April 23,2020
ASSOCIATION NEWS
MCA Alberta launches new Website

After overcoming a few technical roadblocks, MCA is excited to launch our new website. It has been upgraded with new features to improve your user experience and make your participation easier. Click here to visit now. You will now be able to pay online for all events and education with a credit card, which allows you to receive immediate confirmation receipts and tickets. You can also sign up for our newsletter and look through our photo gallery to check out past MCA events.
 
If you have any questions or need help navigating, please let us know.



MCA   Health and Safety Guidelines for Mechanical Contractors

T his Guidance Document outlines the recommended best practices for mechanical contractors to maintain the health and safety of their workers, and other individuals who may be impacted by their work, while performing their necessary duties during the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the only trade specific set of guidelines, MCA Alberta encourages its members to refer to this set of guidelines as they engage with all aspects of the construction industry.

Thank you MCA Canada for spearheading the development of this document. 


Access full guidelines document    here


SHARED RESOURCES

Liquidated damages in new tenders
MCA has received numerous inquires over the past weeks regarding the inclusion of contract language in new tenders that can address the risk associated with unexpected delays. This schedule was developed by the City of Winnipeg and provides a straightforward, simple language contractors should be looking for going forward.
Please note this does not replace legal advice.
Read here

Surety Industry Approach to COVID-19 Risks  

ATCC was involved in the planning of a webinar with a brief and high-level review of the surety system: what it does and doesn’t do, how it differs from insurance, and how the issues raised by governments’ responses to COVID-19 may affect bonding and bonded contractors. The session addressed the many issues being experienced by contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.  Here are the PDF copies of the slides.

Insurance Coverage Project Shutdown checklist

This checklist and Link created by Aon may be helpful for members as you communicate with your own insurance and bonding agents during these times.

5 Step framework for small Businesses

Amber Mac shared some great insights on relentless adaptation at a recent webinar and provided with us this 5 step framework for small businesses. Simple message and easy to use and share with your teams.

Click PDF here
GOVERNMENT UPDATES
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

When you apply for the Canada Employment Wage Subsidy (CEWS), you will be asked to enter amounts such as the number of eligible employees and gross payroll. To get ready, you can determine these amounts and preview your subsidy claim now, based on information you enter. The calculator is a tool to help you estimate the amount of your wage subsidy. Click here to calculate your subsidy amount.
Before you calculate your subsidy, make sure you are eligible to apply .
Applications for the CEWS will open on April 27, 2020. Employers may apply using the CRA’s My Business Account or a separate online application form.


Canada Emergency Business Account

The Canada Emergency Business Account provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses and not-for-profits to help cover operating costs during periods when revenues have been temporarily reduced.

  • To qualify, organization must demonstrate they paid between $20,000 to $1.5 million in total payroll in 2019.
  • Business owners can apply through their banks and credit unions

For more information click here

Small Business Advice from Government

Stay up to date on all support for businesses including tax advice, payment deferrals, utility deferrals and all federal government programs here

Wellness Together Canada

The federal government launched a program called Wellness Together Canada (wellnesstogether.ca) to provide mental health and substance use support to all Canadians suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus crisis. W ellness Together Canada provides an online portal that allows Canadians to access self-assessments, self-directed e-mental health tools, peer support and live counselling by telephone, video and text. Homewood Health, Kids Help Phone and more. To sign up click here

LEGAL ADVICE





Working from Home: Key Considerations for Managing a Remote Workforce

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employers have found themselves navigating the challenges involved in managing a remote workforce. Prior to COVID-19, many employers did not regularly experience situations where the majority or entirety of their workforce worked remotely. 
COVID-19 has now resulted in employers across Canada dealing with these issues and arrangements for the first time. In this article we identify key issues considerations and best practices which employers should be aware of as they transition to remote working arrangements, and offer guidance to addressing those issues, and mitigating risk, through the implementation of a comprehensive working from home/telecommuting policy. 

Read full article here


FAQ’s: COVID-19 and the Workplace – Updated April 1 6/20

Mathews Dinsdale provides general guidance to employers in dealing with the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the workplace.   

Read full FAQ's here
EDUCATION & TRAINING
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
MCA Alberta has decided to pivot to online training for immediate future. As such, you can now upgrade your knowledge and skills by engaging in live webinars, self paced online learning and Instructor led online learning.

April 27- Live Webinar - Construction contracts part 2 with Dan Leduc part 2. Register here
April 28- Instructor led Online Training - CCA Subcontracts 101- Register here
April 30- Live Webinar Technology Selection 101. Register here

May 5- Live Webinar - TACO  Steep Curves, Flat Curves, Variable Curves. Register here
May 6- Live Webinar Business Value of BIM. Register here
May 13- Live Webinar- Recharge Revenue Generation through your Field Technicians. Register here
May 14- Instructor led Online Training- Getting Paid & Managing Cash flow.
Register here
May 26- Instructor led Online Training - Field Productivity 101 . Register here


If you are looking at  E-learning   MCA is proud to partner with BuildForce Canada and their E-Learning Centre to offer its members access to first-class online courses. Courses are self-guided instruction , allowing members to take the training at a place and time that suits them best. Courses available are:

 Construction Project Management - Course outline here .
Construction Law- Course outline here .
Communication, Negotiation & Conflict Resolution- Course outline here .
Intro to Estimating- Course outline here .
Intro to BIM- Course outline here .
Construction Industry Ethics - Course outline here .

Call 403 250 7237 with further questions or to register.

If there is a topic that you would find helpful please contact Lisa@mca-ab.com
CITY UPDATES
Province resets clock on development appeal periods
On Apr.17, The Government of Alberta signed a new Ministerial Order which rescinded the Order signed on Mar. 31. The original order caused unintentional permit delays and affected appeal deadlines for development permit and subdivision applications , as well as unintentionally delayed construction of those developments.
Read full article here
COVID-19 Related Service Changes

Inspections
To protect the health and safety of our staff and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’ve made the below changes to our development, building and trade permit inspection processes.
Building and trade permit inspections can be scheduled online using self serve accounts or by calling 311. Development permit inspections can be requested by emailing developmentpermitinspections@edmonton.ca

Permit Application Processing
Applicants are encouraged to apply for permits and licences online at edmonton.ca/permits , where most applications are available. Where applications are not available online, please use the contact methods provided on the website or call 311 for assistance.
Please check the online dashboard for current building permit intake processing time estimates. For development permit application processing times, call 311 or 780-442-5311 (outside Edmonton).
Update (April 20, 2020

SAFETY
COR Changes

Alberta Labour and Immigration, Certifying Partners (CPs) and the WCB have made significant temporary changes to the COR program. This will help Alberta employers maintain their CORs and auditors maintain auditor certification status during the pandemic.

Summary of temporary measures include:
  • Audits are simplified and limited to documentation-only from March 17 to December 31, 2020
  • Employers who are certified with this process will receive a one-year COR, and remain eligible for WCB PIR refunds
  • CPs may use their own staff auditors to conduct documentation-only COR certification and maintenance audits to assist employers
  •  CPs are authorized to grant 90-day extensions to member employers for CORs that expire between March 17 and June 30
  • The requirement for employers in the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) program to keep a SECOR trained employee on staff is waived until December 31
  • CPs will conduct auditor training via live webinars
  • The number of completed audits required to maintain auditor certification is reduced from two to one
  • CPs may extend auditor certification expiry dates to December 31

For more information contact your Certifying Partner

Companies selling hand sanitizer (Health Canada and FDA approved)

Chemfax see flyer here

Minhas Brewery has new sanitizer information found here

Expiring Cross Connection Certifications :

For members with service techs who may have expiring cross connections certifications, both the AWWA and EPCOR have realized it is impossible for service techs to re-certify tickets during this time. As such, a work around has been developed in each city.
Please click  here for more information.
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 May 2020 edition of our Vitality newsletter, “Cannabis in the Workplace”.

Click here to read full article
Check out our Member Discount Programs
today! Click HERE
HR CORNER
We’re in challenging times, with the overall marketplace changing daily due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. One thing remains the same, however: 
Taking care of you is our top priority .

Mental Health programs and services
Now more than ever it is key to keep communication open and honest with your employees. Metal health issues are bound to spike during these unprecedented times. Make sure your employees know where to get the help they need.

Homewood Health  for members covered by equitable can visit h omewoodhealth.com
Homewood has this n ewsletter  on Managing Stress & anxiety.

HeadsUpGuys i s a depression resource that provides guys with information and practical tips to manage and prevent depression in men. HeadsUpGuys is a depression resource that provides guys with information and practical tips to manage and prevent depression in men.
Click  here  for more info.

Well-being Wednesdays 
Weekly Well-being Wednesdays Facebook Live sessions from our LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell Facebook page. Well-being Wednesdays sessions will run for 30 minutes in both English and French and focus on one of the four pillars of well-being: Mental, Physical, Social, and Financial. All you need to join us live for Well-being Wednesdays is to visit the LifeWorks Facebook page .