December 5, 2012

Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada plans to raise profile with federal government

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Beefing up relations with both the federal government and the design community is a key focus of a new three-year strategic plan approved by the board of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC).

In an interview following the association’s recent annual national conference, president Richard McKeagan said MCAC is intent on raising its profile with the federal government as well as nurturing relationships with the design sector.

“While we have attempted in the past to liaise with some of the associations representing the architectural and engineering industries, we really haven’t been consistent in that regard,” McKeagan said.

To that end, the board has approved establishment of a new national government relations committee as well a committee to address issues related to the design sector. Terms of reference have to be drafted and the committees populated.

Another priority area in the new strategic plan, which comes into effect in January, is education. Industry-specific training programs are delivered through the Canadian Mechanical Contracting Education Foundation. Seminars are offered both via the traditional in-class format as well as webinars.

“We have to ensure the sustainability of the foundation,” McKeagan said.

The association’s board will be meeting with the foundation’s trustees in the coming months to discuss various possibilities such as rebranding and repackaging of current training initiatives.

“We need to ensure that our members are getting the education they need and want,” McKeagan said.

“We also need to ensure that we have the finances in place to support the foundation over an extended period of time.”

A third priority area is the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada, which represents a number of national trade organizations. McKeagan said MCAC is anxious to maintain its leadership position within the coalition, which was established in 2004.

The association also wants to see the coalition remain issue-focused.

“The coalition is here for the long term,” McKeagan said. “It will remain issue-oriented for sure, although those issues may change from time to time.”

A current key priority is prompt payment.

The MCAC represents close to 1,000 companies across the country.

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