MCA Canada's 77th Annual National Conference is a little more than two months away! This year, we are looking forward to enjoying the splendour of Canada's west coast. Our chosen venue is the remarkable Westin Whistler Resort and Spa, in Whistler, British Columbia. This year's program will, of course, feature an impressive line up of speakers and plenty of valuable information sessions. In between conference programming, you'll enjoy fine dining, a vibrant nightlife, top-notch shopping and some of the world’s greatest outdoor adventures. ‘Reaching Your Peak Performance’ in Whistler, BC. Watch for registration information soon and plan to join us from September 19 to 22.

MCA Canada is proud to announce the launch of our all new free app for members. On your phone, anytime and anywhere, use it to access information on educational programs, member discount programs, events and much more.

To download, search MCACanada (no spaces) in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Then simply install the app. To access the Membership Advantage Programs, you will need a username and password—but only the first time you login.

The username is: Your Email Address

The password is: mcac2017 (lowercase, no spaces).

You will also need to allow notifications in your settings.

If you cannot login, we may have to add or edit your email address in our database. Please email daryl@mcac.ca or call 613-232-0492 if you have any issues logging in to the Membership Advantage Programs.

On May 30, representatives from the 10 national associations that make up the National Trade Contractors Coalition of Canada (NTCCC) met in Ottawa to discuss next steps in the prompt payment strategy, and long-term strategies for the coalition. The next day, the NTCCC representatives participated in their annual Day on the Hill event. The delegation met with numerous Members of Parliament, Senators, and senior advisors to solicit support for prompt payment legislation. Stay tuned for further details.

The Doug Crawford Memorial Award recognizes an individual, individuals or company who has made a significant contribution to MCA Canada through long-standing voluntary participation, leadership and tireless commitment to ensuring the success of our associate members.

Download the criteria and nomination form.

The Mechanical Service Contractors of Canada (MSCC) is proud to welcome The State Group Inc, from Mississauga, ON 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 The State Group Inc.! Visit the MSCC website to learn more about how your company can become an MSCC Gold Standard Contractor.

Please note that MCA Canada will be moving to summer hours for the months of June and July. From Monday to Thursday, our office will be open as usual, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. On Fridays, our hours are 8:30 a.m. – noon. All times are eastern standard.

The federal Liberal government is spending $4.5 billion to buy Trans Mountain and all of Kinder Morgan Canada’s core assets, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Tuesday as he unveiled the government’s long-awaited, big-budget strategy to save the plan to expand the oil sands pipeline. In return, Kinder Morgan will go ahead with its original plan to twin the pipeline this summer while the sale is finalized. The plan is for the feds to take over construction and sell the pipeline when it's finished. Export Development Canada will finance the initial purchase.

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 p.m. Eastern
Cost: Free to all MCAC members

To register, visit www.constructioneducation.ca.

Times are changing in the military and business, and the changes serve as a good model for construction companies. Military leaders are beginning to understand that hierarchical operational models do not enable the flexibility required for their teams to respond to rapidly changing conditions. What’s more, they don’t instill a shared sense of ownership.

The emergence of robots on the job site tracks recent trends in industrial automation technology. In the last decade, machine vision has enabled robots to safely navigate factory and warehouse floors without the need for dedicated tracks.

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.

The Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate target on hold Wednesday, but noted the Canadian economy was a little stronger than expected in the first quarter, raising expectations that rate hikes are coming later this year. The central bank held steady its target for the overnight rate—a key financial benchmark that influences the prime lending rates at the country’s big banks—at 1.25 percent. The next evaluation is set for July 11.

1534: Prince Edward Island sighted by Jacques Cartier.
1783: The Montgolfier brothers publicly demonstrate their hot air balloon.
1792: George Vancouver claims Puget Sound for Britain.
1812: U.S. Congress votes for war against Britain.
1843: Official founding of the town of Victoria, BC by James Douglas.
1917: The first Pulitzer Prizes are awarded.
1940: The Dunkirk evacuation ends.
1942: The Battle of Midway begins.
1962: First Canadian homes powered by CANDU nuclear reactor.
1979: Joe Clark is sworn in as Canada's 16th Prime Minister.
1980: Gordie Howe of the Hartford Whalers finally hangs up his skates at age 52.

As technology evolves, workflows and delivery methods are changing the way we do business. Owners are progressively understanding the benefits of adopting BIM and are creating a new business vision and strategies, resulting in a shift, which will require the design team, contractors and trades to integrate data and digital information with their deliverables. Doing so will add value to the planning-design-construction-operation process resulting in valuable business opportunities and strategies to all stakeholders. With all this potential, there are many challenges still to address, such as financial, contractual and legal matters among others. Our Calgary Regional Session will address these challenges through a series of presentations and panel discussions.

• 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.