b'positions in the Red Seal trades. The A FEDERAL ELECTION IS ON THE HORIZON,association also encouraged the feds to help with the costs of gender-specific PPE AND MCAC HAS TO STRESS THE NEED TO HAVEto encourage more female participation and look at creative ways to make the MECHANICAL CONTRACTING REPRESENTATION AT THEtrades a more inclusive career choice.TABLE WHEN FEDERAL INITIATIVES ARE DISCUSSED. Other accomplishments over the last year included the publication of the Women inTANIA JOHNSTON Mechanical Contractings first childrens book, Susies Shed, which is aimed at showcasing the trades to young women and girls.Mission Advocacy At the national conference in Austin, Our mission is to work alongside ourIn 2024, MCAC continued to advocateMCAC and the Electrical Contractors provincial MCA partners to advocate forto government on issues of importance toAssociation of Manitoba signed anMOU to establish a collaborative the creation of innovative programmingthe mechanical contracting sector. Twoframework between both organizationsthat empowers mechanical contractors toissues of significance that MCAC pursuedto collaborate on the development of respond and proactively meet the needs ofin 2024 were changes to federal capitala dual-trade, federated and integrated the evolving Canadian economy. gains taxation policy and federal fundingnational association. Advocacy for women in the skilled trades. MCAC also held a successful Emerging We are promoting the contributionsChanges to Federal CapitalLeaders Conference, which was the first our member firms provide to CanadiansGains Taxation Policies event offered by the new Future Leaders and the Canadian economy. We activelyThe MCAC statement on proposedAdvisory Council.influence policy development that serveschanges to capital gains tax stressed thatThe Future the best interests of MCAC members, thebecause most MCAC members are small Canadian population and our community.or medium-sized companies, MCAC isThe strategic plan for the future is now in Industry Advancement concerned with any taxation policy thatplace, and the main focus for MCAC will We are implementing programming towould negatively impact its members andbe moving forward with the objectives ensure the sustainability of our the potential to attract new individualscontained in the plan, including advocacy, member firms. and investment to the mechanicalindustry advancement, innovation and contracting industry. The statement wentgovernance. The association will also be Innovation on to say that the industry will need toworking on the needs of the industry as We are identifying and promotingbe strong and robust to deal with thehousing, net zero, green building strategy innovation through the advancement ofchallenges Canada is facing in the future,and infrastructure programs get underway process improvements through technologyand the business environment shouldat the federal and provincial levels.and processes. continue to allow mechanical contractorsA federal election is on the horizon, and Governance to thrive. MCAC has to stress the need to have We are enhancing and modernizingmechanical contracting representation association governance and policies. Federal Funding for Women inat the table when federal initiatives the Skilled Trades are discussed, said Johnston. Our This plan contains all the rightMCAC wrote to the federal governmentindustry must raise its profile so the feds components to ensure our industry andexpressing support for funding to helpunderstand that we are an important part the association thrives in the future, underrepresented apprentices, specificallyof the puzzle to ensure such initiativessaid Lancastle. women, develop key skills and gainare successful.BEAULIEU PLUMBING & MECHANICAL INC. SINCE/DEPUIS 1984SPECIALIZES IN: SERVICES PROVIDED: CommercialPlumbingMedial Gas Food Equipment InstitutionalHeatingGeothermal Services IndustrialVentilationProcess PipingPipe Pre-Fabrication ResidentialRefrigerationGas PipingSheet Metal Fabricationbeaulieumech.ca14 www.mcac.ca'