NEWS

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) submitted an application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requesting the 3 digit "811" number also be used for the Canadian "Call Before You Dig" program.

La Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) a soumis une demande au Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes (CRTC). Dans sa requête, la CCGA demande à ce que le numéro à trois chiffres « 811 » puisse également être utilisé dans le cadre du programme canadien Appeler avant de creuser.

Click here for the English News Release / Communiqué francaise.

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA) submitted an application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)  today requesting the 3 digit “811” number also be used for the Canadian “Call Before You Dig” program.

In 2007, the 811 number was assigned by the CRTC to tele-health services in Canada to provide non-emergency health expertise over the phone. The CCGA proposes that the 811 number be also used for “Call Before You Dig” to serve public health in the widest sense.

 

The application is a joint effort among all Common Ground Alliance Regional Partners in Canada and was crafted with the support of the Canadian Gas Association and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association.

 

To view the CCGA's application, please click here.

 

For more information about the CCGA and its application, please contact:

 

Mike Sullivan

Chair – Canadian Common Ground Alliance

President – Alberta One-Call

Tel:  403.531.3700

Email: msullivan@canadiancga.com

www.canadiancga.com

 

 

A recent article in the Calgary Herald focuses on mandatory damage prevention legislation in Canada.

L'APISQ was in the news earlier this week in Montreal with a story about the cost of damages to buried utilities and the damage prevention efforts of the Alliance pour la protection des infrastructures souterraines du Québec / Québec CGA and Info-Excavation.

On April 21st, 2011, Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey presented his private member's bill, dubbed the “Call Before You Dig” Act, to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Second Reading Debate. It received all-party support and passed unanimously. Click here to see the news release.

Originally presented to the Assembly on April 13, 2011 the next step will be an in-depth review in one of the Assembly’s standing committees before receiving a final third vote. If passed, the legislation will establish Ontario One Call Ltd. as a not-for-profit call centre, a single point-of-contact for all underground utility location services in Ontario.

Bill 180 - An Act Respecting Ontario One Call

MPP Bailey with Jim Douglas of the Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance and Paul Rietdyk of Union Gas support Bill 180 - Ontario One Call Act, 2011.

Québec: In collaboration with the Québec CGA (l'Alliance pour la protection des infrastructures souterraines du Québec), Transports Québec recognizes "Safe Digging Month" and the awareness of damage prevention best practices / La Canadian Common Ground Alliance a désigné le mois d’avril comme le Mois de l’excavation sécuritaire. Le Ministère, en collaboration avec l’Alliance pour la protection des infrastructures souterraines du Québec (APISQ), se joint à cet évènement de sensibilisation à de meilleures pratiques pour prévenir les dommages aux infrastructures souterraines.

The Suppliers' Area of the Québec Ministry of Transport website further promotes "Safe Digging Month" / La Zone des fournisseurs sensibilise le mois de l'excavation sécuritaire.

The Municipal page of the Québec Ministry of Transport website recognizes "Safe Digging Month" / Le Ministère de Transports Québec reconnaît mois de l'excavation securitaire.

Ontario: On April 13th, this Private Member's Bill was introduced as Bill 180.Press Release - MPP Bob Bailey - 11-04-13 - Ontario One Call.pdf

Also, please note the reference page on the Ontario Legislature website where information about Bill 180 will be posted, including copies of the legislation, links to debates and an update on its current status.

Video of Bob Bailey introducing Bill 180 in Legislature.

“Bob Bailey wants you to call before you dig” April 1st on City TV with ORCGA members.

Manitoba: The Manitoba Common Ground Alliance (MCGA) proclaims April as "Safe Digging Month".

Saskatchewan: The Government of Saskatchewan declares April as Safe Digging Month across the province, in a co-ordinated effort with Sask 1st Call and the Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA) to increase public awareness on the importance of working safely around underground infrastructure.

Alberta: Alberta Proclamation for Safe Digging Month.

British Columbia: The BCCGA's "Safe Digging Month" banner can be seen on many British Columbia websites promoting safe digging month!

Canadian Energy Pipeline Association (CEPA) recognizes Safe Digging Month.

With the generosity of Jeremy Bieber, the Canadian Common Ground Alliance offers this public service announcement to enhance public safety and the integrity of all buried utilities.

One Call costs you nothing. Not calling could cost you everything.

Canadian Senator Rod Zimmer recognized April as Safe Digging Month last week in the Canadian Senate. Attached, you will find the official transcript (English and French) of his speech and a photo of Senator Rod Zimmer and me marking the event. 

Photo - Senator Rod Zimmer and Mike Sullivan.jpg (4MB)  Senate Proclamation.pdf   Proclamation du Sénat.pdf
 
Please fan this information to your respective members, departmental contacts and damage prevention working groups / associations inviting them to circulate further and use the information to help promote Safe Digging Month!  Mike Sullivan

I’m Mike Sullivan and I am the current Chair of the Canadian Common Ground Alliance (CCGA).
 
Since 2003, Regional CGA Partners have emerged and gathered momentum and strength across Canada. And since that time, each of those Regional Partnerships has experienced challenge and tremendous success. In many respects, the cross-Canada growth of the CGA was largely due to the support extended by one Regional Partner to another. As the Regional Partnerships evolved, however, it became clear that a unified voice was necessary to address Canadian damage prevention issues of national interest. With necessity being the ‘mother of invention’, the Canadian Common Ground Alliance was created.

 
In the early years, the CCGA began as an ad-hoc committee comprised of leaders from each Regional Partnership and key stakeholders representing national damage prevention interests – namely, the National Energy Board and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and several industry leaders. Regional Partner leaders from British Columbia, Ontario and Québec played dual roles leading their own Regional Partnerships while also leading the efforts of the CCGA. Under their leadership, the CCGA made steady progress and continued to grow. We identified common strategic goals, engaged more members and additional federal alliances, developed and passed a governance model; and in late 2009, the CCGA successfully held its first election for a Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary. I was honoured to be nominated and elected Chair.
 
The CCGA Executive are volunteer positions elected to a two-year term. Given that we wear these roles as a badge of honour, the desire to make a difference during the short duration of our term is very strong; and personally, I am very excited to have such an opportunity. The way I see it, together with our Regional Partner colleagues, we have an opportunity to influence some of the most important Damage Prevention initiatives experienced in Canada since our first One-call System opened.
 
Our priority - to realize 3 digit / national One-call dialing in Canada. We believe the goal is within reach and achieving it will be an enabler to One-call Legislation. Over the past year, we have been working closely with our partners the Canadian Gas Association, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association and One-Call Systems International as we prepare a submission to the CRTC. Reaching our goal will significantly enhance the integrity of buried utilities and above all, it will save lives.
 
We are also working towards a Regional CGA Partnership in every Province and Territory, and closer to home, we are eagerly anticipating the launch of our website which we hope will become a strong foundation for Canadian damage prevention information and initiatives and a portal to CGA Regional Partners. Thanks to the dedication of our committee, federal champions and growing membership across the country, we are making progress!
 
The CCGA is closely linked with the CGA in the U.S. In fact, Bob Kipp, President of the CGA, has attended every CCGA meeting and has offered us unending support.
 
If your business has an interest in public safety and preventing damage to buried facilities, join your Regional Common Ground Alliance Partnership and become part of the solution.
 

The Canadian Common Ground Alliance Executive is:

 
Mike Sullivan – Chair CCGA (Vice-President, Operational Services, HMA Land Services Ltd.)
Dave Baspaly – Vice-Chair CCGA (Executive Director, British Columbia CGA)
Derrick Saedal – Secretary CCGA (Executive Director, Manitoba CGA)
Jim Douglas – Treasurer CCGA (Executive Director, Ontario Regional CGA)


Article Source: Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance’s magazine