Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008

Message from MCA Canada Chairman James Derksen MCA Canada continues to represent the interests of mechanical contractors across the country not only to the Federal Government but also through other allied industry organizations. We address such things as tender documents, payment clauses, bid depository promotion, pre-purchasing of materials and equipment, safe drinking water, supply chain matters, sustainable buildings, labour mobility etc. with other like organizations such as the Canadian Construction Association, National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada, World Plumbing Council, International Alliance of MCA’s, and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating. The interests of MCA Canada members, particularly as they relate to codes and standards, are also taken care of through our involvement with various standard organizations such as the Canadian Standards Association. MCA Canada and its education partner, the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation, continue to provide excellent programs for the benefit of our members across Canada. More management education programs are being offered this year. Project management, estimating, financial management, introduction to commissioning are just some of the many seminars and programs available to mechanical contractors. New programs such as Advanced Project Management and Supervisory Training are currently being developed and are expected to be offered to the industry in the very near future. In March ‘08, a national MiddleManagement Conference (the 4th in eight years) was held in Toronto, Ontario for three days (March 27-29, 2008) and included industry-specific sessions designed for you and your employees. All members across the country were invited. MCA Canada was the lead organization in the development and establishment of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC). The NTCCC, currently comprised of seven (7) national associations representing contractors involved with mechanical, electrical, roofing, heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning, sheet metal, automated sprinkler, and masonry, was formed to facilitate trade association communication and collaboration. Priority issues of the Coalition, include helping our respective members to get paid promptly for work performed, and the promotion of the use of “unaltered” forms of standard contract documents. Progress is being made on all these fronts. NTCCC activities also include offering a “Getting Paid” seminar, production and circulation of a best practices guide for trade contractors as well as a guide to the standard form of contract. Federal Government relations and a joint partnership with the Construction Sector Council on human resource issues, labour forecasting, e-learning, essential skills for the trades, etc. are just a few of the other issues being addressed by the Coalition. This past September, during MCA Canada’s Ottawa national conference, the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada, a division of MCA Canada, was born. Service contractors, who are members of their provincial MCA, will be receiving services and benefits specific to the mechanical service 7 n January of this year, MCA Canada held its Annual Winter meetings in my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. This event consisted of meetings with MCA Canada Standing Committees, the national Executive Committee, and, of course, the full national Board of Directors. These meetings set the Associations’ tone and priorities for 2008 and beyond some of which are highlighted below. It was also during these meetings that the announcement was made that MCA Canada had successfully raised the finances necessary to start the development of a national Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standard for building commissioning. A myriad of industry stakeholders including MCA Canada and it’s provincial affiliate MCA’s, Public Works Government Services Canada, Defence Construction Canada, and the Canadian Construction Association all financially contributed towards this cause. Work began in March ‘08 and we expect a standard to be complete anywhere between 12 and 18 months. An electronic version of the standard (with application tools) will then be developed and followed by a comprehensive educational/certification program. Ambitious? Perhaps. Needed? Absolutely! I Mechanical Contractors Associations of Alberta, B.C., Manitoba & Saskatchewan 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008

Mechanical Piping Plumbing Journal 2008 Contents MCA Canada Chairman MCA Alberta MCA British Columbia MCA Manitoba MCA Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Saskatchewan Manitoba Demographics & Management Employees Insurance – The Pros & Cons of Subguard® Construction Sector Council Data Richmond Olympic Oval Uses the Ice to Heat Things Up B.C.’s Hydrogen Highway™: The Hydrogen + Fuel Cell Alternative The Manitoba Hydro Tower Project Index to Advertisers

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