The MCAM Board of Directors participated in the review of the Manitoba Builders' Liens Act.  The review, initiated by the Manitoba Law Reform, is complete and may be found at the link below.

 

To date the Provincial Government has not responded to participants of the report.  Closely related, MCAM and industry partners continue to work with Reg Helwer, MLA for Brandon West and champion of Bill 218, The Prompt Payments in the Construction Industry Act, for the preferred and more manageable standalone Prompt Payment Legislation.  The industry maintains that legislation addressing delayed payment should be isolated from the more litigious issue of non-payment.  

 

Bill 218 died after passing second reading when the government session ended prior to the Bill reaching Committee.  MCAM is a member of the Prompt Payment Coalition, a coalition of 32 industry stakeholders seeking standalone legislation.  MCAM is confident the Manitoba construction industry will see a reintroduction of a Prompt Payment early this spring.  

What your industry colleagues had to say about MCAM Fall Education Week...

 

"Great speakers! Excellent framework! Very beneficial!"

 

 

• Kevin Dougherty - project communication, how to be an effective foreman, thriving as a service contractor and importance of selling maintenance.

• Christine Paquette - organizational health and culture for greater results

• Outlook training, improving service documentation, innovation, industry tours and much more

 

Registration brochures will be circulated shortly!  Email ramona@mcamb.ca to add your staff to our Education Week Email Circulation list.  

Twelve engineering students from the University of Manitoba attended the 2nd Annual Speed Interviewing in hopes of securing summer employment within the mechanical contracting industry.  

 

The Goal of the MCAM Student Chapter is to provide our future engineers exposure to the industry they will be designing for, working for or hiring.  If you missed the Speed Interviewing event and would like to interview one of our Student Chapter members for summer employment, email ramona@mcamb.ca.  

 

Thank you to the MCAM members who participated in the interviews.  Interested to see who was there?  Read more....

Through valuable partnerships with industry, students are able to explore and discover working in the trades by taking part in the High School Apprenticeship Program as a part of the Winnipeg School Division’s Career Education Initiative. Students earn grade 12 credits and apprenticeship hours while gaining a better understanding of the trades and becoming ready to enter the workforce. (https://www.winnipegsd.ca/careereducation/)

 

For additional information, contact:

There are plenty of opportunities for the MCAM membership to become involved with the Red River CC Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) Program: 

• Hire a co-op student
• Give a presentation or host a tour of your facility or a jobsite
• Support an industry advisory committee

• Help fund an MCAM MET Scholarship (email: office@mcamb.ca)

Why should you hire a Red River MET student?
• MET students have relevant industry training
• Attain tax credits (15% – $2,500 max)
• Reduce recruitment/training costs

For additional information, contact:
MET Co-op
met@rrc.ca
204 632-2902

MCAM would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our generous sponsors and volunteers for our 2019 Holiday Hamper Day. We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to partner up with the Salvation Army and provide holiday hampers and gifts to families in need! This day would not be possible without the dedication of our amazing members! We were able to provide an amazing hamper to 13 families, including gifts and toboggans for 31 children!

 

The MCAM Next Gen committee has had great momentum and looks forward to planning a variety networking events throughout the year. The committee feels passionate about giving back to the community and making a difference. On Thursday, February 7, the committee will be spending the morning at Siloam Mission preparing breakfast and serving it to the community. Every day, hundreds of people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Winnipeg are helped by Siloam Mission and volunteers like our Next Gen Committee. We are very proud to work with a great group of individuals like our Next Gen Committee.

The Next Gen Committee is excited to host their first annual Ice Fishing Derby! This day will be targeted towards employees that are 35 years and younger to network with the MCAM Board of Directors. Motor coach buses will be transporting the group to Matlock, Manitoba for an afternoon of ice fishing followed by a sunset BBQ. We are looking forward to some friendly competition and special hot beverages in toasty ice shacks! It will be a wonderful, unique day!

 

Today more than ever, successful businesses are in a constant state of transition. Whether you are a contractor, manufacturer, wholesaler or supplier, the need to embrace change has never been greater.

 

Registration is now open!  Join us at the Banff Springs Hotel in beautiful Banff, Alberta.  Whether your company is transitioning to the next generation within your family or exploring new technologies, do not miss this opportunity to network and learn how your industry colleagues are embracing change.    

The MCAM Board of Directors is committed to maintaining a charitable profile. MCAM is developing a multi-year approach to support a Manitoba-based charity. MCAM members are invited to submit a charity for consideration for the remainder of the 2017-2022 MCAM strategic planning period. The deadline for nominations is February 10, 2019.  

by Brian Dagg, Gallagher Insurance

 

As the world becomes more data-driven and interconnected and our reliance on technology increases in the day-to-day function of both our personal and business lives, our exposure to a cyber-attack impacting the operations of our business also increases.

As we begin 2019, many of us have set personal goals for our physical health. Workplaces often begin the year by encouraging employees to participate in quit-smoking programs or to meet goals – but most organizations don’t set similar goals to encourage their employees to take care of their mental health and be "psychologically fit." This month’s newsletter focuses on mental fitness.

     I am a contractor within the mechanical contracting industry.  Safety for my employees and jobsite are a primary concern.  With the legalization of cannabis, I am hoping you might have some advice on how to properly address the challenges this may create.  - Signed - Dazed in the Haze of Weed at Work