Building Canada Now: New Report Sheds Light on Mechanical Contracting’s Economic Impact
OTTAWA, September 17, 2025 – Mechanical contractors in Canada directly contribute more than $30 billion to the country’s GDP, while employing more than 205,000 workers across the country, according to a new report from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC). The report, entitled Build Canada Now: The Economic Impact of Mechanical Contracting in Canada, demonstrates just how important the sector is to building a strong, resilient Canadian economy.
“We have known for some time just how critical the mechanical contracting sector is to the Canadian construction industry, given the significant work involved and capital expense of mechanical systems,” said Tania Johnston, MCAC Chief Executive Officer. “This report puts tangible data to that understanding, while demonstrating the additional indirect impacts of our sector’s work.”
The report, commissioned by MCAC and developed by BuildForce Canada and Prism Economics, highlights several economic indicators, including:
- 205,000 on- and off-site jobs, including an additional 150,000 jobs indirectly
- $33 billion to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), including an additional $17 billion in indirect impacts
- More than $14 billion in wages paid
- Approximately 20 per cent of Canada’s total construction output is performed by mechanical contractors
“The work of mechanical contractors is integral not only to the delivery of complex construction projects but also to the ongoing operation and sustainability of Canada’s built environment,” the report states. “Their contributions span all major construction subsectors, including new construction and sustaining maintenance activities across engineering construction, non-residential buildings, repair construction, and residential buildings.”
In addition to a national summary of economic activity, the report breaks down the data for each individual province. The report also highlights the sector’s importance as it relates to apprenticeship development, with mechanical trades playing a significant role in Canada’s apprenticeship system. According to the report, the upward trend of registration within these trades continues to demonstrate the foundational role of mechanical trades in the Canadian construction industry and skilled workforce.
The report was compiled using data available from Statistics Canada. While it provides a comprehensive overview of the sector, there are some limitations acknowledged, particularly as it relates to industrial activity performed by the sector. In maintenance, shutdown, and turnaround industrial activity, mechanical contractors take on a disproportionate amount of work compared to other contractors.
With the report now published, the association is eager to continue discussions with all levels of government on the importance of mechanical contracting to the country’s economic performance.
“Fundamentally, every building, business, institution or industrial facility in Canada requires mechanical systems to operate,” Johnston added. “As the government continues to unveil its ambitious building strategies, it will be as important as ever to support the mechanical contracting sector. MCAC members are critical not only to our livelihoods, but to a robust, healthy, and resilient Canadian economy.”
Check out the report: Build Canada Now: The Economic Impact of Mechanical Contractors in Canada
About the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada, established in 1895, is the unified voice of the mechanical contracting industry. Our members are contractors of all sizes engaged in such disciplines as plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, controls systems, medical gases, welding, and fire suppression primarily within the industrial, commercial, institutional and service sectors.