MCA Ontario Newsletters

2022 MCA Ontario Annual General Meeting
Ottawa, our Nation’s capital, you won’t want to miss this. 


It is truly time to get back together, to reacquaint with friends you may not have seen in years and to meet new members from across the province. Our schedule is designed with this in mind. We’ll start the conference off on a lighthearted note and move from there to a day on the golf course or at the spa. It also includes front row tickets to the famous Lac Leamy fireworks and an option for high tea at the Chateau Laurier.

For those unable to attend you will be able to participate in the AGM through Zoom, but it won’t be the same. The Lord Elgin, a premier hotel, right in the heart of downtown Ottawa, is hosting us, and we have almost two full days of events/activities planned off-site.


After two years of restrictions, we hope you will join us August 16 - 19 for this phenomenal week! Registration will open on our website starting 20 April.

Provincial Bargaining

Just the Facts!


With local negotiations concluded in almost every zone, provincial level discussions began on 6 April. The first step was the exchange of proposals followed by dialogue back and forth on the 7th. The schedule has been set to allow for a deeper review the week following and a return together on 19 April. The next two weeks after that have been designated exclusively for negotiations and we are committed to reaching an agreement in advance of the 1 May deadline.

Meeting with The Honourable Monte McNaughton


MCAO leadership met with the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development on 5 April. He highlighted recent accomplishments within our industry and referred to his goals and forthcoming announcements. This was followed by an excellent period of Q&A. It was a valuable time together and Minister McNaughton asked that we meet again in the fall.

Identifying work opportunities for Ukrainian refugees


If you as an employer want to get on the list to welcome skilled tradespeople from the Ukraine, call 1 (888) 562-4769 or e-mail ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca

MCAA's Annual Student Chapter Competition Project


The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) have an annual competition where schools are invited to submit a bid on a mechanical project on behalf of a fictious company they create. McMaster University’s 90 page proposal was one of the top four and as a result they were invited to attend the MCAA annual convention. During this week, the four finalists present their plan to a panel, from which the winner was determined. McMaster won and took home the first place prize of $10,000 USD.

Congratulations McMaster University!!

TSSA Fee Changes – Effective May 1, 2022


TSSA is implementing a 2.6% fee increase to all fees in the following two program areas, effective May 1, 2022. 


For more information:  Visit www.tssa.org/fees 


Upcoming News!



Get ready! Something new is coming over the months ahead! MCA Ontario will be launching our new website. This will provide all members with a more intuitive and user friendly experience.

 

The website will feature a refreshed look, improved navigation, easy downloads right at your fingertips.

Stay Tuned!


Looking for more?

Our intent is to make this a quarterly newsletter that is full of timely and valuable information for you. If you would like to see a specific topic or concern included in a future version please reach out to us at mcao@mcao.org. We welcome any feedback and/or questions you may have.

MCA Ontario Newsletters

April 2025

April 23, 2025
New MCAO Training Webpage We are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated training section on our official MCAO website! This new hub is designed to be your one-stop destination for all things training-related, featuring everything from updates on upcoming and past MCAO training sessions, to exclusive giveaways and a range of free training resources. Whether you're seeking technical courses, safety certifications, or leadership development opportunities, our new platform makes it easier than ever to access the training you need to grow your staff’s skills. Explore training programs tailored to your professional goals and stay informed on the latest offerings. Be sure to check back regularly for updates, new resources, and more chances to win through our training-related giveaways!

February 2025

February 26, 2025
MCAO’s HR on Demand An HR partner might not be a role that your business can support in-house. Most companies don’t add an HR person until they hit 50 people. In the meantime, if you have a question that relates to hiring, performance management, compensation, legislation, conflict, termination (and other human resources topics) it can be hard to know where to start. We are introducing a potential solution for those of you without HR in-house. MCAO is partnering with Dee Pipher, CHRL to offer HR support. If you would like to set up a 30 minute chat with Dee for HR advice, fill in THIS FORM to give some context. You will then be sent a link from Dee to set up a time through calendly.com. The cost of the 30 minute consult is covered by MCAO. More in depth consultations may need to be covered by the contractor organization. If your questions are of a legal nature, or are outside of the scope of HR, Dee may refer you to an employment lawyer.

December Holiday 2024

December 18, 2024
Holiday Training Code Giveaway! – Waiting on Workplace Safety In honor of the holidays, we are thrilled to give away a large number of online BuildForce and Workplace Safety training courses to our members! All courses are self-paced, with BuildForce codes qualifying for gold seal certification credits. Courses include: BuildForce o Introduction to Construction Estimating o Construction Project Management Workplace Safety o Workplace Incident Investigation o Conflict Resolution If you would like to request any of the above codes, please contact our Operations Manager, Dylan, at dylan@mcao.org . Happy Holidays!

October 2024

October 15, 2024
MCA Ontario 2025 Annual General Meeting/Conference

July 2024

July 1, 2024
Artificial Intelligence Part 2 - Increasing Productivity In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries. For mechanical contracting businesses, AI offers innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve project outcomes. Here are some AI programs that are already beginning to transform the way mechanical contractors operate: OpenSpace is a reality capture program that utilizes automated 360-degree helmet cameras and AI-powered progress tracking to provide constant worksite updates. ClickUp Brain ’s AI-powered scheduling assistant simplifies scheduling by considering task dependencies, team availability, and project priorities. Field Wire is a data analysis program with sophisticated AI algorithms that provide insight into project trends and anomalies. PlanSwift is an AI-powered estimation tool that measures quantities and dimensions directly from digital floor layouts, streamlining the digital takeoff process. viAct is a safety program that employs a series of cameras to identify possible threats and plan deviations on site to avoid incidents. They boast 95% fewer accidents when used. Rhumbix offers an AI-based field data platform that improves labor productivity and project management through timekeeping and performance analytics. Other similar programs include Deepomatic , Timescapes , Buildots , Fusion 360 , and AVEVA , among many other innovative solutions that are continually being released and enhanced. Integrating AI into mechanical contracting enhances operational efficiency and provides a competitive edge in an industry that thrives on precision and productivity. By leveraging AI you can ensure your projects are executed flawlessly, on time, and within budget, ultimately leading to increased client satisfaction and business growth. Embracing AI today sets the foundation for a more innovative and successful future in the mechanical contracting industry.

May 2024

May 1, 2024
Bill 149, Working for Workers Four Act On March 21, 2024, the "Working for Workers Four Act, 2023" received royal assent in Ontario.The bill amends various workplace laws, such as the Employment Standards Act, 2000, and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997. Provisions of the act key to the construction industry include: Enabling additional "super indexing" increases to Workplace Safety and Insurance Boardbenefits. Requiring employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings and inform if AI is used inthe hiring process. Banning the requirement of Canadian experience in job postings. Enhancing oversight of how regulated professions assess international qualifications. Lowering the employment period for firefighters diagnosed with esophageal cancer toreceive compensation. See the full bill HERE!
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