MCA Ontario Newsletters
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!
Working for workers Five effective January 1
The Working for Workers Five Act received royal assent and will be taking effect on January 1, 2025. The bill introduced significant changes to improve worker protections, promote skilled trades, and support women in the workforce.
Key initiatives include:
- Skilled Trades: Launching a new apprenticeship program for high school students and creating an online job-matching portal.
- Women’s Support: Requiring menstrual products to be available on larger worksites, cracking down of virtual harassment, and requiring all workplaces to have clean and sanitary washrooms with records of cleaning.
- Worker Protections: Enhanced safety standards, expanded firefighter health coverage, and penalties for workplace violations. Sick notes will also no longer be required for job-protected leave.
- Fair Employment: Transparent job postings including requirements to respond to interviewees within a specified period.
To learn more about these changes click
HERE!
WSIB Update
On November 21, Premier Doug Ford announced new initiatives by the Ontario government and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). These include lowering premium rates and issuing a surplus to eligible businesses.
Details of the announcement included:
- $2 Billion Surplus for Safe Employers: In February 2025, eligible employers with strong safety records and minimal violations since 2020 will receive a one-time WSIB rebate. For example, an eligible small construction business with 50 employees could receive up to $46,000 to reinvest into their business.
- Lower Premium Rates: Starting in 2025, the WSIB will reduce the average premium rate from $1.30 to $1.25 per $100 of insurable payroll, the lowest rate in 50 years. The G6 (non-residential building construction) premium class rate will be $1.57.
- Access to 2025 Rate: Businesses can now view their 2025 premium rate details via their WSIB online account by logging in with their registered credentials on the WSIB website. To log in click HERE!
For more information, visit:
2025 DEI and Mental Health Training
We are thrilled to announce a variety of training courses we will be hosting throughout 2025!
We have partnered with CultureAlly to offer four important and interactive courses on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
- February 13 - Foundations of DEI
- April 17 - Unconscious Bias
- July 10 - Inclusive Leadership
- October 16 - Cultural Competency
Additionally, we are collaborating with Opening Minds and the Mental Health Commission of Canada to bring you two mental health-focused events:
- A Mental Health Presentation (unlimited capacity) on January 23.
- The Working Mind Course (limited to 15 participants) on March 20.
Registration will be opening soon! Keep an eye out for future emails with more information about the courses and how to register.
TSSA Director's Order: Propane Storage Tanks
TSSA has posted a Director's Order on propane storage tanks designed for 200 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG).
Pursuant to section 14(2) of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, the Director orders any tank that has a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of less than 250 psig to be taken out of service. This requirement is effective as of October 1, 2025.
While all new installations require 250 psig tanks, there are existing propane storage tanks designed for 200 psig installed and in service. With the aging of these tanks, it is unsafe to allow their continued operation. Given the limited number of propane storage tanks designed for 200 psig installed in the field, most provinces have agreed that 200 psig propane storage tanks should be taken out of circulation as they are not in accordance with the code.
For more details, read the Director’s Orders HERE!
Ontario’s New CEO for Skilled Trades Ontario
The Ontario government has announced the appointment of Candice White as the new CEO of Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), effective November 25, 2024. Ms. White will lead STO in its mission to grow Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, modernize services, and promote the trades as a rewarding career path for over 1.3 million skilled tradespeople and apprentices.
Outgoing CEO Melissa Young, who assumed the role during STO's founding in 2022, leaves a legacy of significant accomplishments, including streamlining services, modernizing training standards, and launching key support initiatives for apprentices and journeypersons. Ms. While aims to build on this legacy, bringing over a decade of executive experience, including her tenure as Chief Administrative Officer for several municipalities and her service on the boards of provincial agencies.
Skilled Trades Ontario continues to strengthen the province’s workforce, supporting 144 in-demand careers and building a brighter future for the trades in Ontario.
For more information click
HERE!
Are You Participating in the MCAO Welding Procedures Program?
The MCA Ontario Standard Provincial Welding Procedures Program is available to all UA-affiliated firms. The program eliminates the need for individual firms to develop and approve their own in-house welding procedures and ensures welders do not need to be retested each time they start with a new employer.
In order to participate, your firm must sign and return the “Participant Declaration Form” to MCA Ontario via email mcao@mcao.org . The form is available on our website HERE!
Once confirmation is provided, MCA Ontario will send the firm all applicable welding procedures. Once certified under a provincial procedure, welders can work for any participating UA-affiliated firm across the province without re-testing under the same procedure for one year.
For more information, please contact us at mcao@mcao.org.
MCAA Field Leaders Conference Coming to Toronto
Mark your calendars! The MCAA Field Leaders Conference is coming to Toronto from September 15–17, 2025. This dynamic event is tailored to empower field leaders by enhancing their leadership skills, strengthening customer relationships, and driving greater impact within their teams and projects.
Attendees will dive into essential topics such as professionalism, financial management, customer relations, goal setting, and effective foreman strategies. The conference is ideal for project managers, supervisors, foremen, and apprentices looking to elevate their careers.
Keep an eye on the MCA Canada website for more information!
Working for Workers Act 6
The Ontario government is set to introduce the Working for Workers Six Act, 2024, aiming to protect workers’ health and wellbeing, promote skilled trades, and keep costs down for workers and businesses.
Building on previous Working for Workers legislation, the proposed measures include:
- Fee Eliminations for Apprentices: Removal of $150 fee for apprentices taking their first Certificate of Qualification.
- Women in the Trades PPE: Requirements for properly fitting personal protective equipment for women and all people with diverse body shapes.
- Workplace Safety: Mandatory minimum fines of $500,000 for corporations convicted of repeated Occupational Health and Safety Act violations and expanded roadside safety laws requiring drivers to slow down and move over for roadworkers.
- Family and Worker Support: New parental leave for adoptive and surrogate parents, a 27-week long-term illness leave for people unable to work due to a serious medical condition such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, or Crohn’s.
- Recognizing Skilled Trades: Launching Skilled Trades Week in November to honor the contributions of experienced tradespeople.
If passed, the act promises to strengthen Ontario’s workforce and enhance worker protections, building a brighter future for workers and their families.
To learn more about the proposed act click HERE!
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
