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February 19, 2025

Hello,

The BC Legislature is back! On Tuesday, February 18, Lieutenant Gov. Wendy Cocchia delivered the speech from the throne outlining the B.C. government’s plan to defend British Columbians from the economic impacts of the U.S. presidency and outlined a plan to grow a more self-reliant economy that delivers good-paying jobs. Read the news release to learn more.

Contract signing is a key step in every project agreement — ensure you're aware of the details and risks as a Contractor. Learn what you should know about existing and future contracts and register for our joint webinar series with ECABC and RCABC, featuring Construction lawyer Tyler Galbraith of JML. 

Lastly, protect your business and understand the risks of owner-sourced materials in our upcoming joint webinar with ECABC and RCABC, featuring Dr. Awad Hanna. Learn mitigation techniques you can implement to reduce your exposure on these projects.

Thanks for reading!

- Your MCABC team

On Tuesday, February 18, Lieutenant Gov. Wendy Cocchia delivered the speech from the throne outlining the B.C. government’s plan to defend British Columbians from the economic impacts of the U.S. presidency and outlined concrete steps the B.C. government will take to grow a more self-reliant economy that delivers good-paying jobs.

The B.C. government expects to introduce two bold new laws to get energy and critical infrastructure built faster, and British Columbia’s economy growing. The new budget (March 4) will focus on economic security and carefully managing finances to protect public services.

Contract Review Tips That You Need to Know — Register for our Webinar Series

Contract signing is a key step in every project agreement — ensure you're paying attention to the details and risks as a Contractor. Whether new or experienced in the Mechanical, Electrical and Roofing industries, contract reviews and refreshes are important.

As contractor owners, estimators and other management, learn:

• CCA 1and CCDC 17 Contracts and Supplementary conditions and their “hot spots”
• Delay claims – what needs to be included, timelines and the impact to the bottom line
• Change Orders vs Change Directives – what are your rights?!

Date: Tuesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 27th, 2025

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Sponsor the 2025 Leadership Conference Today!

Get ready for MCABC’s 2025 Leadership Conference — our biggest educational event of the year!

Mechanical Contractors Speak Up: Keeping It On Point puts the spotlight on you, the core of the mechanical contracting community. It's more than just gaining expert insights – it’s your opportunity to engage, share ideas, and influence the direction of the industry.

Don’t miss out on early bird pricing — lock in your savings before ticket prices go up! Plus, we're bringing you more activities to enjoy in Nanaimo as well as travel and accommodation discounts with our exclusive conference partners.

Thank you to our sponsors for being a part of this year's Conference:

MNP LLP
Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems
Construction Labour Relations Association of BC

Date: Wednesday, June 11th - Friday, June 13th, 2025

Location: Vancouver Island Conference Centre, 101 Gordon St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5J8

Protect Your Business — Understanding the Risks of Owner-Sourced Materials

More owners and general contractors are taking the lead on sourcing equipment and materials for construction projects—are you prepared for the impact?

ECABC, MCABC and RCABC have partnered with Dr. Awad Hanna, one of North America’s premier educators in construction, to lead a virtual seminar of the risks of direct sourced materials for trade and subcontractors, and to share some mitigation techniques you can implement to reduce your exposure on these projects. 

Date: Friday, March 7, 2025

Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

MCABC's Bonspiel Returns for a Weekend of Curling, Networking, and Fun — Limited Spots Available

MCABC's Bonspiel, a time-honored tradition since the 1960s, is BACK, offering a weekend full of of competition, networking, and camaraderie.

Join us at the Vernon Curling & Athletic Club for an unforgettable weekend, complete with a curling tournament, a Friday night dinner at the Prestige Vernon Lodge, a Saturday meal at the rink, and an exciting awards celebration on Sunday.

There are only five team spots left. Bring your team and your A-game, and get ready to make your mark in this iconic event.

Date: Friday, March 21st - Sunday, March 23rd, 2025 

Location: Vernon Curling & Athletic Club, 3400 39 Ave, Vernon, BC V1T 6M4

MCABC's NextGen Board is bringing you a month of events, education, and exclusive content spotlighting upcoming leaders shaping the future of mechanical contracting.

See what's happening in the month of April:

Mastering Blueprint Reading: Essential for all Mechanical Contractors

In this workshop, attendees will learn about:

• The different types of Mechanical Drawings (plan view, elevation view, details, schedules, and isometric)
• Fundamentals and tips for reading Mechanical Drawings
• The Mechanical Scope information needed for Architectural, Structural, Electrical, Civil, and Landscape Drawings
• Mechanical design deliverables and milestones for Design-Build drawings (SD, DD, CD, IFC)

This course will be offered in two locations:

Surrey, BC

Date: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: Simon Fraser University, Surrey Campus Room: SRYC3040 (Surrey Central Building), 13450 102nd Avenue

Kelowna, BC

Date: Thursday, April 10th, 2025 from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: Okanagan College (Kelowna Campus) Room: HS301 1000 KLO Rd. Kelowna RC V1Y 4X8

MCABC to be at Skills Canada BC Provincials Trades & Technology Competition in April

The team at MCABC is excited to return to the 2025 Skills Canada BC Provincial Trades & Technology Competition, where over 500+ competitors will compete in 50+ trades and technology competitions. MCABC is thrilled to participate in this valuable educational event as a Pathway sponsor and exhibitor. Learn more about the event here:

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Location: Abbotsford Tradex (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6H5)

Minister’s, California Building Industry Association’s statement on softwood duties, tariffs

How a trade war could hurt B.C. housing affordability