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August 14, 2024

Hello,

Fall is just around the corner and we've got a full lineup of education and events coming your way. MCABC is thrilled to announce our new #coffeetalk on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the mechanical contracting industry. Let's discuss how AI can empower your business operations, register today. 

Calling all Mechanical Contractors in the Fraser Valley! You don't want to miss MCABC's FIRST valley mixer that will bring together mechanicals in a helicopter hangar. Connect with your industry peers in the Fraser Valley - registration opens soon. 

Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd....wrap up your summer with industry colleagues and enjoy the excitement of a Vancouver Mariners baseball game at Nat Bailey Stadium. Tickets are selling fast, register today. 

Thanks for reading!

- Your MCABC team

2024 MCABC Golf Classic - Thanks for the Memories

On behalf of the team at MCABC, we want to thank everyone for participating in this year’s MCABC Golf Classic. Our signature event had a fantastic turnout of over 300 golfers and dinner attendees! This year's Golf Classic was an unforgettable experience and a day full of fun and camaraderie. 

Also, a huge thank you to the generous donations made by our attendees in support of the Ending Violence Association of British Columbia (EVA-BC), MCABC’s charity of choice. EVA-BC works to coordinate and support the work of anti-violence programs through the provision of issue-based consultation and analysis, resource development, training, research and education.

Without your participation and ongoing support, it would not be possible to host an exciting event of this caliber and size, thanks again. See you next year! 

Offering decades of combined expertise, Warrior designs and installs new mechanical systems, in-depth application and technical services through their team of Red Seal certified journey persons who go above and beyond to ensure the success of each client’s project.

Meet the 2024/2025 MCABC Board of Directors

Meet Maddie Davidson, MCABC Board Member 

Maddie has been immersed in the mechanical contracting industry from a young age, having grown up with family in the business. After university, Maddie started in the family business as a Project Coordinator and assumed several roles in the office, spanning from operations to management, for over 16 years. She now leads the service division as a Service Manager at Davidson Bros.

As the current Chair of the NextGen Board and respective liaison to the MCABC Board of Directors, Maddie links the present with the future. She is a strong advocate for elevating awareness of the trades amongst the younger generation. While each of the 10 mechanical trades may experience different challenges, she acknowledges industry as a whole faces shared obstacles, such as labour shortages.

Last week to submit your name — Join the 2024/2025 MCABC NextGen Board now

Empower the next generation of the mechanical contracting industry.

Are you interested in engaging with future leaders in the mechanical contracting industry? Connect with the next generation through social and networking events, student outreach initiatives, leadership development, educational opportunities, and professional growth. Your participation will help shape the industry and drive innovation.

There are three (3) positions are available. To be eligible for the 2024/2025 Next Gen Board, you must:

• Be an employee of an MCABC member company
• Be a Contractor or Affiliate member
• Be under or close to 40 years of age

The deadline to submit your name is Thursday, August 15th by 5 PM. 

Save the Date - 2024 MCABC NextGen AGM - September 18th

Mark your calendars for the 2024 MCABC NextGen AGM. The NextGen Board will share the latest initiatives and projects. Stay tuned for further registration details.

WIMC is seeking Open Committee Member Positions 

WIMC is thrilled to announce the availability of three committee member positions and warmly invite enthusiastic individuals to apply. One of these positions is specifically reserved for an apprentice or someone currently working on the tools for an MCAC Contractor Member. 

Discover Women's Workwear 

WIMC collaborates with women's workwear companies to ensure that women in mechanical construction have access to high-quality, functional, and comfortable workwear.

By partnering with companies, WIMC aims to address the specific needs of women in the industry, promoting safety, inclusion, and confidence on the job site. This collaboration not only enhances the work experience for women but also supports their professional growth and productivity.

MCABC members have access to workwear discounts through our Advantage Program. For more info, please contact kvences@mcabc.org. 

MCABC's FIRST mixer in the Fraser Valley! 

Calling all Mechanical Contractors in the Fraser Valley! You don't want to miss MCABC's FIRST valley mixer that will bring together mechanicals in a helicopter hangar for a night of fun and networking. 

Date: Thursday, September 12th

Time: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Chinook Helicopters

30720 Rotor Drive, Abbotsford, BC

Connect with your industry peers in the Fraser Valley - registration opens soon. 

New #coffeetalk - How AI is shaping the Future of Mechanical Contracting 

Are you interested in how Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology solutions are transforming the mechanical contracting industry?

Join the discussion on October 2nd with Sumana Rao, Digital Platform Leader at Trimble, as we explore how AI is revolutionizing the mechanical contracting industry through enhancing operational efficiency, enabling predictive maintenance, improving safety protocols, and driving innovation.

About the Facilitator - Sumana Rao 

Sumana Rao is a distinguished business and technology leader with over two decades of experience in driving growth, innovation, and digital transformation in the SaaS industry. Currently, she is responsible for strategic planning and execution in the construction sector at Trimble. Her expertise in data-driven decision-making and cross-functional team leadership has fueled corporate expansion and created integrated solutions that propel organizational success.

This #coffeetalk is sponsored by Black&McDonald

Date: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 

Time: 8:00AM - 9:00AM 

Location: Virtual (ZOOM) 

Take me out to the ball game - Wrap up the summer with Night at the Nat ⚾

Celebrate the end of summer with a baseball game at Nat Bailey Stadium. Watch the Vancouver Canadians as they take on the Eugene Emeralds. Your ticket includes:

• An all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet;
• Elevated private VIP seating and networking area in the Nutrl Zone, an exclusive viewing area where you can skip the crowds and long lines. This seating area offers prime views of the game and Vancouver's summer skyline.

Doors open at 6pm, game starts at 7:05pm. You can pre-purchase up to two drink tickets to cut down on stadium line ups.

Limited tickets available! Secure yours today:

Date: September 3, 2024

Time: 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Location: Nat Bailey Stadium

4601 Ontario Street, Vancouver, BC 

#coffeetalk - Exploring Canada's A2L Refrigerant Transition 

With the transition from R410 to A2L refrigerants effective January 1, 2025 in the US, Canadian buyers who purchase equipment from the US face uncertainty due to growing concerns around the mild flammability of A2Ls. Join Ryan Faulkner (Master Applied Business Solutions) as we discuss and explore the implications of these changes to the HVACR industry in Canada.

Date: September 12, 2024

Time: 8:00AM - 9:00AM 

Location: Virtual (ZOOM) 

CANADIAN APPRENTICESHIP FORUM WEBINAR - 

Supporting Apprentice Learning: Build Your Skills 

Are you interested in building your apprenticeship knowledge? Join SkillPlan and SRDC and gather insights about online resources that support apprentice learning. Discover what apprentices think about these resources. Share your experiences helping apprentice learners.

Date: September 18, 2024
Time: 1:00pm - 2:00pm ET
Location: Online

The Federal Plastics Registry - What Mechanical Contractors Should Know Webinar 

On April 20, 2024, the Federal Plastics Registry was established, with reporting obligations to be triggered as early as next year. The purpose of the registry is to track plastics usage and lifecycle data, and is part of the government’s plan to reduce plastics pollution. Under this registry, there may be some reporting obligations on the part of contractors and their suppliers.

In this webinar brought together by the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada and McMillan LLP, lawyers from McMillan will provide an overview on the Plastics Registry, considerations and potential implications for mechanical contractors, and take questions from participants.

MCAC Webinar Optimizing Shop Flow; New Industries and Markets for Mechanical Contractors Webinar

Industries (oil & gas, mining, construction, and shipbuilding) need to embrace technology to meet new requirements, enhance productivity, and solve the skilled labour shortage.  Automation, robotics, and AI (machine learning) are being implemented in traditional industries and this innovation not only provides a solution to existing challenges but presents opportunities for mechanical contractors with new projects such as data centres/chip plants.

This webinar will discuss innovation and the progressive approach taken by a leading Canadian mechanical contractor using a collaborative welding robot designed and manufactured by Novarc Technologies Inc., a robotics company specializing in the design and manufacturing of cobots and computer vision AI for automated welding applications. 

Speakers:

• Steve Robinson, MCABC Board Member, President and Founder Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems 
• Soroush Karimzadeh, CEO & Co-Founder Novarc Technologies 

Elevate your Estimating career: Estimating 101 for Mechanical Contractors (Gold Seal-Accredited)

MCABC's newest Gold Seal-Accredited course will elevate your estimating skills. Gain an understanding of the estimator’s role and learn techniques applied in estimating. This course is designed for mechanical contracting professionals who are entering or new to the position of estimator, project manager, field supervision or support staff.

Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024

Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Location: Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Central City Campus, 13450 102 Ave, Surrey (Room SRYC 3040)

Project Accounting for Contractors: Cost Control & Financial Reporting (Gold Seal-Accredited)

Take a deep dive into construction financial management and learn how to bridge the gap between construction processes. This 3-day Gold Seal-Accredited course is customized for mechanical contractors and provides an opportunity to gain project accounting essentials. Upon completion, you can earn 4 Gold Seal Credits.

Date: Tuesday, October 22nd - Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Virtual

Medical Gas Installation Course 

Achieve the skills needed to install and maintain pipelines for medical gases, medical vacuum, medical support gases, and anesthetic gas scavenging systems. Upon successful completion of this course and braze test, you will be eligible to apply to the CSA to write their “Medical Gas Piping and Systems Installations Certification” exam as outlined in the CSA Z7396.1 Standard.

Date: October 2024 

Time: N/A 

Location: Virtual

Building permits, June 2024 (Just published) 

Minister's statement on July Labour Force Survey results 

Canadians increasingly worried about economy and their finances, polling shows

BC Conservatives continue to gain support: poll