2026 Fall Newsletter

Hello GCAO members,

Hope everyone had a great summer and is ready for winter. The season when every project team becomes part builder, part meteorologist, and part miracle worker. Let's have a safe and successful winter season.

Recent News and GCAO Activities

• The rain held off for our annual Golf tournament this year which was a huge success raising $1500 for the Ottawa food bank.  Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the GCAO and the Ottawa food bank.  Congratulations to the winners of the day…
  • Winning foursome was Graebeck Construction
  • Chipping game winners Andy Brown, Robert Reid and Robert Lavasseur
  • Cornhole winner Matt Baranowski
  • 50/50 winner Stephanie O'Connell

     Thanks again to our lunch sponsor, Masters Insurance and longest drive sponsor CMiC.

• Stay tuned for information regarding a Panel Discussion planned for  November 5th at the OCA on Hiring Contractors/Construction Managers hosted by the GCAO and moderated by our own Leigh Fuller.

Membership and Board of Directors Update

• Our President, Dan Carley has had an unfortunate serious accident and will be away from work for the foreseeable future. We all send our best wishes to him to have a full recovery. Leigh will be taking over Dan's duties for GCAO.
• Please welcome Stewart Watson Construction Management as a new member since our last newsletter.
• We are currently welcoming applications for a new Director for 2027– please see the website for nomination requirements and process.  Note the last day applications will be accepted is December 18th, 2026.

Tendering Practices

Our tender practices team has been busy on your behalf on the following issues:

• In August, the GCAO was able to successfully advocate for our members bidding the Town of Perth.  The bid originally called for subtrade names and schedule to be submitted at the time of tender closing.  The town agreed to our request to have this submitted the following day.
• Tender practices committee was also successful in August with the Town of Smiths Falls in having supplementary information being submitted the day after closing.
• Our City Liaison Team  last met with the City on June  25th. Meeting notes from that meeting have been circulated to members. The City has since confirmed that as of October 1st, 2026 that the COR requirement has dropped  to $2M . The City will still make exceptions for smaller projects they believe will have safety challenges.
• "Buy Ontario" is still being sorted out by the City and others. Next liaison meeting should provide an update.

• We have presented our concerns on the supplementary conditions provided by TOH on a recent tender. We expect a meeting with TOH procurement in the near future.

2027 GCAO Awards

Award nominations are now open!

Intent to Submit Forms for the 2027 Integrity & Ethics Award, 2027 Don Chutter Meritorious Achievement Award and the 2027 GCAO Project Award in the Value Under $30M category will be accepted until December 31st. See the website for details on Intent to Submit forms, nomination requirements and submission requirements. We look forward to showcasing the people and work of our members.

2027 Annual General Meeting

Please save the date of February 3rd, 2027 for our Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Ottawa Construction Association. At this meeting we will elect a new Board and hear from members about new or continuing concerns. We are looking for a guest speaker with a relevant topic like AI.

Just a reminder that the following are your 2026 Board members who volunteer their time and expertise to fight for fair tendering practices for our industry.

• Richard Moore - Executive Director
• Chris Markell - Past President
• Dan Carley - President
• Leigh Fuller - 1st Vice President & Tendering Practices
• Steve Donley - 2nd Vice President & Treasurer
• Derek Noppe - IT & Website
• Karl McIntyre - Entertainment
• Curtis West – Communications
• Tim Stewart – Secretary

Have a great fall season as you prepare for the winter ahead – see you at the AGM