A changing industry In the three working days following Boxing Day, I noticed more construction than in previous years. I wondered if it was simply that three days in a row presented a window of opportunity to complete segments of work, or if it was a sign of renewed ambition in an industry that was […]
Lean construction methods In early November, MCA Canada held its 76th conference in Maui, Hawaii. More than 300 delegates from across Canada gathered to enjoy a little sunshine, camaraderie and to squeeze in some education. Two topics covered were Lean Construction and MCAC’s new captive insurance program. After my September Informer article about the absence […]
Associations, like MCABC, are formed when groups of people with shared goals recognize that working together is more effective than working alone. The whole structure of rules for operation, governance and membership then follows. It’s assumed the association will be folded when all goals are achieved, but the association’s activities must remain relevant to its […]
New program is now online MCABC members have likely heard that our Onerous Contract Clauses Program is now online. We encourage all our members to have a look at this membership asset HERE and see how it may benefit your business. Mechanical contractors and other trades have long been burdened with unknown costs and all […]
Reprinted from 2017 Western Journal (published by Mechanical Contractors Associations of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba) By Stephen Murdoch It has long been the case in the construction industry that onerous contract clauses have been the norm. All too often, terms are slipped into contracts without involved parties fully understanding the risks involved. This can result in sub trades, like mechanical contractors, […]
Winter of discontent The winter of discontent, it seems, is finally behind us, and while the rain hasn’t gone away completely, it’s a warmer rain. The Canucks are happily golfing while other teams vie for the Stanley Cup, and the BC Lions have started training camp. Oh, and BC had an election! Recently the two […]
Bill S224, the Prompt Payment bill, passed the Senate on May 4 and is now headed for debate in the federal House of Commons. If passed by Parliament, federal government project owners will have to make progress payments to a contractor on a monthly basis, or at shorter intervals provided for in a contract. The […]
Completed in 2016, the new State Route 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is the longest floating bridge in the world. Spanning Lake Washington and connecting Seattle on the western side of the lake to Medina on the eastern side, the 7,710 foot long bridge replaces the previous 7,578 foot bridge, which was the longest floating […]
On May 9, British Columbia will go to the polls and several candidates are going to ask for your vote. Trade contractors in BC have an issue we’ve been trying to bring to the attention of politicians for years: getting paid ON TIME! Imagine using the opportunity of this election to gather political commitments to support and […]
Jan. 31, 2017 The ramp-up of major projects in B.C., from proposed transportation, pipeline and LNG projects to highway and bridgework, will bolster the province’s construction workforce by 24 percent, or almost 17,000 workers over the next five years, according to the latest labour market forecast released today by BuildForce Canada. “It’s potentially the most […]
