b'FACE TO FACE, EAST TO WESTMCAC facilitates encounters among industry practitioners, policymakers and legislatorsSARAH B. HOODC anada is a big country. It is 98 perguidance and best practices for the issuegrowing population and to pivot to cent of the area of Europe; Franceand show how they can mitigate some ofembrace emerging technologies like and Spain together would fit insidethe challenges. electric-vehicle batteries and low-carbon the borders of Ontario. So it can be aIn addition, the board approved a motionpower generation will depend on a robust challenge for Canadians to stay in touchto undertake an Emerging Leadersmechanical contracting industry. The across the countrya challenge thatconference in early 2025 to build onprimary message we brought to the Hill MCAC meets head-on. the success of this past years Emergingthis year was to stress just how important When it comes to connecting industryLeaders conference, which took place the mechanical contracting sector is when members, MCACs board meetingsin January. it comes to these policy objectives, says are a critical tool. We get a coupleMCAC CEO Tania Johnston.of opportunities each year to getFrom a national perspective, the valueWhat we have seen in recent years is a representatives from across the countryof these meetings is the opportunitynumber of policies and programs being together to discuss issues of commonto provide a forum for discussion, forannounced and put into place without concern, says MCAC chief operatingproblem solving and for identifyingclose collaboration with industry on officer Ken Lancastle. common ground so we can help membersbuilding capacity and capabilities to across the country by providing supportdeliver on those programs. What we Highlights of the most recent gatheringand resources, Lancastle says. Althoughwanted to share with elected officials and cover a wide range of topics. A standout,a lot of these issues are dealt with at thepolicymakers was that, without Canadas says Lancastle, was a chance for memberslocal level, they affect people across mechanical contracting sector, many to get a sneak peek at an innovativethe country. of those policy objectives cannot be project spearheaded by the Women inachieved, says Charlie Webb, president Mechanical Contracting Committee inIn addition, this year marked a veryand chair of MCAC.the form of the mock-up for an originalproductive Day on the Hill, when the childrens book designed to attract girlsassociation travels to Ottawa to bring theWe also felt it was important to into the construction industry. More newsmessage of the industrys importance toemphasize just how critical ourwill be forthcoming about this initiativepolitical representatives on Parliamentmembers and their workers are, added later in the year. Hill. Board members and managers ofJohnston. It is so important that we There was also discussion at the board ofprovincial associations made the trip fromhighlight the trades being employed by a new bulletin for mechanical contractingacross the country; they attended closemechanical contracting firms and justmembers concerning progress paymentsto 30 meetings with MPs, senators andhow critical they are in the overall on material deposits and prefabricatedsenior policymakers in a number of high- construction process.work, Lancastle says. So the intent isprofile departments. To that end, MCAC made a number of that MCAC will be publishing a bulletinAchieving federal objectives to addressspecific and focused recommendations. to the membership to help provide somethe housing shortage, to serve a rapidlyFirst, that the federal government should 20 www.mcac.ca'