In an effort to better understand our members, MCA Canada has embarked on a national survey of the membership in partnership with the provincial and zone MCAs. The survey is limited to six questions and requires only a check box in most instances, so it can be completed in under a minute. The information will only be used for association purposes and will not be given to anyone outside the association. We are asking all members to take just a minute and complete this very important project.

Aon and MCA Canada have partnered to offer its members and their families a comprehensive suite of home and auto insurance products at discounted rates. While benefiting from group buying power, you won’t be sacrificing personalized, broker service – and you can save up to 20 percent on your home and auto insurance.

Ottawa is taking a close look at the acquisition, having ordered a national security review of the deal last month.

Public Services and Procurement Canada implemented mandatory credit checks as part of its personnel security process on January 29. In practical terms, anyone working on a government construction project must go through the credit check process regardless of their position.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has issued a clarification concerning the requirements for make-up air large air conditioners and direct expansion outdoor dedicated air systems under Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations.

A University of Waterloo professor argues that statistics concluding the construction industry has recorded low production output gains over the decades are unfair.

Implementing technology in construction companies can be a challenge, but the key is to make sure everybody understands why change is needed, and why it’s critical to improving safety.

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.

1513: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed in Florida. He had sighted the land the day before.
1776: George Washington received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard College.
1829: James Carrington patented the coffee mill.
1882: The American outlaw Jesse James was shot in the back and killed by Robert Ford for a $5,000 reward. There was later controversy over whether it was actually Jesse James that had been killed.
1910: Alaska's Mt. McKinley, the highest mountain in North America, was climbed.
1948: U.S. President Harry Truman signed the Marshall Plan to revive war-torn Europe. It was $5 billion in aid for 16 countries.
1953: TV Guide was published for the first time.
1968: Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "mountaintop" speech just 24 hours before he was assassinated.
1986: The U.S. national debt hit $2 trillion.
1996: Unabomber suspect Theodore Kaczynski was arrested. He pled guilty in January 1998 to five unabomber attacks in exchange for a life sentence without chance for parole.
1998: The Dow Jones industrial average climbed above 9,000 for the first time.
2000: A U.S. federal judge ruled that Microsoft had violated U.S. antitrust laws by keeping "an oppressive thumb" on its competitors. Microsoft said it would appeal the ruling.
2000: The Nasdaq set a one-day record when it lost 349.15 points to close at 4,233.68.
2010: The first iPad was released.

Economists had been predicting a small increase, but declines in goods-producing industries translated to overall losses.

• April 4: NTCCC Prompt Payment Summit
• 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 partner Perkopolis Changes Login Process - Perkopolis has now simplified the login process for MCA Canada members. Simply go to the site at www.perkopolis.com. On the top right corner click 'Register.' Type in your email address and click submit. Please note that if MCA Canada does not have your email address, or the address of your staff wishing to use the discounts, simply send the email addresses to daryl@mcac.ca and they will be added to the site which will then allow you to set up your account. Perkopolis is an employee discount program that provides access to exclusive discounts on a number of products and services across Canada such as clothes, travel, entertainment, electronics and much more.

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.