MCA 2020 Virtual Annual General Meeting
Thank you for your attendance for MCA Alberta's Virtual AGM 2020. Thank you to Mark Schendel our current President for updating the membership and chairing the meeting. Mark's closing word were this
"Please remember, this is your association, run by its members, for its members. If you have any issues, ideas, or want to get more committed to improving our industry in any way, please do so. Our industry, like any other, does not get better without people taking on the challenges directly, and it is certainly easier to achieve success when all are committed to the process."
If you are interested in receiving the AGM package please email us at info@mca.ab.com for a copy.
A big thank you Bob Zimmerman for his contribution to the association who stepped aside from his board position after 14 years. Thank you to Danielle Lake for her six year contribution and Rory Moffat, who was also unable to continue this year.
Welcome to our new contractor director Theo Banick, ATCO and associate director Darren McPherson, Kehoe Equipment.
See the full Board of Directors and Executive list here
|
|
Infrastructure Bank Realignment to Support Retrofits Will Help Plumbing, Heating, and Mechanical Businesses
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCA Canada) and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) are supportive of today’s announcement that $10 Billion will be invested over the next three years by the Canada Infrastructure Bank to support Canada’s economic recovery, including $2 Billion for retrofits of buildings to make them more energy efficient.
“We are delighted to see that the government acknowledges retrofits are a key part of Canada’s low-carbon transition. Retrofitting is not just good for business, it will help to reduce the proportion of greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment, conserve water, and make places healthier and more comfortable to live and work in, stated Ralph Suppa, President and General Manager of CIPH
The Prime Minister was joined at the announcement by the Hon. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Michael Sabia, Chair of the Board of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
“This acceleration shows that the government is already following through on Throne Speech commitments,” added Tania Johnston, CEO of MCA Canada. “Our members want us both to ensure the government keeps its word and gets money flowing to qualified projects quickly.”
CIPH and MCA Canada are encouraging the government to also invest in skilled trades training, support efficiency by addressing trade barriers, and partnering with provinces and municipalities on public projects. Both organizations believe that the recovery depends on our ability to work together and address issues that could be holding businesses back.
Businesses in the plumbing, heating and mechanical sectors already face challenges recruiting and retaining skilled labour with an aging workforce. Coupled with added costs due to pandemic precautions these businesses will greatly benefit from complementary investments that will deploy more energy efficient products while the economy rebounds and Canada moves toward its goal of Net-zero by 2050.
|
|
Congratulations Scholarship Winners
The following students received scholarship funding through the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series in 2020:
Bradford White Canada – Holly Padfield, Medicine Hat College
Federated Insurance – Sean Coey, University of Manitoba
MASCO Canada– Manuel Lemos, McMaster University
MCAC Associates Council
- Makenna Isfjord, University of Manitoba
- Mina Ariana, BC Institute of Technology
OS&B
- Ethan Law, St. Francis Xavier University
- Braedon Grace, College of the North Atlantic
Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) – Alisha Suthakaran, McMaster University
Uponor (Dan Kirkpatrick Scholarship)
- Makenna Isfjord, University of Manitoba
- Mia McDonald, Fanshawe College
- Madison Button, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Mina Ariana, BC Institute of Technology
- Holly Padfield, Medicine Hat College
Women in Mechanical Construction, sponsored by MCAHN
- Madison Button, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Mina Ariana, BC Institute of Technology
|
|
On October 21 and 22, the Ontario Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Contractors Association will host its Women Empowering Women in HVACR virtual convention.
The two-day event provides opportunities for professional development and networking for women in the heating, refrigeration and air conditioning trades.
The event’s platinum sponsor is MCA Canada’s Women in Mechanical Construction group, and MCAC CEO Tania Johnston will speak about her experiences breaking through the industry’s glass ceiling on the second day of the conference.
Learn more about this great event here
|
|
Boilers to go condensing under new efficiency regulations
New energy efficiency regulations are going to make some commercial boiler retrofits significantly more difficult and expensive. Under Amendment 15 to Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations, all boilers must be 90 percent efficient – by Jan. 1, 2023 for residential units and Jan. 1, 2025 for commercial boilers.
|
|
Are you receiving the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy?
New Benefits to Replace CERB Passed by the Federal Government
Bill C-4, An Act relating to certain measures in response to COVID-19, has received Royal Assent as of October 2, 2020. The Bill introduces new recovery benefits for Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic, and replaces the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which came to an end on September 26, 2020.
The new benefits will apply retroactively to September 27, 2020 to ensure there is no gap in coverage following the end of CERB payments.
The Bill introduces three new benefits: the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB), the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB).
Bill 32 Update: Changes to Alberta’s Workplace Laws are Here and More
are Coming
Read the attached PDF for the changes to Labour standards and Employment standards. Bill 32 is designed to restore balance to Alberta's Workplace Act. Key pillars are to keep businesses open and Albertans employed plus to save employers time and money, |
|
FEATURED AFFINITY PROGRAM |
|
MCA Alberta has forged a relationship with Corus Radio to provide a customized, discounted advertising program, available only to MCA members, that provides real value that will help your business grow. See specific plans for your region here
|
|
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Upgrade your knowledge and skills by engaging in live webinars, self-paced online learning and virtual Instructor-led online training. We have a number of face to face training coming up. Are you ready?
Face to Face
October 15: NEW Construction Management and Supervisory Skills. Register now
Virtual Instructor led training (live)
October 6, 7, & 8th: NEW PROJECT DELIVERY METHODS "Know your Responsibilities" . Register here.
October 13: Microsoft Excel for Construction Estimating. Register now
October 15: Getting Paid and Managing the Cash Flow. Register here.
October 16: Sample session Why Sales people Fail... and what you can do about it. Register here
October 20: Managing Change in Construction. Register here.
October 21: CCA Subcontracts 101. Register here.
October 22: Microsoft Project Intermediate. Register here
October 27: Managing Shop Drawings, Samples and Submittals. Register here.
October 27: NEW Proposal Pursuit-"Strategies for Success". Register here
Product Technical Training Webinar
October 14: Pipe Sizing, Air Control and Pumping Away. Register here
E-learning (self guided) NEW
MCA is proud to partner with BCG Partners Inc. to provide these new, self -paced online courses with Gold Seal credits.
Construction Law. Course outline here. Register here
Project Management. Course outline here. Register here
Construction Estimating. Course outline here. Register here
Supervisory & Management Skills. Course outline here. Register here
Construction Business Management. Course outline here. Register here
Change Order Management. Course outline here. Register here
Project Accounting and Cost Control. Course outline here. Register here
The courses are a series of user friendly video modules from expert instructors. Each module concludes with a short, multiple choice quiz that requires an 80% pass mark before proceeding to the next video module. Upon successful completion of all modules you will receive a certificate of completion.
View full events calendar here
If there is a topic that you would find helpful please contact Lisa@mca-ab.com.
|
|
Gradient Thermal Inc
6215 – 3 Street S.E. Unit C4
Calgary, AB
T2H 2L2
Cameron Doepker
1-888-552-1304
Gradient, is a Calgary based manufacturer known for its innovative product designs including syncFURNACE - an innovative combi furnace platform, designed with contractors in mind and available in either Furnace + Water Heater or Furnace + Boiler setup. Similar in size to a typical furnace, this all-in-one solution provides both high-efficient furnace and on-demand water heating or hydronic heating with mechanical room space savings, ease of installation and energy efficiency as key benefits, among others.
|
|
Altatech Agencies
5008 – 50 Street
Stony Plain, AB
T7Y 1Y4
Braden Davie
780-920-7499
Altatech Agencies strives to lead the Hydronics industry in Alberta and Western Canada by providing the highest quality products, services, and system technologies.
We represent industry leading manufacturers that push the edge of innovation, reliability, and efficiency; companies striving to be the leader in their field. Our manufacturers must have a focus and drive to invest and contribute to our industry. They must look forward to the future and plan for tomorrow in their research, development, and manufacturing processes. As we look ahead to the future of our industry in Alberta, we are eagerly expanding and investing to meet the demands of tomorrow. Contact us today to discuss that future and how we might fit in yours!
Read here for more information.
|
|
SAFETY TALKS
Do you need ideas for tool box meetings? Here we will list different topics each month that you can take and use at your company.
Workplace Inspections
Hazards / Dangers in the Workplace.
•Inspections should be done prior to the start of work as well as periodically throughout the shift and at the end of the work task.
•Workplace inspections serve the purpose of identifying any hazards in a work area. After hazards are identified, they need to be corrected before work proceeds or continues. There can always additional hazards present in any work area that were not planned for.
•Objects, equipment, people, or even animals find their way into work areas disrupting the work and creating additional hazards.
•Elimination of hazards is the most effective way to avoid injuries and property damage incidents.
|
|
Certificate of Recognition (COR)
The COR program has introduced two new options to help those employers who have completed a full three-year audit cycle (2017 to 2019) and now must recertify their COR in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both options qualify for PIR refund eligibility from WCB.
|
|
|
|
Homewood HealthTM EFAP is pleased to release the October 2020 edition of our Life Lines newsletter, Navigating Life in Mental Health Recovery” .
|
|
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.
Coverage 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.
|
|
Check out our Member Discount Programs
|
|
Managing your Employment Relations and HR
Join us for a members only complimentary webinar
October 21 @ 10 AM
The ever-changing restrictions and rules can make this time stressful as an employer, but it is our goal to support business owners operate with ease as they continue to run. Join us for this webinar hosted with our newest affinity partner, Peninsula.
We will discuss:
-
The importance of contracts and flexible company handbooks - how to modify hours, wages and roles
- Essential policies and procedures to implement
-
How to manage layoffs, recalls and terminations
-
Tips to support and engage your employees
This is a must attend for business owners, employers and anyone in roles who manage staff.
email info@mca-ab.com if you are interested. Registration will be open soon.
|
|
The Construction Industry is a Highest Risk
With suicide rates being the highest in any industry – 3 times the national average in Canada – the construction industry faces a full-blown epidemic. This problem is exacerbated by a host of issues, including a “tough guy” culture with a stigma around discussing mental health, job-related chronic pain and job-related stress. Already facing a growing shortage of skilled labor and recognizing the irreplaceable value of life, employers like you cannot afford to wait until a worker suicide happens.
Now is the time for the industry to STAND up for suicide prevention and address it as a health and safety priority by creating safe cultures, providing training to identify and help those at risk, raising awareness about the suicide crisis in construction, normalizing conversations around suicide and mental health, and ultimately decreasing the risks associated with suicide in construction.
Watch recording of Suicide Prevention: Immediate Steps you can Take to protect your construction Workers here
Click here for other great resources |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
