On May 4, the Senate of Canada passed Bill S-224, the Canada Prompt Payment Act, Senator Don Platt's bill addressing the systemic problem of delays in the construction industry. The act will ensure that contractors and sub-contractors on federal government construction work are paid in a timely manner. The bill passed unanimously.

“As a former trade contractor, I know that in the construction industry, it is a tolerated practice that there are no strict timelines for payment, even when all parties are satisfied with the work completed,” Senator Plett said. “Delay in payment is the number one reason small and medium sized businesses in the construction industry are going out of business in Canada.”

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.

• MCAC’s 76th Annual National Conference – Preliminary Brochure: Due to high demand, MCAC’s room block with the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is now open. For all those excited and eager to begin planning their attendance, please review the brochure included in this month’s package for all information on how to make your reservations online or by phone. We are equally eager to see you in Maui this November!
• Stay up to speed on construction technology – MCA Canada recently found a great new way for you to stay on top of the latest in construction technology we wanted to share this with you. The ConTechTrio provides a weekly podcast which is hosted by JBKnowledge CEO James Benham. If you attended our last conference, you know how exceptional James is when it comes to the world of construction technology. James is joined by co-host and ConAppGuru, Rob McKinney as well as 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. The weekly podcasts are free and to make things even easier, you can subscribe to the JBKnowledge blog to get weekly reminders when the podcast is published. It only takes a few seconds to subscribe and you’ll never feel out of the loop again. Visit www.jbknowledge.com. 
• Construction Education Council – The Construction Education Council proudly presents the exclusive Gold Seal and Blue Seal Accredited Project Management Program. The highly acclaimed program is offered in partnership with the University of Waterloo. The program takes place over a 10-day period and is split into two five-day sessions. This will mark the 40th session offered with nearly 900 industry managers graduating from the program.
• 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

The Construction Association of Nova Scotia (CANS) has announced it is pleased with the Province of Nova Scotia's decision to incorporate three industry-recommended amendments into the Builders' Lien Act. The amendments have been proclaimed into law and will take full effect on June 30.

The Ontario provincial budget delivered by Finance Minister Charles Sousa April 27 was heavy on new social spending, but stakeholders in the province's construction sector also found nuggets of good news including a sizable increase in infrastructure spending.

Foremen can now earn their GSC. Read the application instructions and apply online.

Cities across Canada should sell their electricity distribution companies and invest the proceeds in critical municipal infrastructure, suggests a new C.D. Howe Institute report.

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) will be undertaking a review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act and industry stakeholders are hoping it will result in significant improvements to the municipal class environmental assessment (MCEA) process.

The proposed bank would leverage $35 billion in government funding to entice private investment in projects like public transit systems, highways and electrical grids that will generate revenues through user fees or tolls.

This WorkSafeBC video weaves together personal testimonials from workers, supervisors and business leaders.

Read CCA chair Chris McNally's article on integrating the U40s in the Winnipeg Construction Association magazine.

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

1386: Treaty of Windsor signed between Portugal and England (the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world which is still in force).
1502: Columbus left Spain on his fourth and final trip to New World.
1689: English King William III declares war on France.
1785: British inventor Joseph Bramah patents beer-pump handle.
1836: HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin departs Port Louis, Mauritius.
1896: First horseless carriage show in London (featured 10 models).
1914: US President Woodrow Wilson proclaims Mother's Day. (It’s this Sunday!)
1927: Canberra replaces Melbourne as the capital of Australia.
1941: British intelligence at Bletchley Park breaks German spy codes after capturing Enigma machines aboard the weather ship Muenche.
1945: Czechoslovakia liberated from Nazi occupation.
1945: Hermann Goering is captured by the United States Army.
1946: First hour-long entertainment TV show, "NBC's Hour Glass," premieres.
1958: Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo," starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak, is released.
1960: US becomes the first country to legalize the birth control pill.
1962: The Beatles sign their first contract with EMI Parlophone.
1962: Laser beam successfully bounced off moon for first time.
1962: US performs atmospheric nuclear test at Christmas Island.
1963: US performs nuclear test at Nevada test site.
1974: US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee begins formal hearings on Nixon impeachment.
1977: Patty Hearst let out of jail.
1992: Final episode of "Golden Girls" airs on NBC.
2012: President Barack Obama officially states his support for same sex marriage.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is pleased to host a free webinar on taxable benefits. It is the first in a four-part series answering your payroll questions and helping you meet your deducting, remitting, and reporting requirements.

Please join the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and Skills/Compétences Canada in Winnipeg on June 1 for a regional roundtable entitled Building Blocks for Success in the Skilled Trades.

Defence Construction Canada is a federal Crown corporation that provides innovative and cost-effective contracting, construction contract management, and full lifecycle support for infrastructure and environmental services required for the defence of Canada. It will hold its annual public meeting in Ottawa on June 6 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. To register for this event, send an email to APM-APA@dcc-cdc.gc.ca. Copies of DCC's most recent annual report are available at www.dcc-cdc.gc.ca.

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.

• 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.