MCA Canada's 76th Annual National Conference was a huge success, in large part due to the tremendous support of our conference sponsors. Most of these companies support our annual event year after year and MCA Canada is truly appreciative. Our most sincere thanks to:

2017 Event Level sponsors
IPEX, Victaulic, United Association

2017 Gold Level sponsors
Allpriser, Anderson Webb Limited, Aon Insurance, Bibby Ste Croix, Dahl Brothers, Derksen Plumbing & Heating, Flocor Inc., M.A. Stewart & Sons Ltd., MCA Ontario, Milwaukee Valve, Uponor

2017 Silver Level sponsors
Anvil International Canada, Black & McDonald, Bradford White, Dobbin Sales - Elkay, Masco Canada, Milwaukee Tools, Oakville Stamping & Bending (OS & B), Ontario Pipe Trades Council, SFA Saniflo, Taco Canada, Trane, Wolseley

2017 Bronze Level sponsors
Apollo Valves, Armstrong Fluid Technology, DeWalt, Jonas Software, LynCar Products, MCA Kitchener-Waterloo Zone 7, Norton Rose Fulbright, Oventrop, Peak Mechanical Partnership, QBE Insurance, Quality Control Council of Canada, Reliance Worldwide Corp., RF Contracting, The Cahill Group, Watts Water Technologies, Weil-McLain Canada

MCA Canada’s Life Membership Award is a rare and coveted award that is conferred on an individual who, upon retirement or otherwise, is recognized by the association for his or her outstanding contribution to the work of the association. Brad Diggens, president of MJS Mechanical Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta was presented with this prestigious award on the occasion of MCA Canada’s 76th National Conference in Maui, Hawaii during the opening breakfast ceremonies on November 7.

Brad has had an extensive career in the industry as well as volunteering at all levels of the association. He has been a contributing member of MCA Alberta since the early 80s, and served as provincial chairman a number of times. He has served on countless technical and non-technical committees before progressing to the national stage as a member of the board of directors.

In his capacity on the national board, he represented the association on the World Plumbing Council, as a director of the Canadian Construction Association’s and as chairman of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada. He is currently the chairman of MCA Canada’s National Charity Committee for Operation Eyesight where he has taken on several dangerous climbing adventures contributing to the more than $155,000 raised so far for this charity. And he was the longest acting national chairman of MCA Canada in recent memory serving from 2010 to 2013.

Please join us in giving Brad Diggens our most sincere thanks and congratulations on a well deserved honour.

During the opening ceremonies at this year’s 76th National Conference in Maui, Hawaii, MCA Canada presented plaques recognizing the significant contributions of three members who have completed their mandates on the MCA Canada board of directors. Our thanks go to: Gaetan Beaulieu, Beaulieu Plumbing & Mechanical Inc. in Edmundston, NB who served as MCA Canada president and secretary/treasurer; Denis Carrier, E.S. Fox Ltd. in Niagara Falls, ON, who served as a director for Ontario; and Dan Milroy, Bradford White Canada in Mississauga, ON, who served as chairman of the Associates Council.

The Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC) has suspended the $75 fee for members prepared to take the MSCC 'Gold Standard' Certified Technicians exam. That's right! Until the end of December, your service journeymen can register to take the exam at no cost. Register now to take the exam. Simply email the MSCC office with a list of the techs who would like to take the exam. Shortly after receiving your list, a link to the exam site and your username and password will be emailed to you. Isn't it time you made the leap to truly differentiate your company from the rest?

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of one of our old timers and dedicated member of our industry. Lovingly remembered as "Opa" to grandchildren and "Hans" to his family in Germany, John Binninger passed away peacefully at Lakeside Manor, Salmon Arm, BC on November 21 at the age of 88 years.

Despite the federal government’s partial adjustments to its small business tax changes, business groups are still troubled about the potential negative effects the revised proposals will have on small and medium-sized firms. The concerns are spelled-out in a new letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau by the Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness, a unified voice of now almost 80 organizations representing hundreds of thousands of business owners across the country.

A parliamentary budget office report says 2.5 percent of Canadian-controlled private corporations would be affected by the tax changes proposed by the federal Liberals.

For Fall Prevention Month, CSA Group is reminding employers of the resources available that can help them select proper equipment and develop effective safety strategies.

The biggest misconception about corporate social responsibility Stephen Coote, president of Group 92 Mechanical Inc. and chair of the CCA Business and Market Development Committee, sees is that many in the industry view it as a burden.

Brad Mason, the Construction Education Council’s newly appointed chairman, is pleased to announce members of the 2017–18 council.

What makes you different from the other contractors in town? Is it because you have better techs? You have more experience? Because you offer better pricing? Isn’t that what your competitors are saying? Join us for a free one-hour webinar on December 13 to truly differentiate your company, particularly your service company! Read more in this information brochure and register via the CEC website.

MCA Toronto in partnership with MCA Canada and the Construction Education Council are pleased to present these exclusive Agile Construction Training Learning Sessions on November 29 and 30.

By automating certain tasks, companies can take on more projects with the same budget, which means they’ll employ more people as they take on more work. So if a civil-engineering firm does a couple projects a year and moves to a highly automated process, then it could feasibly take on two to three times as many projects annually and hire more people to get that work done.

Newer developments like 3D laser and sensor technologies are enabling contractors to build in a smarter and safer way. Insurers should understand where the construction industry is headed in terms of technology use and how emerging devices can help improve both physical construction sites and worker safety.

CCI’s chair John Bockstael talks about what CCI has accomplished since its inception and the path forward as well as what needs to happen to encourage contractors to embrace innovation.

While automation has transformed the world of manufacturing, construction remains relatively untouched by self-sufficient machines. That is about to change. This article examines six technologies likely to be found on the construction site of tomorrow: mesh maker; brick layer; 3D printing, gantry style; drone builds; artificial intelligence; and foam spewing arm.

With a long and successful history dating back to 1881, Bradford White is one of the most technologically advanced manufacturers of water heating, space heating, combination heating and water storage products in the world. With headquarters in suburban Philadelphia and its 800,000 sq. ft. manufacturing operation in Middleville, Michigan, the company builds all of its products strictly for wholesale distribution. Bradford White products for residential, commercial and industrial applications are designed for installation by plumbing and heating professionals. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhite.com.

1812: British and Canadian militia drive back a second American attack on Fort Erie.
1885: Cabinet creates the Banff Hot Springs Reserve & Banff National Park.
1895: The first U.S. car race takes place over the 54 miles in Chicago. Frank Duryea wins in 10 hours.
1925: NHL goalie Georges Vézina collapses in a game and dies of tuberculosis four months later.
1995: Ottawa announces privatization of Canadian National Railways.
2005: Stephen Harper's motion of non-confidence brings down Paul Martin's Liberal government.

• December 13: CEC webinar: Get out of the Truck and Go Online to Own Your Customers

By now we hope that you’ve heard about the group insurance program available to you and your employees through your MCA Canada membership. AON is now able to offer you and your employees exclusive MCAC discounted group home & auto rates. You can save over 20 percent with discounted home and auto insurance. You’ll benefit from group buying power, and still receive unbiased, personalized broker service.

With the holiday season soon upon us, Operation Eyesight is saying "thank you” to everyone who has contributed to this very important cause. Learn more about some of the people in the developing world whose lives your donations have changed. And as we start to look ahead to the holiday season, please consider making Operation Eyesight your charity of choice—as it is ours.