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In this issue:

SOP Update Training Registration Information
Last Call: Submit Your Article or Ad for Publication
Tax Tips
Fuel Surcharges
Upcoming Training Events
Events Calendar
...and more!

Annual WCOWMA-BC Convention and Trade Show

The 2022 WCOWMA-BC Convention and Trade Show wrapped up on March 5 following a successful three days of education, training, and networking.

An engaging line of presenters brought forward topics related to flooded systems, drone usage, system maintenance, and many more. Participants were able to engage virtually or in-person.

Delegates were also able to engage through the Scavenger Hunt and the Social Wall which led to some entertaining photos and good advice and information.

Scavenger Hunt and Door Prize winners were posted to the WCOWMA-BC Facebook page. Check the page to see if your name is there! Prizes will be mailed out to the winners.

Did you miss something? Recorded presentations are available for a full year after convention. Sign on to the virtual platform to watch any you might have missed or to rewatch one that you want to see again.

If you haven't signed up yet, you can contact our office and we can arrange access to the platform.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Announcing the 2022 WCOWMA-BC Board of Directors

A new WCOWMA-BC Board of Directors was elected at the Annual General Meeting on March 4, 2022.

The 2022 Board Of Directors

Barry Rumsey – President
Mike Hyde – Vice-President
James Stiksma – Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Bayley – Director
Bruce McColm – Director
Krista Podwin – Director
Craig Sapriken – Director

Welcome to new Board members Chris Bayley and Craig Sapriken.

The WCOMWA-BC Board of Directors would like to thank departing members Liesbeth Glotze and Phillip Jackson, as well as past-president Bryer Manwell, for their invaluable contributions to the Board and membership.

Fuel Surcharges

Rising diesel and gasoline prices can be attributed to supply chain issues and overseas political unrest, but knowing why it's happening doesn't change the cut into profits.

If you are considering adding a fuel surcharge to your invoices, take a look at this article by the Onsite Installer where they discuss how to determine what to charge and how to inform your customers of the change. They even include a sample letter.

Virtual Membership Package

In your membership packages this year, you’ll receive all the same great benefits as last year, but less paper. This year we have created a collection of all the information that is usually printed and sent in your membership package and made it available to you on-line! You can access the information anytime you need it. Perkopolis, Staples, Insurance Information, it will all be there. Of course, you’ll still receive the special things like your certificate, decals, membership cards, Mark’s Work Wearhouse discount card and your complementary Homeowners Manual.

Less paper to recycle and more information at your fingertips!

Accepting Articles and Ads for the Summer 2022 Onsite Informer

Did you know that there are plenty of opportunities to support your industry organization and promote your business? One such way is the Onsite Informer.

The association is sourcing articles for publication in our WCOWMA printed magazine, which includes information, news and events from each Western province.

Articles submitted may be on any topic relevant to our membership and stakeholder group, such as those related to wastewater, septage and the onsite wastewater industry. We can accommodate a wide range of article lengths from 200 to 500 words to 800 to 1,500 words for the magazine. The article should be research or case study based. Relevant pictures are welcome; a photo release may be required. Promotional articles or those that are heavily proprietorial are considered advertorial and are subject to advertising rates. These will be identified in the publications as advertorials.

WCOWMA's Onsite Informer magazine is widely distributed to our member installers, septage haulers, suppliers and other industry stakeholders. It is also sent to municipalities and provincial government departments in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Current distribution is over 5000 copies.

If you have any questions, or you'd like to contribute an article to the Summer issue, please contact Kelly for more information.

Media packages can be downloaded here.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Please submit your ad and form by April 15th, 2022.

Saskatchewan Education Day and Annual General Meeting

SOWMA will be hosting their annual Education Day on April 14, 2022. This year's event will be held virtually. Keynote topics will include "Mound Design and Installation" and "Trouble Shooting and Maintenance," along with presentations from our supplier sponsors.

Register online or, for more information, please contact the Adrienne at the SOWMA office by phone (855-872-2650) or by email.

The Association Annual General Meeting will be held at the same time. All Members in good standing are invited to join the meeting.

Interested in running for the Board of Directors? Please contact Adrienne for more details.

Manitoba Education Day and Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting and Education Day will take place in Winnipeg on April 21, 2022 at the Best Western, 900 Regent Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2C 5C6.

This event is open to anyone in the onsite wastewater industry wishing to learn more about the science and technologies utilized to build this important infrastructure.

Members-in-good-standing are encouraged to attend, in order to take care of the business of the association, vote on any initiatives tabled and during the election process.

Download a schedule of events and a registration form or, for more information, or to register, please contact Rudy by email or phone 855-872-2659.

COVID-19 Rapid Testing and Screening in Workplaces

The Government of Canada, some provincial/territorial governments and distribution partners are providing free rapid COVID-19 tests to organizations. These tests are to be used for regular workplace screening of employees.

Businesses and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply.

Please see their website for more information.

Join the WCOWMA Facebook Group

We've expanded beyond pages! Come join the group, chat with other people in the industry, and stay up-to-date with WCOWMA news.

Tax Tips

More than 1.5 million Canadians work as an unincorporated business. Are you one of them? If you're doing work as a contractor, not an employee, check out these tax tips.

Whether you are a contractor, employee, or own a large business, don't forget to file those taxes! The tax-filing deadline for most individuals is April 30, 2022. For more on what you need to know this tax filing season, take a look at the CRA website. Important dates for small business can be found here.

AB SOP Update Registration is Open!

Opportunities are now available to participate in the Standard of Practice Update Training. This two-day training is now required for those wishing to maintain their Certificate of Competency in Private Sewage (PSDS ticket).

Register now: in-person or virtual

Alberta Standard of Practice Manuals

Print copies of the new Standard of Practice Manuals are available through the AOWMA storefront.

Students who order the SOP training and the SOP manual at the same time can save on shipping.

Digital copies can be downloaded from the Safety Codes Council.

Site & Soils Field Evaluation Workshop in BC

The WCOWMA - BC is hosting a Site & Soils Evaluation Field Day in the Courtenay Region on April 11, 2022.

This practical training day is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience evaluating a site, as well as practicing hand texturing and sampling. Installers who have recently completed the Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training Program will be able to take their new knowledge and apply it in the field. Experienced designers and installers should also consider this opportunity to continue their education.

Download a registration form or sign up online.

More dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

Onsite Wastewater Practitioner Training

The Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association provides an excellent industry training program for Onsite Wastewater Professionals throughout Western Canada.

This training program has been found to meet or exceed the requirements of the Agreement on Internal Trade, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement, and the New West Partnership.

Training, including the number of days, varies by province. More details on each program can be found on the provincial training pages, or by contacting our office.

Students will be required to complete an online training component prior to attending the classroom sessions.

Virtual Classroom
June 20 - 24, 2022
July 11 - 15, 2022

Registration will open soon. Contact the association office at 1-855-872-2645 for more information.

Dates to be Announced

Ccontact the association office at 855-872-2650 for more information.

Virtual Classroom
May 16 - 19, 2022
June 6 - 9, 2022

Download a registration form, register online, or contact the association office at 877-489-7471 for more information.

Manitoba students are being directed to Alberta or Saskatchewan for participation in their training programs at this time.

Contact the association office at 855-872-2659 for more information.

Provincial/Federal Job Grants Continue to be Available for Training

The Provincial associations have all been receiving training applicants who are being funded by the various federal/provincial job grants that are currently available.

Funding varies between the provinces, but can be upwards of $10,000 per applicant. Employers may have to pay a portion of the tuition and training must involve more than 24 hours of contact/study.

For more information on the job grants in your province, click on the appropriate link below:

Alberta
https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-job-grant.aspx

British Columbia
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/funding-and-grants/bc-employer-training-grant

Manitoba
https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/ites/is/pubs/cjg_employer_factsheet.pdf

Saskatchewan
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/hire-train-and-manage-employees/apply-for-the-canada-saskatchewan-job-grant

Upcoming Industry Events

You can keep up-to-date on industry events on our events pages:

Alberta
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Manitoba

SOWMA Education Day & AGM
April 14, 2022

MOWMA Education Day & AGM
April 21, 2022

BCWWA'S 50th Annual Conference & Trade Show
May 15 - 17, 2022
Victoria, BC

Septic Awareness Week
September 19-23, 2022

NOWRA Mega-Conference
October 30- November 2, 2022
Springfield, MO

World Toilet Day
November 19, 2022

World Soil Day
December 5, 2022

Septic Con
January 27-28, 2023
Tacoma, WA

3 Quick Computer Tips

Tricks for Navigating Your Browser

1) Accidently closed a tab in your browser? Press CTRL + Shift + T and it will magically reappear.

2) Press Ctrl + L to automatically select and highlight the current site's URL. This makes it easy to open the page in a new window, or to share the link elsewhere.

3) Cycle between your open tabs with your keyboard! Ctrl + Tab will move you one tab to the right, while Ctrl + Shift + Tab will move you one tab to the left.
Bonus tip: ALT + Tab lets you flick between the various programs that are currently open on your computer.

Inspirational Message

Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder.

Find us on Facebook

Stay up-to-date on industry news, learn about our latest training sessions, and check out photos of some of our events all on our Facebook pages!

AOWMA Facebook page
WCOWMA-BC Facebook page
SOWMA Facebook page
MOWMA Facebook page
WCOWMA Facebook page