ECA of Saskatchewan Newsletter May 2007

Electrical Contractors Association

of Saskatchewan

ECA of Saskatchewan Newsletter

May 2007 contact ECAS HOME

In this Issue:

President's Message

- New ECA Sask Board

Committee Reps

Industry Events:

- ECAA conference

- SKILLS competition

- SCA Waskesiu Meeting

- CECA Convention

Renew Now

President's Message

by Rob Istace

On behalf of the membership and the Board of Directors of the Electrical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan, I want to thank Ken Pickering, outgoing President, for his commitment and service to our association. Ken's two year tenure as President ended at our Annual General Meeting, which was held in Saskatoon on April 19, 2007. Thank you as well to the outgoing Board of Directors for their hard work over the past 2 years.

At the AGM, a new Board of Directors was elected. Here is your new Board:

President: Rob Istace, Alliance Energy Ltd.

1st Vice President: Keri Fox, Regal Electric Ltd.

2nd Vice President: Allan Gibb, Amtech Electrical Ltd.

Treasurer: John Kirby, Kirby Electric Ltd.

Past President: Ken Pickering, Globe-Elite Electrical

Directors: Barry Iles, Iles Electric

Bryan Leverick, Alliance Energy Ltd.

Don Old, Aim Electric Ltd.

Garnet Connolly, Triad Power (2004) Ltd.

Glen Gerow, Humboldt Electric Ltd.

Joe Mignon, Joe's Electric Ltd.

Kurt Anthony, Anthony Electric Ltd.

Randy Lovegrove, Shaughnessy Electric Inc.

Wayne Kirby, Kirby Electric Ltd.

Executive Director: Michael Fougere

These are exciting and busy times in the construction industry. There are a number of key issues facing our industry, such as the on-going issues concerning licensing.

The new Board of Directors has begun developing a new strategic plan to help guide our association and our industry in the years ahead. Once the draft strategic plan is prepared, the general membership will have a chance to review and comment on the proposed direction of our association. Your input is critical to charting a new course for our industry, so please take the opportunity to comment on the plan.

In other association news, our association has entered into a partnership with Federated Insurance. Please stay tuned to details of this exciting and new partnership with one of Canada's finest insurance companies that can bring significant benefits to our association and member companies.

Finally, your participation in the affairs of the association is very important. If you have any suggestions, concern, or comments, please contact me or the ECA Saskatchewan office any time at:

Rob Istace

Tel: (306) 242-5802

email: rob@alliance-energy.com

Michael Fougere

Tel: (306) 525-0171

email: michaelf@scaonline.ca

Committee Report

SaskPower Liaison Committee

- Based on comments by SaskPower we expect a fee increase late this year or early next year. ECA-Sask has indicated that we do not agree with the increase and that we need to remodel the existing schedule in the consumer’s interest. A letter has been sent to Sask-power voicing our concern and we are awaiting their response.

- Members have raised concerns that Hutterite colonies are authorizing time towards the apprenticeship program and sending their workers to Alberta to get their journeyman status and then getting contractors licenses in Saskatchewan and doing off Colony work. A letter is being drafted to Sask-Licensing voicing our concerns.

- Many members have voiced their concern on the safety issue of the possibility that communication cabling will no longer be a concern of the inspection department.

NOTE: We would like you to contact us if you have any

concerns or comments on these issues or on others

that you would like us to raise.

Renew

Your ECA Sask Membership Now

ECA Sask

Committee Representatives

SaskPower Liaison Committee

Rob Istace

Glen Gerow

Barry Iles

Andy Kuderewko