GCAO Fall 2025 Newsletter

Hello GCAO members, 

I hope everyone had a great summer at both work and play. 

Recent News and GCAO Activities 

• Sadly, we report the passing of our 2004 President, Tom DeMarco at age 73, August 20, 2025. Tom spent many years with Ruiter Construction before starting his own firm, DeMarco Construction in 2010. 
• Our annual golf tournament was an outstanding success with 100 golfers on a beautiful day at Loch March. Through the special games played at three different holes, $1000 was raised for the Ottawa Food Bank. Congratulations to all our game winners and to Chantal Regimbald who was presented with her Integrity and Ethics Award plaque at the luncheon. Thanks again to our generous sponsors, Masters Insurance and CMiC Global. 
• Board members represented the GCAO at City of Ottawa liaison meetings July 3 and September 24. Next meeting is December 17, 2025. 
• Membership certificate stickers were mailed out to paid up members for ’24 and ’25 in October. 

Membership and Board of Directors Update 

• Three members have left the Association since the last newsletter, Robert Construction, Govan Brown and Sitecast. 
• Due to an employment change, Director Bared Mirican stepped down from the Board. We thank Bared for his service and wish him all the best in his new role! 
• We are currently welcoming applications for a new Director – please see the website for nomination requirements and process. 

Tendering Practices 

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

• Working with OCA to respond to the City request for comment on their intent to make COR or equivalent mandatory for all contracts greater than $100,000, general or subcontract by January 1, 2027. The City has provided the Liaison committee with contract award data for the last 3 years. This will affect the NCHCA far more than us. 
• Lobbied the CEPEO with the OCA regarding their unreasonable prequalification process and other general conditions. Some considerable success. 
• Lobbied OCH regarding the elimination of several high-risk supplemental conditions on the Somerset Redevelopment project, again some success. 
• Will meet with City Liaison Committee December 17 to review a presentation by the City regarding their portal for building permit applications and building inspections. 

2026 GCAO Award Nominations 

Award nominations are now open! 

Intent to Submit Forms for the 2026 Integrity & Ethics Award and the 2026 GCAO Project Award in the Value Over $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. 

2026 Annual General Meeting 

Please save the date of February 3, 2026 for our Annual General Meeting, to be held at the Ottawa Construction Association. At this meeting we will elect a new Board and ratify the revisions to our policy statement and bylaws which you will find on the website under info / governance in final draft format. 

Just a reminder that the following are your 2025 Board members who volunteer their time and expertise to fight for fair tendering practices for our industry. 

• Jarret Brown - Past President 
• Chris Markell- President 
• Dan Carley - 1st Vice President & Tendering Practices 
• Leigh Fuller - 2nd Vice President & Treasurer 
• Steve Donley - IT & Website 
• Bared Mirican – Communications (resigned October 2025) 
• Derek Noppe - Entertainment 
• Karl McIntyre – Secretary 

Wishing all our members a safe and happy holiday season – see you at the AGM! Yours truly, 

Chris Markell P.Eng., P.GSC 
President