The National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) is planning to host another national summit on the issue of prompt payment legislation as it relates to both provincial jurisdictions and the federal government. The summit is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4 in Toronto, Ontario. Representatives of the constituent member associations of NTCCC have been invited to attend including MCA Canada. The summit will be preceded by a NTCCC meeting on April 3. More details later!

HOW LONG DO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA USE LAST? - As per Health Canada, "depending on the dose, impairment can last for over 24 hours after last use...." Some
documented negative effects of marijuana are: decreased attention, decreased concentration, compromised judgment and decision making ability, impulsivity, decreased working memory, distorted sensory perception, decreased verbal fluency, paranoia, persecutory ideas, hallucinations, and severe anxiety. These risks put the individual and others at harm, and last considerably longer than the commonly understood "intoxication/impairment" effects.

We’ve known for some time that it was coming. Now that demographic shift we’ve heard so much about, is here. Canada’s construction industry is about to lose a generations’ worth of skill and
experience. More than one quarter of a million construction workers who’ve spent the better part of a lifetime building, repairing, and maintaining Canada’s infrastructure are retiring in the next 10 years. Making up for the loss of 21 percent of the construction workforce isn’t easy, especially when the pool of available younger workers is shrinking. It’s a demographic one-two punch that the industry can only dodge if it plans now.

Imagine you're standing in front of a potentially lucrative client with a handful of  P.O.'s and a half dozen competitors! They want to know why they should hire you! You know what the competition is saying because they all offer the same thing... the best workmanship, the best service, the best value! What can YOU say to make you stand out from the rest? Easy... we are an 'MSCC Gold Standard Contractor.' This designation clearly demonstrates your company has met and surpassed the latest industry best practices, which means your clients can sleep better at night knowing they have a professional organization keeping their internal systems running smoothly. And MSCC has waived the $75 tech exam fee. Find out how you can seperate yourself from the crowd!

Liberals unveil 'Equality + Growth' 2018 federal budget with 'proactive' gender equity. Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled a federal budget last Tuesday that charts a clear course for the Liberals to the 2019 election, an aspirational road map designed to ensure that no woman, scientist or national wildlife area gets left behind. The document, which details a $18.1 billion deficit, including a $3 billion adjustment for risk, also shows the Liberal government is doubling down on the idea that spending money — even borrowed money — is good for the long-term future of Canadians. Click the link below to read the highlights. 

Temporary foreign workers and indigenous workers will see new supports created for them going forward thanks to the 2018 federal budget. The government has directed $194.1 million over the next five years to ensure the rights of temporary foreign workers in Canada are protected and enforced “through a robust compliance regime,” explained the budget. “The Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program are Canada’s two programs that govern the entry of temporary foreign workers,” the budget reads.

OTTAWA—The Trudeau government Feb. 27 budget will use billions of dollars worth of fresh fiscal runway for new investments, a decision that leaves Ottawa with no timetable for balanced books anywhere on its horizon. The 'new money' was generated by a number of sources, including the stronger economy, revenues from tax changes for private corporations, lower-than-expected departmental spending and nearly $5 billion in re-profiled infrastructure commitments over the next two years alone. The government is projecting deficits roughly in line with its October projections. The new outlook now shows an $18.1-billion shortfall for 2018-19 that’s expected to gradually shrink to $12.3 billion in 2022-23, including annual $3-billion cushions to offset risks.

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 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.

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.

12 BC – The Roman Emperor Augustus is named Pontifex Maximus then emperor.
1617 - Louis Hébert agress to be the First Colonist of New France.
1788 – The First Fleet arrives at Norfolk Island (off Australia) to form convict settlement.
1834 - Happy Birthday Toronto.
1836 – Battle of the Alamo. After a 13-day siege by an army of 3,000 Mexican troops, the 187 Texas volunteers, including frontiersman Davy Crockett and colonel Jim Bowie, defending the Alamo are killed and the fort is captured.
1852 - Group of brokers frame "a code of Rules and Regulations" for the Toronto Stock Exchange.
1869 - Dmitri Mendeleev presents the first periodic table of the elements to the Russian Chemical Society
1899 – Bayer registers "Aspirin" as a trademark.
1950 - Silly Putty goes on sale.
1964 - Boxing legend Cassius Clay publicly announces his conversion to Islam.
1970 - Beatles release "Let it Be".
1981 - Walter Cronkite signs off as anchorman of "CBS Evening News".

March 21 to 23 - 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 days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, filled with 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 takes 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.