MCA Ontario Newsletters

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!


Prompt Payment in Force in Ontario


The Federal government officially launched their Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act on December 12th, 2023. According to the act, the federal government must make payments within 28 calendar days of receiving a proper invoice from a contractor.  Contractor’s then have seven days to pay subcontractors, and they subsequently have an additional seven days to pay their sub-subcontractors. The act, passed in June 2019 with regulations posted in February, has no grandfathering for older contracts, however existing construction contracts must comply with the act within one year, starting from December 9,2023.


Read the full act HERE!


MCAA Pre-IPM Course Discount!


We are happy to announce that MCA Ontario will be partnering with MCA American againt his year to offer their Preparatory Institute for Project Management course. The Pre-IPM is an online program designed to provide a strong foundation in mechanical project management education. The 90-minute sessions are taught by contractor-instructors and provide an introductory education in everything from planning to scheduling, and from cost control to time management. 


The usual cost of this course is $2500 USD for non-members; however, we are able to offer this course for MCAA’s member cost of $1,025 USD. Registration opens at 12pm EST on February 15th, 2024, and as an added bonus, the MCAO will reimburse the difference in conversion rate for the first ten members who register; upon successful completion of the course!!!


For more information on registration please reach out to our Operations Manager Dylan at dylan@mcao.org and to learn more about the Pre-IPM course click HERE!


Ontario Training Indigenous People for In-Demand Jobs


The Ontario government is supporting Indigenous people across Northern Ontario by investing $7.3 million in eight innovative training projects. These initiatives seek to help address the 17,000 job vacancies in the region by equipping 1,700 participants with the necessary skills for fulfilling careers within their communities, focusing on vital sectors such as mining, logging, construction, healthcare, and tourism.


Read More about it HERE!


2024 Inflation and Interest rate projections


Inflation

Inflation continued its overall downward trend through 2023 with rates falling from 6.3% in December of 2022 to 3.1% in November of 2023. This trend is anticipated to stabilize through the middle of 2024 with the possibility of further declines predicted towards theyear’s end.

Interest Rates

The bank of Canada has maintained its benchmark interest rates at 5% over the last four announcements. This consistency, however, is not expected to last as analysts predict an increase in rates during the second quarter of 2024, followed by a projected decline inthe last two quarters of the year.


New and Improved TSSA Website


On November 17th, 2023, the TSSA launched its new website to help facilitate seamless customer interaction. The choice to modernize their website comes from extensive research performed via surveys of both internal and external stakeholders and included walkthroughs at various stages of planning and development. The new website will make it easier to access information and services through a more customer friendly design, structure, and content.


To visit the new site, click HERE!


Ontario Helping Students Start Careers in the Trades


The Ontario Government is committing over $62.9 million to boost two foundational skilled trades programs benefitting more than 18,000 young individuals as they explore and prepare for lifelong careers. Focused on meeting the demand for skilled workers in construction and infrastructure projects, the funding will support the training of an estimated 100,000 skilled workers required by 2031. The investment includes $21.1 million for the expansion of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), enabling students to gain exposure to trades while completing their diplomas. Additionally, $41.8 million will launch approximately 100 pre-apprenticeship training projects, providing hands-on experience in high-demand trades.


Read more about it HERE!



MCA Ontario 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference Registration is now full!


If you want to be added to the waiting list for the MCA Ontario Annual GeneralMeeting/Conference, please contact either our office by calling 905-629-0344 or emailing mcao@mcao.org


Thank you to our 2024 AGM Sponsors!



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!
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.
October 1, 2023
MCA Ontario 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference Our 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference is on the horizon! Join MCA Ontario as we explore the city of London April 11-19. Click the photo below to view some of the exciting tours and dinners we have planned for our conference. We hope to see you there!
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