b'WHILE CANADAS MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ARE WELL EQUIPPED TO DRIVE CANADAS NET-ZERO TRANSFORMATION, THEY CANNOT DO SO EFFECTIVELY WITHOUT A VOICE AT THE TABLE AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT.in buildings. This means that whilesignificant draw on a buildings energyunderstanding how to estimate for those total-building solutions are no doubtuse, and any improvements to thespecs, how to build to those specs, and needed to improve energy efficiency inefficiency of the building will have towhat technologies and skill requirements full, addressing mechanical systems willaddress them. Mechanical contractors areare going to be necessary.undoubtedly yield a significant impact.important in this transition, and we wantEfficiency Canada echoes the call for With this in mind, says Diamond,to be part of the solution. support across all industries working mechanical contractors are central toA Call for Support to meet Canadas net-zero goals. That the net-zero equation in many ways:While Canadas mechanical contractorsincludes assurances from all levels of First and likely the most obvious way,are well equipped to drive Canadas net- government that the public sector is we need mechanical contractors to dozero transformation, they cannot do soequally committed to the journey.the actual work and undertake a scale ofeffectively without a voice at the table andOne of the main things needed is retrofits weve never seen before. Secondly,industry support.the confidence that the transition is mechanical contractors are key inWe see the opportunity thats going tohappening, with clear dates and timelines convincing property owners and managersbe available and forwarded to mechanicaland a strategy to support the sector to to move fast and feel confident in theircontractors, but we also want to makeget there, Diamond says. In the past, retrofit choices. And thirdly, mechanicalsure were walking before we run, sayswe have seen government and utility contractors will play a key role in creating new business models that allow us to scaleLancastle. There are some aggressiveprograms come and go, creating a start/up this activity. targets being set in jurisdictions acrossstop in aggressive action. Today, though, the country, so we want to make sure thewe need a clear market signal from Dave Hughes, a technical consultantindustry is being brought to the tablepolicymakers that sets out the standards with the Canadian Institute of Plumbingwhen discussing policy and how we canand dates for implementing programs, so & Heating (CIPH), sees mechanicalmake that transition effectively. mechanical contractors can prepare and contractors playing an elevated role in theanticipate the scale of change coming.net-zero transition through the installationSpecifically, he continues, several keyAn All-Hands Approachof new, more efficient technologies such aselements must be in place to helpThese are only a few considerations that heat pumps. mechanical contractors fulfill their rolemust be discussed at a national level if Moreover, he says, The most significantin Canadas net-zero transition, withCanada hopes to engage the mechanical changes that would apply to theindustry predictability being among thecontracting community in meeting its built environment is the move frompriorities. Mechanical contractors alreadyemissions targets. To that end, MCAC mid-efficiency gas-fired appliances toface challenges finding skilled talent tohas been engaged in ongoing talks considerably more efficient appliances.overcome their current workload, andwith government departments such as In the short haul, even a change fromadding net-zero projects to the mix willNatural Resources Canada (NRC) and 84-per-cent efficient to 97-per-centonly exacerbate the sectors acute labourEmployment and Social Development efficient is a huge leap forward. shortages. Stronger industry predictabilityCanada (ESDC), as well as national will go a long way towards helpingadvocacy organizations like the Canada This may be a more economicallycontractors brace for increased demand. Green Building Council and Efficiency palatable option to the consumer than theIndustry training and upskilling are alsoCanada. MCAC has also consulted leap to heat pump technology prior to amatters for consideration, especially aswith other industry associations and systems end of life, he adds. We realizenew and evolving emissions-reducingstakeholder groups with an understanding that as the technology improves andtechnologies and practices enter the field. that greening the built environment will begins to saturate the market, the cost fortake an all-hands approach.products should drop.The training component is significant, All told, servicing the net-zerosays Lancastle. Our members areIts more than just one sector thats transformation is a tall order, but one thatincredibly innovative; mechanicalgoing to be involved, says Lancastle. Canadas mechanical contractors are readycontractors continue to demonstrateTheres a piece of the puzzle for many to tackle. their ability to be a part of the solution indifferent groups. I think those meetings construction. Even still, there are going tohave been fruitful in understanding other We welcome this, says Ken Lancastle,be question marks on some of the designsperspectives on this move to net-zero, how Chief Operating Officer with MCAC.and the specifications that were goingour sector is going to play a role and how We know mechanical systems are ato start seeing, so we need support init can assist in that transition.NATIONAL BULLETIN | Issue 1, 202325'