b'MECHANICAL CONTRACTING DRIVES CANADAS ECONOMYMCAC takes message on industrys importance to OttawaWARREN HEELEYO n May 7, members and staff fromIt would be a mistake to take for2.een different levels Ongoing engagement between MCAC went to Ottawa for theirgranted water supply, heating and airgovernments and industry;annual Day on the Hill. Theconditioning, sanitation and other such3.Cooperation betwobjective of this event was to meet withservices provided and maintained by the a wide range of federal MPs and decisionmechanical sector. This sector providesof government;makers and discuss issues of importance tothe public with the quality of life expected4.Promotion of the mechanicalthe mechanical sector. This years agendain this country. As Lancastle stated,contracting sector as an essential included an important message: CanadasWithout these systems, modern societyindustry for the economy; andprosperity depends on a strong mechani- loses its ability to function.5.Recruitment and retention in critical cal contracting sector.As noted in the presentation,mechanical trades.As noted in an article written by MCACenvironmental, social and economicThe Key ChallengesCOO Ken Lancastle for Daily Commercialprosperity in Canada will rely on the skillsMCACs presentation then reviewed the News, If America runs on Dunkin, theand work of mechanical contractors tokey challenges that need to be addressed: Canadian economy runs on mechanicals.meet [these challenges]. housing, infrastructure, industry and the The federal presentation titled GrowthIncreasing the housing stock, themove to net zero. Is Mechanical emphasized the key roleinfrastructure needed for these newthat mechanical contractors play in thehomes as well as work in areasHousingmany challenges the country is facing,like electrification and low-carbonIn response to the national housing including infrastructure, housing andpower generation, coupled with theshortage, the federal governments 2024 population growth, as well as the need formaintenance needed on the existingbudget announced new policies and more skilled workers to be recruited fromaging infrastructure, will create moreincentives that will be implemented to around the world. demand than ever before for mechanicalassist with a target of building two million Growth Is Mechanical contractors services. MCAC is callingnew homes by 2031. This will have serious From MCACs perspective, the countryson the federal government to work withimplications for those in the housing economy is at a crossroads where publicthe industry on a support plan to ensuresector as well as government enforcement and private funding is needed to addressthe mechanical sector is able to respondbodies at all levels. The federal these vital challenges. More importantly,properly to the impending growth. government needs to play an important Canada needs an adequate workforce inrole in this initiative by coordinating key industries like the mechanical sectorIn this presentation, MCAC made awith other levels of government to ensure to ensure the work can be done to supportnumber of initial recommendations tohomebuilders and the mechanical trades the needed investment. The mechanicalfacilitate the future needed for Canada: can deliver for Canadians.sector touches all areas of the economy1.Coordination between MCACs largest concern is the workforceand every Canadian on a daily basis. government departments; needed in a time when retirement is 10 www.mcac.ca'