EMC GTA Consortiums – 2020 Year End Review
“Hot spot”, “lockdown” – these are probably some of the most widely heard phrases among manufacturers in the GTA over the past several months. With its high population density, along with having a large number of employers considered as essential services, manufacturers in the GTA region have to deal with unique challenges that create heightened concern for the safety of their employees, both inside and outside of the workplace. As we continue to weather the second wave of the pandemic, ensuring worker safety continues to be of paramount importance to manufacturers.
Since March, we at EMC have done our best to provide regular communications about COVID directives from various Ministries, as well as updates regarding government supports available for businesses. During a time when local public health guidelines prohibit in-person gatherings and non-essential visits, we are thankful for technology that enabled virtual meetings and visits through Teams or Zoom! Our events this year were varied and on-point, with webinar topics such as employment law, COVID & WSIB, continuous improvement, corporate social responsibility (very timely given the shift to individual producer responsibility in 2021). We also had some SIG events and local Member Needs Help information-exchanges that allowed members from across the GTA (and beyond) to gather and share experiences, ideas and best-practices on a wide range of topics, including sourcing of PPE, COVID-screening methods, enforcement of protocols, and pandemic-related pay policies.
As 2020 draws to a close, I want to thank all the members who have actively engaged in our sessions and shared your experiences and best practices with others during these “unprecedented times”. I may not have the answers for all the questions that come up, but seeing members raise up their hand to answer others’ questions and being able to facilitate that information-exchange is what makes my work feel truly rewarding.
I also want to extend my sincerest thanks to: our members who hosted our in-person or virtual sessions this year -- Saand, Lynch Fluid Controls, and Tayco; our many guest speakers, and our community partners for engaging in our activities.
I look forward to meeting with you (virtually for now, or in-person hopefully soon) and servicing your needs in 2021! Stay safe, and I wish everyone my best for the holiday season!
Leah Nacua
EMC – Toronto & GTA Consortiums