b'2)Assumptions have been used to determineThe report assumes that the demand Creating consistency between federal and provincial allocations, targets andthe impact on residential constructionfor trades and occupations working in industry goals; labour. Cold-climate air source heatCanadas non-residential sector will rise 3)Improving consultation with industrypumps (CCASHP) must increase annualas this work begins, and highest trade installs from the current 200,000 units to sectors when establishing sector- 700,000 units between 2023 and 2032.demands will coincide with the analysis specific goals; and 4.7 million new and existing homes willlaid out for residential buildings. Trade 4)need to have CCASHP by 2032. demands will increase for HVACR Encouraging provinces/territories to use competency-based skill assessmentsMore than 4.6 million new and existingmechanics, electricians, commercial of foreign credentials. homes will need electric water heaters byinstallers, helpers and labourers and The report concludes, Adopting these2032. To minimize problems with thedecrease for gas fitters.principles and reforms can help Canadanational electrical grid, 820,000 existingHowever, the commercial and establish a more responsive immigrationhomes will have significant energy-system that meets the needs of theefficient retrofits to reduce their draw oninstitutional building sector can use construction industry. the grid. gas fitters for fuel switching. Most Building a Greener Future Report Based on these assumptions, 56,900commercial and institutional gas fitters This report estimates the impact onadditional construction workers inhave the expertise and licenses to do this construction labour demands fromthis sector across the 34 trades andwork. With the needed workers currently transitioning buildings in Canada fromoccupations tracked by BuildForce will ready to proceed, changing out these fossil fuels. Buildings represent 13 perbe needed to meet the emissions buildings should be less impactful and get cent of Canadian GHG emissions, andreduction targets. accomplished quicker.space and water heating are 78 per cent ofIn the commercial and institutional sector, building emissions.similar fuel switching and energy-efficientThe report concluded that moving Canadas objectives are to reduce GHGretrofits will be needed. Unfortunately,buildings in Canada from fossil fuels emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 andthe lack of data on many of the 437,000to electrical heating equipment will to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.buildings with space and water heatingsignificantly impact the construction These targets mean millions of greenmade it impossible for BuildForce toindustry. The increases in construction retrofits and will significantly impactspecifically estimate the impact of thisworkers needed will strain recruitment for the construction industry when theresector on labour. certain trades in different regions of the is a skilled labour shortage and mostFrom the data available, fossil fuelscountry. With the construction industry construction in the country is at or nearrepresent 46 per cent of space heating full capacity. and 35 per cent of water heating in thesealready suffering from an acute labour The report compares a BuildForce- buildings, and the transition away fromshortage, this potential green opportunity developed green building scenariofossil fuels will likely have significantcould become a serious challenge in the and a 2023-2032 construction labourimpacts. Two positives are that electricityyears to come.forecast business-as-usual scenario. Itis the second-highest energy source for also estimates other investments such asspace heating and the highest for waterVisit buildforce.ca for more information on changing out inefficient windows andheating in this building type. these reports.doors and adding insulation.Key assumptions in the report include switching fossil fuel heating systems to electrical systems, requiring net-zero or near net-zero ready structures and clean electricity production. Estimates do notPOTABLE WATERinclude labour needed to upgrade the electrical grid.National numbers from 2020 indicateVERSATILITYthere are 15.9 million homes in Canada with 60 per cent of space heating and 52 per cent of water heating using fossil fuels. There are 557,100 commercial andNo matter what you specify, Victaulicinstitutional buildings with 59 per cent of space heating and water heating usinggrooved solutions will work for you.fossil fuels.National Impact on STAINLESS STEEL Construction LabourIn the residential sector, achieving theCOPPERfederal governments GHG emissionsCPVCreduction goal will require Canadas residential sector to simultaneously build new homes equipped with heating equipment powered by green energy sources while retrofittingexisting buildings.NATIONAL BULLETIN | Issue 1, 2024 19'