Members of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) are expressing support for the federal government’s plan to legislate prompt payment requirements on all federal construction projects. The move comes after months of collaborative work between contractor groups, civil servants and Parliamentarian champions. Steven MacKinnon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, hosted stakeholder groups to announce the initiative today at the department headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec.

We are proud to announce the launch of our new logo as part of the ongoing evolution of our brand. We have altered the logo to reflect who we are today and to symbolize our dynamic future. Our rebranding includes updates to our website, newsletters, publications, social media and all marketing and promotional collateral. You’ll notice a new and refreshed identity using more up-to-date elements with a simplified layout, modern fonts and a new tagline. All components were designed for use across digital and mobile. The continued use of the Canadian flag is a nod to our association's roots going back to 1895. We’re excited that our new logo and updates to our various communications media showcase our capabilities and our continued commitment to the evolution of our industry. Along with our redesigned website, our monthly newsletter has also enjoyed a makeover along with our LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter pages. If you would like a copy of our new logo for your website, or other material, please contact our office at 613-232-0492 or email daryl@mcac.ca or ashortt@mcac.ca.

We are pleased to welcome MCA Canada’s new COO, Pierre Boucher. He comes to us from his most recent position as president of Canadian Construction Innovations, which focuses on instilling a culture of research and innovation in the Canadian construction industry. Pierre was also heavily involved in the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) for many years as chief operating officer with several portfolios under his care. He has significant experience in the construction industry along with many years liaising with the federal government. Please join us in welcoming Pierre to MCA Canada. You can reach him at 613-232-0492 and pboucher@mcac.ca.

The National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) has issued a statement urging the federal government to move swiftly to pass legislation to ensure prompt payment of federal construction contracts.

Carillion Canada has been granted protection from creditors by the Ontario Superior Court under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

This tax-filing season, many important changes and improvements were made to services, benefits and credits for Canadians. Click through for a summary of everything you need to know.

The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has announced the 2018 CaGBC Green Building Product of the Year Award competition is now open.

Growing media attention to, and increasing public interest in, workplace bullying, harassment and sexual harassment has raised awareness of the issue everywhere, including in the construction industry.

It’s time to set Canada’s safety experts up as self-regulating professionals, says Paul Andre, president of the Canadian Registered Safety Professionals (CRSP) and acting president and CEO of Workplace Safety North.

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) recently presented bursaries to four female students in post-secondary institutions who aspire to careers in construction.

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.

The construction industry has historically been slow to adapt to new technologies, but with a recent push from Silicon Valley, a lot of money is being poured into research and development. Just a few short years ago, robotics on the construction site was thought of as a pipe dream, but now there are several companies around the world that are making it a reality.

More than a dozen Canadian companies have been singled out as being among the most innovative and promising cleantech companies on the planet.

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.

1649: King Charles I of England is beheaded.
1847: Lord Elgin arrives at Montreal to serve as Governor of the Province of Canada.
1868: Nova Scotia legislature opens first session after Confederation.
1897: UK-US convention establishes BC-Yukon boundary. 
1911: The Canadian Naval Service becomes the Royal Canadian Navy.
1933: Adolf Hitler is sworn in as Chancellor of Germany.
1948: Mahatma Gandhi is assassinated by a Hindu extremist.
1948: Fifth Winter Olympics open in St. Moritz. Canadian Barbara Ann Scott and the RCAF Flyers hockey team take home gold.
1966: Government announces that over 100,000 Canadians aged 69 are now eligible for $75 Old Age Security pensions.
1969: The Beatles' last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records in London, is broken up by police.
1981: Parliamentary Committee accepts proposed native rights amendments to the Constitution.

Complying with "unnecessary" and "redundant" rules cost both small and large businesses dearly, the advocacy group says.

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.