Save the date for MCA Canada's 77th Annual National Conference. This year's event is scheduled for September 19 to 22, and will be held in scenic Whistler, BC. Our hotel venue is the remarkable Westin Whistler Resort and Spa, which sits high in the Coastal Mountains. In addition to the usual festivities, 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. Watch for registration information soon.

The Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC) is proud to welcome Western Canadian Furnace Company Ltd., from Calgary, AB to the growing list of MSCC 'Gold Standard' contractors. This designation signifies your organization as an elite-level contractor in Canada. It verifies your company implements industry leading, best-business practices in specific key competencies including technical excellence, safety, training, documentation, security, customer service and business acumen. Congratulations to the entire team at Western Canadian Furnace Company Ltd! Visit the MSCC website to learn more about how your company can become an MSCC Gold Standard Contractor.

The Coalition for Small Business Tax Reform remains active on this very important file. This link (Smallbiztaxfairness.ca) will take you to their web site where you will find:

- The latest letter sent to Minister Morneau where the Coalition suggests new approaches on how to protect past passive investments
- A sample letter sent to the Provincial Ministers of Finance where the Coalition is seeking provincial assistance on the taxation of passive investment income
- A press release issued on May 28th.

Please note that MCA Canada will be moving to summer hours for the months of June and July. Monday - Thursday the office will be open as usual, 8:30am - 4:30pm and on Friday's it will be open 8:30 am - noon. All times are eastern standard.

Last week, the minister of environment and climate change, Catherine McKenna, announced a new fund that will roll out over 10 years across Canada. The fund will invest $2 billion in infrastructure projects that help communities better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, seismic events and droughts. The fund targets large infrastructure projects costing a minimum of $20 million. Applications for funding must be submitted by July 31.

Owners are often so consumed with growing their companies that they put off succession planning—but they do so to their own detriment. With a large number of baby boomers set to retire over the coming years, owners who are not prepared for succession will find themselves at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to transitioning their business.

A new report says that demand for oil in North America is falling, demand in Asia is on the rise, and our current pipeline infrastructure is ill-equipped to get energy products where they are needed most.

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.

The Construction Education Council (CEC) is pleased to announce that it has partnered with a number of MCA Canada associate members to offer over $20,000 in new scholarship money. Scholarships will be awarded to university, college and apprentice students. As part of MCA Canada’s new Women in Mechanical Construction initiative, there will also be a specific scholarship for women studying in the mechanical field.

As part of the CEC legal webinar series, Dan Leduc of Norton Rose Fulbright will present a free webinar to MCA Canada members on tender law. Since 2010, contractor legal rights regarding tenders have limited, yet the sense is that bid shopping and other unseemly experiences have not been reduced. This seminar will review what legal rights you, as a subcontractor, might still have.

Date: June 21
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern
Cost: Free to all MCAC members

To register, visit www.constructioneducation.ca.

The last few years were dominated by cloud migrations, and the virtual platform for storing and exchanging data is set to serve as the foundation for the modern digital age. Many companies use the cloud and are preparing for what the next wave of cloud technology can do for their businesses. During 2018, the new cloud focus will settle on diversity of services and products and interoperability across platforms. As the market changes, so too will its players, and this year is bringing significant maturation to cloud players and products. Here are five expanding cloud trends construction industry executives should know about.

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.

MCA Canada is pleased to once again offer all our associate members a complimentary company profile in the annual review edition of our National Bulletin. Please send your profile, limit of 250 words, to our editor James Raiswell by close of business June 15. If you would like to re-use last year's profile please simply indicate “Use last year’s profile <your company name>.” Logos may also be included. Please send your logo as a separate, high-resolution file in PDF, JPG or EPS format. We hope that you will take advantage of this marketing opportunity as it's only available once a year! If you have any questions, please contact Daryl Sharkey directly.

1832: Lt. Col. John By inaugurates the 200-km Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa.
1886: Pharmacist John Pemberton places his first ad for his invention, Coca-Cola, in The Atlanta Journal.
1919: Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity is tested and later confirmed.
1934: Doctor Allan Roy Dafoe delivers the last of the Dionne Quintuplets.
1950: Henry Larsen arrives in Halifax on St. Roch. It is the first ship to circumnavigate North America.
1953: Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, on Norgay's 39th birthday.
1970: Hudson's Bay Company moves its head office from London, England to Winnipeg, after more than 300 years in London.
1987: Founding of the Reform Party of Canada, with Preston Manning as leader.
1990: The Russian parliament elects Boris Yeltsin as president.
1999: Space Shuttle Discovery completes the first docking with the International Space Station.

The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities increased 3.1 percent to $8.4 billion in March, following a 2.8 percent decline in February. Municipalities issued $5.4 billion worth of residential building permits in March, up 2.3 percent from February. The value of building permits for multi-family dwellings rose 12.2 percent to a record $3 billion in March. The value of building permits for non-residential structures rose 4.5 percent to $3 billion in March, after a 6.4 percent decline in February. Construction intentions for commercial structures rose 10 percent to $1.7 billion in March. The value of building permits issued for industrial structures rose 11.6 percent to $666.5 million. The institutional component fell 12.7 percent to $647.7 million.

Building in the Big Apple was more expensive than anywhere else in the world again in 2017, at an average of $362 per square foot, a Turner & Townsend report revealed.

• 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.