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April 16, 2025

MCABC is pleased to share an announcement that the Attorney General has directed her staff to prepare Prompt Payment Legislation! This update follows an early and ongoing collaboration with our partners (ECABC and BCCA) to ensure prompt payment is top of mind for government. MCABC will continue to collaborate with leaders in the industry to ensure prompt payment legislation is enacted in BC, read the full announcement below. 

Each week, the NextGen Board is thrilled to share industry leaders - meet Lucas Besth, Journeyperson Plumber, Sullivan Mechanical. His journey into the trades is a unique one—and shows just how dependable a career in the mechanical contracting industry can be. Get inspired by the next generation of leaders and read his story below. 

We're kicking off Day Two of MCABC's Leadership Conference with the second part of our two-part BIM panel: Where are we on the BIM journey? Attendees can expect key takeaways to be the importance of BIM, how to implement BIM, the barriers to BIM success, and more. Engage with dynamic industry leaders and register today. 

Thanks for reading!

- Your MCABC team

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON PROMPT PAYMENT LEGISLATION 

MCABC is pleased to share an announcement that the Attorney General has directed her staff to prepare Prompt Payment Legislation!

This update follows an early and ongoing collaboration with our partners British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) and Electrical Association of British Columbia (ECABC), other construction associations and industry leaders to ensure prompt payment is a top priority for government. 

This is great news for the mechanical contracting industry - Prompt Payment legislation will establish payment timelines, financial security for workers and stability for employers. 

As per the Ministry statement, "Consistent with its mandate of growing the economy, the government wants to ensure that businesses are paid promptly for work performed on construction projects." In addition, "evidence from other jurisdictions - particularly Ontario - suggests that legislation is working." 

Upcoming Federal Election: MCA Canada Launches Build Canada Now Campaign 

Canada's Mechanical Contractors Build A Stronger Canada. The April 28 federal election is just around the corner. The Mechanical Contractor's Association of Canada (MCAC) has launched "Build Canada Now" a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the mechanical contracting sector to the future growth of the Canadian economy. MCAC is calling on federal political parties to:

• Support workforce development initiatives in "Growth-Critical" jobs and careers
• Removed impediments for Canada's mechanical contractors and create a business friendly environment
• Ensure supports are available for contractors negatively impacted by tariffs imposed by the United States.

"Our industry is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy and to the livelihoods of Canadians,” said Tania Johnston, MCAC Chief Executive Officer. “If we are going to build the strong Canada for the next generations, it is critical that political parties implement policies to support the mechanical contracting sector and ultimately remove impediments for our industry.” MCAC is closely tracking all federal political parties and their key policy developments related to the Build Canada Now campaign.

For more information: 

Panel Feature: Where Are We on the BIM Journey?—Day Two of MCABC's Leadership Conference

We're kicking off Day Two of MCABC's Leadership Conference with the second part of our two-part BIM panel: Where are we on the BIM journey?

Have you got it all figured out when it comes to integrating BIM into project planning and field execution? Are you outsourcing your modelling because your company structure can’t accommodate new (or more) technology? Is the idea of BIM daunting and not an investment that seems necessary in your business? Yes? No? It doesn’t matter – these sessions are for you!

To properly explore the “why me” of BIM, we have to start at the beginning. From the design stage to the tendering process to the final install or retrofit, whether strengthening your existing BIM competencies or adopting and applying the new technologies into your organizational processes, BIM is the enabler of your company’s competitiveness, growth and profitability.

It’s time to turn inward! We will hear why BIM is important to our industry stakeholders on Day 1. Now it’s our turn. Where are we on the BIM journey? What are the barriers? From the vision to the structure, the modelling to the prefab and site execution, MCABC owners and leaders will share their successes and lessons learned.

Moderated by Scott Kenward, Senior Project Manager, Trotter & Morton, attendees can expect the following learning outcomes:

• BIMs importance to their company’s continued success;
• How to implement BIM;
• How BIM shows up in the planning and in the field;
• The barriers to BIM success.

Don't miss key BIM insights from this panel! Register for the conference today.

Attention all golfers! Are you attending the MCABC Leadership Conference? Nanaimo has a number of stellar golf locations with beautiful ocean views and exceptional course conditions.  

MCABC has arranged exclusive tee times at three golf courses, for conference attendees only, giving you the perfect opportunity to network, unwind and have some fun.

NOTE: This activity is for MCABC 2025 Leadership Conference Delegates only. The golf courses will do their best to accommodate your preferred tee time, but MCABC cannot guarantee your preferred tee time.

NextGen Month: Meet Lucas Besth

NextGen Feature #3: Lucas Besth, Journeyperson, Sullivan Mechanical

Meet Lucas Besth, Journeyperson Plumber at Sullivan Mechanical. His journey in the mechanical contracting industry shows just how dependable a skilled trade can be. Even after time away, plumbing was still there, offering stability, meaningful work, and the chance to build on his early experience.

Lucas began his plumbing career in 2008, right out of high school, thanks to a connection through his soccer team. At the time, he had hardly ever picked up a tool, but the opportunity gave him a solid foundation in the trade. He worked in service and new construction for several years, before going on to complete his apprenticeship and earning his journeyman certification. From there, he spent several years working on high-rise buildings across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

Eventually, Lucas stepped away from the trades to run his own photography business full time—shooting more than 150 weddings and gaining firsthand experience in business ownership and customer service. But after relocating to Prince Rupert, he felt the pull back to plumbing. Despite a decade-long break, Lucas’s early training made it easy to jump back in. He now works at Sullivan Mechanical, specializing in boiler systems and on demand water heaters.

For Lucas, the most rewarding part of the job is the customer connection. He says, “The most rewarding part? Knowing a customer can go home worry-free because I did the job right.”

Some of the biggest lessons he’s learned over the years:

• Don’t doubt yourself—try new things
• Find a good mentor and don’t be afraid to ask questions
• Everything is always changing with technology so there always something to learn

MCABC is proud to spotlight dedicated professionals like Lucas whose journey shows how valuable and versatile a career in the trades can be.

#CoffeeTalk: A Conversation About Contracts

The Next Gen Board is pleased to be hosting April’s Coffee Talk, which will provide members, those new and developing in the mechanical contracting industry, with an opportunity to delve into a conversation about contracts.

Date: April 29, 2025, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Hit a Home Run! Register for Night at the Nat ⚾

Help us shape IPD education for the Mechanical Contracting industry

Do you understand what differentiates IPD from traditional projects? Do you want to learn more about IPD? Are you interested in IPD training for the mechanical contracting industry?

In collaboration with the Integrated Project Delivery Alliance (IPDA), MCABC is inviting members throughout BC to join us virtually, on April 24 from 9-10am, for a very important discussion about IPD. Your input and questions will inform development of a customized educational program for Mechanical Contractors in BC. Registration is free.

Please note: this session is for MCABC members only.

Guide to CCA-1 (2021) - Stipulated Price Subcontract Form 

This Guide is an update to the previous 2008 version and covers CCA-1 – Stipulated Price Subcontract Form (2021 version) in detail, providing explanatory notes and commentary on specific provisions of interest. The Guide deals with important provisions that were updated following the most recent publication of the CCDC-2 Stipulated Price Contract Form.

April is BC Construction and Skilled Trades Month

MCABC is proud to be a sponsor of BC Construction Month, a time to recognize the unsung workers across our industry who create and maintain our built environment. This month, lets celebrate the dedication and resilience of over 28,000 contractors and roughly 167,000 tradespeople who continue to make a big difference to every BC community, large and small.

National Conference for Building and Facility Operations 

The Building Commissioning Association is an international not-for-profit organization that serves as the recognized authority and resource on commissioning.

Each year the Building Commissioning Association hosts the National Conference on Building and Facility Operations. Everyone is welcome - building commissioners, contractors, business owners, managers, and operators. This year our conference is located in Kelowna on June 19 and 20. Early bird pricing ends May 1, 2025. 

BC begins preparing for Prompt Payment Legislation 

Who's Who in Canada's federal election 

B.C Nominee program focused on meeting workforce priorities 

Premier directs government to cancel American contracts wherever viable 

Sick Notes Restriction will leave more time for patient care 

Tariff carve outs underscore weak US position in China trade war