By / Bruce Sychuk, Executive Director, SMACNA-BC
Firstly, I truly hope that you and yours are all doing well out there, and wish everyone the best of health.
It goes without saying that 2020 is going to be a year that will go down in the history books. With all of the 2 metre (6 ft) social distancing, face masks, staying home if you are sick, hand washing for 20 seconds, (singing “Happy Birthday” twice), Zoom meetings, and the list goes on, I am happy to report that SMACNA-BC contractors and, in general, construction in BC, are virtually back to where they were. In fact, June 2020 hours for unionized sheet metal, were fractionally higher that those in 2019. Who knew?
Those of us who reside in BC recognize that the number of cases and mortality rate are significantly lower than those in other major Canadian and US cities. The lower numbers can be attributed to the BC Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and British Columbians for listening and changing their behaviour when health officials raised concerns about how to address COVID-19.
Even though BC is in Phase 3 of the Restart Plan, there are still restrictions with respect to in-person gatherings larger than 50 people; therefore, the SMACNA-BC Board of Directors has assessed hosting membership meetings, inclusive of the annual golf tournament, and has determined that there is still a risk of spreading COVID-19. As a result, board members have unanimously agreed that these events be cancelled or postponed until further notice. On a side note, the SMACNA-BC board meetings continue to be held on a regular basis. The same goes for the SMART Local 280/SMACNA-BC Joint Conference Board meetings.
BC SHEET METAL ASSOCIATION (SMACNA-BC)
ANNOUNCES 2020-21 ELECTED POSITIONS
SMACNA-BC is pleased to announce its Board of Directors and Officers for fiscal 2020, elected via virtual annual general meeting on May 11, 2020.
- Kevin Taylor, City Sheet Metal Ltd.—President
- Dan Taillefer, Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd.—President-Elect
- Bernie Antchak, Northwest Sheet Metal Ltd.—Immediate Past-President/Treasurer/Secretary
- Phil McDonald, Summit Sheet Metal Ltd.—Vice-President
- Mark McLaren, Ridge Sheet Metal Co.—Director
- Al Benning, Ames Metal Fabricators 82 Ltd.—Director
- Angelo Paris, Apollo Sheet Metal Ltd.—Director
- Mark Kuelle, Austin Metal Fabricators LP—Director
- Aaron Smith, Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd.—Director / SMACNA, Inc. Director
- Brad Popoff, Equity Plumbing & Heating Ltd.—Northern BC Regional Chair
- Bruce Sychuk—Executive Director
The membership and Board of Directors would like to congratulate Mike Davis, Samson Metal Ltd., for his election to the SMART Local 280 / SMACNA-BC Joint Conference Board and Aaron Smith, Smith Sheet Metal Works Ltd., for re-election to the Sheet Metal Industry Training Board.
SMACNA-BC, in recognition of dedicated service to the BC Sheet Metal Association and the sheet metal industry, elected two new SMACNA Life Members: Len Mueller, Austin Metal Fabricators LP, and Mark Halvorsen, Viaduct Sheet Metal Ltd.
SMACNA-BC recognized two individuals for their long-term service to SMACNA-BC. Dan Mauro, Spectrum Sheet Metal Ltd, has served on the SMACNA-BC Board of Directors since 2011, and Neil Deppiesse, Horizon Metal Systems Inc., has served on the SMART Local Union No. 280 / SMACNA-BC Joint Conference Board since 1995.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
It is my pleasure to congratulate Lynnea Lindsay and and Benjamin Charbonneau who both received SMACNA British Columbia Endowed Scholarships for $2,000, which are endowed by the SMACNA College of Fellows as educational aid for students affiliated with the SMACNA-BC chapter. Both of these young people have shown committment to their studies and to their futures by meeting all the criteria for these scholarship awards. That means not just having good grades, but also contributing to their communities, being active in their personal and academic development, and demonstrating positive and ambitious goals for their schooling and overall futures. On behalf of all of us at SMACNA-BC, we congratulate you and wish you a bright and happy future in your education.
In closing, please be advised that the SMACNA-BC office is still running business as usual. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Rodford or myself. I would be amiss if I did not offer you Dr. Bonnie Henry’s famous quote: “Be kind, be calm, and be safe”■
