2017 marked Canada’s 150th birthday and as such, this year’s conference organizers couldn’t think of a better gathering place for our annual conference than our Nation’s capital. When you think about it, Canada’s story is our story. From the buildings, to the infrastructure to the expansion of our cities and towns – as Canada grows, so too does our industry. Enjoy these photographs from OSSGA’s 61st Conference and AGM – and remember to register early for next year!

Held on December 9th at the Whistle Bear Golf Club, the WWB Regional Committee was proud to host MNRF Minister McGarry as well as Mayor Sue Foxton, MPP Catherine Fife, Councillors Sean Strikland and Karl Kiefer. The event was hosted by Co-Chairs George Lourenco and David Hanratty. Norm Cheesman, OSSGA's Executive Director also provided opening remarks.

OSSGA and more than 50 MOECC staff had a rockin' good time at a tour held in the Niagara Region on May 31st. The tour took place on a particularly hot and dry day – providing the opportunity for ministry staff to experience dust mitigation activities at their best. The tour visited Walker Aggregate's Vineland Quarries where visitors were provided a guided tour, and also treated to a blast. Many commented that the ‘event' was not as impactful as they had imagined and were surprised at how quickly the dust dissipated. Next the group visited Lafarge Canada's Fonthill Pit to learn about a sand and gravel operation. Everyone was able to ‘see and hear' the screening and washing plants and interested visitors were also provided a detailed explanation of the of water management system. Many thanks to our hosts at Walker Aggregates and Lafarge for their incredible hospitality!

OSSGA held its Annual Conference & AGM at the Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls from February 24-26. The theme for this year was Rockstock: Taking Stock of our Industry. All three days were packed with great speakers, informative presentations, fabulous entertainment, and some time to unwind.

OSSGA's 2015 BC Technical Tour wrapped up in mid-October. This action packed trip included stops at a Kal Tire OTR plant which services tires of almost every size, Lafarge Kamloops, Weyerhaeuser sawmill, Copper Mountain Mining, Mainland Sand and Gravel, Pitt River Quarry and the Britannia Mine Museum. Not to mention fishing on the Fraser River! Check out these preliminary pics and then come back in a couple of weeks when we'll have the full highlights available. Rumour has it that one of our attendees caught an 8 foot sturgeon (wait, maybe that was the one that got away...)

Tecia White of Whitewater Hydrogeology Ltd. and Chris Roote, Superintendent at Nelson Aggregate Co.'s Uhthoff Quarry gave a tour of the quarry to a group of environmental science students from Georgian College on September 19th. The purpose of the tour was to provide the students with an introduction to the aggregate industry and more specifically to an active quarry. Tecia and Chris showed the students the site stratigraphy and soil development. They highlighted water management including the hydrological and hydrogeological aspects touching on the environmental compliance approvals and permit to take water requirements for the site. Students also learned about the rehabilitated areas of the quarry. An OSSGA staff person was also on hand to provide students with some basic industry facts. This tour was a follow-up to a conference the students have attended as part of Mining Matters' education and outreach programming. Funding for the tour was provided to Georgian College by Mining Matters.

OSSGA's 2015 Operations Tour featured five outstanding sites: Harold Sutherland Construction, Keppel Quarry; Breaker Technology, Masaba Canada, Miller Group / E.C. King Contracting, Sydenham Quarry and Maxwell Stone. The tour, held each fall, provides participants with the opportunity to experience an up-close and personal look at some of the tricks of the trade. CLICK PLAY to view a slide show of each of the events. Special thanks to our sponsors! It can't happen without you: Kal Tire, Masaba Canada, Breaker Technology Limited, Benshaw Canada, Toromont CAT, Maxwell Stone, Amaco Construction Equipment

This tour was designed specifically for members of the Technical Support Section -- Water Units and Approval Services from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to see first-hand, large scale aggregate operations as they pertain to water management. The sites on the tour were the Holcim Milton Quarry and James Dick Construction's Caledon Sand & Gravel pit.

Rehabilitating aggregate sites to productive agricultural was the theme of this year's OSSGA Rehabilitation Tour. The Tour visited Bruce County to look at some of the nearly 40 sites in that area that have been rehabilitated to agricultural use. Other features of the Tour included drone demonstrations as well as a soil testing demonstration.

February 25-27, 2015 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel

January 23-24, 2013 Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel