December 6, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Electrical League (OEL) announced today its support for
Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018, which will now open all Ontario government contracts to "open tendering".
Bill 66, introduced by MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Todd Smith, will help ensure everyone in Ontario will receive an equal and fair opportunity to compete for opportunities across the province.
“Until the passage of this bill, many Ontario construction contractors have simply not been allowed to bid on contracts in prescribed geographic areas,” said Stephen Sell, President of the OEL. “Areas such as the Waterloo Region or Greater Toronto Area are where those contracts are limited to construction contractors who are bound to a special interest – which has been completely unnecessary.”
Bill 66 is widely expected to reduce the cost of construction in Ontario because it will open up bidding to all qualified contractors instead of just those linked to a special interest. The OEL has long lobbied against the imposition of closed tendering as being fundamentally anti-competitive and unfair to Ontario tax payers.
"I strongly congratulate the Ontario government on introducing this new bill, which will make a difference businesses and taxpayers across Ontario who will now be able to enjoy lower construction prices and a competitive bidding environment,” said Dale MacDonald, the OEL’s Chair of Board of Directors.
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About the Ontario Electrical League
The Ontario Electrical League is a non-profit provincial organization, dedicated to over 20 chapters and more than 12,000 individual members from the electrical industry. League members include electrical contractors, electricians, apprentices, utilities, generators, inspectors, distributors, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, consulting engineers, educators and service companies.
Media Contact
Bao Xiong – Communications Specialist and Chapter Support, Ontario Electrical League
bao.xiong@oel.org
905-238-1382
December 6, 2018 (Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Electrical League (OEL) announced today its support for Bill 66, Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, 2018, which will now open all Ontario government contracts to "open tendering". Bill 66, introduced by MPP and Minister of Economic Development, Todd Smith, will help ensure everyone in Ontario will receive an equal and fair opportunity to compete for opportunities across the province.