MCA Western Provinces presents
a conversation with
CEO Whisperer
Cameron Herold who
has coached hundreds of companies through exponential growth – and many of those during times of uncertainty. Save the date for
Thursday April 2
, 2020 at 9:45 AM MST.
More information and registration can be 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.
MCA Alberta is here to help you with any issues you come across in these uncertain times. Please let us know if you need anything.
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ASSOCIATION SHARED RESOURCES
"We are stronger together"
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MCA Alberta wrote Jason Kenny today
On behalf of members with the message we remain supportive of the measures taken to date to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of all Canadians remains paramount to our membership. We are asking the provincial government to present a united message with respect to the mechanical contracting industry. Read full letter and requests
here
MCA Canada and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating have written a letter to federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair requesting that the supply chains that service the groups' members remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACA requests Release of Holdbacks continue
ACA urges the Government of Alberta to proceed cautiously and consult with industry stakeholders before introducing a decision similar to that of the Ontario Government.
See full letter
here
. See financial analysis
here
Financing of construction supplies that cannot be invoiced
ACA is asking for Provincial Government support. A potential significant financial burden exists for trade contractors and suppliers for materials purchased and enroute to project installation that cannot yet be billed should the project be delayed or worse, cancelled due to COVID-19.
Request for Exemption
–
Industrial Work Camps
The Office of CMOH has received requests asking that industrial work camp operators be exempt from all or portions of the Order.
Pursuant to Section 13 of the Order Deena Hinshaw is satisfied that an exemption be granted from the Order. Read full letter
here
to find out full conditions.
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Federal Government Provides New Details of 75% Wage Subsidy
The Federal Government increased the 10% wage subsidy for small and medium-sized businesses adversely affected by COVID-19 to a 75% wage subsidy for qualifying businesses. The announced subsidy is intended to be backdated to March 15, 2020.
Eligible businesses – now including non-profits, charities as well as large and small companies – whose revenues have decreased by at least 30% due to COVID-19 will apparently qualify for the subsidy.
The subsidy will cover up to 75% of wages on the first $58,700 that an employee earns, up to a maximum of $847 a week.
Additional specifics of the temporary wage subsidy program and the application process are still pending, and further details will be provided as they become available.
For all updates and ways the government is helping business click
here
Federal Tax Response to COVID-19
CRA also announced additional extensions to income tax filings that specifically fall under the Income Tax Act:
•Unless specifically excluded, any tax filings that are due after March 18, 2020 now have a deadline of June 1,2020. These include the filing of tax and information returns, elections, designations, and responses to information requests. Payroll deductions remittances and all related activities are excluded (except to the extent they relate to the reduction of remittances related to the Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers).
Please note that this measure does not apply to certain investment tax credit provisions .
See full tax update from MNP
here
MNP is a leading national accounting, tax and business consulting firm in Canada.
Alberta Orders Non-Essential Businesses to Close & Further Restricts Group Gatherings
On March 27, 2020, Premier Kenney, along with Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer (“CMO”) of Health, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses, effective immediately. The full detailed list of all essential services in Alberta can be found
here
. Businesses and services deemed essential by the Alberta Government can continue to operate, provided they continue risk mitigation strategies such as sanitation stations and appropriate distancing between customers.
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The City of Calgary
is changing the development, building and trade inspections process, as well as development applications, as a public safety measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the current emergency situation, Calgary Building Services is finding new ways to support inspections.
Commercial & Multi-family
I
nspections will continue for commercial and multi-family sites, provided the appropriate COVID-19 screening safeguards are in place upon arrival at the site.
Occupied Residential Inspections.
Residential
The City has launched a video inspection service using Google Duo for occupied residential inspections. Video inspections are one way to enhance the safety of both home occupants and city inspectors. When a customer books their inspection through 311, our inspectors will walk them through the video inspection process. The homeowner may need a flashlight, tape measure and multi-bit tool available to complete the video-enabled inspection.
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Service adjustments
Effective Tuesday, March 24, the Edmonton Service Centre on the 2nd Floor of the Edmonton Tower is closed to in-person services. Please reference the below accordions for up-to-date COVID-19 related service adjustments for development, permit, licensing, and construction and inspection services.
Building Permit Application and Inspection Processing Times
Processing time estimates apply only to Building Permit applications and inspections. For Development Permit application processing times, call 311 or 780-442-5311 (Outside Edmonton).
website updates everyday check
here for all information on residential, commercial and safety codes Inspections.
.
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Tips for construction sites
Read the potential risks and solutions Goodfellow & Schuettlaw offer this week in their client update. Click
here
FAQ’s: COVID-19 and the Workplace
The following provides general guidance to employers in dealing with the potential impacts of COVID-19 on the workplace. The information contained below is subject to change as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. For specific issues, please speak with your Mathews Dinsdale lawyer.
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E-Learning & Webinars
If you are looking at
E-learning
MCA Canada has courses that are self-guided instruction, allowing members to take the training at a place and time that suits them best.
Courses like Intro to Estimating, BIM, Industry ethics and more.
For list please click
here
MCA Canada free webinars
Managing Remote Teams
During COVID-19 – Tools, Techniques, and Opportunities
Thursday April 2 – 12:00-13:30 Eastern- Register
here
Counter Measures and a Strategic Response
to the Pandemic
Friday April 3 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern- Register
here
MCA Western Provinces present
- Direction During Times of
Uncertainty
A conversation with CEO Whisperer
Cameron Herold
who has coached hundreds of companies through exponential growth – and many of those during times of uncertainty. Save the date for
Thursday April 2, 2020 at 9:45 AM MST
.
More information and registration can be found
here
Cross Connections Certification
If you want to be proactive in regards to your re certification, Dean Wigmore of
Backflow Tester Training Center
, Lacombe, AB will continue to conduct Cross Connections training. He can provide the theory component and once it is safe to do so, he will do the face to face training as required. Dean’s contact details are:
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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
.
There’s no denying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotional well-being. Dr. Fabiana Franco, explains:
“When our daily routines are in turmoil, especially when this turmoil relates to how we interact with others, it can feel quite overwhelming. We should be mindful of the fact that these challenges, understandably, can cause anxiety and
fear
.
”
Symptoms of anxiety and
stress
may show up in your mood and behavior, whether you recognize them or not.
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 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.
Anxiety Canada
i
s an online resource providing self-help information, community programs and workshops
Free health analysis solution
As the Impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt by everyone around the world, at SafetyTek we are offering a COVID-19 Workforce Health Analysis solution for free, to help protect workers against exposure to the virus while keeping business up and running.
Full details and how to sign up today. Click
here
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Short-term disability coverage for plan members in quarantine or self-isolation*
Please note: This announcement applies only to groups with short-term disability coverage through Equitable Life
Short-term disability is designed to replace a plan member’s earnings if they are unable to work due to illness and injury. As a result, only plan members who meet the following criteria are eligible for benefits:
Here are a few quick tips on how to speak to your children about COVID-19:
There are two key considerations; to ensure we are providing reliable, age appropriate messages and information and to ensure your children hear and recognize you as their primary source of advice and knowledge. Click
here
for full article.
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HR guidance for Employees
If you have to lay off employees make sure they know where they can access government assistance.
click
here
to see a great diagram of services available.
HR Guidance for Employers
Work-Sharing (WS) is a program that helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond the control of the employer. The program provides EI benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers. Work-Sharing is an agreement between employers, employees and the Government of Canada. Click
here
for more info
Construction Employment Standard Exceptions
click
here to find out more about basic rules, who is a construction employee and minimum standards.
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Master Manuals & As Built Services
Suite 104, 14 900 Village
Okotoks, AB
T1S 1Z6
403-975-0744
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We provide professional Operation & Maintenance Manuals along with the As Built Drawings services containing the complete information required for the operation, maintenance, decommissioning, demolition and renovation of a building. Our goal is to be an integral part of the project team to produce a product that owners are left having every detail of the mechanical equipment and systems documented clearly, accurately and easy to reference.
Our vast industry experience has made us highly resourceful and efficient at tracking down and turning over accurate information, leaving owners and building operators informed to make confident decisions related to building operations.
Our professional experience minimizes the review process and eliminates the costly time frames to produce complete information that owners, consultants and contractors count on and require. We fundamentally understand the expectation and deliver it timely and accurately. Eliminating the guesswork is our purpose and expertise.
Proudly
serving Alberta's premier building owners and mechanical contractors.
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About the MCAA
Since the early 1900's, Alberta's plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, gasfitters and mechanical contractors have utilized the united voice, programs, information, service and social network of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Alberta (MCAA).
Today, the MCAA strives to create value for its members by identifying and mitigating issues that affect the industry, the development and delivery of high-quality education programs, providing a competitive group health insurance benefit plan, facilitating member benefit programs and services, and providing opportunity for social and professional networking.
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