Masonry Magazine March 1975 Page. 18
CMCA Holds
8th Annual
Conference
Labor and management are both going to have to "get the message of restraint" in 1975, if Canada's inflationary spiral is going to be slowed, according to the Hon. William Davis, Premier of Ontario. Speaking to the 8th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association, Premier Davis said that although he isn't satisfied completely with prospects for the coming year, he expects the Canadian economy and construction in particular will maintain a relatively healthy level of growth. "But the days of unfettered, uncontrolled growth are over," Premier Davis told the masonry contractors. "Today 'considered growth' is our plan. We must continue to grow and expand. But all sectors of the economy must see the need to boost individual and group production and efficiency, while showing some belt-tightening restraint." As keynote speaker at the CMCA's major second-day luncheon affair, the Premier was a special attraction to what turned out to be the biggest and best conference yet.
A well-rounded program of speakers, seminars and films kept delegates interested and busy while the ladies were taken up with trips with local celebrities.
Day One was begun with executive and committee meetings, followed by a social gathering of members, many of whom hadn't visited since the year before.
On Day Two, city alderman Joe Piccinnini, a colorful and amusing local politician with many friends in the industry, kicked off the annual meeting with just enough laughter to get delegates awake and attentive. The first main speaker was Canada's foremost nationalist and futurist, John Fisher, president of Fisher Enterprises, Toronto.
Honor Albert A. Vincent
The 1975 Outstanding Achievement Award of the Canadian Masonry Contractors' Association is presented by C.M.C.A. President, R. E. Beaupre (right) of Vancouver, B.C. to Albert A. Vincent, Saint John, New Brunswick, Atlantic Provinces International Representative of the BM&PIU, during the recent 8th Annual Conference. In making the presentation Beaupre praised Mr. Vincent's efforts on behalf of the entire Masonry Industry and particularly his organization of the Atlantic Trowel Trades Fair. The fair held last year in St. John's attracted close to 3,000 people.
Mr. Fisher encouraged a national approach for the industry, and called for harmony among the often divisive factions across the country.
E. V. Munroe, coordinator, environmental systems of St. Lawrence Cement Co., Toronto, explored the technical aspects of mortars and assemblages. He was followed by John Bickley, vice president and general manager of Construction Testing Services, Toronto, who described the ins and outs of inspection requirements on engineered masonry projects.
Morning sessions the second day were wound up by Don Grey, Lab Supervisor for General Concrete of Canada Ltd., who outlined the technicalities of bidding correctly for concrete block jobs.
Afternoon sessions began when Derek Cooper of Cooper Associates, consulting engineers, spoke on load bearing masonry. With years of experience and expertise, Mr. Cooper's illustrated talk was informative and stimulating.
Leonard J. Rubin, marketing manager, Canada Brick Co., Streetsville, Ont., took up Mr. Cooper's torch and carried it even further with a meticulously researched and colorful one-hour slide-and-talk show tracing the history of masonry from its earliest beginnings to present day. "Sell the dream of masonry" was his message, illustrated by gorgeous examples of artistic and exciting masonry projects which would be impossible with any other medium.
Day Three featured a panel discussion on the question of the necessity of apprenticeship training. Delegates were drawn into some heated dialogue by expert panelists Don Williams, Canadian V-P B.M. & P.I.U. of A., Santo Martini and Henderson Hope, two vice-principals of a Toronto collegiate institute and CMCA's apprenticeship study researchers; Douglas McLaren, a former mason and now chairman, Architectural Trades Division, George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology; and from Canada's West Coast, Jack Andrews, apprentice coordi (Continued on page 25)