News
Efficiency Canada campaign aims to put spotlight on ‘invisible’ energy efficiency sector
June 17, 2019Efficiency Canada has launched a campaign showcasing the growth of the country’s energy efficiency sector. More than 436,000 people across six sectors are employed in the industry, accounting for 51,000 businesses generating $82.6 billion in operating revenues, according to the…
Construction industry faced highest number of unfilled jobs in Q1, surpassing national average: CFIB
June 13, 2019The 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 to coast, 435,000…
Tour features Modine commercial ventilation, infrared, classroom and unit heater products
June 13, 2019The weather gods were smiling on the fourth stop in Modine‘s 2019 Innovation Tour at the Vaughan Holiday Inn Express in Toronto. Visitors to the event on June 11 and 12 enjoyed sunshine as they checked out the full line…
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
Registration open for Modern Hydronics Summit 2019
June 11, 2019Join HPAC on September 19, 2019, for a one-of-a-kind conference and trade show dedicated exclusively to the hydronics market. Modern Hydronics-Summit 2019 is conveniently located at the International Centre by Toronto’s Pearson Airport. You will see the latest technologies and…
Feds award $2.6 billion contract to upgrade heating, cooling plants in Ottawa
June 10, 2019A consortium has been selected to modernize the aging district energy system used to heat and cool more than 80 structures in the city
ASHRAE updates online hub for refrigeration technology
June 6, 2019ASHRAE has launched a webpage dedicated to refrigeration technology and its application. The webpage standards, design guides and ASHRAE courses. During her term, 2018-2019 ASHRAE president Sheila Hayter, appointed Trent Hunt, region IX director and regional chair, to oversee a…
Desco Plumbing and Heating Supply unveils new head office
June 5, 2019Desco Plumbing and Heating Supply Inc. held an open house on May 23 to celebrate the opening of its new head office at 7550 Tranmere Drive in Mississauga, ON. Special Deschênes Group guests included Joe Senese, vice president operations-Ontario and…
Gerber opens new warehouse in Western Canada
June 5, 2019Gerber Plumbing Fixtures LLC has opened its Western Distribution Centre in the lower mainland of British Columbia. The facility is designed to support the company’s partners in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, while easing the load of Gerber’s primary warehouse in…
Standards Council to end alert service
June 4, 2019The Standards Council of Canada will discontinue its alert service June 11, 2019. The council has encouraged users to search for published standards on its website to see new versions and previous iterations. Comments and questions can be e-mailed to…
Plumbers, pipefitters strike for first time in 30 years after negotiations reach an impasse
June 3, 2019The walkout of several key construction trades could jeopardize work underway in the province
Ecco Supply opens up shop in Prince George, BC
June 3, 2019Ecco Supply has expanded into Prince George, BC with the opening of its 15th sales branch. Farren Edmunds will head up the location as branch manager. Edmunds previously owned MRT Control Systems Ltd. “Prince George is undergoing a significant transformation…
Feds commit $1.45 billion through carbon tax proceeds for businesses making energy-efficient upgrades
May 31, 2019Proceeds from the fuel charge imposed on Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Saskatchewan will unlock rebates and incentives. Still, for some, the incentive falls short
Financeit partners with Carrier Enterprises Canada
May 31, 2019Carrier Enterprises Canada, Canadian distributor of HVAC provider Carrier, will now offer Financeit’s sales technology. The partnership includes the integration of financing for Carrier and Bryant dealers using Centah, the technology company’s lead and workflow management platform. The platform aims…
Anvil International, Smith-Cooper International finalize merger
May 30, 2019Anvil International and Smith-Cooper International have joined forces. While the companies are now under the same corporate ownership, Anvil and SCI sales, customer service, and fulfillment will continue to operate separately. The combined company, which will be majority owned by…
NRCan funding to aid in ISO Energy Management Systems Standard implementation
May 30, 2019Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is providing financial assistance to help industrial, commercial and institutional facilities implement the ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard. The funding covers up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of…
12,000 Ontario plumbers, steamfitters on standby to strike
May 29, 2019Ontario plumbers and steamfitters are prepared to hit the picket lines May 30 in what would be the sector’s first work stoppage in more than three decades. The imminent strike of 12,000 trades workers could threaten to shake up ongoing…
Supporting Women in Trades conference heads to Vancouver
May 29, 2019The 2019 Supporting Women in Trades conference is set to kick off in Vancouver, BC from June 17 to 18. Launched in November 2018 by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, the inaugural show attracted a sold-out crowd to the Marriott Harbourfront…
Northern Quebec community to switch from diesel to hydroelectricity with construction of $125M generating station
May 28, 2019Partners of the Innavik project inked an agreement May 27 to build a $125 million hydroelectric generation station in one of Quebec’s northernmost, diesel-fueled communities. Hydro-Québec, Pituvik Landholding Corporation and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. say the 7.5-megawatt station on the…
Ontario homeowners neglect testing, servicing of air conditioners: poll
May 28, 2019Ontario homeowners rely on air conditioners to keep cool during hot weather, but many fail to have the systems serviced or tested before summer, according to an Ipsos poll, conducted on behalf of Enercare Inc. The survey of more than…
NEBB plans seminar on building systems commissioning
May 27, 2019NEBB will host a Building Systems Commissioning seminar November 4 to 7, 2019. The event, to be held at the NEBB Training and Education Centre in Gaithersburg, MD, will cover the basic commissioning process and the specific requirements for mechanical…
Canadian municipalities receive $9.7M in funding for green projects
May 24, 2019The federal government and Federation of Canadian Municipalities have committed $9.7 million to fund green projects in communities across the country. Infrastructure minister François-Philippe Champagne made the announcement May 16 alongside Vicki-May Hamm, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.…
B. A. Robinson changes name to unify branding
May 23, 2019B. A. Robinson Co. Ltd. is rebranding its wholesale and showroom businesses to Robinson Supply. The company’s lighting and bath showrooms will be branded Robinson. Legally, the company continues to operate as B. A. Robinson Co. Ltd. The change is…
People on the move: Fujitsu, dahl Valve, OS&B, Desco, InSinkErator
May 22, 2019Fujitsu General America has announced the promotion of Dennis Stinson, who now assumes the role and responsibilities of director of national accounts. Stinson will be focused on supporting key national accounts, working in concert with the sales team. …
Software company Interplay Learning lands $5.5M in financing to develop 3D, virtual reality training platform for skilled trades
May 21, 2019Texas-based software company Interplay Learning has secured $5.5 million in financing to develop its online training programs for the HVAC, plumbing and electrical trades. The firm offers interactive video courses and 3D troubleshooting simulations — including SkillMill, its 3D and…
Halton invests $8M in new Kentucky plant
May 20, 2019Halton Group is expanding its U.S. operations with the opening of a USD $8 million plant in Kentucky. The 40,000 square foot facility will manufacture air-handling units, make-up air units and exhaust air pollution control systems for commercial kitchens. It…
Montreal to phase out oil heating over next decade, earmarks $4M to replace systems in municipal buildings by 2021
May 17, 2019The city’s plan to phase out the century-old energy source is part of a long-term project to hit ambitious zero-carbon goals
Johnstone Supply – B&B opens doors to renovated Etobicoke branch
May 16, 2019After nearly a year of upgrades, Johnstone Supply – B&B Trade Distribution Centre commemorated the re-opening of its Etobicoke branch May 15 alongside customers and manufacturers representatives. B&B Trade Distribution Centre President and CEO Tom Boutette gave a speech to…
British Columbia bolsters rebates for energy-efficient home, business renovations
May 16, 2019The expansion of incentives includes an added $1,000 for those making the switch to high-efficiency electric heat pumps