As you are probably aware, on January 30th, the Federal Government formally announced it was moving forward with a consultation process for the introduction of Federal Prompt Payment Legislation. The services of Bruce Reynolds and Sharon Vogel of the law firm Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP have since been secured to conduct an expert review of Prompt Payment and Adjudication on Federal Construction Contract.

The next step is for the firm to host Town Hall meetings across Canada to obtain input from industry stakeholders. The information gathered during these events will then be used to establish a set of recommendations, which shall form the basis of the legislation. MCAC will be involved in the drafting of a submission with NTCCC that will be shared with all provincial and zone MCA associations.

 Their timelines are as follows:
* Western Canada Stakeholder Meetings March 5-9, 2018
* Northern Canada Stakeholder Meetings March 12-16, 2018
* Eastern Canada Stakeholder Meetings March 19-23, 2018
* Central Canada Stakeholder Meetings March 26-30, 2018
* Delivery of Recommendations Package to PSPC May 1, 2018

MCAC will provide you with more information as it becomes available. 

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, Bibby-Ste-Croix.

•  MCA Canada Information Guide and Membership Directory - Enclosed you will find the 2016
edition of MCA Canada’s Information Guide and Membership Directory. The Information Guide is an
all-in-one magazine distributed to members and key industry stakeholders to provide a comprehensive list of MCAC programs and services. MCA Canada hopes you will use this valuable resource to assist in managing your businesses.

•  Construction Lien Act Webinar - Dan Leduc of Norton Rose Fulbright will present a free webinar to MCA Canada members on some of the key changes to the Construction Lien Act (which will now become the Construction Act) in Ontario. The act represents the materialization of the Province’s intention to modernize provincial construction laws to improve efficiency and competitiveness for construction businesses. This new legislation will bring significant changes which will likely be proclaimed in the next year or so.

•  Membership Advantage Program - Mark’s Work Wearhouse - In the crowded apparel market, Mark's stands out for its commitment to comfort, quality, style and innovation. Though their roots are in industrial work wear, they have also become known for outfitting Canadians with casual and active wear for everyday living. Their clothes are engineered to function, feel and look better.

•  This month's program brought to you by Bibby-Ste-Croix - Bibby Ste-Croix is the premier domestic manufacturer of cast iron soil pipe, fittings and couplings for drain, waste and vent plumbing systems. Cast iron is truly a green plumbing choice as their products are manufactured by using ~100 percent recycled post-consumer scrap metal, and our products are 100 percent recyclable once taken out of service. For nearly a century Bibby has been providing quality cast iron products. When you choose cast iron, you know you are getting a safe and reliable system that will stand the test of time. Cast Iron – Tried and True. For more information, please visit Bibby-Ste-Croix’s website at www.bibby-ste-croix.com or call 1-800-463-3480.

More than 70 organizations from across the country, including the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC), have come together to form the Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness — a unified voice to oppose the federal government’s tax proposals that would dramatically change the way incorporated small businesses are taxed in Canada. These changes, announced in July 2017, would impose strict new regulations on tax measures that allow small business owners to invest in their business, save for retirement and support their families. This is an unfair attack on Canada’s middle class. Professionals in nearly every sector, from agriculture to manufacturing to healthcare to construction, could be hurt by these changes.

Since the proposals were announced in July, the Coalition has worked together to produce four joint letters, five news releases and promoted the group’s mission through a number of advertisements in the Hill Times paper and social media posts using the hashtag #unfairtaxchanges, all in an effort to oppose the government’s proposals. The Coalition was an instrumental part in making sure that the federal government heard the concerns of the business community. Had the Coalition not existed, the original package put forward in July would have likely passed without any of the subsequent changes. Our work is far from over - leading up to the federal budget, the Coalition and its associated members will continue to oppose the governments new rules related to income sharing for family businesses and the passive investment rules that we expect to learn more about in the budget.

Together, in 2017, we inspired thousands of Canadians to stand up to unsafe work. Lets do it again this year. What is Courageous? Courageous is a one-hour broadcast that empowers students and workers to stand up to unsafe work. It features inspirational stories and practical advice from public leaders and safe work experts. Topics covered include the right to refuse unsafe work, what to do if you’re being harassed, practicing mindfulness, speaking out for others and identifying an unsafe company. Learn about the reality of unsafe work; get empowered to do something about it. Click here to register.

With 21 percent of Canada’s current construction workforce anticipated to retire this decade, the industry needs to focus on recruitment and retention to prevent a skills and capacity gap, the findings of the latest BuildForce Canada labour market forecast indicate. According to the 2018–2027 Construction and Maintenance Looking Forward forecast, more than a quarter of a million construction workers are expected to retire this decade and construction activity could “soften” in most provincial markets due to the aging population and weaker demand for natural resources. The forecast also indicates slow and uneven construction job growth is anticipated as construction activity levels off. Bill Ferreira, executive director of BuildForce Canada, said the demographic shift that has been anticipated in the construction industry for years is now here. Click the link below to find the Buildforce report.

A Game Changer You Need to Know About - Dan Leduc of Norton Rose Fulbright will present a free webinar to MCA Canada members on some of the key changes to the Construction Lien Act (which will now become the Construction Act) in Ontario. The act represents the materialization of the Province’s intention to modernize provincial construction laws to improve efficiency and competitiveness for construction businesses. This new legislation will bring significant changes  which will likely be proclaimed in the next year or so. The topics will include an introduction to prompt payment, adjudication, and other changes that you will need to understand as each will impact your day to day commercial activities. To register click the link below.

Date: March 21, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern
Cost: Free to all MCAC Members

The Construction Education Council (CEC) is pleased to announce that it will once again offer the highly acclaimed Estimating Conference in Toronto, ON from October 17th to 19th. This will be the sixth offering. It is a unique conference focusing not on how to estimate, but rather project procurement and strategies. Sessions covered will include deal breakers, project risk and go/no-go strategies, putting together a proposal, what a General Contractor looks for in it’s selection process to name a few.  The Conference is led by Jack Wilhelmi and Tim Wentz from MCA America with a special session held by Dan Leduc from Norton Rose Fulbright.

The Construction Education Council (CEC) is pleased to present the exclusive seminar, “Dispatcher Training Program.” Over two days, the topics covered will include but not be limited to: the dispatchers influence in the organization and their impact on profitability; communication skills for the dispatcher; understanding a day in the life of the service technician; prioritizing service calls/matching technician ability to calls; customers and problems; what technicians need from their dispatchers; the art of asking the right questions; levels of customer satisfaction; handling difficult customers/steps to rapid service recovery; applying the finishing touches with correct follow-up; managing the service manager; a day in the life of a dispatcher/getting rid of stress/personal action plan.

Quick. Easy. Anonymous. Click the link below to access the FREE Construction and Maintenance Performance Benchmarking Self-assessment Tool from BuildForce. Measure your company's performance against competitors. Understand your company's strengths and weaknesses. Identify how to improve your company's performance. Revisit and re-evaluate as you work towards improvement.

This month's MultiMedia Program is brought to you by Bibby-Ste-Croix - Bibby Ste-Croix is the premier domestic manufacturer of cast iron soil pipe, fittings and couplings for drain, waste and vent plumbing systems. Cast iron is truly a green plumbing choice as their products are manufactured by using ~100 percent recycled post-consumer scrap metal, and our products are 100 percent recyclable once taken out of service. For nearly a century Bibby has been providing quality cast iron products. When you choose cast iron, you know you are getting a safe and reliable system that will stand the test of time. Cast Iron – Tried and True. For more information please visit Bibby-Ste-Croix’s website at www.bibby-ste-croix.com or call 1-800-463-3480.

425 – The University of Constantinople is founded by Emperor Theodosius II at the urging of his wife.
1594 – Henry IV is crowned King of France.
1940 – Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben discover carbon-14 used for carbon dating.
1988 - Elizabeth Manley wins silver in figure skating at the Calgary Olympics

The Doors To CMPX 2018 Open March 21st - CMPX 2018 is the Canadian Mechanical & Plumbing Exposition, Canada’s National Show for the HVACR and Plumbing Industries. The CMPX 2018 doors open on March 21, 2018 for three action-packed days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 21-23, filled with exciting new products and technologies, exhibitor experts from around the world that you can talk to in person, and an impressive slate of educational sessions and presentations. It will take place at the 200,000-square-foot show floor at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building. Over 500 exhibiting companies will be shipping their latest new products and technologies to display at CMPX. Click the link below or go to www.cmpxshow.ca.

• March 12–15: CCA Conference, Banff, AB
• March 15: MCA Saskatchewan AGM, Regina, SK
• March 21–23: CMPX Mechanical & Plumbing Exhibition, Toronto, ON
• 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 4–5: 24th Skills Canada Competition, Edmonton, AB
• June 10–15: UA National Skills Competition, Edmonton, 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

Membership Advantage Program partners with Mark’s Work Wearhouse - In the crowded apparel market, Mark's stands out for its commitment to comfort, quality, style and innovation. Though their roots are in industrial work wear, they have also become known for outfitting Canadians with casual and active wear for everyday living. Their clothes are engineered to function, feel and look better. Contact MCA Canada to get discount cards for all your employees. 

Based in Canada, Operation Eyesight has brought sight-restoration and blindness-prevention treatment to millions of people since our founding in 1963. Today, our work is focused in Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, India and Nepal – places where blindness can be deadly, especially to those who are very young, old or poor. MCA Canada continues to be involved through the support of our offices and members. Every penny counts.