b'not have an upper hand, says Rob LeForte, president of First Lake Solutions, who is a lobbyist for MCAC. The lastI DO THINK THAT THERE IS A STRONG OPPORTUNITYtime we negotiated a formal trade deal with the United States, back in 2017- GOING FORWARD FOR MECHANICAL CONTRACTING,2018, he said that it was a good deal and that it repaired many of the aspects ofBECAUSE THIS TRADE SITUATION IS REQUIRINGNAFTA [the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement], but now hes changedTHE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO RETHINK HOWhis mind. ITS MANAGING THE ECONOMY.Although Americans tend to view the situation in a more positive light than ROB LEFORTECanadians, since it does not seem to them like a perceived attack on sovereignty, all the American businesses that I know would like to have a more collaborative relationship with Canada, says LeForte.The American Chamber of Commerceto be getting out of the way of thehappy to leave them with badand the National Association of Homeconstruction industry so we can build aterms forever.Builders are among the organizations thatstronger and more resilient economy. The Future?have spoken out against the tariffs, but asIf there is a light at the end of the tunnel,LeForte predicts continuing uncertainty Trumps term wears on and Americans arehe continues, it is the fundamentaland changing regulations until at least faced with higher prices at back-to-schoolshift happening in political circles andthe fall of 2026, when the U.S. will hold and holiday time, LeForte predicts morein the general population; the industrymidterm elections, at which point trade pushback against Trumps trade policies. is certainly being recognized for theinitiatives could be utilized politically to Impact on the important role it plays in the growth of asupport Trumps chosen candidates.Construction Industry more resilient economy. Whether the president who succeeds Now that the initial shock over anAlso, this new opportunity to evaluateTrump is a Republican or a Democrat, unexpected reboot of U.S.-Canadaand mitigate the supply-chain risks,LeForte expects that the Build American, relations has begun to subside, Lancastlediversifying suppliers, streamlining theBuy American policy slant will remain says that the construction industry issupply process, forging new internationalconsistent. But their integration with beginning to adapt, making use of somepartnerships and adapting the just- Canada is still profound, and things of the survival strategies cultivated duringin-time model will strengthen thethat are bad for trade with Canada are recent years of even greater crisis. industrys resilience beyond the inherently bad for America, he says. I This is an industry that is somewhatcurrent situation. do think that there is a strong opportunity used to pivoting and adapting due toIf Canada and the United States gogoing forward for mechanical contracting, circumstances beyond its control, andforward with another trade dealwhichbecause this trade situation is requiring many of the tricks weve learned throughwould be the preference of Canada,the Canadian government to rethink how COVID apply here, he says. Its aMexico and certainly every businessits managing the economy.very innovative industry that deals withoperating in the U.S.it would beTheyre planning to spend a lot more unforeseen site conditions on a dailygood for business, but Donald Trumpmoney on new infrastructure and building basis; that has made it in some respectsis not interested in that, LeForte says.new homes; that will create opportunities better able to deal with rapidly changingDonald Trump doesnt just want a tradefor mechanical contractors as long as they circumstances like a global trade war. deal with Canada or any other country;can source the goods and labour that they Longer-term increases in the costs ofhe wants to have the biggest advantageneed, because there will be a lot more building should be on the minds of allover every other country that he can, andbuilding happening over the nextCanadians, Lancastle adds: We needif a country accepts bad terms, he will befew years.BEAULIEU PLUMBING & MECHANICAL INC. SINCE/DEPUIS 1984SPECIALIZES IN: SERVICES PROVIDED: CommercialPlumbingMedial GasFood Equipment InstitutionalHeatingGeothermal Services IndustrialVentilationProcess PipingPipe Pre-Fabrication ResidentialRefrigerationGas PipingSheet Metal Fabricationbeaulieumech.caNATIONAL BULLETIN | Issue 1, 2025 21'