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.

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.
 
In the coming weeks, we will feature each scholarship recipient in our newsletter and on our social media platforms.

This week we  feature Tasneem Khan, who was awarded the Taco Comfort Solutions scholarship for Women Mechanical Construction Management. A graduate of George Brown College in Ontario, Tasneem Khan is in her final year of her Honours Bachelor of Technology Construction Management program. Construction initially caught her attention when she enrolled in a carpentry course during high school. Following grade 12, she did a co-op on a downtown high-rise e-condo building working with different skilled trades. It was after completing this co-op that she decided to pursue a degree in construction management.
 
MCAC LinkedIn / MCAC Facebook
 
MCAC’s Women in Mechanical Construction (WiMC) LinkedIn
 
MCAC’s Women in Mechanical Construction (WiMC) Instagram
 
MCAC’s Women in Mechanical Construction (WiMC) Facebook

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

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

Local Pro is an exclusive referral program available to Home Depot Pro Xtra members. As a Pro Xtra member, you can sign up to become a Local Pro and earn leads for plumbing jobs.

As a Local Pro you will:

• receive free leads to grow your business
• choose where, when, and how you want to work
• grow your online presence with a dedicated webpage on homedepot.ca.

Sign up now and get 15 Local Pro credits. That’s a spend value of $750!
 
We are looking for plumbers to help our customers with their plumbing needs. Application is easy, and approvals can take as little as 24 hours. Click here to learn more.
 
Click here for Members Affinity Program Details.

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: Canadian Manufacturing
The pilot program was completed in December of 2022 and is scheduled to begin the second cohort in February 2023.

Learn More...

Source: BuildForce Canada
Nearly every province reported increases in employment and labour force growth in 2022.

Learn More...

BuildForce Canada created the Communication, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution e-learning course specifically for anyone who works in construction and who wants to improve their written, oral, and negotiating skills, and enhance their conflict-resolution skills.

This self-paced, online e-learning program is accessible to learners anytime on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The course material consists of nine lessons of approximately 35 minutes each for about five hours of total instruction.

Communication, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution has been accredited by the Canadian Construction Association. Learners who successfully complete this course will earn two credits toward their Gold Seal certification.
 
Key outcomes for learners include:

• communicating clearly using a variety of methods
• overcoming communication barriers
• applying communication skills to lead a meeting
• defining and identifying stages of a conflict
• working with difficult behaviours more effectively

Click to learn more.

Source: Construction Links Network
Statistics Canada reports that the total value of building permits in Canada jumped 14.1% in November to $11.0 billion, rebounding after two consecutive monthly losses.

Learn More...