MCA Ontario Newsletters

MCA Ontario 2025 Annual General Meeting/Conference


Our AGM is quickly approaching and we would love for you to join us! 


Earn up to $10,000 for Health and Safety from WSIB


Join us on October 30, 2024, for a free webinar hosted by the MCAO and WSIB, led by WSIB employer health and safety consultant Vince Godin. In this session, Vince will provide an overview of the WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence Program, which has helped over 4,500 employers earn more than $60 million in rebates since 2019.

The program provides financial incentives to businesses that are committed to improving health and safety in 39 different areas. Each year, companies can focus on up to five topics, earning up to $1,000 per completed topic, depending on the WSIB premiums paid in the previous year. Smaller businesses could even qualify for as much as $2,000 or 200% of the premiums paid per topic.
 
To sign up and learn how your business can benefit click
HERE!



Mental Health First Aid Course


The MCAO is excited to offer a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training Course on December 3, 2024, with all costs covered by MCAO. This course, certified by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, will equip participants with essential skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in the workplace.
 
The course is a full day of online training designed to equip participants to:

  • Recognize signs of mental health decline or crisis.
  • Engage in conversations to encourage individuals to seek professional and community support.
  • Assist in mental health or substance use crises.
  • Use MHFA actions to protect your own mental well-being.

 
Space is limited to 15 participants, and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, or for more information, please contact our Operations Manager at
dylan@mcao.org.



The HR Coach's Corner


In this new segment and in each newsletter, we will highlight a brief topic aimed at educating you on areas of human resources that you might not be thinking about. Further resources will be provided in each excerpt, and if you have a request for a particular topic, please send it to deidrepipher@rogers.com and indicate in the subject line it’s for Coaches Corner. This week we are highlighting the importance of a coaching approach!
 

Episode 1 - Moving to a Coaching Approach 


Don’t roll your eyes, but the days of telling employees what to do on job sites, in the office, and in 1:1 conversations are long behind us. Technology is changing every industry (just read about how AI is transforming things), and so why should our approach to humans stay stagnant? Answer; it shouldn’t!


With a generational picture that is more complex than ever in the workforce in Canada it’s important that you take a moment to think about your style as a leader and how it could be impacting your managers and employees. There are Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z all in the workforce at the moment.  Are you speaking a language that resonates with all 4 of these groups?
 
It’s not too hard to change a couple of key things to move from “managing” to coaching people. First, I highly recommend finding a webinar or a podcast, or a book that is different to your current style that might stretch you to think about things a little differently. One such book could be
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant or First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham.
 
Secondly, I’d encouraging you to watch for when you are giving the answer to someone on your team. How could you turn what you KNOW and could tell them into a question. “I think you know the answer, tell me what your instinct is?” or “If I wasn’t here to answer this question, what would you do?”, or “Let’s talk this through together, but you start by telling me what you think you should do.”
 
A simple switch in mindset can have a big impact on changing your approach to leading. 



Dan Leduc Part 3


Parts one and two of our Dan Leduc Webinar Series were a tremendous success, with strong engagement and positive feedback from members!

These free webinars are a valuable resource for staying informed on key industry topics. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding of how to manage and mitigate delay claims with Part 3 – Delay Claims on November 21
st, 2024!

To sign up simply click 
HERE!

If you encounter any issues registering, please reach out to our Operations Manager, Dylan Knight at
dylan@mcao.org.



IHSA Impact video


The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association is launching a series of five impactful videos to highlight the personal toll of workplace accidents on families. In partnership with Threads of Life, a charity supporting families affected by workplace tragedies, the videos feature real stories from individuals who have lost loved ones due to workplace incidents. Each video focuses on a specific accident, such as a fatal fall or exposure to hazardous materials, and explores the emotional aftermath faced by those left behind.

The videos are part of IHSA’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign, which encourages workers to take an active role in preventing unsafe practices on job sites. By sharing these powerful stories, IHSA aims to raise awareness and promote a stronger culture of safety in the workplace.

For Access to IHSA’s Safety Talks Manual, click HERE!

IHSA Slip, Trip and Fall Resources 


Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common workplace accidents, leading to serious injuries and costly downtime. To address this, the IHSA and safety experts are urging organizations to take proactive steps in preventing these incidents.

Some of the most effective strategies include ensuring proper lighting, maintaining clean and clutter-free walkways, and using anti-slip flooring where needed. Training employees to identify and report hazards, along with routine inspections, can also make a significant difference in reducing the risk of falls.

For IHSA’s article on how to prevent slip and trip injuries click
HERE!

For IHSA’s one page safety talk on housekeeping issues click
HERE!


New TSSA Fees


Starting November 4, 2024, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will introduce two new fees to improve safety compliance and reduce operational inefficiencies. The new Late Payment Fee will apply to overdue renewals of licences and other authorizations, encouraging timely payments and reducing regulatory costs. Individuals will face a $50 fee, and organizations will pay $75 for expired renewals.
 
TSSA is also introducing an Inspection Appointment Cancellation Fee for cancellations made with less than two business days' notice or if inspections can’t be completed due to customer unpreparedness. Customers will be charged the equivalent of a one-hour labour rate for late cancellations and the full inspection fee for incomplete inspections.
 
For more information on the new fee’s click
HERE!

TSSA Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document


The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published the Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems Code Adoption Document (CAD) and the associated Consultation Summary after reviewing feedback from the consultation that closed on July 3, 2024.


Read the latest Oil & Gas Pipeline Systems CAD HERE! and the Consultation Summary HERE!


Coming Soon: MCAO's New Training Webpage


We’re excited to announce that the MCAO will soon launch a new training section on our website, designed to provide members with easy access to a variety of learning opportunities and resources tailored to our industry. The new section will feature up-to-date information on MCAO-led training programs, safety training, general business training, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training all aimed at enhancing your skills and knowledge across the industry.

To celebrate the launch, we will also be offering free training giveaways! Stay tuned for more details on how to participate and take advantage of these exclusive opportunities.

Keep an eye out for the official website launch coming soon!


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!
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.
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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