Merit Ontario

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Join Merit Ontario and take advantage of our benefit solutions!

Advocacy

Join the fight for Workers' Rights in Ontario.

Education & Training

Programs that meet the changing needs of the industry!

We believe that fiscal responsibility is the obligation of all branches of government, and, accordingly, that government should award contracts to the lowest bidder qualified to perform the work.

The Merit OpenShop Contractors Association is a member driven organization representing Ontario’s open shop construction sector. We advocate and support sound legislation and regulation which is fair to both employers and employees in the areas on labour relations, apprenticeship training, worker’s compensation, and safety.

Founded in 1990 as the United Independent Contractors’ Group of Ontario (ICG), the organization began as a leading voice for fairness and transparency in construction.

Governance Vision History

Join Merit Ontario

There are many benefits to being a Merit Ontario member and the services that the Association offers are diverse and can meet many of your areas of need.

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Latest Merit Ontario News

June 29, 2020

Overwhelming Majority of Ontarians Support Secret Ballot Votes when Joining a Union

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Overwhelming Majority of Ontarians Support Secret Ballot Votes when Joining a Union Ottawa, Ontario - Merit Ontario released a poll today showing an overwhelming majority of Ontarians (72%) support having a secret ballot vote when joining or decertifying a union. Merit Ontario believes a secret ballot is one of the fundamental pillars ...

April 21, 2020

Merit Ontario Calls for Open Tendering on all Parliament Hill Renovation Contracts to deal with Global Pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ottawa, Ontario - Merit Ontario launched a campaign to ensure all Canadian taxpayers receive the best value for taxpayers while renovating the historical Parliamentary Precinct after documents came to light showing that local contractors were barred from bidding on the project. ““We are all in this together. It is an extremely difficult ...

April 3, 2020

Merit’s Annunal OpenShop Golf Tournament June 18th, 2020

Summer is almost here and that means Merit's Annual Open Shop Golf Tournament is just around the corner. The tournament is slated for Thursday, June 18th at Piper's Heath Golf Club and we want to see you and your company there! Where: Piper's Heath Golf Club 5501 Trafalgar Road Milton, ON L9E 0Z5 When: Thursday, ...

July 3, 2019

Fairness for Taxpayers and Workers Partially Achieved Under Bill 66, Schedule 9.

City of Toronto the main holdout to adopt rules that would allow all construction companies the opportunity to bid on public infrastructure.

June 26, 2019

Lawsuit launched against the city of Toronto over closed tendering

TORONTO—A lawsuit was filed today against the City of Toronto by CLAC, supported by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation,
the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada, and Merit Open Shop Contractors Association.

April 2, 2019

Merit Ontario applauds the Ford Government for passing Bill 66

April 2, Toronto - Merit Ontario today welcomed the passage of Bill 66 which contains provisions to allow all qualified contractors and workers to bid on public infrastructure in Ontario. “This legislation will save taxpayers millions of dollars by increasing competition and lowering prices for public construction projects in Ontario.” said Michael Gallardo, Executive Director ...

Click here to see our exclusive poll of Ontarians’ views on the issues impacting construction policy

Empowering Employees

Merit OpenShop Contractors Association of Ontario