March 2020
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Member Meeting's a success!

Dr. Goodarzi presented in both Edmonton and Calgary about Radon. He gave us a lot of facts about how it causes cancer, and how as homeowners and contractors we can do our part to prevent exposure.

Your assistance is needed in collecting data to help them get an understanding of how home construction features may be contributing to the Canada's radon problem. Specifically, one area Dr.Goodarzi addressed with you concerns hanging furnaces.
We want to once again encourage your participation by answering a few simple questions at each location you visit. 

In order for the survey results to be meaningful the survey should be completed at all locations regardless of whether a hanging furnace is identified. The survey only takes a minute to complete, contains no information that can identify your clients or their homes. Your participation is essential in order to gain a broad a nd statistically significant understanding of the problem for their research.

Thank you  
MCA Conference Registration is open!

Your registration includes:

  • Thursday and Friday Reconnect Receptions followed by Dinner
  • Breakfast Friday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Keynote and Business speakers
  • President’s Dinner and Reception: Dress for 60’s Themed Night
  • Comedic impressions of emcee Gery Schubert
  • DJ & Music Video Entertainment
  • The future of work and Economic Update
  • Your chance to win MCA’s Amazing race
  • MCA Alberta’s AGM
  • Hiking to Maligne Canyon (overlaps with Golf)
Add to your registration
  • Golf at the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Course (overlaps with hike)

Click Agenda for more information

Register for conference online now

Book your hotel room now

*Even if you are unsure about conference attendance booking your room is vital. You can cancel room booking within 72 hours*
1st All Trades Symposium

J oin the Alberta Trade Contractors Coalition for our first ever All-Trades Symposium
Presentations on issues Trade Contractors need to know about:
  • Prompt Payment
  • Dispute Adjudication
  • Onerous contract clauses
  • Market disruptors in financial pre-qualifications
  • Employment and termination protocols to protect your business

Full agenda click here

Register online here
Medical Gas Installation Training

NAIT has completed a blended delivery of the Medi Gas Installation training. This blended course includes 32 hours of theory delivered online and 4 hours of practical lab delivered face-to-face on NAIT campus.
This course is a prerequisite to write the CSA Medical Gas Piping Installer exam with CSA.
We can organize an MCA class and would need 12 student to run with NAIT.

Please contact Lisa 403 250 7237 if you have interest.
SAVE THE DATE
April 29: All Trades Symposium in Red Deer More info here
May 6 & 7: Skills Canada Provincial Competitions in Edmonton . Call the office if you would like to volunteer.
May 20, 2020: Lobsterfest in Calgary More information here
May 22: MCA/CIPH Sturgeon Valley Golf Tournament in Edmonton . Register here
June 4-7, 2020 MCA Conference Jasper Park Lodge. Book your room here Register here
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Did you know the the Alberta Government will contribute up to two-thirds of the cost to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year?
If hiring and training an unemployed Albertan, up to 100% of training costs could be covered, up to $15,000 per trainee.
Find out how here
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Mar 11: Intro to Blueprint Reading Course in Calgary . Register here
Mar 13: Field Scheduling course in Edmonton. Register here
Mar 18: Quality Management course in Calgary. Register here
Mar 18: Performance Management & Progressive Discipline seminar in Edmonton . Register here
March 18: SyncFURNACE: Combination furnace + tankless water heating Technical Training in Calgary. Register now
Mar 20: Field Productivity course in Edmonton . Register here
Mar 24: Consistent Sales Success seminar in Calgary. Register here
Mar 25: Change Order Management course in Calgary. Register here
Mar 25: Low Voltage Arc Flash & Shock Hazards course in Edmonton . Register here
April 8: Becoming a Trusted Advisor course in Calgary. Register here
April 8: Boiler Maintenance & Cleaning Technical Training in Calgary. Register now
April 9: Low Voltage Arc Flash & Shock Hazards course in Edmonton . Register here
April 20 & 21: Construction Estimating course in Edmonton. Register now
April 22: Orientation & On boarding seminar in Edmonton. Register now
April 27 & 28 Construction Estimating course in Calgary. Register now
April 29: All Trades Symposium in Red Deer. Register here
April 29: Packaged Cooling with Heating (CTRAC and DMJ Controllers) Technical Training in Calgary. Register here
All May events can be found here

Please visit our events   calendar   for a full listing of education courses happening in 2020.
INDUSTRY NEWS
World Plumbing Day- March 11

 Established by the World Plumbing Council in 2010, the day is now a fixture on the calendars around the globe.
In honour of the tradespeople who keep our hot water running and our toilets flushing, the HPAC team has put together a quick history lesson on this essential service.
Read full article here
.
City of Calgary gets shout-out for having superior wastewater treatment protocols!
Mark Mattson, president of Swim Drink Fish Canada said there are some municipalities doing better than the standards and being transparent about their remaining problems. Calgary, he said, has such good wastewater treatment the Bow River “is as pure leaving the city as when it comes in.”
See full article here
STANDATA Update

 Building and Fire STANDATA Update

The following Building and Fire, Plumbing and Gas STANDATA are now available on the Alberta.ca website. Follow the links below to view or print copies.
19-BCV-014 12-storey encapsulated mass timber construction
19-FCV-019 12-storey encapsulated mass timber construction
19-BCB-003 Radon/Soil Gas Pipe Labeling
19-BCI-011 Hydronic Heating Systems
19-BCI-012 Mechanically Vented Appliances
19-BCI-013 Soil Gas Vent Termination
19-BCI-014 Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression System Verification and Testing Certificates
19-BCI-015 Construction Site Fire Safety Plans
19-BCI-016 Sprinkler Systems with Antifreeze Solutions
19-FCB-004 Removal of Standpipe Hoses in Sprinklered Building
19-FCV-018 Construction Site Fire Safety Plans
19-FCV-020 Sprinkler Systems with Antifreeze Solutions
P-20-01-NPC15 Hydronic Heating Systems
P-20-03-NPC15 Radon/Soil Gas Pipe Labeling
G-01-20-B149.1 Mechanically Vented Appliances
 
To view all Building STANDATA click here.
To view all Fire STANDATA click here .
To view all Plumbing STANDATA click here .
To view all Gas STANDATA click here .
New Building Permits & Inspections Dashboard
The City has launched a new online dashboard that lets applicants see when building permit applications will be assigned for review and when requests for building and trade discipline inspections will be scheduled.  For all information click here

  “The dashboard is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to make permit information more accessible and improve the experience for homeowners, builders and contractors when interacting with the City’s permitting process ,” says Chad Rich, General Supervisor of Safety Codes and Inspections.
SAFETY
How WCB claims affect your premiums

As an employer, the premiums you pay help fund the workers' compensation system, protecting you and your workers against the impacts of workplace accidents and injuries.
Most of the claims we process are no-time-lost claims. No time lost means your injured worker gets back to regular duties without losing time beyond the day of the injury. This includes when your worker is on modified work but still doesn’t miss any time from work after an injury. Find out how these claims affect the premiums you pay depending if you are a small or large business owner.

Respiratory Viruses

Respiratory viruses, including influenza and coronaviruses, can cause common colds, seasonal flu and public health outbreaks. This bulletin gives employers, supervisors and workers information about controlling respiratory virus hazards in the workplace. 

Read full document here
Check out our Member Discount Programs
today! Click HERE
HEALTH & BENEFITS
Hour Bank Group Insurance – MCA Employee Benefit Plan
MCA Alberta is pleased to offer hour bank group insurance to our members through our MCA Employee Benefit Plan.

C overage includes: Life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, disability insurance, health care (including eye exam, prescription drug and paramedical services coverage), travel insurance and dental care.

For more information or a free, no obligation proposal for a plan that will best suit your company, please contact Vicky at 403-250-7237 or Vicky@mca-ab.com
Homewood Health TM EFAP is pleased to release the March 2020 edition of our Life Lines newsletter, “Surviving Grief
Click here to continue reading.

Also attached is the facts and general information on Coronavirus .
Member and Family Assistance Program
Bring info home today!
Did you know that if you are covered by MCA insurance you have access to Member and Family Assistance Program (MFAP)? With this program you have advice, counselling, and coaching 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, internet or in person. All calls are confidential and private. These services apply to your whole family- spouses and youth!
Please read more here and print off for your break rooms.
FEATURED DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Legal Shield has a plan for you
John Schrempf will be contacting members this month to introduce the 3 different levels of small business plans offered to MCA members.

Read flat sheet here or view online here
HR CORNER
Did you know that we offer HR seminars in Calgary and Edmonton? Register yourself or a team member for the following:

March 18: Performance Management & Progressive Discipline seminar in Edmonton. Register here
April 22: Orientation & On boarding seminar in Edmonton . Register here
May 20: On-boarding New Employees seminar in Calgary . Register here
We also have some e-learning for those who would prefer to learn online. Contact Lisa to find out how to access these courses. Reasonable suspicion training for Supervisors, Cannabis Rights & Responsibilities,Drug & Alcohol Awareness Training.