Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada Welcomes Workforce Alliance for Housing and Construction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, ON – The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) is welcoming the creation of a Housing and Construction Workforce Alliance and stressed the importance of engaging with the mechanical and building systems contracting sector to build a stronger, resilient, and productive workforce for the Canadian economy. 

“This announcement comes at a critical juncture for Canada’s construction sector,” said Tania Johnston, MCAC Chief Executive Officer. “Existing challenges are being felt more acutely as demand for construction continues to grow, while labour shortages and trade pressures persist. MCAC stands ready to help the government deliver on its homebuilding and infrastructure agenda, but this will only be possible through a proactive, all-hands-on-deck approach that aligns workforce planning, procurement policy, and regulatory frameworks with on-the-ground realities.” 

MCAC has long called for a collaborative, pan-Canadian approach to Build Canada Strong that reflects the scale and complexity of the mechanical and building systems workforce and the businesses that design, install, and maintain critical infrastructure. 

“Mechanical and building systems contractors account for approximately 40 per cent of construction activity in Canada, and these systems further represent roughly 50 per cent of a building’s long-term maintenance and lifecycle costs,” added Johnston. “Put simply, if we hope to reach the targets set out through initiatives such as the Major Projects Office and Build Canada Homes, it is critical that the mechanical and building systems sector is at the table.” 

MCAC is eager to engage with the Housing and Construction Workforce Alliance and bring forward member perspectives on items including procurement reform, interprovincial regulatory harmonization, labour and contractor mobility, training capacity, and productivity. 

“With the right coordination and commitment, we can strengthen Canada’s skilled trades workforce and ensure our housing and infrastructure ambitions are achievable,” added Johnston. “We welcome further details on the Alliance and opportunities for participation in the weeks ahead.” 

---

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada is Canada’s largest trade contractor association, representing more than 900 contractor firms and their more than 50,000 employees working in the mechanical and building systems construction sector.