WHAT'S NEW?
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?
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!
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
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!
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 !
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!
MCAO’s HR on Demand An HR partner might not be a role that your business can support in-house. Most companies don’t add an HR person until they hit 50 people. In the meantime, if you have a question that relates to hiring, performance management, compensation, legislation, conflict, termination (and other human resources topics) it can be hard to know where to start. We are introducing a potential solution for those of you without HR in-house. MCAO is partnering with Dee Pipher, CHRL to offer HR support. If you would like to set up a 30 minute chat with Dee for HR advice, fill in THIS FORM to give some context. You will then be sent a link from Dee to set up a time through calendly.com. The cost of the 30 minute consult is covered by MCAO. More in depth consultations may need to be covered by the contractor organization. If your questions are of a legal nature, or are outside of the scope of HR, Dee may refer you to an employment lawyer.
Holiday Training Code Giveaway! – Waiting on Workplace Safety In honor of the holidays, we are thrilled to give away a large number of online BuildForce and Workplace Safety training courses to our members! All courses are self-paced, with BuildForce codes qualifying for gold seal certification credits. Courses include: BuildForce o Introduction to Construction Estimating o Construction Project Management Workplace Safety o Workplace Incident Investigation o Conflict Resolution If you would like to request any of the above codes, please contact our Operations Manager, Dylan, at dylan@mcao.org . Happy Holidays!
MCA Ontario 2025 Annual General Meeting/Conference
Artificial Intelligence Part 2 - Increasing Productivity In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various industries. For mechanical contracting businesses, AI offers innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve project outcomes. Here are some AI programs that are already beginning to transform the way mechanical contractors operate: OpenSpace is a reality capture program that utilizes automated 360-degree helmet cameras and AI-powered progress tracking to provide constant worksite updates. ClickUp Brain ’s AI-powered scheduling assistant simplifies scheduling by considering task dependencies, team availability, and project priorities. Field Wire is a data analysis program with sophisticated AI algorithms that provide insight into project trends and anomalies. PlanSwift is an AI-powered estimation tool that measures quantities and dimensions directly from digital floor layouts, streamlining the digital takeoff process. viAct is a safety program that employs a series of cameras to identify possible threats and plan deviations on site to avoid incidents. They boast 95% fewer accidents when used. Rhumbix offers an AI-based field data platform that improves labor productivity and project management through timekeeping and performance analytics. Other similar programs include Deepomatic , Timescapes , Buildots , Fusion 360 , and AVEVA , among many other innovative solutions that are continually being released and enhanced. Integrating AI into mechanical contracting enhances operational efficiency and provides a competitive edge in an industry that thrives on precision and productivity. By leveraging AI you can ensure your projects are executed flawlessly, on time, and within budget, ultimately leading to increased client satisfaction and business growth. Embracing AI today sets the foundation for a more innovative and successful future in the mechanical contracting industry.
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