MCA Ontario Newsletters

Happy New Year!  2023


We hope you enjoyed your holidays andare returning feeling rejuvenated andexcited for what 2023 will bring.  May this year be full of great accomplishments and much susccess.


2022-2025 Collective Agreement


The final version is complete and we are just waiting on feedback from the UA before goingto print. We are aiming to have the distribution of hard copies to Zone offices by mid-February. Our goal is also to have the electronic version accessible on our website https://www.mcao.org/collective-agreement as of the end of January.


 
Pension Contributions for retirees



We have been working with the UA to respond to the CRA amendment to the Income TaxAct that prohibits pension contributions on behalf of a member to a Specified Multi-Employer Pension Plan (SMEP) after the end of the year the member attains 71 years of age and to a defined benefit provision of a SMEP if the member is receiving a pension from theplan. As this is time sensitive we expect to distribute a letter to all members in the next fewdays that outlines the way ahead. As always, do not hesitate to contact your Zone office orthe MCAO office if you have any questions or concerns.


TSSA Course


MCA Ontario is organizing TSSA training courses/seminars from which member contractors can benefit in all provincial areas. Thus far there are two Zones that havescheduled course dates.


January 24 & 25                            ASME B31.1 Power Piping Seminar Windsor

                                                                                            &

                                                              ASME B31.3 Process Piping Seminar


February 7 & 8                              ASME B31.1 Power Piping Seminar Ottawa

                                                                                            &

                                                             ASME B31.3 Process Piping Seminar


TSSA Training courses/seminars equip employees to work safely and productively while maintaining compliancy.


Please contact MCA Ontario or your local Zone office accordingly for more information.



Apprenticeship Grants $5,000 or $10,000


MCA Ontario would like to encourage Members to apply for the financial incentive of$5,000 or $10,000 for businesses that hire, onboard, train, and retain skilled 1st-year apprentices Apprentices.


Year one of the program is over on March 31, 2023. Don’t delay - act now to receive your rebate for June 2022 - March 31, 2023; you will be eligible to enroll another new apprentice in year two of the program, which is April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024.


If you have not yet signed up, please visit https://buildingtrades.ca/inthetrades/ - all the information is there, or call the MCAO office. We will be happy to forward you moredetails about this valuable incentive.


  • In The Trades - FAQs
  • How to Access Grant Funding
  • In The Trades Presentation

Workplace Naxolone Program


Effective June 1, access to naxolone kits and trained staff in their use will be mandatory in workplaces assessed to be at risk of a worker opioid overdose. As stipulated in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHSA) Act the provision of naxolone kits is mandatory when an employer becomes aware, or ought reasonably to be aware, of the following scenarios:


If any of the three conditions above, apply the Canadian Red Cross and St. JohnAmbulance offer naxolone kits and training.

Please note that the OHSA does not specify the number of workers that must be trained and Employers are not required to use a third party to provide the training.


To become better informed on this important issue and this new regulation, please visit the Ontario government website Naloxone in the workplace | ontario.ca where other related links, including the OHSA Act, can be found.


Please reach out to us at mcao@mcao.org if MCAO can assist in any manner.


MCAO and UA Partnership


Visit our website as we have added a new tab highlighting our partnership with the UA. We encourage all member contractors to add a similar link to their website.  https://www.mcao.org/ua-offices



MCA Ontario 2023 Annual General Meeting


Our AGM is quickly approaching and we would love for you to join us!  We are now able to accommodate more attendees; however, spots are limited.  You are still eligible for our "early bird registration draw.  Last day is January 13th.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office (905-629-0344).

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 atmcao@mcao.org. We welcome any feedback and/or questions you may have.

MCA Ontario Newsletters

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 15, 2024
MCA Ontario 2025 Annual General Meeting/Conference
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 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!
January 1, 2024
2024 WSIB Premium Rates The WSIB has announced that average premium rates for Ontario businesses will remain steady for 2024. While most sectors have had slight fluctuations, G6 Non-Residential Building Construction was one of few sectors to retain their same average premium rate from2023 of $1.55 per $100 of insurable payroll. This stability, however, may be short lived dueto the WSIB’s announcement of a 6.5% cost of living increase to people receiving in comereplacement, as well as, the 2% super indexing included in Bill 149, which both signal that rates are likely to increase in the future. To access your individual 2024 premium rate statements, visit the WSIB website HERE!
December 1, 2023
Holiday Giveaway! MCA Ontario recently purchased a large number of Project Management and Estimating Courses from BuildForce Canada to be distributed to our members throughyour local MCA’s! To celebrate the holiday season, we kept 10 BuildForce course codes to offer to members who subscribe to our newsletter. (Limited to one per company). Please email our Operations Manager Dylan Knight at dylan@mcao.org with your zone andcompany name to request one.
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