Industry stakeholders say the Canadian construction sector is being spared deep-felt consequences from the collapse of U.K.-based construction giant Carillion PLC.

The Apprentices in Canada ePanel provides apprentices and early-career journeypersons with opportunities to share their experiences inside the apprenticeship system. Over the past year, 1,115 panelists have been recruited through social media and direct outreach in collaboration with our members and partners. When they join, apprentices complete a screener survey offering insights CAF-FCA shares with its members. Additional ePanel surveys focus on specific topics.

Late last year, officials warned that a federal spending spree to repair crumbling roads and water systems could take three years longer than expected to complete, based on internal documents outlining issues with the first tranche of cash in the government’s infrastructure program.

BuildForce Canada has launched a series of blogs entitled Building a Foundation of Respect designed to help recruit and retain underrepresented groups in the construction industry by creating a respectful and inclusive workplace.

The Construction Education Council (CEC) 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.

Called Neom and costing $500B, the project is wildly ambitious and, based on some of the claims the Saudi government has made, it could change the course of human history. It will have its own tax, labor laws and legal system, although it will be protected by the Saudi military and subject to Saudi foreign policy.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually blocks access to it unless a ransom is paid. While some simple ransomware may lock the system in a way which is not difficult to reverse, more advanced malware encrypts your files, making them inaccessible, and demands a ransom payment to decrypt them. In the last year it is estimated that the total cost of ransomware in Canada was $5.7 million. Most internet service providers fully expect that these attacks will increase over the next two years.

Canplas Industries Ltd. is a member of the Aliaxis Group of companies, a global leader of plastic solutions for fluid transport in the field of building materials. The Aliaxis Group provides products for both residential and commercial building markets, in new build and renovation segments, as well as a wide range of solutions for industrial and public utility applications.

Kahua provides collaborative project management solutions that help you connect field with office to streamline all aspects of your business, including new construction, service and maintenance. In addition, The Kahua Network makes it easy and profitable to connect, collaborate and grow your business with owners and general contractors. The Kahua Advantage: data ownership and control, conforms to your business, rapid application development, unlimited connections.

1556: The deadliest earthquake in history, the Shaanxi earthquake, hits Shaanxi province, China. The death toll may have been as high as 830,000.
1849: Elizabeth Blackwell is awarded her M.D. becoming the United States' first female doctor.
1863: Toronto Stock Exchange introduces regular daily trading sessions.
1915: William Mackenzie drives the last spike of the troubled Canadian Northern Railway at Basque, BC.
1922: First successful test on a human patient with diabetes occurs with a dose of insulin conceived by Canadian physician Dr. F.G. Banting.
1973: United States President Richard Nixon announces that a peace accord has been reached in Vietnam.
1986: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts its first members: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley.
2006: Stephen Harper leads Conservative Party of Canada to minority victory in the 39th general election, ending 13 years of Liberal rule.

Scheduled for February 21 in Toronto, Marijuana in the Workplace: Best Practices for Your Company and Employee Expectations is a symposium for occupational health and safety leaders and decision makers across all industries. The symposium will bring together a panel of experts and industry leaders who will address hot-button issues regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana and its implications on workplace safety in Canada. Attendees will gain insights on compliance, rights and learn best practices in ensuring fitness for duty, manage worker expectations and balance compliance/enforcement with employee privacy.

• March 12–15: CCA Conference, Banff, AB
• March 15: MCA Saskatchewan AGM, Regina, SK
• March 25–29: MCA America Convention, San Antonio, TX
• April 18: MCA Manitoba AGM, Winnipeg, MB
• April 22–29: MCA Ontario Conference, St. Lucia
• May 3–6: MCA British Columbia Conference, Whistler, BC
• May 7–9: MCA Canada Midyear Meetings, Ottawa, ON
• May 8: MCA Canada & CIPH Day on the Hill, Ottawa, ON
• May 31–June 3: MCA Alberta Conference & AGM, Kananaskis, AB
• June 17–19: CIPH Annual Business Conference, Whistler, BC
• July 11: CEC Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser, Milton, ON
• September 7–9: MCA Toronto Conference & AGM, Muskoka, ON
• September 19–22: MCA Canada Annual National Conference, Whistler, BC

Aon Risk Solutions has been a longstanding partner of MCA Canada on the commercial and bonding side of the insurance business. We have expanded that partnership to include group purchasing power for personal home and auto insurance. Available to all members and their entire staff, you can now offer complete home and auto rates of up to 20 percent off home and 13 percent off auto rates based on Aon’s already low rates. (Please note that due to provincial auto legislation, the auto insurance program is not available in BC, SK and MB). You can find all the information you need at www.mcac.ca. You can also call 613-232-0492 or email mcac@mcac.ca.

As we turn the calendar to 2018, it's important to reflect on our achievements. In that spirit, the fact that MCA Canada, its members and partners have raised more than $155,000 to date in support of Operation Eyesight is a feat worth celebrating. Operation Eyesight celebrated a number of achievements of its own in 2017, and these are highlighted in a special new year's message from the charity. Check it out to see how your donation dollars are being used to save lives in the developing world.