b'MCA CANADA PROVINCIAL ROUNDUPMCA NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADORCOVID-19 has provided all of usasso- unstable delivery dates (with copper and3.Mental healthboth staff and craftciations and member individualswithelectronic components being especiallyare showing signs of mental health and challenges, and it will continue to affect usproblematic) will carry into 2022. Thisstress issues. Folks often do not want to for at least the foreseeable future. is huge as the cost of materials are risingwork, which can be rooted in a mental Throughout this past year, even withdaily and making it difficult for peoplehealth issue originating from problems changing markets and workplaces, ourto quote jobs. at home, and government funding members seemed to manage well, with2.programs that encourage people not to Skilled labour is also a concerning issuework add to the stress placed on folks our man hours coming in higher thandue to the aging workforce and a lack forecasted. They had to adapt in many waysof recruitment to the skilled trades. Ifwho do wish to work.to perform safely. Currently, the three majoryou look at the enrollment for skilled4. concerns as indicated by our members are: The latest challenge will be vaccine trades, you see that numbers are verymandateswhat to do with employees 1.Supply chain issuesmaterial avail- lowsome sectors more than others. Itthat, for whatever reason, refuse to vacci- ability/shortages, unstable and steadilycontinues to be a source of concern fornate. In times of manpower shortages, increasing prices, unreliable shipping andour industry. how big an issue will this one be?MCA SASKATCHEWANMCAS moves full steam ahead into 2022 as our members continue to face skilled labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and rising material costs. The demand for skilled trades is ramping up, even though, at time of writing, Saskatchewan is still struggling to come out of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apprenticeship numbers are down, and its a competitive market if you are looking to hire a journeyperson. Contractors are offering signing bonuses and extra vacation time, and engaging recruiters, all in an attempt to hire. Supply chain disruptions are wreaking havoc with projects, and there seems to be no end in sight. Bottlenecks in global supply chains have threatened the supply of products needed in the construction industry. With issues ranging from a shipping container shortage to seaport backlogs and now a lack of truck drivers to move goods, contractors are forced to push completion dates out. Rising material costs continue to be a challenge for industry. Daily fluc-tuating prices make it nearly impossible to calculate potential project costs. The relationship between contractor and supplier is now critical.A bright spot for contractors will be when prompt payment finally comes into force on March 1st, 2022. For contracts signed on or after that date, contractors will be able to expect payment within 28 days of filing a proper invoice. Disputes will be managed through an adjudica-tion process run through the newly formed Saskatchewan Construction Dispute Resolution Office. Whats next for the industry will be a series of education sessions to learn how this will all come together inthe spring.32 www.mcac.ca'