01-30_GENERALS_Fall25_PT - Flipbook - Page 6
CHAIR’S REPORT
CHAIR’S INCOMING MESSAGE
By GREG BROKENSHIRE, OGCA Chair
A strong association can be the difference between isolation and
resilience – between facing challenges alone and confronting
them with the strength of a collective.
T IS A TREMENDOUS HONOUR to serve as the
incoming Chair of the Ontario General
Contractors Association (OGCA). With
its distinguished history of advocacy
and support for general contractors
across Ontario, the OGCA has been
a steadfast voice for our industry. I am
excited to help build on that legacy in the
year ahead.
As I begin this role, I am clear on the
two priorities that will guide my time
as Chair. First, we must strengthen our
membership base. Second, we must
ensure that both our members and our
dedicated sta昀昀 have the support they
need to navigate today’s uncertain environment. Everything else 昀氀ows from
these two goals.
I
Building a Stronger Membership
Membership is the foundation of any
association. The OGCA exists to serve its
members, but it also draws its strength
from them. To remain relevant and e昀昀ective, we must both grow our membership
and ensure that the value of belonging to
the OGCA is unmistakable.
6 the generals • FALL 2025
This means attracting new members especially the next generation of general
contracting 昀椀rms - while also deepening
engagement with those who are already
here. Every member should see tangible
bene昀椀ts, whether through advocacy, education, or networking. The broader and
more diverse our membership, the more
powerful our collective voice will be.
Earlier this year, the OGCA completed
a rigorous strategic planning process.
That e昀昀ort gave us clarity on our longterm direction, and the work has already
begun to take shape. In the months ahead,
members will see this strategy translate
into programs and engagement opportunities that re昀氀ect the evolving needs of
our industry. This framework will guide
our e昀昀orts to strengthen membership and
deliver value through uncertain times.
To this end, several initiatives are being
launched or re-energized. A rebooted Education Committee will focus on practical
learning and professional development,
helping members adapt to the rapidly
changing realities of construction. A new
Next Generation Leaders Committee will
give emerging voices a seat at the table,
preparing us for the future. A Government
Relations Committee will sharpen our
advocacy, ensuring that the concerns of
our industry are clearly heard at Queen’s
Park and beyond.
These initiatives are not about adding
bureaucracy. They are about creating new
avenues for engagement and ensuring that
members feel connected to, and invested
in, the OGCA.
Supporting Members and Staff in Uncertain
Times
Why is this so urgent now? Because we
are living through a period of profound
uncertainty. Some member 昀椀rms are
thriving, while others are grappling with
political shifts, trade con昀氀icts, and economic volatility. Interest rates, in昀氀ation,
labour shortages, and supply chain challenges all weigh heavily on our sector.
In such an environment, the OGCA’s
role becomes even more critical. We must
provide the networks, advocacy, and
knowledge that help members not just
endure, but succeed. A strong association
can be the di昀昀erence between isolation
and resilience - between facing challenges alone and confronting them with the
strength of a collective.
This responsibility also extends inward. Our sta昀昀 work tirelessly to deliver
programs, advocacy, and events that
create value for members. As Chair, I
see it as my role to ensure that they too
have the support they need to continue
performing at such a high level. A strong
team behind the scenes is essential to a
strong association.
The Power of Partnership
We are fortunate to have a talented and
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