At its 2021 Annual General Meeting, held virtually on Dec. 7, 2021, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada elected Wayne Davidson of Burnaby, B.C. as president and chairman of the board of directors. He is preceded by Dave Holek, of Belle River, Ont.

“I am extremely proud to be stepping into the role of MCA Canada president and chair as we look ahead to 2022,” said Davidson. “For a national association representing close to 1,000 members across the country, this marks a great opportunity to begin reconnecting with our members as we transition to more in-person events. I see tremendous opportunity for MCA Canada to engage with our members in a meaningful way over the coming year, and I am excited about what we can accomplish.”

Throughout the past year, MCA Canada has focused its endeavours in several key areas, including the adoption of a new strategic plan for the association. This, combined with its ongoing advocacy efforts, education initiatives, and steps to address industry practice issues, has established the framework for association priorities.

The new strategic plan also places particular emphasis on a close partnership between MCA Canada and its provincial/zone MCA partners across the country. As the industry is faced with several important issues, this ongoing collaboration will remain critical for the association moving forward.

“Our message has been, and will continue to be, that a vibrant and capable mechanical contracting sector is critical to a healthy economy, and to the health and safety of Canadians,” added Davidson. “Working together with our partners will help us deliver this message nationally, while focusing on key issues for the betterment of our sector and our members.”

For MCA Canada, there are several issues on the horizon that will need to be addressed, including federal prompt payment, skilled labour shortages, standard practice issues, and supply chain issues and price volatility. The association has reoriented its board committee structure to ensure these issues remain top of mind, while ensuring new and ongoing concerns for members can continue to be addressed.

“As I mentioned, I am very excited about this role, and I want to thank my predecessor Dave Holek for the important work done under his leadership to reshape MCA Canada moving forward,” Davidson noted. “I believe we are positioned extremely well to speak on behalf of our sector and to ensure our members’ interests are heard. I look forward to the opportunity to represent those interests.” 

At its Annual General Meeting, the MCA Canada membership confirmed its new board of directors for 2021/2022.

Led by Wayne Davidson of British Columbia, the following members were elected to the board:

• Derek Ermen (President-Elect, Vice-President Eastern; New Brunswick)
• Charles Webb (Vice-President Central; Ontario)
• Brad Mason (Vice-President Western; Manitoba)
• Dave Holek (Secretary-Treasurer; Ontario)
• Paul Demeule (British Columbia)
• Trevor Hildebrand (British Columbia)
• Terry O’Flaherty (Alberta)
• Mark Schendel (Alberta)
• Kim Sjkonsby (Saskatchewan)
• Ken Swann (Saskatchewan)
• Joe Givens (Ontario)
• Eric Niemi (Ontario)
• Serge Robert (Ontario)
• Frank Turano (Ontario)
• Charles Savoie (Nova Scotia)
• Quentin Bevan (Prince Edward Island)
• Ian Arbuckle (Newfoundland and Labrador)
• Julie Zulich (Women in Mechanical Construction)
• Brad Cornelissen (MCAC Associates Council)

MCA Canada is pleased to announce the hiring of Jessica Shaver, the association’s newest staff member, who is taking on the role of membership engagement coordinator.

Jessica joins MCA Canada, having previously worked with the Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association, and brings a wealth of experience in events and member outreach. Jessica will lead MCA Canada’s member engagement strategies, as well as contribute to MCA Canada overall operations.

Jessica can be reached at jessica@mcac.ca or via phone at 613-232-1056.

EllisDon Construction Services is hosting a special information session for contractors, suppliers and vendors to learn more about the federal government’s Contract Security Program (CSP).

Many federal government contracts, including some managed by Defence Construction Canada, now require contractors to meet security clearances.

EllisDon has created this workshop to provide general information on the CSP, reasons for contractors to apply, the types of clearances (organizational and personal) required, a walk through the application process, and a question and answer session.

The session is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. ET, with registration details available online.

Source: HistoryNet.com

1660: The first Shakespearian actress to appear on an English stage (she is believed to be a Ms. Norris) makes her debut as Desdemona.
1869: Timothy Eaton and his brother James open a small 24x60-foot dry goods and haberdashery business in Toronto at 178 Yonge Street on the corner of Queen Street.
1915: Canadian MD John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" is first published in Punch magazine.
1967: In the biggest battle yet in the Mekong Delta, 365 Viet Cong are killed.
1980: John Lennon is shot to death outside his Manhattan apartment building.
1982: The Washington, D.C., police shoot and kill a man threatening to blow up the Washington Monument.
1991: The leaders of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine sign an agreement that dissolves the Soviet Union and establishes the Commonwealth of Independent States.
2005: Scientists say that the Great Lakes are losing their ability to cope with environmental stress and ward off a catastrophic breakdown.
2010: SpaceX becomes the first privately held company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft.