b'WE REPRESENT AN EXTREMELY VIBRANT PART OFAt the same time, there may be new roles emerging for MCAC. Taking skilled CANADAS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, AND I AMlabour and training as one example, a more focused education or training CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN EVENprogram may provide tremendous value to members in the years to come; the ability to remain agile and adapt to new MORE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE YEARS TO COME. challenges will only help MCAC as it fulfills its role and mandate to members. As I mentioned previously, issues surrounding supply chain, labour and provide resources and information towill continue to share this message withother industry practices should continue assist our members as they addressed thiskey stakeholders.to impact our membership. That is why ongoing concern.Reconnecting with Members it is as important as ever to have a strong At the same time, MCAC also tookOf course, with these issues beingnational voice in place to represent our extra effort to raise these issues withdiscussed, it was also critical for MCAC tosectors views and best interestseven our peers and likeminded stakeholders.begin reconnecting with our members asbetter will be a national association that In early 2022, I was pleased to chairpandemic-related restrictions were lifted.can adapt to the changing landscape of a an International Alliance meetingOne of the exciting parts of stepping intopost-pandemic era. with several international mechanicalthe role of MCAC Chair and President isFinal Thoughtscontractor associations. What becamethe opportunity to meet with membersAs I mentioned, I believe we have strong clear was that these were not uniquelyand discuss topics of mutual concern.leadership in place at MCAC, guided by a Canadian issues, and we were happy toWith membership covering such a vastfantastic board of directors. It has been a use this opportunity to share resourcesgeography, the pandemic afforded us and best practices with our peerno favours when it came to seeing ourwonderful experience to work closely with organizations. As we left those meetings,members and engaging on the importantthese individuals, and I am excited for it was evident that continued education,issues they face in their region. Becausewhat the future has in store for MCAC. communication and resources would beof this, 2022 marked a significant stepTo our incoming President and Chair, critical for helping our members workforward with the chance to reconnect Derek Ermen, I look forward to working through these issues and others. in person. with you over the coming year as you step Another important topic consistentlyOn a personal level, it was a great honourinto this role. I know your experience and raised this past year was that of skilledto represent our membership at manyexpertise will go a long way in guiding trades and labour availability. Once again,different events, and it was wonderfulMCAC forward. this was an issue being faced not justto meet with so many of our members, in Canada, but also in other countriespartners and peers from across Canada.To our Board of Directors, and the around the world. Our industry is inWe represent an extremely vibrant part ofprovincial and zone MCA managers competition with many other sectors toCanadas construction industry, and I amacross the country, thank you all for your attract and retain the next generationsconfident that we will continue to play andedication to this industry and support of workers. In the short term, we areeven more significant role in the years of MCAC. Together we are a stronger faced with significant shortages that willto come. industry and association, and I amneed to be addressed or managed. Andglad to see this spirit of cooperation in the long term, we must look at howOn a professional level, and as a businesscontinuing on. we can build a sustainable workforce toowner myself, it showcased to me the meet the demands facing our industryimportant role MCAC plays behind theAs I am sure we can all appreciate, there in the coming years, particularly as itscenes to position our sector as a criticalare several people I would like to recognize relates to initiatives surrounding net zeropiece of a healthy Canadian economy.and thank, but specifically my family and or greening the vertical infrastructureWorking with a robust network of partnermy wife Diana for her continued support across Canada.MCAs (at both the provincial and localof my work at the provincial and national In fact, this has remained one of ourlevels) and a professional and committedlevels. I would not have been able to key messages when meeting withboard of directors from across Canada hasdedicate the time and energy I have to this policymakers and government officialscontinued to demonstrate the value of arole without your support. over the past year. As jurisdictions andstrong national voice for our industry To all of our peers, partners, friends and owners across the country are looking toand sector. the built environment to achieve greatercolleagues, thank you for being here with energy efficiency, MCAC has stressed theRe-evaluating for the Future us and for attending this years AGM. I importance of capacity building in theTo that end, it should also be notedam hopeful we can continue to build on mechanical contracting sector in orderthat MCAC is committed to evolvingthe successes of this past year to create a to deliver on these projects. This meansto ensure our members needs and beststronger MCAC. access to skilled labour, relevant training,interests are being met. Many of the new technologies and, just as importantly,challenges discussed previously are notAnd finally, to our close to 1,000 a predictable plan for the work that willanticipated to be resolved overnight, andmembers from coast to coast to coast, be required. We know this will remainit will remain as important as ever to havethank you for your support of a strong a consistent topic of interest for oura nimble association to provide leadershipnational voice for Canadas mechanical members in the coming years, and MCACon these files.contracting sector.10 www.mcac.ca'