SAFETY SERVICES On December 13, 2018, the Ministry of Government Relations announced the transfer of gas and electrical licensing from the Ministry of Government Relations, gas and electrical inspections and permitting from SaskPower, and plumbing inspections from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, all to the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK). This announcement was the direct result of the joint lobbying effort of two key industry stakeholders: the Mechanical Contractors Association of Saskatchewan and the Electrical Contractors Associ- ation of Saskatchewan. In the summer of 2016 the two associations formed a joint regulatory committee with the goal to see a single, comprehensive Safety Services Agency created in Saskatchewan. Both Associations argued that the current system could be made more efficient if the contractor and members of the public are able to deal with one single agency for permitting, inspections (plumbing, electrical and gas) and licensing rather than the multi- ple agencies currently in place. A single comprehensive regulatory agency would increase public safety and enforcement and provide cost savings for both industry and the province. While much work lies ahead with an estimated two-year project deadline, the MCAS will be involved to represent our members in the process. “We believe that industry stakeholders working collab- oratively will provide an opportunity for the province to ensure a balance of public safety and the efficient delivery of safety services to respond to industry needs and the needs of the public,” MCAS Executive Director Carolyn Bagnell commented. “The opportunity to move towards contractors and the public having one point of con- tact for permitting, inspections and licensing rather than multiple agencies will create efficiencies for all stakeholders.” LOBBYING INITIATIVES OTHER INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS TIMELY ADOPTION OF PLUMBING CODES Mechanical contractors in the province abide by the National Plumbing Codes established by the National Research Council of Canada. These codes provide technical guidelines that enable the mechan- ical contractor to design and install new plumbing systems in both residential and commercial applications. The codes also apply to the extension, alteration and repair of existing plumbing systems. Adoption of the codes in a timely manner has been an ongoing concern. In late 2015, the National Research Council of Canada released the 2015 National Plumbing Codes, yet industry was still working to the 2005 edition. The Province had not yet adopted the 2010 version and there was concern that Saskatchewan would be two full versions behind the national standard by the end of 2015. The reality was that industry was working to 2005 codes, apprentices were learning 2010 codes and the new 2015 codes were going to be released. So began a successful campaign to encourage the province to expedite the adoption of the 2010 codes so that the 2015 codes could be adopted upon release. BAN THE CAN Picture this – you have just moved into your million-dollar dream home. You had it custom built and it will be your forever home. The contractor who completed all of your mechan- ical work (plumbing, furnace, AC) knocks on the door with a can in his hand. He informs you that he has to go into your stunning family room to cut a hole in The word “plumbing” comes from the word plumbum, which is Latin for lead. This is also why lead is abbreviated as Pb on the periodic table. 18 MCAS www.mca-sask.com