b'GOVERNMENT RELATIONS / RELATIONS GOUVERNEMENTALESLast year, HRAI made a submission with recommenda- avec les gouvernements provinciaux (et municipaux). tions for the 2019 federal budget (at the invitation of theDans cette optique, lICCCR renforce sa capacit au federal Finance Committee, which said: If you want toniveau provincial, en ajoutant du personnel en Ontario make clear your priorities, tell us how we should allocate(Dorothy McCabe), en Colombie-Britannique (Victoria public funds). Most of HRAIs recommendations wereCross) et au Qubec (Carlos Godoy). Restezlcoute acted on, including tax support and financial incentives forpour plus daction dans ces provinces et dautres, alors investment in commercial energy efficiency and low-carbonque lICCCR sappuie sur son quipe actuelle de profes-retrofits and support for skills upgrading for tradespeople.sionnels, qui se consacrent tousrpondre aux besoins Building on this success, HRAI made a second pre- des membres.budget submission this past August, with additionaltre la voix de lindustrie nest pas un acte solo. recommendations.Dans ses efforts pour devenir un porte-parole plus fort In the run-up to the federal election, HRAI engagedet plus efficace de lindustrie, lICCCR ne peut compter with senior officials for all the major parties to advise onuniquement sur le personnel professionnel ou mme sur elements for their election platforms that would help servedes organismes comme lIPA. LICCCR comptera sur the needs of the industry. None of the platforms representses membres pour ajouter leur voixune chorale qui a perfect reflection of HRAIs priorities, but the exercisesharmonisepartir de la mmepartition.certainly has made those seeking office more aware of theSi vous souhaitez faire partie de ces initiatives, nhsitez pas industry and HRAI.vous joindrevous et intgrer la chorale . Commu-And most recently, HRAI enlisted members to partici- niquez avec Martin Luymes au 1-800-267-2231 poste235 pate in a grassroots campaign to educate federal politi- ou crivez-luimluymes@hrai.ca.cians of all parties during the federal election about the importance of the HVACR industry and HRAI to Cana-dians. This initiative will result in initial connections with prospective federal representatives at a time when they are particularly attuned to the needs of constituents. The expectation is that better-informed candidates will make more responsive representatives once elected.Work aheadMaintaining constructive relationships with senior bureau-crats while also working to gain the attention and interest of elected political leaders requires a sustained commitment of resources on the part of the industry. HRAI understands that there is no room for complacency or resting on our laurelseven when the organization scores major victories in Ottawa.To help ensure sustained, high-quality representation with the federal government, HRAI is partnering with its U.S. counterpart, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) to put in place a new staff person in Ottawa whose main focus will be on federal regu- THE lations, especially those that affect manufacturer members operating on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. INDUSTRYWhile this quick overview highlights some of ourLEADER recent work at the federal level, HRAI is also keenly aware that the industry faces many issues with government atIN HVACthe provincial (and municipal) level. With this in mind, HRAI is also building up its capacity at the provincial level,TECHNOLOGYadding new personnel with a direct focus on government relations in Ontario (Dorothy McCabe), British Columbia (Victoria Cross) and Quebec (Carlos Godoy). Stay tuned for more action in these provinces and others as HRAI builds upon its existing team of professionals, all of whomExperience the amazingare dedicated to serving the needs of members. efficiency and flexibility ofBeing the voice of the industry is not a solo act. In its efforts to grow into a stronger, more mature and effectiveMitsubishi Electrics HVAC solutions:voice for the industry, HRAI cannot rely solely on profes-Over 30 years of successful commercial and sional staff or even agencies like IPA.To speak for theresidential installationvaried and sometimes technically sophisticated needs of the Strong Canadian customer support teamHVACR industry, HRAI will be counting on members to add their voices to a growing choir of harmonized voices Dedicated and experienced distributor networksinging from the same sheet music. If you have an interest in being part of these initiatives,Learn more at:dont hesitate to step up and join the choir.Contactwww.mitsubishielectric.ca/en/ Martin Luymes at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 235 or emailhvac/professionalsmluymes@hrai.ca.Fall 2019 Insight21'