The MCAO Report will be published about every other month or so. Please come
back often to stay apprised of current
news and information that may affect you. Comments, concerns and question can be sent to mcao@netcom.ca, or can be addressed by calling (905) 856-0342.

MCAO is well underway with plans with respect to our 2006 Annual General Meeting/ Conference being held at the Top / All Junior Suite / 5-Star Resort in Varadero, Cuba (Paradisus Varadero) the week of April 2nd to 9th, 2006.

We look forward to another memorable Conference… a Conference Agenda that includes many informative sessions on industry-specific topics; plenty of opportunities for memorable interaction / networking with industry associates.

Look for the Registration Package / Information – which is being sent to all, shortly!

At the September meeting of the Association’s Board of Directors, a decision was made to take action in providing much needed assistance to those affected by the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans. A total of $31,000 has since been collected (via MCAO’s contribution of $10,000; and additional contributions of $21,000 from our Affiliate Zones).

This small token of support to those ravaged by the disaster is being forwarded directly to specific families in the area; with the advice and assistance of our fellow industry organization – MCA New Orleans.

The impact our help has had on these families will be shared with all in a future issue of the Report. Our ‘thanks’ to all who have supported us in this effort!

The following is an update on some of the courses / programs offered this year by the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation (CMCEF):

Gold Seal Project Management Course: The next offering of this course in Ontario will be held in two 5-day sessions, in Waterloo, from November 17th – 21st , and December 8th – 12th (inclusive). Limited space is still available, so contact Tania Johnston (CMCEF), at 613-232-5159; or, go to their website, www.cmcef.org, to obtain more information or to register. Don’t miss this “golden” learning opportunity!!!

Student Chapters: As mentioned in our last Ontario Report, an exciting industry initiative, called Student Chapters, has been under way in our MCA Zones in Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto, since early in this year. MCA Hamilton recently hosted its Student Chapter “kick-off” session, with 75 students from Mohawk College in attendance. These students got a first-hand look at our industry; through presentations by two young Project Managers from local firms, and by Professor Tim Wentz, from the University of Nebraska, a pioneer in the student chapter concept. Everyone involved considered the event a tremendous success. MCA Ottawa has begun developing a similar program with Carleton and Ottawa universities, and Algonquin College; while MCA Toronto will launch their program with George Brown College, later this Fall. We will have more to report on these initiatives in future issues of our Report.

Middle Management Education Conference - 2006: CMCEF will be holding its next Middle Management Conference in the Spring of 2006. Based on the preliminary work on the Conference Agenda, this promises to be another interactive / informative session. Further details will be provided, as soon as they become available.

Subsequent to the submissions made by MCAO to the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, both written and in person (during a meeting held on May 5th), and similar efforts by the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH), and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (HRAI), the government has delayed the implementation date of the amendments affecting our industry from July 1, 2005 until January 1, 2006. This should allow more time for all concerned to take the necessary steps to ensure compliance.

As another off-shoot of that May 5th meeting, and our earlier correspondence, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has undertaken to amend the curriculum and the exam question for the Certificate of Qualification Program for Plumbers and Steamfitters, to more accurately reflect the nature of recent changes within our industry. We are pleased with these developments, and thank all those who contributed their comments / concerns on these topics.

The WSIB has not yet confirmed (by the time we went to print) the rebate that the 68 firms participating in our MCAO Safety Group achieved for the 2004 program year. However, it is expected that this amount will bring the total rebates achieved by firms in the MCAO Safety Group, since its inception, to just under $4,000,000!!!

The WSIB Safety Groups Program is basically a five-year Program that enables firms to build / improve upon their own health and safety policies / program over that time frame. Recently announced improvements to the WSIB Program will allow firms to continue beyond their initial 5 years, as part of the Board’s Safety Leaders Program.

MCAO has begun recruiting new members for the 2006 program year; and would particularly like to see more firms participating in our Niagara and Ottawa Chapters. We would invite any firm considering participation in our 2006 Safety Group to attend one of our meetings this year, to learn more about the process and the Program requirements.

Anyone wishing more information on the MCAO Safety Group should contact Don Del Vecchio.

Further to information provided in our last edition of the Ontario Report, please refer to the enclosed detailed overview of the Tax Credit program, as it concerns our industry / members.

We have made exciting and interesting progress on this joint MCAO / UA promotional initiative, through our MIAC (Mechanical Industry Advisory Committee) Sub-Committee. Details / activities of the sub-committee’s work - aimed at improving the image of the Mechanical Contracting Industry and the services we provide to clients across Ontario, as well as improving market presence and share in all corners of the ICI sector - are expected to be rolled out by the end of this year. Stay tuned!

Please refer to the enclosed pamphlet regarding details of the upcoming Construct Canada Trade Show and Conference (including a “Free Pass” to the Exhibits), to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building).

Federated Insurance has recently released informative brochures and programs on Fleet Maintenance, Loss Prevention, Sub-Contractor Liability, and other related topics, to assist you, the contractor, in controlling “risk” exposure in your business. Contact the Federated Insurance representative in your area, or go to their website, www.federated.ca, for further information on these very worthwhile endeavours.

As always, MCAO welcomes your feedback on any articles appearing in the MCA Ontario Report. We encourage your input / suggestions for any future topics of interest. Please contact us at 905-856-0342 in this regard or click here to fill out a comment form.