Topic
Human Resources
Industry Training Authority announces expanded services for trades education system
August 7, 2019Trades apprentices and the trades education system in British Columbia are receiving more support through expanded services and regional outreach. This September, the Industry Training Authority (ITA) is bringing the total number of Apprenticeship Advisors to 20 across the province,…
Demand for construction workers, key trades apprentices continues to climb
August 2, 2019By Jillian Morgan The number of unfilled jobs in Canada’s construction sector outpaced all other industries and the national average in the first four quarter of 2019, according to a recent report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses. Coast…
Ontario plumbers, pipefitters return to work after week-long strike
June 13, 2019Just a week after Ontario plumbers and steamfitters walked off the job over work hours and hiring practices, the two labour organizations involved in the dispute have struck a deal. The Ontario Pipe Trades Council said June 11 it has…
Ontario construction industry prepares for new prompt payment, adjudication rules expected to bring ‘profound’ change
June 11, 2019As industry stakeholders prepare for the new rules to come into force, legislators in other provinces and within the federal government are watching closely
HRAI puts out call for HVAC/R “Career Ambassadors”
March 13, 2019The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) is rebooting its Career Ambassadors program. Ambassadors from across Canada speak to youth aged between 16 to 21 years about career opportunities in the HVAC/R industry. HRAI is asking for interested individuals…
Employer and educator team up to create real-world learning environment
March 4, 2019Durham College (DC) and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) recently celebrated the completion of the college’s first-ever Boiler Lab in Whitby, ON. Funded by both DC and OPG, the new boiler lab will help ensure graduates gain real-world experience and knowledge…
People on the move: Fortune Brands, Duravit, Uponor, Friedrich and Prier
February 22, 2019Fortune Brands Global Plumbing Group (GPG) has announced the retirement of Mike Dennis, president of the Canadian and Latin subsidiaries. Cheri Phyfer, current president of Moen U.S., will take on an expanded role as president of the GPG Americas. Her…
People on the move: Ecco Supply, Caleffi, Aquatherm, Ontor Limited
February 11, 2019Bill Davis has taken over as director of sales branch operations at Ecco Supply. The company also appointed Bobby Yu to the position of sales manager, succeeding now-retired Norm Grusnick. Kevin Locke has been tapped as director of procurement at…
People on the move: Wolseley, Taco and RectorSeal
December 17, 2018Wolseley Canada Inc. has appointed Kim Forgues to the position of vice president, human resources. Forgues was most recently the partner and head of HR practice at Odgers Berndston. Prior to that, she held HR leadership roles with D+ H…
Study shows virtual reality motion sickness can be predicted, counteracted
December 13, 2018 by Jillian MorganMotion sickness is poised to throw a wrench into the seemingly unstoppable rise of virtual reality, including its use among mechanical contractors. A team of researchers at the University of Waterloo have a solution. Cyber sickness, or virtual reality motion…
People on the move: Spectrum Brands Inc., Ouellet Canada, Lixil and more
November 20, 2018Ouellet Canada has tapped Paulo Dos Santos for the position of territory manager, Ontario. Santos worked in the electrical market for distributors and manufacturers, and has experience in product specifications at engineering offices. Walter Surface Technologies,…
Cannabis legalization presents challenges new and old for employers
November 8, 2018 by Diane LaranjaEffective October 17, 2018, recreational cannabis became legal in Canada. It is not surprising many employers fear the cognitive and psychomotor effects its use will present in the workplace. Cannabis is a generally impairing substance. Its effects can include diminished…
Cloud of uncertainty lifted says BMO economist
October 30, 2018Douglas Porter, CFA, chief economist with BMO Financial Group, painted a reasonably positive economic picture at CIPH Ontario region’s first business meeting at the Mississauga Convention Centre. With the signing of the tariff agreements Porter noted that a big risk…
CFIB offers webinar, other tools on cannabis legalization for businesses
October 25, 2018The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) has developed a series of educational and workplace tools aimed at helping employers manage the legalization of recreational cannabis. A webinar titled “Prepare your business for legalization” is free and open to the…
Industry Training Authority appoints interim COO, CEO
September 21, 2018Industry Training Authority (ITA), a provincial government skilled trades training agency in British Columbia, has tapped Shelley Gray, its chief operating officer (COO), to take over as interim CEO following the departure of Gary Herman. In its search for a…
Registration open for CAF-FCA pre-apprenticeship panel
September 18, 2018The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA) will host a fall regional roundtable on pre-apprenticeship in Canada on October 18, 2018. The roundtable will share results from a CAF-FCA survey of over 500 current and former pre-apprentices. Attendees can learn about pre-apprenticeship…
CAF-FCA hires new executive director
September 14, 2018France Daviault will take over as executive director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. She is replacing CAF-FCA’s former executive director, Sarah Watts-Rynard, who was with the association for eight years. Daviault most recently served as vice president of the Automotive…
People on the move: Taco, Fujitsu General America, Saniflo, Crosswater London
August 27, 2018Taco Comfort Solutions has appointed Jeffrey Bredeson to president of its Tennessee-based subsidiary, Hydroflo Pumps. Prior to this position, he served as vice-president of sales for Taco’s wholesale and commercial HVAC solutions. Fujitsu General America, Inc. has…
Contractors in the classroom: Business growth networks offer a venue to hone skills, compete in market
August 27, 2018 by Jillian MorganMechanical contractors remedy complex and critical problems in the field. The skills to run a small- to medium-sized business, however, may not come as easily. A contracting business can become stagnant without the acumen to handle operations tasks, such as…
Deadline approaches for ASHRAE 2019 conference, technical papers
August 16, 2018ASHRAE has announced a call for papers for its 2019 annual conference Abstract submissions are due August 21, 2018. If accepted, final papers will be due November 30, 2018. Technical papers – 30-pages maximum, to be published in ASHRAE Transactions…
Bacharach acquires U.S. manufacturer to deliver test, measurement instrumentation
July 30, 2018Bacharach has acquired Pennsylvania-based Neutronics Inc., a provider of refrigerant and gas analyzers for the automotive and commercial HVAC markets. Its oxygen analyzers are also used in the semi-conductor industry, and its self contained breathing units in the safety and…
G.S Equpico to take over Atlantic Canada sales for Pfister, Fortis brands
July 27, 2018G.S Equipco Ltd. will assume sales for the Pfister and Fortis brands, under Spectrum Brands, in Atlantic Canada. Spectrum and Equipco have partnered to cover Western Canada since 2016. The arrangement was expanded in March 2018 to include Ontario. www.spectrumbrands.com
T&S expands global footprint with acquisition of Italian manufacturer
July 26, 2018T&S Brass and Bronze Works acquired Klarco SRL, an Italian manufacturer of faucets, pre-rinse units and hose reels for the foodservice industry. The deal allows T&S to continue its global expansion, and will offer Klarco support to grow its product…
U.S. facility management company partners with IFMA Foundation to fund Global Workforce Initiative
July 24, 2018Facility management company ABM has contributed to the IFMA Foundation Global Workforce Initiative, which aims to close the workforce gap in facilities services. “There is a serious labour shortage on the horizon within the facility management industry,” said IFMA Foundation…
People on the move: Saniflo, Aqua-Tech and Marley Engineered Products
July 13, 2018Regis Saragosti has been named North American CEO for SFA Saniflo. He served as the CEO of Saniflo USA for more than 10 years. In this new role, Saragosti will oversee national sales representatives, advertising and marketing, online sales and…
Reliance acquires John Guest to grow market presence in Europe
July 12, 2018Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC) has completed its acquisition of John Guest Holdings Ltd. John Guest, headquartered in England, operates three manufacturing facilities in the U.K. RWC hopes the acquisition will allow it to expand its product portfolio and market presence…
People on the move: CoolSys, Uponor and Emerson
June 5, 2018Anthony Tippins has been named president of CoolSys Energy Solutions. As the founder of Axiom Energy Solutions, acquired by CoolSys, Tippins will lead the energy solutions business. Prior to establishing Axiom Energy Solutions, Tippins was the president, COO and a founding…
Noble scholarship offered to plumbing, HVAC students at Toronto college
May 30, 2018Noble has donated $30,000 to fund scholarships for plumbing and HVAC students at George Brown College in Toronto, ON. The Noble Futures Award will be presented annually to four first- and second-year full-time students for the next five years, starting…
Ontario passes minimum pay-rate legislation for contractors
May 10, 2018Legislation to establish minimum pay rates for Ontario private-sector contractors has been passed. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the proposed Government Contract Wages Act, 2018, at the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters, Local 46, in Toronto, ON in April. The…
Toronto Star, Metro English Canada COO appointed HRAI president
May 4, 2018Sandy MacLeod, former COO of print at Star Media Group, will take over as president of the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). MacLeod will succeed Warren Heeley at the end of June 2018. Heeley announced his…