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January 22, 2025

Hello,

The MCABC Bonspiel opens today at noon! Gather your team of four and sign up today for a weekend of action and excitement. Get ready to take the ice — Winner takes the Contractor's Cup.

Members, get ahead of the curve with BDC’s exclusive 2025 Economic Outlook on Thursday, February 6th. Gain valuable insights into Canada’s economy and future business trends. With limited space, this complimentary hybrid session is filling up fast—secure your spot now!

Lastly, the recently elected NDP provincial government released their ministry mandate letters that focus on economic growth, affordability, and public safety. MCABC will continue to collaborate with regulatory and government representatives to influence best practices and inform policy development. Read on for key highlights of the ministerial mandate letters below.

Thanks for reading!

- Your MCABC team

MCABC Bonspiel — Registration OPENS TODAY AT NOON

Get ready to rock the ice and take your curling skills to the next level!

Our highly anticipated Bonspiel is back, bringing a weekend of fierce competition and fun to the Vernon Curling Club. This event is for curlers of all levels, whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time curler. Here's what you can expect:

🥌 Action-packed curling matchups
🥌 Networking with industry leaders and peers
🥌 A weekend full of camaraderie, team spirit, food, and awesome prizes!

Don’t miss out – gather your team of four and sign up today for a weekend of action and excitement.

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

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

Get ready to curl — Winner takes the Contractor's Cup!

Secure Your Spot Today — Exclusive Invitation for MCABC Members: 2025 Economic Outlook with BDC

As a business owner, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve.

Join us for an insightful economic outlook by BDC’s Chief Economist, Pierre Cléroux. Learn how the Canadian economy is evolving, and gain perspectives on trends that are shaping our business environment. The presentation will cover:

• Our 2025 economic outlook
• The new business environment: lower rates, labour shortages and higher operating costs
• How US trade policy will affect your business
• The latest BDC studies

This is a unique opportunity to gain powerful insights to make impactful decisions for your business and the construction sector.

As an MCABC member, you have exclusive access to this hybrid session – there are only 30 spots available to attend in-person! The in-person session will include breakfast and networking.

Date: Thursday, February 6th, 2025

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 AM (Virtual session is from 7:30 - 8:30 AM via Microsoft Teams)

Location: 9850 King George Blvd, Unit 706, Surrey BC

BC Ministry mandate letters focus on economic growth, affordability, and public safety

The newly elected BC Government’s latest mandate letters signal a pivot toward economic growth in response to unprecedented global challenges, including the threat of 25% tariffs on Canadian imports proposed by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

This economy-first approach focuses on job creation, fiscal responsibility, and accelerated permitting for energy and resource projects. Further, there will be a line-by-line review of government programs and spending, with the goal of ensuring efficiency and aligning resources with key priorities. Every one of Premier Eby’s mandate letters to cabinet contains these core priorities:

• Growing the economy to create good jobs with higher paycheques and the wealth needed to support strong public services, such as health care and education;
• Strengthening health care by hiring more front-line doctors and nurses, while building hospital projects throughout the province;
• Helping families with costs, such as delivering homes for the middle class and keeping the cost of child care, hydro and car insurance low; and
• Making communities safer by working with law enforcement and social agencies to fight street disorder, repeat offenders and gangs.

MCABC continues to collaborate with regulatory and government representatives to influence best practices and inform policy development. For more info: Economic growth, protecting public services key focus of cabinet mandate. Click here for a copy of each mandate letter.

Canadian Construction Association — Ready your business for possible tariffs

The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) is offering the following tips to help professionals in the construction industry navigate potential changes in tariffs and protect their businesses:

Today is Bell Let's Talk Day

(Image Source: Bell Let’s Talk)

We remind those in the mechanical contracting industry and beyond to prioritize mental health, break the stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations that can make a real difference. This year's campaign focuses on supporting critical needs in youth mental health across Canada. Learn more about the campaign: Bell Let's Talk Day.

In recognition of this important day, here are some key mental health resources for support:

🔗 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
🔗 Government of British Columbia
🔗 Bell Let's Talk - Tools & Resources
🔗 Canadian Mental Health Association

Take Your Business to the Next Level with Technology – Join Our January #coffeetalk!

Join Dean Leesui, MNP Digital Partner, for January’s #coffeetalk, featuring a case study on how a construction company leveraged a Digital Roadmap QuickStart to align their goals with digital strategies for long-term success. Discover how others are creating operational efficiencies, improving work site processes, protecting their companies from cyber threats AND leveraging technology to build winning teams.

Participants can enter the chance to win a $50 gift card, courtesy of MNP LLP.

Date: Wednesday, January 29th, 2025

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

COURSE UPDATE: Pipeline Construction Safety Training

BuildForce Canada has just announced the release of their updated Pipeline Construction Safety Training course. This includes not only new functionality, but also targeted revisions to select content topics. Users will experience a new interface for the course’s desktop and mobile platforms, new images and videos, and new narrations.

Looking to elevate your career? Check out our offering of BuildForce Courses to get you started:

Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 & BC Cancer Centre Business-to-Business Event

Infrastructure BC, on behalf of the Burnaby Health Alliance, is inviting local contractors, suppliers, and businesses who might be interested in working with or providing products and services to the Burnaby Health Alliance partners regarding the new Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 and BC Cancer Centre project. This Business-to-Business networking event is free to attend.

Date: Tuesday, February 25th

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM

Location: BCIT Commons, NE1 – J. W. Inglis Building – Room 239, 3700 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, BC V5G 3H2

Renew your Membership for 2025 TODAY

Reminder: Membership renewals were due on January 1, 2025.

Renew now to continue accessing member-exclusive benefits and opportunities that will support your business' success in 2025!

As a valued MCABC member, you enjoy exclusive benefits including access to industry resources, special pricing on customized education, networking events, discounts on products, advocacy for the industry across all government levels, Fortify Wellness, and more.

Okanagan Members — Register for MCABC's 2nd Regional Roundtable

Join us for our Okanagan Regional Roundtable – a one-of-a-kind opportunity to connect directly with the MCABC team and discuss key issues facing the mechanical contracting sector. This is just the start of an ongoing dialogue aimed at strengthening the mechanical contracting industry across BC. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it.

Date: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Location: Virtual (via Teams)

B.C. provides economic assessment of Trump’s tariff threat

B.C. ministry mandate letters focus on affordability, public safety, economic growth

Investment in building construction, November 2024

Short-term rental registry will deliver more homes, ensure hosts follow rules

BC Government News

Statement by the Prime Minister on the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America

Prime Minister of Canada