Book September 19–22 in your calendars. Those are the dates for MCA Canada’s 77th Annual National Conference in Whistler, BC. Your host hotel this year is the beautiful Westin Whistler Resort and Spa, which sits high in the Rocky Mountains with incredible views. In addition to all the festivities MCA Canada provides, you will have access to fine dining, a vibrant nightlife, shopping and some of the world’s greatest outdoor adventures. ‘Reaching Your Peak Performance’ in Whistler, BC. We look forward to seeing you there.

In the April 10th edition of MCAC’s weekly publication to members, “Just the Fax,” a copy of an article received from an outside source was included which made reference to the potential sale of MCA Canada member company, Aecon. This article was featured without sufficient attention/consideration by MCAC. On May 9, 2018, senior representatives from Aecon attended MCA Canada's Board of Directors meeting as guests and took the opportunity to provide members of the national board with facts surrounding the issue. As was clarified in the meeting, MCAC wishes to take this opportunity to clearly state to members that it has no position on this matter or any others that relate to the sale or purchase of Canadian construction companies; nor is it in our present mandate to intervene or express any opinions on such corporate transactions.

MCA Canada and the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) held another highly successful Parliamentary Day of Awareness on May 8. The event was sponsored by Senator Donald Plett. Key executives of both associations met with senior officials and Parliamentarians to enhance the profile of the industry and discuss two items of mutual concern: the need for prompt payment legislation and uniform and harmonized model codes and regulations for Canada and the United States.

Check out the latest Tax Information newsletter from CRA for news about GST/HST returns, a new CRA app, the latest CRA podcast, and CPP reform.

U.K.-based legal resource service Who’s Who Legal has named Ontario lawyer Bruce Reynolds as Global Construction Lawyer of the Year for 2018. Reynolds, now of Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, was named in a category comprised of top-ranked construction lawyers from around the world.

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.

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.

1536: Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, stands trial in London on charges of treason, adultery and incest; she is condemned to death.
1567: Mary, Queen of Scots marries James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, her third husband.
1718: James Puckle, a London lawyer, patents the world's first machine gun.
1730: Robert Walpole effectively became the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
1867: Canadian Bank of Commerce opens for business in Toronto.
1869: In New York, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association.
1905: Las Vegas is founded when 110 acres in what later would become downtown, are auctioned off.
1919: The Winnipeg general strike begins. By 11:00, almost the whole working population of Winnipeg had walked off the job.
1928: Walt Disney character Mickey Mouse premieres in his first cartoon, "Plane Crazy".
1940: McDonald's opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
1970: President Richard Nixon appoints Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female United States Army generals.

The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities fell 5.8 percent to $7 billion in March, marking a second consecutive monthly decrease. Nationally, the decline was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings. The value of building permits for non-residential structures edged down 0.5 percent to $2.4 billion in March, a second consecutive monthly decline. Lower construction intentions for commercial buildings led the drop, moderated by gains in the institutional and industrial components. In March, construction intentions for commercial structures fell 7.6 percent to $1.3 billion. The institutional component climbed 9.1 percent to $658 million in March. The value of building permits issued for industrial structures rose 10.5 percent to $440 million.

Statistics Canada released a new jobs report May 11 that showed average hourly wages in April were 3.6 percent higher than they were a year earlier. The unemployment rate stayed at its record low for a third straight month.

In just under a month, the 2018 National Apprenticeship Conference will take place in Montréal. You don't want to miss this opportunity to connect with the other 500 apprenticeship stakeholders who will travel in from every corner of the country. There's still time to register at Canada's premier national showcase for apprenticeship training from June 10–12!

• 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

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.

After more than 25 years, PetroCanada is no longer a prefer vendor with MCA Canada. Due to an unsolicited redesign of the program brought for by PetroCanada, MCA Canada reviewed all available national supplier options and has now partnered with Shell. To find out about this, and any of MCA Canada’s 16 national partnerships, please visit www.mcac.ca, call 613-232-0492 or email mcac@mcac.ca. Start saving today!