MCA Canada could not be more thrilled to announce Mark Gungor, author of Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage, as the keynote speaker at this year’s Annual National Conference. After Mark left the room in stitches during his session at MCA America’s national conference in San Antonio, Texas last spring, MCAC staff worked diligently to confirm his attendance in Whistler for this September. He is a clear fit for our Opening Breakfast.

When Mark Gungor conducted his first marriage seminar, he did so for one reason: someone had to, and no one else was reaching the couples in his area. The enthusiastic response he received from his first audience was just the tip of the iceberg. Today, he is one of the most sought-after international speakers on marriage and family. Each year thousands of couples attend his seminars. Mark’s candid and comedic approach uses unforgettable illustrations and the power of laughter to teach proven principles that are guaranteed to strengthen any marriage.

Save the date for MCA Canada’s 77th Annual National Conference, scheduled from September 19 to 22 in Whistler, BC.

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, VICTAULIC. Here's what's coming up in this month's program:

• Spring 2018 edition of the National Bulletin – The upcoming edition of MCA Canada’s National Bulletin includes updates on important association and industry programs, services, projects and events. See what the Education Council is doing and what’s next for the Service Division.
• Membership Advantage Program: UniFirst – MCA Canada and UniFirst have partnered to deliver members quality uniforms, Job-Fitted Work Clothes and other image and safety enhancing workwear to businesses of all sizes and types. From industrial work shirts and pants to work jackets and coveralls, and polos and executive wear to lab coats and food service smocks, UniFirst offers workwear for virtually every occupation. Beyond a complete selection of the best work uniforms available, UniFirst also provides accessories like gloves, hats and protective gear. We make "single source workwear solutions” more than just a marketing slogan. For more details, email maca@mcac.ca, call 613-232-0492 or visit www.mcac.ca.
• New Membership Advantage Program: Save 5¢ per litre on fuel with Shell – The Shell Fleet Navigator Card is a MasterCard that gives you savings on fuel, car washes and more! Use it at over 1,300 Shell stations, as well as any other service station or maintenance location where MasterCard is accepted. Save 5¢ on every litre of fuel purchased at Shell stations until October 15, and 3¢ per litre thereafter. Take advantage of this extraordinary discount by emailing mcac@mcac.ca, visiting www.mcac.ca or calling 613-232-0492.
• This month's program brought to you by VICTAULIC – Since 1919, VICTAULIC has been the world's leading producer of grooved mechanical couplings and pipe-joining systems. Over the years, Victaulic has continued to develop innovative solutions focused on ensuring efficiency, reliability and safety. Learn more at victaulic.com.

To date, only a very small number of members have completed the MCA Canada member survey. If you’re among those companies that hasn’t yet, please take just a minute to fill out our six questions. We will use the data we collect as feedback and input into the programs and services we offer to you—our members. Help us help you!

MCA Canada will hold two days of extensive meetings May 7–9 with a Parliamentary ‘Day on the Hill’ squeezed in between. Scheduled to meet are the MCA Canada Executive Board, the Conference Committee, all MCAC standing committees, the Managers Council and the MCA Canada Board of Directors. Also meeting are the Construction Education Council and the Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada Board of Governors. Keep an eye on future editions of Just the Fax for details that emerge from these meetings.

Prompt Payment and Harmonizing Model Codes & Regulations are this year’s themes when representatives of MCA Canada and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating (CIPH) meet with Members of Parliament, senators and senior policy advisors on May 8. The construction industry operates as an integrated system. The parts of that system must work together harmoniously to achieve efficiency. This is why MCAC and CIPH propose that the government work to address payment delays and the regulatory barrier of fragmented model codes that limit the use of emerging technologies and trade across borders.

Trane helps customers succeed by providing innovative solutions that optimize indoor environments through a broad portfolio of energy-efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building, contracting and energy services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. Trane serves engineers, contractors and building owners on all continents and in an array of markets including education, healthcare, government, industrial/manufacturing, data centers, lodging, retail and commercial real estate. With more than 900 U.S. patents to date, Trane creates comfortable and energy-efficient environments around the world. Trane systems and services have a reputation for reliability, high quality and advanced innovation; and are available through a powerful distribution network. Trane employees and distributors are respected industry-wide for their skills and performance in designing, manufacturing, marketing and supporting commercial and residential systems.

The Manitoba Prompt Payment Coalition (MBPP), a growing grassroots coalition of 30 Construction Associations and Unions, applauded the unanimous support Bill 218, The Prompt Payment in the Construction Industry Act, received when it passed second reading.

Canada’s trade contractors are voicing their support for the advancement of prompt payment legislation in Manitoba. Manitoba Prompt Payment has driven support of Bill 218, The Prompt Payments in the Construction Industry Act, which was passed at second reading in the Manitoba Legislature on April 24. “We’re glad to see this legislation make it to the committee stage and are appreciative of the government’s support for Bill 218,” said Sandra Skivsky, Chair of the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada. “The momentum behind prompt payment legislation is growing from coast-to-coast and today is an important milestone for Manitoba.” Bill 218 was introduced less than two weeks ago by MLA Reg Helwer. “It’s clear to us that the government in Manitoba takes prompt payment seriously,” added Skivsky. “We know that this bill, if passed, will improve the speed of payments in the construction sector and add much needed efficiencies.”

The Cannabis Canada Association, Canadian Medical Cannabis Council, as well as Canopy Growth Corp., have joined together to create a single national industry association for the sector, to be called the Cannabis Canada Council. The council’s mission is to act as the national voice for its members in their promotion of industry standards; support the development, growth and integrity of the regulated cannabis industry; and serve as an important resource on issues related to the safe and responsible use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes.

Learn more about the small business deduction in the eighth episode of the Canada Revenue Agency’s payroll podcast series for employers and the payroll community. In this episode, we finish our two-part conversation on the small business deduction, this time discussing the differences between active business income and income from a specified investment business or a personal services business. Listen on the Government of Canada website.

Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 14th Annual CEC Fundraising Golf Tournament at the Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton, Ontario on July 11. All proceeds from the event go to support CEC’s ability to provide the mechanical contracting industry with innovative education programming. Learn more at CEC's website, or by contacting Tania Johnston at 613-232-5169 or tania@mcac.ca.

Apprentices spend 80 to 90 percent of their time at the workplace learning from employers and journeyperson mentors. CAF-FCA surveyed apprentices and early-career journeypersons to gather their perspectives on workplace training. Join CAF’s live webinar on May 16 at 1:00 EDT to hear their perspectives on workplace orientation, supports, mentoring, and communication and learn what factors help support apprentice retention and completion.

Spring is finally here! Just as you would clean out your home, your technology could probably also use a spring cleaning. Cut through the clutter and freshen up your technology! Get your business technology looking shiny and new in no time with our spring cleaning checklist:

• backup data and hardware,
• update your software to the latest edition,
• clear your browser cache,
• update old passwords, and
• clean out old emails.

For the last few years, cloud computing has been drastically changing the way in which companies buy and consume IT. From small and medium businesses to big corporations, companies are all leveraging the use of cloud computing as a way to optimize their IT spending, while increasing the agility and scalability of their IT infrastructure. At the core of every business, there is a precious asset: data. Data allows owners of small and mid-size businesses to get better insights into the performance of their operations and take corrective actions to stay ahead of the competition.

Japanese construction company Shimizu Corp. showed off several robots, including one already in use at construction sites that picks up piles of boards and carries them into an elevator.

1707: The Act of Union joins the Kingdom of England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
1786: In Vienna, Austria, Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro is performed for the first time.
1885: Electric lighting used for the first time to illuminate city streets in Ottawa.
1896: Nova Scotia's Charles Tupper becomes Canada's sixth Prime Minister as Mackenzie Bowell resigns.
1909: Ontario goes dry, as the temperance movement wins prohibition of alcoholic beverages.
1912: The Dominion of Canada issues first $5 bill, replacing the $4 one.
1930: The dwarf planet Pluto is officially named.
1935: Royal Canadian Mint circulates Canada's first silver dollar, for the silver jubilee of George V.
2011: Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is killed by U.S. Navy SEALS.

Canada’s central bank governor says inflation will likely hover just above the historic target of two percent for this entire year, but he’s comfortable with that because the longer-term trendline is steady. He made the remarks days after revealing that he was holding interest rates steady for the second straight policy announcement, despite the projected consumer price index creeping up to 2.3 percent for 2018.

Western Canada’s biggest trade show for plumbing, hydronics, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and water treatment comes to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park in Calgary on November 7 and 8. With more than 250 exhibitors, CIPHEX West gives industry members a unique opportunity to discover new products and technologies and speak in person to the experts who can answer their design, installation, sales and technical questions. In addition to the 30,000 sq. ft. “showroom” of products, the 2018 edition of CIPHEX West includes an outstanding program of seminars led by experts from across North America.

Planning is underway for the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum inaugural Supporting Women in Trades Conference. The event aims to bring together up to 300 delegates and organizations that work to attract, prepare, up-skill and support women in the skilled trades. The conference will be held from November 6–7, 2018 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront in Halifax, NS.

• 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 15: CanBIM Satellite Session, Dartmouth, NS
• May 31–June 3: MCA Alberta Conference & AGM, Kananaskis, AB
• June 4–5: 24th Skills Canada Competition, Edmonton, AB
• June 4–5: MCA Western Regional Meetings, Winnipeg, MB
• June 10–15: UA National Skills Competition, Edmonton, AB
• June 17–19: CIPH Annual Business Conference, Whistler, BC
• June 21–22: MCA Eastern Regional Meetings, Moncton, NB
• 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