MCA Ontario Newsletters

Free Naloxone Kits

Naloxone, a vital antidote for opioid overdoses, is now mandatory for at-risk workplaces as per OHSA regulations. To combat the alarming opioid crisis affecting various industries, including construction, bars, andrestaurants, the government is providing free Naloxone kits while supplies last. This initiative aims to tackle the rising number of accidental overdoses caused by recreational drugs laced with deadly opioids such as fentanyl and carfentanil. By ensuring Naloxone is easily accessible, the government is taking a significant step towards reducing overdose deaths and creating safer work environments.

For more information, free training, or to receive your free Naloxone kits, follow any of these links:

IHSA Free Training and Naloxone Kits

Red Cross Free Training and Naloxone Kits

St. John Ambulance Free Training and Naloxone Kits

BuildForce Construction Career Pathways

BuildForce has introduced the Construction Career Pathways program, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between job seekers seeking entry-level construction opportunities and companies eagerly hiring new talent in anticipation of the upcoming busy work season. The program is a collaboration with the Government of Canada allowing Build Force to offer employers wage-subsidy incentives of up to $2,400 per worker.

The Construction Career Pathways program is open to any worker with BuildForce putting a particular emphasison increasing diversity in construction. For more information, please visit https://ccp-pcc.ca/or contact the program manager John Viktorin at viktorin@buildforce.ca and 613-410-1750.

IHSA Fit for Work Initiative!

The fit for work initiative is a series of documents and references designed by the IHSA to help your company create an effective policy to give employers and workers a clear understanding about unacceptable behaviour in the workplace as it relates to impairment. The construction industry can be dangerous on its own, and worker impairment only increases the risks serious injury. There is no safe place on a construction site for anyone who is impaired by alcohol or drugs. This guide was produced by the IHSA and has step by step instructions, references, and examples to help you create your own Fit for Work Policy. Download it Here!

Richard McKeagan Scholarship Accepting Applicants

We are thrilled to share exciting news about the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series, a collaborative initiativeby the Construction Education Council and MCA Canada Associate Members. The application process for this prestigious scholarship series began on May 19 and will accept submissions until September 1, 2023. New application software has been developed to simplify the application process and allow candidates to easily complete and manage their applications online while automatically matching them to specific criteria set be eachcompany offering a scholarship.

Download the Scholarship Flyer here or visit the MCAC Scholarship website here !

MCA Hamilton/Niagara Eva Rothwell Community Center

The MCA Hamilton/Niagara and UA Local 67 have been working with the Eva Rothwell center to renovate their art room and better serve the community. In just over one day, members piled into the art room to demolish, clean, and install a brand-new dual sink, including all new plumbing.

The story doesn’t end there! They also donated thousands of dollars restock the organization’s emergency foodpantry, including everything from soap and dental hygiene products to non-perishable food items like pasta andsoup. Read more about it here!

MCAO & OPTC Social Media Campaign

A live feed is now available on our website at the bottom of everypage. Log on to view or follow on Instagram.

The MCAO Wants to Hear from You!

Our new operations manager Dylan Knight has been diligently working on a complete survey of the MCAO’s membership since beginning in his position. Through this survey, we hope to learn more about the needs of our members and how we can help you grow your companies.

Your local Zone Managers will begin reaching out to each of our members individually after the summer Board of Directors meeting in August to ask you a few short questions. These questions are designed to provide the MCO with a better understanding of the issues and challenges that you face on a regular basis. With this information, we will be able to better direct resources to help you overcome them and grow your businesses.

Please feel free to reach out to Dylan with your questions or concerns via his email dylan@mcao.org anytime!

Save the Date!

MCAO 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference April 11-19

Keep an "eye" out. More details to follow!

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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!