MCA Ontario Newsletters

A Message from MCAO President – Serge Robert

A quick scan of our province offers a glimpse of challenges, pressures, growth opportunities to name a few and how they differ between and even within our zones. By expanding ones view, it becomes apparent that the geographical size, number of contractors and workforce hours of some zones alone exceed that of other provinces. These characteristics highlight the importance of communication. This newsletter is intended to provide topical information to members in responding to the myriad of challenges faced on a daily basis. Effective communication is two-way so while first and foremost I hope you find the information provided of value, I encourage you to be active at your zone level and to challenge our provincial office to include other topics in future editions. It is after all intended for your benefit.

MCAO Support to MCABC

In response to the devastating damage and subsequent hardship caused by the extreme rainfall and flooding in British Columbia, MCAO has donated $25,000 through the Mechanical Contractors Association of British Columbia’s support of the Canadian Red Cross: BC Floods & Extreme Weather Appeal. To make a donation please visit secure.redcross.ca/registrant/donate

We are a family of Unionized Mechanical Contractors across Canada. It is in times such as these where we are called to support our fellow Canadians as we can. I encourage all who are able to consider donating.

- Serge Robert, MCAO President

Upcoming 2022 Negotiations

Dates for local talks have been set for 15 December 2021 to 15 March 2022. Discussions in the New Year will initially focus on establishing the first date for the provincial bargaining to begin. We are confident that we will be able to work with the UA to arrive at a solution that will benefit the industry, contractors and technicians well into the future.

Thanks to all the zones for submitting your list of anticipated discussion topics. MCAO will work over the next few weeks to compile these and develop a reference document for everyone involved in negotiations.

MCAO & OPTC Social Media Campaign

We are embarking on an exciting campaign to increase the awareness of our Unionized Mechanical Trades and to improve our social media presence across the province. Beginning in January we expect to have a Facebook and Instagram account under the channel Ontario Pipe Trades. In addition to province wide efforts, specific attention will be given to the following areas in the first four months of the New Year.

Windsor, London and Kitchener January
Ottawa February
Thunder Bay April

MCA Ontario’s 2022 Annual General Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting/Conference is scheduled from 24 – 31 March in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Conference attendees will join industry friends and associates for a seven night all inclusive stay at the Iberostar Grand Bavaro resort.

Our conference agenda will feature several focused informational/business sessions of value to all members; is a great opportunity to network with associates from across Ontario; and this year will also feature many optional tours.

It will surely be another memorable conference so don't miss out!

PUNTA CANA

Please register by December 10^th at the latest to ensure your spot!

Please visit MCA Ontario AGM for online registration or contact our office at 905-629-0344.

New Location!

MCA Ontario has moved to a beautiful building in Mississauga.

Our new address is:

5250 Solar Drive

Suite 201

Mississauga, ON L4W 0G4

905-629-0344

Quick hits …

The MCAO/OPTC Provincial Collective Agreement

OPTC Provincial Collective Agreement | Mechanical Contractors Association of Ontario (mcao.org)

On prompt payment

McMillan Presentation - Prompt Payment and Adjudication - 23 Sept 2021

Newer Post >

Looking for more?

Our intent is to make this a quarterly newsletter that is full of timely and valuable information for you. If you would like to see a specific topic or concern included in a future version please reach out to us at mcao@mcao.org. We welcome any feedback and/or questions you may have.

MCA Ontario Newsletters

March 2026

March 25, 2026

Why Operational Intelligence Is Becoming the Industry Advantage The construction landscape is continuing to evolve, and a clear trend is emerging for mechanical contractors across Ontario. Success in the coming years will not be defined by company size alone, but by how effectively firms operate, make decisions, and leverage the systems behind their teams. For many years, growth in the industry often meant scaling headcount to take on more work. That approach is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. Ongoing labour shortages, combined with rising operating costs, are pushing members to rethink how they structure their businesses. The focus is shifting toward maximizing productivity per employee rather than simply increasing workforce size. This shift places greater emphasis on operational efficiency. Beginning to adopt tools and processes that reduce administrative burden will improve visibility across projects. Streamlined workflows, better data management, and emerging technologies such as AI-supported document review and automated reporting are helping teams handle routine tasks more efficiently. As a result, staff can dedicate more time to higher-value activities like project planning, coordination, and on-site problem solving. This all reinforces an important strategic direction. Competitive advantage is increasingly tied to how well a company organizes its internal systems, manages information, and supports its workforce with practical tools. Firms that invest in improving their processes are better positioned to respond quickly to bid opportunities, manage project risk, and maintain healthy margins in a challenging market. Looking ahead, the most resilient and competitive contractors will be those who successfully combine skilled labour with smarter, more efficient systems. Strengthening both sides of that equation will be key to delivering projects effectively and sustaining long-term growth in Ontario’s mechanical contracting sector. Are you planning for the future of the industry?

January 2026

January 21, 2026

New AED Requirements and WSIB Reimbursement Starting January 1, 2026, construction projects with 20 or more workers and an expected duration of three months or longer in Ontario will be required to have a Health Canada–licensed Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site under O. Reg. 157/25 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The regulation also sets out requirements for signage, inspections, accessories, and ensuring a worker trained in CPR/AED use is present while work is underway. To help offset costs, the province has introduced a WSIB reimbursement program through Bill 30, the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025. Key details for members: Reimbursement of up to $2,500 per AED, limited to one AED per qualifying construction project Separate applications required for each project, with no limit on the number of projects a contractor may apply for AEDs must be purchased between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027 Only Health Canada approved AEDs qualify (verified through the MDALL database) Applications opened January 1, 2026, and must be submitted through WSIB online services with approved reimbursements expected to be credited within approximately 60 days. Reimbursement details and applications HERE! Read the legislation HERE!

October 2025

October 28, 2025

Upcoming Release: 2025 Collective Agreement The finalized 2025 Collective Agreement will be available online next week. Hard copies will also be sent to local zone offices for appropriate distribution by the end of November. If you have any questions, please contact our office at mcao@mcao.org

August 2025

August 20, 2025

Upcoming MCAO Events MCAO is hosting two very exciting important events in October on back to back days so that you don’t need to travel twice! October 23 – Joint Leadership Conference The Electrical, Mechanical, and Labour Sectors Unite! Join the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario ( ECAO ),Mechanical Contractors Association of Ontario ( MCAO ) and Construction Labour Relations Association of Ontario ( CLRAO ) for the 2025 Joint Leadership Conference! October 24 - MCAO’s S.M.A.R.T. Innovation Evening Experience a dynamic speed networking format at the Hockey Hall of Fame, where participants will rotate between supplier & manufacturer to discuss progressive solutions to challenges in the mechanical contracting industry. Click HERE! to register for both events!

June 2025

June 25, 2025

Free Project Management PMP Training Spots are Filling Up! MCAO, in partnership with ECAO and CLRAO, is offering a fully funded training opportunity for MCAO member contractors: PROMEX – Project Management Skills for Construction Excellence. Delivered in collaboration with the Schulich School of Business at York University, this program enables participants to earn a Master’s Certificate in Project Management (MCPM). Participants will also be eligible to write the PMP® exam through the Project Management Institute (PMI)—all at no cost, thanks to the Ontario Skills Development Fund. Program Details: The course runs for a total of 8 weeks: 6 weeks of project management training through Schulich ExecEd 2 weeks of AI and digital tools training through iKITES Live virtual sessions every Tuesday and Thursday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PMP® exam prep and fees covered Upcoming cohorts September 4, 2025, and October 23, 2025. Get the full program overview and registration steps in the brochure HERE !

April 2025

April 23, 2025

New MCAO Training Webpage We are excited to announce the launch of a dedicated training section on our official MCAO website! This new hub is designed to be your one-stop destination for all things training-related, featuring everything from updates on upcoming and past MCAO training sessions, to exclusive giveaways and a range of free training resources. Whether you're seeking technical courses, safety certifications, or leadership development opportunities, our new platform makes it easier than ever to access the training you need to grow your staff’s skills. Explore training programs tailored to your professional goals and stay informed on the latest offerings. Be sure to check back regularly for updates, new resources, and more chances to win through our training-related giveaways!