Past News

Dear Members, As of February 2nd, 2017 you must be a member in the apprentice, journeyperson or journeyperson candidate class (This membership is required to be renewed annually). Contact the Ontario College of Trades regarding details, applications and information on how to apply (www.collegeoftrades.ca).

Dear Brothers and Sisters, As you may be aware the Ontario Government has introduced Ominus Bill 70. Section 17 of this bill deals with the Ontario College of Trades and we believe these changes will negatively affect the Compulsory Trades in Ontario, including sprinkler fitters. We believe this bill will Read More…

Local 853 instructors attend the 2016 UA Instructor Training Program in Ann Arbor Michigan.

Congratulations to all of the competitors at the UA International Apprentice Competition in Ann Arbor this year. This year’s Sprinkler winner was Local 669 apprentice Matthew Fox. Here are some pictures of Local 853 apprentice Lyle Beliveau who represented Canada (District 6).

Top piping trades apprentices from across Canada, including a female welder from Alberta, are poised to showcase their skills at the international level at an upcoming competition in Ann Arbor, Mich. The five apprentices, representing locals of the United Association (UA) of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Read More…

Going forward, all government jobs will have accountability to employ apprentices and support retention to ensure completion of their apprenticeship. Bill 6, which was recently passed by the province, also sets out stipulations to ensure opportunities for women, Aboriginals, out of province workers, at risk youth, veterans and residents of Read More…

Bill C-377 endangers our ability to build projects across the country and create jobs, and is intended to fix a problem that does not exist. Instead, it actually duplicates processes that are already in place to provide accountability and transparency for our workers and would create an expanded, expensive and Read More…

The Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) has anounced that come Feb. 2, 2017 the sprinkler and fire protection installer trade will be reclassified as compulsory, which to some in the industry is welcome news after decades of trying to make it official. “It’s been a long time coming. In our Read More…

Local 853 Business Manager Greg Mitchell announces the exciting news that as of February 2, 2015 it’s official! Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer will be compulsory in Ontario with a 2 year implementation period. See the link below for the Ontario E-Law and OCOT post.   ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES Read More…