The OCOT says ‘Talk to the Hand!’

Mired in controversy since its launch, the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) appears unwilling to respond to questions from its own members.

Is the Ontario College of Trades dodging legitimate questions from its members? According to Dean Kadikoff, he has only received a scripted response from the OCOT to a series of apparently reasonable questions put to them. (see below).

Correct me if I’m wrong, but a member in good standing with any organization deserves a satisfactory response to a question, not mere boilerplate. If a member is unsatisfied with the initial response, there should be an alternative avenue for complaint within that organization for the member to pursue. Finally, if there is still no satisfaction, the member can choose to cancel their membership.

Unfortunately there are no such options with OCOT. In fact, if deemed one of their chosen trades, you are forced into this organization as a so-called ‘member’ whether you like it or not, and cannot leave! You pay whatever fee is demanded, when demanded. Failure to comply results in cancellation of your trade license,and….unemployment. When Kadikoff’s questions fell on deaf ears, he forwarded a complaint to his provincial representative, the Hon Yasir Naqvi, MPP (Liberal, Ottawa Centre), whose current parliamentary roles include: Commissioner, Board of Internal Economy; Government House Leader; Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.Maybe if you are also being ignored by the OCOT, you should write to Yasir Naqvi too at: ynaqvi.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Below are excerpts from Dean Kadikoff’s appeal for answers, as published in the Daily Commercial News:

“As a paying member in good standing with the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) I invite answers to the following questions. I find it hard to comprehend that I cannot get answers to these questions through any direct avenue within the college”

“Is the corporation a public or private corporation?”

“Is the corporation a for-profit or not for-profit corporation?”

“Would the staff at OCOT be considered public service employees or private corporation employees?”

"Are the enforcement officers public government employees or private corporation employees?”

“If the enforcement officers are considered private employees, what legislation allows these enforcement officers the power to perform their duties and actually lay provincial charges and fines”

“Does the membership vote on anything related to the operation, actions or decisions performed by the OCOT”

Are you faced with OCOT issues? Let us know!Read the full story, and reactions, as published in the Daily Commercial News.