BUILDING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER
Welcome to the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), where we proudly represent a collective voice for Ontario’s dynamic construction industry. With a foundation built on collaboration and advocacy, COCA is committed to fostering a thriving construction environment that benefits businesses, workers, and communities across Ontario.
COCA is a coalition of various construction associations committed to advocating for policies that enhance the industry’s growth, safety, and sustainability. We work hand-in-hand with government bodies, industry leaders, and our members to ensure that Ontario’s construction sector remains competitive and innovative.
Mission Statement
COCA is the most influential and respected advocate in Ontario for the non-residential construction industry.
Vision Statement
On behalf of our members, COCA advocates for a public policy environment that supports the success of Ontario’s non-residential construction industry.
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COCA’S History
The Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) has been a powerful force in Ontario’s construction industry for 50 years. 🏗️ Founded in 1975 to create a unified voice, COCA quickly secured significant wins, including the 1983 Construction Lien Act, protecting contractors’ payments. Early leadership established a strong foundation of data-driven advocacy. COCA successfully influenced tax policies and challenged unfair workers’ compensation practices.
The 1990s brought economic challenges and political shifts. Despite the difficulties, COCA secured victories like reversing unfavorable workers’ compensation policies. The 1995 election of the Progressive Conservatives ushered in a period of significant reform. COCA successfully advocated for workers’ compensation modernization, regulatory reductions, and innovative initiatives like online tendering. By 1999, COCA’s persistence resulted in a massive reduction in the industry’s WSIB liability.
The 2000s saw COCA champion the Limitations Act, streamlining construction-related lawsuits, and launch Safety Edge to improve workplace safety. COCA achieved landmark reforms, overhauling the Construction Lien Act into the Construction Act, establishing prompt payment and adjudication systems. COCA also modernized the WSIB rate framework, securing fairer premiums for employers. The association’s agility during the COVID-19 pandemic ensured construction’s essential status and helped members navigate new safety protocols. Recent successes include a significant WSIB surplus distribution to employers.
COCA’s Members
From the solid foundation that was laid in 1975, right through to today, COCA has successfully worked for the betterment of the industry and Ontario. The journey has been marked by numerous achievements, driven by the collaborative efforts of our diverse membership. We are a powerful federation of leading associations in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors of Ontario’s construction industry.