This exciting event is held annually. Every second year we take it out of town to resorts around Manitoba. MCAM combines business and fun at these events; business meetings, exciting speakers, golf tournaments, dinners and dances, children’s programs, and much more—something for everyone.

MCAM honours our retired members every year. Traditionally we hold this prestigious event at the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce. Along with an evening of fellowship in honour of our Pioneers, MCAC also invites the five top graduating apprentices in the trades— Plumber, Sheet Metal Worker, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, Steamfitter and Sprinkler & Fire Protection Installer. These apprentices and their partners are treated to a dinner, and the apprentices are awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

MCAM holds dinner meetings approximately once a month. We strive to have informative interesting speakers at all these meetings. Membership input as to content is appreciated. These informal gatherings are a great way to socialize with fellow members. Come out and mingle. We welcome supplier display tables at these events. Just phone the office for details.

Our annual golf tournament sponsored jointly by MCAM, ASHRAE and MASMAHC has been traditionally held at Breezy Bend Golf Course during the month of August. Register early for this popular event, as we are always sold out. Proceeds from the tournament are split equally between ASHRAE Research and The Firefighters Burn Fund.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada, commonly known by its acronym, MCAC, is a national, non-profit business association serving the needs of contractors of all sizes (both union and non-union) engaging in such disciplines as plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, controls, etc. (Division 15 of the National Master Specification) primarily in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors.

MCAC has a long and distinguished history. Since its founding in 1895, the Association has played a key role in representing its members in national and corporate issues. By virtue of its charter, MCAC is comprised of ten provincial affiliate associations. The total contractor membership across the country exceeds 900.

In Canada, the mechanical contracting trades, as a group, is one of the largest construction sectors and accounts for over $7 billion in contracts annually. Our industry sector provides more than 100 million person hours of work per year.

MCAC is recognized by the Federal government as the voice of the mechanical contracting sector of Canada’s construction industry. In addition to representing our members’ interests on Parliament Hill, MCAC maintains active communication with Federal government departments and agencies on important issues that affect, or will potentially affect your business. In the past, we have presented position papers on contracting out policies, federal use of bid depositories, general tendering procedures, contract administration, management education, apprenticeship training, safety, taxation, and product standards. Through its membership in the Canadian Construction Association, MCAC also has its interests addressed through CCA’s lobbying efforts (eg: federal budget, federal government contract form, employee equity legislation, environmental issues, economy, federal holdback policies and promotion of the use of standard sub-contract documents).

Held annually in exciting destinations across the country, MCAC’s National Conference provides members with a unique opportunity to better acquaint themselves and their companies with the industry through top rate education programs on industry issues. In the past, programs have focussed on productivity improvement, contract and tendering procedures, personnel and project management, profitability techniques and contract law.

INDUSTRY RELATIONS

The construction industry in Canada is fragmented. Contractors, manufacturers and suppliers are represented through industry associations, some trade specific, some general. There are literally hundreds of associations across Canada, making communication networking and cooperation absolutely essential to avoid duplication and misunderstanding.

MCAC recognizes that industry fragmentation is a fact and is aggressively working with other industry related associations to improve communications.

First and foremost, MCAC enjoys an excellent networking system with the provincial and zone MCA’s which regularly communicate with their members. MCAC also acts as a clearing house of information generated by any related allied organizations.

In addition, MCAC enjoys excellent working relationships with such industry associations as Canadian Construction Association, Canadian Electrical Contractors Association, Construction Specifications Canada, Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating and numerous national trade associations such as our sister associations in the United States: Mechanical Contractors Association of America and National Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors. These relationships allow information and ideas to be easily shared among associations for the benefit of the collective membership.

MCAC recognizes that contractor representation on various industry technical committees is of extreme importance. Decisions made relative to codes and standards will definitely affect your daily business.

MCAC and/or its provincial/zone MCA’s are ably represented on the following technical committees, keeping the industry interests and public safety in mind at all times:

Canadian Plumbing Code Committee

Canadian Gas Association - B149 Installation Code Committee

Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating - Plumbing Industry Advisory Council

Canadian Standards Association Committees:

# Steering Committee on Plumbing

# Boiler and Pressure Vessels (B-51)

# Asbestos Cement Pipes (B-127.1/.2)

# Cast Iron Soil Pipes (B-70)

# Plumbing Fittings (B-125)

# Mechanical Couplings for DWV Sewer Pipe (B-602)

# Sub Committee on Health Care Facility Commissioning

# Building Quality Management

North American Harmonization of Standards