AB Architects Association
The Alberta Association of Architects (AAA) is a self-governing professional association charged under the Architects Act with the registration of Architects and the licensing of Licensed Interior Designers in the province of Alberta.
Alberta Construction Magazine
Here, you’ll get a sampling of ACM’s in-depth coverage of Alberta’s construction industry. From the infrastructure sector to the commercial, from industrial to institutional, ACM captures the projects from planning to execution.
Alberta Recycling Management Authority
Alberta has a new paint recycling program, under Alberta Environment’s strategy “Too Good to Waste”. The new program will help reduce costs and improve the Environment. Learn more about this initiative and other environmental programs on this site.
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
CFIB has been a big voice for small business for 35 years with 105,000+ members nationwide in every sector. Taking our direction from CFIB Members, through regular surveys, we lobby for small- and medium-sized businesses at the federal, provincial and local levels of government.
coatingsjobs.com
A job search website focused on the employment needs of Coatings Industry companies and professionals.
Construction Links
Construction Links’ objective is to quickly direct you to the websites that have the products or services you are interested in. You’ll find information on Canadian construction products and services faster than any other way.
View The LINK Online Newsletter
Custom House Plans
Description: Custom house plans, home plans, home plan designers, custom house plans designed by architects, custom home plans,house plan drafting service, cad drafting service, cad conversions.
Interior Design Association
The Interior Designers of Alberta (Registered Interior Designers Institute of Alberta) was incorporated under a private act of the Alberta Legislature in 1960. Acting as a regulatory body, IDA’s mandate is to regulate the interior design profession in Alberta for the betterment of the profession and in the best interests of the public.
Master Painters Institute
The Master House Painters Association of the U.S. and Canada was formed in 1885 with the purpose being “…to solve problems created by unsatisfactory materials, and to devise a means for assuring the public of the skill, honorable reputation and probity of master painters.” The Master Painters Institute (MPI) was formed in 1996 to further these aims through the revision and publication of the Architectural Painting Specification Manual and the Maintenance Repainting Manual.
PDC Canada Council
The Western Canada Council PDCA and our affiliated chapters strive to provide educational, business and networking evenings to cultivate a profitable situation for our member’s businesses.
Service Canada
Canadian education and training services; includes information on obtaining grants and bursaries for educational support.
Skills Canada
Skills Canada is a national, not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies to Canadian youth.
ACA has responsibility to maintain Trade Definitions on behalf of the industry. As you may be aware, with the exception of minor changes in one scope in 2011, the Trade Definitions have not been comprehensively reviewed and updated since before 2004.
The Edmonton Construction Association, as a member of the ACA, has undertaken a comprehensive review to align the Trade Definitions with current practice and are inviting all trade associations to review the update and suggest any needed improvements prior to final ratification.
* A full copy of the updated Trade Definitions draft can be found here:
ATCC
When Prompt Payment was progressing in Ontario, representatives from the NTCCC visited various provinces to propose that Provincial Trade Associations should also be formed. The first so called Alberta Trade Contractors Coalition (ATCC) meeting took place October 18, 2011 in Edmonton followed by a second meeting in Red Deer on February 21, 2012. Most recently, a session was held on September 17 in Red Deer with a number of trade associations represented. This joint task force presented recommendations to setup a Trade Coalition in order to address various issues, for example the current prompt payment issue. The focus at this time is in Ontario where the legislation has gone through the 1st and 2nd reading and is currently at committee. Once it goes through committee, it will go to 3rd reading which tends to be the most difficult to obtain approval. If it goes ahead in Ontario, it will set a positive precedent for the other provinces. There are similar laws in the US and UK, but nothing like this in place in Canada so it would be a positive initiative for industry.
The ATCC are hoping for a memorandum of understanding between the involved groups to create this Trade Coalition Association. APCA has indicated their support of this initiative and that they would agree to be involved. We will keep you updated as things progress.
Trade Definitions Promotional Video
The ACA and the ECA along with our Alberta local construction association partners are pleased to present this video to members. This video complements the 2016 Trade Definitions, and offers further insight into the Definitions and their usage.
ACA Chairman Paul Verhesen and a number of others were interviewed for the video which explains the benefits of Trade Definitions. Our hope is that the Trade Definitions will continue to be adopted by the Industry, and we encourage our members to both view and share the video amongst their networks.
ACA, its member local construction associations and the 3000 plus member firms endorse adoption of the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions as a best practice. We encourage all tender authorities and their design consultants, specification writers, and contractors and suppliers to cite and utilize the 2016 ACA Trade Definitions for their projects.
Trade Definitions provide clarity to all construction project stakeholders as to the allocation of work to be bid and performed. This clarity in turn reduces confusion, error, disputes, and litigation.
The 2016 Trade Definitions represent a comprehensive update to reflect current technology and business practice, and are the consensus result of input from many industry volunteers. They are not a tendering system. Trade Definitions are a guideline and the allocation of work amongst trades on any given project remains the responsibility of the tender authority and general contractor.
All member companies and trade associations may request changes to any or all trade definitions by providing their request in writing to the Alberta Construction Association or the Edmonton Construction Association, care of the Trade Definitions Committee, before January 1st of each year. The request must include the change, reason for the change and the effect on the other scopes. The Trade Definitions Committee will review and rule on all requests. Changes to the definitions will be finalized and published on March 1st each year.
You may wish to put a reminder in your calendars to check the end of February each year for the latest edition.
Regular Members
Full members are corporations or other legal entities engaged in the pursuit of painting and decorating. A full member, being a member in good standing for at least 90 days prior to any General Meeting, is entitled to one vote at that General Meeting and is eligible to hold office in the Association
Associate Members
Associate members are corporations or other legal entities engaged in the pursuit of activities related to the painting and decorating industry. An associate member, being a member in good standing for at least 90 days prior to any General Meeting, is entitled to one vote at that General Meeting and is eligible to hold office in the Association
Join Today!
* New membership applications are subject to Board approval.
Members’ concerns and positions are presented in a professional and direct manner to the decision-makers and the general public.
Inspection and Guarantee Program promotes professional image to government decision-makers that encourages them to trust the industry with self-regulation.
Input to the apprenticeship program to ensure current and future employees are trained to meet your needs.
Trade careers have a lot going for the skilled men and women who work in them. Many trades offer the right kind of challenge, as they are highly technical, involve lots of math and sciences, and are changing quickly. A trade career can lead to supervision, management, the professional and business entrepreneurship. Pay rates vary, but are generally very good. The aging workforce means an overall increase in future demand for skilled tradespeople. Employers need people with the right skills!
There are many ways to get you through the program financially. Be sure to check out all the options available to you.
FOR STUDENTS:
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Scholarships provide approximately 400 annual Scholarships of $1,000 per year. Check out the numerous ones available on the Apprenticeship and Industry Training site.
RAP – THE REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Earn credits toward your apprenticeship and your high school diploma – at the same time!
Paid career training before you leave school.
For more information visit www.tradesecrets.org or call in Calgary 403-297-6457.
TOOLS TAX DEDUCTION
Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit in the form of the Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction. Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a skilled tradesperson.
INCENTIVE GRANT
As an apprentice in a Red Seal trade, you get to earn while you learn, but a little extra money can always help.
The Government of Canada provides up to a maximum lifetime amount of $4,000 per person in federal apprenticeship taxable cash grants to help you progress in or complete your apprenticeship training.
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year or level, for a lifetime maximum amount of $2,000 per person.
To be eligible for the AIG, you must:
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person;
not be a high school student;
have the required AIG supporting documents;
be registered with your provincial/territorial apprenticeship authority as an apprentice in a designated Red Seal trade; and
provide proof that you have successfully completed either the 1st and/or 2nd year or level (or equivalent) in a designated Red Seal trade.
The deadline to apply is June 30 of the year after you complete the first and/or second year or level.
Through the Employment Insurance (EI) system, the Government of Canada provides income support to eligible apprentices during periods of technical training.
Although all efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of this information, apprentices should consult Service Canada, the official source of information about EI. See also Employment Insurance for Apprentices.
To be considered for EI benefits while attending technical training, apply at the website above as soon as you stop working. If you have applied for, or are receiving EI benefits prior to training, you must complete another application indicating your technical training information.
Apprentices can call 1-800-206-7218 (in Alberta) or visit the Service Canada website.
The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC) is a non-refundable tax credit for an employer that is equal to 10% of the eligible salaries and wages payable to eligible apprentices in respect of employment after May 1, 2006. The maximum credit an employer can claim is $2,000 per year for each eligible apprentice.
Canadian Apprenticeship Forum: Return on Investment
Review this document to see why you should be supporting/encouraging your employees on this career path. Involvement creates a healthier industry and benefits everyone overall.
The Inspection and Guarantee program offered by APCA to Specification Authorities and Building Owners provides a two-year guarantee of the workmanship and materials employed by the Painting Contractor who follows the qualifications and standards set out in the MPI Architectural Painting Specification Manual. This service is dependent on a remittance to the APCA, starting at 5% of the paint contract. The program provides:
preliminary specification review
specification development
on-site inspection services
inspection reports
conflict resolution
final sign off
a two-year guarantee covering workmanship and materials used on a project
The program also provides no-cost industry standard technical assistance to the consultant, the objective being to obtain superior and consistent quality performance, project after project. Perfection doesn’t exist but quality does. The only way to get consistent quality is through a proven quality assurance program.
Background
The Master House Painters Association of the U.S. and Canada was formed in 1885 with the purpose being “…to solve problems created by unsatisfactory materials, and to devise a means for assuring the public of the skill, honorable reputation and probity of master painters.” The Master Painters Institute (MPI) was formed in 1996 to further these aims through the revision and publication of the Architectural Painting Specification Manual and the Maintenance Repainting Manual.
These Manuals have been assembled from data obtained from: manufacturers, applicators, other coatings related industries, as well as other varied sources. MPI Manuals are constantly updated to reflect new developments in products, “Green” developments and LEED requirements. The purpose is to promote quality assurance, both in product and workmanship. The manuals contain the necessary information to:
evaluate paint products
evaluate and select painting systems
assemble a painting specification
select the surface preparation necessary
install a Quality Assurance Program to ensure a professional application
receive a third party two-year guarantee
The MPI has established a Quality Assurance Program incorporating excellent, proven industry standards. Add a successful track record of over thirty years in providing that which the program promises – assurance of quality. The program is designed to provide independent evaluation of the painting process to ensure satisfaction for all parties involved.
The Architectural Painting Specification Manual and the Maintenance Repainting Manual provide the foundation for the MPI Quality Assurance Program. This program is available through the Alberta Painting Contractors Association, an MPI Accredited Quality Assurance Association.
Benefits
The Specifying Authority benefits by:
saving inspection time
receiving unbiased reports
gaining assurance of receiving quality material and workmanship
receiving guaranteed professional performance
The Owners benefit by:
receiving bids based on a common denominators, bidding on the basis of using the same proven materials and proven systems
obtaining the best value for their dollar
receiving a guaranteed job
The Paint Contractors benefit by:
bidding on a level playing field
knowing that surfaces to be covered will comply with the standards set out in the specifications
knowing that site conditions favourable to application of paint and wall coverings will be maintained
knowing that possible failure of any application will be minimized
Membership invoices and renewal reminders were sent out by mail in early November. If you have not received your invoice, please contact the office. The APCA Membership year runs from January 1 – December 31, so don’t let your membership lapse and renew today!
As a reminder, for all work starting January 1, 2017, the rates for the APCA/MPI quality assurance inspections will be a simple 5% of the contract price, plus GST. Please be sure to use this rate on jobs you are bidding now for 2017 start.
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