b'Women in Roofing The Glass Rooftop By James Peters Women still underrepresented in roofing industry, but trending upA s a general truism, it seems theaCanadianbranchofthewell-roofing industry isnt one ofknownAmericangroup.Andthis the more obvious choices forpast April, NWiR held its first-ever women entering the trades. But thatNationalWomeninRoofingDay trend is on the upswing, based onCanada eventwhich I understand some of the new recruiting initiativeswas a huge hit! promotedbyroofingcompaniesIndeed, the International Centre acrossthecountryandthroughinMississaugaplayedhosttothe organizations like National Womenconference, and organizers were de-in Roofing (NWiR) Canada.lightedbytheattendance.Audrey JimFacette,thenewexecutiveBourque,MarketingManagerfor directoroftheCanadianRoofingBeaconBuildingProductsCanada ContractorsAssociation(CRCA),andCommunicationsChairfor says,OurassociationpartneredNWiR Canada, says, We were very30 womenand the inspirationalapplicationsperformedbyskilledAlthough nothing is being planned withNWiRin2021toestablishpleasedwiththeturnoutaboutstories shared by our many speakers.tradespeople. yet because we just wrapped up, Im The mission of the conference was toThe conference officially kickedsure that the organization will want connect, discover and form relation- off at 12:30 in the afternoon, withto host another conferenceprob-ships with those attending and withopeningremarksfromwomenably a year from now.roofing professionals. I think its fairleaders,followedbyworkshopsBeingamemberofNWiRhas to say that both groups learned fromrelatedtosafetravelling,mentalmultiple advantagesand thats one each other. It was inspiring to listenhealth and mentorship. A recep- ofthemessagesBourquewantsto Commercial and Residential Roofing andlearn,frombothsidesofthetionfollowedat4:30,andthatsbroadcastloudlyandclearly.Any Trinity Roofing Ltd. specializes in a variety of roofing applications and fence! The conference isnt only forwherewereallyhadthechance waterproofing for residential, commercial and institutional buildings. women, of coursemen are moretogettoknoweachother,says than welcome to attend.Bourque. I think we helped to dis-Phone: 416-630-9213URL: www.trinitycanada.comTheone-dayeventwasadver- pel some myths and provided some Fax: 416-630-1722 Email: info@trinitycanada.comtised through member postings, thesolid information. And the women organizationsFacebookpageandattendingwerespeakingupand LinkedIn,amongothermethods,making good suggestions. It was a bothdigitalandnon-digital.Ac- hugely positive experience.cordingtotheconferenceagenda,As a result of this first event, we attendeesalsohadthechancetodefinitelywanttocontinuewith visit the adjacent ROOFTech tradeannualconferencesandcontinue show in the morning. ROOFTech isto spread the word, she adds. Its Canadas dedicated trade show andthe perfect venue to encourage our educationalshowcasefortheroof- members to learn more, [as well as] ing community, construction tradesthose of us in the organization we and property management industry.want to make sure were meeting the One of the many benefits of attend- needs of our members. The positive ingROOFTechincludeswatch- turnoutwasanacknowledgementAudrey Bourque, NWiR Communications Chairingactualroofingtechniquesandthatweredoingsomethingright. 14ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 2 2023 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'