The MCAC Member Multimedia Information Program delivers timely and valuable information to our entire membership via email (Just The Fax), the internet (www.mcac.ca) and direct mail. The program’s goal is to provide every MCA member with regular information on upcoming events, programs and projects. In addition, each communication will feature one of our Membership Advantage Programs, which can save you thousands of dollars each year.

This month's program is brought to you thanks to the generosity of our featured associate member, Victaulic.

• Membership Advantage Program: AON Reed Stenhouse – As a premier Membership Advantage Program partner, AON Reed Stenhouse is the leader in Canada’s construction insurance business. It’s true that they are the world’s largest insurance broker, but don’t let that fool you. Their more than 59,000 colleagues are local people from your city who will be there to take care of your needs. Save money on premiums, expand your coverage and work with someone in your neighborhood. Learn more at www.mcac.ca.
• This month's program brought to you by VICTAULIC – Since 1919, VICTAULIC has been the world's leading producer of grooved mechanical couplings and pipe-joining systems. Over the years, Victaulic has continued to develop innovative solutions focused on ensuring efficiency, reliability and safety. To find out more please visit www.victaulic.com.

Do you have an employee who has a son or daughter currently studying to be in the mechanical contracting industry? Are you a member of an MCA student chapter? If so, we’ve got good news: CEC and Federated Insurance can help offset the financial burden. We are accepting applications for our annual scholarship until June 30. This is the 12th year that Federated Insurance has generously sponsored the scholarship. For further information please contact Tania Johnston at 613-232-5169 or tania@mcac.ca.

• Download scholarship criteria
• Download scholarship application

As a self-employed person, you and your spouse or common-law partner have until midnight on June 15 to file your 2016 income tax and benefit returns. The legislated date for paying an income tax balance owing is April 30. Since that date is a Sunday in 2017, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will consider your full payment as made on time if the CRA receives your payment by midnight on May 1 or if your submission with the payment is postmarked no later than that date. If you have amounts owing and the CRA receives your return after the June 15 deadline, the CRA may charge you a late-filing penalty.

Don Axford died March 29 at Lion's Gate Hospital in North Vancouver at the age of 77. Don was an astute and successful businessman who possessed a common touch. His advice and judgment were often sought and always trusted. You could not have a better ally and friend. Don ran a manufacturers' agency specializing in plumbing supplies and fixtures. He enjoyed success as a businessman, but also knew every detail of his products and was just as comfortable in his coveralls on weekends, installing and fixing products for family and friends, as he was in a business suit. Don taught his family the importance of hard work and honesty; to live within your means, but also to take time to enjoy what this world has to offer. He exuded warmth and valued his friendships and connections more than anything else. Don's family extends a huge thanks to the many caring staff at Lion's Gate Hospital Palliative ward who kept Don comfortable in his last days.

Dear MCAC member, we've recently found a great new way to learn about the latest construction tech every week and wanted to share. The ConTechTrio weekly podcast is hosted by JBKnowledge CEO James Benham, and co-hosted by ConAppGuru Rob McKinney and BIM Expert Josh Bone. The ConTechTrio is dedicated to sharing construction trends, research and innovation through their weekly podcasts. Every week, they interview executives and industry leaders in construction to learn how they are applying the latest tech on projects. What's in it for you? You can listen or watch the weekly podcast live, or access the archive of all episodes on the JBKnowledge website. But to stay the most current, we recommend subscribing to the JBKnowledge blog to get weekly reminders when the podcast is published. Why should you subscribe? It takes ten seconds — all you have to do is enter your email here and you will never feel out of the loop again and gain insights on all things construction tech! Teaser... Last week the Trio interviewed Matt Gotterer from Bluebeam on end to end workflows in construction. Topics included Mircosoft Surface Studio, Holobuilders 360° virtual tour of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017 and much more! Listen here or read the recap. Last thing! Let us know if you have any questions or trouble subscribing! We're confident you'll enjoy geeking out with the ConTechTrio.

Ontario's new Construction Act, which will update construction lien legislation and set out adjudication and prompt payment rules, should be introduced this spring and, if all goes according to plan, become law by the end of the year, says Bruce Reynolds.

The Competition Bureau, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Public Services and Procurement Canada are partnering to introduce an anonymous and toll-free Federal Contracting Fraud Tip Line to improve our ability to detect and prevent fraud, collusion and corruption in contracts and real property agreements awarded by the Government of Canada. Individuals with information on suspected wrongdoing in a Government of Canada contract or real property agreement are encouraged to come forward anonymously by calling the toll-free line at 1-844-365-1616 or by completing a form online.

The HVAC and plumbing industry in Canada is in for some profound changes with the coming wave of new building codes, policies and regulations. All levels of government are pushing hard to go green and reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Growing your business by expanding to another province is a big step and the process can be complicated. Before beginning operations in a second province you have to determine if your company is legally able to do business there.

In order to eliminate the remaining fatal accidents that occur in construction, we must remove the chance for someone to make a poor decision or remember to make that decision. There are many areas in which this approach can be applied.

In traditionally male-dominated industries, such as construction, female leaders can make an impact in at least two important areas: mentoring other women and helping develop and implement strategies for mitigating bias and discrimination.

There are many ways that money is wasted, but I'm going to highlight three areas where money is wasted, and if you are in a construction management type of contract with pass-through costs, then this is going to infuriate everyone.

The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) held its National Stakeholder meeting on April 20 in Ottawa.

Check out the following programs offered by the CEC and our local MCAs in the months ahead!

• MSCC Sales Academy – Toronto, ON – May 17-18
• Project Scheduling Essentials – Hamilton, ON – May 9 and 15
• Project Scheduling Essentials – Saskatoon, SK – May 16 and 17
• Proactive Service – Vancouver, BC – June 15

Proponents of lean construction tout the method as a way to shave time off project schedules and encourage participants to streamline their processes in an effort to create the most efficient path to completion.

1497: John Cabot's expedition departs Bristol searching for new lands across the Atlantic.
1536: Anne Boleyn is arrested and taken to the Tower of London.
1670: King Charles II gives royal charter to the Hudson's Bay Company.
1776: France & Spain agreed to give weapons to American rebels.
1865: US President Andrew Johnson offers $100,000 reward for capture of Jefferson Davis.
1918: General Motors acquires the Chevrolet Motor Company of Delaware.
1920: First game of National Negro Baseball League played in Indianapolis.
1932: Jack Benny's first radio show premieres (NBC Blue Network).
1933: Adolf Hitler bans trade unions.
1939: Lou Gehrig ends 2,130 consecutive game streak.
1941: FCC approves regular scheduled commercial TV broadcasts to begin July 1.
1945: German army in Italy surrenders.
1945: Battle of Berlin ends as Soviet army takes Berlin.
1949: Arthur Miller wins Pulitzer Prize for "Death of a Salesman".
1962: US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island.
1994: Dr. Kervokian found innocent on assisting suicides.
2000: Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands unveils the Man With Two Hats monument in Apeldoorn and the other in Ottawa on May 11, 2000. The monument symbolically links Netherlands and Canada for their assistance throughout World War II.

This year’s Annual CEC Fundraising Golf Tournament has moved to an exciting new venue, the Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton, ON. The Royal Ontario is a prestigious course that everyone will enjoy. The tournament will take place Wednesday, July 12. Enjoy an amazing golf course, a great BBQ lunch, on-course games, a prime rib dinner, prizes, trophies and much more. Registration is now open and there are plenty of exceptional sponsorship opportunities still available. Learn more on our website or by contacting tania@mcac.ca.

Book September 14 in your calendar for a one-of-a-kind conference and trade show dedicated exclusively to the hydronics market. Modern Hydronics – Summit 2017 is conveniently located at the International Centre by Toronto’s Pearson Airport. You will see the latest technologies and products from industry leading manufacturers, learn from HPAC’s hydronic experts, network with colleagues and hydronics enthusiasts, enjoy lunch, dinner and drinks. Modern Hydronics – Summit 2017 is Canada’s only hydronic-exclusive event. Register today!

• May 5-7: MCA British Columbia/Alberta Conference, Victoria, BC
• May 11-19: MCA of Ontario AGM, Edinburgh, Scotland
• May 25: CANS Golf Tournament, Halifax, NS
• May 26-28: CCA Meetings, St. John’s, NL
• May 31-June 3: Skills Canada National Competition, Winnipeg MB
• June 6: MCA Canada Western Regional Meetings, Saskatoon, SK
• June 15: MCA Sask/Ron Young Memorial Golf, Moon Lake Golf and Country Club, SK 
• June 22: MCA Sask/ASHRAE Golf Tournament, Deer Valley Golf Club, SK
• June 23: MCA Eastern Regional Meeting, St. John’s, NL
• June 25-27: CIPH Annual Business Conference, Ottawa, ON
• July 12: CEC Golf Tournament, Royal Ontario Golf Club, Milton, ON
• July 13: CANS Developing Executives Meet and Greet, Halifax, NS
• September 21: CIPHEX Roadshow, St. John’s, NL
• September 29: CANS 155th AGM, St. Andrew's By-The-Sea, NB
• September 29-October 1: MCA Toronto AGM, Collingwood, ON
• October 2-4: CCA Meetings, Niagara Falls, ON
• October 15-18: MSCA Educational Conference, Boca Raton, Florida
• October 17: CIPHEX Roadshow, Edmonton, AB
• October 19: CIPHEX Roadshow, Regina, SK
• November 6-9: MCA Canada’s 76th National Conference, Maui, Hawaii

We still need your help! Operation Eyesight has prevented more than 35 million people from facing the needless tragedy of preventable blindness. Their work is focused in places where blindness can be deadly, especially to those who are very young, old or poor. MCA Canada's members, offices and staff have made significant contributions to help in this worthwhile cause but we still have a long way to go.