b'OTTAWA UPDATEPrompt payment, green buildings and programs to build the construction workforce among top federal initiativesSARAH B. HOODI n early May, MCAC and theand innovative solutions for present and2.The federal government and industryCanadian Institute of Plumbingfuture generations will assist Canadianpartners should work collaboratively & Heating (CIPH) declared theirgovernmental bodies in achieving climateto identify policy targets that will positions on various key federal govern- change objectives, the conservation of oureffectively reduce emissions without ment initiatives during Day on the Hillnatural resources and the preservation andlimiting market readiness or rapidly 2023. High on the radar were the Canadathe protection of our existing increasing prices for consumers.Green Buildings Strategy and programs tobuilt environment. 3.Retrofit and product incentives aimed address the acute labour shortages being felt across the construction industry. From a mechanical construction industryat reducing emissions should include perspective, were happy about anyfunds for improving building systems Green Buildings changes to the built environment thatthat optimize the development and The Canada Green Buildings Strategy,bring positive change to the industry, saysdelivery of new energy-efficient expected to be released in 2023, is basedMCAC COO Ken Lancastle. The keyheating and cooling systems for homes on the federal governments mandatesfor us is capacity building. Our industryand institutional, commercial and that all new buildings need to be net- needs to ensure we have the capacity toindustrial buildings.zero-carbon-ready by 2032, with at leasthandle a new level of green building There are still a lot of unknowns; we three per cent of existing buildings beingand legislation.retrofitted annually by 2025 to reducewant to ensure that the industry is energy demand and switch from fossilThe organizations three majorpart of the consultation and rollout, fuels to electricity. recommendations for the Green Buildingssays Lancastle. We want it done in a MCAC has stressed the importance ofStrategy are: collaborative way.the mechanical contracting sector in1.The federal government shouldAddressing the Labour Shortage this transition and supported efforts toprioritize alignment between provincesMCAC and CIPH report that over improve energy efficiency in the builtand territories with industry buy-inthe past year, 62 per cent of members environment, particularly given the rolefor updates to Canadas building codessurveyed say they have lost or had to turn mechanical systems play with respect toand standards by using its conveningdown contracts or have paid late-delivery building energy usage. In their Day on thepower to align the work of federal,penalties because they lack skilled workers. Hill brief, MCAC stated, Our membersprovincial and territorial ministers ofThis has generated an estimated $13 and industrys ability to provide practicalenvironment and natural resources. billion in economic losses. The economic 28 www.mcac.ca'