MCA Ontario Newsletters

MCA Ontario 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference

Our 2024 Annual General Meeting/Conference is on the horizon! Join MCA Ontario as we explore the city of London April 11-19. Click the photo below to view some of the exciting tours and dinners we have planned for our conference.

We hope to see you there!

Registration opening soon!

The WSIAT is Updating it's Pre-Hearing Process

Starting November 6th, 2023, the Workers' Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT) is implementing a new pre-hearing process. The aim of this new process is to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and timely adjudication across the board. Notable changes designed to streamline the appeals process include:

Navigation services for self-represented parties.
Elimination of certain notice periods.
Revised disclosure period.
More efficient process for handling abandoned appeals.
Revised notice of appeal form.
New “Hearing Ready” and “Not Ready for Hearing” forms.

The WSIAT will be holding information sessions on the new process in the fall and we have provided links to their new workflow diagram and information sheet for your convenience.

Unprescendented WSIB Payment Error

The WSIB is attempting to rectify an unprecedented error that resulted in many claimants being underpaid over the past 20 years. Between January 1998 and December 2017, their payment system did not always adjust earnings correctly. This miscalculation only affected roughly two percent of claims during this period but the amount of moneythat workers have been short changed totals $42 million. The average miscalculation amounts to under $70 but in extreme situations could total as much as $40,000. The WSIB has recently sent out letters to the affected workers, who once they sign into the WSIB portal and confirm their identity, will receive their back payment within six weeks.

For more information click HERE!

Few Spots Left in the CEC Porject Management Program!

The Construction Education Council (CEC) proudly presents the exclusive Gold Seal and Blue Seal Accredited Project Management Program. This highly acclaimed program is offered in partnership with the University of Waterloo. The program takes place over a 10-day period and is split into two 5-day sessions. Part of what is unique in this Project Management offering is that over the 10-day period you will be introduced to 8 different instructors who are all experts in their field of knowledge. You will learn from the best!

Dates: Week 1 = November 16-20, 2023 | Week 2 = December 14-18, 2023
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Cost for MCA Member: $3,500.00

For more information about the course and to register, click HERE!

CEC Dispatcher Training program

The Construction Education Council is pleased to present this exclusive 2-Day Dispatcher Training Program. Acontracting firm’s dispatchers serve as the nerve center of the entire company. The more knowledgeable and capable they are at serving customers and communicating with field personnel, the better they can contribute to the success ofthe business. The training is designed to enhance your dispatcher’s skill set through group exercises, self-assessment tools and discussion groups.

Dates: December 5-6, 2023
Location: MCA Toronto - 595 Cityview Blvd. Unit 7, Vaughan, Ontario
Cost for MCA Members: $475

For more information about the program and to register, click HERE!

New IHSA Sanitary Washroom Regulations

Due to a combination of Covid 19 and outdated policies, the IHSA has created new on-site hygiene regulations for the entire construction industry. By maintaining proper hygiene procedures and facilities you can help to prevent the spread of infectious diseases onthe worksite. This can be very difficult, often forcing workers to have to deal with unsanitary toilets and cleaning facilities. The new regulations, designed to address these issues, came into effect July 1st, 2023, and will be required under Ontario health and safety laws.

For more information visit IHSA.ca or review the “Sanitary Conditions on Construction Sites” document HERE!

Ontario Investing in Free Training for Women and Young People

The Ontario government has committed $3.6 million in funding to back three groundbreaking initiatives. Spearheaded by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO), these initiatives aimto assist more than 2,200 women and young individuals prepare for a rewarding and high paying career in theconstruction trades. The free program will focus on enhancing female representation within the sector, delivering accessible online training resources and employment opportunities to job seekers, and giving grade 12 students animmersive glimpse into the construction industry.

Minister McNaughton's Sudden Departure

Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton has left the Progressive Conservative caucus. McNaughton released a statement in late September stepping down from his duties and resigning within a week. In his statement, McNaughton said that “he’s exiting politics to take a job in the private sector” and that his decision was completely unrelated to the recent greenbelt development events.

Former environment minister David Piccini has been chosen as McNaughton’s replacement and we look forward to forging a new relationship with him soon!

We would also like to wish Minister McNaughton the best of luck in the private sector!

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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!