Achievements

The CDDA has successfully tackled many bureaucratic and political issues over the past half century: federal and provincial taxation laws, changes to the Mining Labor Acts, flow-through shares, inflation, environmental policies, and compensation rates. Many issues have repeated themselves over the years, but the Association continually strives to strengthen its lobbying position for the betterment of our industry. We do this with the consent of other organizations and agencies that have interests similar to ours, in the belief that a collective voice can carry much more weight than a single cry in the dark.

 

Our successes more than compensate for the occasional frustration. We have seen the reduction or elimination of onerous taxes and surcharges. We established a Driller's Training Program and implemented industry-wide environmental guidelines. We have worked directly with governmental agencies to introduce a Common Core Training Program and a Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. We have produced manuals, guides, and policies, submitted briefs to governments, and lobbied for the best interests of the industry. We have gained concessions on such things as compensation rate stabilization, assessment adjustments, and fair benefit payouts for our workers. We have standardized diamond drilling equipment and published a related information manual which is available in both metric and imperial measuring systems. We have set up advisory committees to deal with specific industry concerns and, along the way, we have built a solid reputation among the international drilling community for our foresight and fortitude.

 

Most recently, we have been searching out new ways to reduce noise and vibration on existing drill rigs. We have commissioned studies to determine how to best protect our workers from hydraulic pinhole leak injuries, and we have undertaken an ergonomic study which proved conclusively that there is no relationship between the industry's work methods and such syndromes as Carpal Tunnel, Tendinitis, and White Finger.

 

Our North Bay headquarters has certain data that can be accessed by any member. CDDA provides information on new or upcoming regulations that affect our membership, and describe Association work of interest to the industry. Indeed, we have come a long way since our modest beginnings just over 69 years ago… and we intend to go further. Hopefully, the coming years will provide ample opportunity for the CDDA to prove its continued dedication to the furtherance of the Canadian diamond drilling industry.