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.

MCA Canada is pleased to announce that 2022 marked the highest amount of financial assistance provided since the inception of the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series in 2006, with close to $30,000 awarded to students across Canada. 
 
"As a national association for the mechanical contracting industry in Canada, the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series represents an extremely important initiative for our sector and our members,” said Derek Ermen, President and Chair of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada. "Supporting the future leaders in our industry is paramount, particularly as we grapple with retirements and skilled worker shortages across the country. This year’s financial assistance total is our largest to date, and it showcases the industry’s ongoing commitment to the next generation.”
 
The Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series, named in honour of past-CEO Richard McKeagan, is supported by MCAC Associate Members and MCA partners from across Canada who provide the funding for the program and the various scholarships offered. Since its launch in 2006, the scholarship series has awarded more than $100,000 to deserving post-secondary students. To date, there have also been instances where students have gone on to work for those companies that supported their education through the scholarship program. In addition to students in the mechanical field of study, scholarships are also offered to include several new categories, including sustainable development, women in the mechanical field, and indigenous students. 
 
This year, scholarships were available through the following MCAC Associate Members and MCA partners: Bradford White Canada, EquipCo Ltd., Federated Insurance, Masco/Delta, MCA Hamilton-Niagara, Mitsubishi Electric Heating & Cooling, OS&B, Palser Enterprises, Reliance Worldwide, ServcoCanada, Taco Comfort Solutions, Uponor, Watts Water Technologies, the Women in Mechanical Construction Initiative, and the broader Associate Membership of MCA Canada, which funds a single MCAC Associate Member Scholarship. More information about the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series can be found online at https://mcac.ca/our-programs/scholarships/
 
"As an industry, we are fortunate to have so many firms who step up to the plate year after year to support this scholarship program,” Ermen added. "As the program continues to grow, it is great to see this ongoing support.” 
 
The following students received scholarship funding through the Richard McKeagan Scholarship Series in 2022:

Topic: Ontario's First Net Zero Community: West 5
Date: January 25 at 1:00 pm ET

Located in London, Ontario, West 5 is a 70-acre mixed-use development billed as Ontario's first Net Zero community. Using new technologies, high-quality building envelopes and on-site renewable energy generation, this net zero community offers its residential and commercial users an inviting, sustainable community with the added benefit of lower energy costs. Join a group of panelists as they discuss the innovations and technologies used to achieve West 5's sustainability goals.

Register for free.

Panelists:

• Neil Carter, Director, Commercial Construction, Sifton Properties Limited
• Brent Weber, Contractor, Design Heating Systems Inc.
• Derek Satnik, VP of Technology, Smart Communities, S2E
• Steve Cornelius, Business Development Representative, Mitsubishi Electric Sales Canada Inc.

View case studies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6TI7xt9nP8

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a Designated Red Seal Trade where women are underrepresented.

• The AIG-W is a taxable grant worth $3,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices.
• You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG W.
• You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $6,000).
• You can apply for your second AIG-W after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training.

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women pilot project will end March 31, 2023. Learn more.

A quarterly podcast series, which will feature a committee member as host speaking with some of industry’s influential women.

Podcasts are an accessible way for the WiMC Initiative to connect with our audience on topics of interest pertaining to our industry.

The topic of Encouragement, Mentorship, & Retention of Women in the Trades is a very important one, hosted by Rachael Lolua (MCA Hamilton-Niagara) with speakers Alanna Marklund (Special Representative for Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations – United Association – Canada) and Brandi Ferenc (313a Refrigeration Mechanic/Gas Fitter 1)

Click to Listen to Ep. 1: Encouragement, Mentorship, & Retention of Women in the Trades

Watch the Podcast Video

MCAC members are eligible for preferred home, tenant and auto insurance rates through AON.

You and your immediate family members are eligible to receive up to a 12 percent discount on auto insurance and up to a 15 percent discount on home insurance. Save even more when bundling your policies. To obtain a quote, speak with an AON personal lines broker directly at 800-448-2539. Don’t forget to mention that you are eligible for the MCAC member discount.

For 24/7 access to a quote, please visit Aon Group Insurance.

Members are also eligible for a 5 percent discount on pet insurance premiums through our partner Pets Plus Us. For pet insurance inquiries, please visit www.petsplusus.com/partner/aon and use offer code "AON”.

For higher valued assets, we are pleased to offer customized insurance solutions through our Private Client insurance team. To learn more, visit www.aon.com/canada/privateclient/index.jsp or call 888-266-2812.

Click here for Members Affinity Program details.

If you’re an employer planning on hiring management expertise in the future, grooming "top talent” and meeting this industry’s "best and brightest” future leaders, this is the event for you. If you’re a student looking for a bright and rewarding future within the mechanical contracting industry you should not miss joining us.

Join MCA Hamilton-Niagara as they host the 9th Annual Student Chapter Summit. From January 19 to 21, students from across Canada will come together to learn about the future of the mechanical contracting industry, technological advancements, career choices, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with fellow attendees in a mini competition.

This year’s theme is "Nuclear” as well as a look into the role of the mechanical contractor and how they will assist with achieving net zero by 2050. Students will also have the privilege to visit nuclear generator facilities at McMaster University as well an opportunity to work on the tools at UA Local 67. The two days will not be all work though as there are also several networking opportunities for the students and contractors.

If you would like further information on the Summit or sponsorship opportunities please contact Tania Johnston at tania@mcac.ca.

Presented by MCA Alberta, MCA Canada & Construction Education Council

Date: February 16 & 17, 2023

Who should attend?

• Company presidents and owners, estimating staff, project managers who also estimate, or anyone responsible for estimating and procurement of work.

Conference speakers:

• Jack Wilhelmi: President Emeritus of the Omaha Division of The Waldinger Corporation
• Tim Wentz: Professor, University of Nebraska
• Dan Leduc: Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright

Early bird cost MCA Members: $1,195 (Regular $1,395) | Non-Members: $1,595 (Regular $1,795)

Click here to register!

Hosted by MCA Saskatchewan, Merit and MCA Canada, this one-day conference will explore key issues and solutions impacting Saskatchewan Contractors. Featuring a great lineup of speakers and topics, the program will look at issues such as labour force demand, supply chain issues, supplementary general conditions in contracts, cyber security & insurance, and energy efficiency.

Open to all MCA Saskatchewan, Merit and MCA Canada members, this event is not to be missed. Register today!

Sessions & Speakers

Economic Labour Force Update

• Bill Ferreira, Executive Director, BuildForce Canada

Contract Pitfalls

• Misty Alexandre, Lawyer, Robertson Stromberg LLP

Mitigating the Challenges of Price Volatility and Supply Chain

• Carla Spriggs, Mechanical Designer, Partner, HDA Engineering
• Alden Wood, Victaulic
• Jordan Diederichs, Core Trade Specialist – Plumbing & Mechanical (AB, SK, MB), Milwaukee

Cyber Security and Insurance

• Barry Shelton, Vice President, MARSH
• Hilary Palmer, Client Advisor and Placement Specialist, MARSH

What Energy Efficiency Means for Saskatchewan's Built Environment

• James Gates, Director, Customer Solutions SaskEnergy
• Boyd Kampen, President, Impact Energy Services

Source: Global News
Skilled immigrants are needed to increase Canada’s home supply as a wave of retirements closes in on the nation’s construction industry, the federal housing minister says.

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Source: Daily Commercial News
Five years in, the Build Smoke-Free campaign to convince tobacco smokers on construction sites to break their addiction has produced remarkable results but the program itself is at a crossroads.

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Does your organization develop courageous leaders who enable whole-hearted engagement?

Leaders and managers who wish to understand the barriers that prevent whole-hearted engagement such as racism and sexism could consider participating in two of the courses in our Respectful Workplace Online Toolkit: Working in a Respectful and Inclusive Workplace and Introduction to Understanding Systemic Racism – A Guide for Leaders and Managers.

These courses help participants to live into the values around inclusion and identify the false stories that prevent whole-hearted engagement.

Read about the four practices that define courageous leadership.

Click here for the toolkit.

Source: Canadian Manufacturing
The number of employees in the private sector also increased last month, with job gains made across industries.

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