We would like to remind you that the next MCA Canada Annual National Conference will be held at the Silverado Resort in Napa Valley, California on October 18-21, 2023.

We anticipate this conference to sell out quickly, so mark your calendars now.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
 
We are the Dead. Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
 
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw,
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders fields.

Last week, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the federal government’s Fall Economic Update. Here are some of the key highlights:
 
Skilled trades support
As expected, there is an acknowledgment of the challenges being faced by employers across Canada to fill positions. In terms of new programming, the update also places particular emphasis on investing for a net-zero economy. This includes an investment of $250 million over 5 years (beginning next fiscal year), for the following:

• The Sustainable Jobs Training Centre: this would bring workers, unions, industry and training institutions to examine the skills of today, forecast the future skills that will be required, and help develop curriculum and on-site training for 15,000 workers to upgrade or gain new skills for a low carbon economy. The forecasting of future skills is something MCA Canada has emphasized the need for in our meetings with policymakers, and there is specific reference that the Centre will focus on areas in high demand, starting with the sustainable battery industry, and low-carbon building and retrofits.
• A Sustainable Jobs Stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program: it is expected that 20,000 apprentices and journeypersons would benefit from this investment to support training for green skills training in the trades.
• The Sustainable Jobs Secretariat: this would be a one-stop shop for workers and employers to access information on programs, funding, and other services offered by the federal government related to a low-carbon economy.

 *The Fall Economic Statement has also proposed to provide $60 million over three years (also beginning next fiscal year) to create supplemental supports to existing federal and provincial/territorial programming. 
 
Incentives for green technologies
The Fall Economic Statement also proposes a refundable tax credit equal to 30 per cent of the capital cost of investments in:

• Electricity generation systems, including small modular nuclear reactors
• Low-carbon heat equipment, including air and ground-source heat pumps

 *This credit would be available as of the day of Budget 2023, and no longer in effect at the start of 2035.  
 
Support for immigration
The update also reaffirms the government’s announced programs this week with the 2023-25 Immigration Levels, to reach 500,000 immigrants in 2025 – the majority of whom will be skilled workers who will help to address persistent labour shortages, including in healthcare, manufacturing, and the building trades.

The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is seeking your input.
 
They want to better understand employers’ current realities and their impacts on apprenticeship recruitment and training. A call with Emily Arrowsmith from CAF-FCA will take only 20 min of your time.
 
Please review the attached project brief, and consider participating.

Employers with fewer than 500 paid employees are eligible up to $20,000 in grants to offset the cost of hiring and training first year apprentices in 39 Red Seal Trades.

Build your future workforce with support from the Canadian Apprenticeship Service for small to medium businesses.

Click here for more information.

On behalf of the WiMC Committee & TESC, we would like recognize Judy Ruttan, payroll administrator for almost 20 years at TESC. Responsible for management of multitrade union construction payroll in Jonas!
 

It is our pleasure to introduce our new quarterly podcast series, hosted by a committee member who will interview some of the most influential women in our industry.

We use podcasts to communicate with our audience about topics relevant to the WiMC initiative.

December 2022 will see the airing of Episode 1: Encouraging, Mentorship, and Retention of women in trades!

Stay connected with MCA Canada's WIMC social media accounts!

• LinkedIn 
• Instagram
• Facebook

Members Affinity Program Associate Mark's Commercial offers a Digital Discount Card exclusively to MCA Canada members. Members of the MCAC are now able to present their digital card at any Mark's Warehouse store nationwide. An email card has been sent to each company's MCA Canada Contact, who can then distribute it to employees.

Didn't get the email? Request a copy of the digital card by emailing jessica@mcac.ca.

On November 28, join MCABC for cocktails, mouth-watering food and musical entertainment that will lift your spirits and get the season started off right. Get some Christmas shopping under your belt at their live auction! Proceeds directly support the Ending Violence Association of BC. The evening includes crowd-pleasing The Dueling Pianos Vancouver – start thinking of song requests!

Everyone welcome! Make this your staff Christmas party and bring your significant others.

Register online at https://mcabc.org/events/.

Source: Plumbing HVAC
Canada has launched its public engagement process for the advanced Canada Green Buildings Strategy. According to the federal government, the Canada Green Buildings Strategy seeks to reduce 37 per cent of emissions from 2005 by 2030 and to create a net-zero-emissions buildings sector by 2050.

Learn More...

Source: Plumbing HVAC

The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) is seeking code users and stakeholders to participate in the fall 2022 public review of proposed changes to the National Model Codes, which includes the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2020, the National Fire Code of Canada (NFC) 2020, the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) 2020, and the National Plumbing Code of Canada (NPC) 2020.

Learn More...

Source: Daily Commercial News
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships conference and although there is a lot to celebrate, including being back in person, it will also be a time to have discussions on what the next wave of P3s will look like.

Learn More...

Source: On-Site Magazine
The number of people working in construction rose by 1.6 per cent in October, a gain of 25,000 jobs.

Learn More...