b'AFTER THE ELECTIONWhat the Mark Carney government means for mechanical contractorsMATTHEW BRADFORDS everal months have passed sincecomponent of the Building Canada Act industry, theres reason to be cautiously Canadians cast their vote for areceived royal assent in June 2025, pavingoptimistic. All levels of government, minority Liberal government. the way for actions that will harmonizefederal and provincial, are talking about Now, industry stakeholders are reflect- standards across jurisdictions, eliminatebuilding, and theyre recognizing how ing on Prime Minister Mark Carneysfederal barriers, streamline license andimportant the construction industry is to performance and what to expect in thecertification recognition, and introduce aachieving that goal of creating a stronger, days ahead. 30-day credential recognition standard formore resilient Canada.The election, held on April 28, 2025,regulated professions, including the Opportunity lies ahead, he continues, resulted in the Liberal party netting 169skilled trades. but turning those words into action is seats. The Conservative party ended theThese actions bode well for all trades,going to be the most critical step. night with 144 seats, followed by the Blocespecially mechanical contractors, whoNew Government,Qubcois with 22, the New Democraticstand ready to support a wide range ofSame ChallengesParty with seven and the Green party withprojects. Mechanical contractors areIn advance of the 2025 federal election, a single seat. the underpinning of Canadas economicone thing was clear: whoever came out Carney has signalled his commitmentgrowth, affirms Rob LeForte, president ofon top would need to address growing to upholding many of his campaignFirst Lake Solutions and frequent MCACtrade disputes between Canada and the promises since making his role as PMconsultant. Canada is trying to get newU.S. Today, U.S. President Donald Trump permanent. These initiatives include theinfrastructure projects off the ground,continues to threaten increases in tariffs whether thats building pipelines, carbon $6-billion Canada Housing Infrastructurecapture and storage facilities, cooling dataon Canadian goods and take other actions Fund (CHIF), which the Liberal partycentres, powering the millions of newthat would make it harder for mechanical announced in the 2024 budget underhomes the government wants to buildcontracting stakeholders to collaborate Justin Trudeaus leadership. Carney alsoor deploying small modular reactors.with partners and clients south ofspent his first days in office introducingMechanical contractors are going to bethe border.strategies to strengthen Canadas positionpart of that conversation, and that seemsThe challenge isnt just that these threats against U.S. tariffs and unify the domesticto be exactly what the government hopesexist, says LeForte, but that the conditions industry, including the $5-billionto do in the years ahead. and timeline continue to change: The Trade Diversification Corridor Fund toIn short, Carney appears committed to hisadministration in the United States hasnt modernize trade infrastructure, such asplans to build big, build bold and buildgiven any clear indication that the deals ports, railways, airports and highways.now. And at least for now, says MCACthey make or the agreements that they Notably, Bill C-5, the Free Trade andchief operating officer Ken Lancastle,arrive at will be respected for any extended Labour Mobility in Canada Acta majorthere is reason to be hopeful: As anperiod of time.24 www.mcac.ca'