minister of Labour, MPP Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes talks about WSIB and impact on workers  

Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce talks about big WSIB premium cuts coming for employers

John Humphrey speaks with Andrew Eyles of the Steelworkers Toronto Area Council Injured Workers Program about the issues faced by workers when they are injured at work and file a claim with WSIB, and what it is like as an injured worker rep helping injured workers through the WSIB system.

The featured podcast talks about heath & safety at a workplace.

My guest today is Janice McGurran. Janice has both private and public sector experience in the government and hydro sectors and in Human Resources at an Ontario provincial operational enterprise. She’s worked in the charitable sector as well as teaching part-time for York University/Seneca College in the Human Resources and Fire Services program. Her background also includes diverse committee experience. (WSIB, local hospital Board, PAO, IAPA and AODA) Janice has been responsible for a decrease in human rights complaints, conducting investigations and preparing reports and recommendations.  The cases she’s handled have included sensitive employee relations and human rights issues and have demonstrated the use of conflict resolution & mediation skills at bargaining and grievance sessions. Having designed and implemented successful human rights / antibullying programs, Janice has delivered numerous leadership training sessions. As well, she has significant experience dealing with modified work and accommodation issues, and hiring staff to work with vulnerable clients. She has extensive knowledge of the Human Resources function across complex groups and a passion for role modeling leadership and productivity and developing talent. Janice’s interests include not surprisingly, human rights issues, family of course, some volunteer work caring for rescue animals and most importantly, hockey - she still plays mini sticks with her grandson.

Topics include: taxation, hydro rates, WSIB, executive compensation, public participation

Topics include: Sudbury by-election, auto-industry, WSIB, the Ontario budget

Episode 112 of the Internet Box.

This week: Increasing hydro rates, Elizabeth Witmer's appointment to the WSIB, oversight at Ornge, allegations of political favourtism and job creation.

Topics include: Ornge air ambulance, electricity prices, Elizabeth Witmer's appointment to the WSIB.

Topics include: Ontario's credit rating, job creation, the appointment of Elizabeth Witmer to the WSIB, Ornge air ambulance.