CCIL continues to advocate on behalf of its members across Canada. We are working hard to defend the private sector against publicly-funded laboratories which use their tax-subsidized advantage to compete unfairly. We are also working with our provincial partners on issues related to economic relief measures post-COVID to kick-start local economies and general procurement practices.
Ottawa – Canada Foundation for Innovation
CCIL has held meetings and discussions with the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) which provides funding for research facilities and equipment in universities, colleges, hospitals and non-profit institutions across the country. We wanted to be sure that the funds were not being used by these organizations to establish businesses that would compete with existing commercial services.
CFI has responded positively to our concerns, and now requires any institution listed in its online directory to agree that “CFI-funded infrastructure will not be used to support routine testing of samples or products or technical consulting services offered by private-sector firms.”
Furthermore, CFI continues to make it clear to colleges that it will not fund research infrastructure for the main or sole purpose of offering services to industrial clients. This message has been reiterated at events organized by Colleges and Institutes Canada, Polytechnics Canada, Tech Access Canada, and the Centres collégiaux de transfert technologique.
Saskatchewan – SRC and the Accelerated Site Closure Program
On May 22, 2020, the Saskatchewan government announced the Accelerated Site Closure Program (ASCP) for abandoned and inactive oil and gas wells and facilities in the province. Phase 1 will allocate up to $100 million for abandonment and reclamation work.
Alerted by member concerns, CCIL became aware that the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), which is administering the program, would have a serious conflict of interest – and an unfair competitive advantage over private-sector laboratories – if it was also allowed to bid on any of the remediation projects. CCIL moved quickly to raise this issue with SaskBuilds Corporation, which oversees the province’s procurement practices, and a meeting was held on June 1.
On August 20, we received a letter from the province’s Chief Procurement Officer assuring us that the SRC will not be bidding on, and will not be undertaking, any of the laboratory testing work under the ASCP.
“CCIL is pleased with the Saskatchewan government’s quick response in addressing our concerns, and we are grateful for its support of the province’s private-sector testing laboratories,” said CCIL President Tony Araujo.
Manitoba – Industrial Technology Centre
Last December, we met with Manitoba’s Minister of Economic Development and Training, Ralph Eichler, and others in the ministry to discuss the province’s Industrial Technology Centre. ITC offers services, such as mechanical, vibration, noise and product testing, in direct competition with our members. We recommended that this facility be privatized.
Left to right: Deputy Minister Jan Forster and Minister Ralph Eichler of Manitoba’s Ministry of Economic Development and Training, and CCIL’s Executive Director Muktha Tumkur and President Tony Araujo.
In June this year, Manitoba announced that it is divesting the operations and assets of ITC. This is a win for our members, and a win for the province as it reduces government expenditures and allows these services to be provided more efficiently by private-sector laboratories.
Ontario – Fanshawe College’s Canadian Centre for Product Validation
Recently, CCIL President Tony Araujo was interviewed on this subject. He discussed why CCIL has been opposed to Fanshawe College’s product testing facility from the start, and why governments need to stop spending taxpayer dollars on facilities that offer services already available in the marketplace.
Built with $8.1 million in federal money and a matching amount from provincial funding to the College, Fanshawe College’s Canadian Centre for Product Validation (CCPV) in London, Ontario is now hemorrhaging red ink.
CCIL called for a halt to this “misuse of taxpayers’ money” and urged the federal government to investigate – which never occurred. “We questioned why public funds would go to support this scheme, and indeed why Fanshawe’s Board of Governors approved the plan,” Tony noted. “Turns out, the Centre has been and will continue to be a drain on the financial resources of the College.”
You can listen here to the interview on the Craig Needles Show.
Our Secretary-Treasurers
Blair Colquhoun has stepped down as Secretary-Treasurer and Board member. CCIL benefited greatly from having Blair, with his experience and knowledge as a CPA and CA, serve in this capacity.
At our virtual AGM in July, Blair was honoured for his long commitment to CCIL. In recognition of his nine years of volunteer service, he was given a soapstone figurine – a carving of a black bear.
Blair Colquhoun
Black Bear
During his tenure, Blair tackled some big issues. He worked to ensure the continuance of CCIL’s incorporation under the new NFP Act, made financial reporting improvements to allow the Board to oversee the entire organization, improved budgeting to achieve break-even results, and helped with succession planning and the hiring of the organization’s first full-time Executive Director.
Thank you, Blair, and we wish you the best of success in your future endeavours.
The new Secretary-Treasurer of CCIL is Kelly Whitney (introduced in the last issue of LabWatch). She is a member of CCIL’s Board, a Director within the Geotechnical/Construction Materials Division, and is currently Director of Laboratory Services at WSP.
Two individuals filled the position prior to Blair.
CCIL’s first serving Secretary-Treasurer was Stephen Walker. He held this position in the Canadian Testing Association (CTA), and when the Ontario Chapter of the CTA split from the Quebec Chapter and formed CCIL in 1993, he continued in the role with the new organization. His first task was to negotiate the terms of the split and the division of assets. Along with Francine Fortier-ThéBerge, who also left CTA and came on board as
CCIL’s Office Administrator, the two worked to computerize the accounting system including the certification program.
Alnoor (Al) Nathoo was the next Secretary-Treasurer, taking on the responsibility from 1995 to 2011 – an incredible 16 years. While Al had an engineering degree, he also had a background in bookkeeping and a particular passion for the business aspect of engineering organizations. Al was diligent in improving CCIL’s accounting system, streamlining processes, and developing an efficient system of managing CCIL’s investments. In 2009, Al assumed both the Secretary-Treasurer and Vice-President positions, until becoming President two years later.
To all our Secretary-Treasurers, many thanks. You have counted, literally and figuratively, in making CCIL a success!
Mark Charbonneau rejoins Board
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Mark Charbonneau back to the CCIL Board of Directors. Mark rejoins the Board after a hiatus of nine years. He served as a Board member from 2007 to 2011, and for much of that time he was Chairman of the Environmental/Life Sciences Division. For various periods, he was also a member of the Communications Committee and the National Advocacy Committee as well as Chairman of the Ontario Division.
Mark is the President of Testmark Laboratories Ltd., an environmental testing laboratory he founded more than two decades ago. He is an analytical chemist and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo.
Mark Charbonneau
He says CCIL plays a vital role. “Its certification programs provide a level of uniformity in the industry that greatly enhances data user confidence and promotes testing norms,” he explains. Members also benefit because of CCIL’s efforts to increase awareness of what they do and why they’re important. “Governments and society in general need to understand the value of independent, private-sector testing laboratories in protecting the health and safety of our natural and built environments.”
CCIL is also leading the fight to protect members from unfair competition from publicly-funded institutions. “There is a legitimate role for government laboratories, but not for tax-subsidized competition from universities, colleges and government agencies. CCIL has been very effective at meeting this challenge.”
For Mark Charbonneau, it’s something of a homecoming. “I look forward to contributing once more to an industry and an association I care deeply about.”
CCIL Scholarship Award Winners
As part of our commitment to supporting STEM students across Canada, CCIL provides annual scholarships to help support these future engineers, scientists and technicians in achieving their educational goals. We are proud to announce the latest CCIL scholarship award winners. Our congratulations to:
Devon Green College of the North Atlantic
“Thank you to CCIL for the generous donation. Being chosen as the recipient of this award reflects my dedication to my studies in the Civil Engineering Technology program. This award has had a meaningful impact on my studies by reducing the financial burden of attending school.”
Dominique Hemeon-Kehoe College of the North Atlantic
“Thank you so much, as this award has helped me open many doors academically/career wise, as well as financially trying to support myself going through school, since my mother is unable to contribute financially. This has made a bigger impact in my life than you will know.”
Kyle Schooley Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
“This award is a culmination of the effort and time I have put into my Chemical Technology studies. Organizations such as CCIL are so important for students and for businesses: they allow students to focus their talents on joining and working in the industry rather than worrying about the expenses of their schooling.”
Roberto Aurilio Transportation Association of Canada
“I am so grateful to have received this generous award. I am fortunate to be part of a field that is continually growing and learning to meet the increasing demands of Canada’s transportation network. This scholarship will give me the opportunity to focus on my research and pursue a degree I love without as many financial worries.”
Eyad El-Azzeh Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
“I wanted to thank first of all my wife for taking care of the girls while I studied, the faculty for giving me the means to succeed, and CCIL for recognizing my hard work and dedication by selecting me for this scholarship. I will continue the path towards my undergrad degree in Civil Engineering and this money will definitely help towards that new journey."
MTO Organizational Changes
In July, the Ministry of Transportation began implementing a new organizational model.
MTO’s business has shifted significantly over the last two decades, yet its overall structure has remained the same. The transformation now underway will help to improve the flow of work across the ministry, foster greater integration and collaboration, and establish clearer lines of communication.
MTO will have a flatter organizational structure, moving from five to seven divisions. Five of these divisions will be new, with branches that are organized in different ways and deliver on new priorities.
CCIL congratulates Becca Lane who has moved into her new role in the Operations Division, as Director, Central Operations. We are thrilled to know that Hannah Schell is the incoming Manager of Materials, Structural Standards and Specifications (previously Materials, Engineering and Research Office).
For more information on MTO’s Transformation please click here.
NRC and N95 Material Testing Opportunity
For many years now, CCIL has been engaging with the National Research Council (NRC). Our work with them to fully understand their policies continues and our efforts to engage with them are bringing positive results. As an example, very recently, the NRC Metrology Research Centre began developing particulate filter efficiency level testing capability for N95 respirators and respirator material according to the NIOSH testing standards.
This is part of an overall effort to support and increase the manufacturing and testing capacity for personal protective equipment in Canada.
NRC is developing the process to transfer knowledge, capability and best practices as more capacity comes online. NRC recognized CCIL as a key stakeholder when it comes to this testing and contacted us for the purpose of engaging with our members for discussions on knowledge transfer. CCIL facilitated two information sessions between NRC and our members in August and September. We will keep you posted on outcomes.
Members’ Corner New Scholarship Program for High School Graduates
If you are an employee of a CCIL-member firm and you have a teenager graduating from high school next year, your young student may be eligible for a $500 scholarship.
Beginning January 2021, CCIL will be awarding five annual scholarships, each in the amount of $500, to graduating high school students who have been accepted into a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) program at a recognized Canadian university or college.
Further details will be provided on our website (www.ccil.com) and in the next issue of LabWatch.
Watch for our Webinars
We are working with our partners across Canada to produce two webinars that will be of interest to members. One is related to HR employment standards, and the other is the economic outlook from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ Chief Economist Ted Mallett. Stay tuned for details.
Ted Mallett Vice President and Chief Economist CFIB
Hire a Fleming College Student
In the last issue of LabWatch, we informed you about how CCIL and Fleming College have been able to work together to address our concerns about competition. This laid the groundwork for greater collaboration, and we are pleased to support the college’s co-op program.
If you have an opening for a co-op student, at any of your laboratories anywhere in Canada, consider Fleming College. Programs that have a co-op work term and whose students would be suitable for laboratories include: Advanced Water Systems Operations and Management; Environmental Technician; Earth Resources Technician; and Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance.
For further information, contact: Anne Torwesten, Co-operative Education and Placement Officer, anne.torwesten@flemingcollege.ca, 705-324-9144 X 3030.
Virtual AGM
Like other organizations, CCIL has had to adapt to the realities of COVID-19. We held our first-ever virtual Annual General Meeting on July 20.
Instead of congregating at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver as originally planned, the Board, staff, and participating members came together though the video conferencing provider GoToMeeting.
For those who attended online, we thank you for your participation. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact Muktha Tumkur at mtumkur@ccil.com. Our next AGM is on April 26 in Toronto, so let’s hope we can meet face-to-face by then.
Online Regional Forums
CCIL will be hosting online regional forums for members in the coming weeks, and we encourage your participation. It’s your chance to speak up on the issues and help direct CCIL’s advocacy efforts.
The first two forums being planned are: A discussion about the Saskatchewan Research Council for Western members, and a session on the Regional Productivity Council for those in the East. We’ll keep you informed of dates and times.
Our Newest Member
We welcome PNJ Engineering Inc. of Vaughan, Ontario, as our newest member.
We Want To Hear From You
CCIL wants to stress that we are listening to you. We have been proactive and are achieving advocacy wins because of members who alerted us with their concerns. If there is something that is affecting the testing industry or your business, let us know. Also, if there’s something we can be doing better, or you wish to pass along a comment or an idea, please contact:
Muktha Tumkur
CCIL Executive Director
905-805-1170 mtumkur@ccil.com
LabWatch is a quarterly newsletter produced by the Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories. By opening this ‘window’ on our sector, we hope to engage government, industry and other stakeholders in an informed discussion of the issues.
