TECHNICAL SESSIONS - Association of Architectural Technologists

TECHNICAL SESSIONS –
THURSDAY APRIL 23rd and FRIDAY APRIL 24th 2015
Session 1A (Thursday, 9:00am – 10:15am)
“ETHICS IN CONSTRUCTION”
CLIVE THURSTON of the ONTARIO GENERAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
Clive has extensive experience in the construction industry, having worked as a Superintendent, Estimator, Project Manager
and former owner/operator of a small Toronto-based construction company for twelve years. He held the position of ByLaw/Building Official with the City of Brampton and was the Chief Building Official for Prince Edward County prior to
accepting the position of President of the Ontario General Contractors Association. His duties include promoting the industry,
facilitating disputes between project partners, promoting education, providing advice on contracts and the supplementary
conditions attached to them.
Clive has served on the Editorial Board of the Daily Commercial News and continues to serve on the Building Advisory
Committee at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Through the OGCA, Clive represents the industry at the
Construction and Design Alliance of Ontario, a group of related construction industries focused on the renewal of
infrastructure and the impact of Government regulations. In 2008, Clive founded the WSIB Construction Industry Task Force
to work on the reformation of the WSIB and Accident Prevention system in Ontario. He is particularly proud of the Strategic
Opportunities Committee created by the Construction and Design Associations to work with the Ontario Realty Corporation
(Infrastructure Realty). A strong believer in consultation rather than confrontation, Clive promotes policies that are beneficial
to all stakeholders within the construction industry.
One of the most discussed topics in our industry today is “Ethics” it has become a standard course at many Colleges and
seems to be a great concern to everyone in the training of the next generation. But can Ethics really be taught? Why does
the industry have what appears to be such a low opinion of itself when it comes to ethical behavior? Most if not all
professional organizations and professions have a Code of Ethics so what are we missing? Clive Thurston President of the
OGCA has been asked to speak to many organizations and groups on this topic, his presentation is drawn from personal
experiences as a Building Inspector. Contractor, and Industry leader and it is a frank and unapologetic discussion of Ethics in
the Construction Industry.
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Session 2A (Thursday, 10:45am – 12:00pm)
“ENERGY CODES TODAY & TOMORROW”
LYLE SCOTT of FOOTPRINT
Lyle is a mechanical engineer with seventeen years’ experience specializing in energy efficiency, facilities management and
sustainable development. As Managing Principal of Footprint, a consultancy dedicated to sustainability Lyle provides
leadership required to help project teams improve energy efficiency, interior environmental quality and overall project
sustainability. He has served as a founding board member of Sustainable Buildings Canada and on the Canada Green
Building Council’s LEED Management Committee, LEED for Homes Technical Committee and several other CaGBC
committees including Technical Advisory Group, LEED 2009 Submittals Task Force, Core and Shell Task Force and the
Durable Buildings Task Force. He has served as a technical resource to the Cities of Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary and as
an advisor to sustainability programs at Humber College Ryerson University and the University of Toronto.
In 2012, the Ontario Building Code increased energy performance requirements to 25% better than past performance
requirements. The Toronto Green Standard further increased this requirement by 15% in 2014. Other jurisdictions including
BC, Vancouver, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Alberta are following. How difficult are these requirements and what can we
expect in the future? We will discuss how these requirements are impacting building design and how architects are adjusting
their design process accordingly.
Session 3A (Thursday, 1:30pm – 2:45pm)
“PERSONAL AND BUSINESS FINANCIAL AND SUCCESSION PLANNING”
DAVID DORSCHT of FREEDOM 55 FINANCIAL.
David graduated from the University of Waterloo co-op program with an Honours Bachelor of Mathematics / Business
Administration minor in 1982. After more than 20 years Information Technology experience, primarily as a Project Leader,
decided to listen to his personal insurance and investment advisors and become one himself! He became a financial security
advisor with Freedom 55 Financial, a position he has now held for over a decade. David takes great pride in working with
clients to make a difference in their lives, constantly striving to exceed their expectations through attention to detail and a
commitment to high quality support.
David is primarily involved in retirement, tax-reduction and estate planning, including business succession planning. He also
specializes in group benefits for small companies and assists his clients in individually protecting their assets while they are
still alive. Eventual provision for each client’s family and/or maximizing their estate is also a top priority for him! He initially
examines the overall financial health of each individual and/or company that he represents. He reviews current assets,
protection of those assets and comfort with current levels of risk, as they relate to short versus longer term financial
objectives. Then, David either confirms that current plans will allow you to stay on track to meet your objectives, or, identifies
any gaps that he sees in staying on track to meet those objectives that somehow have a habit of frequently changing! Tax
effective solutions are key as they are often the easiest to control... with David’s ongoing support!
David will discuss the four cornerstones of financial planning, 1/. Liquidity - emergency funds when you need them (TFSA if
no LOC!) 2/. Disability - including business protection. 3/.Financial Security at Death - including personal lifestyle and
business protection. 4/.Retirement - including business succession. Building your Assets for Retirement -Government
Pensions are not enough, Individual Pensions - Defined Benefit vs. Defined Contribution, Registered Retirement Savings Group vs. Individual, Tax Free Savings - becoming more and more an integral piece. Investment Options under each
investment 'umbrella' - Risk level that is suitable. Tax Effective Solutions as you Save. When can you afford to Retire? Compare current budget to reduced one, based on what you want your retirement to look like. Planning to Maximize
Retirement Income - Direct excess withdrawals to TFSA's. Building/Leaving an Estate for your Family - Avoiding high taxes
on last survivor.
Herman Chan - Director, Business Development - Branch Manager
Freedom 55 Financial (A division of London Life) - Quadrus Investment Services Ltd.
Herman joined the Toronto East Financial Centre management team as a Director, Business Development in February 2011.
Prior to joining Freedom 55 Financial, he spent 2.5 years running an RBC Insurance branch in Scarborough and has held
management positions at HSBC and Future Shop in the GTA since 2003.
He is originally from Vancouver, BC and graduated from Carleton University with a journalism degree. In 2014, he completed
the Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation program.
When he’s not busy recruiting, developing and assisting advisors, Herman enjoys golfing, basketball and spending time with
his daughter, son and wife.
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Session 4A (Thursday, 3:15pm – 4:30pm)
“SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEMS”
BRIAN DOBBINS of CGC INC
Brian is an experienced Sales and Management Professional with a proven track record in consultative technical sales and
customer relationship development. Proficient at promoting, estimating and selling a variety of product lines and services
related to the construction and manufacturing sectors. Skilled in negotiation, contract development and territory
management. Well versed in formal written proposals and tender management. Confident in presenting technically related
product information to various professionals in all venues. Actively participates with local and national industry associations.
Establishes and maintains long term relationships and contacts with various design architectural and engineering design
firms. Conducts business with professional integrity, ethical practices and dedication. Provides proactive customer service
and support to achieve sales targets, project deliverables and customer base growth.
Brian will review the terminology associated with acoustic and specialty ceiling panels & systems, Panel construction and
applications of various acoustic ceiling panels, application of an integrated ceiling system. How it works with other building
services, design and application of “C” and “D, E, F” seismic suspended ceiling systems, how fire rated grid works and is
tested at UL / ULC facilities, the design, application and benefits of an alternate drywall suspension system and finally a
demonstration of the CGC Design Studio online tool.
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Session 5A (Friday, 9:00am – 10:15am)
“AN OVERVIEW OF MID RISE WOOD & BARRIER FREE ACCESS CHANGES TO THE 2012 OBC”
CHRIS THOMPSON from the MINISTRY OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
Chris Thompson has worked for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for 26 years and is a professional planner with
a Master's Degree in Planning from the University of Toronto. In his current position, Chris is Manager of Development
Policy and Innovations in the Ministry’s Buildings and Development Branch and is responsible for the development of policy
for the Building Code, developing the text of the Code, and delivering Commission and Council services. Chris has a broad
experience in housing, planning, and municipal matters. Prior to taking on the Building Code position, Chris was the Ontario
Brownfields Co-ordinator, responsible for facilitating the re-use and redevelopment of former industrial and commercial
lands. Before that Chris was Manager of the Urban Affairs Section of MMAH, Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister, and
Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister. Earlier in his career with MMAH, Chris worked as an area planner for a number of
Eastern Ontario counties, was involved in the wrap-up of the former Ataratiri (now West Don lands) project, was a senior
policy advisor in the ministry's Market Housing Branch, and also worked as a planner in the former Rental Housing
Protection Program.
On December 27, 2013, Ontario Regulation 368/13 was filed to amend the new 2012 Building Code, O.Reg. 332/12.The
effective date of the amendment is January 1, 2015. The amended requirements will substantially enhance accessibility in
newly constructed buildings and existing buildings that are to be extensively renovated. They maintain Ontario’s leadership
role in requirements for barrier-free design. In 2005, the government committed to the development of five accessibility
standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. These amendments to the Building Code work together
with the Design of Public Spaces standard, introduced in 2012, to finalize the government’s commitment to an accessibility
standard for the built environment. Five accessibility standards are already in regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act: Customer Service, Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation, and Design of Public
Spaces. For more information on Accessibility Standards, please visit www.ontario.ca/AccessOn. Requirements apply to
most new construction and extensive renovations. Existing buildings, where no work is planned, are not affected by these
new requirements. Houses, including semi-detached houses, townhouses, and duplexes, are not affected by most
accessibility requirements, with the exception of smoke alarm requirement.
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Session 6A (Friday, 10:45am – 12:00pm)
“WHAT IS A TRUE ACCESSIBLE BUILDING? HOW DOES OUR BOTTOM-LINE?”
COLIN McCARTHY of ACCESSIBILITY PROFESSIONAL OF ONTARIO
At the age of 14, Colin discovered that he had Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that usually attacks children and
young adults. In Order to save Colin's life his leg was amputated at the hip. For over thirty five years Colin has broken down
barriers of all types whenever they have stood between him and his goals. Colin has downhill raced competitively with the
Ontario Track Three Ski Association and played hockey as a goaltender in a men's league in Concord. He is an avid golfer
and has also raced Karts. Nowadays, in the winter, he can be found on the snowmobile trails of Ontario with his wife Lori
and friends. After attending Long Island University Colin started his career as the Computer Systems Manager with Calcan
Office Equipment. He then moved on to becoming a Subway Sandwich franchise owner and later working with Prudential
Insurance and Chrysler Canada. For the first decade of the 2000's Colin worked the Corporate Training division of Durham
College and was responsible for sales and development of such programs as the Financial Services Commission of
Ontario's Life Licensing Qualification Program, Laidlaw Educational Services, Management Apprentice Program and the
Toronto Transit Commissions, Ontario Management Development Program. Today, he guides his team of accessibility
professionals as they teach the benefits of accessibility across Ontario.
The accessible built environment is changing as are the rules to making your buildings accessible. What is the AODA and
what does it really mean to the public and your clients? Do you really know what is important to persons with disabilities?
Do you know how to remove potential and existing barriers to persons with disabilities, cost effectively? Do you know how to
identify barriers to person with disabilities? Does one solution work for everyone? True accessibility takes many forms and
sometimes physical barriers can be overcome with excellent customer service. This seminar will answer these and many
more questions you may have. This seminar will inform you of some of the best practices and newest tools available when
attempting to identify and overcome the real barriers to persons with disabilities.
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Session 7A (Friday, 1:30pm – 2:45pm) & Session 8A (Friday, 3:15pm – 4:30pm)
“ACCESSIBILTY CHANGES IN THE 2012 OBC part 1”
DOUG WALKER of GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE & AATO FACILITATOR
Presently a Professor at George Brown College in the School of Architectural Studies, Doug has a Masters’ in Education, a
degree in Project Management/Architecture from Ryerson and a diploma in Civil Engineering Technology. Prior to becoming
a college professor, Doug was the Manager, Plan Review and Inspections at the City of East York. Even then he was an
educator, as facilitator for many OBC Ministry courses. Doug applies his wealth of knowledge on the Ontario Building Code
and vast experience in the design and construction industry to provide insightful lectures peppered with stories taken from
real life.
January 1st, 2015 was the start date for a whole host of accessibility revisions to the Ontario Building Code (OBC). This two
part, 2 1/2 hour seminar will discuss the impact of these revisions across all Parts of the OBC. Audible alarms, adult change
tables, panic buttons and other new inclusions will be explained and where they must be now used. This extensive seminar
will prepare architectural technologists, architects, interior designers and other building designers for the new barrier free and
accessibility requirements of the OBC.